The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-12 00:00:00

Mr. John Gay said —I am -a surgeon, and reside at Swin-
don. I recollect being sent for by Mr. and Mrs. Plummer.
It was on Aug. 27. I immediately went to their house, and
I arrived about 11 in the morning. I saw Mr. and Mrs.
Plummer. The children were afterwards introduced. We
were all seated, and the eldest child (the defendant) was
told to tell me all about Mr. Hatch's conduct.
[The witness then related the conversation.] After giving an
aecount of his medical examination of the children he pro-,
ceeded—l was never betrothed to the child that I am aware
of. She always appeared to me a good and truthful child.
They have Deen carefully aLtwutivu w, ana kept very
reserved.

Cross •exaAlined by Mr. Edwin James—l have never
dined at Mr. Plummer's. The mother first told me a por-
tion a the case. She questioned the child in my presence.
She commenced by asking the question what Mr. Hatch did
to her. I swear that before the child answered the ques-
tion the mother did not tell me of the indecencies.
The witness was here seized with a fainting fit, and stag-
gered back in the box. After a few minutes he recovered,
but his cross-examination was postponed for a short time.
Baron Channell—lt is a great pity something cannot be
done to prevent the heat in oourt. It is quite oppressive.
Mr. James Pratt, sen.—l am an attorney, and carrying
on business at Wootton Bassett. I have been for some
time the adviser of Mr. and Mrs. Plummer. I was
sent for on the 27th of August last. I went imme-
diately. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Plummer and the children
in a very distressed state. Mrs. Plummer said her
children had been ill-treated at school, and she wished me
to investigate the circumstances. I then examined the
children as to the mode of ill-treatment, and the elder girl
made a statement to me. [The witness here repeated the
child's statement.] After I heard what she said I consi-
dered with Mr. and Mrs. Plummer with respect to the
charge. The result was- that I came to London and saw
Mr. HunAphreys. I then returned to the country, and
received a letter from Mr. Huniphrer, and then a letter
was written to the Bishop.
Cross-examined—I arrived at Plummer's after Mr. Gay
had been there. Nothing was drawn up in writing. Up
to the time of Mr. Hatch's resignation at Wandsworth I
conducted the case for Plummer. I drew up the particu-
lars and went with them the next der to Mr. Plummer's
trustees. Holcroft-house is a beautiful place.
By Sergeant Shee—The trustees I speak of were those
under Mr. and Mrs. Plummer's marriage settlement. I
tneww
never thought the child other than a good conducted child.
l:liolly in this rn. laValterPis caseratt— in October,lamaselicitor, the son of the last
wiss, and resided at
interviews
Sin d
thoni.
I war first engaged pro-
fesamfterse. fatheriletyoh. A
hadfter those
given
it up. l had two
interviews Mr. Hatch came to Ridley's Hotel. Mrs. Hatch
came with him. She afterwards left the room at my re.
quest. I believe Hatch knew I held a warrant for his
apprehension. After she left I told him I thought I had
authority to state that it was the wish of the parents that
the poor child should not be exposed, sad as he had resigned
his living and involved himself in ruin, that the
case had gone fax enough, and if he would confess
his guilt and apologise to Mrs. Plummer, there would
be an end of the matter. He refused. We were all very
much affected at the circumstance, and I cannot recollect
the precise order of the conversation. There, however, was
an observation that he made that produced a great impres-
sion in my mind, and I recollect it perfectly. After we
had been talking, Mr. Hatch said, " Well, I hope you will
deal as leniently as yen can with me. I am mad or was
mad." I cannot swear positively whether it was "I am
mad " or " was mad," one or the other I am certain it was.
By Mr. Edwin James—l certainly asked the policeman if
he could, consistently with his duty, allow Mr. Hatch to re-
main in his own house until Monday. I did not wish to
be exposed.
The Rev. John Brighton—l am a clergyman of the
Church of England. I have been in the habit of educating
children. The child, Eugenia Plummer, was with me two
years before I left for Ireland. She was an exceedingly
simple-minded child. She was very truthful; and during
the whole time she was with me I never had any fault to
find with her. I taught her to regard truth and religion.
During the time she was with me she was a very good
child. She never came into my bedroom. Certainly not.
By Mr. Edwin James—l don't know exactly how old she
was. I think she was about eight years of age when she
first came to me. It is three years ago since she quitted my
esta
tobli since.
I d.on'tkl: how many sohools she has
been

Taylor, 212 V, said—l had a warrant placed in my hands
for the apprehension of Mr. Hatch on the 29th of October.
I heard nothing of him until the 12th of November, whoa
I found him at Ridley's Hotel. I found Mr. Pratt, jun.,
with Mr. and Mrs. Hatch, and I took him into custody. In
going
-station he asked me the
Plummer, and there was another
for said the warrant was for
?" I said no doubt it will be read to you on Mon-
day. He said, " What is the punishment ?" I said if the
al )n re ci
assaultassaulting
t on a the
t oun nature
e N
a the Vo af
girlut s
hsister. ew
namedrt h
charge.
PHeCan I
sae
that
infor-
mation
ce
case was proved the magistrate could give him six months.
Cross-examined—l went to Ridley's by appointment with
Mr. Pratt.

Mr. Gay recalled—The mother sail she could not tell me
what it was, it was teoshooking. The whole story told me
was in answer to questions put by Mrs. Plummer. I can.
not say whether the younger child was there all the time,
but she was part of the time. Mrs. Plummer asked such
questions as " What did he do ? "
Re-examined by Sergeant Shea—The questions put by
the mother were such as the following, " What did Mr.
Hateh do to you ?" She did not put questions that would
convey their own answer. I have frequently had
fairitiug fits b9f9re, I knew that the shorthand-writer