The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-26 00:00:00

LONDON, MON DAY EVENING, MAY 26, 1856.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

THE RUGELEY POISONINGS.

[The following appeared in part of our impression of
Saturday.]
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--I 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
❑ot 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, and 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 Rogeley leaves at five, and reaches Stafford at
8.42, but that night it reached at 8.45. It is 10 miles
from Stafford to Rugeley. That is the only way of get-
ting there 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 Paf,ons 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
wheli well. I know Pell. Cook was member of a
cricket club. Cook came one morning to meet the
hounds in his hunting 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. Ile 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 durinc, 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 ho 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 Rugeley
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 trai❑ 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 boen 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 brother in-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
Itugeley. 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 cut 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, " Hilton, what brings you here." I said I came
to see how they were getting on. Palmer was not in his
robin, 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 ; hut I could
see he was the worse for liquor. The brardy 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 be said "There's
something iu 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 into 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. Pal-
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 wa•s 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 Rtigeley, 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 out 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 had 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 Saunders 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 Saun-
ders.

Serge-int 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 wa,
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 nut 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 weok before the Shrewsbury races. He owed
me 251. He gave me 101. on account, 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 c " Liverpool for Palmer, 4nd

be 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. S. James to witness—The lotion was not to
he drank. It was at the Warwick race meeting in
1855. Cook was at Newmarket ;he lived in the same
house with me. die was present at nearly all the au-
iurpna.i Tace meetings. The Liverpool meeting was a
week before Shrewsbury, -le swallowed very well, and
that surprised me. The •nger-bread nut was a triek
nut. It was put in a' ' with some other. I have
tasted one, and they are strong.
Mr. Jeremiah Smith s.' 1;--I am an attol•ney residing
at Rugeley, and knew th- Tate Mr. Cook. I saw Mr.
Cook on the 16th of NO•iirnber at the Talbot Arms.
i
He was in bed, and hie breakfast was placed on his bed.
He had a cup of tea, with a wineglassful of brandy in
it. He drank it. I have dined in his company at
Palmer's. Oa the 16th we had dinner there ; we bad
rumpsteaks and champagne. We had port wine after
we dined. Three bottles were emptied, and Cook took
his share. We left the hou4e 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 Ewa 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'c!ock. • I had a conversation 'with
Cook on Friday afternoon. aboutracing. Palmer was
present. I asked Mr. Co9k for money—for 501. 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 *mid pay me the remainder
after the settling at Tattersall's. On the night following
(Saturday) I slept in hist;tootteit she was not well. I Went
to bed. There had belt' a concert-et-the hotel, which
made it late. In the early part of the night he was un-
well. He got some toast and water,' and was washing
his mouth and gargling his throat. I cannot say
whether he had vomited. I slep` 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." Cook 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 in with
him. I afterwards left the house, and went home.
After dining with Cook and Palmer on Friday, Tasked
them to dine with me the next day. Cook did not do
so; he sent me a note to say he was unwell. I was
at the Albion. I had a boded leg of mutton for
dinner that day ; and I sent some broth to Cook
by a charwoman named R3wley. 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
t o

The letters put in were read by Mr. Streight, the
Clerk of the Arraigns. The first was without date, and
signed "J. Parson. Cook," Monday. The following is
a copy of the letter:—
"My Dear Sir—l have been in a devil of a fix about the
bill, but have at last settled it at the cost of an extra two
guineas, for the discounter had issued a writ against
me. lam very much disgusted at it."

The letter was sent to me, but its envelops was de.
stroyed. The next letter bore date the 25th June,
1855 ; it was also without address, but witness stated
that it bad been sent to him, and he bad destroyed the
envelope. The following is a copy of the letter :
" Dear Jerry—l should like to have the bill renewed for
two months. Can it be done? Let me know by return.
I have scratched Polestar for the Nottingham and Wolver-
hampton Stakes. I shall be dikwn on Friday or Saturday.
Fred. tells me Arribas will win the Northumberland
Stakes."

The memorandum rut in and read was signed J. P.
Cook, and the following is a copy :-
"Polestar three years, Sirius two years, by way of mort-
gage to secure 2001. advanced upon a bill of exchange for
2001., dated 29th August, 1855, payable about three months
after date."

Cross-examined by the Attorney•General—He was the
Mr. Smith who took Myatt to Stafford. He ha I known
Mr. Palmer long and intimately. He bad been employed
a good deal as an attorney for Palmer. In December,
1854, he applied to him to attest a proposal for
13,0001. to be effected in the Solicitors' and General
Office, for Walter Palmer, the brother of the prisoner.
It was so long al° he could not recollect whether
or not he was applied for that purp )se. 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. tie did not know that 13,0001. was a larga 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
he had done anything since. He knew that
he 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 of pt at Mrs. Palmer's.

•
How long did the habit continue of sleeping. two or
;hree times a week at Mrs. Palmer's house ?—Several

years.

Had you your own lodgings and chambers at Ruge•
Ley ?—Yes.
Yoar own bedroom ?—Yes.

How far was your lodgings from Mrs. Palmer's house ?
Nearly a quarter of a mile.

Will you be so good as to explain why, having your
own place of abode, and your own bed-room so near to
Mrs. Palmer's, you were still in the habit of sleeping
two or three times a week for several years at the house
of Mrs. Palmer ?—Yes ; sometimes there were members
of Mrs. Palmer's family present.

Who were they ?--There was Mr. Joseph Palmer,
who resides at Liverpool ; Mr. Walter Palmer, too ;
and sometimes William Palmer.
When you went to see the members of Palmer's
family, was it too late when you separated to return to
your own lodgings?—We used to stop very late drinking
gin and water, smoking, and sometimes afterwards
playing at cards.
Then you did not go to your own lodgings ?—No.
And this continued several years two or three times
a week f—Yes.

Did you ever stay at Mrs. Palmer's house all night
when thera were no members of the family visiting ?
Ye 4, frequently.
How often ?—As mary as two or three times a week.
When there were none of Mrs. Palmer's sons there ?
—Yes.
And when the mother was ?—Yee.

. -
How often did that happen cannot ay. Some-
times two or three times a week.
When there was no one else in the house but the
lady ?—There were the mother, daughter, and servants.
You might have gone to your own home, then, for
there was no one to drink brandy and water with,
or to smoke with ?—I might have done so, but I did not.
Do you mean, then, to swear solemnly that no impro-
per intimacy subsisted between you and Palmer's
mother ?—I do. (Sensation.)
Now I will turn to another subject ; do you remem-
ber being applied to by Palmer to attest a proposal for
an insurance of 10,0001. on the life of Walter Palmer in
the Universal Life Office ?—I do not remember ; if you
have any document which will show it I shall be able
to recollect, perhaps.
Ncw, do you remember getting a 51. note for attesting
the signature of Walter Palmer's assignment of his
policy to his brother ?—I do not.
Is that your signature (banding a document to wit
ness) ?---It is very similar to it.
Is it not yours ?---I do not know. (Sensation.)
Upon your oath, sir, is not that your signature ?
Witness hesitating.
Examine the document and then tell me, on your
oath, whether that is not your signature ?—(Witness ex-
amined the document.)
'Now you have perused it, tell me is not that your sig-
nature l—Witness (hesitating)—l have some doubts
whether this is my handwriting. (Sensation.)
Have you read the whole of the document ?—I have
not.

Then do so. (Witness again perused the whole of the
paper.) Now, was that document prepared in your
office ? —lt was not.
Have you ever seen it before ?—lt is very much like
my handwriting.
That is not what I asked you. Upon your oath, have
you ever seen that document before ?—Witness (with
hesitation)—lt is very much like my handwriting. (Sen-
sation.)
I will have an answer to my question. Upon your
oath, sir, is not that your handwriting ?—I think it is
not in my handwriting. I think it is a very clever
imitation of it. (Sensation.)
Will you swear it is not in your handwriting ?—I will
swear it is not my handwriting. (Renewed sensation.)
The Attorney-General—Will your lordship please to
take a note of that answer.
Mr. Baron Alderson—Did you ever make Such an at-
testation as that in your hand do not remember.
Th.) dittorney:Cicneral::Now is that the signature of

Walter Palmer (handing a paper to witness) ?—I believe
it to be.
Is that the signature of Pratt ?—I do not know.
Did you not receive that paper from Pratt ?—I believe
I did 'not. I think William Palmer gave it to me.
Well, did he give it you ?—I don't recollect.
I repeat my question. Did William Palmer give you
that document ?—Most likely he did.
Did he, I ask again ?--It was not signed at the time.
But did be give it you. I will have an answer ?—I
have no doubt he did.
Well, then, if that document bears the signature of
Walter Palmer, and- was given to you by Wm. Palmer,
cannot you tell whether it bears your own signature or
not ?—Mr. Attorney-
-Don't " Mr. Attorney" me, answer my question.
Upon your oath is not that your handwriting ?—I be.
Hove it not to be.
you swear it is not ?—I believe it not to be.
(Great sensation.)
Now did you apply to the Midland Counties In-
surance office to be appointed agent to the company at
Ingeley ?—I
When was it ?—I should like to fetch my documents
and papers ; I should then be able to answer you accu-
rately.
Oh, never mind the papers. Was it in October, 1855 ?
—I think it was.

Did you send up a proposal for an insurance of 10,0001
on the life of Bates did.

Did William Palmer ask you to make that proposal ?
na
—Bates and Palmer came together to y office with a
prospectus, and asked me if I kne'vr whether there was
an agent for the Midland Counties Office in Rugeley. I
told hint I nbver heard of one. He asked me after.
wards if I would write and get the appointment, because
Bates wanted to raise some money.
-- Did you-sencl. -to-ilts.Midland Counties Office to get
the appointment of agent, in order that you might be
enabled to effect this insurance on Bates's life ?—I did.
Did you make the application in order to get the in-
surance effected ?--I did.
Upon the life of Bates for 10,000/.?—l did. (Sanita-
tion.) Bates was at that time superintending W. Palmer's
stu 1 and stables. I do not know at what salary. I
afterwards went to the widow of Walter Palmer to get
her to give up her claim on the policy of her husband.
She was then at Liverpool. William Palmer gave me
a letter for Pratt to take to her to sign. Mrs. Palmer
said she would like to see her solicitor about it. I
brought the document back with me because she would
not sign it. I had no instructions to leave it.
Did she give any reason for not signing it ?
Mr Sergeant Shee objected to the question.
The Attorney-General : Do you know whether Wal-
ter Palmer received anything on executing the assign-
ment of his policy to William Palmer ?—I believe he
ultimately had something.
Did he not get a bill for 2001. ?—I believe he did, and
he also got a house famished for him.
Was that bill paid ?—I do not remember.
Is that document in your handwriting [document
handed in] ?—lt is.

Now, Caving seen that document with your signature
I ask you whether you were applied to to effect an in-
surance on the life of Walter Palmer ?—I do not
recollect.

Not recolleCt ! when your own signature is staring
you in the face ?—No, I do not.
You . are an attorney, and accustomed to business

iransactions ?—I am.

Now I ask you again, were you applied to on the
subject ?—I may have been ; it is from my memory I
am speaking, and I wish, therefore, to speak as accurate
as possible. (Laughter).
I don't ask you as to your memory in the abstract,
but your memory now that it is refreshed by that do-
cument. Is that your signature ?—Witness (hesitating)
—I have no doubt it may be.
Look at that document and see whether you were
not applied to to effect the insurance t have named ?
—That is my signature.
I ask you have you any doubt that in the month of
January, 1855, you were called upon to attest another
proposal for 13,0001. on the life of Walter Palmer?—
Witness (with hesitation) ; I may have signed that
paper in blank.

Did you sign that proposal in blank ?—I might have
done so,
But did you, I ask again ?—I cannot swear I did or
did not. I have some doubt whether I did not sign se-
veral of these proposals in blank [sensation].
Upon your oath do you know that Wm. Palmer ap-
plied to you to effect an insurance for 13,0001. on the
life of his brother?—l do not remember.
_ _

Why this is a very large sum, surely you must re-
member such a transaction as this ?—I may have been
applied to on this subject,
Was you applied to to attest another proposal for an
insurance with the Universal Lifeoface ?—I cannot say
that I was,

Will you swear that when Walter Palmer executed
the deed of assignment of his policy to Wm. Palmer,
that yon were not present ? Now, be careful for you
will certainly hear of this on some future day if you are
not careful.—l cannot say that I was.
Upon your oath, did you not attest the deed of assign.
ment of Walter to his brother of his interest in the po-
licy of insurance for 13,0001. ?—I cannot say. I believe
the signature " Jeremiah Smith" is very much like my
handwriting.

I repeat the question ?—I cannot say.
Why, did you not receive a cheque for .51. for attest-
ing it ?—I think I did receive a cheque for 5/.
you not see Wm. Palmer write this upon the
counterfoil of his cheque-book Icheque•book handed to
witness] ? —Witness, with hesitation—l cannot posi-
tively swear that I did.

Did you not, sir, see him write it ?—that is William
Palmer's handwriting [referring to the cheque-book].
DJ you know that you gut a five pound cheque for
attesting that signature?-1 may have got a cheque for
51., but I may not have got it for attesting the signature
orthe document.

You say you got 2001. for-C mk-1001. from Mrs.
Palmer and 1001. from William Palmer ?—Yes, and he
gave 101. for the accommodation.
To whom ?—To William Palmer.

Do you know that the 2001. bill was given for the
purpose of enabling William Palmer to make up a sum
of 500/ ?—I believe it was not, for Cook received abso-
lutely from me 2001.
Did he nut have the money from you in order to take
up to London to pay Pratt ?—No ; he took it with him,
I think, to Shrewsbury, to the races.
Who was the bill drawn in favour of?--I think Wil-
liam Palmer.
What became of the bill ?—I do not know.

Witness—l was not present at the inquest nn Cook.
I can't say who saw me when I went to the Talbot Arms
and went into Cook's room. One of the servants gave
me a candle—either Bond, Mills, or Lavinia Barnes.
Re-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee—l have known
Mrs. Palmer 20 years. I knew her before her husband's
death. 1 should say she is 60 years of age. William
Palmer is not her eldest son. Joseph is the eldest.
He resides at Liverpool. Ile is 45 or 46 years of age. I
think George is the next son. He lives at Rugeley.
!fa was frequently at his mother's house. There is
another son, a clergyman of the Church of England.
He resided with his mother until within the last two
years, except when he was at college. There is a
daughter. She lives with her mother. There are three
servants. Mrs. Palmer's family does not visit much in
the neighbourhood of Rugeley. Her houso is a large
one. I slept in a room nearest the Old Church.
Mr. Sergeant Shee—ls there any pretence for saying
you have ever been charged with any improper intimacy
with Mrs. Palmer ?—Witness—l hope not.
Mr. Sergeant Shee—ls there any pretence for saying
so ?—Witness—There ought not to be.
Mr. Sergeant Shee—ls there any truth in the state-
ment or suggestion that you have had any improper in-
timacy with Mrs. Palmer ?—Witness—They might have
so, but there is no reason.

Mr. Sergeant Shee—ls there any truth in the state-
ment ?—Witness--I should say not.
Mr. Sergeant Shee—When did it come to ynurknow-
ledge that there was a proposal for Walter's life ?—Wit-
ness—l never heard of it until the inquest.
The court then adjourned for about 20 minutes, when
the proceedings were resumed.
W. Joseph Saunders was then called upon his subpoena,
but did not appear.
The Attorney-General said he should be extremely
sorry to commence his reply if there was any chance of
the witness making his appearance.
Mr. Sergeant Shee said he should now ask for the
production of a letter written by Cook to Palmer on Jan.
4, 1855.

' The letter, of which the following is a copy, was then
put in and read :

" Luttem (nth, Jan. 4, 1855.
"My dear Sir,—l sent up to London on Tuesday to back
St. Hubert for 501., and my commission has returned 10s.
ld. I have therefore booked 250 to 25 against him, to
gain money. There is a small balance of 181. due to you,
which I forgot to give you the other day. Toll Will to
debit me with it on account of your share of training Pyr-
rhine. I will also write to him to do so, as there will be a
balance due from him to me.—Yours faithfully,

_
" W. Palmer, Esq." " J. PARSONS COOK.
Mr. Sergeant Shee submitted that he was entitled to
reply on a part of the evidence. The course taken by
the Attorney-General on getting at the contents of the
cheque, the contents of an assignment of the policy on
Walter Palmer's life, and the contents of the proposals
to various offices for the insurance, he submitted entitled
him to a reply on those points.
The Lord Chief Justice—We are of opinion that you
have no right to reply.
Mr. Baron Alderson—That is quite clear.
_ _

Tl;e Attorney-General said he had been taken some-
what by surprise yesterday .by the evidence of Dr. Rich:
ardson, with respect to angina pectoris. Dr. Richardson
adverted to several books and authorities. He had now
those books in his possession, and was desirous of putting
some questions arising out of that part of the evidence.
The court decided against the application.
The Attorney-General then rose to reply. He said the
case for the defence and the prosecution 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 other 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 ma

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