The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-08 00:00:00

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

We give the evidence adduced at the adjourned inquiry
from where our report terminated in our first edition of
yesterday.
Mr. Evans's examination was then continued.--From
the 22d of April to the 6th of May, he was engaged in the
inquiry. On the last-named day he got his information from
the hospital by stratagem. While one of the officials
stepped out he turned over the book. (Laughter.) Subse-
quently he saw Mrs. Richardson, and asked her if she would
like him to take the matter up for her; when she replied
that she would, but that her husband was a poor man, and
could not afford to pay lawyers. Witness told her that she
need not trouble herself about that. She said she was not
satisfied with the operation upon her child, which she had
heard lasted two hours. Witness suggested an inquest, and
told her how to set about it. By witness's direction,
Mrs. Richardson went to Mr. Wakley, the coroner, and in-
formed him that be (witness) was engaged professionally
in the case, and would be touch obliged to the coroner to
hold an inquest. Witness received a letter from Mr. Wakley
in which he declined to hold an inquest upon such an in-
sufficient and informal representation ; and added, that if
an inquest were requ'red, the application must be made
by the parents of the child, with a proper statenfent
in writing. A request was drawn up, and witness pressed
Mrs. Richardson for her signature and that of her hus-
band, informing her that he should not get au.inquest
without a mandamusfrom the Court of Queen's Bench, and
it was then within two days Of the close of term. He had
! received his instructions relative 'to the mandamus from
Mr. Gay. Mrs. Richardson signed the notice, and her
brother signed the name of her husband, who was absent.
This notice witness took to the coroner's office, and an ap-
pointment was made for a meeting of all the parties con-
cerned at the coroner's office. The result of the interview
was a promise from Mr. Wakley that the inquest should
be held, and that gentleman at the same time gave in-
structions to the beadle to take the necessary steps for the
inquiry. On the day after this (May 12) witness met Mr.
Gay, by appointment, at the Gray's-inn Coffee-house, and
bold him what had occurred with Mr. Wakley. Mr. Gay
instructed him to retain counsel, and witness suggested
the name of Mr. Parry. Mr. Gay said he would not have
Mr. Parry, as he had his reasons for wishing for another
gentleman. That gentleman was Mr. Ballantine. Mr.
Gay said he wished to have Mr. Ballantine, as he was an
inveterate enemy of the Wakleys. Mr. Ballantine was re-
tained. On the following day Mr. Steele called upon wit-
ness, and asked him whether his clients would consent to
a private instead of a public inquiry. He said he felt a
great interest in the hospital ; and that, as he presumed
damages were wanted, the arbitrator might award them,
and have power to state whether there had been neglect on
the part of the operators, on proof of which dismissal might
follow. Mr. Gay's itistructious were, that this suggestion
should be declined, and that the ease should: proceed.
During all this time he (witness) was ostensibly acting for
the Richardsons. but in reality for Mr. Guy. His client
(Gay) told him that the coroner had appointed .Jr. Cord-
sen to examine the body of the child, and he added, "I
hear that his opinion is dead against us, and I am afraid
that you will not be able to make anything of the case, as
it appears the operation did not last so long as we thought.
The real truth is, that it has got wind that you are acting
for me, and it has brought down the indignation of the
whole prof ssion upon i.e. I wish I was out of it." Mr.
Gay then expressed a wish that witness should endeavour
to induce ichardson to withdraw. Ho accordingly repre-
sented to Richardson that he should be unable to make
anything of the case, and Richardson demurred to stopping
the inquiry, on account of the attorney's costs and the ex-
pense ho himself had been put to. Witness informed him
that if he would withdraw the other side would be very
happy to pay the costs, and something for himself in the
shape of damages. Witness suggested 201. for-damages,
at which Richardson said, " Certainly,
certainly," and
expressed himself pleased. Having obtained from Richard-
son an authority in writing to withdraw the inquest,
ha went to Mr. Steele's offices iu Lineoln's-inn-fields.
Witness then received a cheque on Gosling and Sharp for
1001., payable to John Evans. Mr. 'Steele said in doing
this he was keeping aloof from his client, and as it was a
very serious thing to make public that a medical man had
paid a sum of money in such a case, he should.rely upon
his (Evans's) honour in keeping it secret, and in fact, if it
afterwards came out, he should expect him to pay
back the 1001. Witness made no reply, but burst
into a fit of laughter when the observation was made.
(Laughter.) Mr. Steele laughed too. Out of this amount
witness gave Richardson 20 sovereigns. Witness proceeded
for a long time with his narrative, from which it appeared
that subsequent to what is above detailed, Richardson was
acted upon by a Mr. Webber, a surgeon, and again de-
manded an inquest. The witness added, that he did not
think that receiving 801. for his trouble was more than he
ought to have received. When be went to the hospital
to learn if the child had undergone an operation, be was
asked the name of the child, but as it would not have done
to disclose it, he was done, and got no information. He
made every endeavour to obtain the information. It .twas
is fact that he had threatened Mr. Wakley to applytto e
Court of Queen's Bench for a writ of mamiatens compel
him toict hhea sirs otn',l day
who
Dir.
Wakley
term. . inquest.t
henspoTkehatot way on an
was with him at the time, and Mr. Wakley told her she
should have the inquest.
By Mr. Parry—Mr. Wakley did ask Dirs. Richardson
unskilful operation.
whether or not she conscientiously believed that her
from
TenanMr. Wakley saidshe
should have an inquest, and Wakley told witness that
solrns.hßadichdaYdsofrnorsuaindegshleecd'i,do....r.
Bridger, the summoning officer, should call upon witness
for the names of the witnesses. That was on the Thurs.
but he did nut see Bridger anti give him the names
until the Saturday- Mr. Gay called on witness ;he ap-
peared to be inner; ing under the conduct he had received
at the hospital in being disrob,sed from the situation which
he had held for 20 years to the benefit oft he public. Mr.
Gay said he had been removed from his situation to make
.room for another person who now held that situation. B.
(witness) believed young Mr. Wakley held the situation.
Mr. Gay said that there were strange things going on at the
hospital, with which the public ought to be made acquainted,
and that he (witness) was the beat person to dolt. Mr.
Gay never said that he would do all he could to ruin or
inure Mr. Wakley or his son, and if he had, he (witness)
wjuld not have undertaken the business at all, as he
would not undertake any matter to ruin any man. Mr.
Gay told him his object was to expose things as they were
now going on at the hospital. Mr. Gay told witness Mr.
Ballantine was the proper person to be retained to fish out
the matter, as he believed that there was some enmity or
other existing ou his part towards Mr. Wakley. Witness
told Mr. Gay that would not make any difference, and re-
commended that Mr. Parry should be retained,but Mr.
Gay objected to Mr. Parry being employed. •
Dr. Webber then addressed the court, claiming to ask
the witness several questions, as he had been accused
malice in bringing forward the case.
After some discussion, the Coroner, with the consent of
the assessor, said Dr. Webber might ask any question per.
tinent to himself, but he would not hear any Observations
from him.

• Mr. Evans, in answer to the questions put, said: Mr. Gay
•• did say that he thonght it' would be better to let the matter
drop and stop the inquiry, as it had brought all the medi-
cal profession down upon him.
Dr. Webber was proceeding to put anir
regular
and ofrregular
and irrelevant questions; but
The Coroner interposed, and refused to permit his pro-
ceeding any further, and told him if he persisted he must
direct him to leave the court.
adesireh teohsat,ai tae
personalth atith bad
Inb eei
tny Mr. Ballantiue expressed
insinuated duringthe inquiry
towards Mr. Waklev. He begged distinctly to deny such
was the fact.
Mr. Parry saidwas m• it most unfortunate that it had been
Mentioned at all.
A lengthened discussion ensued between the-learned
counsel as to the course proposed to be taken at the next
examination.
Mr. Parry said the course he proposed was to place Mr.
Wekley in the box, and ask him only two Or three ques-
tions, and then leave his learned friend or the jury to ask
an;ie quFesotrieonniatnheo3 f- tthhoeugiutry saki prsopier.they
did not want the
evidence of Mr. Wakley.
The Coroner said he could not See what was the use of
qc4tiliitiongriMghri and W'akpireoPelrnthhriosuogphionniotuthMer.wWhoalke telemYahtadr, bacted
ut
i would nliteenetiwoenret)l(dietsiirto'huasd
tbheaetamionrate personsto himfro mttuhlt
bthee
hospital should be examined.
After some further discussion the inquiry was adjourned
until Friday next.