The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-10 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

BOW-STREET.
THE ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER AT COVNEY HATCH
LUNATIC ASYLUM.—William Slater and William Vivian,
formerly employed as attendants at the Cola sy Hatch Lu-
natic Asylum, were placed at the bar, in aci:.ordance with
remand, charged with causing the death of an inmate named
William swift_
Mr. Sleigh appeared for the prosecution, raid Mr. Lewis
defended both prisoners.
It will be recollected that the defendants deny altogether
that the injuries which caused the death of deceased occur-
red while he *as in their care, but that they must have
taken place while ho was in charge of another keeper on the
Thursday previous.
The first witness called to-day was
Mr. G. S. Brent, who said—l am deputy-coroner for
Middlesex. I upon the 17th of May held an inquest on
the body of Wm. Swift, an inmate of Colney Hatch Lunatic
Asylum. The defendant Vivian was examined as a wit-
ness, and I produce his deposition.
Mr. Lewis objected to the deposition being taken :in
evidence against one of his clients. The point has not yal
been decided whether such was evidence or not.
Mr. Henry—There are decisions both ways. I shall re-
ceive it to-day, and then the question whether I have acted
properly can be decided by the judges.
The witness proceeded to read the deposition.
Mr. Lewis objected.
Mr. Henry—ls the statement one taken on oath, read
ever, and signed by the witness ?
Mr. Brent said, except in cases of murder or manslaughter,
the evidence taken at a coroner's inquest is not read over
and signed by the witness.
Mr. Henry—Then, in fact, the paper is a note and not a
deposition; and the witness (Mr. Brent) could legally
refresh his memory by referring to the paper as a note.
Mr. Lewis said, if it was not a deposition, it ought not
to be received at all.
Mr. Henry—That is the same point as you previously
raised. lam aware there are cases both ways, and I shall
receive it.
The statement was as follows :—The deceased was an in-
mate of No. 11 ward ; there are three keepers to that ward,
and forty-three patients, some of whom were violent. Oa
Thursday, at half-past one o'clock, the deceased was much
excited. On Saturday, May 12, he said he had been work-
ing very hard all night. That was in his ward, which was
a padded room. There were only two rooms in that ward,
which are padded. The deceased had not shown any
violence while he was in the ward. On Saturday
evening, about half-past six o'clock, he was seised
with an epileptic fit. I took him into the padded
room, and remained with him until it was over. Slater was
with us. I left him alone for 10 minutes to attend to other
patients. I then went with another attendant to him, and
he said he was better. I undressed him and put him to bed.
I had to attend the other patients'supper. I then took the
deceased his supper, and found him in a very low state.
I sent for Mr. Tyerman at 20 minutes to eight. I remained
until he came, which was about three minutes afterwards.
He was then dead. I know that he had a struggle in the
C ward, but did not know that he had sustained injuries.
He said nothing about his injuries. He was very talkative.
He might have been ont of sight of an attendant for a short
time. He was not, so far as I know, the subject of any
violence from any other person while he was in my ward.
By Mr. Lewis.—No deposition was signed by the wit-
' ness, or was the statement read over to him. I only took
down the portions of statements that I considered material,
not the whole. I can't say that the jury visited the differ-
ent wards before they returned their verdict. They left my
room and returned an open verdict.
William Gann—l am one of the attendants of the C ward
at Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum. The deceased man Swift
was one of the persons under my care until Thursday the
10th of May. He had been so from the Bth of March. On
the 9th of May Swift was in his bedroom, and in onsequenee
of hearing a noise I went to the door. I unlocked the door
and before I had time to speak to him Swift struck me in
the eye, and seized me by the necktie. I said " I've got
you." I found that I was being strangled. I called on
Cross, a patient, to render me assistance. I
struck Swift in the pit of the stomach, and we
fell together. I know nothing more after that until I was
released by another attendant. When I came to myself
- Swift was in bed. I did not do more than was sufficient for
self-defence. .When I recovered and got up, 1 was bleed-
ing— from the nose and mouth. We fell on our side. I did
not fall upon him or throw myself upon him. The room in
which this struggle took place was not padded. When I
locked Swift up in his bedroom, he made no complaint of
being hunt. He wished me good night as usual. I saw
him the next morning. He appeared as usual. He showed
me the bruise on the pit of the stomach, when I reported it
to the proper person. He made no allusion to the struggle
which took place between us on the previous night.
Swift used to sweep the ward out every morning,
and he came as usual that morning fur his broom. He
walked about 'and eat his breakfast and dinner as usual.
There appeared nothing the matter with him. After dinner
I took himdown and handed him over to No. 11 Ward, by
order of Dr. Tyerman, and gave him over to the attendant,
the defendant Vivian, and another named Greyer.
Cross-examined by Mr. Lewis—Swift was very excited
on the occasion he struggled with me. I think he laboured
under the delusion that he was always seeing the Queen.
When he struck me he appeared to have lost all control
over himself. I have known cases where, when the paroxysms
were over, patients have never mentioned the circumstance.
Swift was a strong powerful man, and it required great
exertion to throw him down. I have no recollection of
anything that took place after we were down together. I
,truck Swift and we both fell together. I hit him as hard
as I could. It was near the pit of the stomach. It was
not near the breast bone. The moment the blow was struck
we both fell. He had still hold of my necktie. I was in-
sensible for some time-after I fell with Swift. There are
15 or 16 wards in the asylum. No. 11 is termed the re-
fractory ward. The patients from the different wards who
are refractory are all sent to No. 11. I have never
done duty in the ward, so I cannot say whether
all the patients are refractory. I don't recollect telling the
coroner I could not recollect how we fell. When Swift
came to the Asylum in March there were traces of injuries
on the wrist. I have seen Swift sparring in the wards. I
have seen him spar with a man named Atkins. On one
occasion he got a black eye. That was in March, shortly
after his admission. I don't know either of the witnesses,
Clark or Varney, who have been examined.
Charles Read—l am an attendant. I have charge of C
ward. I recollect the 9th of May, when I was called to the
assistance of the last witness by one of the patients. When
I went into the room I saw Gann lying on the floor. Swift
had got him fast by the neck. I took hold of his hand,
and asked him twice to let go, and he did so. I told him
to get into bed, which he did. Gann and himself left the
room together, after locking the door on Swift. Gann was
bleeding at the mouth and nose. Swift appeared in a good
state when we left him. He appeared a little excited, but
did not complain of any injury. I visited him again the
same night about an hour after we locked up. He was
then in a good state, as he spoke very cheerfully, and was
not at all excited. He did not appear to be suffering from any
injury, nor did he make any complaint. I saw him next
day. He appeared in his usual health and spirits.
By Mr. Henry—Swift was raising himself up when I
first saw him. He still held Gann by the necktie.
Cross-examined by Mr. Lewis—Swift was holding Gann
down. I have been at the asylum. I have seen lunatics
ill-treated by other lunatics, and those so injured I have
known to complain of pain. I have known Swift to be
violent very often. He has never complained to me of any

injury.
By the Magistrate—There was no bedstead in Swift's
room. His bed was a mattress on the floor, with all the
clothing complete. It was a bed complete without a
bedstead.
Thomas John Ford-1 am one of the head attendants on
the male side at Colney Hatch Asylum. On Saturday, the
12th of May, the day of Swift's death, I saw him between
four and five. He was in the airing court. He appeared
in his ordinary health and spirits, I know the padded

ANNOYING MR. DISTIN.—Giulio Barrafaldi, an Italian,
formerly in the band of the 60th Rifles, was charged be-
fore Mr. Tyrwhitt with creating a disturbance at the house
of Mr. Distin, musical, instrument maker, 9, Great New-
port-street.
It appeared that the accused, a man of a very excitable
temperament, had been in the habit, for some past, of
going to Mr. Distin's shop, and causing great annoyance,
on one occasion it taking four constables to remove him.
The porter of St. Martin's Workhouse (Brennan) said
the prisoner had been an inmate of the house, and was very
troublesome. He understood he had been in the band of
the 60th Rifles, and received his discharge.

Mr. Tyrwhitt raid he supposed having been a musician,
end being a man of an excitable disposition, and aforeig,ner,
he had been attracted to Mr. Distin's shop by the instru-
ments. He thought he had bettor be taken to the work-
house and the authorities there could see the Sardinian Am-
bassador, the man being an Italian, and, perhaps, he would
have him sent home.

A➢ir. Albert having acted as interpreter, and explained the
case to the man, he was taken away by a constable to the
office of the Strand Union.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

READING RACES-THURSDAY.

The Caversham Stakes (Handicap) of 3 sovs each, with 25
added. Three-quarters of a mile.

Spicebox, 3 yrs, Bst 4lb (Fordham) 1
Artist, 4 yrs, 7st 41b
Lizzie filly, 2 yrs, 6st 71b (Pringle) 3

The following also ran :—Lucky Lad, Yooicks, Carlotta,
and Podarces.

Betting-3 to 1 agst Yooicks, sto 1 agst Spicebox, and
6to 1 each agst Carlotta and Podarccs. Won by a length
and a half ; a bad third.
The Thames Handicap of 5 sovs each, with 50 added, for
3-yr-olds and upwards. About one mile and three
quarters.
Watersprite, 3 yrs, 7st 21b (Perry) 1
Simla, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (Challoner) 2
Ipswich 3 yrs, 6st 121 b (Adams) 3
The following also ran :—Timandra, Paleface, Eheu,
Czarina, and Merrimac.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Timandra, sto 1 aget Simla, and 7
to 1 each aget Watersprite and Merrimac. Won by two
lengths; Ipswich was a bad third.
The Whitley Stakes (Handicap) of 10 sovs each, with 50

added. One mile.

Sherborne, 3 yrs, 6st 121 b (Drewe) 1
Rising Sun, 3 yrs, 7st 91b (Custance) 2
Twilight, 4 yrs, Bst 81b (Grubb) 3
The following also ran—Curlew, Traducer, The Nun,
and Magic.
Betting-3 to 1 agst Curlew, 4to 1 each agst Traducer
and Twilight, and 6 to 1 each agst Sherborne and Rising
Sun. Won by two lengths; the same distance between the
second and third.

The Stand Plate (Handicap) of 100 soya. Half a mile.
Brine, by the Nob, 3 yrs, 6st 41b (Grimshaw) 1
Zitella, 4 yrs, 7st 71b (Page) 2
Pomona, 3 yrs, 7st 41b
The following also ran :—Little Gerard, Tiara, Fravola,
Griffin, Von Stroom, Buttercup, Queen of the May, Dul-
cibella, Artist, Mushroom, Raffle, Diadem, King of Kent,
Foxhead, Maid of Honour, Camerino, Chiffonniere,
Chriemhilda, Julio, and Parapet.
Betting-6 to 1 agst Tiara, Bto 1 each agst Pomona and
Raffle, 10 to 1 each agst Little Gerard, Zitella, and Julio,
12 to 1 each agst Fravola and Camerino, 16 to 1 each agst
Brine and Foxhead, and 25 to 1 each Buttercup and Queen
•f the May. Won by a length and a half ; a head between
second and third. _ .

-----
The Forbury Stakes (handicap) of 3 sous each, with 25

added. One mile.

Vouralak, by Mildew, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (Edwards) 1
Comquot, 6 yrs, 7st 121 b (Fordham) 2
Tumult, 2 yrs, 6st 101 b (Grimshaw) 3
The following also ran :—Carlotta, Sunbury, Joyeuse,
Miss Sarah, Boisterous, Holdersyke, and c by Filbert.
Betting-3 to 1 agst Comquot, 4to 1 agst Tumult, and
sto 1 each agst Sunbury and Boisterous. Won by four
lengths, the same between the second and third. The
winner was sold to Mr. Angell for 210 guineas.
The Reading Stakes of 15 sous each, 50 added, for two-yr-
olds ; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 51b. Half a mile.
Conqueror (Payne) 1
Fairwater
Little Lady (51b extra) (French) 3
Selina filly and Brown Duchess also ran.
Betting—Even Fairwater, and 4 to 1 each age Con-
queror, Brown Duchess, and Little Lady. Won by two
lengths; three lengths between the second and third.
The Selling Stakes of 3 sous. each, with 25 added, for all
ages. Half a mile:
Tartlet, 2 yrs g 205 (Parsons) 1
Launcelot Gobbo, 2 yrs (£2O)
Contention, 5 yrs (ao) (Snowden) 3
The following also ran :—Crocus, Mellona, Gillyflower,
Mushroom, Buttercup, Ararat, and Corfu.
Betting-5 to '2, agat Gillyflower, 4to 1 each agat Mel-
lona and Corfu, and 5 to 1 agst Tartlet.
Won by three quarters of a length, and the same dis-
tance separated the second and third. The winner was
bought in for 180 guineas.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER—THURSDAY.
There was but very little doing to-day. 7 to 2 was takes.
agst Thormanby for the St. Leger, and 20 to 1 was taken
about Cape Flyaway. Nothing of importance was done on
the Ebor Handicap. Defender seems a little out of favour,
12 to 1 being offered. The Baronet and Springwell were
added to the number of horses backed, 20 to 1 b Sing taken
about each of them. Closing prices :

GREAT EBOR HANDIC.AP.
]0 to 1 agst Gladiolus (taken)
10 to 1 agst Underhand (taken)
11 to 1 agst Pax (taken and offered)
12 to 1 agst Defender (offered)
14 to 1 agst Horace (taken)
14 to 1 agst Moorhen (taken)
15 to 1 agst First Lord (taken)
'2O to 1 agst The Pedlar (taken)
20 to 1 agst The Baronet (taken)
20 to 1 aget Springwell (taken)
sr. LEGER.
7to 2 agst Thormanby (taken)
7to 2 agst The Wizard (offered)
12 to 1 agst Sweetsauce (offered)
12 to 1 aget Wallace (offered)
20 to 1 agst Cape Flyaway (taken)
100 to 1 agst Vanquisher (taken)

THIS DAY'S SHIPPING.

LONDON, Aug. 10.—Wind this day at noon—Westerly ;
light breire and fins weather.
FALMOUTH, Aug. 9.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Maid of
the Mill, from Marseilles. Sailed—Sultana Riena, for
Sagua la Grande.
SOUTHAMPTON, Aug. 9.—Wind W.N.W.—Sailed—
Magdalena, steamer, for the Brazils ; Stadocana, for
Quebec.
PLYMOUTH, Aug. 9.—Wind W.—Arrived—Her Ma-
jesty's ship Esk, for New Zealand.
PORTSMOUTH, Aug. 9.—Wind W.N.W.—Arrived—
Her Majesty's steamer Himalaya, from Dublin. Sailed--
Egyptian, for Quebec.
Cow's, April 9.—Wind N.W.—Sailed—Sea Nymph,
for Port Natal.
LRITH, Aug. 9.--Wind N.W.—Sailed—Margaret, for
Quebec.
CARDIFF, Aug. 9.—Wind N.W.—Arrived—Carthage-
nian, from Newport.
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
SOUTHAMPTON, Friday Morning.

Wind W.S. W.
Arrived, August 9—Rainbow, from Seaham ; Messina,
steamer, from Alexandria ; Havre, steamer, from Havre ;
Dispatch, steamer, from Jersey ; Temora, steamer, from
London.
Sailed—Stadocana, for Quebec ; Magdalena, steamer, for
Brazils ; Temora, steamer, for Dublin ' • Courier, steamer,
for Jersey ; Argyll, steamer, for Carentan ; Sif, for Elsi-
nore.

(BY SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TELEGRAPH.)
GRAVESEND, Friday Morning.
Wind W. ; tide three hours' ebb ; weather fine.
Arrived, Aug. 10—Neptune, from St. Vincent; Loch
Lamar, from Matanzas.

DEAL, Friday morning,

Wind W.N.W., moderate.
Passed—Asol, screw steamer, from the Mediterranean
for London.

COLLISION ON THE CALEDONIAN RAILWAY.—A
collision occurred at an early hour on Tuesday morning on
the Caledonian Railway near Edinburgh. Official infor-
mation was declined, but we understand that the collision
took place not far from Slateford, between the night mail
train from the south and the goods train. The mail train,
which is due at Lothian road about half an hour after mid-
night, was rather late, and dashed into a train of goods
trucks which were being shunted on to the Haymarket
station. Alarming rumours were abundant about the re-
sults of the accident, but we believe the most serious injury
is that one gentleman, a passenger in the mail train, had
his leg fractured, and another passenger was severely
bruised. Others were injured, but not to any serious
extent,---scoteman,