The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-17 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.—May 16.

THE RUGELEY POISONINGS.

[A. part of the following appeared in our impression of
yesterday.]
On the re-assembling of the Court the cross-examina-
tion of Dr. Harland was proceeded with by Mr. Sergeant
Ehee.—l was merely an acquaintance of Palmer's, as a
surgeon practising at Rugeley. lam sure Palmer, ad-
dressing Dr. Bamford, said, "They won't hang us yet."
Afterwards he repeated the same expression to several
persons. I said I had heard there was a suspicion of
poisoning on the first post mortem examination. I drew
up some notes in pencil and wrote that which I have
read. I don't know how Dr. Taylor got the notes. I
sent them to Mr. Stevens the night I drew them up. I
have not seen it since. On the first examination I saw large
mucus policals at the base of the tongue, they appeared
to be of some standing. They were numerous. I have
no doubt they would produce much inconvenience. In
my judgment I doubt whether they would give much
pain in speaking. I will not undertake to say they
were enlarged glands. I adhere to the statement that
the stomach was healthy. The lungs were full of
blood, the heart empty. I examined the white spots
in the stomach, but not with a lens, it was satis-
factory without. The brain was healthy ; it was also
carefully examined and thin slices of it were taken off.
It was slightly sore. There was no open wound, merely
excoriation.
By Attorney-General—There was nothing more than
mere excoriation, and symptoms of past disease. I
never heard of a certain disease producing tetanus.
I examined the spinal cord as far down as possible. The
wound of the spinal cord softening would not
have produced death. I examined the throat.
There wai a loss of substance in the glands.
The distended tonsils arose from a disordered stomach.
There was nothing in the lungs which would cause
death. The spasmodic symptoms would account for
the state of the heart. I could not trace the empti-
ness of the heart to any other cause. I have read
of oases of poisoning in which the blood was fluid. I
had no difficulty in arriving at an opinion with the use
of a lens. I have never read of a case of tetanus occa-
sioned by a diseased brain. There was no relaxation
of the spinal cord that would occasion death, and if the
part had been examined immediately after death, no
better result could have been arrived at.
Mr. Charles James, Devonshire, examined by Mr.
Huddlestosie --Assisted ➢r. Halford in making the
post mortem examination. The body was pale, the fin-
gers were bent, and the thumb of the left hand was
drawn in. The month was contorted and the body
generally was very stiff. I opened the body and
found the liver was very healthy ; the heart seemed
healthy and it was the usual size. The lungs contained
a considerable quantity of dark fluid blood. The blood
was perfectly fluid. I examined the brain and found
it healthy throughout. I examined a Small portio
of the spinal cord ; it was perfectly sound. I took
out the stomach and opened it with a pair of scissors.
I had a jar ready to remove it. As I was placing
It in the jar I felt a push, but nothing else occurred.
I punctured the stomach and some of its contents
fell out, but it was put in a jar and sealed up. I
presently tied up the punctured part. I went to Mr.
Frere's the same day and found the jar in the same
stare as I left it, and they were given to Mr. Boy-
cott on the 26th. On the 29th I opened the body
again to get at the liver and kidneys. I took out
of the body the liver, spleen, kidneys, and some
blood, and put them in a jar, sealed it up and
gave it to Boycott on the 30th. I examined him par•
titularly in consequence of what had been stated by
Palmer relative to a certain disease, but it was not
the case.

Cross examined by Mr. Grove—ln examining a body
in which death had been caused by tetanus the spinal
cord would be looked to first ; part of the spinal cord
was examined on the first post mortem examination,
about half an inch. I have never been in practice. I
am a student in the University.
-• Dr. Monckton—l am a physician at Rugeley. On
the 25th of Jan. I made a post mortem examination of
the spinal cord and marrow of the deceased man. I
mid the muscles of the trunk lax. The muscles of
the arms and legs were in a state of rigidity. I could not
say it was unusually so. The muscles of the arm had
partially flexed the fingers and the hands. It was very
firm, and took considerable force to unfix. The feet
wera turned inward, much more thin usual. I care-
- fully examined the spinal cord ; the body was in a state
'l,lq) make a satisfactory examination. There was no
disease. I entirely agree with the opinion of the last

witness.
John Boycott examined by Mr. Welsby—l am clerk
to Messrs. Sandon, Gardner, and Co., solicitors, Rugeley.
On the 26th November last I received a sealed jar from
Mr. Devonshire. I took it to London, and delivered
it the next day, in the same condition as I received it,
to Professor Taylor, of Guy's Hospital. On the 30th
Nov. I received a second sealed jar from Mr. Devon-
shire, which I also delivered in the same condition to
Dr. Taylor. I was not examined at the inquest. On
my way to London, last Tuesday, Newton made a com-
munication to me at the Rugeley station. I brought
him to London with me, and took him to Mr. Gardner,
to whom he made a similar communication.
James Myatt examined by Mr. James— lam boot:,
at the Grand Junction Hotel, Stafford. In November
last I was post-boy at the Talbot Arms, Rugeley.
I know Palmer. I was employed to convey Mr. Stevens
to the station after the post mortem examination, but
before doing so I went to my tea. Returning to the
Talbot I met the prisoner. He asked Noe if I was going
to drive them to Stafford. I told him I was. He asked
me if I would upset them. He said he supposed I was
going to take the jars. I told him I believed I was.
After that he said, "Do you think you could upset
them." I told him "No." He replied, "If I could
there was a 101. note for me." I replied I could not,
and said I must go, as the horse was in the fly ready to
start. I don't recollect his saying anything more
about the jar. On being pressed what more
was said, witness said I told him if I did not
somebody else would go ; he said, " I need not be in a
hurry, for if any one else went he would pay me." I saw
him again the following morning as I passed his house
to go to my breakfast. He asked me who want in the
fly the previous night ? I told him Mr. Stevens,
and I believed one of Mr. Gardner's clerks. He said,
"He believed it was." I don't recollect anything more.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee—l had not
spoken to Palmer before he asked me if I was going "to
drive them to Stafford." I don't recollect if Mr. Stevens'
name had been mentioned before it. I can't say if there
were any other visitors than Mr. Stevens and his friends
at the Talbot. I understood the word "them" to apply
to Mr. Stevens and his party. I don't recollect Palmer
saying that he would give "101. to break Stevens' neck."
I can't say if Palmer had been drinking at the
time. He said, "It was a humbugging con-
cern," or something to that effect. Palmer gave /11e
no reasons to suspect why he spoke so of Stevens. He
did not lead me to believe that Mr. Stevens had been a
troublesome, suspicious fellow.
By Lord Campbell—l don't know if there was more
than one jar in the fly.
Samuel Cheshire, late postmaster of Stafford, now
undergoing his sentence for reading Dr. Taylor's letter,
was brought up in custody to give evidence. His a?.
psarance caused great sensation in the court. On getting
into the witness box he fixed his eyes on Palmer, but
the latter did not return his gaze, but fixed his eyes
On the counsel. Witness's appearance is much al-
tered since his incarceration. He deposed—l know
the prisoner W. Palmer well. We were schoolfel-
lows together. I have attended races with him on
three or Four times. I never betted. I was very intimate
with him. In November, 1855, I went to Shrewsbury
laces with him and returned in the evening. On Satur-
day the 17th I went with the prisoner to see Mr. Cook
at the Talbot Arms. He was in bed. I resided at the
Post-office, about 300 or 400 yards from Palmer. On
Tuesday evening, the 20th of November, I received
message from Palm.-r between 6 and 7 ' •lo k. I wa,,
to come to him and bring a receipt-stamp with me. I
did so. I found Palmer in his sitting-room ; after a short
time ho said he wanted me to write out acheque, pro-
ducing me a copy from which 1 was to write. I copied
it. He told me he wanted it, because it was money Mr.
Cook owed him. I wrote in his p,resence as near as I
can remember
By Lard Campbell—What you copied was it left in
Palmer's possession ?—lt was, my lord,
Examination continued—Before I commenced writing,
it he sail he wanted me to do it because' Cook was too
ill,. and Weatherby would know his writing ; he said he
was going to take it over for Cook's signature, after 1
had written it,

Witness was then ordered to stand back, and
Mr. Weatherby was called into the box, and sworn.
He said, I am secretary to the Jockey Club :
my estab
lig-lament is in Birmingham. I keep a banking account
for gentlemen by receiving and paying stakes for them.
Cook had an account with me. I know Palmer wail.
He had no account with me at that time. On 21st
November I received by post a cheque or order on me
for 3501. Two days after, on the 23d, I sent it back to
Palmer, the prisoner, at Rugeley.
Boycott was recalled, and proved he served a notice
on the prisoner in Stafford Gaol, and another on his
attorney, to produce the document in question, which
was said to be in the writing of Cheshire, and purported
to be in the handwriting of John Parsons Cook. The
document was called for, but not produced.
Mr. Wetherby, in answer to Mr. Sergeant Shee, said
he believed the document was in the handwriting of Mr.
Cook.

Lord Campbell ruled tho learned sergeant was out of
order in putting such a question, under the circum-
stances, to the witness.

Cheshire recalled, said, as wall as he recollected, the
writing he copied was an order on Mr. Wetherby to pay
Mr. W. Palmer 3501. On the Thursday or Friday foi-
owing I saw Palmer again. I had heard in the meau-
ime of the death of Cook at the Talbo t Arras. He sent

for me between 6 and 7 o'clock in the evening. I went
to him and saw him come out of the kitchen. He went
Lack and returned with a quarto sheet of paper. He gave
me a pen, and asked me to sign it.
By Lord Campbell—Was any thing written on it ?
—Yes.

Examination continued—Told him it was. Palmer
said you know that Cook and I have had dealings to-
gether, and this is a document he gave me a few days
go, and I want you to witness it. I said what is it
auout He replied some business that I have joined
with Cook, which was all for his benefit, and there is a
document stating so. I just cast my eye over it then.
It was a quarto post sheet of paper of the usual descrip-
tion. I thought the writing on it was Palmer's writing.
I told Palmer I could not sign it because I might be
called on at some future day to give evidence on the
' matter. I told him I had not seen Cook sign
it, and also that I thought the Post-office au-
thorities would not like me to be called on
to give evidence as it would necessitate them
placing some one in my place during my absence.
I did not, in fact, give my exact reason for refusing to
sign it. He said he thought "it would be no matter ;
be thought they would not object to Mr. Cook's signa-
ture." I gave back the paper to Palmer. I left it with
him.

Mr. James said notice has been served on the prisoner
and his attorney to produce the document, and called for,
but it was not produced.
Examination continued—l believe there was a stamp
on the paper. I did not read it over ; 1 merely cast my
eye over it. It was to the effeet that certain bibs, the
date of which, with the amounts, were quoted, were all
f,r Mr. Cook's benefit, and not for Mr. Palmer's.
The amounts were rather large. I recollect one was for
1,0001. and another for 5001. It had a signature of
I. or J. P. Cook. I was in the habit of giving Palmer
letters addressed to his mother residing at Rugeley.
During the month of October and November—l can't
recollect which—l gave him any letters addressed to
his mother. Palmer has taken Cook's letters, and Cook
has taken Palmer's letters. I remember the inquest
being held on Cook, and seeing Palmer during the time.
Fle came to me on a Sunday evening previous to the sth
December, and he asked me if I saw or heard anything
fresh to let him know, and hinted at my opening a let-
ter. I told him I could not do so. He said he did not wish
me to do anything to injure myself. I don't recollect
him coming to me again. I am suffering punishment
from reading a letter from Dr. Taylor to Mr. Gardner.
When did you read that letter ? . . ..

I did not read more than part of the letter, and told

Palmer what I recollected of it. It was on the sth
December. I told Palmer that no traces of strychnine
were to be found mentioned in Dr. Taylor's letter. I
do not know what else. Palmer said he knew there

would not, as he was perfectly innocent.
Captain Hatton, senior chief constable of Stafford,
produced a letter addressed to Mr. Ward, coroner. The
letter was read by the clerk of the court. It was as
follows

My Dear Sir,—l am sorry to tell you that lam still con-
fined to my bed. I don't think it was mentioned yesterday
at the inquest that Cook was taken ill on Sunday and
Monday nights, the same as on Tuesday night, when be
died. The chambermaid at the Crown Hotel (Masters)
can prove this. I also believe that a man by the name of
Fisher is corning down to prove he received some money
at Shrewsbury, but there he could only pay Smith 10/. out
of 411. he owed him. Had you not better call Smith to prove
this, and whatever Professor Taylor might state to-morrow
he wrote last Tuesday night to Gardiner that " we," that
is Professor Taylor and Dr. Rees, have this day finished
the analysis, and find no traces of strychnine, prussic acid,
or opium. What can beat this from a man like Professor
Taylor, after what he has stated before, or of Dr. Bam-
ford's evidence. Mind, I know it, for I saw it in black
and white. This is strictly confidential. It is true that,
as regards his betting-book it is no good to any one. I
hope the verdict to-morrow will be that be died of natural
causes, and thus end it.—Yours, WM. PALMER."
Cross•examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee.—l knew Cork
well, but do not know his handwriting. Palmer said
" He did not suppose they would object to Cook's signa-
ture." Palmer afterwards said, " Have you seen or
heard anything ? " I told him I had seen something,
and he said that he was as innocent as a baby.
Palmer told me upon the Saturday before
Cook's death that he was not well. He was
in bed, and vomited. He was to have been one of the
party. He saw Palmer at Rugeley upon the second
day of Shrewsbury races. I did not see him there upon
Tuesday.
Ellis Crisp, inspector of police at Rugeley, examined
by Mr. James—Upon 17th December I assisted in
searching prisoner's house. There was a sale of hi.s
effects to pay his creditors. I took this book away.
Sergeant Shee—lt was not_ concealed. The bock

was produced. It was a Manual of Chemistry,
and in Palmer's writing was a note against the
word strychnine. "Strychnine kills by causing fix-
ture of the respiratory organs." In another book pro-
duced by another constable, was a note, showing that
prisoner was studying the properties of strychnine, but
the Attorney-General said it did not show more than
that prisoner was pursuing medical studies.
Elizabeth Hawkes was next examined.—l keep a
boarding-house in Beaufort-buildings, Strand. The pri-
soner was at my house on the Ist of December last. I
had some conversation with Palmer on the 19th of No-
vember. I purchased some game for him on Ist Dec.—
a turkey and brace of pheasants, and the porter purchased
the fish. Ipacked it up in a hamper. Iliad no conversation
with Palmer about the porter purchased or the things.
I wrotetheldirection on the hamper. The porter gave her
the direction. I had not been paid for the things. Pal-
mer came to her house on the first of Dec. f did not
see Palmer to tell him what had been done with the
hamper. The direction within on the hamper
was W. W. Ward, Esq., Stoke-upon-Trent, Staff)rc:-
shire.

The witness Herring was again called and examined
by Mr. Welsby.—l reside at New-cross. I am inde-
pendent. I have known the prisoner two years. I saw the
deceased at Shrewsbury races. Mr. Fisher, Mr. Jones,
and myself were in a room adjoining the prisoner's and
Cook's. On the Thursday morning I saw CJok.
I don't know whether he had money on
Wednesday. I saw him with some money
in Bank notes ; they were crumpled up. I was not
enabled to ascertai❑ the amount, but there was a con-
siderable quantity of notes. Cook showed rue his bet-
ting-book. It contained entries made on the Shrewsbury
races. On Monday the 19th of Nov. I received a letter
from Palmer. The letter was handed in and read, as
follows :

"Nov. 18, 1855.
"My dear Sir,-1 shall feel much obliged if you will
give me a call at 70, Beaufort-buildings, Strand, tomor-
row (Monday), about half-past 2 o'clock.—l am, dear sir,
yours, Sze., War PALIIER."
I received the letter on the Monday morning, and I
called there that day. I found Palmer there, and he
asked what I would take. I declined to take anything.
I then asked him about Mr. Cook. He said, "He's ad
right; the physician gave a dose of calomel and advised him
not to come out, it being a damp or wet day. Palmer
said what I want to see you about is to settle his ac-
count. While he was saying this he took a halt
sheet of paper out of his pocket and said this is
it. I rose to take it, and he said I had better
take it down ; this will be a cheque against you. At
that time he pointed to some paper lying on th -
table. I wrote on that paper from his dictation.
I have here the paper. I wrote on that occasion
receive of Ingham 350/. ; Bath, 300/. ; Green, 1401. ;
Morris, 2001. ; Nelson, 301. He asked me how much I
made it. I replied, 1,0201. He said that was the same
as Cook made it. He then told me to pay myself 61.,
and Shelley 301., and that it I saw another person be
named I was to tell him that Cook would be up on Thurs-
day or Friday and settle with him himself, and that if
he gave me 16/. it would make 1,000/. remaining. Out
of that he told me to take 2001. to pay my own bill. I
stopped writing and looked up, and said I know no dif-
ference between you. He then said I was to pay Pad-
wick 3501. and Pratt 450/., and the three payments
would make one thousand pounds. He then gave we
Padwick and Pratt's adiresses, which I wrote down.
lie then said, " You had better write out a cheque for
Pratt and Padwick, and send them at once." I told
him I had but one plain cheque in my pocket. He
said "You can easily fill up a cheque on half a sheet of
paper." I refused to do so. I had not received the money.
Palmer said it would he all right as Cook was not to se,
it. Palmer wished me particularly to pay Mr. Pratt
4507.; his words were " You must pay Pratt, a,-;
.3 for a joint bill of sale on the mare." He

told me he was going to see Pratt and Padwick,
and he would tell them I would send them the money.
Previous t ) this I told him I would call on them after I
got the money at Tattersall's ; he than said " What is
there between us r and I said 451. Palmer said "you
owed me 401. on the Liverpool meeting," and I said
was to settle that with Mr. Sargent. He said.
" But you have not settled it yet, as I have d)ne that."
He went on, therefor, "If I give you 101., that will be
right." At the same time he took out of his pocket
a 501. Bank of England note, but I was unable
to give him 291.—the change. I gave him
at his request my cheque for 20/. and nine sovereigns. I
don't know the number of the 50/. note. He pressed me
to send the cheques immediately to Pad wick and Pratt,
because it would then be before bank hours. He said
" when you settle this account, write down word to
either Cook or me." I turned round and said I should
certainly write to Mr. Cook, believing I was settling hi,
account. Palmer said it did not matter much who I
wrote to. I said if I address Mr. Cook, at Mr. Palmer's.
Rugeley, Stafford, it will be correct, will it note He
said, yes. After leaving him, I went to Tattersall's, and
I received there all, except 1101., of Mr. Morris. I sent
a cheque for 4501. to Pratt, and posted a letter for Cook
from Tattersall's. On Tuesday, 20th, I received a telegra
?hie message, whichfl gave to Captain Hatton at the
inquest at
Rugeley. In consequence of receiving that
message I
wrote back on Wednesday to Mr. Cook
addressing the letter as before. [The telegraphic
message was asked for, but it was not produced ; it
was stated that it was given to the coroner at
Rugeley. I produce three bills of exchange,
th• drawing of two and the acceptance of the other are,
I believe, in Cook's
handwriting ; I got those bills
from Fisher ; I gave him cash f,r them.
Boycott was again recalled and proved that the signa-
ture to one and the acceptance on the other two drawn
by Palmer
we
Ewereby inT ht
ehy are all dated Regeley,e prisoner's hand'writing.
Sept. 15,
1855, and each for 2001., one at a month's date, and
two at two months, and each of them payable to the
order of the drawer. _ _

Herring's examination continued—When the first bitl
became due, on the 18th of October, Cook paid
me 1001. and the remaining 1001. at Shrewsbury,
either on the Wednesday or Thursday morning of the
races. I supposed the 2001. Palmer was to pay myself NI iLb
had reference to one of these bills. I deducted thht
amount out of the 1,0001. I had no hold on him fcr tli
remaining 2001. bill, because I did not pay Mr. P.ciwiek
3501. There was another bill for 5001.
Thomas Strawbtry, manager of the Bank at Ruge,

r

ley—The handwriting upon this bill is prisoner's. It
purports to be aclepted by Sarah Palmer, prisoner's
math-cr. I know her handwriting. She has an ac-
c3unt at our Bank. I should say certainly the accept-
ance is not in her handwriting.
Examination of Herring continued—l got this
3001. bill from Fisher ; it is indorsed "J. P. Cook."
The bill was not paid at maturity. I have taken pro-
ceedings against the prisoner for it.
Cross-examined by Mr. Grove—l do not know of my
own knowledge that Palmer and C3ok had transactions
together. I was at. Shrewsbury on Wednesday. I know
of many being ill ; with me it was diarrhcei. I took my
meals at the Raven. No one who stopped there was ill.
One gentleman who di3ed there was taken ill. I saw
Cook on the race ground. It was damp upon the
Thursday. I remonstrated with Cook for staying out,
as he had been ill upon the previous day.
By the Attorney-General—None of our party were
at the Raven.

Frederick Slack —Am porter to Mrs. Hawkes, at the
Boarding•house in Beaufort Buildings. Palmer was
there, and sent me out for some game and fish, a barrel
of oysters and a turkey. He wrote the address William
Ward, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staff >rdshire. I put the ad-
dress upon the parcel. Palmer said he did not want the
gentleman to know where it came from. I took it to
the station.
The court then adjourned.

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 17, 1856.

with two others, not in custody, in burglariously breaking
int-) the premises of Messrs. Belt r, mercers and draper?,
i❑ the Oid Kent-road, and stealing therefrom property to
the amount of 2501.

Police-constable J. W. Saward, 120 M, deposed that
about 5 o'clock on that morning he saw four men walking
after a cab, and from what h e was told he followed the men
and cab, and after a smart run succeeded in securing the
prisoners, who were two of the men he had seen. On
searching them at the station-house he found on the per-
son of Rogers a pair of gloves and three shillings' worth
of postage stamps, which formed a part of the robbery,
and 12s. 6i. in cash. He also found on the other pri-
soners si. 7d. in money.

Mrs. Mary Sorrall said that on that morning, while
on her way to a laundress's where she was employed, she
saw two persons walking upwind down near the shop of the
Messrs. Butler. Presently a cab drove up, out of which
the prisoners alighted. The cab drove up to the front of
Messrs. Butler's shop, and all four men—the two she had
seen walk up and down and the prisoners, who had got
out of the vehicle—entered the house. They did not re-
main inside more than a moment or two, when they re-
turned with two large packages, which they put into the
cab, and the vehicle drove away, the four men following.
Mr. W. D. Butler said that his brother and himself car-
ried on the business of drapers at Nos. 3 and 4, Watt's-
terrace, 0:d Kent-road, and that about six o'clock on that
morning he was nailed to by his servant, who informed
him that the place was broken into. Oa coining down
stairs he discovered that the thieves had effected an en-
trance by forcing a back door, which had been strong!),
secured with two bolts and a cross bar, from its binges.
They also forced the shop door, and succeeded io carrying
away property consisting of shawis,rnantles, pieces of cloth,
cashmeres, and other articles, to the amount of 2501. The
postage stamps found on one of the prisoners were part of
the things st den, and received on the day before from a
lady in the country to pay for a pair of gloves to be for-
warded to her, and be put their identity beyond ques-
tion by producing the note in which they were enclosed,
part of which was still adhering to them. In reply to a
question from the magistrate, the witness said that on
tue night before, as was their custom, himself and his
brother went round the premises at 11 o'clock, and all
the doors and their fastenings were then quite secure.
Tae prisoners denied the charge.
Rogers said he was steward o❑ board the Adelaide
steamship, a transport just returned from the Crimea,
and Keeling said he was a tailor, living with his parents,
in Kenton-street, Brunswick-square.
Bath were remanded to a future day.

THAMES.—Bernardo Henriques, a Portuguese seas
man, aged 23, was brought up on remand before Mr.
Seie, charged with the wilful murder of Versilli Caligar,
a Greek seaman, by stabbing him with a dagger.
It appeatel that Henriques and Caligar had been for
several days boarding at a lodging-house, No. 31, Well-
close-square, kept by a Greek, named John Seymour, a
respectable man, and a relation of the deceased. On
Thursday at noon the deceased and another foreigner
were playing at cards in the coffee-room of the lodging-
house, Mrs. Seymour, au Englishwoman, having just
gone out to market and locked the outer door. The pri-
soner, who was described to be a savage, ill-tempered
man, came to the door and knocked violently, demanding
immediate admission.' He was informed that the door
was locked, and was requested to go to another door,
but he refused to do so, and continued in the street knock-
ing and kicking at the door as bard as he was able. In
his rage he broke a pane of glass at the side of the door.
He then went round to another door to which he was at
first directed, and entered the coffee-room. Some of the
lodgers remonstrated with him, and a fight took place.
Caligar, who was playing at cards, and took no part in
the quarrel, rose from his seat and mildly endeavoured
to make peace. The prisoner instantly took a new dag-
ger from a sheath suspended to his side, and plunge.]
it into Caligar's belly, withdrew the dagger from his body
and stagged the unfor%uuate man a second time. Caligar
fell, weltering in his blood, and the prisoner fled from
the room and ran down stairs. Caligar was raised by
several mariners, and it was discovered that his bowels
were protruding. He was removed to the London Hos-
pital, where he died yesterday morning. The prisoner
was found concealed behind the door of the kitchen in
Seymour's lodging-house directly after the occurrence,
and, on being taken into custody by police-constable Cox,
No. 138 H, every foreigner in the house drew his kuite,
and would have killed the prisoner had not the officer
beat theta off with his truncheon. The situation of Cox
was very perilous for some time, until Mr. Seymour
came to his assi,tance. The lodging-house keeper said a
few words :o the foreigners, who threw their knives on
the floor, sad Cox was allowed to take away his prisoner.
The dagger was found by police-sergeant Foay, No. 7
H, under a sink in the kitchen. It is a most formidable
double-edged weapon, with a sharp point, about ten
inches in length and two inches in width.
Mr. Ross, the house surgeon of the London Hospital,
after informing the magistrate of the death of Caligar,
said he would make a post mortem examination of the
body as early as possible, and requested that his attend-
ance might be dispensed with that day, and that he might
be allowed to leave the court immediately, as he was
subpoenaed as a witness on the trial of William Palmer,
of Rugeley, at the Central Criminal Court, and he did
not know how soon he might be called upon to give evi-
dence in the case.

Mr. Selfe hereupon remanded the prisoner till Thurs-
day next.

THE GOVERNMENT DIVORCE BILL.

The following are the principal clauses of the bill pre-
sented by the Lord Chancellor, for transferring the juris-
diction in matrimonial causes and establishing a Court
of Divorce :
TITLE AND CONSTITUTION OF TEE COURT.
Supposing the bill to become an act during the pre-
sent session, its title is to be "The Divorce Act, 1856."
From and after a day to be named by her Majesty in
Council, all jurisdiction of every kind in matters matri-
monial is to be withdrawn from every court in England
that now possesses it, and to be vested in a new court,
to be called "The Court of Divorce."
The judges of this court are to be the Lord Chancel-
lor, the Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's
Bench, and the Judge of the Court of Probate and Ad-
nsinistratior, with a proviso that the Lord Chief Justice
may anpoin-, any one of the judges of the superior courts
of commor law to act for him in case he is unable to
attend. 'Re judge of the Court of Probate may ant
alone, except in petitions for dissolution of marriage
In the absence of this functionary any judge of the
superior court, the Master of the Rolls, or any of the
vice-chancellors, may act as judge ordinary of the
courts.

The court thus constituted is to hold its sittings in
London and Middlesex.

Exo-pt in proceedings for the diAsolution of marriage
the court is to act on the principles of the ecclesiastical
courts.

GROWNDS OF ➢IVORCE.

O❑ proof that a wile has been deserted by her husband
for three years or upwards without reasonable excuse,
the court may make an order for payment to her of
alimony-, to remain in force until otherwise directed.
The adultery of the wife is to be a ground for dissolu-
tion of marriage o❑ the petition of the husi,and, and the
incestuous adultery of the husband on the petition of
the wife.

Incestuous adultery, for the purposes of the act, is
defined to mean " adultery committed by a husband
with a woman with whom, if his wife were lead, he
could not lawfully contract marriage by reason of her
being within the prohibited degrees of consanguinity or
affinity."

The court, on the hearing of any petition, is to satisfy
itself, so far as it reasonably can, of the absence of col-
lusion. If not satisfied of this, or of the proof of adul-
tery, it is to dismiss the petition. It satisfied by the
evidence, it is to pronounce a decree declaring the mar-
riage to be dissolved, unless there has been unreagou-
able delay in presenting the petition. It is to make
such conditions as to alimony and the custody of
children, as with reference to all the circumstances of
the case it may deem reasonable. If no appeal is pre-
sented against its decree of dissolution within three
months, or if such appeal fails, the parties may marry
again.