The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-17 00:00:00

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THE SUN LONDON THURSDAY EVENt -(1-, JULY 17, 1969
~ _ ,

EXTRAORDINARY COMMISSION OF

LUNACY.

_
(Before Master Warren, Q.C., and a Special Jury.)
READING, JULY 15.

This morning an inquiry under a commission in lunacy
was opened in the Crown Court, Reading, on the mental
condition of Mr. Jason Smith, a gentleman of great wealth,
58 years of age, residing in this town, whose conduct for
some time past has been the subject of considerable excite-
ment in the neighbourhood. The unfortunate gentleman
is the son of a Mr. William Smith, of Kensington-gore--
who, it is believed, was a large job-master in Curzon-street
—and practised for some time as an attorney until the
death of his father, when he came into possession of about
£lOO,OOO. The petitioners are his wife and four of his elder
children.
The court opened at twelve o'clock, and was very
crowded.
Mr. Montagu' Chambers, Q.C., Mr. Huddleston, Q.C.,
and Mr. Surrage appeared for the petitioners ; Mr. Sergeant
Ballantine, Mr. Fooks, and Mr. Talfourd Salter for the
alleged lunatic.
It is said that Sir Hugh Cairns, Q.C., was offered 300
guineas to lead Mr. Smith's case, but declined,
A special jury of 21 gentlemen, chiefly magistrates, of
whom the Hon. Spencer Dudley Montagu was foreman,
having been sworn, the Master made a few remarks to
them defining the law of lunacy, quoting some of the pas-
ages on that subject from his charge in Mr. Windham's
case. _ _ _

Mr. M. Chambers, Q.C., then addressed the jury. He
said that the petioners had obtained the inquiry with
serious and deep reluctance ; but unless they had inter-
posed Mr. Smith would have been a ruined man, He had
£3,000 a year, but if he were to exercise undiminished con-
trol over it he would soon be a beggar. On his father's
death he inherited £lOO,OOO, and in 1833 married a Miss
France, by whom he had nine children, all of whom were
alive, and of whom the four then of age had joined in the
petition. He was always eccentric, and partial to wine
drinking, generally two bottles at a time. Sometimes he
ordered dinner at seven, and ate it at two in the morning.
Seventeen years ago he took up his abode at Clarence House,
Reading. His malady was believed to have originated in an
attack of paralysis about August, 1861, and developed itself
in delusions of curious kinds, bearing on speculations. He
believed that he was making millions by building; that
he was building in Reading the most splendid street
in the world, that he was a great coal-merchant, a grass-
merchant, &c. As his mind grew weaker his habits
became slovenly, filthy, and indecent. Then he bad de-
lusions about politics, thinking he could return his eldest
son for Reading, that all the Quakers and Dissenters would
support his son, and that he had £lOO,OOO a year. Then
he had delusions about lawyers, that his property was so
large that he required three lawyers at £1,200 a year each
to manage it. A number of extracts from Mr. Smith's
letters were then read, some of the most curious kind.
In one—to Mr. Wheble of Bulmarshe-court (a Roman
Catholic)—he offers £lOO to Mr. Wheblo's Roman Catholic
friends, as he " abominated the Protestant Society in all
its forms," his second son being in fact a clergyman. l'hen,
on the other hand, by way of " hedging," he offered £5OO
towards a memorial to the late Rev. S. W. Yates, the re-
spected vicar of St. Mary's, Reading, "wherein him
preach." He wrote to a respectable lady making peculiar
overtures to her, and offering her £l.OO. Then there was a
letter on this lunacy commission saying that he had got a
leading counsel and paid him 500 guineas.— [Sergeant Bal-
lantine—" He has altered his mind then." (Laughter.)—]
that he had " three monsters in his house" (keepers), but
that his arm was now " as hard as Tom Sayers' " and he
would " floor them." Then both his lawyers were described
as " mad ;" one because he would (not give him wine, but
" ne liked Blandy—[the town-clerk, sitting just in front of
Mr. Chambers]—(laughter)—who gave champagne, but
still he was half mad." (Laughter.) Mr. Smith had also
written to Lord Shaftesbury, offering his lordship, if he
would call on him, £lOO,OOO to procure the discontinuance
of the keepers who watched him—there was also another
letter about the commission, in which the Master was
named and duly pronounced " mad" also—(laughter)—a
letter in which Mr. Smith talked of purchasing from Cuba
bloodhounds Land four revolvers, for reasons only to be
guessed at, ttc.
Shortly before Mr. Chambers concluded his opening, Mr.
Jason Smith himself wandered into the court,' to the
astonishment of every one, and the dismay and anger of his
counsel, who seemed
,to think that the petitioners had
brought him in to exhibit his condition. The unfortunate
gentleman soon settled the question before the Court to the
satisfaction of most people. He said that Mr. Warren had
sent for him; that he was sure the Master was his friend;
he had known Mr. Warren's father, who was a blacking
manufacturer, living at Mill-hill, where he had gone to
school, and as great a gentleman as Day (Day and Martin)
was a blackguard, Bcc. He had written to Lord Shaftes-
bury, with whom he had been at school. Mr. Smith, whose
appearance was of the most singular character, added that
he thought he had been sent for, but was soon content to
be led out by his eldest son, offering to wait near the court
till Mr. Warren was ready to see him—he would come to-
day, to-morrow, or next day, if they wanted it.
The learned counsel for the petitioners then began to call
witnesses. _ _ _

Harriet Smith, wife of the alleged lunatic, examined by
Mr. Huddleston, Q.C., after giving some details of her
husband's age, fortune, family, &c., said that he had been
all his life an " eccentric man," His mind had decidedly
become more feeble since August, 1861. About December
he talked of building two intersecting streets in Reading as
large as Regent-street. The tradesmen were all to make
their fortunes; the fishmonger would require £2OO worth
of fish a week, the haberdasher would make £3,000 a year,
&c. On one occasion he purchased 27 dresses, mostly
silk, which he gave to servants and to friends, by whom,
however, they were returned. He was possessed of a de-
sire to be a coal-merchant, and said that by the winter he
should be worth £3,000,000, perhaps £5,000,000 a year.
He said he should turn out the present members for the
borough, and have his son and Mr. Paley, a friend of his
son's, members. In the beginning of the year his habits
became excessively slovenly and dirty, and disinfecting
fluids and fumigations became necessary in the house; and
when witness and her daughter were in the room he ap-
peared in an indecent state. Early in May, before morning
prayers, he used violent language and struck his third son.
Witness felt it necessary to get attendants and take steps
in lunacy in April. A bundle of extraordinary letters,
alluded to by Mr. Chambers, were identified by the witness
as in her husband's writing.
Charles Langdon, an attendant from Dr. Monro's esta-
blishment, sent to attend on Mr. Smith, said, in answer to
Mr. Chambers, Q.C., that he had been directed to give to
Mrs. Smith all letters written by her husband, some of
which formed part of the bundle. Witness was confident
that Mr. Smith would continue subject to delusions. When
asked what sort of delusions, he replied that only that
morning he had told him that Mrs. Smith could very well
afford the expenses of the inquiry, as she had £14,000 a
year, and that it would take three or four years to pay the
expenses. In reply to the Master, witness said that Mr.
Smith had told him that he was the richest man in the
world, worth more than a million; he had 500 houses let at
£3OO a year, and 500 let at £lOO a year; that he was a
large coal merchant, and could supply all Reading. Mr.
Smith never went to bed, but lay down in his clothes on the
sofa.
Mr. Chambers—He has not been in bed for 16 or 17
years. (A laugh.)
Some discussion here ensued between the Master, the
counsel, and the jury on the future course of the proceed-
ings. The letters of the alleged lunatic were handed to
the jury, and the Master said that they certainly had made
a strong impression on his own mind. He thought it would
be better that the jury should read the letters and discuss
them in a private room, and then perhaps the examination
of Mr. Smith himself would enable them to conclude the
inquiry without examining any more witnesses. The jury
then retired after Mr. Chambers had read the following
additional letter, written by Mr. Smith to Dr. Cowan, of
this town :

" Dear Doctor,—l wish you would call on me this morn-
ing, about one, to give me your opinion on the state of my
health. I have sent for Dr. Conully to come and give me
his opinion if I am sane or insane. Maurice (a surgeon
here) cannot tell me. I have told him I have a million of
money without a penny spent, and have £3OO left by my
father. Since my building plan I have made four millions,
and have £BO,OOO in ready money besides the £3OO above."
The alleged lunatic was then sent for, it being supposed
that he had remained within the precincts of the court.
After waiting a long time, the Master was informed that
Mr. Smith had gone out " for a drive," and would not be
nonplussed the professional gentlemen, as on
back till six o'clock. This announcement., while it amused
when going "for a drive." Mr. Smith drove,
tahfeoranaudeirendcaey,,
according to Mr. Trluddleston, 40 miles, and, as his dinner-
hour, nominally seven, but often two or three a.m., could
not be reckoned on as likely to bring him home at the hour
stated. After the lapse of an hour the counsel conferred
together, and it was agreed to send a note to the Master,
who had left the court. On the return of the Master and
of the jury it was resolved to adjourn the court till to-
morrow at ten, by
which time it was hope J that the inte-
resting but erratic subject of the inquiry would be in safe
keeping.

The adjourned proceedings were opened yesterday morn-
ing, at half-past ten o'clock, before Master Warren, Q.C.,
and a special jury, of which the
lion. Spencer Dudley
Montague was foreman.
The first proceeding was an interview between the jury
and the alleged lunatic, after which Mrs. Smith was exa-
mined as to her husband's general behaviour.
Dr. Cowan, senior physician at the Berkshire Hospital,

deposed that he attended Mr. Smith on the 21st of last
May, in accordance with the request contained in a note
received from him that he would form an opinion as to
the state of his mind. He conversed with him for nearly
an hour, and formed the opinion that his mind was un-
sound, and that he was incapable of managing his affairs.
Witness observed great dirtiness of person end linen that
would hardly be consistent with health in any one. There
was great incoherency and confusion of ideas. He told
witness of purchases of millions, either in amount of
money or numbers; that he had bought 4,000 houses.
He then reduced the number to 400, and then to 40, but
would ramble to some other extravagant notions.
He said he had spent a very great amount of
money in• land and houses but was not a penny
the poorer. He could not explain this, when
asked, and merely replied that it was so. He ex-
pressed his intention of leaving his coachman and several
other persons £5OO a year ; and he spoke of having
20 millions of ready money. Witness told him he consi-
dered his mind was unsound, and that he was unfit to
manage his affairs, Rpm which he laughed, and remarked
that that was a matter of opinion. Witness described
another interview on the 3d of the present month, which
confirmed his opinion. He talked with considerable ration-
ality upon the weather, and such common subjects. He
said he had purchased two houses for £1,700, and cleared
£1,200 by the transaction. He also said that Mr. Weall
(the solicitor for the petitioners) was mad. (Laughter.)
Counsel for Mr. Smith having addressed the jury, they
found Jason Smith, Esq., to be a person of unsound mind,
and not capable of managing his property.

TEE MYSTERIOUS MURDER IN
GLASGOW.

FURTHER IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES.
(From the North British Daily Mail.)
We are glad to be able to report that another par-
tial success, at least, has attended the labours of the
officers who are engaged investigating this myste-
rious case. When the discovery was made that silver
plate was supposed to have been stolen from the
house of Mr. Fleming on the night of the murder,
naturally the inquiry was, Where is the plate ? as
the proper direction in which to find the murderer,
or the person who could give some information about
the matter. Accordingly the police directed much
of their attention to solve this question ; and, as our
readers are aware, they were not long in discover-
ing it in the pawnbroker's premises. The next
question that presented itself was regarding the
pledger ; and that has likewise been indubitably an-
swered. But still a, great link in the chain of evi-
dence was wanting, as the pawner of the articles,
Mrs. 11PLachlan,
implicated old Mr. Fleming, as-
serting that he gave her them for the purpose
to which she applied them, and that before the mur-
der was believed to have been committed ; and fur-
ther denied most positively that she knew anything
about the clothing of the deceased which had gone
amissing. To recover the clothing, therefore, has the
labours of the police been directed since Mrs. M'Lach-
lan was apprehended, and yesterday they were in
some measure successful in bringing this part of the
case to a satisfactory issue. As the result of many
inquiries, Capt. 111‘Call proceeded on Monday after-
noon to the South-side Station of the Caledonian
Railway, and there discovered that a small leather
trunk or box had been brought to that station about
4 o'clock on the afternoon of the Saturday on which
it is believed the murder was committed, by a little
girl, who tendered the name and address of Mrs.
M'Lachlan, 182, Broomielaw-street (the female
prisoner's name and address), as the person who
wished it despatched by the railway to Hamilton.
The box was addressed, " Mrs. Bein, Hamilton—to
lie until called for." The box was accordingly sent
on ; and hence Mr. M'Call proceeded to Hamilton
last Monday by the 4 15 p.m. train in search of the
box, which, it is supposed, contained some of the
deceased's missing clothing. On his arrival there,
it was found that the box had duly arrived at
Hamilton station, where it had remained till the
Monday or Tuesday following. It seems that on
ono of these days a little boy applied at the station to
know whether there was such a box there, remark.
ing that he had been sent by a lady who war stand
ing outside to make the inquiry. He was answered
in the affirmative, and then went away, returning
soon after with the lady, who is known to have been
the prisoner, Mrs. M'Lachlan. She signed the de-
livery book " Mrs. M'Lachlan," in the usual way ;
and then got the box, whicla the boy carried into
town. On his arrival in Hamilton, Capt. M'Call
communicated with Mr. M'Kay, chief constable of
Lanarkshire, and Superintendent Dewar, also of the
county constabulary, who entered cordially into the
matter, and at once a search was made to discover
the boy who had been the messenger, or the box or
its contents. Diligent inquiries were made until
after midnight ; but neither boy nor box could
anywhere be met with. Next morning, however,
the investigation was proceeded with at an early
hour, and by breakfast time the boy was discovered.
He is about 12 years of age, the son of a carter
residing in Almada. street, and is named James
Chassels. He was one of the witnesses examined
yesterday before the procurators-fiscal in the County
Buildings, and we understand gave important evi-
dence. It seems that the female prisoner, M'Lach-
lan, came to him on the street in Hamilton on Mon-
day or Tuesday of last week, and asked him if he
would carry a box for her. He at once readily
agreed, as she promised him "something to him-
self," and he went to the railway station and brought
away the box as above described. As she expressed
a desire to get some refreshments, he took her to
his mother's house, along with her box, where she
had tea. In this house the prisoner opened the box
and took out some dresses, one of which answers
the description, we understand, of one of those be-
lieved to have been stolen from Mr. Fleming's
house, and belonging to the deceased woman.
These she tied up in a bundle, and after waiting a
little told the boy to follow her with the empty box,
she taking the bundle under her arm. After leav-
ing 11Irs. Chassel's house, the prisoner told the boy
she wanted to get the box mended, as one of the
hinges was broken, and asked him who would mend
it for her. The boy suggested that a joiner would
be the proper party, but she replied that it would
be better to take it to a saddler, as it was made of
leather. The boy accordingly pointed out Mr.
Cherry's shop, where she desired him to leave it to
get the hinge mended, and to say that it would be
called for next week. Before she parted with the
boy she inquired of him if he knew where one
Shaw, a tailor, lived. After he had pointed out
Union-street as the place, and she had given him
his reward, he left her; and she proceeded in that
direction, and he saw no more of her. Whether
she ever went there or not, or what has become of',
her bundle is unknown. Shaw, who is a foreman
tailor, and his wife deny having seen her that day;
and although their house was searched none of the
clothing was found.
They were brought to Glas-
gow yesterday as witnesses, and examined by the
fiscals, but nothing of importance transpired in
their evidence. The police, of course, will continue
their efforts to recover the stolen apparel, and it is
devoutly to be wished that they may succeed in
obtaining it, as an important branch of the evidence
in this intricate case_
Our readers will remember that in the bedroom
of the deceased, where she was found lying mur-
dered, in the large pool of blood on the floor the
distinct print of a human foot was found. This
having dried and hardened, the portion of flooring
it covered was taken up and preserved. It was
found to be the imprint of a very peculiar and neat
a
foot, with a high instep, and did not at all answer
to that of the deceased woman or the old man Flem-
ing. With the view of discovering whether the
prisoner M`Lachlan's foot could have made the
mark on the floor, yesterday an impression of her
foot was taken in blood on a board by Dr. G. H. B.
M'Leod, and we are informed that it exactly cor-
responds. Footprints in clay and soft soil have
often been of service in the detection of crime, but.
whether an impression left in blood by a stocking
evidence remains to be seen.
covered foot can furnish
Certainly the authorities are to be praised, how-
ever, for their unceasing and persevering efforts in
working up every conceivable plan which may lead

to the dissipation of the mystery that still clings
around the Sandyford-place murder.
Yesterday, the female prisoner was brought down
from the North Prison to the County-buildings, be-
tween 10 and 11 o'clock, for further examination
and identification by witnesses. As soon as the
cab in which she was conveyed turned into Biuns-
wick.street, a crowd followed it, so that before the
woman could get out she was surrounded by a large
number of individuals, who showed great anxiety
to get a look at the woman who has filled the pub-
lic mind for a week past. Her appearance is vastly
altered from what it was a week ago when she 'was
first called before the sheriff. She is now very pale
and careworn, and has even a somewhat emaciated
look. There can be no doubt but the ordeal through
which she has passed since the dire event occurred
has made her appear many years older than she
really is. In any view of the ease, whether the ma-
jor charge upon which she is now detained can be
substantiated or not, her anxiety after the first I
visit of the detectives must have been extreme, and, '
considering her position, when it is known that '
she was again and again called upon and questioned
to see if she could throw any light upon the melan-
chely death of one with whom she was on the
best and most intimate terms, not only in her own
house but also before the Sheriff and his Fiscals,
one is astonished that her coolness never left her.

The procurators-fiscal were busy the whole day
precognoscing witnesses, but beyond what the
public is already acquainted with, nothing wary
definite has yet been arrived at in regard to either
of the prisoners. Both, of course, remain in
custody.
The excitement in the public mind seems to be
greatly on the wane as facts transpire which thiow
even a modicum of light on the mystery. The
crowd at the County Buildings soon dispersed
after Mrs. M'Lachlan entered them; and little at-
tention comparatively was paid to the matter
throughout the day, although certainly there was a
great anxiety for " news" still apparent.

SUPPOSED DISCOVERY OF THE STOLEN
WEARING APPAREL.

To-day, it is fondly hoped, and on good grounds,
that a chief missing link has been discovered in the
murder case, which has engrossed much attention
for some time past, and that a gleam of light will
be shed on this mysterious affair. Jas. M'Lachlan,
the husband of the fe male prisoner, called at the
police-office, and informed them that he had some-
thing important to tell the detectives in charge of
this mysterious case. After hearing what he had
to say, a sheriff officer proceeded to the South-
Western Railway Station, in Bridge-street, where
he received a small tin box, which had been sent
from Greenock, addressed—" Mr. Thomson, County
Buildings, Glasgow." This box contained what is
believed to have been the clothing of the deceased
woman Macpherson, which was ablen from Sandy-
ford-place on the night of the murder. There is at
present something inexplicable about the trans-
mission of this box. On Wednesday last, a box
exactly like it, if not the same, was sent to Ayr by
the 4.30 p.m. train, addressed, " Mrs. Darnley, Ayr
—to lie till called for." It was returned on Friday,
and was received and taken away by a man in the
garb of a sailor. When or how it got to Greenock
we have not at present discovered. Meanwhile the
authorities are investigating the matter, and we
have no doubt will soon clear it up.

Both prisoners are now in the County Buildings,
and the old man has been under examination before
the sheriff for several hours.

THE WEATHER AND CROPS.

(From the Scotsman.)

AUCIITERARDER.—The weather during the past
week has had a very marked effect upon the crops.
They have improved very much, and should favour-
able weather follow, the harvest may not be so late
as was anticipated. The appearance of the cereals
augurs a fair average crop. The potato crop con-
tinues to wear a promising appearance. Turnips
are being thinned, and as the braird has sprung
very regularly there is an abundance of plants.
Hay mowing continues to progress. A large breadth
still remains uncut, especially where there was a
large mixture of clover.
MELROSE.—The weather still continues unsettled
and showery, and very unpropitious for the hay
crop, the greater part or which is either exposed in
the swath or in small coils. On every day through-
out the past week, with the exception of Friday,
rain fell more or less. On Wednesday and Thurs-
day, we had very heavy showers, which, though
of short duration, flooded drains and streamlets, and
thoroughly saturated every thing. From the
abundance of clover with which the hay crop is
mixed, and from the mildness of the atmosphere, it
has already been somewhat damaged by heating in
the coil, and a few dry breezy days are much
needed in order to its final security.
HAIVICK.—The weather is still unsettled. We
have seldom a thoroughly dry day through-
out, and since the beginning of the week
there have been several heavy thunder-showers.
The :temperature, however, is much improved,
the atmosphere is warm, and in the after-
noon and evenings it is sometimes very close and
sultry. The occasional rains and the absence of
sunshine interfere sadly with the harvest, and a
large quantity has now been lying longer in the
swathes than is desirable. The crop on good land
is generally heavy, but on some cold clayey soils it
is very light and poor. Some farmers were fortu-
nate enough to have it secured in prime order, but
the greater proportion has still to be got in, and is
more or less injured by the weather. Turnips are
now looking much better than, considering the
long-delayed input of the seed, could have been
looked for, and on some well-formed lands they are
in most promising condition. The grain crops, too,
have sensibly improved within the last fourteen
days, but there must eventually be a late harvest if
we have not more sunshine soon. Wheat is in a
most backward condition. Oats and barley are
likely to be about an average crop.
CRIEFF.—The weather during the past week has
been more mild and genial, but, owing to the want
of sunshine, the growing crops have not made
much progress. The harvest will be at least three
weeks later than last year, and the cereals gene-
rally will not be bulky. Potatoes both in fields
and gardens have suffered severely from the
ravages of insects, and the late-planted have
in some cases not brairded, the seed hav-
ing rotted, owing to the excess of rain.
The early sorts are small in size, and the
want of warmth, which is so essential
for the roots after being formed, has
f 3
ope-
rated against the crop. The early kin!.
of turnips are now nearly thinned, but on n
ame
rous farms the fly has made serious ravage. The
late-sown kinds have brairded well, and inthe
the low
young
plants are growing fast. Hay mowing
country is nearly finished, and a largew portion of the
pr
crop has been secured in thetra
crop of straw ick in good
-
condition. Owing to the deficient
berries they are selling from is. 4d. to ls, 6d. per
half-gallon pint. The greengrocers are now all
well supplied with Jersey and home-grown pota-
toes, which are selling
at 13d. per lb. The Jersey
potatoes are large in size, and fine quality. Goose-
berries are selling
4d. to sd. per pint.
BREADALBANE•_de this extensive district, the
whole growing crops present a most unpromising
appearance at this advanced season. In many places,
both oats and barley are scarcely so far forward as
they were in the middle of June last year; and what
is more serious, the crops have a stunted and sickly
appearance, and must now be deficient in bulk and
quality, whatever the weather may be for the next
six weeks. Potatoes are also late, and have made but
little progress for a month past. The shaws do not
indicate a healthy appearance, and the crop has suf-
fered severely, both in garden and field, from the