The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-13 00:00:00

THE PROVIDENT CLERKS' mu-
TuAr. AND BENEFIT ASSOCIATION AND
BENEVOLENT FUND.
A general meeting (consequent on a requisition,
signed by the most respecteble members of the Associa-
tion) s; as held yesterday evenings at the London
Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, at EiX o'clock, George
Thomas. Esq., in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN said the time had arrived when an
opportunity would be given to every meinl:er to express
his opinion on the matters which would be brought
before them. The meeting would be put at once in pos-
session of the question before them it the requisition
were read. (The Chairman then read the requisition.)
The Chairman added, that he should be happy to hear
any otserva ions made by any gentleman present, re-
selling to himself the power of making what comment
he pleased afterwards.
Mr. WELCH rose simply to propose a resolution,
raising the maximum policies (at the option of the
holders) from 500/. to 1,0001. The directors had
anxiously taken the matter into consideration, and they
were of opinion that the alteration would be a desirable
one. He therefore p- oaosed that the twenty-third rule
should be altered accordingly. It might be perhaps as
well for him to state that this resolution had been sub-
mitted to the direction, and they, with one exception,
had agreed to it.
Mr. BOURNE asked whether the resolution referred to
other than life policies?
Mr. LLOYD—No; certainly not.
Mr. BATTRAY said that it was a matter of necessity
that the clause should be altered in H.), because they
could not take any part of it specifically.
Mr. GOSWELL, having signed the resolution, felt it
necessary, as a man, to state the reason which had in-
fluenced him in that decision. He had known many in-
dividuals who wished to join their institution, but be-
cause they could not grant a policy for a larger sum than
500/, then they would not be members of the a socia-
tion. He did not see that they should not derive an
equal benefit with the larger associations. If they ex-
tended their premiums, they would reap extended ad-
vantages.
Some desultory conversation followed, in which it was
stated that at least half-a-dozen applications had been
made to the full amount of the 500/. within the last fort-
night ; and he (Mr. Mullender) might state that the
eminent banker, John Abel Smith, had introduced many
clerks who wished themselves insured for 1,0001. each,
but who, in consequence of the limitation of 5001, were
obliged to go elsewhere.
Mr. ITAWRES said that as the original Piles of the as-
sociation limited the insurances to 500/., he did not see
that they were justified in raising them to 1,0001. It
might be a different thing with rich companies, but they
ought to remember that theirs was but a young concern,
and therefore they ought to be cauti sus in their pro-
ceedings.
Mr. WOODWARD said that was a mere matter of cal-
culation after all, and although it might not have been
advisable at first to raise their policies to 1,000/., yet
now that they were an established company, with a
guaranted capital, he did not see why they should not
do so.
Mr. MAITLAND had to make one observation. He
would beg leave to point out that one-third of the pro-
fits would after all go to the benevolent fund.
Mr. RATTRAY said that a vast number of persons
were lost to the society in consequence of the rule which
limited them to 500/. insurances. If they amended the
clause it would serve at once to add to the utility of the
association and the benefit of those interested in it.
Mr. Toon said that he thought the proposition a very
good one, and he was of opinion that the principle
should be promulgated as much as possible. He
thought that it would be for the benefit of the associa-
tion that it should be advertised in the public papers.
The Chairman said that if that proposition were in the
form of a resolution it could be put after the first reso-
lution was carried.
The CHAIRMAN said that he was very sorry that on
this occasion his opinion did not coincide with those of
the rest of his colleagues. It had not been his intention
to destroy the unanimity of the meeting by stating his
opinions before them, but, as it was the wish of the
board that he should occupy the chair that evening, he
felt bound to state that he did not by any means ap-
prove of the proposition before them. He had certainly
given his friends due notice, and had sent them a state-
ment of his reasons for dissenting from their opinions. •
Mr. PRICE said that some years ago, when the society
was formed, the sum of 500/. was named as the extent
of insurance, but it was understood that at a future
period the sum might be increased. The chairman of
the present meeting was at that time favourable to the
proposition, and was well aware that the feeling of the
association was to increase the amount of their in-
surance according to their ability. Mr. John Abel
Smith, when he thought the association sufficiently
sound, had been to ensure the lives of his clerks for
sums as high as 1,000/. He was not able to extend the
amountof his insurance so far as that sum, and therefore
he was compelled to have recourse to another °Tee
to insure a part of the same. It was obvious that this
association was increasing rapidly in the insurance de-
partment, as in the year 1844, the benefit arising from
that department was 143/. 115. 10d., in 1845 it was
159/. Gs. Bd., and in the present year it was 225/., giving
an increase of nearly 100 per cent. on the first amount
on the policies.
Mr. BonitNE said that anything that had passed at
the board of directors should have been kept a secret.
If the association intended to carry out this increase,
he thought that it was necessary that a certain number
of policies should be received beforehand, so as to render
the large policies in proportion to the small ones. All
insurance offices depended on an average, and if any-
thing interfered with that average they were not safe.
It was useless to adopt the present proposition unless
they had a guarantee for such a number of policies as
would keep up the average in their case. The Alliance
Insurance Office had given 200/. to this association,
under the impression that it would not interfere with
their business. It could not be disputed that if they had
thought that it would become a general office, and per-
haps in time interfere with their business, they would not
have done so.— (Hear, hear.) Ile had perhaps said
enough to convince the meeting that it would be neces-
sary to give it their strenuous opposition, and he would
conclude by moving that the resolution be read that day
six months.
Mr. HOWDEN seconded the amendment, because he
considered if they increased the amount to a 1,000/. that
few Would avail themselves of it. Few even now availed
themselves of the opportunity afforded to them of ex-
tending their policies to 500/.• indeed, the average was
under 220/., and, besides, he did not believe a sufficient
number would avail themselves of the rule to make its
adoption worth their while.
Mr. LLOYD said he was the principal means of ob-
taining 200/. for the institution from the Alliance In-
surance Company, but lie positively declared that that
Company, in making the gift, required no pledge, or, in
fact, was it either implied or thought of, that that so-
ciety should not do what business they pleased as an
assurance company.—(Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN said it was his conviction that the
society was not limited at its establishment, to confine
its policies of insurance within 500/.
A GENTLEMAN considered that if the Alliance Insu-
rance Company thought, when they gave this institu-
tion 2001, that they ultimately intended to establish an
insurance-office on their own account, they would not
have given it. Besides, he considered they were not in
a position to take so hazardous a step at the present
moment, and that they should wait a few years until
their prospects increased, instead of competing with
large establishments, possessed of great capital and in-
fluence. Then they might cripple the utility of the
society by losing several thousands in the course of a.
year, as they had only 5,000/. to fall back upon. He
was insured for 500/., but very few of the members were
insured to that amount, which, in itself, showed that the
increased rate was not required.
Mr. RATTRAP said, in the event of their finding the
proposed maximum too great a responsibility, they
might go to any assurance office in London, and desire
them to take 500/. off, which he was satisfied would be
acceded to, thus relieving them of the additional risk.
After a short discussion, the original motion and the
amendment were submitted to the meeting, when 28
voted for the former, and 28 for the latter.
Mr. Bitowern then demanded a poll, on the ground
that the Act of Parliament specified that three-fourths
of the members present should be in favour of the adop-
tion of such a proposition. The demand was acceded
to, and those in favour of the original motion took one
side of the room, and those in favour of the amendment
the other. The result showed that 32 voted for the ori-
ginal motion, and 15 for the amendment.
The original motion, therefore, was lost.
A vote of thanks having been given to the Chairman,
and suitably acknowledged, the meeting separated.

STAFFORD ELECTION.

CASE OF CRIM. CON.
NOUFO LK ClRCUlT.—Bedford, March 11.
NISI PRIUS CUORT.— ( Before Mr. Baron PArtxt;; and a
Special Jury.) •
JOHN COULTAS V. TIMOTHY FISH FORD ROWER, CLERK.
The trial of this cause was proceeded with at nine o'closk
this morning, and the following witnestes examined for the
plaintiff .
Tnornes Hughes, examincl by Mr. O'MALLEY—I am a
groom to the defendant, and have been for six years. 1 know
the study. I have seen something in that study. It was in
October last. It was through tha window ; in the evening,
between eight and nine o'clock. Mrs. Barnes and Dr. Bowes
were there. He had hold of her hand. She was sitting on
the left hand of the fire, and he was standing at it. I heard
him say, " Ile more uncomfortable you make Coultas the
better. Try all you can to make his life miserable, and
then perhaps lie will go and leave you, and then I shall have
you to myself." I saw them again in November. He gave
her wine in the room, and put his arm round her, and kissed
her. He said, " I love you better than any one else in the
world, and would make you a lady if Coultas would go clean
ot, and leave you."

(FROM OUR ONVN CORRESPONDENT.)
STAFFORDi THURSDAY, 6 P sr.—The nomination for a
Member of Parliament to supply the vacancy occasioned
by the appointment of the Hon. Captain Carnegie took
plat..* this day. At the last hour t co candidates ap-
peared to oppose the lion. Captain, namely, W. Sleigh,
E-1., of Stamford-house, Chiswick, Middlesex, on the
Protectionist interest, and Mr. Watkii,s as a
member of the Anti-Corn law League, on the
free-trade interest. In the course of the morn-
ing Mr. Neal., a barrister on the Oxford Circuit,
offered to stand the contest, on condition that the whole
of his expenses were paid ; but that offer was not ac-
cepted. The various candidates having been proposed
and seconded, addressed the electors at great length,Cap-
ttin Carnegie dec!aring his attachment to the Ministerial
measure, though ho declared his deiire to see a total
and immediate repeal carried. Ire denied that he sup-
ported the present alteration in the corn duties, because
it emanated from Sir Robert Peel, as he would as soon
have supported them had they been brought in by Lord J.
Russell, and if Sir Robert Peel could not carry this
scheme, and Lord John could do so, he (Captain Car-
negie) would support Lord John, and endeavour to get
it passed into a law.
Mr. Sleigh and Mr. Watkins addressed the meeting.
A show of hands was taken, and the choice fell upon
Mr. Watkins, but that gentleman having declined the
contest, and a poll being demanded for the other two
candidates, it was determined by the Mayor to take the
poll to-morrow (Friday). There is little doubt but
Captain Carnegie will be returned by a large majority.

Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY-GZNERAL—I swear
that lam in the service of Dr. Bowes. I said I never saw
Dr. Bowes have connexi:m with Barnes. It was a quiet
night, I believe, in October. I put my face close to the
window and heard perfectly what passed. These was a
strong light, so that I could see well.
Sarah Church—l live at Barton, and was at home on the
Ist of December last. I saw the plaintiff and defendant in
the road, and hea'•d Coultas say "That's a lie, Sir," to Dr.
Bowes. Dr. Bowes slid, "I don't kni,w, Coultas, where she
is gone, and I ult. on God to witness." That was between
four and five o'clock. Coultas said, " That's a lie, Sir, you
do know where she is gone."
_ Sarah Anne Hill—l am the daughter of a stationer at

:on. Dr. Bowes deals and writesletters there sometimes.
the 4th or sth of December he was there in the afternoon.

He bought a quire of note paper, and asked to write a letter
on it. I saw hire take a sheet of paper and write on it, but
I could not say whether it was in the form of a letter. He
bought a Pictorial Times and Punch.
The letter was then admitted to be the defendant's hand-
writing, as also the address of the Pictorial Times and Punch.
The address was, "Mrs. Barnes, Mr. Jackson's, Stafford
Arms, Wakefield."
The letters given yesterday were then put in and read by
the officer of the Court.
This being the close of the plaintiff's case,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL addressed the jury for the de-
fendant in the following terms :—Everyone present must have
observed how frightfully exposed all are to accusations which
may ruin us, and how dependent we are on the fears of the
depraved for escape from accusation. Advanced age, cha-
racter, benevolence, charity, and mildness have all been com-
bined in the person of the defendant, and yet he has not
escaped the attacks of the plaintiff. How should we meet
such a charge against ourselves ? Only by examining the cha-
racters of those who make it. The defendant has come into
Court utterly ignorant of the circumstances on which this
charge was to be founded—the times and dates by which false-
hood may be detected and exposel. We have been obliged
to deal with the witnesses as they came before us, and thee
to expose to you openly and candidly the whole household of
D:. Bowes, calling before you all who could know .anything
of his mode of life. On the part of the plaintiff it has been
been represented that he had no proof of guilt until the 30th
of November; and, from the shape of the case, it will be
necessary to introduce to the jury facts and circumstances
which have hitherto been concealed from view. In the first
place, it is to be observed, that the age of the supposed para-
mour is such as to make this case one of the most novel cha-
racter, while that of the womanis no less remarkable, Mrs.
Barnes being now no less than 54. Losses bowed the
spirits and health of the defendant to the ground. By the
advice of his medical man, Dr. Wilson, he was advised, to
have some one who could be constantly at hand at all hours
of the day and night. It has been suggested that it
would have been far better that a male servant should
have been selected; but do the jury agree in that view?
If so, then the whole course of treatment at our hos-
pitals ought to be abandoned as a complete mistake.
The cheice, however, having so naturally, and, as he insisted,
properly fallen on Barnes, it was notorious throughout the
whole house that she was in close attendance on her master,
taking tea to him in the morning and gruel at night, and
lacing a stocking which he was advised to wear. This was
known full well to the plaintiff, who had seen it hundreds of
times, and yet poison was to be extracted from these harmless
ingredients. Besides this, the defendant, who was wifeless
and childless, was anxious that the dull and heavy hours of
night should be assisted by the presence of his old and va-
lued servant, who had shared his earlier griefs, and might
best of all his household be summoned to his aid, for the
purpose of whiling away the hours of a long evening. It
has been said that this guilt has beenin course of operation
for some time, but that it did not come upon the plaintiff
with fall force till November 29, 1815. Now, to understand
this case, it will be necessary to inquire into the personal his-
tory of the plaintiff, and it will be seen that he had for the
last six years become addicted to drink, and that in his fits
of drunkenness he had behaved with brutal violence to all
around him, and especially his wife. In 1843 he was bound
over by Dr. Bland to keep the peace on a charge
•
by his wife. Oa that occasion Mary Hollett accused
hint of an act of gross indecency; and the plaintiff
then, in the most foul terms,. accused his wife
of infidelity with his master, and it is to be regretted that
Dr. Bowes did not at once discharge him. It is, however,
not to be wondered at that he could not bear to take steps
which would deprive him of the. attendance and presence of
one who was necessary to his comfort. He did not, there-
fore, discharge the plaintiff, and he passed over the matter
quietly, and so matters went on till January, 1844, when, on
the occasion of an epidemy prevailing at Barton, she was re-
moved, under medical advice, to London, for change of air.
Dr. Wilson has been challenged, and he will be produced to
prove that all that Dr. Bowes wrote to the plaintiff was
quite true. That letter was quite natural and correct, and it
will be shOwn that Coultas was in town and slept in the
room, though in a separate bed, with his wife. Oa the oc-
casion of that visit to town Coultas himself wrote several
letters to the defendant, which fully showed that no iin
proper connexion existed between the plaintiff's wife and
the defendant, which were penned before that written by
the defendant to him. The Learned Gentleman then read
two letters, showing that no suspicion remained on his mind
at that time, which was six months after the charge made by
him when drunk in 1643, and proceeded to contend that no
foundation existed for the suspicion of the plaintiff, for he
would call the maid of the hotel in London and Dr. Wilson,
who woull prove the circumstances under which the parties
came to town. At one time he threatened to shoot her, and
resorted to his gun, when, in August, 1845, she was about to
go to see her mother at Wakefield. The case now ap-
proaches the critical period of November, 1E45 and the
defendant will be able to show what took place on the 30th
of that month. On that day, at 9 at night, Coultas came
home quite mad with drink, and so conducted himself that
his wife required Catherine Jewitt to sleep with her for her
protection, and it will be shown that at night he insisted on
being allowed to sleep with her. His conduct was so violent
that the two women slept in their clothes, it being three
o'clock in the morning before they crept to bed, and he was
in some sort pacified. The following day she of her own ac-
cord went away from Burton, in the absence of Dr. Bowes,
whom she and the gardener met on their way. Dr. Bowes
sent his man after her to warn her of her husband's violent
threats. These circumstances fully develop the innocence
of the defendant and Mrs. Barnes. Now, it conld not have
escaped observation, that no one pretends to say that the
study door was ever locked. If, then, the defendant was
in the habit of carrying on any improper intimacy with
Barnes he might at any moment have been discovered
and exposed in the very act, and the clearest possible
proof adduced of their guilt. Then, again, it had been
said by the witnesses Furness and Hinds that Mrs Coultas
was in the habit of being drunk, and to the knowledge
of Dr. Bowes; but though true that about two years
since she had certainly been observed by the servants at
times to be the worse for liquor, yet it does not appear that
the defendant was aware of i:, and even if he were he might
well be inclined to pass it over in remembrance of her former
services. We now come to the direct evidence of this case,
and the first remark which it calls forth is, that it is impos-
sible to meet it by contradictory evidence. It is a sort of case
to which all men are exposed. The first person examined on
this part of the case was Catherine Furness, who spoke to
seeing her master and Mrs. Barnes come out of the bed-
room, after which she went in and observed that the bed
bore two impressions. Now, if the parties had been
guilty, there would have only been one impression ; but
the next answer to -her evidence is the fact that the
bed the doctor slept on was a mattress, and not a
feather bed, so that there could not have been the
impressions on it which she spoke of. Then comes
Henry Smith, whose testimony must have prepared the
jury for the observations and evidence which would
be presented to them in answer and explanation to it.
That man indeed says that he believes in a Supreme Being, I
but what Being ? sit a Supreme Being who is the God of
truth and punisher of falsehood ? Why, the devils believe
and tremble, and so may he. This worthless man has the
audacity to say that the defendant and Barnes, when in a
room three or four feet from the kitchen-doer, talked so
loudly as that he could distinctly hear them through the
closed window. Is it credible ? Is It possible that it was
truth ? He says that he looked through the blind. Now,
since yesterday the window has been measured. The glass
is 2 feet 11i inches wide, while the blind is actually 3 feet 1
inch wide ; so that it is quite impossible for any one to see
through the window. Henry Smith must have therefore
come at a critical moment, quite unprecedented in its op-
portunities for such watching. If true, intercourse took place
in the study, though it would not appear to have been con-
templated by the Learned Counsel, who did not treat the
conduct in the study as anything more than the preparation
of an old man for the gratification of his lust at night.
But the fact was accomplished in the study in the evening.
Was not that enough for the plaintiff ? Yet he
makes an appointment with the other brother, who
is made to look through the defendant's bed-room win-
dow, and again to see the parties under circumstances which,
if true, would admit of no doubt of guilt. As regards that
piece of evidence, an experiment has been made since yes-
terday, and with the blind is the same situation as it was
on the night in question ; it has been discovered that it was
absolutely impossible for any one to see what was going on
in the room. One only other witness remains to be com-
mented on, the groom Hughes, a man, who was reluctantly
compelled to admit that he had decamped from his master's
service on Saturday, with his livery, in which he now ap-
peared, and yet he swore at first that he was still in the
defendant's service. He speaks, however, to conversations
which are from the very words put into the mouth of the
defendant, palpable inventions. In answer to this case the
defendant will show the whole history of the plaintiff's con-
duct, and adduce every member of his household to prove
for his acquittal.the utter falsebood of the charge brought by him against his
master; and when he shall have done so, the defendant will
imputed so beloved sink
impugned his cha-
fNreaaecrvtleeerrs s;
beforelyanrdelhyho oa
swn
ctthohueel
bajudgmentraeantihnofs so situated
istptuhi
aceti
suspicion
andr
so low as to practise the vice to him ? The duty
intrusted to him had now been discharged, and under cir-
cumstances as difficult as were
ever experienced by any ad-
vocate. He trusted that the jury would, ere long, see their
way to a verdict in favour of his client, and restore him to
that peace of mind which was so essential to the happiness
of age. His all was at stake on this issue, and he fearlessly
relied on a triumphant acquittal at the hands of a jury so
competent as that which was now empanelled between him
and the plaintiff:
Dr. Wilson, examined by Mr. Sergeant BYLES—I am a
doctor of medicine, residing at 28, Dover-street, Piccadilly.
I have known the defendant for many years, and the late
Mrs. Bowes very well. On the 29th of April, 1839, I stayed
Mrs. Bowes died on the
then at Barton. After her '
health was moat distressing
ned 28th of
triln m a
he
r.
consulted me, and required
one2das death,
nighti
at. Je
uly,
statenlfdoB r39oa parto sf
r :
tßieras
next.e , livingday.slie
constant attendance, and I recommended that some one
should be constantly with him to amuse and watch him, and
remove his fears as to the suspicions which he entertained as
to his own symptoms. I frequently referred to Mrs. Barnes
as the fittest person to be about him. She is about 55 or 54,
and defendant's age is 69, 1 believe. I had opportunities of
seeing their conduct while the defendant was in town. It
was always proper and decorous. She was decent in her
attire and manner, and consistent with her situation. Dr.
Bowes used to wear an elastic stocking. He was suffering
gl 'which was much swollen,
from varicose veins in one le

,o him.

icul ars.

CAPABILITIES OF THE OREGON.—Referring to my
journal for particular descriptions and for sectional boundaries
between good and bad districts, I can only say, in general
and comparative terms, that, in that branch of agriculture
which implies the cultivation of grain and staple crops, it
would be inferior to the Atlantic States, though many parts
are superior for wheat; while in the rearing of flocks and
herds it would claim a high place. Its grazing capabilities
are great; and even in the indigenous grass now there, an
element of individual and national wealth may be found.
In fact, the valuable grasses begin within one hundred and
fifty miles of the Missouri frontier, and extend to the Pacific
Ocean. East the Rocky Mountains it is the short curly
grass, on which the buffalo delights to feed (whence the
name of buffalo), and which is still good even when dry and
to all appearance dead. West of these mountains the grass
is of a larger growth, in clusters, and hence the name of
bunch grass, which has a second or fail growth. Plains and
mountains both exhibit them; and I have seen a good pas-
turage at an elevation of 10,000 feet. In this spontaneous
product the trading or travelling caravans can find subsit
ence for their animals; and in military operations any num-
ber of cavalry may be moved and any number of cattle may
be driven ; and thus men and horses be supported on long
expeditions, and even in winter in the sheltered situations.
Commercially, the value of the Oregon country must be
great, washed as it is by the North Pacific Ocean, fronting
Asia, producing many of the elements of commerce, mild
and healthy in its climate, and becoming, as it naturally
will, a thoroughfare for the East India and China trade.—
Fremont's Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains.
The Directors of the Orleans and Bordeaux Railroad
Company are making every preparation for its being opened
on the 23d inst. as far as Tours. The Princes have been in-
vited by the municipality of Tours, and many other per-
sonages by the Company. There will be a grand dinner in
the Town-hall. Yesterday the carriage inteneed for the
King and 'Royal family was taken to the Orleans station in
Paris. It is painted deep blue, and has all the decorations
of the Royal equipages with the crown on the top. The
directors of the Messageries Royales have entered into a con-
tract with the Company for the conveyance of their dili-
gences to Tours, insuring it an annual receipt of not less
than 800,000 f. as a minimum.— Gaiignani of Tuesday.
A CANDIDATE FOR THE WEST RIDING.—We have
heard some conversation in this neighbourhood as to the
man to be proposed at the next general election as the col-
league of Lord Morpeth, and Mr. Cobden's name has been
mentioned. We trust that this suggestion will find univer-
sal acceptance.— SheFeld Independent.

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 13, 1846.

and he was recommended to wear it fur some years past.
In my opinion there was nothing improper in Mrs. Barnes
lacing it. When she left I gave her directions to rest
her feet as much .as possible, and remain in a recumbmt

position.
Matthew Benson, examine I by Mr. PRENDERGAST—Since
June, 1841, 1 have attended the defendant's household. I

have seen him and Barnes. I consider she conducted herself
with the strictest propriety in the relation in which she stood
to him. She gave him every attendance consistent with her
situation, and in a modest and proper manner. In conse-
quence of the return of her fever, 1 told her I thought Dr.
Bowes would have no objection to her going into the study
and resting on the sofa, when opportunity would permit. She
after that used to go there. I observed her manner towards
Dr. Bowes then. It was becoming her situation.
Cross-examined—l have seen her as cook, and I have at-
tended her in the defendant's bedroom. She cooked with
entire propriety and decorum. When I advised her to re-
cline on the sofa, I did not tell her to do so in his presence.
I never thought of whether he was absent or present. I
have seen her on the sofa when I went to see her. It was
generally early in the afternoon, and I frequently found her
master out then. I advised her to go to the study as a
warmer piece than the kitchen, and not exposed to draughts.
I might have said that he was a very troublesome man to
attend on by his servants, for he gave a great deal of
trouble. A subsequent knowledge of his character has con-
vinced me that it all arose from the kindness of his heart and
disposition.
Anne Thomas, examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL—In
1843 I was chambermaid at the St. James's Hotel. Mrs.
Barnes came there on the 28th of Decein'.ier. Dr. Bowes was
stayine, there then. When she came she had a room on the
seconSfloor. Dr. Bowes's room was on the first. When her
husband came we put up a second bed in her room. He
came on the sth of January and left on the 7:h, and again
on the 9th, and left on the 23d. Dr. Bowes came on the
28th of December and left on the 30th. He came again on
the Bth of January, and went on the 12th.
Mrs. Worsup—! am sister of Dr. Bowes, and have visited
him since 1812, when Barnes first lived with him. lie then
required constant. attention by night and by day, and was
not fit to be left alone. Barnes generally waited on him.
tier attentions to him were satisfactory to me as a member

ofvthe family. I looked up ut her as a superior person, and
always shook bands with her when I went and left. I might
do so to other servants, but not with the same cordiality. My

husband and all the members of the family treated her aline.

My brother had tea and gruel taken to film early and late,
both at home and in my house, when my own maid took it

By the JUDGE-My brother will be 69 next May.
John Worsup—l married the sister of Dr. Bowes. This
witness corroborated the last witness in all the essential par-

Mr. Hill Wulli3, who married a sister of Mrs. Bowes, de-

posed to the like effect.
Miss Ottley—l am the sister of Sir R. Ottley, the late
Chief Justice of Ceylon. I became acquainted with the de-
fendant's family more than twenty years ago. Barnes was
always with them.

The Rev. Dr. Bland—l am a magistrate of this county, and
reside near Barton. I never saw anything of undue famili-
arity on either side. I know the two Smiths. I have had
one of them before me several times on game cases. From
what they said on those occasions I should say that they are
very ready to swear, but I can't say that I would not believe
them on their oaths. I have only seen Henry Smith, and I
should have the same feeling with respect to him.
Cross-examined—l never treated their oaths as a nullity,
but issued summonses. Dr. Bowes was in the room when
Coultas spoke of his being "over kind" to his wife. I very
likely might have remonstrated with Dr. Bowes.
Mary Hollett—l went to Dr. Bowes in June, 1842,
for fourteen months. Barnes was there. Mrs. Barnes and
I both made all the beds, ificluding the doctor's bed.
The blinds in Dr. Bowes's bed-room were always down at
night. I used to let them down. The curtains were always
drawn round the bed in winter. I have been to the room
when Barnes was there, and the study too. I knocked, but
never knew the doors to be locked. Her conduct was always
very respectful to him. He slept on a wool mattress. I never
ascertained whether it would retain an impression if a person
were to lie down. Mr. Barnes never to my knowledge
stayed longer up stairs than was necessary for the Doctor to
drink the tea. All the servants knew that they would
very soon be wanted for prayers when Barnes went in to lace
the Doctor's boots. _ _

Cross. examimd—l have taken tea up when Barnes was
away. Coultas came into my bedroom, and wanted to get
into bed with me. I screamed out, and Coultas went away.
John Flo At—l am butler to Dr. Bowes, and have been in
his service as footman and butler for 22 years. Barnes has
been there all that time, and was very kind and attentive
t) Mrs. Bowes. After her death I heard that she had
left Barnes 3001. On the 29th of November Coultas went to
bed at his usual time, between 9 and 10 o'clock. Barnes went
to bed within an hour. I don't know that Coultas got up
again. I slept nearly orer her bed-room. Whatever was
done in her room could be heard by the persons in his. On
Sunday I heard a disturbance shortly after I got into my
room. did not come down as I did not hear any violence. I
heard high language for a time, but I did not get up. When
the blind is drawn down in the regular way it is impossible
for any one to ses into the room. There are two birdcages
which always stand on the window-till, and help to prevent
any one looking in. The blind is wide enough to cover the
whole glass. When the blinds up stairs are down and turned
in the usual way it. is not possible to see into the room. A
ladder placed on the flag-stones would enable you to reach
the window. I never knew of the study-door being locked
or bolted. She never assumed that familiarity which ser-
vants might assume who had been improperly connected
with their masters.

Cross-examined—Since Barnes has left I tried the study
blinds and bed-room blind. No one told me; but I heard it
said it had been seen through. I told Mr. Turner. I put
my eye close to the glass and could not see distinctly. I
tried the bed-room at a different time. 1 tried the bed-room
in the daytime and the study in the nighttime. I have
taken up my master's tea to him since Barnes went away,
and his gruel too.
Caroline Jewett—l have lived for a twelvemonth past with
D. Bores. Coultas used to get drunk frequently, and used
low, disgusting language, when drunk. I never knew them
sleep together. When he was drunk and abusive she has
asked me to sleep with her. I remember her leaving on the
Ist of November, and the night of the Saturday before.
Barnes was making some cloaks for the Sunday-school chil-
dren when he came home, between nine and ten o'clock.
He took his candle and went to bed. 1 saw him on the
next night at a quarter-past nine. He attended prayers,
and went out for two minutes. He sat down with his ac-
count book. Barnes asked me to sleep with her that
night. When I was partly undressed Coultas knocked at
the door. I asked what he wanted. lie said he wanted to
come in, and I opened the door. He said he had come to
sleep with his wife, and ordered me to walk out of the room.
I told him I would not go. Mrs. Coultas had wished me to
sleep with her, and I would. He attempted to turn me out,
and I resisted. He began to undress, and said wherever she
slept, she was his wife, and he would sleep with her in what-
ever room of the house it was. Mrs. Coultas got with her
back against the door, and I pulled his collar. I then pulled
the bell for my fellow-servants, and Mr. Coultas got out.
I took some of the clothes to her which she had taken off.
Coultas followed me down to the kitchen and swore at his
wife, who was there, and called her a w—. I said if she
was what he called her he was no man to sleep with her.
He said, " What would my father think if another men went
to sleep with my mother?" I said, "If my mother was
what he represented his wife to be, my father would not wish
to sleep with her, and that a man of his years, who had been
to church twice, ought to set us a better example. He said
he would take her away, and make her work for her bread
like any one else, and then he went up to her room, after
which he went to his own.
Martha Pcirce—l was housemaid in November last, at
Barton, and made the beds with Barnes. Master sleeps on a
plaid mattress. It is not easily impressed, but it is hollow
in the middle. An impression could not easily be made on
the sides. On the Sunday I heard a noise at night, and
heard the bell go. (This witness then spoke to the same
facts which had been proved by the last one.) The bed-room
was put into the usual condition, the blind down as usual,
and the Led in the same place. I got into the bed, and was
outside too. The light was the same as usual, which is rush-
light. Besides that there was a candle on the table, and we
moved it about in the room. There was a ladder outside. I
looked through too. When I was outside, I could not see any-
thing in the room through the blind. I let it down en the
29th of November. It was my business. I stationed my.
self in the room, and placed the blind as it usually was.
Cross-examined--I put the bed-room blind down every day.
I can't say when I was first asked about the blinds. It might
be a week ago ; and I remembered the 29th, because that was
the day before Mrs. Barnes went away.
Mr. Foxon—l ant deacon of the Baptist Chapel at Barton,
and deputy-overseer of the poor. I used to go to the Doctor's.
Never had any difficulty in getting into the study but once.
I went over last night and measured the blind of the bed-
room window. We made experiments. Mr. Godfrey told
the girl Peirce to place the blinds as they generally were
when the Doctor was at home. I went up the ladder, and
looked through. By putting your head down you could just
see the top of the bedstead. I tried every lath to the top of
the ladder, and could only see the top of the bedstead. We
began at the bottom of the blind. I went to the study also,
and observed that the blind covered the window completely.
I put my face to the window, and could not see beyond the
glimmer of the lights. When the blind was down it covered
the whole of the glass and the window-sill.
Mr. Godfrey, the clerk to the defendant's attorney, stated
to the same effect the result of the trials made last night at
the defendant's house.
Mr. Ganson, an attorney at Wakefield, proved that he Was
consulted by Mr. Coultas in August and December last.
William Blott, George Warren, and others were called to
prove that they knew the Smiths, and would not believe
them on their oaths ; but on cross-examination their testi-
mony fell short of any satisfactory reason for their opinions
on the subject, and indeed many of these parties had given
the Smiths certitlcates and testimonials of character.
Mr. Turner, one of the defendant's attorneys, was next
examined, and stated that he had seen William Smith and
Hughes at various tim:s, in order that he might ascertain
what they knew of the matter. William Smith said that he
knew nothing wrong between the Doctor and Barnes; that
he knew nothing about it. Hughes said, " I know nothing
about it ; lam glad of it." He denied that he was a witness
for the plaintiff, or that he had been subpoenaed by him. I
did not hear him say that he would not say anything unless
he was compelled or forced to do so.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then put in the letters of
Coultas, which he had read in his speech, and thus closed
his caso.
Mr. O'MALLEY then replied at great length on the whole
case, and
Mr. Baron PARSE having summed up the evidence on
both sides to the jury, they ultimately found a verdict for
the plaintiff, damages 2504 at the hour of three o'clock in
the morning.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
WESTERN CIRCUIT.—Salisbury, March 11.
CROWN COURT.—( Before Mr. Baron Rou's.)
SHOOTING A GAMESIEEPEIL—Richard Coy, John Cox,
Henry Cox, William Crook, and William Frawkins, were in-
dicted for shooting at Joshua Bell with a gun loaded with
gunpowder and leaden shot, with intent to kill and murder
him.

11Ir. Slade and Mr. Hodges conducted the prosecution.
Mr. Stoue defended Crook and Hawkins. The other pri-
soners were undefended.
Mr. SLADE having stated the case to the jury, called
Joshua Bell—l am ga►nekeeper to Mr. Bruges. His name
is William Heald Ludlow Bruges. I have been keeper to
him sixteen years. In November la3t I had an assistant
named Pouting. On the 17th I went out with him to watch
at half-past eleven. 1 had a stick with me to protect
myself. I never carried fire-arms at night. We came to a
cover called the Morass cover, where pheasants were. This
was between twelve and one. I heard a gun fired, and
walked towards the cover. Before I got there I heard a
second gun. That was in the cover. I saw the man who
fired the shot by the flash of the gun. I heard a bird fall.
Pouting and I went along the side of the cover, and went in.
I then heard a third gun. We went towards the spot where
the sound came from. I saw a man in about eminute. His
back was towards me. He was walking and looking up. I
walked towards him as fast as I could. He jumped round,
and up with a gun and shot at me. My hand then touched
the muzzle of the gun. The charge blew the cuff of my