The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-20 00:00:00

DOUSE OF DETENTION.

The report from this prison stated that during the
year ending at Michaelmas last there had been 6,518
prisoners, 1,853 of whom were admitted again on
being further remanded, making the general total
8,371, or 190 over the preceding year. The report
stated that "notwithstanding this increase, the
visiting justices, who have never lost sight of the im-
portance of introducing all practicable economy in
the management of this prison, are happy to be en-
abled to report that there has been a diminution in
the expenditure of this year of 3,2391. Gs. 21, the
expenditure of the preceding year having been
9,5331. Is., whilst that of the year just completed,
1848 9, was 6,293/. 143. 101; the diminutiou being
occasioned principally in the outlay incidental to
supplies on opening the prison, which will not again
oe required. The net diminution may be taken at
6081.1 The daily average of prisoners was 109, the
largest number, at any one time was 192, and the
number that day was 102,- none of -whoa:3 were in
either of the infirmaries.

The committee of.vibiting justices having been ap.
pointed, and some routine matters disposed of, the
Court adjourned.

TIIE SUPPOSED CASE OF CATALEPSY.
BRISTOL, OCT: adjourned inquest on the
body of Mr. Byron Blythe, the particulars of whose
most extraordinary case have already appeared in
The Sun, was resumed this afternoon at the Albion
Tavern, Princes-street, before the Coroner, Mr. J. B.
Grindon. The utmost interest was manifested in the
inquiry, and the jury-room was crowded, as well as
:he approaches to it. Mr. Blythe, the father of the
deceased, was present, and paid great attention to the
proceedings. The coroner having recapitulated the
facts of the case as they have already appeared in our
columns, observed that the usual signs of death were
pretty well known, and though some of these signs
were wanting it did not follow that death had not
taken place. in particular the absence of coldness
and rigidity frequently occurred. On Monday last
he had had an opportunity of seeing an infant who
had died the previous Saturday, and the body was then
quite warm, but there could be no doubt death had
taken place.
The first witness called was Henry Strugnell, the
landlord of the house where the deceased lodged. He
had known the deceased since August twelvemonth.
He was placed under the care of witness at that time
as a lodger and boarder. The deceased was then
about 17 years of age, and was with Mr. J. Ford,
merchant, in King-street, in this city. He had been
in good health until that day week, when he returned
home, and complained of being unwell. He had
only tea and bread and butter for breakfast, after
which he went to his usual occupation. Between
eleven and twelve a message was sent to witness that
he was taken very ill. Witness hastened home, and
found him lying on the sofa. He said that he had
been very sick and had vomited. Witness went for
medical assistance, and between twelve and half past
twelve Mr. Kelion attended him, and continued to do
so till his death, at half-past two the same night.
Witness saw him five or six times during his illness.
Between six and seven in the evening a nurse who
had been hired attended him. Witness last saw him
alive at half-past twelve. He thought his case hope-
less. At half-past two the nurse came to the door,
and said deceased was gone or nearly gone. Witness
first saw the body after death about nine o'clock, when
he went up stairs with the undertaker's man. There
was nothing particular about it to attract attention.
Witness supposed that deceased had died from cholera,
and had no reason to think that the nurse had
neglected her duty in any manner.
Joseph James Nelson, a surgeon, said that he had
had some slight acquaintance with the deceased,
having been consulted by him some time previously.
On Friday last he saw him soon after twelve, lying
on a sofa at hirlodgings. His appearance imme
diately convinced witness that he was suffering from
cholera. He was suffering from cramp, and was then
in the advanced stage of collapse. Witness ordered
him antacids, absorbents, and opiates. His first pre-
scription was 36 grains of confection of opium, chalk
mixture six ounces, two table-spoonfuls to be taken im-
mediately, and repeated every two or three hours. A
scruple of carbonate of soda was afterwards given in
a wine-glass of water. Witness also gave him a
wine-glass of brandy, and was with him two hours at
first, and again about six, when he understood Dr.
Green had been sent for. He also saw Dr. Wallis
coming down stairs, who said, " You had better go
up and see him ; I will wait for you." He afterwards
met Dr. Green on his return down stairs. The pa-
tient was in much the same state, not at all improved.
Witness consulted with Dr. Wallis and Dr. Green, and
they decided on the mode in which the patient should
be treated. While witness was writing the prescription
a person came down stairs and said deceased could
not breathe. They went up, and thinking that he
had spasm of the diaphragm, gave him half a wine-
glass more brandy. Prior to his being put to bed the
bed was warmed, and flannel was put round his legs.
At this time the extremities were not cold. They
ordered a mustard poultice to be applied to his breast
and abdomen, which with the brandy relieved him.
It was agreed to give him one grain of muriate of
morphine, fifteen grains of sugar of lead, and a little
aromatic confection, to form a mass, to be divided
into six pills, one to be given immediately and repeated
every hour, with a small quantity of mutton broth or
beef tea between the doses. They agreed to meet
again at ten o'clock. They all did so, and found the
patient free from suffering. He had no sickness, and
the bowels had not been acted on since they had left.
The pulse, too, which previously could not be felt,
was then perceptible, and he had diffused warm
perspiration, whereas in collapse the perspiration was
generally cold. They left him about half-past ten
o'clock, not thinking it necessary to remain longer.
The treatment used was that which they all agreed
in considering the proper one. [The witness
here said he wished particularly to notice
the marked and kind attention paid to the
deceased by the mistress of the house.] Witness
heard in the night that he was dead. He called the
next day and saw the body with Dr. Green. On
Sunday he saw him at nine o'clock, with Dr. Wallis
and Dr. Green. They examined the body with care.
There was more heat than he should have expected so
many hours after death. There was not the usual
dulness in the pupil of the eye. There was some
rigidity, but not so much as usual. The face was
more like a person asleep, the usual ghaitlin!ss of
death being absent. They determined on openingaddead
a
vein, but no more blood flowed than usual f
body. In consequence of the absence someoftirnd try
of the
la
signs of death they determined to meet a
some means to arrive at a more decisive result as to
his death. They tried
galvanism, electric ,shocks
passed through the body, and injecting the veins with
warm salt and water. Those methods failing, they
were satisfied of his death. When they first saw the
body on Saturday,it was in a coffin, dressed in a shirt
and stockings, and enveloped an sawdust.
By the father—The depth of the sawdust on the
chest was about a quarter or an inch or half an inch.
That might prevent evaporation of heat, and might
generate heat.
Dr. Wallis, having been sworn, corroborated those
portions of Mr. Kelson's evidence in which he was
concerned, and added that at the time he had no doubt
of the death, and that the heat was caused by the
body having been put early in the coffin and covered
with sawdust before it was cold. If it had been left
open in the usual way it would have exhibited no un-
usual appearances. He was convinced death had
taken place in the customary manner. There was
not the slightest appearance of death from suffocation.
In this case he should not have thought it necessary
to try experiments, but that it had attained public
notoriety and interest. Unquestionably the experi-
-1 anti bate tried to WWI thy Public

Mr. Belson was then ri
the post mortem examinatio
there was no mark of vio,
mark on the top of the rlt
morbid appearances, exc
liver, which exhibited a
which he could only ascr'
the cause of death he was
appearance of rice water fluid. lie was quite satisfied
that the lungs would not have presented the appear-
ance they did if the deceased bad been suffocated.
By the father—The transfusion, in his opinion,
would not have removed any congestion of the lung if
such bad existed.

Examinationresumed—The lungs and the heart
were healthy. The arteries contained blood of a pink
colour, which was unusual in any disease. The
bladder was empty, the gall bladder was full. No
blood could be lerced out of the spleen. The general
result satisfied him deceased died from cholera, and
from no other cause.

Mr. Blythe—lf the patient, in a state of suspended
animation, had been lett exposed on a board in a room
with the window open, exposed to a sharp north-east
wind during two cr three days, would it tend to de-
stroy the remains of life ? r Witness—lt would, of
course. But this assumes that animation was sus-
pended.

A juror--Did you ascertain what Dr. Green's
prescription was, and did you approve of it? I did
not disapprJve of it.
Mr. W. Sheppard, a surgeon, who was present at
the post mortem examination, corroborated Mr. Kel-
son s account of the appearances presented. He said,
that on opening the intestines, they found the usual
rice water evacuations, an infallible test of cholera.
The examination was carried far enough to satisfy
witness that the deceased died from cholera.

By the father—He was convinced that suffocation
had nothing to do with the death of the deceased;
this was determined by the appearance of the lungs.
Mr. Blythe here intimated that he did not wish
any more medical evidence to be callEd, but he had
some very important witnesses to bring forward.
The examination'was being proceeded with when
our ref ort lefc, the inquiry having then lasted nearly
four hours.

CORONERS' INQUESTS.
AFFLICTING SUICIDE BY A LADY.—Yesterday
forenoon, Mr. T. liTakley, M.P. for Finsbury, and
Coroner for the western division of Middlesex, re-
sumed his duties for the first time since his alarming
illness, about eight months ago. The first inque.t
held by Mr. Wakley was at the Guilford Arms Guil-
ford street, Russell-square, on view of the body of
Miss Sarah Whittaker, aged 53 years, who destroyed
herself by swallowing a large quantity of laudanum,
under the following very afflicting circumstances. It
appeared from the evidence of several witnesses, that
the deceased's brother was a solicitor, and was for-
merly in a very extensive practice, and possessed of
considerable property. Some years since he be-
came unable to attend to his professional duties,
through an aberration of intellect. His property
and his sister's were soon expended, and the de-
-ceased was compelled to seek her livelihood by
becoming a daily teacher in a gentleman's family.
Her brother gradually became worse, and he was even-
tually confined in a lunatic asylum. He remained there
but a short time, and was liberated through the inter-
cession of the deceased, who displayed such strong
devotion to her brother as to cause considerable sym-
pathy and respect in her behalf by a number of
respectable individuals, who took a deep interest in
her welfare. The deceased tock her brother home
and entirely provided for him, and attended upon him
as a mother would to her infant. Her brother was
considered a confirmed lunatic, and was constantly
inflicting some violence upon her, but she would
never allow any interference, and always kept him
from the sight of any person. About five weeks since
she hired some furnished apartments for herself and
brother, at No. 23, Bernard-street, Russell-square.
She was in the habit of leaving home in the morn-
ing, and attending to her duties as a teacher, and
returning in the afternoon. Directly afterwards a
loud uproar was heard in her apartments, as if her bro-
ther was ill-using her. On one occasion the landlord
opened the room- door, and found the deceased
struggling with her brother, who had the tongs
in his hand, and was flourishing them over her head.
The deceased never complained of her sufferings, nor
did she ever appear reluctant to attend upon her
brother, although, at times, it was quite evident that
she was suffering from great mental anxiety and bodily
fatigue. During the last few days her brother had
become very outrageous, and would have, no doubt,
killed her, if prompt assistance had not been rendered.
On Tuesday night last, Sergeant Boidmsn, 13 E
division, was called in by the landlord, for the purpose
of preventing the deceased's brother from committing
any further injury to her or to himself. The sergeant
obtained the assistance of a police-constable, and he
was strictly watched during the night. In conse-
quence of his violent behaviour, a certificate was pro-
cured for his admission into the infirmary, at St.
Pancras workhouse. He was removed on the follow-
ing morning, and shortly afterwards the deceased
was found lying upon the sofa in a state of stupor.
The landlord acquainted Sergeant Boidman, who
instantly sent ter Mr. T. Wakley (the son
(,f the worthy coroner), surgeon, who quickly
attended, but the deceased died in about an
hour and a half afterwards. A search was made in
the room, and four bottles which had contained lauda-
num were discovered in some drawers. Mr. T.
IVakley said, when he was first called to the de-
ceased ,the room smelt strongly of laudanum, and
from the appearance of the deceased he considered she
was suffering from the effects of that poison. He
applied the stomach-pump, but finding it unavailing
he had recourse to the galvanic battery, which mate-
rially increased the respiration. It afterwards be-
came gradually weaker, and she died in about an hour
afterwards from the effects of the poison. The Co-
roner said unfortunately poisons were sold too freely
in this country, and he was of opinion that none
ought to be sold unless in the presence of a witness.
This case was a most afflicting one, and he had never.
heard of such devotion as that exhibited by the de-
ceased towards her insane brother. Mr. Wakley said
on examining the body of the deceased he found it
covered with bruises, and he had no doubt but the
unfortunate lady had been most severely ill-used by
her brother. The jury returned a verdict, " That
the deceased destroyed herself by swallowing a quan-
tity of laudanum, while in a state of unsound mind:'

DEATH OF A MOTHER AND CHlLD.—Yesterday a
very lengthened inquiry was held at the St. Martin's
workhouse, before Mr. Bedford, the coroner, on the
bodies of Ann Smith and her illegitimate offspring, a
newly-born female child, whose deaths occurred
under the following painful circumstances. It ap-
peared from the evidence of several witnesses that the
deceased woman was in the service of Mr. Capper,
coal-merchant, of 17, Salisbury-street, where she had
been for the last seven months without it being dis-
covered that she was enciente, until Sunday evening,
when she refused to sleep in the room she usually
occupied, and retired between eleven and twelve
o'clock. Shortly afterwards her screams attracted
the attention of another servant, and it was found in
a few minutes that she had given birth to the de-
ceased infant. Mr. Leonard, the surgeon, was called
in promptly, but both mother and child had then ex-
pired. The learned gentleman gave a very minute
and highly scientific account of the appearances on
the post mortem examination, showing tlat the death
of the mother was occasioned by excessive hemor-
rhage, whilst the death of her infant (a remarkably
fine seven months child, and competent to live under
favourable circumstances) was the result of asphyxia,
and both cases attributable to a want of proper
medical attendance. A verdict in precise accordance
with the medical opinion was returned.

TEE LATE GALES —ln consequence of the bad
weather lately experienced at sea, several of the foreign
steamers have been very much delayed on the passage,
and have arrived here considerably after their proper
time. It being considered necessary, in some instances,
in consequence of such delay having occurred, to dis-
charge the cargoes of the steamers immediately on their
arrival, in order that they may be enabled to reload and
take their departure with their mail bags and passen-
gers at the specified time, application was made to the
proper authorities of the revenue for their permission
to be granted for that purpose, which was conceded, in
order that no unnecessary delay or inconvenience to the
public might be experienced.KTENliEß
LENGTH SITAIMER.—On a farm
occupiediend of ours, in Kentmere, the snow this
Ti l
by OF
asrA
year lay as far down as the house door until the 11th
June, and again made its appearance on the same spot
onthe3dofth
this
episresent month. The length of our
friend's
and two days.
e summer yearvv emabyeltiheures be stated at sixteen
state that ho has finished his haymaking.—Westmorelandhowever,
weeaa
Gazette.

EQUALIZATION Or THE LAND TAX.—In pursuance
with a requisition to the overseers of the Liberty of the
Rolls, a general meeting of the inhabitant househt.lders
of the liberty was held last night at the vestry-room,
Church-passage, to take into consideration the present
unequal assessments of the land tax paid in the liberty,
as compared with other parts of the division, and to de-
.ternaine on the necessary steps to be taken to obtain an
equalization of the rate over the entire division. The
chair was taken by Mr. E. M. Thomson, and the meet-
ing was addressed by Messrs. V. Stephens, R. Moulton,
J. H. Phillips, Taylor, and Joseph Lowe. Resolutions
were unanimously passed in accordance with the objects
of the meeting, and a committee appointed to carry them
into effect.

The Moniteur du Soir announces the death of M.
Fr6bent, ex-surgeon of the military hospital at Toulon,
who, it will be remembered, was recently dismissed from
his situation by the Minister of War, and severely cen-
sured by the Moniteur for having, on the breaking out of
the cholera, abandoned his post. It is said that the un-
happy man committed suioido.

z
of say whether it was the 7
hat had died of cholera with
~,
.-.-
.e-examined with- iespect t 9 - '
ion. Ile said that externally:—
)lence. There w45,7;a trivial;:,',l '
ight hand. There wepe,:no:
cepting in a port': . -J1*......;..,",./
a softening of t •J'keXttite ~,,,
ribe to decomposition;-I]6f
~. perfectly satisfied, from the

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" WHIT .:FRIARS,"
Now ready, at all the Libraries, In 3 vols.. ANS.
THE MA.ID OF Libraries,
An Illsto.leal Romance.
By the Author cf
" White liars." " Owen Tudor," Ste.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.
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THEATRE ROYAL
1.3. Wel-Jatar, oeie Less..e and 'Manager, Old llrompton.
THIS EVENING',
Will be performed the Comedy of THE LOVE CHASE. Sir
William Fondlove, MY. Tilbury ; Master Waller, Mr. Howe
rale, Mr. Webster ; Widow Green, Mrs. W. Clifford ; Lydia, Miss
J. Mordannt ; Constance, Mrs. Nisbett.
After which the successful and laughable Farce, called an
ALAR.MITIG SACRIFICE. Bob Ticket, Mr. Buckstone ; Susan
SwectaPple, Mrs. Fitzwilliam.
After which the Farce of SEPARATE MAINTENANCE.
Mr. Pennipother, Mr. Keeley ; Mrs. Pennipother, Mrs. Keeley ; Jane
Briggs, Miss P. Horton.
To conclude with A KISS IN THE DARK.
Due notice will be given of the appearance ot Mr. and Mrs. KEAN.
The Box-office is under the direction of Mr. I. T. Archer.

TIIKATRE ROYAL. ADELPIII.
Under the direction of Madame Celeste.
THIS EVENING.
Will be performed THE MYSTERIOUS STRINGER• The
Mysterious Stranger, Madame Celeste.
To be followed by a new slippery sketch called MRS. BUNBURY'S
SPOONS. Mr. Highbury Barnes, Mr. P. Bedford, Bob Twinks,
Mr. Wright ; Job Mr. 0. Smith: Mrs. Sunbury, Mrs. F.
Matthews Mrs. Highbary Barnes, Miss Brooks.
After which a new Farce, entitled A BIRD OF PASSAGE. Mr.
Carry Chick, Mr. Wright; Mr. Chaunt Ginger, Mr. Paul Bedford ;
Mr. Charles Pusher, Mr. Boyce; Ernest Hopeful, Mr. Worrell; Mrs.
Waters Rummer, Mrs. Frank Matthews.
To conclude with TILE TURNPIKE-(;ATE.

ItC:rIrAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Management of Madame Vestry.
idle Lessee, Mr. Charles Mathews.
THIS EVENING,
WM be performed A PRACTICAL MAN.
To be followed by A WONDERFUL WOMAN.
To conclude with a new comic drama, called A LADY IN DIF-
FICULTIES.
Dress i,tAes, ss. • Upper Boxes, 4s. Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. No
talf-oricr. tr. any Dart of the house.
All applications for Private Boxes must be made to Mr. Allcroft, 15,
New 14nd-street.

PRINCESS'S THEATUE.
Mr. J. X. Maddox, Sole Lessee and Manager.
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed the celebrated Opera of DON GIOVANNI.
After which, a new Extravaganza, entitled THE FIRST
NIGHT.
To conclude with a new farce called THE MAJOR'S DAUGHTER

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AM, PHITHEATItit.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
U .der the Patronage of her Majesty the Queen, his Royal highness
Prince Albert, &c.
Triumphant success of the new Equestrian Spectacle of the Prophet,
which has been nightly received with enthusiasm, and pro's piece
ed
by the public press to be the most gorgeous hippo-dramataic pi
ever produced at the Amphitheatre.
Unparalleled Equestrian Feats.
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed Fitzball's grand Equestrian Spectacle, entitled
TIIE PROPHET, in which Mr. W. West will appear.
iv be iollowed by an inimitable display of SCENES Dr THE
C RCLE. by the first Equestrian talent of the day.
-nnclude with the favourite Farce of THE WEAVEZ OF

Tn
LYONS

Box-office open from Eleven till Four.
Stage Arana3tr, Mr. W. West.

HIGH wATKR AT LONDON BRIDnE.
Trim DAY —M riling, 4 min. after 4 1 Evening, 19 min. after 4
,ornine, 35 min. After 4 Kve. 'nig. 53 min. after 4

WEATHER.—SuN OFFICE, OCT. 20.
TIIERMOMETER, Lowest, 54; Highest, 62; rOOll, 60*
BAROMETER, 30.
Went down in the morning to 29.90, but has since risen.
WIND W.S.W.—light breeze, and fine sunshiny weather.

•
71: 4•30' s wiz ,d 5„,,
,041 -s ff-
, , 4
4.. • 's.
"
•

toy areran , Tht

T.01;i1)011) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1849,