The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-20 00:00:00

THE ROAD MURDER.

SALISBURY, July 19.
The commission for the Wilts assizes was formally
opened in this city this afternoon. Both learned
judges, Mr Justice Keating and Mr. Justice Willes,
arrived about half-past 2 o'clock, from Winchester,
and immediately proceeded to the Crown Court,
where the commission was opened.
The trial of the prisoners will not commence till
to-morrow, and it is considered probable that the
trial of Constance Kent, for the murder of her
brother, Francis Saville Kent, will be commenced in
the afternoon. The excitement with reference to
the case is very great, it being generally understood
that on the solicitation of her friends the prisoner
has consented to plead not guilty, and that an at-
tempt will be made to set aside the confession on
the ground of insanity produced by religious mono-
mania. The town is filling very fast, and all the
principal hotels are likely to be crowded. The pri-
soner was brought over from Devizes gaol last night
by Mr. Alexander, the governor of the prison there,
and lodged in the county gaol in this city. Her
father and other relatives have also arrived in the
city, and this morning were in close consultation
with Mr. Coleridge, Q.C., and Mr. Edlin, of Bristol,
the counsel retained for the defence. The prosecu-
tion, it is understood, will be conducted by Mr.
Karslake, Q.C., and Mr. Lopez.
The Under-Sheriff, Mr. J. Phillips, of Chippen-
ham, has ever since the reception of the judges been
busily engaged in regulating the admissions to the
court, which is a particularly small, ill-contrived,
and ill-ventilated room, hardly capable, if every-
thing were moved out of it, of holding 200 people.
The press arrangements are of a very limited cha-
racter, accommodation being provided for twelve
reporters only ; six seats are to be reserved for the
metropolitan press. It is thought the case will be
brought on when least expected, in order to avoid
crowding the court. Mr. Justice Wines is to try
the case.

THE Loss OF ENGLISIL TOURISTS ON THE MAT-
TERHORN.--GENEVA, July 19.—The Journal de
Geneve of to-clay publishes intelligence respecting the fatal
accident to the party of tourists on their descent of Mont
Cerirn, or Matterhorn, on the 14th inst. The party con-
sisted of five persons, who performed the ascent success-
fully. While descending, however, one of them made a
false step and fell, drawing two others of the party and the
guide after him. All four persons immediately rolled down
the side of the mountain, and fell over a precipice 400 feet
deep. The names of the unfortunate gentlethen who have
perished aro Lord Francis Douglas, nineteen years old ;
Mr. Haddo, and Mr. Charles Hudson, of the London Al-
pine Club. The name of the guide is Croz. The bodi.fs
have not yet been recovered.

The decision of the Sheriff on Tuesday as to the
show of hands at the nomination for the southern division
of the West Riding caused very great and general dissatis-
faction, expression of which was shortly afterwards made
freely at a luncheon of gentlemen of the Liberal party
Sir Charles Wood stated that in his opinion, " anything
more partial he never saw, and if there was any spirit
among them, as he knew there was, they would redeem
that—blunder it could not be=-but that unfairness which
had been committed."