The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-29 00:00:00

Deaths from Excessive Drinking.

Dr. Lankester held an inquest yesterday after-
noon at the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's-inn-road,
on the body of Ann Prigmore, aged 38. John
Prigmore, plumber, 43, Wakefield-street, Gray's-
inn-road,'said he was the husband of deceased, who
was an habitual drunkard, and in a delicate state of
health caused by her intemperate habits. She be-
came suddenly ill on Friday morning, and died
before medical assistance could be procured. The
medical evidence proved that the death of deceased
had resulted from congestion of the brain produced
by excessive drinking. The husband of the deceased
said he attached great blame to a publican in Harri-
son-street, who constantly supplied his wife with
drink; although he earnestly requested him not to do
so. He had also given drink to one of his children.
The coroner said nothing could be more repre-
hensible than the conduct of some publicans in
giving drink to confirmed drunkards. The jury,
having expressed their concurrence with the coroner's
remarks, returned a verdict of "Death from drunk -
enness."—The Bury Post reports another shocking
case from excessive drinking. On Thursday last
an inquest was held at the Bull Inn, Troston, be-
fore Mr. G. A. Partridge, on the body of a man
named Thomas Hurrell, aged 49, who met with his
death under the following shocking circumstances :
—George Leeks, gamekeeper to the Duchess of
Cleveland, at Santon Downham, deposed that on
Tuesday night he stopped at the Bull, Troston, not
liking to proceed further because it was so dark ;
Chas. Lloyd, of Brandon, was with him. They found
deceased in the kitchen, and ho asked them for drink.
Lloyd said in a joke, " You can have half a pint
every five minutes for an hour." Deceased replied,
"I'll have it." Lloyd said, " Don't you have it
without you like it." Deceased did not seem tipsy
then, and he drank eleven half-pints and was sick;
he then wanted to toss witness for more beer, but
he would not. Some time afterwards the deceased
was brought into the kitchen (after witness had
been to the King William), and laid in front of the
fire; he was then very drunk, and soon appeared
ill, dying, and expired before the doctor came. The
eleven half-pints were small (2d.) beer. Witness
believed, he could have drunk that quantity without
hurting himself. Charles Lloyd, landlord of the
Duke's Head, Brandon, said he did not force the
deceased to drink. William Girkin said he found
deceased ]ying on the straw in the stable, and
brought him into the kitchen. Mr. 11. Taylor,
surgeon (who had made a post mortein examination),
said the deceased died of congestion of the brain,
caused by the beer.—Verdict : " That the deceased
died from the effects of excessive drinking."

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

EALING STEEPLE-CHASES-THURSDAY.

The attendance was as great as on the opening day, and
the absence of fog rendered the sport much more enjoy-
able. The principal race of the meeting, the Ealing Grand
Steeplechase, produced a good race, although the favourite,
The Hornet, evidently had the race in hand from start to
finish, and fully justified the immense support awarded to
him. His victory was received with groat cheering, the
backers generally being on to a man. In fact, the " talent"
had their own way throughout the day, as will be seen by
the success of the favourites. The committee may con-
gratulate themselves on the happy result of their exertions,
and every credit is due to them for their attention to all
the minor details. The sport over, a general rush was
made for the station, but notwithstanding the enormous
traffic, very little inconvenience was felt, the excellent
arrangements of the Great Western Railway Company pre-
venting any great confusion, and especial praise is due to
Mr. Guest, the station-master, for his courtesy and for the
strenuous exertions he made to ensure the safety of the
public. The following is a full return of therunning :
The Ealing Plato of 30 sovs. for four-yr-olds and upwards;
winners extra ; selling allowances ; entrance 2 sovs.
About three miles.
Mr. Ewart's Tambour Major, 5 yrs, 11st llb (X5O)
(Griffiths) 1
Mr. F. Ellis's Amazon (late Polly Perkins), aged, 12st21b
(XSO)
Mr. Lloyd's Molly Asthore, 5 yrs, list 81b (£100)
(Owner) 3
Mr. Skinner's Irish Lass,_s yrs, list 81b (£loo)(Brazier) 4