The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SAtuADALY kVErlittiG, oCfol3.Eli §5,

THE LATE DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT
THE ROYAL SURREY GARDENS.

THE INQUEST.

[The following► appeared in part of our impression of
yesterday :—]
The inquiry into the deaths of the unfortunate indivi-
duals who lost their lives on SunOay evening last, at the
Royal Surrey Gardens, was resumed yesterday morning at
the Newington Workhouse, before Mr. Carter, coroner,
and the jury impannelled on Tuesday last.
Mr. Spurgeon was not present at the commencement,
though he bad been summoned to attend.
The jury having answered to their names, the follow-
ing additional evidence was taken :

Mr. C. W. C. Otway, surgeon, 7, Canterbury-row,
Newington-road—About 7 o'clock en Sunday evening
last I was summoned by Police-constable 333 P to go
to the Surrey-gardens, where a dreadful accident bad
happened. I immediately went there and found great
confusion in every direction. On arriving mid-way be-
tween the entrance of the Garden and the entrance of
the Hall, my attention was called to a female lying on
the grass surrounded by a number of persons. I ex-
amined her ; she was breathless, and she bad no pulsa-
tion in any part. Her countenance was very suffused
and puffy. I detected no particular external injury on
her person. I listened at her chest, and was about
to make further inqairies when I was called off
to examine another person. The first person
was Mrs. Skepper. She was about two yards from
the first female. She was not breathing, but
I felt her pulse and heart beating. I directed the bye.
standers to raise her a little, and loosen her dress, which
was done. I was then pulled away to another female at
the other side of the garden, and I never saw Mrs.
Skepper after. I found the third person dead. I think
the second female I saw in the garden. I was very
much distressed at the sight, and when called away
from the second female I looked round and seeing a
medical friend of mine there I asked him to attend
to her. Superintendent Lund then desired me to re-
main by his side whilst the bodies were brought and
laid on a table at the north-west end of the building.
I believe the first brought was a female, Mrs. Bar-
low. She appeared to have been brought from upstairs.
She was dead, her face was very livid, with the chin
forced down on the chest. The bone of her stays was
forced through her dress and was pressing on her mouth
and nose. I opened her dress and removed the stay
bone. I then felt her heart, and I said this woman is
dead. My impression at the time was, that beside the
suffocation she had injured her bead at the top of the
spinal column. I have since examined her body, and
found a contusion on the right side of the head. She
died from suffocation by the head being pressed down
on the chest, and a physical impediment caused thereby
to the introduction of air into the lungs. Noticing the
female was in the family way when she wes placed on the
tahle,l afterwards came to the workhouse in cam pany with
Mr. Stower, a medical wan, and it wa, decided that the

Caesarean Pperation should be performed. Mr. Gannon,
a medical man operated, and a full sr-.w•n male child was

taken from her—the child wal (lead. I believe the
next person I saw was Heard, a large powerful man ; he
was brought from up stairs, and was dead ; his head was
forced down on his chest, as in the case of Mrs. Barlow;
his face was suffused and livid ; I did not detect any
particular external injury on Lis person ; ho died from

suffocation from pressure on the brain. I thought at the
time he had broken his neck, and on a hasty examina-
tion I well unable to Fay if his neck was dislocated ; he
was bleeding from the back of his head as if he had
fallen, a-d there were marks( r bruises on his chest ; the
wound at the hack of the head was a contused wound.
Tao females were then placed on the to.ble, bu!: I don't
know where they were brought from ; Mr. Marshall
attended to one of them. Their names were John-
son sod Matthews. Johnson was in a state of syncope,
and she was attended to by Mr. Marthall. Matthews
I examined, and fowl,' her dead. Her e.r.lnte::ance was

more 'livid than the others. I (erected no personal in-
jury ; And my (pinion is that she also died of suffna-
tion. I afttrwsris ea.v Johnson, arid found her dead.
Iler ccunterance was pailid. One of them was bruised
about ti e faN-. I htlieve ail three rreons lest their
lives by snifccaticp, through compression.
By the Forein2.n—Probab'y had received a blow that
might have pra!)Eed him, but it was cot the cause of
death.

By the C“roner—They all lost their lives by violence.

Witness—l believe the boy who fell from the stairs webs
not killed. On Sunday evening a person called at my
house and wished me to attend a boy who had severely
inj;ired himself from falling down a staircase.
Mr. FaHager—We have a letter from the mother of
the boy, stating he is not dead.
The Coroner—l believe a policeman has seen the
mother of the boy, and mcartained he is not irjared,
and that he was at work yesterday in the City.
Mr. John Hedge, examined o❑ Tuesday—On Sunday
evening la.q I went to the Surrey Hall to bear Mr.
Spurgeon preach, and I stood during the whole of the
evening in front of the orchestra, close to the foot of the
pulpit. I faced the audience, and could see every part
of the hall, which was densely crowd ...J. I was at, the
gardens at a quarter past 4 o'clock, and assisted in
Braking arrangements, with the police, to pre-
serve order. I did it at the request of the deacons of
Park-street Chapel, who wished good order to be kept.
Mr. Spurgeon entered the pulpit about half-past (3
o'clock: when strvice coal:nem:oi by singing, reading
the scriptures, and prayer. At the close of the prayer
there was great confusion near the entrance door (the
centre door), occasioned by persons rushing out of the
Place—about a dozen or twenty at iiret—from the body
of the hall, occasioned, I believe, by a person or persons
calling out "Fire."
The Coroner—Why do you believe it ?
Witness—:Pecam e I heard it, and a cry that the
"galleries are fading."
By the Coroner—Did you hear the word fire dis-
tinctly used !
Witness—Yes, sir, mare than cues.
By the Coroner—Can you say whence the sounds
came ?

Witness—First from the door at the main entrance,
when I heard at the same time a little bell tinkle. The
cry of fire was re-echoed immediately, exactly opposite,
and apparently after from three or four parts of the
ban. As soon as one person cried "fire," it Wa3 re-
peated by the others. The tinkling of the bell iaas
answered at the opposite side of the ba!l by the tinkling
of another bell, And another rush took place, accompa-
nied with the cry of " the galleries are falling."
By the Coroner—What effect did this have on the
people ?

Witness—lncreased confusion—dreadful—every body
appeared in commotion. All rose up extremely agitated.
By the Coroner—Can you identify any of the persona
who raised the cries ?

Witness—l don't think I can, but I saw several per-
sons standing up at the end of the hall put their hands
to their mouths and cry, "The galleries are falling."
Tbey nscd their hands as a trumpet to convey the sound
as far as possib:o.

By Mr. Holland—You say the confmion appeared
before the cries ?

were
er s
shouting the
Witness—Yes, about a dozen or so rushing out of the
main door ; the more the men cried the more
con-
fusion. I at first thought it was somepeo
n being
o
removed in a fainting fit. When they w
" fire," I saw a man take a chair and go round the hall
and sma"h the glass in the windows and doors,against
which barriers had been placed to prevent exit during
the service to create additional confusion.
By a Juryman—How were they barricaded ?
Witness—On the outside. When I saw the rush was
general I went to the N. W. staircase, and there saw the
bodies lifted on the leads, as described by me in my evi•
deuce on Tuesday last. I thought at first the confusion
emanated from persons desirous of plundering.
By a Juryman—l am satisfied the tinkling noise I
heard was made by a bell, and not from the rattling of
the drops of a glass chandelier.
By the Foreman—l am glad you were so self-possessed
at the time, Mr. Illedge, because there are a few ques-
tions I wish to have answered. What is your impression
as to the breaking of the glass—was it to give additional
modes of exit cr to create confusion ?
Witness—To create confusion.

Foreman—From your information, do you Wie.re
there was a preconcerted arrangement to create con-
fusion?

Witness—Yes.
Foreman—Did you feel alarm at the time ?
Witness--Yes, a little when I heard the cry " the
galleries are falling."
By a Juryman—When the first confusion occurred
did you hear screams ?

\Vitt-less—l don't think I did—l'm not certain. The
deacons had no idea any disturbance would arise' or
that any opposition would be shown to Mr. Spurgeon's
preaching. Mr. Spurgeon bad no idea of the murder3us
work that was going on in the stairs. fie wal only
aware of it when I went and informed him, and he
remained in the pulpit addressing the people in
the pan.c. I and others had to
the hopes of allaying
drag him out cf the pulpit.
By the Jury—Mr. Spurgeon acted very properly.
Mr. Wm, Soamee, engraver, of Finchleproad, Wal.

worth—l was at the Surrey-hall on Sunday evening last.

The disturbance commenced about the middle of the
second prayer. I stood under the gallery immediately
opposite the main entrance. At that time a rush took
place into the lobby from the gardens, which produced
a bustle in the hall, followed immediately by screaming
in that vicinity, and a general looking round to that
spot. The word "Fire" arose more as a matter of in-
quiry than an alarm, and immediately like a stream it
flaw across the hall like a flash. Suddenly the avenue
gates were opened, and there was a rush producing a
sound as if a fire-engine were coming. Then the panic
arose. I had not then heard the tinkling of bells, but I
did occasionally the breaking of chandeliers. A general
alarm spread through the building—all appeared to get
out of their seats and trample over one another, from a
desire to escape. I assisted in breaking the glass in the
windows (but not with a chair) to give additional means
of exit. If it had not been done more lives would
have been lost. When I was breaking the glass
a person came up to me and said, "Be quiet,
don't do that, but trust in God." I replied
that I quite agreed with him in that sentiment, but at
the same time I considered myself justified in what I
was doing, in giving additional facilities to escape. I
do not believe the disturbance arose from a preconcerted
measure, but from the foolery of opening the avenue
doors when the hall was full. The panic arose from an
accidental and unforeseen circumstance. I did not see
any one put his hand to his mouth and call " fire."
Mr. Isaac John Barrett, master of the Spa Wood
Grammar School—l was at the Surrey Hall on Sunday
evening in company with my wife. I stood with my
face to the audience, about three yards in front of the
pulpit. During the second prayer there was breathless
silence, and I distinctly heard the tinkling of the drops
of the gas chandelier and a rumbling sound of feet as if
stamping at the main entrance, simultaneous with
another such sound at the north-east entrance, accom-
panied with the breaking of glass. I bad not
then heard the word " fire." From the manner in
which Mr. Spurgeon addressed the audience in
prayer I thought a disturbance might occur, He
said, "There were a great many mealy-mouthed
ministers who were afraid to use the word hell to ears
polite, but that he should use it a great many times that
night i❑ the course of his address. His master Christ
seldom spoke of heaven, but of hell." Immediately on
hearing that a thought crossed my mind that a disturb-
ance might arise. I believe the disturbance arose from
a preconcerted plan by the opponents of Mr. Spurgeon.
When the confusion commenced Mr. Spurgeon desired
the audience to be quiet—it was only "pickpockets."
I saw an old schoolfellow of mine named Young, who
has a wooden leg, go into tho pulpit. He said " they
must be aware of the expense incurred in engaging the
hall, and that as they had not been able during the
confusion to collect as much as they anticipated, he
1 should feel obliged is the remaining portion of the
laudience if they would subscribe as they went out." I
do not attribute the dnturbance to anything Mr.

Spurgeon said.
Saperintendent Ltind—l went to the Surrey Gardens
at half•past 5 o'clock on Sunday evening in consequence
of an application for eight policemen, and that Mr.
Spur; eon would preach there. I went there as a matter
of duty. On my arrival I found at least 15,000 persons
assembled. I took up my position at the gates of the
'rent entrance uneit five minutes past 6. A large num-
ber of persons brit been admitted, and then there was a
large r umber remaining outside. I left the entrance
gates and made my way to the N.W. Tower. I en-
tered and 'saw the halt and galleries tolerably full. I
returned by the main entrance where a nun.ber of per-
sons were entering. I considering they would fill the
hail, and on meeting one of the deacons, I told him the
hall was pretty well full, and that I should take the
responsibility of closing the goes. I locked them, and
left three Policetnen at the gates to intimate to the people
that the hall was full. I returned into the ball, went
throng,ll the body of the hall and into the orchestra, and
took up a standing eaesit ion on the left hand side of the
, pulpit, which gave me a command of the whole build-
ing. The service had net then commenced. There were
between 5,000 avid 6,000 persons in the body of the hall,
comprising goon, women, and children. There were a
great neaely children, and a very large proportion of
women, in the body of the hall. The three galleries
were pretty full, but I don't think there were so many
Tee on the Alboni night, when 13,000 persons were
I present ; there was walking room round the first
\ gallery behind the seats, but I could not see how
full the others were. I ehou'd think there
were about 1,400 persons in the first gallery. The
other galleries appeared to be full. The service opened
about hall•past six with a hymn, followed by a prayer,
and what Mr. Spurgeon said appeared to have a great
effect on the female por:ion of the audience. He said,
"There may be some daughters here who have erred
from the paths of virtue, and may have brought their
father' grey hairs with sorrow to the grave." There
was great eobbitig and cryeag amongst the females. He
continued his prayer, saying, " What a glorious night
is this." I then saw two men, and a la•l about 16 or 17
and considerably ehorter then the other two, rise up in
the body of the hall, immediately oppobite the grand
entrance. One of them held up his arms and called
out what I believe to ha " fire, fire." The cry was
immediately repeated, and it is impossible to de
scribe the scene that ensued. I jumped down from
the orchestra. There was a tremendous rushing, and I
heard the greatest noise at the north-west gallery. I
saw no one attempt to arrest the parties who raised the I
alarm. Ir appeared to be a general panic after the first
alarm. I don't think I should know the party again
—I may say certainly net. The hall was lighted inside
as usual, and there were 801113 lights on the outside. I
could see no cause for the origin. of the cry of " Fire."
I put Mrs. Lund, who was with me, out at the south-
east door, and I then proceeded to the north-west
door. The first thing I sa v was a respectable female,
with her face fearfully cut. I assisted her to Mr. Tyler's
office, and she afterwards left in a cab. On my return I
was informed SODAS one was lying dead on the flats of
the refreshment rooms. I returned immediately, and
then saw the balustrade was down, and six or
seven people had fallen over to the bottom ; one
wan's leg was broken. The people were rushing down
the staircase ; bet they made way for me to ascend by
the side nearest the wall. On the matting of the first
gallery, inside the door, I saw a female lying dead, but
I can't identify her as being one of the deceased. lam
certain three dead bodies of females were brought down
stairs. I lifted the window a little, anal I saw two
women, and as I came down the stairs I saw a man
lying on the fiats dead. I afterwards sent some police
to the spot, who brought :ho bodies down, and they
were all found to be dead. It was my impression at the
time that the disturbance arose from the opponents of
Mr. Spurgeon, and that it arose by preconcertion, but
certainly not by them. As such I reported to the Secre-
tary of State ; but I have since bad cause to alter my
opinion. I did not hear of a single pocket handkerchief
having been stolen. The gates were closed at 10 minutes
past 6 o'clock. After that Sergeant Coppin went out-
side, and there saw a number of sw it mobsmen. Their
practice is to go into a building with the tail end of the
people. The gates were closed 20 minutes before the
appointed time. I have not heard of anything being
stolen. I should have thought fonr policemen sufficient
for security inside, but as Mr. Spurgeon's friends asked
for more, he had them. If I had not been applied to I
should have sent three or four men. About 13 or 14
persons were picked up at the bottom of the stairs.
By the Foreman—l have formed a different view as
to the cause of the panic from my first impression, and
as I am prosecuting inquiries I must decline giving my
change of opinion, and the causes for it. There were
28 policemen present on the Alboni night.
By Foreman—How were the policemen disposed on
Sunday evening I
Witness—Sergeants Coppin and Varney were inside.
The others were about the building and at the end
of the staircases.
Foreman—Was there a man stationed at this stair.
case

Witness—l believe so.
Foreman—Do you know who was there
Witness—l don't recollect ; but I can ascertain.
Foreman—Wouhl it not be the duty of a man sta-
tioned at a particular spot to remain there I
Witness—Not in this inetaace, because the instruc.
tions are general.
Foreman—l consider we should have the man before
us who was stationed there, because he must have seen
the accident.
Mr. Superintendent Lund —I will make inquiries
and let you know if a p )I.iceman was at the bottom of
the stairs at the time.
tosay
Witnessth that up
a question put to him,
cry of fire, the immense concourse of persons was orderly,
and there was no indication of a disturbance likely to
occur. a
aßy J ryman-1 heard no tinkling of bells or of
glass. I heard no screams previous to the panic.
By Mr. Holland—Do you think the breaking of the
chandeliers might be taken for that of bells?
‘l,
police-constable 333 P—l was on duty
John" n e s a—r
n- Y e eye,
.
on Sunday evening at the front gates. Persons rushed
cut crying " Fire !" and from what they said to me
I fetched a surgeon. On returning I
the building. The witness then repeated thweeetvitideianctoe
given by him on Tuesday with reference to the identity
of the bodies. The gates were burst in from Pentou-
There were more than
a thdpeeraslm wasoarr,sintilegiven. gardens who could not gain
n
admission into the body of the hall.
Evidence was then taken to complete the identity of
Mrs. Mead, which was not completed on the former
day, and where le:r death tock place.
*Robert, Paine Grace, 14 years of age, residing at 11,
Lyndhurst-grcve, Lyndhurst-road, Peckham—l was at
the Surrey-gardens on Sunday evening, in the third gal.
lery on tt,e left hand side from the pulpit. After being
there at. oat half an hour I eaw a middle-aged man near
the principal entrance. He bad dark whiskers and a
begird. :He arew about his arms and cried "Fire"
several times, I '-)carl another man cry " Fire," and at
the same time a young man do the same. The cry of
," Fire " was repeated from one to the other, A general

commotion took place and various crie)s. were raised. I
don't think I should thoier tli` above persons again.
Police constable I_74—On Sunday evening laet I was
on duty -attlet surrey Hall. I was under the directi
of Polito constable 65. I was at first stationed at the
gate in Penton-place to keep the people back to alloev
those with tickets to come first. I remained there about
a quarter of an hour, when the gates were opened to :111o*
the public generally to go in. I then went to the grove, and
afterwards to the hall. I was posted at the main en-
trance, and to attend to the insiCZe occasionally. The hall
was then filling fast. I ht.a charge also cf the door. I
was at the stairs near the door until after the rush of
people trying to make their exit from the hall. At the
time of the rush I was four or five yards inside the build-
ing. I saw nothing that gave rise to it. It was a spon-
taneous movement. I saw no rush to come into the
building ; they came in thick and gradually. When the
rush was made I was forced out of the building by the
internal crowd. Anxious inquiries were made, " What's
the matter " and screaming. There were in an instant 20
or 30 persons on the ground round my feet. After the
rush was over, I went into the building again by the
main door. There was still great confusion inside, occa-
sioned by persons trying to make their way out. I cried
out " Keep back—keep your seats, it's all right."
About that time a gentleman said to me, " Policeman,
you had better make your way to yon corner, the peo-
ple are being killed." I west as fast as I could to the
north-west corner, and I there saw at least 100 persons
lying one upon another. They were on the stair-
case and on the stones, at the bottom of the
stairs. I believe I was the first policemae there, but I
almost directly saw police-constable 153 there. Tne
balustrade had then given way. I carried three women
out of the crowd, and gave them to their friends. I
think one man I took from the stairs afterwards died.
I didn't take any one out dead. I rendered ell the
assistance I could to remove them from the staircase.
I took no one into custody for an offence. A great
many persons appeared to be more or less injured.
George Smee, tailor, 20, Ironmonger-row' Old-street,
St. Luke's—l was in the front seat at the end of the top
gallery, facing the pulpit. Wit,n Mr. Spurgeon was
praying I was looking into the body of the building, and
I distinctly heard a cry of " Fire !" but I sin unable to
say from whence it proceeded. I immediately rose on
the alarm, left my seat, and went to the top of the stairs.
At that time there were about 500 more persons on the
bottom of the lower flight of stairs. There appeared to
be a block. I stood still, and in less than bah a minute
there were 400 or 500 persons on the stairs. Sing-
ing commenced afterwards within the building.
I called out " It's a false alarm," and
just at that moment the balustrade gave way. I s •ve
no policeman there at that time. I saw from 80 to 100
persons fall down the well—they were hanging to one
another like bees. The balustrade must have given
way from the pressure. Several persons fell after that.
One woman, dressed in black, fell on her head, which
rebounded so much that he almost saw her forehead. I
saw a woman partly out of the window, but whet be-
came of her I don't know.
One of Mr. Spurgeon'e friends said that the woman
alluded to left the grounds in good spirits.
Witness said he considered the block arose from the
bar being over at the end of the stair.
Mr. SUperinteedent Lund said the bar had been re-
moved.

Witness said there was a. part of a bar across the

stairs when he first went up.
Mr. J. A. Joyce, coal merchant, Rosemary Branch,
Canal-bridge, Hoxton—l entered the hall three minutes
before six o'clock, and took ►ny station about the middle
of the lower gallery, over the entrance. Everythiog ap-
peared to be going on peaceably. I distinctly heard at
first a slight clapping of feet, followed by a cry of " fire."
Iu a moment there was a panic throughout the builditg,
and every oue made for the most ready exit, sonic
to the doors and others to the windows. I got
on the seat behind where I had been sitting, and

jumped over to the fl)or. When I got to the top
of the north-west staircase I saw it. give way.
The stairs were densely crowded. Thu woodwork of
the balustrade broke, and the iron bars were torn from
their sockets. Every person near the spot was hurled
with great force to the well befure. My attention was
afterwards caVed to the window of the balcony at the
end of the gallery. I saw one person in particular—a
dying woman, whom I have since ascerta.ned was Mrs.
Barlow—lying on the leads. I saw a tall, stout man
(Ilear,i) fall with the balustrade, and clitd.
The Coroner —I think you make a mistake.
A Juror—A tall, stout man fell and broke his leg.
Witness—lt may be that I have made a mistake in
the man. I saw a woinao, whom I beleve to be Mrs.
Mead, put through the window from the gallery to the
leads. There was a great pressure in the crowd at the
time.

Thos. Fullager, een., house-decorator, Doctors' Com-
mons —I was a:. the Surrey Gardens on Sunday evening
last. I was standing at the entrance door wh,n I saw
two men enter and whisper together, as it bent on ink•
chief, one came out and laughed and .went in again,
and soon after there was a mob of people ; there was no
rush inwards. Two men forced their way into the hall,
and I heard one say "Jack has played his cards wilt,
and has won his bottle of brandy. I wish he had put
the gas out."
The Foreman—You had better put yourself in c
munication with the police.
Mr, Superintendent Lund—l know all about it
already.
Thomas Cooke, beadle and constable of tho parish—

I received the bodies at the workhouse. I lee.:e since
visited the gardens and taken the dimensiocii of the
staircase at the N.W. entrance. The fl lot log is of at me.
There are 14 steps to the front landing-5 ft. 10 in. in
length from the wall to the banister, the depth 7 inches,
and the width at the wall from 12 to 13 inches, and
next the balustrade bars 6 inches. The first landing
at the wall is seven feet three inches, and lty the side
of the banister four feet. There are Gen similar steps
from the landing to the first gallery. No part of the
stone work cf the stepe is displaced. Everything ap-
pear,' perfectly sound id. its construction. I presume
the steps are supported on one side by the brick wall
and on the other by an iron pillar. It is called a spiral
staircase. The balustrade had partly given way at the
first landing downwards. The stonework bad given
way and the woodwork broke in the solid. Tne depth
from the first landing to the bottom of the well is eight
feet, and the one above 13 feet 10 inches. The ir
bars were fixed two and a-quarter inches at least in the
atone from the edge. 'rho width of the gallery door is
four feet, and the window five feet, and three he:
from the door. There are two doors :rout the gallery
on to one landing, and the crowd from above would also
meet there.
The Coroner asked if any gentleman present wished
to give evidence.
The Foreman said that Mr. Superintendent Lund had
sent for a man who saw the balustrade give way.
Mr. Superintendent Lund said that police-constable
164 P saw the balustrade break.
Police-constable 164 P was then called. He said—
As I entered the building I saw a woman hanging from
the balustrade. She fell down and injured her head.
A. man fell on her. I pulled her out, and the blood
streamed over me. I put her on the grass. At
the time I was pulling the woman from under the
man the balustrade pave way, and about a dozen or 18
persons fell over. The woman was hanging by the
banisters before she fell. After that about 50 persons
ell on the others with their heads downwards. The
public after the balustrade broke was made to go down
the other staircase.
Mr. G. Diggings, superintendent of the gardens, in the
employ of the company.—On Sunday night I was in
the hall standing fn the principal entrance about a quar-
t tee to 7 o'clock. Up to that time there was perfect
silence in the hall. Illy attention was attracted by a
noise, and I saw tbree or four persons run out followed
by a great rush from the body of the hall. I was
unable to enter the ball by that entrance, and I
went to the north-west tower and endeavoured to
ascend the staircase. There was no one on the ground
at this time. I was unable to ascend the staircase from
the number of persons hurrying down. I got up after-
wards
six or seven steps en the outside of the banister,
but was obliged to descend, and retur led to the well of
the staircase. Just after that about three feet of the rail
gave way, through which two pereene fell, and
others jumped through. I saw Mr. Superintendent Lund
there when I first went in. I understood several persons
had been killed on the upper landing of the first gallery.
I saw a man (Heard) lying on his back with his head
on the first step of the second flight of steps. I saw no
female down. I assisted with others in forming a bar
rier, by linking our arms, to prevent the crowd from
above and the first gallery going over the stairs. In the
north-east tower I saw Sergt. Coppin endeavouring to
appease the people. I afterwards saw three females on the
leads, who, I understood, were placed there. There
was no dead body in the lower part of the hall until
they were brought there by the police. There is no bell
in the building. The nearest fire-place is 80 feet
from the ball, and has not been used for some
months. I cannot trace the slightest cause fir
an alarm of fire. No portion of the ceiling bos
given way. I have heard a tinkling sound repeatedly
from the current of air rushing through the drops of the
chandelier. It might easily be mistaken for the tinkliecr
of a bell. I should think there were not more than 5,003
or 6,000 persons present. There was much unoccupied
room in the galleries. The hall is estimated to hold
10,000 persons, and I have seen more in the hall than on
Sunday evening last.
The Foreman of the Jury said he considered it strange
the witness should have forced his way up the gallery to
prevent the egress of the people.
Witness—l went up to see what was the matter, and
prevent the pressure from the galleries.
Mr. Superintendent Lund said if we had not done it, and
formed a barrier to prevent the people from rushing
down, more than 100 persons would have been killed.
Mr. Jones, the architect, who was not sworn, said the
measurement of the stairs, as stated by Mr. Cooke, was
nearly correct. He attributed the breakage of the banis-
ter to the pressure from living beings, relieved and then
reapplied. "Every other part of the building was gonna.
No accidental fire can arise in the building without
matches or things of that sort being thrown about the
building ; and in the case of an escape of gas, the build-
ing being mostly lit from above, it would escape by the
facilities of ventilation in the roof.
The Ferman of tho Jury said they were ready to
hear the evidence of any person who had any additional
information to give.
The Coroner asked Lir. Superintendent Lund if he
had any further evidence to offer, or knew of any?
Mr. Superintendent Lund—No.
The Coroner having summed up the evidence,
The jury retired at twenty minutes past six to coma-
der their verdict.
After an absence of upwards of an hour, they returned
the following special verdict :--" The jury on each case
find a verdict of Accidental Death, which occurred on
the staircases of the north-west terrace. It is, however,

the opinion of the jury that although the staircases of 1
the Surrey Music Hail were sufficiently strong f thz.,
purpose they are intended for, yet we consider the con=
struction ie not of that character to render them safe,
more especially when large numbers of persons, are Maid-
an to leave•the galleries in haste. The tread of the steps
hit Milbh too narrow near the hand-rail, nod the descent
too steep, end the jury trust, therefore, the directors
will give their immediate attention to this subject."
Mr. Hohoe., a director, took some objection to the
verdict, but said it was the desire of the directors to do
anything that might be required by the jury.
We cannot conclude our notice of these proceedings
without tendering our hearty thanks to Mr. Feist, the
master of the workhouse, for the kind and gentlemanly
behaviour he exhibited in his great anxiety to do all in
his power for the comfort and convenience of the repre-
sentatives of the press.

From the London Gazette of Last Night.

WINDSOR CASTLE, OCT. 29.
This day hs,,l audience of her Majesty, Mons. Pacheco,
Eacoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from
the Queen of Fipain, to deliver his credentials; to which
he was introdudad by the _Slid of Clarendon, K.G., her
Majesty's secretary of State for Vorelo Affairs.
FOREIGN-OFFICE, Ocr. 22.
The Queen has been pleased to approve of Signor Gio,
vanni Luigi Vanderspaar as Consul in Ceylon for his Ma-
jesty the King of Slrdinia.
DOWNING-STREET, OCT. 21.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint Aston Davoren,
Esq., Chief Justice of the Island of St. Christopher, to be
Chief Justice of the Island of Nevis.
Her Majesty has also been pleased to appoint John Le
Gall, Alexander MacLeod, William Gemmill Alves,
Charles Douglas Stewart, John James Hughes, George
M'lntosh Browne, James Graham, James Mayer Grant,
William Ross and John Audain, Esqrs., to be members of
the Executive Council for the Island of St. Vincent.

--- -----
BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, OCT. 24
The Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of Privy
Council for Trade and Plantations have received, throngh
the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a
despatch from her Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Madrid,
reporting that the Spanish Government have extended the
privileges hitherto enjoyed by the English Royal Mail
Steam Packet Company, in the island of Porto Rico, to all
steamers touching at that island in their periodical voy-
ages.
WAR DEPARTMENT, PALL-HALL, OCT. 24.
sth Regiment of Dragoon Guards—Lieutenant C. Ed-
ward Barrett Leonard, from the 28th Foot, to be Lieu-
tenant, paying the difference, vice Richards, who ex-
changes, receiving the difference.
4th Light Dragoons -- Captain Charles A. Gunter
Browne, from half-pay of the 4th Light Dragoons, to be
Captain, vice Ellis, deceased.
6th Dragoons—Assistant-Surgeon Oliver Barnett, from
the Staff, to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Grylls, resigned.
Bth Light Dragoons—Captain Francis Edmund Mae-
naughten, from half-pay of the Bth Light Dragoons, to bo
Captain, vice Lord Killeen, promoted.
17th Light Dragoons—Brevet-Colonel Andrew Brown,
from half-pay, of the 6th Foot, to be Lieutenant-Colonel,
vice Brevet-Colonel Lewrenson, who exchanges ; Major
Henry Roxby Benson to be Lieut.-Colonel, vice Brevet-
Colonel Brown, who retires ; Captain Alex. Learmonth to
be Major, by purchase, vice Benson.
Royal Regiment of Artillery—Lieut.-Col. Edward W.
Crofton, from the Supernumerary List, to be Lieutenant-
Colonel, vice Ellis, retired upon halt-pay ; Staff-Sergeant
Henry Penson to be Quartermaster. Veterinary-Surgeon
John Mason has been superseded, he having been absent
without leave.
Corps of Royal Engineers—Brevet-Colonel John Wm.
Gordon, C. 8., to be Deputy Adjutant-General, vice Mat-
son, who has resigned that appointment ; Lieut. George
Reid Lempriere to be Instructor of Musketry.
2d Foot—Lieutenant Chas. Gibbs to be Captain, by pur-
chase, vice Holdsworth, who retires ; Ensign Henry Hurd
Mulock to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Gibbs ; Arthur
Wellesley Gosset, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice
Mulock.
3d Foot—Captain Thos. Rains, to be Instructor of Mus-
ketry.
sth Foot—Lieutenant Francis Henry render to be Cap-
tain, without purchase, vice Nicholas, who retires upon
fall-pay ; Ensign George Eyre Massy to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Pender.
9th Foot—Lieut. B. J. Pollexfen Bastard has been per-
mitted to retire from the service by the sale of his com-
mission.
11th Foot- -Captain Frederick Torrens Lyster to b 3 In-
structor of Musketry.
13th Foot—Ensign E. C. R. A.rundell de P. O'Xelly has
beer permitted to resign his commission.
16th Foot— Ceptein James William Besteck to be In-
structor of Musketry.
20th Foot—Lieut. WillianeV. Maskelyne to be Captain,
by purchase, vice Butler, promoted.
2'ith Foot—James Bridge, Esq., to be Paymaster, vice
Craigie, appointed to a District.
28th Foot—Lieutenant William F. Richards, from the
sth Dragoon Guards, to be Lieutenant, vice C. E. Barrett
Leonard, who exchanges.
38th Foot—Lieutenant Frederick James Rooper has
been permitted to retire from the service by the sale of his
commission.
39th Foot—Lieutenant Charles Prichard has been per-
mitted to retire from the service by the sale of his com-
mission.
47th Fool; —Brevet-Major Charles Eigee to be Instructor
of Musketry.
49th Foot—Lieutenant Patrick Cahill to be Adjutant,
vice Gibson, who resigns the Adjutantey only.
50th Foot—Capt. eorge Wm. Banbury to be Instructor
of Musketry.
52d Foot—Brevet-Celonel John Leslie Dennis, from the
94th Foot, to be Lieut.-Colonel, vice Mills, who exchanges.
533 Foot—Lieut. John Maxwell Macneill to be A lju-
taut, rice Follows, decease" ; Paymaster Robert Thomp-
son, 4th Light Infantry, British German Legion, to be
Paymaster, vice Peel, deceased.
59th Foot—Assistant Surgeon John Henry Gouldsbury
Meares, from the Staff, to be Assistant Surgeon, vice
O'Leary, promoted on the Staff.
621 Foot—Captain Joseph Sanderson to be instructor of
Musketry.
70th Foot—Lieutenant John Mackay M`Kenzie to be
Captain, without purchase, vice Bailers, deceased ; En-
sign Henry Berkeley Good to be Lieutenant, without
purchase, vice Maenzle.
831 Foot—Sergeant Major Anthony M'Clymont to be
Ensign, without purchase; Ensign Anthony M'Clymont
to be Adjutant, vice Mainwaring, deceased.
88th Foot —Lieutenant Michael Joseph Cunningham,
from the .Bth Foot, to be Paymaster, vice Belfield, placed
on half-pay.
90th Foot—Captain Johu Christopher G raise to be In-
structor of Musketry.
Pith Foot—Lieutenant-Colonel Charles James Conway
Mills, from the 53.1 Foot, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice
Brevet-Colonel ()conk who exchanges.
15th Foot—Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Henry B. Her-
vey, from a Depot Battalion, to be Major, vice Wing, who
exchanges. or
96th Foot—Captain Herbert Vaughan Mundell to be
Instroeter of Musketry.
2,1 West India Regiment—James Frauklin, Gent., to
bo Ensign, without purchase, vice E I wardes,
St. Helena Regitnent—Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Thos.
Beckham, from half-pay, Unattached, to be Captain, vice
Stack, appointed to the 65th Foot ; Lieutenant William
Henry Hole to he Captain, by purchase, vice Beckham,
who retires; Ensign John Baldwin Hainault Rainier to
be Lieutenant, by purch use, vice Hole.
DEPOT BATTALION.

Major VincenClVing, from the 95th Foot, to be Major,
Tice Harvey. who exchanges.
Captain E sward Hungerford Eagar, 40th Foot, to be
Instructor of Musketry.
UNATTACHED.
TO BE CAPTAINS.
Lieutenant Frederick Smythe., from half-pay 2d Foot
(Staff Officer of Pensioners).
Lieutenant Arthur Hill Hull, from half-p•ay 50th Foot
(Staff Officer of Pensioner=).
Lieutenant Patrick McCarthy, from half-pay 77th Foot
(Staff Officer of Pensioners).
STAFF.

Lieutenant Elwin Griffiths, from half-pay as Paymaster
of the 96th Foot to be Paymaster of the British Depots,
Chatham, vice Dalgety, deceased.
Lieutenant Ribert Collins Craigie, from Paymaster
26th Foot, to be Paymaster of a Recruiting District, vice
Middleton, placed on half-pay.
HOSPITAL STAFF.

Staff Assistant-Surgeon George M. Swinhoe has been
permitted to resign his commission,
Acting Assistant-Surgeons
James Lander, and
James Winter, M.D., have cols9d to do duty, there being
no longer occasion for their servie 39.
BREVET.
Captain Griffin Nicholas, retired full-pay, of the sth
Foot, to be Major in the Army, the rank being honorary
only.
Captain William E. Evans, of the Ist Regiment of Bom-
bay European Infantry, to be Major in the Army.
Lieut. Alex. George Ilan, of the 50th Regiment Bengal
Native Infantry, to have the rank of Lieutenant in the
Army, while employed at the East India Company's Depot
at Warley, vice Bingham, resigned.
CONIMISSION SIGNED BY LORD-LIEUTENANT,
Warwickshire Militia-Ist Regiment—Ensign Henry
Garland Matthews to be Lieutenant, vice Robert Dymock
Vaughton, resigned.

NOTICE OF INTENDED DISTRIBUTION OF
NAVAL PRIZE MONEY.
Department of the Acconntaot-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, Somerset-house, Oct. 23.
Notice is hereby given to the officers, seamen, and
marines, and to all persons interested therein, that the
distribution of proceeds arising from the Swedish brigantine
Elide, captured on the Bth July, 1854, by her Majesty's
ship Cruiser, will commence on Monday, the 3d Novem-
ber, 1856, in the Prize Branch of the Department of the
" Acdonntant-General of the Navy, Admiralty, Somerset-
house "
Agents and other persons holding powers of attorney,
prize orders, assignments, or other instruments, by virtue
of which they may be legally entitled to claim the share of
any captor, serving in the above-named ships, are request-
ed to present the same at this office.
Any officer, seaman, marine, or other person, who may
desire to receive his share from the Collector of Customs
or of Inland Revenue within the United Kingdom, is re-
quired to intimate the same by letter to be addressed " On
Prize Business, to the Secretary of the Admiralty, Lon-
don," in which letter his own place of residence is to be
precisely stated, as well as the place of the nearest Collector
of Customs or of Inland Revenue, from whom it would bo
convenient to receive such share of prize money.
The following are the shares due to an individual in the
several classes :

£ s. d.
Flag share 1 0 3
Commander
Third class
Fourth class.. •••••• 0 6 10
Fifth class 0 3 11

2 s. d.
Sixth class
Seventh class .... 0 2 3
Eighth class 0 1 1
Ninth class 0 0 9
Tenth class 0 0 4

Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy,
- Admiralty, Somerset-house, Oct. 23.
Notice is hereby given to the officers, seamen, and
marines, and to all persons interested therein, that the
distribution of proceeds arising from the Swedish
vessel, Problem, captured on the 21. st June, 1854, by her
Majesty's ship .
Cruiser, will commence on Monday, the 3d
November, J. 850, in the Prize Branch of the Department
of the "Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty,
Somerset-house.
Agents and other persotis holding powers of attorney,
prize orders, assignments, or other instruments, by virtue
of which they may be legally entitled to claim the share
of any captor, serving in the above-named ships, are re-
quested to present the same at this office.
Any officer, seaman, marine, or oiler person who may de-
sire to receive his share from the Collector of Customs
or of Inland Revenue within the United Kingdom, is re-
quired to intimate the same by letter to be addressed " On
Prize Business, to the Secretary of the Admiralty, Lon-
don," in which letter his own place of residence is to be
precisely stated, as well as the place of the nearest Collec-
tor of Customs, or of Inland Revenue, from whom it
would be convenient to receive such share of prize money.
- The following are the shares due to an individual in the
several classes :
Flag share ...... £3B 55 I Sixth class .. 9 4
Commander._ 91 18 0 Seventh class 4 6 4
Third class ...... 20 2 7 I Eighth class 2 3 2
Fourth class l2 18 10 Ninth class
Fifth class

Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, Somerset-house, Oct. 23.
Notice is hereby given to the officers, seamen, and m-
ats, And to all persons interested therein, that the distri!