The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-10 00:00:00

THE RUGELEY ALLEGED

POISONINGS.

Our attention has been called to some of the
many unfounded reports in circulation in this
case, and which, as they tend to keep the pub-
lic mind in a state of excitement, and are calcu-
lated to act in a way prejudicial to the accused,
we think it right to give publicity to the follow-
ing, which may be relied on as authentic :—The
reports in general circulation that Palmer had
insured his wife's life for the sum of 13,000/. is
not true—the stun being 8,0001., and it appears
that such assurance was effected to cover the
value of Palmer's interest in property at Stafford,
worth about 3001. per ann um, which property on the
death of Mrs. Palmer would revert to another family.
In this case, therefore, Palmer had a bona fide pe-
cuniary interest in hiawife's life, and that assurance
appears therefore to have been properly and
fairly made to cover the loss which her decease
would and did occasion. • We are also assured
that many of the other reports in general circula-
tion are destitute of truth. The story about the
late Lord George Bentinck seems to have no
foundation whatever, as it appears that at the
time of his lordship's death Palmer was
scarcely known on the Turf, and certainly
had no betting transactions with his lordship.
The rumour as to the supposed sudden
and mysterious death of the late Colonel
Brooke, Palmer's father-in-law, is even more
groundless, as it would seem that Palmer did not
know the Colonel, who died while Palmer was a
mere youth. Another report seems to have
gained general credence—viz., that Palmer had,
in reality, no medical qualification. We are assured
that Palmer passed through the regular course of
study and duties at St. Bartholomew's Hospital,
and that the records of Apothecaries' Hall and of
the Royal College of Surgeons will testify as to
the full medical qualifications possessed by the ac-
cused. With these and many other similar re-
ports in circulation we feel that we are
only doing right in directing the public atten-
tion to the facts now stated ; and as the pri-
soner has had no opportunity of explaining
any of the numerous charges laid at his door, we
think it will be well if these reports be received
with great caution by the public, as an act only
of justice to the accused, until he has the oppor-
tunity of meeting and answering them. The
charges in themselves are fearful enough to hear,
and we think there is a spirit in Englishmen which
desires that no man shall be unduly prejudiced
till he be placed on his trial, and justice dealt out
with an even-handed measure.

THE COUNCIL OF WAR IN PARIS.

CALMS, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
The steam-ship Vivid has just arrived here, hay.
ing on board his Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, Admiral Lyons, and Major-General
Airey eu route to Paris, to be present at the Coun-
cil of War to be held in that capital on or about
the llth instant.

On the illustrious party leaving the vessel they
were received by E. W. Bonham, Esq., her Bri-
tannic Majesty's Consul here, and the Deputy Mayor
of Calais.

After a short stay of about ten minutes his
Royal ilighness and the other distinguished indi-
viduals took their departure for Paris, a special
train having been ordered by the Emperor to be
in readiness to receive his Royal Highness and his
fellow-travellers.

A telegraphic despatch has been received announc-
ing the E afe arrival of the illustrious party in the
French metropolis.

On his Royal Highness leaving the railway car-
riage he entered one of the Imperial carriages that
had been awaiting the arrival of the train, and
proceeded to the Tuileries, where he was most
cordially received by the Emperor and Empress.
General La Marmora and several other members
of the Council have also arrived in Paris. The
gallant General is stopping at Meurice's hotel.