The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-11 00:00:00

It will be seen from theaf Gepotal Orders". which
we publish Lo-day-thta Sir -W. Codiington. -has-
commenced offensive operations for the season by
an attack on the press. We must say that this
has somewhat surprised us. Indeed, to confess
the truth, it rather seemed that the General was
desirous of meeting our correspondents, not with
hostility, hut on a field of honourable. rivalry.
We were afraid that they would have to look to
their laurels, about to be snatched away by one
who wielded much in the same style the pen and
the sword. However, the Commander-in-Chief
is still, above all things, a disciplinarian. The
author may soften, but the General is fixed. • His
" notice has ben brought " to the publication in
a newspaper by a correspondent at Kertch of
minute details of lines and works, strength of
garrisons and military arrangements, all, ." how-
ever old and incorrect they may be, published
for our enemies, under the supposition that
such things are nemsary for the interest or amuse-
ment of the people of England." He accordingly
authorises General Vivian "to arrest the individual
and send him away at once, unless he has reason to
believe that such folly will not be repeated." Now,
here we may as well state that we have no notion
to what communication the General refers. It may
have appeared in these columns, or in those of any
one of our contemporaries. If in ours, it was writ-
ten by a military officer, and, if General Codring-
ton has any real ground of complaint, it is proba-
ble that the writer, too technical in his details, did
not imitate the caution which is always practised
by professional correspondents. However, the
Commander-in-Chief, having his terrible example,
proceeds to " improve" the case for the benefit of
the press and the public generally. In the midst of
his strictures he is not forsaken by his own literary
aspirations. It is evidently for home circulation
that he writes the following :—" The people of
England have more common sense. • They do not
want to see the interests of the army betrayed by
the thoughtlessness of a correspondent, or by the
wish of any one to see himself in print:" " The
Commander of the Forces," he says, " has occa-
sionally seen similar things from this camp." So
he concludes a long and purposeless address by re-
questing officers to publish nothing that will bene-
fit the enemy, and that Generals of Division will,
by means of their Assistant-Adjutant-General,
bring the tenour of this order " to the notice of
the recognised correspondents of newsf aims."
It can certainly be no gratification to the most
rigid supporter of discipline to find a Cotninander-
in-Chief making so impotent a demonstration,
General Codrington, without occasion or purpose,
takes upon himself to scold the newspaper press.
And what is the time that lie chooses for this lec-
ture on the indiscretions of correspondents 8 It is
after he tins been months in command—after opera-
tieLis nave beee, teee peer it is arrnigt•iew
is concluded. In the days of the Mamelon and
Malakhoff such an attae,le. might have had some
popularity in military ,circles, but now we should
think even a jury of old club colonels would de-
cide that General Codringtou had better have
held his tongue. In fact, it is evident that he has
been for months bursting with anxiety to write
something fine against the press ; and, as is usually
the case with a weak-minded man, he has chosen
the worst opportunity. Any soreness at public
criticism is excusable at the time, but so poor an
attempt at retaliation half-a-year after the sup-
posed offence must excite the ridicule of all.

The following is the order of the day referred to
above :

"Head-quarters, Sebastopol, Feb. 25.

" No. I. The Commander of the Forces congratulates
the army on the appearance of a large portion of its in- ,
faetry yesterday.
"Tire winter is hardly past, yet the efficiency and good
health of the men were apparent to all. This result is
due to the exertions of the general and regimental offi-
cers, to the attention, obedience, and discipline of the
non-commissioned officers and soldiers, and must be as
gratifying to them as the Commander of the Forces is
sure it must tei to their country.
"This order will be read to the troops.
" No. 2. The notice of the Commander of the Forces
has been brought to the publication in a newepaper, by
a correspondent at Kertele of minute details of lines
and works, strength of garfsons, and various military
arrang,ements--ell, however old and incorrect they may
he, published for our enemies, under the supposition
that such things are necessary for the interest or amuse-
meet of the people of England.
"The people of England have more common sense.
They do not want to see the interests of the army be-
trayed by the thoughtless activity of a correspondent, or
by the with of any ono else to eee himself in print.
"The Cemmander of the Forces has referred General
Vivian to the details published from the district be
commands. He authoriSes him to arrest the individual
and fiend him away at once, unless he has reason to be-
lieve that such fully will not be repeated.
"The Commander of the Forces has occasionally seen
similar things from this camp. Strength of regiments,
sickness, batteries, guns, quantity of ammunition, the
state of preparation, means of transport, the very situa-
tion of concealed batteries, the strength of pickets, the
best means of attacking them, all recklessly detailed as
if on purpose to instruct the enemy.
"Common precaution for the sake of the army requires
that this should cease.
"The Commander of the Forces appeals to the right
sense of duty in the officeree non-commissioned officers,
and privates of this army. Ho is sure that to them the
appeal will not be in vain. It is our pride as English-
men to feel that we may write everything to our friends.
It need not be that we should publish everything about
our strength or our weakness, of ditches and gone, of
resources and disadvantages ; for to print all such things
is simply to make our enemy wise by our own folly.
The Commander of the Forces trusts, therefore, that
private friends in England will imitate the caution he
asks in camp.
"There are also knowp correspondents of newspapers,
not belonging to the artny, permitted by passport to re-
side in several of the camps here. Generals of Division
will, by means of their Assistant-Adjutant-General,
bring the tenour of this order to their notice ; fm a
course dictated by common feelings; of patriotism must
be followed by all, who, being under the protection of
the army, are equally liable to the observances necessary
for its safety.
"By order.
"C. A. WINDHAM, Chief of the Staff."

THE LUNATIC POOR IN ST. PANCRAS.—The committee
appointed by the directors of the poor of St. Pancras to
take into consideration the report of the commissioners
in lunacy, on the condition of the insane poor in the
workhouse, have met, and agreed upon a report. They
state that all the implements of restraint, which were
never used unless by the direction of one of the medical
officers, have been removed from the wards, suitable books
have also been ordered for those patients who are in a
condition to derive benefit from reading. The necessary
books for keeping a register of all insane cases have
also been ordered in compliance with the suggestions of
the Commissioners in Lunacy. Tile deficiency in water
beds, easy chairs, and other articles, alluded to by Mr.
Gaskell in his report, no longer exists, and the
special attention of the matron has been directed to
the otjectionable practice of allowing soiled linen to
be washed in the wards occupied by tho insane and
idiotic patients. The report concludes by stating that
the alterations now under the consideration of the
vestry for the accommodation of the increased inmates
in the workhouse generally will necessarily enable bet-
ter provision to be made for the more unfortunate
class here referred to. The committee call the atten-
tion of the vestry specially to that portion of the corn
inissionere report relating thereto. The proposition
for removing the relieving officers from the v 0-khouse
is in abeyance, in consequence of an objection having
been raised at the last vestry to the proposal to use
,he commissioners' rooms, in Edwa-cd-street, Ramp-
etead•roads for that purposes •

ADJOURNED INQUEST AT LEEDS.
LEEDS, Monday.—This reerniiig the inquest on the
body of Mrs. Harriet Dove, aged 28, supposed to have
been poisoned by her husband, Mr. William Dove, by
administering strychnia to the deceased, was held in the
Court-house here, before John Blackleurne,. Esq., the
borough coroner. The court was much crowded through-
out the day. The accused, who was taken into custody
on Ihielay, was not present during the proceedings, but
was represented by Mr. Barrett, solicitor, of Leede
The first witness; called was Mr. Morley, surgeon, who
was re-examined by the coroner at considerable length.
Ha stated .that tetanus was generally produced by ex-
ternal injury. Wes did not complete the last experiment
on the stomach and intestines of the deceased until five
o'clock on Friday morning, and did not make up ur
minds until.that time. Mrs. Dove was taking medicine
from me on the 23d ult. It, was an effervescing
,mix•
fol Ore consisting of carbonate of soda and syrup of lemon
in one bottle, and in the other tartaric acid and water.
Neither of these would leave a bitter taste. On the 2511
the medicine was changed by Mr. Scarf to a mixture
containing ether, venerian, and henbane. The colour
would be dark brown, and the taste bitter and rather
hot. On the 26th, ether, venerian, aloes, and gentian,
and, in addition, a slight sedative draught, containing
opium. That would also have a bitter taste. The same
was again renewed up to the 29th of February, Friday.
No change was made on the Saturday. I bad observed
the bottles about during the week. Each of the three
portions into which the stomach and its contents were
divided were etibmitted to the following tests of analy-
sis:—Examination I. It was mixed with a sufficient
portion of distilled water, acidulated with pure sul-
pkutic acid, heated,in a porcelain dish, and then the
liquid portion:was separated by filtration. The liquid
.pertion tbiatt filtrated was heated with carbonate of lime,
so des-to neutral: or the, .sulphuric ;wilt -.lt *at-Abell?
slowly evaporated, until it became nearly dry. To this mass
rectified spirit was added in successive portions so as with
the aid of heat to dissolve any strychnia which it might
contain. The spirituous solution thus obtained was
then filtered, and afterwards quietly evaporated in a
p Tcelain vessel until it acquired the subsistence of syrup.
To Vets syrupy mass which would contain any strychnia
present in the stomach, we applied the varieue tests
which are characteristic of that poison, viz., first the
test of taste. Both the syrupy extract and the spiri-
tuous .solution had decidedly the bitter taste of strychnia.
This proof we think of almost equal importance with
the direct chemical tests. Setrund,. to a portion of the
syrupy mass we applied a little pure nitric acid. This
produced a red colour, showing the presence of strych-
nia in its ordinary state. Third, to another portion we
applied first, pure concentrated sulphuric acid, and then
aided a solution of bichromate of potash. The result
was a purple colour changing to red, again showing the
presence of strychnia. This test was varied by using
the bichromata of potash in powder, instead of in, solu-
tion. The result was eventually the same. Every test
was applied by each of us separately, and was repeated
many times with such variations in the mode as would
detect any error or fallacy which might have crept in.
The same series of tests was at the seine time applied
to strychnia itself, for the purpose of comparison. Dur-
ing the whole of our investigation of the'stoneach and its
contents, the apparatus used and our tests were kept in
the laboratory, under lock and key, so that no person
but ourselves could obtain access to them. By this
analysis we cwisider the fact proved, that the stomach
of Mrs. Dove contained strychnia iu sufficient quantity
to cause death.
By Mr. Barrett.—There are no other tests upon
which the presence of strychnia could turn.
The Coroner here observed that he thought Mr. Mor-
ley had stated all that was necessary fur tee purpose of
this part of the inquiry.
By the Coroner.—Nitric acid would produce a red co-
lour and so would aloes. That again would alter if
strychnia had been applied. We applied ammonia and
other teAs, but I think it better that I should mention
that at another stage of the iequiry.
Mr. Nanneley said the other tests they had applied
were nut characteristic. They wore merely confirma-
tory, and, if mentioned, could not increase the weight
of their testimony.
By the C,roner—The symptoms were decidedly those
f strycheia —they were all the symptoms of strychnia.
I know of no other cause to produce death. I had some
conversation with Mr. Dove on Thursday last, in re-.
ferenee to the examination of the body. He inquired
it we bad found poison. He said, " I widi to know,
Mr. Morley, what you hale found ?" I said, " I cannot
tell you." He called me into another room. lie and
I and his mother were then there, and he shut the door.
The first word was the greeting. He said, " I wish to
know, Mr. Morley, what you have found 9.," I think he
said, " Have you found poison 1" but I am not quite
sure that during the conversation he mentioned poison.
I made a reply that we had not yet finished our analysis,
and could not give him any answer, but that there were
no natural causes that we could discover accounting fur
:deette aleateren conversation be saws De suns ATr.
Morley, suspect rue of poisoning her I could not beeim
creel." I said, "My suspicions are rather that it is an
accidental poisoning, knowing that you bad poison in
the house." He said, "If I had poisoned her, do you
think I should have ceme to your surgery for poison,
and have talked about it to others ?" naming, I i hiak, his
mother. He then repeated his request to let him know
what the result was.
The Coroner—At what period of the conversation
was the word "strychnia" used ?
Witness—When I was asked about the result of the
analysis.
By Mr. Barratt—The word was used before I said it
was: an accidental poisoning.
By the Coroner—l am nut quite sure at what precise
point of the conversation the word strychnia was used ;
but it was before I mentioned accidental poisoning. I
have told you the substance of the conversation, but I
never could remember the precise words of a converse •
turn so as to repeat them verbatim. The words
'`etrychnia," " poison," with the little pronoun "it,"
were feequently used by both of us; but I cannot give to
each he precise place in the conversation. Readied, as
soi n as I found anything to let him know. My reply
was, that I could not tell him when the analysis would
be closed, as it might not be closed until an hour
before the inquiry was resumed. I asked him, at the
same time, as to the mode he had adapted in reference
to the poison. Ho said he had brought it home in
paper, with the word " poison" en it, and had placed it
in the razor-box, and cautioned her (his wife) net to
touch it. He said, " I told her, this is poison, deadly
poison, the poison that Palmer used ; yeu must net
touch it at all." I asked him, having learnt that he had
obtained strychnia, how often he bad obtained it ?
said only once. He said, " I got it to poison the cats."
I said, " How long had you`stryclinia in and about the
house ?" He said either " ten days," or " perhaps ten
days." He asked me to tell him when I found it (mean-
ing strychnia), and when I found it, what would be the
result, arid weat the jury would say ? I said I cannot
tell. It will be very serious. There will be only three
ways of accounting for it—either that it was taken by
herself, or given her by accident, or that it was given to
her by some person designedly, and the jury will have
to decide. which.
The Coroner—Can you form any opinion how often
or what quantity of strychnia had been taken ?
Witness—l think it must have been given at least
four times during the week of her death.
The Coroner—How soon after, as to the quantity. is
it impossible for you to discover what has been taken ?
A itnesa—l should judge from the quantity of matter
in the stomach that several grains had been taken. Tim
effects are generally within half an hour after it is taken.
This refers to the spasmodic effects. ' The med:&nee
taken in the meantime would not have any influences ;
that is, no material influence. Possibly in a very
alight degree. The medicines taken might make the
effect rather slower. Strychnia with acid might be ren-
dered more soluble, and her medicines had alkali in
them. My own impression was that the strychnia had
been administered with the medicine. My impression
is formed from the symptoms that were consequent upon
her taking the medicine. On the Friday, for instance,
she took her medicine at eight o'clock, and the symp-
toms occurred at A. quarter past. This opinion is founded
upon the assumption that she had not taken anything
between her tea at six and the medicine at eight.
By Mr. Barrett—l should imagine that from one to
three crains were taken on Friday morning. My reasons
are—first, in consequence of the violence of the Byrne-
toms and their early occurrence. A smaller dose would
act more slowly. If half the quantity bad been given
at tea-time I do not think the symptoms would have
been the same, but would have occurred earlier. They
would then have occurred within half an hour of the
time. The rapidity and evidence of the symptoms de-
pends upon the dose. Perfect health would have
the effect of modifying the influence. If I had not been
informed that the medicine had been given at 8 o'clock
I should then have said that it had probably been given
within half an hour. I made one post modem, examina-
tion with Mr. Nunneley, and that was in May, 1855.
That was the feat post etortent and analysis of strychnia
that I have made. That analysis was made four or five
days after death. It was either the fourth or filth that I
detected strychnia. In this instance we made additional
tests to those made in the former one. With respect to
the foetal examination, we divided the whole into three
parts, and applied the first test early on the morning of
the second day. We commenced the analysis about ten
o'clock on Monday night last. The test we first applied
was nitric acid. I may say that taste was the first test.
We tasted as we went on. We applied the same night
sulphuric acid, and likewise bichromate of potash.
Nitric acid produced a red colour, prima facia evidence
of strychnia,. The evidence was a red colour. Nothing
else. I applied nitric acid many times that night. The
effects were the same in kind, but not quite the same in
degree, because we varied the strength.
Mr. Barrett—Would not the presence of medicine
in the stomach, such as you have described, produce
the same effects
Witness—Yes, the morphia in the opium would give a
reddish tint. The second- test was sulphuric acid and bi-
chromate of potash, which formed one test together, and
arts used on the same morning. We also applied acetic
acid. The application of that test led to our finding

strychnia. Tae colour was different. It was a yel
Inc ish white tint. The sulphuric acid, produced
change, but on adding the bichromate of potash,
a purple colour changing to red was produce.]. I re-
s trved my opinioe in accordance with the rule laid
doin• by 'Profesior Taylor. I resumed the analysis a
little before four o'clock on Monday afternoon. We
continued until very late that night. having olily
a short interval for tea. We repeated the same
teats with the, same result's hs jri the oinetting, and we
then applied other tests. We applied aininenia, which
is aestight cloudy PreCipititte, and confirniatory of the
presence of strychnia. lam not sure whether, that day
or the following, but I think that day we tried pota.,b.
It produCed confirmatory evidence of the presence of
strychnia: I did not make minutes of e• erything that
oeenered, during the analysis, but we did of some
They were not made step by step.' The analysis was
recommenced on Wednesday between Mime and four
o'clock. I don't know that we added any test then.
We applied chloride of tin on Tuesday as a subsidiary
test, in order to see whether the red tint was produced
by strychnia, or some other substance.. On Wednesday
we chiefly repeated the same tests, and more particularly
examined the intestines, throegh the sant) process, and
with the saute results. My conviction been me stronger
every day ; and on Wednesday I sac quite certain of
the presence of strychnia. We again' examined on
Thins lay, and closed the analysis at five o'clock on Fri-
dey morning. If I had been asked by any person to
whom I was bmnd to give an opinion, I should have
answered on Wednesday evening that the cause of
death was strychnia ; otherwise, I should have observed
' the rule to which I have referred. There. Wht3 no other
cause to which death is referrable. I received from Mr.
Scarfs, my assistant, part of a bottle of medicine, which
had been brought from the houee of Mr. Dove. •It con-
sisted of aloes, venerian, and gentian. I applied tests,
to see it it contained strychnia ; and it did not. That
medicine was in a bottle, labelled with my name. My
opinion, that strychnia was taken four times during the
weeieje formed partly from myettwitestlaseeViontitssetly
Irons tee evieence given to me, and the:spliesita.n,
Idr. Barrett.—Can you tell me if there is any one -eel.
tan ett for the discovery of strychnia in the human
body
Witness.—There is one substance which alone will
determine the presence of strychnia. The best combir a-
Lion, in my opinion, is the ection of nitric acid,,followed
by the s iloride of to and II:blonde of iron.
Mr. Barrett.—ls that, in your opinion, a 'conclusive
test of strychnia in the human body ?
Witness. --It is considered- a conclueive test. If I were
limited to thole, I should say, using such tests, that I
should'bo satisfied to give my opinion as a certainty. I
consider it will detect strychnia in its ordinary state. It
is not a sufficient test e hen not in its ordinary state.
S'rychnia, its its ordinary state as sold by druggist., and
as used by medical men, contains a little brucia. The
red colour arising may be produced by brucia., and can-
not be relied upon as a certain test of strychnia, pure
and perfectly free from brucia. All ordinary strycheia
contains brucia, and therefore is net free from red colour.
I think this combination as a test conclusive evidence.of
the presence of strychnia, but I should always look for
Confirmatory evidence. lam not prepared to Lay that
there is a test for the discovery of strychnia when with-
' out the brucia. The same difficulty may exist, in degree
in all vegetable poisons. Ile earnestly entreated me to
let him know the result after I had suggested the acci-
dental poisoning. I suggested that it might have been
spilt, and taken in food by Mrs. Dove. It was' after
that he seid, "If you find anything, What will the jury
say ?" lam quite positive that he said be had'orrly'get
strychnia from my surgery once. It he tells ms that he
has g,,t it twiCe, that it; uettain. As far as his statement
tl me went, he said he had tried it once for the purpose
of killing cats, and it had failed, and he had treed it
again for the same purpose. I did not ask him the time
that had occurred between the firet -andesecer.d experi-
ment. He told me that he.had warned the servant not.
to touch it, and that the poison had been put on the
cheese in the servant's bedroom. He called 'upon me on
the night of hie wife's death to ask 'me to bring Dr.
Hobson with me to see her. I had a suspicion that he
was not altogether sober on that occasion, ail mode of
conversation was not that of a perfectly sober man.
There was a change of tone from. anxiety to lightness.
I entered the bedroom before him. He-sat on a chair a
short time; there rose and sat on the bed, as if in extreme
grief. I had him removed from the room. I saw him
no more that night. I then tru.-cle inquiries of Mrs.
Witham as to the symptoms- that had token place. I
made no exaeninatien that night. I examined the body
externally on Sunday, with a vie ;t- to muscular rigidity
and wounds. From eshate,l saw I should have said
that the general appearances were those consequent
upon tetanus. I only took one bottle from the house.
I had prescribed quinine for her about a fortnight, tr
rather more, before her death. I bad the conversation
I have referred to last Thursday. I had i ot, I think,
mentioned to Mrs. Dove's mother that I 'thought her
daughter had died from poison.
This being the close of Mr. Morley's case, ho banded
in the following list of medicines he had supplied to the
deceased :-.--"Feb. 16, 1856.—Mra Dove had an effer-
vescing mixture, consisting of carbonate of soda and
syrup of *non. _.. Ttii, said mixture c-Dranirtiri. tp,rtavie-
ac:d, and a Li,. .arnotime was sent a liniment consist-
ing of compound soap lintment, compound (a.rphor lini-
ment and opium. ISth nireb.—Compound rhubarb
pill and blue pi I. 25th—Mixture containing compound
• Pirits of snip' uric etlo-r, atnomniated tioctore of va)e-
rjan, and tincture of henbane. Later in the same day,
another mixture containing compound spirits of sulphu-
ric etl,er, atumenitited tincture of valerian, and c ,m•
pound decoction of aloes. 261,h—Same mixture, with
infusion of gentian, aid some pill as before. 28th—A
draught, consisting of Batley's solution of opium, and
ammoniated tincture of valerian. 29th—The same kind
of mixture, and the same dranelit."
Mr. John Elletson, pupil of Mr. Morley, was the next
witness examined. He said—l have known Mr. Dove,
the prisoner, :duce Mr. Morley has attended Mrs. Dove,
during her last Hines.. He has called at the surgery
frequently. We bane had conversations about neisons.
Toe first conversation was about a month ago. I don't
recollect the exact conversation that took pace. I
can't remember the exact words he used. The convey-
cation began about the case- of Mr. Palmer. He said
that be believed strychnine could not be detected. That
was in the course of conversation about Palmer's case.
He said that it could not be detected after death. I
said it could be. I ment'oned one or two of the tests
for it. He asked me the effects of strychnia on man. I
told him it nroduded spasms and contraction of the
muscles. He mentioned that the house was infested
with cats that he wanted to kill. After that he asked
rue for some strychnia, which I supplied him with, label-
line it poison, and telling him to be cautious.
This witness was under examination when our parcel
was despatched.
It is net likely the case will terminate before to-day
or Wednesday.