The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-24 00:00:00

Ir *cc',,, 371; 1-41 to. 4
sa 4 9., tro

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock.

TATT.ER3ALL' T. his E veainz.)

DERBY. •
7to 2 agst Wentworth (taken and offered)
sto 1 agst Fazzoletto (taken)
6to 1 agst Vandermulin (taken and offered)
9to 1 agst Cannobie (taken) •
Bto 1 agst Artillery (take 9to 1) _
25 to 1 agst Fly-by-Night (offered)
25 to 1 agst Ellington (taken)
40 to 1 agat Coroner (offered)
50 to 1 agst Barbarina colt (take 50 to 1)
50 to 1 agst Astrologus (taken)
50 to 1 agst Cotswold (taken)
1000 to 15 agst Puck (taken)

OAKS.
3to 1 agst Mincopie (taken)
4 to 1 agst Mermaid (taken)
Bto 1 aget Kalipyge (taken)
9 to 1 aget Tyne (taken)
10 to 1 agst Cerva (taken)

TEE RU GELEY POISONINGS

TRIAL OF WILLIAM PALIVIER.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT (THIS DAY).

TENTH DAY.

At 10 o'clock this morning the trial was resumed with
the examination of witnesses for. the defence. The
Court was densely crowded.

Oliver Pemberton—l am teacher of medicine at the
Queen's College, Birmingham, and surgeon of an hospi-
tal there. I was present at the post mortem examina-
tion of Cook's body, and saw the spinal cord. It was
not in a state to enable me to arrive at a proper conclu-
sion as to its state. The part which had been separated
from the head was green in colour,:9,nd the outer cover-
ing was not in a proper condition to make an examina-
tion as to the cause of the death.

Cross-examined—The bony parts of the body had
been opened first. The outer covering of the spinal
cord had not been cut.

Henry Matthews examined by Mr. Groves—l am an
inspector of police. Upon the 19th of Nov. I was at
the Euston-square station. The express train from Lon-
don to Rugeley leaves at five, and reaches Stafford at
8.42, but that night it reached at 8.45. It is 10 miles
from Stafford to Rageley. That is the only way of get-
tinz :here after the two o'clock train from London.

Joseph Foster—l am a farmer and grazier. I used to
keep the George Inn, Welford, near Northampton. I
knew Parsons Cook well. I used to meet him in the
hunting field. He was very delicate in constitution.
He used to have bilious attacks, and vomited.

Cross examined by Mr. E. James —He hunted regularly
when well. I know Pell. Cook was member of a
cricket club. Cook came one morning to meet the
hounds in his bunting dress, but he did not go in con-
sequence of illness. I did not see him go out for some
time after this. He did not dine at my house the day
before.

Re-examinel by Mr. Gray—l have seen him sick on
other occasions.

George Myatt—l am a saddler, and reside at Rugeley.
I was at Shrewsbury races when Polestar won. I was
at the Raven Hotel that evening. It was the second
day (Wednesday). I saw Cook and Palmer there that
evening. It was about 12 o'clock. I was waiting in the
room at the time. I consider Cook was drunk at the
time. I had some drink with them. They proposed
to have a glass of brandy and water. They each had
one. Cook made some remark, and fancied it
was not good. He drank part of it, and made
the remark " he thought there was something in it."
Palmer tasted it and said he did not think there was
anything in it. Cook proposed to have some more, and
Palmer said he would not have any more unless Cook
drank his brandy and water up. They had no more
brandy, and Cook went to bed. I slept in the same
room with Palmer. The brandy was brought in in a
decanter. Each took from the same, but mine was
poured out, but I don't know by whom. I never left
the room the whole of the time until we all went to
bed. I never saw anything put into the brandy and
water during the time I was present. It could not
have been put in without my seeing it. When Palmer
and myself quitted the sitting-room to go to bed we left
Cook there. Nothing occurred during the night. When
we went to bed I locked the door. Palmer in the morn-
ing asked me to go and call Cook. I did so. I went
to Cook's door and rapped. He told me to come in.
I went in and and he told me how ill he had been during
the night. Cook said he had been obliged to send for
the doctor, and he asked me what had been put in the
brandy and water, and I said that I did not know that
anything had been put in. He asked me to send Palmer
to him. I did so. When I saw Cook next it was at
breakfast. Palmer and myself had breakfasted before
Cook came in. He (Cook) had his breakfast in the same
room. We all three left by the express train for Regeley
that night. We dined at the Raven before leaving. We
left Shrewsbury about six o'clock. Palmer paid for the
three railway tickets. On the road Palmer was sick.
We stopped at the Junction Inn, close to the railway
station, there being no train to go on. Palmer said it
must be the brandy or the water that caused him to
vomit. I heard that a great many persons had been ill
at Shrewsbury races without any accountable cause. We
travelled nine miles in a fly.
Cross-examined by Mr. E. James—l have known
Palmer all his life. He deals with me for sad-
dlery. I am not in the habit of going to races
with him. I was not at Doncaster races with
him. I have been at Doncaster once in my life, but not
with the prisoner. I have been to the last Wolverhamp-
ton races with him. I did not sleep with Palmer dur-
ing the time I was there. I did not stop at the same
house. I slept at my brotherin-law's. I was at Wol-
verhampton for two days. I neither dined nor break-
fa-ted with Palmer during the time I was at the Lich.
field races with him. The course is ten miles from
Rugeley. I slept at home on that occasion. I think
that's about all the races I was at last year. I don't
recollect ever sleeping with Palmer but once in a
double-bedded room. I have never been at any other
races and lodged at the same hotel with Palmer but
Shrewsbury. I have never slept at Wolverhampton in
my life. Palmer paid my expenses to Shrewsbury, but
on no other occasion. I have visited Palmer in Stafford
Jail. I remained with him a couple of hours. I cannot
recollect whether it was before the assizes. I went be-
cause Mr. Smith was going, and I thought i should like
to see him. I used to lay out a sovereign on his horses,
but never more. I did not bet on Palmer's horses at
Shrewsbury. I did not back Polestar. When I have
betted half a sovereign or a sovereign I have " stood "
with Palmer to that amount. I first saw Cook at about
12 o'clock, at the Raven, on Wednesday night. I had
not been dining with Palmer. On Wednesday night I
went to the Raven, and, knowing the room Palmer
generally occupied, I went up to see whether he was
there. It was between 8 and 9 o'clock. The first thing
I saw was Cook putting on his coat outside the door.
He said, " Hilloa, what brings you here." I said I came
to see how they were getting on. Palmer was not in his
room, so I went into the town. I returned to the Raven
in about an hour and went into Palmer's sitting room,
and I waited in the room until he returned. There was a
person named Shelley present. I waited about a couple
of hours. I should say it was about 12 o'clock. I had
no watch. He came in with Mr. Cook, who was the
worse for liquor. He was not very drunk ; but I could
see he was the worse for liquor. The brandy and water
was had after this. The brandy was brought in in a
decanter, and the water was on the table. The tumblers
and the brandy were brought up together. I don't re-
member Mrs. Brooks coming. I don't remember
Palmer being called out of the room. I recollect a per-
son who I know to be Fisher coming in. Palmer never
left the room after I joined the party until he went to
bed. I was sitting close to him the whole time. When
Fisher came in, Cook asked Palmer to have some more
brandy and water. Palmer said he would not have any
more unless he (Cook) drank his. Cook, it was evident
to everybody, was the worse for liquor. Cook drank the
brandy and water at a draught, and then he said "There's
something in it." I dont know that he said "It burns
my throat dreadfully." I will positively swear he did
not say so. Cook did not make any other observation
than I have stated. Cook gave the brandy and water
to some one to taste. I think it was Fisher. I don't
know a Mr. Reid. I don't know that that gentleman
came in the room. I believe there was but four per-
sons present. I cannot say whether any other person
came in before we went to bed. Cook left a small quan-
tity in the glass. I believe Palmer tasted it and said there
was nothing the matter with it, and then he handed it
to Fisher. I don't recollect positively the remark that
Fisher made. I cannot recollect that he said the glass
was empty, and it was no good to give it to him. We
remained in the room half-an-hour, after the brandy and
water was drunk. Cook did not leave the room. Pals
mer and myself left Cook in the room. I did not know
Cook had been ill before he told me in the morning.
We had one glass a-piece. It was mixed with cold wa-
ter. On the following Thursday I dined with Palmer
at the Raven. During the time the inquest was being
held I was at home at Rugeley, but on the last day I
went to Birmingham. I did not go to the inquest
at all.
Re-examined—The deputy-governor was present dur-
ing the time I was with Palmer in the gaol, and when he
went eut another officer came in. We did not talk about
this case, but about his brother's. There was an officer
present the whole of the time.
By the Attorney-General—l never spoke to Mr. Gard-
ner about the brandy and water. -I never bad any con-
versation with Mr. Gardner about it. I spoke to Mr.
Stevens in the presence of Gardner, but said nothing
about the brandy and water. I told Crisp exactly that
which happened, and as I have stated this morning.
Mr. Sargent—l know the prisoner, and I also knew
the deceased. I had a letter from Cook during Shrews.
bury races. I have not got the letter. I searched for
it. The letter was sent to Saunders, the trainer. I
made application to Saunders for it by letter, and I re-
ceived a letter in answer. I have seen Saundere since,
and have made every exertion to get the letter referred
to for Mr. Stevens. I have not a copy of Cook's letter,
but I recollect its contents well.
Sergeant Shee--May I ask the witness to relate its
contents ?
Lord Chief Justice—You had better produce &nu-
cleus

Sergeant Shee—lf Saunders does not arrive, I can
call this witness ?
The Lord Chief Justice signified his assent.
Examination continued—l have noticed Cook's throat.

I was ' with him at Liverpool the week previous co
Shrewsbury races. He called my attention to his
throat. I looked at it, •and the back part of it was
ulcered and very much inflamed. The uvula was
swollen, and I said I was surprised he could eat and
drink in such a state. Cook said he had been in that
state for months, and had given up taking medicine.
Almost at every meeting we have had his throat has
been spoken about. ,On one occasion, on the
platform of the Liverpool races, he took a gin-
gerbread not with cayenne in it. He took
it by mistake, and afterwards he told me it had nearly
killed him. I know at Liverpool Cook was very poor.
This was a week before the Shrewsbury races. Ho owed
me 251. He gave me 101. on acoount, and said he had
not sufficient to pay his exnenses at Liverpool, but that
I should have the balance, 151, at theShrewsbury meeting.
I knew Cook and Palmer were in the habit of " putting
on" for each other, and they did so at Liverpool races.
I put some money "on" at Liverpool for Palmer, and
he told me Cook stood with him. have known Cook
to apply to Palmer for a .certain lotion. I don't know
that it is a mercurial lotion.

Dr. Taylor said it was calomel and lime water.
By Mr. E. James to witness—The lotion was not to
be drank. It was at the Warwick race meeting in
1855. Cook was at Newmarket ;he lived in the same
house with me. He was present at nearly all the au-
tumnal race meetings. The Liverpool meeting was a
week before Shrewsbury. He swallowed very well, and
that surprised me. The ginger-bread nut. was a trick
nut. It was put in .a bag with some other. I have
tasted one, and they are very strong.
Mr. Jeremiah Smith said—l am an attorney residing
at Itugeley, and knew the late Mr. Cook. I saw Mr.
Cook on the 16th of Novamber at the Talbot Arms.

He was in bed, and his breakfat was placed on his bed.
He bad a cup of tea with a wineglassful of brandy in
it. He drank it. I have dined in his company at
Palmer's. On the 16th we had dinner there ; we had
rumpsteaks and champagne. We had port wine after
we dined. Three bottles were emptied, and Cook took
his share. We left the house about 6 in the evening.
Cook and myself left in company. We went to my
house, and then to the Albion Hotel next door. We had
each a glass of cold brandy and water. Cook left me there.
Before Cook left he said he felt cold ; he borrowed a
book, .and said he would go home and read it in bed.
He left about 8 o'clock. I had a conversation with
Cook on Friday afternoon about racing. Palmer was
present. I asked Mr. Cook for money—for 50/.. He

gave me 51., and then took his note case out of his
pocket, and I said "You can pay me all ;" he said, "No,
there's only 411. due to you." He said he had given
Palmer money, and he would pay me the remainder
after the settling at Tattersall's. On the night following
(Saturday) Islept in his room as be Wal not well. I went
to bed: There had been a concert at the hotel, which
made it late. In the early part of the night be was un-
well. Ho got some toast and water, and was washing
his mouth and gargling his throat. I cannot say
whether he had vomited. I slept till the morning, and
when I awoke I heard Bamford and Palmer talking.
Cook was asked how he was, and he replied
he felt better, and that he had slept between two
and three hours after the house had become quiet.
Bamford said " I'll send you some medicine." I don't
recollect anything else. I know the prisoner's mother.
I received a message from her on the Monday night at
nine o'clock. I went to her. In consequence of what
then passed I went to look for the prisoner. I did not
find him at that hour. I saw him about 10 minutes past
10, coming in the direction fram Stafford in a car. He
asked me whether I had seen Cook that day, and he
told me I had better go to see, as before he returned
from his mother's it would be late. We afterwards
went up to Cook's room together. Cook said
"Doctor, you are late to-night. I did not expect you

to look in. I have taken the medicine." Co-ok asked
me why I had not been in before, and I said I had
been to Lichfield on business. Cook said " I have been
up, doctor," and Palmer said, "You ought not to have
been up." I don't recollect anything else. Palmer
and myself left the room, and we both went to Palmer's
house, which was about 400 or 500 yards. We
were there about half an hour and left together,
and returned to Palmer's house. I went ia with
him. I afterwards left the house, and went home.
After dining with Cook and Palmer on Friday, I asked
them to dine with me the next day. Cook did not do
so ; he sent me a note to say the was unwell. I was
at the Albion. I bad a- boiled leg of mutton for
dinner that day ; and I sent some broth to Cook
by a charwoman named Rowley. Before Cook's
death I borrowed 2001., and negotiated a loan
with Pratt for 5001. That was in May. I might
have borrowed more ; but Ido not now recollect it. I
know they were jointly interested in one horse, and
that they used to bet for each other. I have seen
Thurlby dress Cook's throat with caustic about ' the

time of the Shrewsbury races. I think it was just
before. The two letters I now produce I saw Cook
sign. They are two notes and a memorandum. Cook
was served with a writ shortly before his death. I was
not present. I cannot say that he gave me instructions
to appear. _ .

Cr )ss-examined by the Attorney-General—He was the
Mr. Smith who took Myatt to Stafford. He had known
Mr. Palmer long and intimately. He had been employed
a good deal as an attorney for Palmer. In December,
1854, he applied to him to attest a proposal for
13,000/, to be effected in the Solicitors' and General
Office, for Walter Palmer, the brother of the prisoner.
It was so long ago he could not recollect whether
or not he was applied for that purpose. He did
not recollect that in January, 1855, Palmer applied
to him to attest a proposal for 13,0001. on his
brother's Walter's life in the Prince of Wales
Office. He did not know that 13,0001. was a large sum
for Walter Palmer's life, as he had money, and lived in-
dependent. Witness did not know that he was an un-
certified bankrupt. He knew that he was a bank-
rupt six years before, but he did not know that
Iv had done anything since. He knew that
tie had an allowance from his mother, but he did not
know that it was a pound a week. William Palmer
frequently gave him money. In 1854 he resided partly
at William Palmer's and partly at Palmer's mother's.
He slept at Mrs. Palmer's. He was only properly inti-
mate with her. While he slept, at Mrs. Palmer's, he
had hs own place cf abode at LlZu;eley. He waA
a single man. He slept two or three times a
week at Mrs. Palmer's several years, having his
own ',lodgings and bedroom at Bugeley at the time.
His lodgings were nearly a quarter of a mile

from Mi.s. -Palmer's. sometimes other members
ef the family—her sons—used to come to visit
Mrs. Palmer, and he met them there. There was
Jos. Palmer, who resided at Liverpool. There was
Walter Palmer, who lived near Rugeley. They used to
stay at night, have a glass of gin and water and play at
cards; he had no particular reason why he did not go home
(Laughter). He frequently stayed there when the sons
were not there, but when the mother was. Sometimes
he would go there for several weeks together at nights
when only the mother was there. With all that there
was no improper intimacy. He did not recollect being
called upon to attest a proposal for 13,0001. on

the life of Walter Palmer in the Universal Office. If
he could see any document reminding him of the
fact he would not deny it. Most likely he got
a five pound note for assigning a policy so ef-
fected upon Walter Palmer to William Palmer, but
he did not recollect it. (The Attorney-General handed up
a document to the witness bearing his signature.) He
said he could not recollect whether it was his signature.
Baron Alderson threw up his hands in astonishment)
Having read the document (an assignment of the
policy), witness said he believed the signature was not
in his hand-writing—he doubted it—he would swear it
was not.

Lord Campbell—Do you positively swear, Sir, that
you did not sign that document?
Witness—l don't reclllect. I don't think I did.

Tha Attorney-General pressed the witness, and he
trembled violenty. It is impossible to describe the
scene that ensued. The judges questioned him, and
then abandoned the matter in despair.
Two letters were here put in and read. They both
were evidence that shortly before Cook's death he was
pressed for money, and one of them related to the loan
upon Polestar.

Cross-examination continued.--I did write in 1855
to the Midland Office to become their agent at
Rugeley. It was with a view to obtain an insurance
upon the life of Bates for 10,0001. 1 knew Bates superin-
tended prisoner's stables at 11. a week. I applied to the
widow of Walter Palmer to obtain her signature to an
assignment of the policy on her husband's life.
I know Walter Palmer had a bill for 2001. It was
the prisoner's bill for that assignment, bat
then Walter Palmer had his house furnished
I do not know that the bill was not paid. These papers
bear my signature, but I do not know that I
attested for Walter Palmer's wife. I might have
signed these, and might have signed them blank.
I will not swear I was not present when Walter
Palmer signed the assignment of his policy for
13,0001. to the prisoner. It is like my hand writ-
ing. I might have been present. That signature
is like the prisoner's handwriting. I think it is his
handwriting. I will not swear I was not present when
it was signed. I might have had a cheque for 51. for
witnessing the deed of assignment. I will not say I did
or did riot. I received that 2001. which Cook had from
Mrs. Palmer. Cook paid 101. for the accommodation.
I do not know that for the accommodation of the 2001.
Cook gave Palmer his acceptance and security for 500/,
I cannot say who saw me go to the Talbot Arms upon
the Monday night.
Re examined by Sergeant Shee—Mrs. Palmer is above
60 years of age. Prisoner is not her eldest son. She
has grandchildren. Mrs. Palmer's daughter lives with
her. They have no grounds to say that any improper
intimacy existed between us. I should say there was
not any. Thera was not. The family are not much
visited—they are a large family in themselves. The
house has several bedrooms. I used to sleep in the
room next the church. They keep three servants.
The Court then adjourned for a short time.
On the jury returning into court,
Mr. William Joseph Saunders was called on his re-
cognisanees, but did not appear.
Mr. Sergeant Shee then called for a letter dated 4th
Jan., 1855.
The letter was read. It was from John Parsons
Cook, and related to the backing St. Hubert for a
certain race. It was addressed to Saunders, and
directed that Palmer should be debited with a sum of
money.
This closed the case for the defence.
Mr. Sergeant Shee submitted that, from the course
pursued by the AttornepGeneral relative to the assign.
ments, he had a right to reply.
Lord Campbell said, without hearing argument on

the other side, he thought the learned Sergeant had not
the right.
Tee Attorney-General then rose to reply. He said the
eaeo for the defence and the pr esecution was now before
the jury, and it became his duty to reply on the whole of
the case. He wished he could, in reply to an observa-
tion of the learned sergeant made the ether day, say
that he had convinced him of the innocence of the
prisoner ; but he felt he could not, and on the whole of
the evidence asked for a conviction. The case
presented two points. They were, did the deceased man
die a natural death, or by a foul deed of poison. I assert
that he died by poison—that he was first practised on
by antiinony and then killed by strychnine. Tie witnesses
for the prosecution said he died from tetanus and spasmo-
dic convulsions. Was there any doubt that that coo clush n
was correct? and, further, was there any doubt that that
was caused by strychnine ? He had listened to all the
opinions that had been propounded, and he asserted that
the symptoms had been of the most marked character.
The deceased exhibited all the symptoms of death from
strychnine, and in the depth of a mighty spasm he died.
The body, when dead, also exhibited signs that
could not be doubted, and the evidence that had been,
given to rebut the case of the Crown was of the most in-
famous description. Our evidence to prove that death
was occasioned by strychnine was of the most reliable
character, and the medical gentlemen who had given that
evidence stood in the highest rank in their profession.
It had been asserted that the deceased was suffering
from a certain disease by which death was accelerated,
but the evidence of Dr. Savage entirely disposed of that
assertion. It hail also been said that he was suffering
from iil-health and debility, but what did he may
to his father-in-law, who congratulated hitr.
on the occasion of his
_meeting hint going to the races ?
Why, ho struck his breast and sail he was quite well:
The assumption of time defence that there was traumatic
tetanus was a mere pretence. Supposing: there was any-
thing in the assertion, the symptoms exhibited during the
illness were such as totally differed from every known
effect of the disease. It had also been said that this
might have been a case of idiopathic tetanus' that he had
something the matter with his throat, and thus they
were launched into a sea of doubt and difficulty. There
was not the slightest evidence in the whole case that the
man had ever taken cold or was treated fur a cold.
Ile could not but protest against the evidence that
had been given by some of the medical witnesses for the
defence. Such evidence wen a libel opou a highly honour.
able and distinguiehed profeesion, and he could not find
wordssufficiently strong to express his Jet estemaion of such
a proceeding. The t otanus that accompanied Cook's death
was neither trau:natic nor idiopathic, and he felt sure that
upon the evidence that had been laid before the jury, they
could not by any possibility arrive at such a conclusion. The
learned gentleinau then referred to the evideeco
given by Mr. Nunnely, and to the fact that 1)r.
Copeland's book had been quoted, but he
thought a far better course to have adopted would
have been to have called Dr. Copeland himself. Surely
he would have been a better authority than his book.
Dr. Partridge hail been called to prove that death was
caused by arachnitis, but when he was asked in simple
terms whether, looking at Cook's symptoms, lie-avould,
before the face of the whole medical profession,
say that Cook's death was occasioned by arachnitis, he
declined to say it was. Cook's death had also, by two-
titer medical witness, been attributed to epilepsy,
but there was not a single case to which he had spoken
or even read that bore the slightest analogy to
the symptoms in Cook's case. dir. Partridge, Mr.
Robinson, and Dr. Letheby, three of the most respectable
of the witnesses called for the defence, agreed
with Sir Benjamin Brodie, and affirmed that they
could not account for the symptoms exhibited by
Cook, as they differed from every known disease.
They say there is a difference in the periods between
the paroxysms setting in and the symptoms described
in Cook's case. But then the difference between animal
and human life should be considered ; and, again, the
time of the paroxysms would depend much upon the
method of the administration of the poison. If
in an indurated substance, it would be far longer
than if other wise given. I say from the evidence that
the poison was given about an hour before the paroxysms
set in, and I find that in some of the experiments a time
almost equal to that had elapsed before the symptoms
set in. Might it not have been that the substance of those
pills, which the deceased naturally had some dread of,
was such as to prevent the symptoms ratting in. The
defence said there was no premonitory symptoms. This
he denied. The asking to have the neck rubbed was
a premonitory symptom. These symptoms were corres-
pondent with the cases of Mrs. Smith and the Leeds case,
and also the description given of the gentleman who had
taken an overdose. The indication of the body was an-
other fallacy, showing the character of the defence.
Then we had the theory of the heart being empty, but it
must be borne in mind that it could not precisely be
averred at what period the final spasm attacked the
heart. Death takes place front such a variety of causes
that there was nothing in the differences manifested.
The symptoms were all so strongly marked that
cases of tetanus by strychnine could not be
mistaken, and I think that there can be no doubt that
death arose from strychnia. The whole of the evidence
of the medical men agreed that they knew of no disease
that could produce symptoms and death like those in
Cook's case ; and, therefore, with the known fact tha t
there was a poison which would produce such
effects, it was most reasonable and cogent to
reason that such was the cause of death. Upon the point
of not finding the poison, which all the medical witnesses
for the defence agreed could be done, he could only say
that Drs. Taylor and Rees had the stomach and contents
for analysis in the very worst condition for experiment.
Ho could not too strongly condemn the strong partizan-
ship shown by Dr. Herepath in the matter, sitting as
he did by the side of the prosecution, and suggesting
the questions to be put to the witnesses for the
prosecution, he learnt that the poison was absorbed
into the system, and not knowing what were the amounts
given, are we to say that, because Dr. Taylor, who made
the analysis under the most unfavourable circumstances,
had not found the poieou, that it had not been in that body.
The experiments of Drs, Rees and Taylor were conducted
in a way which they must be accountable for to the
medical profession. He did not ask the jury to come to
the conclusion that the prisoner administered poison to
his friend because the symptoms of death could
not be attributable to no known cause ; but lie
had another point of the case to rely on, and which
had not been touched upon by the defence, and that
was that the learned advocate for the prisoner had not
even accounted, in the slightest degree, for the posses-
sion of strychnine by the prisoner on the eve of the
dreadful deed. The witness Newton was open to cen-
sure for not speaking of the purchase of strychnine. It
was perfectly true that it, detracted from the other
portion of his evidence, but he hail voluntarily come
forward to speak of the circumstance, and he thought
that there could not be the slightest motive attributed
to this man for having divulged the truth at the moraent
he d,d. Under all the circumstances he thought it would
be impossible for them to arrive at any other conclu-
sion than that the prisoner was guilty of the
great crime imputed to him. It was not because a
witness was mistaken as to the time that the prisoner
arrived at the chemist's shop that his evidence was
to be excluded. It was nothing that lie could not
precisely mention the time Palmer arrived at the shop,
neither was it to be supposed that a person sitting in his
masters' surgery would think of ascertaining the exact
time at which a person would make a certain purchase.
The evidence of Smith, for the defence, was open
to great objection, and he thought the jury would
attribute to it all the imporance it deserved, but he
theught that witness had come for ward to try to save the
life of his companion, and had proved too much. The
purchase of three grains of strychnia was, of itself, suf-
ficient to excite the suspicion of any man, and it did
attract the attention of Newton ; and why the prisoner
should have gone on two successive nights to pur-
chase strychnia he could not say, but that he did
go there could not be a doubt. If he had
gone to his late partner, Tburlby, his first words would
have been to ask what was it for. Why, therefore, was
not his purchase of even the six grains ascertained. If
this poison was used for the purpose of destroying dogs,
Holten persons must have assisted Palmer to administer
it. Where were the grooms. Why have they not been
called. But these important witnesses, if such
there be, had not been called. There was an absence
of all legitimate purposes for which that poison could
have been bought. It had been said there were points in
the case that might be argued in favour of the prisoner—
namely, that he called in two medical men. It
was certainly true he did so. lie called in :Mr. Bara•
ford and lMr. Jones. If Palmer could have got the
body into the oak coffin in the presence of two medical
men, he would have been safe ; and it was but through
Mr. Stevens that it was frustrated. Palmer did not ex-
pect that Dr. Jones would sleep with Cook, and had he
not done so what would have been the result ?
Why, Cook would have died in the night, and been
found dead in his bed, and then the fact of Palmer hav-
ing called in medical aid would have stifled inquiry.
Would the jury believe that the woman Brooks had nut
spoken the truth about the glass in Paliner'e, hand after
the Shrewsbury races, and which was the cause of this
poor fellow taking sick ? It is true that others were taken
which was strange, but let them go on to Rugeley,
Ceok was there, well ; then came the broth which
Palmer had intercepted, and himself put into the
cups in which it was taken to him. Upon
Monday Palmer was away. Cook we; better.
The tissues of Cook's body gave the presence
of antimony, and who could have given it but the pri-
soner. They had heard of James's powders being taken,
belt that was mere assertion. It was doubtless that anti-
mony was given for the purpose of sickening the prisoner
to pave the way to further his purpose by bringing on an
illness, and giving a colour and pretext for calling in the
medical assistance. Palmer had done this to make Cook
ill and prevent him going to receive the result of his
winnings. Palmer did not wish Dr. Bamford to see
Cook upon the Tuesday morning, and, spoke about Cook
being bilious at Shrewsbury. The medical meetsaid there
was not any symptoms about Cook. Palmer never said a
word about the attack upon Cook upon the Monday
night. The asking Dr. Bamford to make up the pills,
and directing the attention of Dr. Jones to the
handwriting, was a strange circumstance, and
might have been done to lull suspicion,
should any inquiry arise. There was nothing in
Palmer offering to bury Cook ; but it was strange that
when Mr. Stevens had asked Palmer to recommend him
an undertaker that Palmer had gone out and sent
ma an undertaker without having any previous
orders to do so. It was said Palmer did not flinch
from the post-mortem examination—but what did he
do ? Why, we have the extraordinary conversation
that took place on the day before Newton was sent for
by the prisoner, and he is given brandy and water, and
thee Palmer asks him how much strychnine would
kill a dog. It might be said that the strychnine was to
kill dogs with ; but it would be for the jury to
say whether they, under WI the circumstances,

Miles
oponed,l
1856.