The Sun.
London, England, 1824-04-01 00:00:00

SUN.

THE SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT LEWISHAM,

On Tuesday nigtiTan Inquest was held at the
Lion and Lamb, Lewisham, before T. CARTTAR, E4q., the
Coroner for Kent, on the bodies of Henry and Thomas Large,
two brothers, who were burnt while confined in the cage at
Lewisham, on Tuesday morning.
The Jury proceeded to view the bodies, which laid in the
stables of the Lion and Lamb, and presented the most horrid
spectacle that can possibly be imagined ; scarcely an inch of
flesh on the bones but was scorched to a cinder. A shilling,
sixpence, halfpenny, and farthing, which had been found in tb,e
cage, were also ex ibited, which, while in the pocket of one of
the deceased, were burnt quite black. The Jury-rooth was
crowded with persons of respectability.
Mr. CazurrEn observed to the Jury, that one of the de-
ceased had been committed by Mr. Constable, the Magistrate,
for throwing vitrol on two gowns, the property of his fellow-
servant, Sarah Longhurst, but not on the person.
James Pople, conductor of the Bow-street patrol in 'the
Sydenham district, deposed, that by virtue of a warrant signed
by Mr. Constable, he apprehended Henry Large on Friday
evening ; he was charged with throwing vitrol over two gowns
belonging to Sarah Longhurst, who, as well as himself, wese
in the service of Miss Brookes, who keeps an academy at
Sydenham. Witness gave him into the custody of Lund, *
patrol, to be lodged in the cage at Lewisham. This witness
went to view the bodies, but they were in such a dreadful state
he could not identify Henry Large.
William Lund, a patrol, stated that Henry Large was given
into his custody by the last witness on Saturday, and he took
him on that day before Mr. Constable, by whom he was' re-
manded back to the cage until Tuesday, when he was to be
taken before the Bench at Greenwich, and it was expected be
would have been discharged.
Thomas Burchepp, ostler at the Lion and Lamb deposed
that from the contiguity of the inn to the cage, the keys were
kept there for convenience ; he locked the deceased Henry up
when the last witness brought him in custody on liaturday,•and
since then witness supplied him with the county allowance, and
a truss of straw to lie-on. On Monday the deceased complain-
ed of being nearly starved with cold, and begged while's so
lend him some money to purchase coals. He in conidqUence
supplied him with some ; and on that night his brother Tho-
mas was admitted to him to keep him company all night. *bast
two o'clock in the morning witness heard cries of murder pro-
ceeding from the cage ; and having dressed himself, and ob-
tained the assistance of a watchman, they found the cage env.-
lopped to flames—the cage door was then opened, and Thomas
was lying at the door burned to death. He and some others
went in and brought out Henry, also dead, and lying under the
seat. Witness did not take any pipes, tobacco, or candle,into-
the cage. He did not conceive there was any foundation for
the rumour that they had intentionally set fire to the Fara*.
John Abbott, a watchman, stated, that about two o'cloHr en.
Tuesday morning he heard the cry of " fire," and on going to
the cage he saw it in flames. Thomas Large was at the 'win-
dow, crying most pitifully, " Oh Lord, save me l eaveniet
save me !' witness requested him to keep his head to thetiyia-
dow until he could obtain the keys; having got them, he at-.
tempted to enter, but the flames prevented him; but in *short
time Thomas was got out; he then ran for a Doctor, not know-
ing that any other person was in the cage, and whenl hegot
back Henry had been brought out; they were both dead. •
James Fowle deposed, that when the door was opened the
watchman went in first and he followed, laying hold of his coat.
In this way, they groped about until they reached Thos.'s hand,
which was in an extended position ; it was twenty minute% be-
eiee
fore Henry was got out, not knowing two persons were there.
diedT Juryhbey
suffocation,retur produced
0 da verdict,
by the
i
the two unfortunate persons had been sacrificed from the want
of a necessary building in which prisoners might be kept.' - If a
ruittithon aodfd
dce a s
straw."persona
The Jury expressed their decided opinion.that the of
building was erected, in which the Conductor of Police, at sotto
cident might perhaps be saved.
other person might reside, the lives of prisoners in scats? ac-

Mr. Goumacaw, our Chief Secretary, is, it id•
reported, to be raised to the dignity of a Baronet
of the United Kingdom.--(lrish Obrerver.Y
DULL—A meeting took place at the "Irish
Chalk Farm" (Sandymount), on Saturday morn-
ing last, between two gentlemen, accompanied by
their friends, when, after an exchange of shots,
one of the parties received his adversary's- bail in
the leg, when they retired, oue to palliate of
coffee, and the other a less agreeable dtdesk#--
the assistance of a serron.---(ltish Times.)