The Sun.
London, England, 1838-07-26 00:00:00

COMMISSION OF LUNACY.

Yesterday morning the proceedings under the Commission
of Lunacy sued out by Dr. Seymour against Lady Seymour.
described as Dame Sarah Lydia Seymour, late of Mitcham
Hall, Mitcham, Surrey, were resumed before Commissioners
WINSLOW, BLUNT, and C. K. MURRAY, at the Swan Inn,
Walharn Green. Mr. RUSSELL attended as before as Counsel
in support of the Commission, together, on this occa.iovs, with
the Hon. CHARLES EVAN LAW, the Recorder; and Mr. Illomito
attended on behalf of Lady Seymour.
Mr. LAW proposed to lay before the jury evidence of what'
had occurred since the last meeting, and to point out that Lady
Seymour had expressed a desire to see her sister, who came to
town for that purpose, and had an interview with her, and be
would show what then took place; but perhaps the most con-
venient course to adopt would be to call the lady herself, and
it would be almost competent for the jury, or the Commis-
sioners, to recal any witness to conduct that had occurred sub-.
sequently, but not previous to the former inquiry.
Mrs. Sophia Harriet Ramsden was then called and dPnosedi
as follows :—I am sister of Lady Seymour, and reside in:
Cambridgeshire, and came up from the country on Monday
last, for the purpose of seeing her, not having had an inter-
view with her before since last Christmas. Lady Seymour
had expressed a desire to see me, and I went to Norman
House on the afternoon of the above day, accompanied by my
brother, Captain Oaks. When we entered the room in which
Lady Seymour was, she was then confined in a strait-waist-
coat, and on our entering she did not say a word. I en.
deavoured to induce her to speak, told her that I had come
up from the country at her request, in order that she might
unbosom herself to me ; but all my efforts were fruitless,
and all she did was to nod her head. I then spoke to her
about her son, and asked her w:tether she had heard from
him lately, but she merely nodded her head, arid held'
out her hands, as if to signify that she was under the
coercion of the strait-waistcoat. After some time, when I
again reverted to the subject of her son, she led me to her bed
room, and pointed out a letter in her desk from her son, but:
she did not utter a syllable, but cried, and appeared very de-
jected. My brother and the attendant left the room, in the
expectation that Lady Seymour would have then entered into
conversation with me, but all attempts on my part to effect
this were unattended with success. After some time my bro-
ther returned to the room, soon after which Lady Seymour
took us each by the arm, and led us from the room down to-
wards the kitchen, and she was proceeding to lead us there,.
when the attendant pointed out the way to the lawn, This
seemed to excite the anger of Ledy Seymour, who, however,
did not say anything, but led us on to the garden, and even
when there did not open her lips, and did not explain to either
of us the object she had in view of leading us from the room
up stairs.
By Mr. RussELL—The strait-waistcoat had been taken off
Lady Seymour soon after my brother and I called at the
house. She did not betray any violent behaviour while we
were in the house, but we were informed that ;he had a short
time previously, and that was the reason it was found neces-
sary to place her under restraint.
The witness in continuation—My brother and Idd all int
our power to induce Lady Seymour to speak during the hour-
and-a-half that we remained there, but we went away, sbe not
having once said a word, but merely nodded her bead
occsaionally.

Juror—bid it appear necessary to you at the time that f.hel
should have been under restraint during your visit at Norman.
House ? Witness—No, there was nothing indicative of vio-
lence in her manner when we were there on that day ; but we
were told that she had been violent, and that was the reason
it was applied.
By a Juror—Had no reason to believe that Lady Seymour
was treated with any degree of harshness while at Normal
House, and was confidently of opinion that the strait-wsistcoar
was never applied unless it was found absolutely necessary.
Sarah Frances was then sworn—l have attended on Lady
Seymour since she bas been an inmate of Norman House.
At the conclusion of the first day's proceedings in this casoa
o.m her Ladyship returned to Norman House, she alluded'
to the inquiry, said that she wished it had not taken place,
adding that it was useless then, as she should soon get better,
She also said that she had something on her mind which
she wish to communicate to somebody. She did not say
what it was, but said that if she )lad Mrs. Ramsden
her sister, with her, she should unbosom her mind to
her. Since the 11th of the present month she has frequently,
expressed a wish to see Mrs. Ramsden, and I told Captain;
Oaks of it in Lady Seymour's presence. Captain Oaks asked
her if she really did wish to see Mrs. Ramsden, and explained)
to her the inconvenience of bringing that lady from Cambridge-
shire, if she was not serious in her request. Lady Seymooa-
remained silent, but nodded assent. On the 19th of this;
month she again repeated her desire to see her sister. It was;
in the evening, and in Lady Seymour's own room. She had
not spoken during the morning. I asked her what she wanted
to see Mrs. Ramsden for, and she said it concernedher sister,
and if she could see her she would tell her what it was. She
frequently spoke of her child when she referred to 1)-1- sister,
She said that William (meaning her son) would be better
taken care of than at present, if Mrs. Ramsden would take
charge of him. I told her frequently that I would ccmimmi-
cate her wish to her friends, which I accordingly did. Ia as
present when the interview took place between Lady Seymour,.
Mrs. Ramsden, and Captain Oaks.
Mr. LAW—What took place ?
Witness—They endeavoured to make Lady Seymour speak,
but did not succeed. She refused to open her lips at ail. On
the evening of the 11th of July, Lady Seymour was very I;ka-
tive, but on the following day she never spoke at all. Flea%
eh
a; that
talon aks 11:etht her
the 13th to the 19th she was complelitkeelya.
ho.t.e ex,--
ception, when she said, " should
.
told me
erseahrae.son for not taking her
hndinneroadt intends
h na
t the
oetya.lk3e t hsh roldassigned
forawa
sa s
•
dinner, that it was wicked to kill animals and eat them. Ola-
the same evening she asked me what her bed was stuffed
with ? I told her feathers, when she said the thought it was
stuffed with snakes. Her demeanour from that time to the
19th was pleasing. She read to me although she did
not speak.
Mr. LAW—Why, I understood you that she did not open
her lips—that she did not utter a syllable? Witness—l beg
your pardon, Sir ; I meant she did not enter into conversation
with any one ; but she read aloud from the Bible, and a e ork
written by Mr. Williams, called, "Missionaries' Enterprises."
Lady Seymour requires a great deal of personal attendance.
Mr. LAw—Now state to the Jury distinetly'whe she Ia I
the strait-waistcoat on, when her brother, Captain to saw
her ? Witness—ln the morning she threw cold nater over her

head, and' I begged her to desist, but she would not. She
then wanted to take out her curl papers, and I told her she
had better let me do it; upon which she knelt down, and after.
wards seized hold of my cap, and slapped me in the face. I
then fetched the strait-waistcoat, and told her that I thought
she was not well, and she had better have it on. Sho lnesed
angrily at me, and attempted to strike me again, (Ind I called
for assistance, and Mrs. Cox came, and Lady Seymour en-
deavoured to strike her. I got between them, and catight the
blow ; and we succeeded in placing Lady Sembur under
restraint.

Mr. LAW—Has Lady Seymour accounted for her silence on
the occasions you have spoken of?—Yes, she has said that
she did herself a great deal of injury by talking when she first
came to Norman House, and that she knew she had said a
great deal of nonsense.

Tea the gentlemen of the Jury how long it is since she has
spolien?—From Saturday morning last.
How does she employ her time ?—Sometimes she reads, and
.she has also been knitting a purse. She has not written any.
thing for several months. She also walks in the garden; but
she does not point out any of the flowers, or speak of any of
the surrounding objects.
Are her manners those of a gentlewoman in her station of
life ; I mean as to propriety and cleanliness ?—No, they are not.
Mr. LAW could lay before the Jury some strong evidence
on this point; hilt, for the sake of the lady's friends, he should
leave any question upon it at the option of the Jury.
By Mr. IriALswELL—Lady Seymour has taken her food
willingly since Saturday evening last. I think as far as I am
able tr, judge that uncleanliness and silence indicate unsound-
nesr of mind.

By Commissioner BLUNT—After her last examination she
told me all that had taken place, and said she thought she had
done it well. She said one of the Commissioners asked her
What money she would require to support herself, and she at
first thought she would say 2,000/., but that would have ap-
peared wrong, as she had not got so much. She afterwards
was going to answer 200/. or 300/. per year, but on reflection
she thought it was better to say tint she should regulate her
expenses according to her income.
Daniel Prince, Esq., exa.•.nined—l reside at Hendon, and
have known Lady Seym•Jur twenty-five years. I saw her on
the 15th, 18th, and 21,tn of this month, but could not induce
her to speak to On the 15th, with a view to draw her
into conversatio-,, I asked her if she would like to see Mrs.
Prince, and nodded. I asked her on Monday, Tuesday,
or Wedne,:day, and she nodded assent to the latter day. I
took M- s. Prince to see her, when both the ladies cried very
meet., and my wife was much affected, having been on terms
OE 'lntimate friendship with Lady Seymour. The documents
-produced are in Lady Seymour's hand-writing. The follow-
ing were here handed in :
In March last Lady Seymour wrote the following docu-
ment for her will, and delivered it to her brother, Sir Henry
Thomas Oaks :

" I, Sarah Lydia Seymour, do leave all my clothes, books,
goods, and chattels in my possession, &c. to William Henry
Seymour, the son of' myself and Wm. Seymour (my true and
lawful wedded husband) to be preserved by him for his use and
that of his future wife, to whom I pray and trust he may he
well and lawkily married on the 14th of December, 1854,
with the biassing of God and Jesus Christ, Amen, wishing
him to m,ke Juggerhautjee Smekerselijee his residuary lega-
tee, an. 4 to give him as a token of my kind remembrance a
gold pencil case, given to me after my marriage by my bus-
the said William Seymour, with the request that he will
skep it as a gift from me. On the seal is engraved an Arabic
word, explained to me by my husband—the stone is hl-od-
stone, and I request that he will be so kind as to afford Wil-
liam Henry Seymour a tomb on board his Island of Bombay,
the expenses of which can be paid out of the residue of my
son's fortune ; and that he will be present at the ceremonials
of my son's morning wedding, and that my carcase may be
interred, in a neat coffin, in Mitcham churchyard, consecrated
next in Godstone rectory drawing room, thence carried to
sweet Godstone Church on the hill, the pall being held by
Arthur Hoare, C. D. Hoare, Sir J. D. Acland, Bart., Sam.
Hoare (the three sons and brother-in-law of the Rev. Charles
James bare), and after being left in Godstone Church a suf-
fiei ant time, in the presence of the Rev. Charles James Hoare
P.nd Count Albert Esterhazy of Austria, I wish it to be
emptied of its contents, and thrown naked into the channel at
Exmouth, Devonshire.
" SARAH LYDIA SEYMOUR.
" I appoint my brother, George William Oaks, and Arthur
James Lewis, barrister-at-law, my executors, if they will have
the kindness to act ; but I request that they will be kind to
my dear son, William Henry Seymour, giving him plenty to
eat, drink, and enjoy, with abundance of warm raiment, and
may every blessing attend him through Christ,—Monday,
March 5, 1838."
A letter, addressed by Lady Seymour to Messrs. Hoare,
the envelope of which is dated March 14, 1838, was also put
in and read. On the inside of the envelope, which contained a
piece of red worsted, is written thus :
" Three witnesses to my sealing besides myself. One has
just vanished, and there are only two.
" The inclosed is a secret (between ourselves). Mrs. Tal-
fourd is come in, and the other has returned, so perhaps there
may be four—the outside will prove."
On the outside of the envelope is written as follows :
" Sealed in the presence of Mrs. Talfourd, of a lady's maid
belonging to her establishment, by one Sarah Lydia, and
directed by the same hand, and in the presence of the same
witnesses."

The Jury here desired to see Lady Seymour, and the Com-
missioners accordiugly gave directions for her to be brought
in. In a few minutes Lady Seymour was introduced by
Capt. Oaks and Mr. Greenwood, the surgeon, and was re-
quested to be seated by the Commissioners. She wss dressed
in a white muslin gown, a lavender silk shawl, and a similar
coloured silk bonnet. Her appearance was very different
from what it was on the former occasion. Her face appeared
to be much swollen, as if she had been crying, and she seemed
much alarmed, and in place of the mild and sympathetic cast
of countenance which distinguished her before, there was a
vacancy in her look and wildness in her manner.

Cominissioner WINsLow (to Lady Seymour)—How have
you been, Lady Seymour, since we last saw you? The un-
fortunate lady bit her lips and remained mute.
Mr. WiNsLow—Do you recollect having met us before,
Lady Seymour ? No answer.
Mr. WINSLOW—Do you not remember our last meeting,
Lady Seymour ? Dont you be alarmed. Here Lady Sey-
mour burst into tears, and the windows of the room were
thrown open, and a glass of water brought for her. At the
suggestion of Mr. Thisselton, a juror, the persons connected
with Norman House were desired to leave the room.
Mr. WiNsLow (to Lady Se} mour)—Don't distress your-
self, but have the kindness to answer the questions I wish to
put to you?

- Lady Seymour refused to answer, and Mr. Winslow di-
rected that Mrs. Ramsden, her sister, should come in and oc-
cupy a seat next to her. Tile Commissioner's instructions
were obeyed, and the scene was truly a heart-rending one,
and called forth the most melancholy associations.
Mr. WINSLOW, to Lady Seymour—Do you know Mrs.
Ramsden, your sister ? Pray don't be alarmed—she is seated
next to you.

Mrs. hamsden here grasped her sister's hand in an affection-
ate manner, and urged her to speak to the Court, when Lady
Seymour suddenly started up, and counted the whole of the
persons present. She was then led out of the room.
A Jtraort remarked that he knew that the public took a deep
interest in the proceedings, and he begged therefore to sug-
gest that Dr. Munroe should be examined.

Doctor Munroe, examined by Mr. Law.—l saw Lady Sey-
mour, for the first time, in the course of last summer. It was
in August, at which time she betrayed the most decided symp-
toms of insanity, and was perfectly maniacal in her conduct.
I visited her three different times within the last fortnight, and
although her mind was in an improved state, yet she was still
labouring under the malady. At the first visit, all he could
say to induce her to speak was without effect ; she cried bit-
terly, made great lamentations, but was silent with respect to
answering any questions. I then referred to her child, and
asked her if she had heard from him lately, and she merely
nodded. The silence she observed was a principal feature in
the malady under which she laboured. Dr. Munroe had no
hi•sitation in saying that Lady Seymour was perfectly incapable
of managing either herself or her property.
Mr. WINSLOW directed the jury to consider their verdict.
At four o'clock Sir James Williams, the foreman, delivered
the following verdict :—" That Dame Sarah Lydia Seymour
is now a lunatic, and not sufficient to govern herself or her
property, and that she has been so since the 17th of May.
1837 ; but the jury cannot agree as to whether she had a lucid
interval or not on the 11th of July."
Mr. WiNsLow could not receive that verdict; for, accor-
ding to the terms of the Commission, they must agree as to
v►hether she has lucid intervals or not.

Several of the jury said, " It is quite impossible."
Mr. BLUNT—it is not necessary to state when the lucid in-
tervals were, and perhaps that will assist you.
Sir J. WILLIAMS—But we only differ as to a 'lucid in-
terval.

Mr. BLUNT—I think in that case it will be necessary.
Juror—ls not this verdict sufficient for the Master ?
Mr. WINSLOW—NO, it is not a sufficient return to the Com-
mission, and I am sure, gentlemen, you do not wish us to make
a bad return, and invalidate the proceedings.
Jury—Oh, no, no.
The jury again retired, and in half an hour returned, " that
Dame Sarah Lydia Seymour is now a lunatic, and not suffi-
cient to manage herself and her property, and has been so
since the 12th July."
The Commissioners were obliged also to reject this verdict,
inasmuch as the date was subsequent to the date of the issuing
of the Commission.
The Jury retired for a third time, and at five o'clock re-
turned and gave the following. verdict—" That Dame Sarah
Lydia Seymour is now a lunatic, rnd incapable of managing
herself and her property, and that she was so on the 17th of
May, 1837, on the 10th and 12th of July, 1838, and on this
day, the 25th of July, 1838."
The Commissioners said this was also an informal verdict,
and after some discussion, in the course. of which there ap-
peared to be no chance of the Jury deciding upon Lady Sey-
mour's state of mind at the last examination, on the 11th of
July, the following verdict was recorded at the suggestion of
the Commissioners :
" That Dame Sarah Lydia Seymour is now a lunatic, with-
out lucid intervals, and not sufficient to manage herself and
her property; and that she was so a lunatic from the 17th of
May, 1837, to the 10th of July, 1838, both days inclusive, and
also from the 12th day of July to the 25th day of July, 1838.
The Jury unanimously acceded to the pro-position, and they
were then discharged.

A young couple were to have bee❑ married at Mar-
noch on Saturday last ; but, melancholy to relate, the bridegroom died
on the previous Friday, and the provisions, &c., prepared for his mar-
riage, were used at his funeral, which took place on the day appointed
for the celebration of the nuptials.—Aberdeen Herald.

PRICES OF CANALS, DOCK STOCKS
36SURANCE COMPANMS,&c. &c. &c.

LONDON, TUESDAYk jtJLV 24.
tlmber Dividend price
of per -CANALS. per
Shares. Anniiii+,, ?aid. Shire
1' 7ft 0 ' i cent. Ashton and Oldham....Average 97/. it:N.Bh. I:3h
'v. ' •k'
....t*2 4/. Ashtiy-de-le.Zouch Average 11:....5h. 65
1,210 Basingstoke lOO/.,h. 5
1,005 51. Brecknock and Abergavenny 150,. sh. ;OC
8,000 1-16 sh. 91 6s. Birmingham, 1.16 th share 9;1. & 711. 2'20
.t 000 Ditto and Uverpool Junct...lo. sh. 100 pd 24}
600 :11. Bridgewater and Taunton ....1001. sh. all pd 64
400 41. Chelmer and Blarkwater 100/* sh. 110...._. _

...... ...
500 481. C wentry ICU sh. 745
4.545 C:oydon - Average 311.25.10 d. sh. :1
2,060.1 4/. Os. Dudley
600 14e. Derby 100/.5h. 133
20.000 4 per cent. Danune and Mayne 4l/.135. 4d .pd 331,6
3,575; 11. Ellesmere and Chester Average 133/. bk. 77
231 46!. Erewash lOW. sn. '7OO
1,297 281. Forth and Clyde Average 4001.165. th. 570
11,600 12!. Grand Junct' -- lOOl. sh. '202
1,8494 11. Grand Union Ifo/.sh 25
1.500 Grand Surrey . 1(s1/.,1 20
120,0001. 41. per cent. Ditto (optional) Lean lO3l. '7O
3'726 Grand Western llOl. sh. allpe
600 13/.125. Sd. Glamorgansh ire, Average cost 1721. 13.1. 4:1. 230
749 101. Grantham 150/. sh. 202
6,238 21. Os. Huddersfield Average 57/. Os. 6d. sh. 37
100 Kensington 100 sh. all pd. 10
25 'l2B 11. ss. Kennet ;nd Avon, Average:l9/.lBi. 10d. sh. 25;',
2,397,1 So!. Leeds and Liverpool 100 i. sh. 6144
5154 13/. Leicester l4O/. sh. 920
1,897 6.'. O. Leicester and Northarnpton...Aver '-'3/.los. 9.3
2.400 101. Monmouthshire 100/' sh• 200
.__

150 10!. Melton Mowbray 100/ eh. 200

.0-ii 25/1 Mersey and Irwell lOOl. sh. 565
3,000 11. 105. Macclesfield 1001. sh. all pd. 52
247 17/. Neat h Mash. 325
2,100 5/. Peak Forest - ....... ... A vei “ge about 76/. sh. 104
1,418 12s. Regent's (or London) Aver. 331. Ifq. Bd. sh. 16
5,669 6/. per cent. Rochdale Average 85/. sh. 711
500 81. Shropshire 1t.51. sh. 138
800 91. 10s. Somerset Coal 150/.5h. 151 i
3,6001. 4,.1 per cent Ditto Lock Fund Stock 12/. 105. sh. 111
700 401. Stafford and Worcester l4O/. sh. 710
500 91. Shrewsbury 125/. sh. :80
300 91. Stcurbrldge
3.647 2/. Os. Stratford-on.Avoii-Average 791. 95. lA. sh. 40
533 15/. Swansea 1001. sh. 250
$,762 11. 15s. Severn and Wye and Railway ...Ar. 351. sh. 35
2.600i5n. 32/. 103. Trent and Mersey, i share 100/. sh. 580
6,149
Ililooss. 3h./ 161. Warwick a.ul Birmingham 100/ sh 281
,0601
SAO 154. Warwick aud Napten lOO/. sh. 200
6,000 41. n 3. Worcester and Birmingham...A v.78/.B*. sh. 79!
5,000 255. Wilts an, Berks .. Average 671. 10s. Sd. sh. ~f.:
800 31. W yrley and Essington 1251. sh 75
120 Wishench . 105/. sh. 43
905 Jo. Wey and Arun 1101.311. 221

DOCKS.
MOO & •'OO/ . A. 56
1506565 h } 3p. c Commercial
493,6671/. 6 per ct. East and West India Stock 107
3,2 ,310;1. 55i. p. ct. London
Ditto Bonds lOl
2,20!) 2/. 19s. Bristol
68,224/. 5/. percent. Ditto Notes, various amounts ll3
1,3.52,752 5 per cent. St. Katharine Stock 1M
500,000 41 per cent. Ditto Bonds lO2
201.'..000 4 per cent. Ditto Bonds for 10 years lOO4
1.500 , „.. Deptford l'ie!.._