The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-23 00:00:00

COMMISSION OF LUNACY ON

MRS. CUMMING.

SEVENTH DAY.
The adjourned inquiry in this case was again pro
ceeded with yesterday, at the Horns Tavern, Ken

nington.
Mrs. Cumming was present, and evidently as firm and
composed as previously.
The proceedings commenced with the cross-examina-
tion of Mr. Solomon, by Mr. Edwin James, and v. hich
went to show that the several sums paid to Mrs. Cum-
ming was in the presence of Mrs. Mitchell, who it was
alleged exercised an undue influence over Mrs. Cumming,
but this witness (Mr. Solomon) put in several vouchers,
and gave the most satisfactory explanation on every
point to which his cross-examination went.
Mr. Stephen Hutchinson—l am a civil engineer. I
have known Mrs. Cumming since 1830. I have not
visited her, but I saw her in my house. For the period
I have known her (sixteen years) I never observed any-
thing in her conduct to induce me to believe that she
was not perfectly sane. The last time I saw her was
in May last.
Mrs.: Anne Evans said, I was engaged by Mrs. Cum-
ming to go into her service, in September, 1844, in
South-row, New-road. Mrs. Inman was the nurse to
Captain Cumming. I heard the captain abuse her, and
call her the most vile names, even when she wished him
good night. The captain used to go out secretly and
take a cab. Mrs. Cumming used to order him to be
driven round Regent's Park. She used to be greatly
affected, and shed tears at the conduct of the captain.
I heard her say that he'sold"' il! 'hergtiods-three tithes,
and he would sell them off again. He used to object to
having his room cleaned. An opportunity of doing so
was taken when the captain was out taking the air.—
(This witness described at great length Mrs. Cumming's
attention to the captain, as to his food, supply of linen,
&c., detailing several acts of impropriety towards her-
self other servants, in consequence of which she was
obliged to leave the house.) Captain Cumming on one
occasion pawned his spectacles and snuff-box for drink,
and Mrs. Cumming redeemed them. She was of a very
irritable temper. The house was very orderly kept.
At the conclusion of this witness's testimony, the
jury, as usual, it being two o'clock, retired for refresh-
ment. The interim was well occupied by the counsel on
both sides, who entered into a consultation, in which
they continued for upwards of an hour, when they re-
turned into Court. It was then announced that an
arrangement had taken place.
The COMMISSIONER said, however he respected the
opinion of the Learned Counsel, yet, he felt it his
duty, to protect the jury from any unpleasant posi-
tion; he would go and see the lady, as they were bound
to give a verdict on their oaths. After that interview he
would be best enabled to suggest the course which
should be adopted.
Mr. James said that the jury should know the terms of
the arrangement.
The Learned COMMISSIONER then, in company with
Mr. James and Mr. Petersdorff, went to have an inter-
view with Mrs. Cumming, and in about ten minutes
again returned into Court.
The COMMISSIONER, addressing the jury, said that in
ordinary cases they might be discharged, as was the
practice in the common law courts by the withdrawal of
a juror (all parties consenting), but in the present in-
stance an arrangement having taken place, the commis-
sion having been issued by the Lord High Chancellor,
a difficulty arose as to what report he could make to his
Lordship; without first consulting him he could not dis-
charge the jury. In the arrangement great liberality
was shown by all parties, and he therefore proposed an
adjournment until he had taken the opinion of the Lord
Chancellor, when the jury would be re-assembled to
hear the result.
This was agreed to on both sides.
Mr. Petersdorff said that before the jury separated, he
was happy to inform them that the person of the lady
was free.
On this announcement, Mrs. Cumming was imme-
diately surrounded by and received the congratulations
of her friends on the happy event.
Dr. Millingen, however, said that ho had a claim to
retain the lady under the certificate until she was legally
discharged.
The Learned COMMISSIONER said he would take the
responsibility on himself, and would undertake that she
should appear when the Court met again.
Mrs. Cumming then left the room in the company of
her friends. She seemed deeply affected, and the un-
derlings of York House greatly disappointed. She en-
tered a carriage with Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins, and drove
off from the Horns Tavern once more restored to liberty,
to the evident gratification of the jury and many by-
standers.
When the jury re-assembled the Lord Chancellor's
opinion, as well as the terms of the arrangement, will be
communicated to them.
Thus this singular and extraordinary inquiry has ter-
minated virtually, though not formally.

FATAL ACCIDENT ON WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE.—
Yesterday afternoon Mr. Bedford held an inquest at the
Chequers, Tothill-street, Westminster, on the body of
Thomas Double, aged 56. The deceased had been many
years waiter at Tindall's Hotel, Old Palace-yard, and on
Sunday night, 19th July, he was crossing Westminster-
bridge, when his foot slipped in consequence of treading
on a piece of orange peel, and he fell from the kerb-stone
into the carriage-road, and fractured his right leg. He
was removed to the Westminster Hospital, where the
limb was set ; but he gradually sank, and expired on
Saturday last, from disease of the lungs, brought on by
the injury. Verdict in accordance with the medical
testimony.
PRICE OF GOLD.—The premium on gold at Paris
is 16 per mille, which, at the English Mint price of
31. 17s. 10id. pet ounce for standard gold, gives an
exchange of 25 ,t 5 ; and the exchange at Paris on
London at short being 25 77i, it follows that gold
is 0.87 per cent. dearer in London than in Paris.
By advices from Hamburgh the price of gold is 4351
per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10i d.
per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 1310-k;
and the exchange at Hamburgh on London at short
being 13 101, it follows that gold is 0.06 per cent. dearer
in London than in Hamburgh.
We are informed that a favourite cat, belonging
to a family at Hovingham, having lost her kittens, of her
own accord adopted a chicken of the pheasant fancy breed,
which was domesticated. The chicken appeared highly
pleased with her nurse, and puss on capturing a mouse
or obtaining any other food, carefully carries it to the
chicken, which has imbibed many of the peculiarities of
the cat, and the two now lay comfortably together, puss
putting her paw over the bird to protect it from harm,—
Yorkshire Gazette.
DISTEMPER AMONG CANAETEs:—Several of the
canary fanciers of this.
most valuable birds 11ei".,/2.1-oourhood, have lost their
.'"uring the last ten days by a sort of
VasEll°3l:: Znolera, the symptoms being similar to those
observed in the human subject when labouring under
that terrible disorder.—Lancaster Guardian..