The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-24 00:00:00

CHILD MURDER IN NETVGATE.

A singular case of child murder has been brought under
the notice of Mr. William Payne, the City coroner, at an
inquest held in the chaplain's-room of Newgate Prison, on
the body of an infant girl, named Mary Jane Baker, aged
4 months. The deceased was the daughter of a young

woman very ignora,nt, and who could neither read nor

write. She had never been brought up to any
occupation. Though she was but 25 years of age,
she bad been frequently convicted of trying to
pass bad money. Last October, while undergoing a sen-
tence of eighteen months' imprisonment for that offence
in the Westminster House of Correction, she gave
birth to the deceased child. Shortly after the birth of
the child her sentence expired, and she was liberated.
During the latter part of the month another charge of
passing bad money was brought against her, and she was
tried on the 2nd of December at the Central Criminal
Court, and having been found guilty, was sentenced to five
years' penal servitude. Dr. John IL. Gibson, the
prison surgeon, deposed that when he was called
into the prisoner's cell on Monday morning, and when
he saw the child lying dead he said to the prisoner,
"How did this happen?" She replied, "I pressed it
against my breast, and I meant to do it until it was
dead." lie told her that be would be obliged to tell the
prison authorities what she had stated, and she said, " I
will tell them myself." There was no mark of violence
upon the body, but the post mortem examination
sheaved that the deceased had died from the effects of
suffocation. The unfortunate woman was called into
the court by order of the coroner. The depositions of
the other witnesses were read over to her, and she was
asked if she had any question to ask the witnesses.
She replied, " N o ; I have done it, and I am very sorry.
for it." A verdict of " Wilful Murder" against her was
returned.

LAW AND POLICE,

-P --

THE POST OFFICE DIRECTORY.—In the Vice-Chancellor's
Court, on Tuesday, before Vice-Chancellor James, a case
was heard in which Mr. Kelly, of the Post Office Direc-
tory, sought to ;strain an infringement of his copyright
by the publishers of the "Architects, Engineers, and
Building Trades Directory." Mr. Kelly had obtained an
injunction ex parte during the long vacation. The
defendants had put in an answer denying the charge of
piracy, stating that they employed fifty persons for
personal canvass, besides 800 local correspondents. The
case was not concluded.

A PRETENDED OFFICER OP THE CHANCERY COURT.—
,At the Marlborough-street Police-court Charles Hill was
charged with fraud. The prisoner, it will be remembered,
represented himself as an officer of the Court of Chancery,
and by telling persons that property left to them was in
the jurisdiction of the court, be obtained money for fees.
The magistrate remarked that it was astounding that
London people should be so readily taken in, and remanded
the prisoner.
REFRESHMENT HOUSES.— On Tuesday the keeper of a
refreshment and lodging - house was summoned at
the Thames Police Court for having infringed
the Public-house Closing Act of 1864, by keeping open
between the hours of one and four in the morning.
The magistrate held that the duty of proving that
the persons served were not lodgers rested with the police,
and as they were unable to do so, the summons was
dismissed.

ROBBERY BY RAILWAY OFFICIALS.—Four men, em-
ployed on the Midland Railway as engine driver, goods
guard, stoker, and pointstuan, were charged at Chester-
field with stealing seven quarts of port wine at the Stretton
siding. It seems that, owing to frequent robberies from
the goods trains on this line, two detectives were employed,
who captured the prisoners. The bench having heard the
evidence, committed all the men for trial, and refused
bail.

DEATIT OF BARONESS GRAY OF GRAY.—We have
to record the death of Madelina, Baroness Gray of Gray,
which occurred suddenly at Edinbunth on Saturday last.
DEATH OF A NAVAL VETERAN.—WC have to
annonnce the death of the oldest officer in the navy, viz.,
Admiral Davies. He was the only survivor of Lord
Howe's action on the glorious Ist of June, and died at
Bath, on Sunday last, in his 91st year. lie preserved his
senses to the last, and was highly esteemed by all whc
knew him.
COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS.—A short measure
has been prepared by Mr. Norwood, Mr. Akroyd, and
Mr. Mundella fur facilitating proceedings in the county
courts. It simply provides, that actions for goods sold
and on bills of exchange may be brought in the district
where the plaintiff carries on business, and extends tc
county courts the Bills of Exchange Act, 1855, in all case:
in which the sum mentioned in the bill or note exceeds .e!
in amount, and is not payable by instalments. Judgment
may be bad in default after personal service in certair
cases. -