The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-25 00:00:00

COMMISSION OF LUNACY ON MR. RUCK.

The inquiry in this case was resumed at Clement's-
inn Hall, yesterday morning.
John Edwards, examined by Mr. M. Chambers—l am a
=von, and have worked about 13 years fir Mr. Ruck.
Sometimes his manner has been peculiar. He has of late
years been trying at Pantlldu for copper mines. He has
frequently shown me stones which he has picked up, and
ohierved that they contained copper. There were small
spots of sulphur is them, but there was no copper. A shaft
was sunk by his order to the depth of 13 or 14 feet about 300
yards from his house, but nothing was found. Two labourers
were employed in the work. I told Mr. Ruck that I would
leave him if he went on in that way; but that did not stop him.
I recollect him settling with his men on Saturday, the 24th
of October. He owed me on that day £3 10s. 6d. He first
gave me £3 10s. ; after giving me that he told me my
money was more, and gave me a £ note. I told him that
that amount was not dne to me, but he insisted on my
keeping the £5 note, and took the £3 10s. back. On the
following Monday I gave him £1 9s. 6d., observing,
" Here is the change of the £5 note, sir." He put it
la his book, and made no answer. There was £4 19s.
due to the carpenter. Mr. Ruck gave him £5. He gave
the cowman £5, which was about 255. more than was
slue to him. I told him that it was too much, but be
said, " Never mind, let him go." I recollect Mary Jones
being locked up at Pantlldu. The carpenter, whose name
was Hughes, was sent for a policeman, and as he did not
return Mr. Ruck sent me after him. I met a policeman
with Hughes on the turnpike road, and I west back with
them towards Pantlldu. The policeman went into the house
and saw Mr. Ruck, I remaining near the door. Mr. Ruck
came out and said to me, " Did you see Daniel, Jack ?" I
said, "He is gone away." "Confound him," he said,
" you must go and get another." I then went to the next
farm and I met Mrs. Matthews, Mrs. Ruck's mother, and
Thomas Jones on the road. I went back with Mrs. Matthews
to Mr. Buck's house. Mrs. Matthews told me that she
must have Mary Jones released. After a few minutes Mr.
Ruck said to me, "Jack, Mrs. Matthews is mad;
have her tied ; you can guess by a person's eyes whether she
is right or wrong." I said, " Where is Miss Jones?" He
said," That's it ; she has let her out after I had kept her
two days. If I had a gun I would shoot her this moment."
After that he told me that be would have Mrs. Matthews
before a magistrate, and on my opposing him he threatened
to break my jaw. Half an hour after I went away. He
did not say what he wanted a policeman for.
Cross-examined by Mr. E. James—l worked for Mr.
Ruck for five years continuously ap to October last. lie
did not pay me my wages every week.
Mr. James—Will you produce your book containing the
entries of payments?
Witness (doggedly)—Oh no, sir. (Laughter.)
Mr. James—You must show me the book containing the
entry of the payment of which you have spoken.
Witness (after some hesitation)—You shan't see my book.
(Loud laughter.)
After some delay the witness handed his book to Mr.
James, who read the entry, which was a simple record of
the payment of the £3, and the subsequent return of
£1 9s. 6d.
Examination continued—l made the entry in this book
last Friday, having bought the book on purpose to make it
In. I copied it from another book. I don't know whether
or not Mary Jones had been drinking before she was locked up.
Re-examined by Mr. M. Chambers—My reason for copy-
ing the entry was that I expected to be questioned about it
I keep a book in which I enter what I do every day, and
the entry referred to was copied front it. Mr. Ruck never
paid me any money in advance.
Mrs. Ruck, examined by Mr. Sergeant Ballantine—l am
the wife of Mr. Lawrence Rack, having been married to
him 17 years. For some time after our marriage we lived
very comfortably. I have six children. After the birth of
the eldest child I and my husband occupied separate beds.
He was occasionally in the habit of drinking considerably
Up to April, 1836, except at the time when he was drinking,
he did not appear to be affected by it. At that time, and
down to August, 1836, I was residing at Pantlldu. He was
then in a very excited state. He used to hire flys and drive
about the country without any apparent object. He used

to take me out with him by my own wish ; I did not like

him to go out alone. I have walked with him in the woods
at one o'clock in the morning. I went to the sea side alone.
On my return I found him in a very excited state ; candles
were lighted throughout the house. He continued excited
from April to August, 185 G. He used to tell me that he was
haunted by tunes and voices that he had heard. I got a friend
to play lively tunes to him to banish the tunes and voices he
had heard. In August, 1856, I went to reside with the
children at Aberdovey. It was not in consequence of any
quarrel. Reused to come there very frequently, and he often
slept there. Latterly he slept there less frequently. lie was
very affectionate to his children. In October last I was
visiting some friends of Mr. Ruck'. in Kent. In August I
ches

hood. During our stay at Manchester Mr. Rack behaved
very affectionately to me. Whilst staying in Kent
in October I received a letter respecting my husband. I
went to Wales and found him at a little inn, some miles
from home. lle was excited, and seemed to wish to avoid
me. I told him that I would go wherever he went. He did
sot like that, but at last I persuaded him, and we got into
the mail-coach together. On the journey he imagined that
he saw people rushing into can't other's arms, and pointed
to the road. There was nothing of the kind. On our arrival
at Newtown a gentleman, whom 1 had never seen before,
got into the coach. Nothing improper occurred between me
and that gentleman. I did not say I would come to him ;
he behaved quite like a gentleman. When we got to Welch-
pool Mr. Ruck said he would not come to me, adding that
the boots would do for me. He then asked rae for money.
I told him that I had £2O lent me by ray mother, and lie
asked for It. He ordered a fly, and finding that I could
not Induce him to go with me, I countermanded the
order. I telegraphed for Mr. Barnet, a surgeon, at Read-
ing. There was no improper intimacy between me and Mr.
Barnet. Nothing ever occurred to justify suspicion. It was
at my hasbaud's wish that Mr. Barnet accompanied us to
Manchester. My husband remained in the fly for an hour
or two, and afterwards went into a bed-room in the inn. I
did not go to him that day ; it was Friday. The next morn-
ing he asked for me, and on my going to him he said I ought
to ask him to forgive me. i asked him what for, and he then
made charges of the grossest kind against me in very dis-
agreeable language in reference to the lowest characters.
lie afterwards said that he would forgive me, and I should
came and dine with him. Mr. Barnet came down on Saturday
Nothing of an immoral character occurred between myself
and any one else on the night of Friday. I have heard ioree
affidavits of Dr. Winslow and Dr. Sutherland read; there is
no foundation for what is referred to in them. I accom-
panied Mr. Ruck with Mr. Barnet to Reading. On the
way I slept in Mr. Ruck's bed-room at Birmingham. Ob-
serving me saying my prayers, Mr. Ruck remarked that I
" might well say them." We arrived at Reading on
Sunday, and stayed there till 012 following Thursday. On
the Sunday Mr. Ruck ran away at Reading, having done
to twice previously. On returning with a policeman lie
appeared very happy and merry, shook hands with
Mr. Barnet, and promised not to do it again. I slept
with him at Reading, and he was constantly talking
to me about improper conduct on my part. Ile said
the electric telegraphs were going east, west, north, and
south about me. Ile accused me of general prostitution.
After he came back on Sunday he imagined he had forgiven
me, and said he would give me a large bonnet and shawl,
and take me to a place in London which people of my sup-
posed class frequented ; be said he would give me a
large bonnet because my countenance being conspicuous
people would recognise my character at once. He also
said that he would take me where I should not be re-
cognised, and where I could walk out with people of my
class. I have never in my life been at any place which
could connect me in his mind with such associations. Up to
October I was not aware of his having had two children by
Mary Jones. He then told me so, and stated that Mary
Jones had been talking to him all night about them, and had
murdered them. At Reading, I found in his portmanteau
oatmeal, candle, walnuts, rags, and bits of paper. There
was a letter to a governess, and a memorandum-bock.
[They were both produced end identified by the witness.]
It was only while I was nursing the children that I ever
occupied a different bedroom from my husband. My hus-
band's property in Kent yields about £1,200 a year; it is
new being taken care of by his brother-in-law. I have let
the farm in Wales. Before doing so I sold the stock, &c.
The sale realised about £1,300. I paid £379 for
debts, and £220 for housekeeping expenses, retain-
ing about £3OO for the expense of these proceed-
ings. I have nothing left besides. Since my husband's
removal to Moorecroft (the
asylum) T saw him there,
in January last. His delusions continued. He told
me that he had not forgotten a single thing that
occurred at Welchpool, and also referred to Mary Jones.
On my asking
hint what he referred to as improper in my
conduct, he replied that he would rather not tell me, as I
should only say it was delusion.
ead the following letter, ad-
dreTbseeedlebayrnmedr.
eltmlucnlC to oththene groverness of his children :
" Welchpool, Oct. 30, 1837.
" Dear Miss Barton,—Will you be so. good
me oodns? tolconti-
nue'east
at your pest till you further hear from
tell you that it has grieved me more than I
ever--suet' Call:xrplesSlisethhaiit
Mary Ann and myself have separate(, fin
the fact, and for new common cause. Her in. is
a stroke I bail never for a moment looked forward to. What,te
can you think of that I I myself was an eye-wltneS'7..4
certain overtures, most unmistakeable, on my way up to. t.bl,
place, and certain facts, indescribable, passed— posalve
proof of her having been completely lost to society for some
time past. From her manner she was thoroughly prac-
tised, and no doubt gained while in London and else-
where. What a death blow. I might almost be dead to
the world; but then, she moist sooner or later await the
consequences of her folly and wilful way. She had clearly
become tired of her cares, for she said it was much pleasanter
travelling by herself than in my company- and the children.
Of course, now, I cannot allow her to be with my children, or
in Lny botabe• I hope never to see her again, and must

insist upon her going elsewhere. I think now the country
is tarnished beyond redemption, and I shall say good bye
for ever. I believe I shall not appear at any rate for a long
time. It now remains for me to make my own arrange-
ments. Tue children I should like to school in London.
Arthur Dickie might go to that school near Birkenhead, Amy
and the little ones to London, where I trust we may give
them the attention they stand in need of. Will you write
to me at the post 7-Want, General Post-office, stating what
money you require, and collect the bills in ? I must tell you
beside all this that I have cut, and shall never see Mrs.
Matthews again, owing to her most violent conduct to me
at Pantlldu, while Mary Jones was there, who has most
insolently and shockingly betrayed me to the whole world."
Cross-examined by Mr. E. James—The memorandum
book produced was written at Welchpool, the letter on the
31st of October. I knew Mr. Ruck's father. I suppose he
was a country gentleman. I never saw him before the
marriage. He resided near Sittingbourne. My husband
inherited the sum of £1,200 a year from an uncle or a cousin.
He never proposed that we should separate. Miss Jones
lived principally with my mother, Mrs. Matthews, and
when the latter went to Pantlldu Miss Jones accompanied
her. Miss Jones is my cousin. My mother is not now iu
London. She is ill. For two months before the events
of which I have spoken in October last, I was away
from my husband. I was visiting in various places—Bed-
fordshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Kent, and Reading.
During the last two or three years he was in the habit of
drinking occasionally to excess. He was not perfectly well
when he left home in August. lie had rheumatic pains. 1
started from home on the :28th of October. It was in con-
sequence of a letter from Mrs. Matthews. [This letter was
produced. It stated that Mr. Ruck was far from well, and
advised Mrs. Ruck to come home without delay. The
writer said, " Mind, there is nothing serious."] I suppose
the object of saying there was nothing serious was to allay
my anxiety. [The certificate authorising the reception of
Mr. Ruck at the asylum was here prsduced and read
by Mr. James. It stated that the attack was the
first, and extended over two years, and as to the supposed
cause the words used were, "Probably partly hereditary,
and partly from intemperance."] Mr. Barnett, a surgeon
at Reading, filled in the words " Probably partly hereditary,
and partly from intemperance." I did not read the order.
I don't know that Mr. Ruck's family had ever shown in-
sanity. I lead always understood that there was great ec-
centricity in them. I had seen his father. His manner was
very extraordinary, but I can't describe it. Mr. Barnet's
name is not on his door as a surgeon. I do not know that he has
any place for dispensing medicines. When I saw my husband
in January be told me that he was perfectly well, and ought to
be released. I do not remember directing Dr. Stillwell
never to allow any person to see him. In May I directed
that gentleman not to allow Mr. Wainwright, Mr. Ruck's
professional adviser, to see him. I asked Dr. Stillwell not
to allow Mr. Ruck to have money for any purpose. I knew
that he wanted money to try the question of his insanity.
Mr. E. James—Did you not refuse to let him have any
money, and was net an application made in consequence to
the Lords Justices, who ordered £230 to be allowed to have
the question of insanity tried before a jury ?
Witness—l asked Dr. Stillwell not to allow a money-
order to be signed for any purpose.
Cross-examination continued— Mr. Wainwright never
told me that if I did not allow money for the purpose of
trying the question he would apply to the Court. I heard
of the petition to the Lords Justices in June. I have paid
Dr. Stillwell £lOO. The charge for residence In the asylum
is to be £4OO a-year. I gave my husband £2B when he
went into the asylum ; I have not supplied him with any
money since. I have had no income myself. I have kept
£5OO to conduct this case.
Mr. James—Having kept £5OO to conduct this case, have
you not refused to let your husband have one farthing?
Witness—l refused to let Mr. Wainwright have any
money.
Cross-examination continued—Mr. Goord receives the
rents in Kent. Dr. Stillwell told me that an order for
money bad been asked for by Mr. Wainwright. I always
refused to consent to any order. Mr. Wainwright never
asked me for money at Dr. Stillwell's. I bad no power to
give an order en Mr. Goord.
Mr. James—Did you not refuse to allow your husband
to sign an order on Mr. Goord for money to conduct his
defence ?
Witness—l asked Dr. Stillwell not to allow Mr. Wain-
wright to obtain any money-order.
Mr. James—For the conduct of your husband's case ?
Witness—To Mr. Wainwright.
Mr. James—Who advised you to commence these pro-
ceedings?
Witness—Mr. Goord.
Cross-examined—Dr. Conolly was sent for to Reading. I
slept with my husband on the very night before be was taken
to the asylum. I was alarmed. I also slept with him at
Birmingham. On that occasion he went to the portman-
teau, where be kept his razors, and that also alarmed me.
I have let the farm in Wales for £2:20 a-year. The tenancy
began in June. I saw Dr. Sutherland in May, before this
commission was contemplated. I had not seen my husband
since January.
Re-examined by Mr. M. Chambers—l am-i.akirg care of
ito.y six children. I
•,pay rent for the house at Aberdovey.

my husband's coranement, oe k_ .f.-GFOOrd) has not given mg
any money. My husband has a brother and sister who
are, I believe, well off, and might have supplied bins
with funds. Mr. Ackworth, my husband's solicitor at
Rochester, never made any application to me for money on
account of my husband. I asked several of my husband's
family to take care of him, and they refused to do so. I have
always been willing that he should be in their charge. I
believe he is insane, because he is under delusions,
and also because the highest medical authorities hare
declared that be is insane. I have had conversations with
his brother on the subject, and he told me that he himself
had been in the same state. I have visited my husband's
relatives in Kent, and bee❑ on friendly terms with them
since be was pieced in the asylum. I had no power to sanc-
tion any order on Mr. Gourd for money. I knew that the
proper course was to apply to the Lords Justices for money
to conduct the defence, and I did nut oppose that proceed-
ing. I am not aware whether or not my husband still has
in his possession some of the £.28 which he took with him
into the asylum. I have from time to time written to the ,
asylum to make inquiries about him. In February he re- '
fused to see me at the asylum. He wrote a very rational
letter to me in January.
This letter was then read. It was dated the lst ofJanuary.
The writer complained of having been left so long in the
asylum, and asked Mrs. Ruck to come and see him. It
was, he said, cruel to confine him there, as be had never
deserved such treatment, and he awaited her coming with
much impatience.
Witness continued—l went to the asylum without delay.
His first look was of anger, and he said he had not for-
gotten what occurred at Welehpool. It was then arranged
between us that I should come again in February. I went
then, and he refused to see me. _

By the Commissioner—l have been repeatedly to Moore-
croft (the a.ylum) since February, and he has always re-
fused to see me. Dr. Stillwell told me that it was best not
to press him to see me, as he had exprosed an unwillingness
to do so.

Edward Harrison examined—l am a surgeon residing at
Weichpooi. On the 29th of October last I was summoned
to see Mr. Ruck at the Oak Inn. Mrs. Ruck stated to me
what had eccurred en the journey to Welcbpool. I found
Mr. Ruck walking in the entrance passage of the inn, and
he seemed excited. I was told that he had ordered ally, and
I found him sitting in one with no horses attached to it.
His remaining in that position attracted attention, and I
endeavoured to persuade him to leave, but he refused. He
said he would not go into any house where Mrs. Ruck was, as
she had colducte4 herself in an improper way with a gentle-
man, a fellow-traveller in a coach. On my questioning him
on this subject, he said he saw a glance of recognition
between Mrs. Ruck and the gentleman, and knew from
that that there had been something improper. Ultimately
he left the fl: and got into another, which was under a shed
in the yard. He remained in the two flys probably for some
hours. Nut being able to give up the whole of my own time
to him I proposed that he should be watched. Mrs. Ruck
appeared in great distress of mind. Two respectable per-
sons were employed to watch him. I arrived at the con-
clusion that he was under delusions, imagining things which
evoisuitldlnpotai
to hsibli'm , haveand taken place in that house. On every
I visited him every day, he stated
to me that she had had connexion with all in and about the
hotel, and that they could have her at any time. I knew
that that statement could not possibly be true. Mrs.
Ruck's conduct at Welchpool was, as far as I observed it,
that of a most virtuous person. Mr. Ruck's behaviour did
not appear to me to be the result of immediate drinking.
Mrs. Ruck gave me to understand at the first interview that
he had been leading a very irregular kind of life, and had
occasionaLy drunk to great excess; but notwithstanding
this I ari ived at the conclusion that his conduct was not the
result of immediate drinking. I did not consider him to
have delirium tremens; I thought it was acute mania.
Mr. Ruck gave a £lO note to each of the two assistants
who watched him, anti who were sergeants of the Montgo-
meryshire militia. They afterwards Landed them over to
me. .

James—Theo tps
foundeemr gbe him might
•
LL
yanit.isrd.iiituncokt
tteolli
em et
i Cross-examined,
aim gtot !fe TZhlebOyn excitement
E.et
notes
have arisen from the excessive use of intoxicating liquors.
ign which
Re-examined by Mr. M. Chambers—Habits of intem-
perance tend to produce permanent insanity. The ser-
geants employed to watch were not in regimentals. I knew
them to be respectable men.
David Arnold, a Welsh postman—l have been a servant
in the employ of Mr. Ruck. My wife washed for the family.
Some time before I left he made a proposition to me respect-
ing my wife. Ile °tiered me £3OO if I would comply. I
did not say much to him. There was nobody in the house
but myself, and I dared not say much to a man like that.
I did not consider him in a proper state of mind. No man
in a right state of mind would have made such a proposition
to a poor man like me.
Cross-examined by Mr. James—l left Mr. Ruck's service
a twelvemonth ago last March. lie had made this Morrao-
nite proposition to me :shout six weeks before. I told my
site at the time. (A laugh.) I told nobody ele till I told
Mr. Williams a fortnight ago, when lie came to ask me
whether I had lived with Mr. Ruck.

m
r. Bailey said that until he rode in the coach with Mr.
andhad Mrs.ne v nr been
Rock they were perfect strangers to him. There
the slightest impropriety between him and
dril%onwlaturd.
Ruck about
Mrs. Ruck.
bpostboy at the Wynnstay Arms—l have
him to a place
aki,ttuttiltre country. Last October I drove
the fly. I did so
the fly for three hour.
miles off. Ile told me to feed my
horses, but to keep them
s in
netdwas nearly 1' and left them in
2, :iefore we left.
glloendgotthorteiet senviietreas.l tiliineesnos the way back. He walked a
ttole carry candles about and
length shut out.
dropped the grease. Ile was a
Cross-examined by Mr. Pete
him cut twice. Did not consider it nrii—Had only driven
anything very remark-
able that a gentleman should walk part of the way; but
Mr. Ruck only walked in the dark.
He ought not to have
made tne keep my horses in the fly.
M. M. Chambers—What was there in him that struck
you?Witness—He did not strike me at all. (Laughter.)
Mr. Chatrifiers—But what was there strange about his
conduct ?
Witness—There was nothing part!cular, except keeping
the hrrses iil the carriage.
Mr. Barnet deposed that he was a member of the College

of Surgeons, and had practised at Reading 33 years. He
bad known Mr. Ruck since 1831, and Mrs. Ruck be bad
been acquainted with for '2O years. They always appeared
to him to live together as a man and wife should. He went
down to Welchpool, in October last, in consequence of a
message he received by the telegraph. Mr. Ruck received
him very cordially, and said he was glad he had come, as
two fellows had been put over him to watch him, and pre-
vent him from going away, and he wanted to go. Witness
inquired where Mrs. Ruck was, and he said she was nothing
to him—she was a very bad woman, as bad as any woman
who walked the streets, and he then left the room in an ex-
cited and abrupt manner. Witness then invited him to
come and visit him at Reading, and he consented to do so ;
hut appeared very restless and excited, and very unlike his
former self. They all started by the mail to Shrews-
bury. He made no objection to Mrs. Ruck ac-
companying him. While they were waiting for the
train at Shrewsbury, be appeared exceedingly restless,
and every now and then he exclaimed, " I will be off to
Liverpool; she shall swing for it." He also said, " She
murdered two of my children." He then said that he had
painful proof that Mrs. Ruck had been unfaithful to him
with several men. Witness paid the bill for them all at
Birmingham, and told Mr. Ruck he bad done so, but he
insisted upon giving the hoots another fee. When they
arrived at Readirg dinner was ready, and his wife informed
him that Mr. Ruck had escaped. Witness followed and
overtook him, and asked him where he was going, and he
replied in a harsh tone, " What is that to you ?" He then
said he would not go to his house again. He afterwards
raised his stick apparently to strike him, and he s:•!zed
his collar. Some persons then came up, and also a police-
man, and they went to the police-station, when Mr. Ruck
charged him with attempting to poison him by drugging his
wine. He then suddenly broke out with the charges against
his wife, and said that she was a prostitute. A fly was then
brought, and they returned home. On the following morn-
ing when they were at breakfast Mrs. Barnet handed him
a cup of tea, and he pour:d it into the slop basin, and held
out his cup for another, which was supplied him, and he
drank it. Witness then sent for Dr. Conolly, and after
he had examined Mr. Ruck, he and Dr. Conolly
signed the certificate of insanity under which Mr.
Ruck was removed to the asylum. Witness bad no
doubt whatever that at this time Mr. Ruck was of
unsound mind. He talked of his property, and said that
his slate mines were worth £30,000, and that be had lead
and copper mines that were of untold value. Mrs. Ruck's
conduct was always unexceptionable and virtuous, and that
of a good wife. Witness saw Mr. Ruck in the asylum in
Aprillast, but he was so angry and violent that he had no
conversation with him.

Cross-examined—Witness was not aware that Dr. Still-
well had refused to allow Mr. Fisher, the barrister ( Mr.
Ruck's brother-in-law), to see him. When he went in April
he was accompanied by Mr. Williams, the attorney in the
present proceedings for the petitioner. In an affidavit he
had made in support of the petition he had described him-
self as having formerly practised as a surgeon ; but he would
swear that he was in actual practice, and the description
was a mistake. He was aware that the Act of Parliament
required every person who signed a certificate of insanity
should be a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in
actual practice. He was sorry to say that Mrs. Ruck
described the insanity of her husband as being hereditary.
She also said that the family were very eccentric. Ile did
not think, of course, that every eccentric man ought to be
confined. He did not think that hereditary eccentricity was
sufficient justification for confining any one. He was of
opinion that the state of excitement in which he found Mr.
Ruck might possibly, to some extent, be attributable to
drink.

-.ln answer to further questions Mr. Barnet admitted
that be and Dr. Cottony did not examine him separately
before they signed the certificate of his insanity, which is
required by the statute, and he said he was not aware
that by so doing he had subjected himself to an indictment
for misdemeanour. He also stated that he had signed the
usual document, setting forth that he knew of his own
knowledge that the insanity was partly hereditary and
partly occasioned by drinking to excess, when he admitted
that he knew nothing personally upon the subject, and that
this information he had derived from Mrs. Ruck and other
persons. He likewise stated that he did not consider Mr.
Ruck was mad when he accompanied him to the Manches-
ter Exhibition in August, and he did not see him again
until he was sent for in October.
Mrs. Sarah Barnet, the wife of the last witness, confirmed
his testimony with regard to the delusions entertained by
Mr. Ruck upon the subject of his wife being unfaithful to
him ; and she also said that upon one occasion, when the
table was laid for dinner, he took up a knife and played
with it, and looked at his wife in a most savage manner ;
and when the witness looked at him he laid the knife down
and slunk out of the room. Mrs. Ruck, she said, was always
most kind and affectionate to him, and she never saw her
out of temper.
Dr. Conolly was the next witness. He stated that he
went to Reading to see Mr. Ruck in November last year,
and after having received an outline of the particulars con-
nected with his case he saw him alone. Mr. Ruck con-
versed with him in a very good-humoured manner, and at
length most unreservedly. He spoke to him of his wife's
infidelity in the most gross and coarse terms. He also said
that when she was at Welchpool she got drunk, and she
committed herself in his presence. Oa the 18th of June he
saw him again, having repeatedly seen him during ttlat
interval, and the same delusions were then present to his
mind. He was of opinion that it would be cruel to set
him at large while these delusions existed, and he
felt assured, from the nature of these delusions, that
if he were to be freed from restraint, the conse-
quence might be that he would cimmit murder upon
his wife or upon some one whom he looked upon as her
paramour, or that in despair he might destroy himself. He
added that he bad observed a change in the demeanour of
Mr. Ruck since the month of June, and he was evidently
now more reserved upon the subject of his delusions, but he
had no doubt that they still existed, and he should consider
it very dangerous to set him at liberty.
Cross-examined—l have not had any conversation with
,at
,since the 18th of .June, but I have no doubt
Ihe ought to be restrained untiihnurtiitig
dplimion,_ r nptipvp that lie will eventually recover,

but 3or the excitement that has been created by these
proceedings. I should call his case that of Temkin, accom-
panied by delusions. lam aware that the Act of Parlia-
ment requires that ne person connected with. a lunatic
asylum shall sign a certificate of insanity. I have no con-
nection with Moorecroft House. I merely visit the patients
in the same way that many other physicians do, and I re-
ceive a fee for so doing; but I am in no way connected
with or interested in the establishment. I recommend pa-
tients to be sent there because I know they are well treated.
The establishment receives none but gentlemen patients. I
have sent a great many patients there during the last few
years. I do not remember having ever received a letter
from Dr. Stillwell, the proprietor of the establishment, in-
forming me that he could not see any ground fir detaining
Mr. Buck in the asylum. I never heard of Mr. Ruck
having coramit!ed, or attempted to commit, any act of
violence.

Re-examined—lt is my opinion that, on the 18th of June,
when I last conversed with Mr. Ruck upon the subject of his
delusions as to his wife's infidelity, that they not only existed,
hut were more intense than ever. Ifa patient showed reserve
upon the subject of his delusion-, I should not consider that
as an indication that the state of his mind was improved, but
the contrary.
In answer to questions put by the learned Commissioner,
Dr. Conolly said that he was unable to speak to the condi-
tion of Mr. Ruck's mind at this moment, but his belief was
that his delusions still existed, although he might endeavour
to conceal them.

The Commissioner suggested that it would be advisable
that Dr. Conolly should have an opportunity of consulting
with Mr. Ruck before the case was concluded, and Mr.
James at once assented.

The inquiry was then again adjourned.

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EXECUTION AT TAUNTON.—Thomas Baker Buck-
nell, convicted at Wells before Mr. Baron Watson, on
Tuesday, the 10th inst., after a trial of two days, for the
wilful murder of John Bucknell and Betsy Bucknell, his
grandfather and grandmother, et Creeke St. Michael, near
Taunton, on the 14th April last, was executed yesterday
morning on the gallows erected on the summit of the county
gaol. Although the evidence given at the trial left no
doubt as to the prisoner's guilt, he has vehemently as-
serted his innocence, and evinced the utmost indifference
to his impending fate. Mr. Trenchard, the solicitor, who
defended him, exhorted the prisoner to confess his
guilt, but he persisted in his statement that he was
innocent. The Rev. F. Howse, the chaplain of the gaol, and
the Rev. J. D. OArchaw, the incumbent of the parish of
Cream, where the prisoner was brought up, also exerted
their influence to induce the unfortunate man to unburden
his mind, but he declined to listen to their advice, and re-
mained callous to the last. He was visited by his father and
brother, and the scene is described to have been of a most
agonising description. Yesterday morning, shortly before
eight, the under-sheriff, the governor, and chaplain of the
gaol, visited the prisoner in the condemned cell, and aeon
after Calcraft arrived, and proceeded to pinion the convict,
who bore himself with extraordinary firmness throughout.
Upon arriving on the drop the executioner placed the pri-
soner tinder the fatal beam, the bolt was drawn, and in a
few seconds life was extinct. Death was unusually easy.
The crowd was considerable, though not so large as when
Beale, the Leigh Woods murderer, was executed ;spit year
MELANCHOLY CASE OF DROWNING.—About ognt
o'clock last Monday night a boy named George Wood,
about 13 years of age, in the employ of Mr. Page, baker,
Preston-street, Brighton, went into the sea to bathe not
far from the bottom of Russell-street. He by some means
got out of his depth, which being observed by two boys by
whom he was accompanied, one of them named May, living
in Russell-street, got hold of his hand, but was obliged to
let go to prevent being dragged in himself. The alarm was
Rived, but deceased was not now to be seen, as it was rather
dark. A seine net vras procured, with which two men
named Collier and Collins
succeeded in finding the body.