The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-21 00:00:00

THE INQUIRY AT CROYDON.

On Baturd.ay Anne Duff, who, it will be remembered,
in the previous week had made a complaint against the
medical officer of the Croydon and Epsom union of hav-
ing assaulted her under very extraordinary circumstances,
and which charge was dismissed by the bench, appeared
to answer a charge of wilful and corrupt perjury arising
out of the transaction.

The case excited very great interest on account of the
position of the gentleman against whom the charge was
originally made and the other circumstances connected
with it, and the Town-hall was crowded during the
inquiry,. which occupied several hours. Messrs. Byron,
Ruards, and Eyles were the presiding magistrates. Mr.
Everest, of Epsom, appeared to support the charge ; and
Mr. Burgon attended on behalf of the defendant.

Mr. J;seph Henri Shorthouse, the defendant in the
formery inquiry, now appeared as prosecutor, and he
swore positively that he had never on any occasion as-
saulted the defendant, or had any improper intimacy
with her, and that, in fact, her story upon that subject
was an entire fabrication. He also gave some evidence,
which was of a character not farther to be alluded to,
tending to show that the condition of the girl at the time
the assualt was alleged to have been committed, was
such as to render it impossible for such an act to have
been committed.

Cross-examined—Witness attended her two or three
months, and she got better. Although he had no medi-
cal order, he looked upon Anne Duff as a parish patient.
He made no entry in his books of the medicine
and attendance upon her, because he did not expect
to be paid. In point of fact, she was not a pauper
patient, and he would have been entitled to pay-
ment. He did not make any charge to the parish,
because he understood that as the family had come
back to Carshalton, after being passed home to
their own parish, they would have been liable to punish-
ment for again making themselves chargeable. Would
swear that while Ann Duff was ill, he did not call regu-
larly to see her at her father's house. He might have
gone twice a week, but not so often as three or four
times. If he did go so often, it must have been to see
other members of the family who were ill. They were,
an ailing family. He did not ask for payment of any
money until after Ann Duff was confined, and he then
demanded his fee of half-a-guinea for attending the labour.
This was all he expected. The disorder she was suffering
from only required him to see her every week or ten
days, and if he called to see her twice a week, it was be-
cause she was otherwise ill. He did not recollect saying
before the child was born that it was rotten, but he
would' not swear he did not do so. He thought, from
the state of the mother, that the child would be dead.
Mr. Burgon told the prosecutor to be particular and
remember what occurred.

The prosecutor said he was not there to swear to every
expression he might have used. He could not do it.
Mr. Burgon—You should have thought of that before
you preferred this charge against the girl. Will you
swear that when Mrs. Clark brought the child into the
room you did not say to her, " What, have you brought
that little wretch back ?"

Prosecutor—l won't swear I did not say. so.
Mr. Burgon—Do you consider that proper language to
be used by a medical man T
Prosecutor—l am not here to answer for that.
Mr. Burgon—Did you not, after the child was born,
go up to the mother and whisper something to her, in the
presence of Mrs. Clarli,?
Prosecutor—l did.
Mr. Burgon—Did you not tell her not to tell Mrs.
Clark who was the father of her child ?

Prosecutor—l swear positively I did not.
Cross examination continued—When the girl's father
came to me, and demanded the expenses of the child's
funeral, he told me that he considered I was the father
of the child. The sum demanded was 235. 6d., and I
told him it was not the amount, but if I paid any money
I should be considered the father of the child. I told
him to call upon me again in a week.
By Mr. Everest—What I whispered to the girl had
nothing whatever to do with the subject of the child, but
was probably in reference to her health and condition.
I intended to prefer a charge of attempting to extort
money against the father, and my object in getting him
to call again was that I might have a witness to hear
what he said.

By the Chairman—The girl was, not in the family way
when I first saw her. I don't recollect when I first told'
her she was in that condition.
Mr. Doubleday, assistant to the prosecutor, confirmed
his statement with regard to the state of health of the
defendant, and also proved that he made up medicines
for that particular disease for her.
By the Chairman—He considered Anne Duff was a
private patient, and that Mr. Shorthouse was to be paid
for his medicine and attendance, but yet he made no en-
tries in the books, either for medicine or attendance.
There were many other similar cases which were not en-
tered.. He did not make a rough guess at the end of
the year what the amount of charge should be for each.
In ordinary circumstances, undoubtedly, it was his duty
to have entered the medicines and attendance in the
books.

By Mr. Everest—The girl's family occupied a misera-
ble cottage, and had the appearance of being very poor.
The Rev. Mr. Cater deposed that upon his questioning
the defendant, she told him that the prosecutor was not
the father of her child.

~By Mr. Burgon—She said at the same time that she
had promised not to tell who the father was, and she
afterwards said that Mr. Shorthouse was the father.
Other evidence, to show that the defendant had made
contradictory statements with regard to the circum-
stances under which the assault was committed, was
then given, and this closed the case for the prosecution.
Mr. Burgon then addressed the bench for the defen-
dant, and he proceeded to adduce evidence for the de-
fen ce.

Mrs. Clark, who was examined last week, was again
called, and, in addition to her former testimony, she said
she was present when Mr. Shorthouse went up to the
side of the bed and whispered to Anne Duff. She like-
wise said that the defendant told her to take the child
away, because he did not want Anne Duff's father to see
it. She also stated that she was present when money
was given by the prosecutor to Anne Duff, and that she
told her upon one occasion he had given her five shil-
lings, and that he had tucked the money under the bed.
Mr. Burgon having intimated that there were several
other witnesses he intended to call,
The Bench said it was now past fire o'clock, and as it
would be impossible to conclude the inquiry in any rea-
sonable time, it would be better to adjourn the case at
mos.

The inquiry was accordingly postponed for a week,
bail being taken for the appearance of the girl at the
next examination.

THE MURDER NEAR ILFORD, ESSEX.—Charles Saun-
ders, aged 32, the man charged with the murder of Mr.
Thomas Toiler, near Ilford, by striking him on the head
with a bludgeon, and afterwards cutting his throat, was
brought up again on Saturday before the magistrates at
Ilford. It will be recollected that the prisoner upon
being first apprehended, acknowledged his guilt. Some
further confirmatory evidence having been adduced, he
was committed for trial at the Central Criminal Court.
It is understood that there are no grounds for the report
of the prisoner's insanity. Since his imprisonment he
has behaved well, and has conversed rationally, except
upon the subject of the murder. When this is men-
tioned, he seems to think there are persons out of doors
who intend him harm. It 'is stated that his mother is
in a lunatic asylum. His friends are respectable and
welt conducted.
FRAUDS ON EMIGRANTS.---Mr• Bromley Moore, for
many years chairman of the Liverpool docks, states—
" The frauds and impositions now practised on the emi-
grant from the moment he arrives in Liverpool to
the time of his embarkation, are perfectly incredible, con-
cept to those who have witnessed them. There is
scarcely an emigrant who arrives who is not plundered
of his money—plundered at every `stage and every
step."
SOUTH WALES COLLIERIES AND IRONWORKS.—At the
close of the present month there will be another advance
in the rate of wages paid to colliers and miners in South
Wales.

QUEEN HORTSNSE.-A work called the "Album de la
Reine Hortense" has just been published in Paris. It
contains some of the unpublished musical compositions
and private letters of her Majesty. Amongst the latter
were several addressed ttp her son, the Emperor, shortl
before her death.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farrel'.
First Night of an entirely new Drama.
THIS EVENING, rElt. 21,

Will be presented LIFE IN AUSTRALIA, FROM OUR OWN
CORRESPONDENT, supported by the whole strength of the Esta-
blishment. _

After which, the celebrated Tyrolese Singers will give their Na-
tional Entertainment, as, by command, before her Majesty.
To conclude with A DEED WITHOUT A NAME, in which Mr•
Compton will appear.
"Box-office open from Eleven till Five. under the superintendence
Of Mr. E. Chatterton.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.

Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty.
LAST WEEK BUT TWO of Mr. BATTT'S MANAGEMENT.

THIS EVENING, Ft's. 21,

And daring the Week, the Entertainments will commence with
the superb Spectacle of MAZEPPA AND THE WILD HORSE,
reproduced with all its splendid and startling effects
After which, a brilliant Routine of Scenes in the Arena, sup-
ported by the first native and continental talent.
To conclude with a Laughable Farce.
Doors open at Halt-past Six o'clock. To commence at Seven.
Pox-office open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager. Mr.
W. Meat.