The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-26 00:00:00

DEATH FROM STARVATION.

Yesterday ar ernoon Mr. Mills resumed, at the Duke
WL!:inginn, Cral% fcrd-strcct, Portman-squuc, ar.
quest, adjourned from last Friday, on the budy of Louisa
Mordaunt, aged 35.
The CORONER prefaced the inquiry by stating, that
when he and the jury viewed the body on Friday, they
imagined that the deceased was 55 years of age; but
they were much astonished upon ascertaining that she
was only 35. Upon further inquiry, it was ascertained
that the deceased, her mother and sister, who lived to-
gether, had been without food, without fire,rand:without
clothing. The inquest was adjourned to afford an op-
portunity to the parochial officers to explain how the
family were left in that destitute condition, and in order
that some little relief might be obtained for the sur-
vivors. In conclusion, the Coroner asked Mackenzie,
the summoning officer, if he had informed the parochial
authorities of the destitute condition of the family?
Mackenzie replied in the affirmative.
Mary Anne Mordaunt, examined—Deceased was her
sister, and expired suddenly daring her absence on the
18th instant. Deceased, witness, and their mother lived
together at 93, Crawford-street. Witness went out to
needlework on the morning of the 18th, leaving her
sister in bed, and upon her return in the afternoon found
her dead. They had neither a sufficiency of food,
clothe; nor firing. Witness sometimes earned 35., at
other times 2s. and Is. a week. Her mother had 2s. 6d.
a week from the parish, out of which they paid 2s. 3d.
a week rent.

By the CORONER—They were totally starved. Her
sister, who had been for months unable to work, occa-
sionally earned 6d. a week. They sometimes got a loaf
of bread from the workhouse. On one occasion, Mr.
Merson, the relieving officer, said to her, " Mind, I have
done with you ; no more relief will be granted you."
That fretted her much. On another occasion her de-
ceased sister, after having been kept waiting at the work-
house from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., was sent away unrelieved.
She told the workhouse authorities that they were starv-
ing; but the authorities refused any further relief unless
they went into the workhouse. Since Friday last no
one called upon them from the workhouse, nor did they
receive any relief from it.
Mrs. Emma Bryant confirmed the above evidence.
Mr. Robert Dawson Harding, surgeon, in a very ela-
borate statement, detailed the result of the post mortem
examination, which distinctly proved that deceased died
from starvation.

I Mr. Merson, who with several other parochial officers
attended, explained his conduct towards deceased and
her family, by stating that he had acted in compliance
with the regulations of the workhouse.
The jury, who severely censured the conduct of the
parochial authorities, retired to consider their verdict,
and after half an hour's absence, returned, and handed
to the Coroner the following verdict :
" That the death of deceased was caused by the want
of the commonest necessaries of life, and that they re-
gretted that the parochial authorities of the parish of
Marylebone had not evinced sufficient diligence in
scrutinizing the wants of deceased."
The Foreman said that they equally regretted that the
authorities had paid no attention to the wants of de-
ceased's family since last Friday, although on that day
their attention was particularly directed to their destitute
condition by the coroner and jury.

THE LATE ACCIDENT on the EAST
LANCASHIRE RAILWAY.
TO THE EDITOR OF-THE SUN.
SIR,—In your paper of the 24th inst. I observe a
paragraph which purports to give the particulars of an
accident which occurred on this railway on Monday, the
23d inst. Your account of the accident is wrong in
every partieular, as you will perceive from the statement
which I now forward to you.
The train in question consisted of four carriages
(three second-class and one first), and left the Rawten-
stall station at lh. 15m. P.M., and proceeded in safety to
Summerseat station. About three-quarters of a mile
nearer to Bury than Summerseat is Spring Side Bridge,
and here it was that the accident occurred. The engine
mounted the metals at the north end of the bridge, and
ran about 40 or 50 yards after crossing it, and then fell
over against the aide of the cutting (if so it may be
called), which is about five feet high. The curve here
is 80 chains radius. The only person injured is a man
who is in the employ of the company, as master carpen-
ter. He was on the engine at the time, One of his feet
were cut off, and the great toe of the other injured.
Excepting a few bruises, which none of the passengers
thought worth complaining about, this was the only
casualty that occurred. The policeman, who is stated to
have lost one leg and severely injured the other, only
received a bruise on the shin. The carriage next the
engine had the pannels in front knocked in, the other
three were but slightly injured. The engine and tender
did not receive any considerable damage. A special
train took all the passengers forward to Manchester,
causing them a delay of only thirty minutes. The line
was clear and in working order at five o'clock the same
afternoon.

I have to request the favour :of your inserting this
account in your next publication, in order that a report
so full of error as the one which has already appeared
may not remain uncorrected a moment longer than is
possible.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
JOS. SPAWFORTH,
General Superintendent.
Bury, Lancashire, Nov. 25, 1846.
[The paragraph in question was copied from a morn-
ing paper.—En. Sun.]

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE ELECTRIC TELE-
GRAPH TO THE ROYAL PALACES, GOVERNMENT-OFFICES,
DOCKYARDS, GARRISONS, &c.—We understand that the
Government have recently taken into consideration a
series of improvements for effecting an immediate com-
munication with the royal palaces, Government offices,
dockyards, garrisons, and fortresses throughout the
kingdom, by means of the electric telegraph. The pro-
posals are stated to be the extension of the telegraph
from the Slough station of the Great Western Railway
Windsor Castle in subterranean pipes, the wires being
connected with extensions from the Paddington terminus
to Buckingham Palace, the Treasury, and the Home-office.
Extension of the telegraph on the Great Western and
South Devon Railways to the Plymouth Dockyard, with
a corresponding extension from Paddington to the Ad-
miralty. The extension of the telegraph now completed
on the South-Western to the dockyard and arsenal
at Portsmouth, to the Admiralty. Extension of
the telegraph on the South-Eastern Branch
line now constructing to Woolwich and Gravesend, to
connect the Woolwich garrison, arsenal, and dockyard
with the telegraph extension from the London-bridge
termini to the War-office and the Admiralty. Also a
similar extension along the Rochester line to Chatham
and Sheerness.• It is also proposed to lay down the
telegraph between the War-office and the Tower, which,
by the extensive improvement now going on in
the interior of that fortress, will become a most efficient
garrison. There has been an objection, it is said, raised
to the present mode of erecting the wires on poles along
the various railways, the demolition of the telegraph
being a work of little difficulty. It has been suggested
to convey it under ground in a similar manner as the
extension from the South-Western terminus is now being
conducted under the streets of London, and which has
been found to act accurately. By this plan the wires
are not only secured from injury, but are less liable to
get out of order than those exposed in the open air.
According to Act of Parliament, the Government have
the power of seizing all electric telegraphs on railways.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE MANCHESTER AND LEEDS
RAILWAY.—The first Parliamentary or cheap train from
Manchester to Leeds, on Monday morning last, left the
station at Manchester, at a quarter-past six o'clock, and
arrived at Wakefield about nine, where it stoppod for a
short time. Everything had been reported right, and
the engine again left the station, but had not pro-
gressed more than twenty or thirty yards, when it was
stopped, in consequence of an unfortunate accident
which had taken place in that short space of time. It
appears that one of the assisting guards, named James
Corns, was proceeding along the foot-board to his break
a 3 is the custom, after all has been found correct, when
the side of his head or neck came in contact with a lug-
gage waggon on the siding, and he was struck with such
violence as to be knocked from his standing on to the
line. Be was thrown urder the wheels of the train by
the force of the blow, and one of the heavy horse boxes,
and another carriage attached to the tender, passed over
his legs, and severed them both from his body, the one
above and the other below the knee. Be was at once con-
veyed to a public-house near the station, where surgical
aid having been promptly procured, it was at first thought
desirable that amputation should take place ; but as the
unfortunate man gradually sunk under the injuries he
had sustained, this operation was not resorted to. Corns
never rallied from the time of the accident, and died
yesterday morning, at three o'clock. He was a young
man, not more than twenty-one years of age, and bore
an excellent character fur steadiness and sobriety. He
had been in the service of the company for several
years, and was fully acquainted Rath the duties which a
guard has to perform. An inquest was held at the
Hertford Arms public-house, yesterday, before Mr. Lee,
coroner for the county, and a respectable jury. After
protractedinquiry, which did not terminate until five
o'clock last night, during which a minute investigation
of all the circumstances attending the unhappy occur-
rence was instituted, a verdict of " Accidental death"
was unanimously agreed W.—Manchester Guardian of
yesterday.

- THE HIGHLANDERS IN SPAIN ; OR, THE RomANCK
OF WAR.— Notwithstanding the numerous volumes
which have been given to the public relative to the glo-
rious exploits of the British army in Spain and Portu-
gal, this new wprk will be found full of novelty and
interest. The historical and military details given are
the result of the experience of eme who had the honour
of serving in that gallant corps to which these volumes
more especially relate (the Gordon Highlanders) durirg
the whole of its brilliant career. Most of the" military
operations, and many of the characters, will be familiar
to the survivors of the second division; and brother
officers will recognise many old associates in the t onvi-
vialities of the mess-table, and in the perils of the
battle-field. The volumes depict from the life the stir-
ring events and all the romance of warfare, with the
various lights and shades of military service, the prin-
cipal characters being members of one of those brave regi-
ments which, from their striking garb, national feelings,
romantic sentiments, and esprit de corps, are essentially
different from the generality of our troops of the line.—
Naval and Military Gazette.
THE BANK ROBBERY AT MESSRS. ROGERS'S.--
Yesterday, from information that has recently been
obtained that it is expected will throw some light on
this mysterious affair, the offer of a reward of 3,000/.
together with her Majesty's pardon, was renewed.
WRECKS ON THE FRENCH COAST.—On Saturday
afternoon the American ship Allen, Heighton, laden
principally with cotton, last from New York, was
wrecked between Boulogne and Etaples. Her cargo
was valuable. When the last account came awe the
crew were in the rigging.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
ROLLS' COURT, Not% ')5.
THE KENSAL-GREEN GAS-WORKS.-11,1-INES v. TAYLOR.-...
JUDGMENT. ‘•
Mr. KINDERS.LEY having replied toAay,
His LORDSHIP delivered judgments He said this was
a motion for an injunction to restrain the defendants
from proceeding with works which they were erecting
near the dwelling-house of the plaintiff: The question
involved in this motion was one of great import-
ance, for the public had the greatest interest
in the maintenance •of such legal rights as
were contended for in the present case. The
plaintiff was possessed of a house in which he re-
sided, and which was situated a short distance from a
piece of land possessed by the defendants, and upon
which they proposed to erect a gas manufactpry. Their
works were now in progress of erection. The only mis-
chief that could ensue to the plaintiff was from the ma-
nufacture of gas, and he had nothing to apprehend from
the works considered in themselves, and without
reference to what was to be manufactured in them.
The manufacture of gas was not to commence till
March, consequently the mischief apprehended by
the plaintiff was future—speculative—and if the
description of works were of that character which
would produce unquestionably those effects feared by the
plaintiff, the Court would give the relief here sought for.
But, looking on all the cases any way analogous, he could
not find, with the exception of one particular case, that
the Court had granted an injunction before the matter
had been decided by a court of law. The principle upon
which that (the Rolls') Court acted was clear. It had no
jurisdiction to determine what was, or what was not, a
nuisance, but had a power to prevent a nuisance when
mere legal orders were insufficient to do justice. If it
were clear that a court of law could not give
those adequate orders, the Court would be
right to interfere. The question then really to be con-
sidered was, whether there was any instance where
carrying on gas works was to be regarded as a nuis-
ance, and no legal proceeding had determined such. It
was, no doubt, very disagreable in any case to be sub-
jected to the effects of the volatile products that arise
from the distillation of coal, but whether these
effects were necessarily such as would consti-
tute a nuisance was a different question. He
considered that the plaintiff should have given
a notice-Ao the company before they had proceeded
so far with their works, and incurred the consequent
expense. Looking at all the circumstances, it was not
in his power to grant the injunction. He should wish to
refuse the application in a way that would not preclude
the plaintiff, in the event of obtaining a verdict, apply-
, ing again to the Cotut, or of bringing his case before
another judge.
Mr. Ilmnansmir applied, on the part of the plaintiff;
that the case should be allowed to stand over.
His LORDSHIP said he had no objection, and the case
was accordingly ordered to stand over.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, Nov. 25.
THE QUEEN V. THONPSON.
_ -

Mr. FLOOD followed on the same side, and urged in
support of the discharge of the rule that Mr. Bell did
not come into the Court with " clean hands " as he had
brought actions against Mr. Thompson, which increased
the 821. to 1261., and when an arrangement was made
between them it was on the express understanding that, if
any interruption took place in the payment of the instal-
ment, his claim should* increased to 1501. The whole profit
made by the defendant, out of the transaction in which
Luke was engaged, was only 31. 65., a sum so insignifi-
eant, that it forbade the inference that a professional
man would destroy his character for it ; besides, Luke's
name was in the list of voters as proprietor of the land,
pretty strong evidence that he, and not Wyman, was the
proprietor.

Mr. ROBINSON submitted, in support of the rule, that
the defendant alone was to blame for not having before
now appealed to the proper tribunals if he could prove
his innocence. He cited cases to show that the Court
had interposed its authority, and struck solicitors off the
rolls some years after the offences with which they were
charged were committed, and held that this was a case
in which the Court should so interpose, because it was
incumbent on the Court to see that none but respectable
persons were allowed to practise in it.
Lord DENMAN stopped Mr. Robinson, and stated that
the Court considered the case ought to be remitted to
the master, before whom additional affidavits would be
necessary. The Court had given its opinion with
re:pect to the first objection in the case of " King," and
considered that the second with respect to time was not
tenable, inasmuch as the proceedings before the Com-
missioner of Bankruptcy justified the re-opening of the
matter.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Nov. 25.
WHITE V. HARDING.
In this cause, which was tried before Mr. Baron Platt
at the Middlesex sittings at Nisi Prius, a verdict for 501.
was returned for the plaintiff, for a series of assaults
committed upon the plaintiff, who was a process server.
Mr. KNOWLES a few days since obtained a rule nisi
for a new trial, on the ground-of surprise.
Mr. CHAMBERS and another Learned Gentleman hav-
ing been heard against the rule, and Mr. KNowus in
support of it,
The COURT ordered the rule to be discharged.
BUSINESS OF THE COURT.—The clerk of the court
gave notice, that on Saturday next the Court would pro-
ceed to give judgment in all the causes now standing for
judgment on the new trial paper.