The Sun.
London, England, 1851-07-12 00:00:00

THE BANTRY PEERAGE.

This was another claim to vote for representative peers for
Ireland.

Mr. Parnell appeared for the claimant.
The Earl of BANDON and Earl LISTOWELL, from their places,
proved the death of the father of the claimant, and the fact
that the claimant had borne the title by courtesy given to
the eldest son, and that they believed him to be the son of
the late Peer.—The claim was allowed.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.
(Before Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN.)
THE TRIAL OF JAMES HUGGINS FOR ARSON.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. BODKIN then addressed the jury on behalf of
the prisoner. He recapitulated the main facts de-
tailed in evidence, and said it was impossible to con-
ceive that a man in his senses who intended to com-
mit such a crime would have said and done so many
things which could not but excite suspicion against him
and load to his detection. In fact he had invited attention
to all his acts, alai after the tire took place, instead of ab-
sconding like a criminal conscious of his guilt, he remained
at his house, though, if of sane mind, he must have been
perfectly aware that he could not escape from suspicion.
There could be no doubt that his mind was affected in such
a way as to preclude him from being master of his own
actions. The prisoner, who was an attorney and solicitor,
was formerly in the employ of an eminent firm of great
business, and while there he was called upon to make
very great exertions in railway matters, and he so
overtaxed his brain, that the most dangerous consequences
were apprehended. He was always a nervous and exciteable
person, and had two brothers who died early in life from
diseases of the brain. Ten years ago he married a
lady of irreproachable character and status, by whom
he had five children, and a more fond, affectionate, and
attentive husband and father was nowhere to be found.
In 1848, however, a great change came over his mind and his
conduct • the kind and devoted husband became a perfect
tyrant-his wife, whom at different times he abused,
attacked, and promised to destroy, became the object
of his most virulent hatred. At other times he rushed
about like a mad person, and made howling noises like those
coming from a dog, or wild beast. Upon proving these and
other facts to the Jury, he was confident they would he of
opinion that the prisoner had for some time been of unsound
mind, and not responsible for his actions.
The following evidence was then adduced :
Ann Huggins, the eldest sister of the accused, said previous
to his marnage they lived together, and after that event she
was frequently in the habit of visiting his house and staying
there sometimes fur months. She had two brothers who
died from disease of the brain. The prisoner was exceedingly
,exaitahle from his childhood, often starting up in
his sleep. The least noise greatly affected him.
Re was always extremely kind, and lived on terms ofaf-
fection with his father arid family. He was a very dutiful
son, and the death of his father had a great effect on his
mind. He would not attend the funeral
in ,
8 and refused to go
Into mourning. His father died 1 19 He was de-
votedly 1'
attentive to his wife and children. During the last
three or four years his manner had been strange and distant.
h
Witness attributed this to pressure of business during
the railway mania. She had one•dined once at his house in
the last three years; on the occasion she noticed nothing
,particular in his manner. The prisoner was about 38 years
of age.
Harriet Weymouth examined, said—l am a married
woman. When single I lived as general servantf with the
prisoner at Sydenham and Brixton. I le
after being in his service three years. in
HeJuwlya;
1848,
very affectionate and devoted to his wife. On a Saturday in
May, 1848, he came home after tea and ordered tea to be
prepared for him, but when it was brought into the room he
took up hi 3 hat, rushed out of the house, and did not return
again until the following Thursday. His wife went after
him, but did not succeed in
;a
vbrianygeieryg
mhininchbdaicaktre;assehle was
then then in the family-wad, an
came home as usual on Thursday, but made no inquiry about
his wife or children.
Cross-examined by Mr. BALLANTyNE—Letters passed be-
tween him and his wife while he was absent. She aid not
know whether he went to Brighton on that occasion.
Mary Crozier, also
a servant in the prisoner's em.
,
pmy' deposed as to the general irritability of his temper,
and as to his sudden absence in May, 1843. She
had often heard him walking about the room at
nights., stamping, raving, and groaning. The family
afterwards went to,Grays, g
in Essex, and from that time a
change took is his
place,
conduct to his wife; he frequently
beat her violently, and used threats to her. When at home
he would sometimes go an empty house next
st
door, and return ele! ant and sleep
no i
furnished room in the house.
oek up the servants in the middle of
the night. There was e
one
Crime-examined by Mr. Ce e was kind to his wife
in the presence of stranger;
One rooming a cutlet
was laid before him, he and at other times he treated
twisted himself
at breakfast, when
and groaned, and then jumped several
ulia,iamsdelf round in the chair,
n struck his wife
times on the back with his fat
Jane Robinson, a nurse, now in th
gave similar testimony as to
utuallly became violent once repes." Service of the prisoner,
a nic7netl acts of cruelty. He
to his wit.; and witness was in
the hAbit of jocularly saying
with the change of the moon. She had frequently
he was affected
pump cold water on his head in the morning,
seen him
Mr. J. Sawyer, physician, examined by Air,
he was consulted in 1848 about the health of the DKPl,Nis'osnaeird.
Ire was then in a highly nervous, excited state,
and
plained much of his head. He said he passed badnezonl
and could not bear the noise of the children. Ile also i- fits,
he was troubled with the " horrors," and felt a wish tosaid
com-
mit suicide. Witness recommended cold applications torb
head, and change of scene, and sea air. He subsequently
received a note from Mrs. Huggins, and again visited the
prisoner, when the symptoms were aggravated; he was on
that occasion suffering from congestion of the liver
and brain. Witeese advised him to leave home, to
dispense with business, and to submit himself to the
care of a medical man. Assuming the circumstances to be
true which had been deposed to, he should decidedly attri-
bute them to the conduct of an insane person.
Cross-examined by Mr. CLARKSON— e should say, at
times the prisoner did not know right from wrong. A con-
gested liver would irritate and excite the brain. When
Me visited him on the second occasion, he considered he was
guttering from temporary madness.
DT. Connolly, physician to Hanwell Lunatic Asylum, said
he hat limited the prisoner during his imprisonment, and
Prom the eotversation he had had with him, he was of opi-
nion that his mind was not perfectly sound, and that his
judgment was impaired. The facts stated in evidence showed
that the prisoner was of a very nervous and irrita'ile tem-
perament, and was aord •
erm g on the verze
affection followed by of insanity. Strong
great hatred and dislike, and acts of vice.
knee,was a frequent
s y.
sign of insanity. Insane persons often
exhibite 1 great canning
and 'artifice. It was difficult to say
whether the prisoner coulcl distinguish right from wrong

when he beat his wife. He had many insane patients under
his care at llanwell who knew when they did wrong,
yet committed acts with that consciousness, and then
said, " you cannot punish me because I am insane."
He was of opinion that the prisoner could not distinguish be-
tween right and wrong in the same way as a person ol sound
mind.

Sir Alexander Morrison, physician, said he had heard the
evidence to-day, and did not feel himself entitled to say that
the prisoner was of sound mind. He knew many cases of
persons of impaired and diseased minds who could attend to
their ordinary business, and who sometimes knew what they
were about, and at other periods had no control over their
actions.

After some further evidence had been given,
Mr. CLAP.KSON briefly replied, and contended that the de-
fence set up on the ground of insanity had altogether failed.
Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN then summed up. He said that
before the jury could acquit the prisoner on the ground of in-
sanity they must be satisfied that at the time he committed
the act he was in such a state of mind as to be incapable of
distinguishing between right and wrong in reference to that
act. It was not sufficient to excuse a person from the conse-
quences of his acts, that he was labouring under some delu-
sion upon other subjects; but the law required that, at the
time of committing it, he was incapable of distinguishing
whether it was right or wrong. The law, in such a case only,
held a person to be irresponsible; and it would be dangerous
indeed to the interests of society if any other rule prevailed.
The jury, without being in deliberation more than five
minutes, returned a verdict of Guilty.
The prisoner was then called upon to say whether he had
anything to urge why judgment of death should not be re-
corded against him. He made no reply.
The Learned JUDGE, addressing him, said he had been
convicted upon the clearest possible evidence of having wil-
fully caused the fire, which in its results might have been
the means of sacrificing the lives of two innocent persons,
and would have been so no doubt but for its timely dis-
covery. His Learned Counsel had exercised every possible
ingenuity in urging every topic that could be introduced in
his behalf, but he felt himself compelled to rest his defence
from the state. of his mind, he was not
upon the ground that,
responsible for his actions. The jury were not satisfied with
the evidence to.support that. defence, and he thou ht they
had come to a right conclusion, for it would be dangerous
indeed if a man who. had for a great many years exercised
all the ordinary duties of life without any suggestion of his
incompetence to perform those duties, was to be excused
from the consequences of a desperate crime because he might,
from irritability of temper or any other cause, have some
delusions upon other subjects. The offence of which he had
been convicted was still capital, but in his case the law
would not be carried out to that extent. Judgment of death
would, however, be recorded against him, and it would rest
with the Crown to decide to what extent that sentence
would be commuted, but the least punishment he might ex-
pect would be transportation for a very long period.

PO LICE INTELLIGENCE.
MARYLEBONE.
HER MAJESTY'S " RAT DESTROYER."—CIIARGE OF
ROBBERY.—Amongst the personages who do good and faith-
ful service to the Sovereign of this famed isle is one James
Black who, in addition to his being a beer-shop keeper, at
26, Edward-street, Regent's-park, has the high honour of
being (according to printed bills which he has disseminated)
" rat and mole destroyer to her Majesty Queen Victoria."
The charge preferred by him was against William Fowler
and Frederick Fowler, for having stolen ten live rats, his
(complainant's) property.
Mr. LONG, to complainant—There is no such offence
known to and punishable by the law as the stealing of rats,
which are looked upon and described as vermin.
Complainant—l purchased the rats. sir, and they cost me
2id. each. I sometimes give 6d. a piece for them.
Mr. LONG—Sixpence a piece for rats? what for? Com-
plainant—l procure them for officers in barracks, who get
them for the purpose of training their little terriers with, and
I can get plenty of custom in that way.
Mr. LONG said he could not interfere under the circum-
stances, and that the prisoners must be discharged.
Police-constable 239 S (by whom a cage containing ten
full-grown rats was produced)—What am 1 to do with these
" animals," your Worship ?
Mr. Long—Give them up to the complainant.

His Worship's order was complied with, and in about an
hour afterwards "her Majesty's rat and mole catcher" re-
entered the court, when he set forth that he had ferrets on
his premises to the value of at least 201., and he wished to
know if, in the event of the said ferrets being stolen, he could
look upon them as being " property" or not. He (com-
plainant) had been threatened by the parties accused, and he
was fearful that attempts would be made to steal his ferrets,
upon which he placed so much value.
Mr. LONG gave him to understand that if his ferrets should
be stolen, he might have his remedy by a civil action at the
county court. He (the Magistrate) did not think that a
criminal prosecution for such an offence could be maintained.

Her Majesty's " rat and mole catcher," after thanking his
Worship for the attention which he had paid to the case,
and making such a salaam as the Grand Sultan would have
looked for and expected to receive from one of his vassals,
then quitted the court, taking with him a large wire cage in
which the ten rats were secured. He then, followed by three
or four moustached persons of military appearance, repaired
to Ashbridge's, the Coach and Horses Hotel, where they in-
dulged themselves with the landlord's" kill grief," and other
beverages, to their hearts' content. At three o'clock " her
Majesty's rat catcher" had a strong presentiment that he had
had quite enough, and in a few minutes he took his seat in his
drag, which was waiting for him in Paradise-street—the
said drag showing the loyalty of its owner, inasmuch as on
each side were painted two rats, with the letters " V. R.,"
and a crown above. As he stepped into the vehicle he was
saluted with cries of Bravo, Black, keep your spirits up,
my boy, in spite of all muffs, and stick to rats and ferrets as
long as you live." The horse was then driven off at the rate
of fourteen miles an hour.

THE LONDON GAZETTE, July 11.
WAR-OFFICE, JULY 11, 1851.
3d Regiment of Dragoon Guards-Lieut. John Miller, from
the 39th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Pedder, who exchanges,
July 11.
7th Dragoon Guards-Hugh O'Reilly, Gent„ to be Cornet,
by purchase, vice Dowbiggin, promoted, July 11.
4th Light Dragoons-William Aleck King, Gent., to be
Cornet, by purchase, vice Jolliffe, promoted, July 11; George
Warwick Hunt, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Fair-
lie, promoted, July 12.
Bth Light Dragoons-Edward Phillips, Gent., to be Cor-
net, by purchase, vice Fitz Gibbon, promoted, July 11.
12th Light Dragoons-Ralph Shelton Bond, Gent., to be
Cornet, by purchase, vice Jary promoted, July 11.
Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards-Second Lieutenant
Fiederick Henry Ramsden, from the Rifle Brigade, to be En-
sign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Dering, who retires,
July 11.
2d Foot-John Croome, Gent., to be Ensign. by purchase,
vice Gibbs promoted, July 11; William Webber Martin, Gent.,
to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Grimston, promoted, July 12;
Herbert Belfield, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice
Thompson, promoted, July 13.
Bth Foot-Surgeon Francis Charles Annesley, from the
21st Foot, to be Surgeon, vice Tice, who exchanges, July 11,
18th Foot-Gentleman Cadet Hugh Grogan Davidson,
from the Royal Military College, to be Ensign, vice Lynch,
appointed to the 87th Foot, July 11.
21st Foot-Edward Lennox Jervis, Gent., to be 'Second
Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Goodlake, appointed to the
Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards ; Surgeon John Charles
Graham Tice, M.D., from the Bth Foot, to be Surgeon, vice
Annesley, who exchanges, July 11.
39th Foot-Lieutenant Charles Denison Pedder, from the
8d Dragoon Guards, to be Lieutenant, vice Miller, who ex-
changes, July 11.
430 Foot-James Atty, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase,
vice the Hon. L. Milles, promoted, July 11.
48th Foot-Major Joseph Robert Raines, from the 95th
Foot, to be Major, vice Smith, wbo exchanges, July 11.
51st Foot-Captain Donald George Angus Darroch, from
half-pay Unattached, to be Captain, vice Richard D. Baker,
who exchanges, receiving the difference, July 11.
53d Foot-James Arthur Maude, Gent, to be Ensign, by
purchase, vice Taylor, promoted, July 11.
60th Foot-Second Lieutenant William Mure to be First
Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Warburton, who retires;
Charles Williamson, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant, by
purchase, vice Mure, July 11.
64th Foot-Ensign William Knox, from the 78th Foot, to
be Ensign, vice Straton, who retires, July 11.
65th Foot-Frederick Wemyss, Gent., to be Ensign, by
purchase, vice Strange, promoted, July 11.
67th Foot-Captain Henry Crofton, from the 3d West
India Regiment, to be Captain, vice Taylor, who exchanges,
July 11.
78th Foot-Ensign Hugh Grogan Davidson, from the
18th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Knox, appointed to the 64th
Foot, July 11.
81st Foot-Sir Peter Arthur Halkett, Bart., to be Ensign,
by purchase, vice Betts, promoted, July 11.
87th Foot-Second Lieutenant Robert Carter to be First
Lieutenant, without purchase, vice MacDougal, deceased,
April 28 ; Ensign Colmer Lynch, from the 18th Foot, to be
Second Lieutenant, vice Carter, July 11.
88th Foot-George Thomas Ramsden, Gent., to bel„Ert-
sign, by purchase, vice Harrison, who retires, July 11.
95th Foot-Major James Webber Smith, from the 48th
Foot, to be Major, vice Raines, who exchanges, July 11.
Rifle Brigade-Second Lieutenant Charles Cholmeley Hale,
from the 6Uth Foot, to be Second Lieutenant, vice Ramsden,
appointed to the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards,
July 11.
2d West India Regiment-Captain Richard :Elliott to be
Major, without purchase, vice Soden, deceased; Lieutenant
William M'Carthy Murray to be Captain, without purchase,
vice Elliott, July 1 ; Ensign Rokeby Steele Wilkinson Jones
to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Murray, July 11.
3d West India Regiment-Captain Francis Richard Taylor,
from the 67th Foot, to be Captain, vice Crofton, who ex-
changes, July 11.
Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment-Lieutenant Spencer Peel
to be Captain, by purchase, vice George Valiancy Hamilton,
who retires; Ensign Alfred John Lane to be Lieutenant, by
purchase, vice Peel, July 11.
OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, JULY 8.
Royal Regiment of Artillery-Major-General Richard John
James Lacy to be Colonel-Commandant, vice Major-General
Birch, deceased, June 30.
The followin ADMIRALTY, JULY 8.
romoti this day taken place, con-
sequent on the decease, o cease, ons n thehave 7th inst , of Admiral of the
Red the Hon. Sir John Talbot, G.C.B. :
Admiral of the White the Hon. Sir Thomas Bladen Capel,
K.C.8., to be Admiral of the Red.
Admiral of the Blue Sir EdwardDurnford King, K.C.11., to
be Admiral of the White.
Curry, C.B. on the reserved half-pay
Vice-Admirallist,
tobe
Admiral Richard
on the reserved half-pay list.
Vice-Admiral of the Red Sir John Wentworth Loring,
K.C.8., K.C.11., to be Admiral of the Blue.
Vice-Admiral of the White Edward Hawker to be Vice-
Admiral of the Red.
Vice-Admiral of the Blue John Ayscough to be Vice-Ad-
miral of the White.
Rear-Admiral of the Red Sir Edward Tucker, K.C.8., to
be Vice-Admiral of the Blue.
Rear-Admiral of the White Charles John Austen, C. 8., to
be Rear-Admiral of the Red.
Captain Sir John Ross, C. 8., to be Rear-Admiral on the re-
served half-pay list.g
Captain Sir James Stirling to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue.
The following Captains on the retired list have also been
promoted to be retired Rear Admirals, on the terms pro-
posed in the London Gazetteßarnard
of Ist September, 1846, without
increase of pay
Captain Edward -
Captain William Bateman.
Dashwood.
Captain Martin White.
Captain John Cooke'sley.
Captain Charles George.R 'lacy Phillott.
CcaopmtaminiaWsioilnlibarny
tlhVeo ILr
-lieutenant of Lincolnshire.
Royal South Lincoln Militia -Joseph Livesey, Esq., to be
by the Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk.
Captain,co atJumniess2iolu.
tok Y
bee o
()ern:3e;
vice rederick Aston
Jacoblst Troop
Buxton,of Bart.,Suff Robert
Oakes, Gent., resigned. July 8.
WHITEHALL, JULY 9.
The Lord Chancellor has appointed Henry Wilcock,

Hooper, of the city of Exeter, Gent., to be a Blaster Extraor-
dinary in the High Court of Chancery.
BANKRUPTS.
. _

Thomas Edwin Southee, advertising agent, Fleet-street, to
surrender July 21, at one, and August 28, at eleven, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basing-
hall-street; Buchanan, Basinghall-street.
William Taylor and James Wylde, flock manufacturers,
Wood•-street, London, July 21, at twelve, and Aug. 22, at
one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee,
Basinghall-street ; Lepard, Bannatyne, and Gammon, Cloak-
lane.

William Edward Johnson, coal merchant, New-wharf,
Little Abingdon-street, Westminster, July 18, at twelve, and
August 22, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Cannan,
official assignee, Birchin-lane, Co rnhill ; Jer wood, Ely-place,
Holborn.
James Murray, woollen warehouseman, Gresham-street,
London, July 18, at one, and August 15, at eleven, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Stansfeld, official assignee; Link-
later, Charlotte-row, Mansion-house.
William Williams, builder, Ashford, Kent, July 19 and
August 15, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. &ans.
feld, official assignee ; Laurance, Plews, and Boyer, Old
Jewry-chambers.
Thomas Barber, bookseller, Cambridge, July 18, at one,
and August 15, at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Graham, official assignee; Pickering, Smith, and
Thompson, Stone-buildings, Lincoln's-inn; Archer, Ely,
Cambridgeshire.

Elizabeth Thompson, brushmaker, Reading, July 22, and
Aug. 23, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom,
official assignee, Abchurch-lane; Finney, Furnival's-inn,
Holborn.

Philip Rufford, Francis Rufford, and Charles John Wragge,
bankers, Stourbridge, July 28, and Aug. 18, at half-past ten,
at the Birmingham District Court. Whitmore, official assig-
nee, Birmingham ; Harward, Stourbridge ; Motteram,
Knight, and Emmet, Birmingham.
Philip Rufford and Francis Rufford, bankers, Bromsgrove,
July 26, and Aug. 16, at half-past ten, at the Birmingham
District Court. Whitmore, official assignee, Birmingham;
Harward, Stourbridge; Motteram, Knight, and Emmet,
Birmingham.
Samuel Street, shoemaker, Devizes, July 24, and Aug. 21,
at eleven, at the Bristol Dist:ict Court. Acraman, official
assignee, Bristol ; Abbot and Lucas, Bristol.
William Ayres, grocer, Cardiff, July 24, and Aug. 21, at
eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Hutton, official as-
signee, Bristol; Stanley and Wasbrough, Bristol.
Fletcher Clarke, wine merchant, Hawes, Yorkshire, July
28 and Aug. 21, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court.
Hope, official assignee, Leeds ; Robinson, Leyburn ; Bond
and Barwick, Leeds.

Richard l3rumwell, draper, Halifax, July 28, at twelve,
and Aug. 20, at eleven, at the Manchester District Court.
Pott, official assignee, Manchester; Sale, Worthington, and
Shipmar, Manchester.
James Pownall and James Youil, brewers, Manchester,
July 21, and Aug. 12, at twelve, at the Manchester Dis-
trict Court. Fraser, official assignee, Manchester; Lycett,
Manchester.

James Hoyle and Thomas Hoyle, cotton manufacturers,
Salford, July 24 and Aug. 15, at twelve, at the Manchester
District Court. Lee, official assignee, Manchester ; Rowley,
Manchester.