The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-30 00:00:00

The Case of Dr, Pritchard,

DISCOVERY OF POISON IN THE BODY OF MRS
PRITCHARD.
(From the Glasgow Herald.)

In consequence of a letter received yesterday by the local
authorities from Dr. Maclagan this case has now assumed a
more tangible, and, we may add, a much more serious cha-
racter than it had formerly done. We learn that, in the
communication referred to, Dr. Maclagan conveyed a dis-
tinct intimation that antimony had been found abundantly
in the urine, liver, spleen, intestines, and blood, of the late
Mrs. Pritchard. It thus seems evident that the poison in
question had been swallowed by the deceased lady in large
quantities—indeed, to an extent far beyond what could
have been administered in any preparation of antimony as
medicine. Hitherto the investigation has mainly taken the
form of what is known as " quantitative analysis," the ob-
ject being to ascertain whether there was poison in the
system or not. The examination, however, is still pro-
ceeding, and from this point it will be conducted chiefly as
a " quantitative analysis," with the view of defining in the
most exact manner the quantity of poison discovered in
the various parts of the body. At the same time the analyst
will conduct his further operations so as to ascertain, if
possible, whether or not there be other poisons besides an-
timony in the remains of Mrs. Pritchard.
Shortly after the receipt of Dr. Maclagan's important
communication Mr. Procurator Fiscal Gemmel proceeded to
Edinburgh for the purpose of having a consultation with
Crown counsel as to the grave aspect which the case has
now assumed. Jcle carried with him, we believe, a warrant
for the exhumation and examination of the body of the
late Mrs. Pritchard's mother. There are undoubtedly cer-
tain suspicious circumstances connected with her death.
Dr. James Paterson was called in to visit Mrs. Taylor, and
saw her almost in articulo mortis. When he was applied to
by the registrar for a certificate with regard to her death
he distinctly refused to give one, accompanying his refusal
with a letter, in which he gave it as his opinion that the
death was one of a mysterious character. Under these
circumstances Dr. Pritchard himself furnished a certi-
ficate, in which, if we are not mistaken, he stated that
the death of his mother-in-law took place after
twelve hours of paralysis, and one hour of apop-
exy ; whereas it is a matter of certainty that Mrs.
Taylor died after only four hours' illness—that, in fact, she
was in the act of writing a letter to a friend at 9 o'clock at
night, and was a corpse at 1 o'clock on the following morn-
ing. Taking these things into account it will be seen that
the authorities have some grounds for inquiry touching the
death of Mrs. Taylor.
We have reason to believe that now, when the presence
of poison in alarge quantity has been discovered,the autho-
rities will be in a position to adduce material evidence bear-
ing on its administration. Mary Paterson, a young woman
who succeeded the old servant, Catherine Latimer, and who
went to the doctor's house before Mrs. Taylor's death, and
has remained there ever since, states, we believe, that on
the Monday before Mrs. Pritchard's death she happened to
taste a small piece of cheese which had been sent down
from that lady, and subsequently felt a burning sensation
in the throat, which was followed by sickness and vomit-
ing. Again, on the Wednesday following she was asked
by Dr. Pritchard to prepare an egg-flip for her mistress.
The doctor put in the sugar with his own hands, and the
girl alleges that having taken a sip of the mixture before it
was sent to the patient she was again attacked, but more
violently than before, with pain in the throat, with sick-
ness and vomiting. She further asserts, we believe, that
Mrs. Pritchard after tasting this liquid, ordered it away.
If we are not misinformed the girl M'Leod also states that
Mrs. Taylor at one time expressed some suspicion as to the
character of the food or cordial sent up to her daughter,
and subsequently, down to the time of her death, attended
to these preparations herself.
So far. as matters have gone we have not heard any mo-
tive alleged at all sufficient to account for the perpetration
of so great crime, if it be the fact that murder has been
really committed. The girl M'Leod, in the course of an
examination lasting over the whole of ono day and part of
another, gave a great deal of information as to what tran-
spired in the doctor's household during the period of her
service. She at the same time admitted, in the most ex-
plicit manner, the circumstances of her illicit connection
with Dr. Pritchard. This may be held as proving that the
doctor had ceased to cherish feelings of respect and affec-
tion for his wife; but at the same time, as we formerly
hinted, it is inconceivable that a gentleman in his position
would do his wife mischief in order that he might after-
wards form a matrimonial connection with an unpolished
and uneducated person like the girl M'Leod.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ROME.
ROME, MARCH 26.
(Via Marseilles.)

Two numerous bands of Neapolitan brigands,
wearing uniforms, and supplied with arms and
ammunition, have penetrated into the Pontifical
territory. They have carried desolation into the
provinces of Frosinene and Velletri. All occupiers
have fled from their homes.

Count Paris de Frosinone having fallen into the
hands of the marauders, was compelled to pay
50,000 francs ransom.

The French troops, in conjunction with the Italian
soldiers, have adopted vigorous measures to destroy
the brigands.

The Italian troops frequently pass the Pontifical
frontier. It is thought that the Papal Government
will remain inactive in the matter.

LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY, March 30.

The Inman steamer, City of Limerick, from New
York on the 16th inst., passed Point Lynas at 10
a.m. to-day. News anticipated.

ALLOCUTION OF THE POPE.
ROME, MARCH 29.

In the allocution delivered at the last consistory
the Pope expressed his surprise and sorrow at the
sad events which had recently taken place in
Mexico. His Holiness hoped that the Emperor
Maximilian would abandon the course upon which
he had entered, and satisfy the just desires of the
Holy See.

The Pope further thanked the bishops of the
Catholic world, and especially those of Italy, for
their zeal in defending religion and the liberties of
the Church, despite the decrees of secular autho-
rities.

WEST INDIA, PACIFIC, AND
MEXICAN MAILS.
SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 30.
The Royal Mail Company's steamer Atrato, with
the above mails, has arrived here with 138 passen-
gers $2,274,809 in specie, and 1,100 packages of
cargo, consisting chiefly of cigars, jalap bark, indigo,
and silver ore. Amongst her passengers are Gen.
Buanaventuara Baez, ex-President of San Domingo,
and Admiral Riestra, of the Peruvan navy, from
Callao.
The Atrato left St. Thomas's on the 15th. She
experienced during the first five days head winds
and a heavy sea, but since then fine weather.
The steamer Hayti from Liverpool arrived at
St. Thomas on the 10th.
The steamer Palays arrived at the same port on
the 13th, with news from St. Domingo to the 11th.
The Spanish authorities were anxious to prevent the
intentions of their Government from becoming
known, but their manceuvres had tended to show
that the Spanish troops intended to quit the island.
The Spaniards were massed in Ports St. Domingo
and Puerto Plata, and the Dominicans profiting by
their inactivity were strengthening their forts, and
preparing for another campaign if required. No-
thing appears left for the Spaniards but to carry on
a war of extermination or to abandon the island.
Trade was very languid, and every branch of
business in the island paralysed. Several families had
emigrated to Porto Rico in consequence of the high
price of provisions.
Her Majesty's ships Duncan, Aurora, and Steady
were at Trinidad ; the Aboukir, Fawn, and Cor-
delia, at Jamaica ; and the Wolverine, Bull Dog,
and Petrel at Sacrificio. The Tribune had sailed
from Esquimault for the South Pacific.
The excitement which pervaded all classes in Peru
had quite subsided, and a fortnight prior to the sail-
ing of the mail everything was dull and quiet.
Ex-President Castilla had been sent away in a
Peruvian war vessel, where is not publicly known.
His influence is ended for the present.
One vessel of the Spanish squadron had sailed for
Valparaiso, and another for Paita, others remain in
Callao bay.
Heavy shipments of cotton had been made from
the Peruvian ports, and from Callao alone nearly
4,000 bales had been shipped. Exchange on Lon-
don, 37 pence per dollar.
The press of Chili lamented the solution of the
Hispano-Peruvian question as derogatory to the
honour of the whole of South America.
In the Southern provinces of Conception and
Valdivia gold mines had been discovered, and new
coal mines were to be opened in the south. Fav-
ourable reports had been given of the quicksilver
mines lately discovered in the hills about Valparaiso.
The arrivals of vessels at Valparaiso were few.
Business was quiet and money scarce. Exchange
being quoted 4s. 7id. to id. per dollar, checked
transactions.
The journals of the different republics of Central
Africa were still discussing the question of the right
of Costa Rica to afford asylum to the ex-President
Barrios.
The States of Nicaragua, Salvador, and Guate-
malahad cut off all relations with Costa Rica, both
commercial and diplomatic on this account.
The volcano of Turcalba, in Costa Rica, con-
tinues the rain of ashes, and the heat resulting
therefrom is almost insupportable.
The coffee crop averages from 80,000 to 100,000
quintals.
The weather at Barbadoes was dry, and the sugar
crop rapidly progressing. Cotton was arriving from
the interior for shipment. Emigration was going on.
Fever and cold were prevailing. Exchange-90
days, pa
At Trinidad the weather was unfavourable for
crop operations ; the yield, however, was good, and
the shipments of sugar were proceeding slowly.
Manufacturing operations on the sugar estates of
Grenada were proceeding favourably. The yield
was good and the weather was propitious for cotton
picking cocoa curing. Purchasers of both articles
were actively competing. There were considerable
shipments of both commodities for Europe. Ex-
change-90 days, $4B.
Trade ivas dull at Jamaica, and a severe drought
continues throughout the island, and was severely
felt by the stock.
Diphtheria and small-pox was very virulent in
several districts.
Coffee, ordinary, 50s. to 535. ; mountain growth,
545. to 60s. Rum, 24d. to 27d. ; proof, 18 in
bond. Sugar, dark to middling, 15s. 6d. to 17s. ;
fair quality, 19s. to 21s.
Exchange, 90 days, 1i per cent. premium.

SPAIN.
MADRID, MARCH 29.

The Epoca of to-day says the Minister of War
has tendered his resignation. It is asserted that
General Lersundi has refused to replace him.
Marshal Narvaez will probably retain the port-
folio of the vacant Ministry.