The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-13 00:00:00

BIRTHS IN THE WEEK.

Males
... ... 688
Females ... ... ••• ... ... 649

Total ...

". -.1,337

THE RECENT MELANCHOLY CASE OF CHILD
MURDER ON THE RlVER.—Yesterday Mr. Higgs held
an adjourned inquest at the Ship in Milford-lane, on the
body of Alice Tranham, aged five years. It will be re-
membered that on Friday evening last the mother of the
deceased was on board the London Pride steam-boat
with her child, and that when opposite Paul's Wbarf she
suddenly jumped into the water with the child in her
arms from the larboard sponson. The mother was
rescued by a waterman, hut the child was unfortunately
drowned. The principal evidence that was given was
tendered by the friends of the unhappy woman, who is
at present in the Compter, with the view of showing that
she was of unsound mind when she committed the rash
act. The only witness of importance was Rebecca
Fisher, of 8, Croydon-street, Crawford-street, who de-
posed that Ann Tranham and the deceased had lived
with her for the last four months. She always appeared
to be in a low, desponding state, and frequently com-
plained of her head, saying that she was sure unless
something happened she would go quite mad. She left
witness's house about two o'clock on Friday, stating
that she was going to her aunt's in Red Lion-street,
Holborn. Witness saw no more of her until after
this melancholy occurrence. The Coroner, in summing
up observed, that in inquiries of this nature every per-
son of the age of discretion was presumed to be sane and
accountable for his actions, unless the contrary were
proved. In compliance with the general rule, it would
be better to leave the question of sanity to a superior
court. The jury, after a lengthened deliberation, re-
turned the following special verdict :—" We find a ver-
dict of wilful murder against Ann Tranham, and we
cannot separate without expressing our opinion that
when Ann Tranham flung herself into the Thames, the
said Ann Tranham was of unsound mind."

-
GREENOCK, SEPT. 11.— Her Majesty's mail packet
Banshee, Captain W. Smithett, arrived hero last even-
ing at five o'clock, and landed Lord John Russell and
suite. The Banshee left the harbour of Kingstown at
4 40 P.M., and made a most wonderful passage of little
more than twelve hours, against a very strong head
wind from the north-east, being at the rate of fifteen
miles per hour. The Banshee has been greatly admired
by many shipbuilders and others who have been to see
her, and all are astonished at her beautiful form and ex-
traordinary speed.
MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.-01.1 Wednesday last as
our respected rector, the Rev. G. F. J. Marsham, was
out shooting with his brother, the Rev. J. J. Marsham,
ho fired at a partridge, which he killed, but some of the
shots at the samo time wounded his brother, and one
entered the ball of his eye, of the sight of which he was
instantly deprived. Other shots entered his chest and
body. Mr. Woolcott, of Maidstone, surgeon and oculist,
was immediately sent for, and we are happy to state that
the rev. gentleman, under his judicious treatment, is go-
ing on favourably, and hopes are entertained that he may
recover his sight.—Maidstone Gazette.