The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-27 00:00:00

LAW INT.

course.
Mr. Sergeant Petersdorff then addressed the jury on the
evidence adducedion the part of Mr. Ruck. Ile said, if be
were only to consult the interests of his client, he thought
he might, with perfect safety, leave the case as it stood at
the present moment; but he thought it was a duty he owed
to the eminent medical men who had been examined, and
who had testified to the perfect sanity of Mr. Ruck, to ad-
dress a few observations to them. In the exercise of his
undoubted right, in summing up the evidence he would com-
mence by adverting to that given by Dr. Stillwell. The most
important point in that evidence was that relating to the
" case-book," a book kept for the protection of the
unfortunate inmates of private asylums, and the guidance
of the Commissioners in Lunacy ; and what would be the
eked, supposing the entries were not correctly made?
Why, instead of being what the law intended, it would be
the means of securely keeping those unhappy persons pri-
soners for life. Now, the entry made in the book with re-
spect to Mr. Ruck was, in the first place, that his insanity
was hereditary, but how far that assertion was correct, he
would leave with confidence to the decision of the jury.
Then, again, it was stated that Mr. Ruck had locked up
his wife's sister, and had attempted to shoot her, but such
an assertion was not supported by one tittle of evidence, and
the only authority that Dr. Stillwell had for such an
entry in the case-book was the statement of Mr. Barnet.
During the 10 months that the alleged lunatic bad been in
confinement, everything had been done to irritate, and
nothing to soothe him. The medical men who had been
called in to see him had only put questions as, when
answered, carried out their peculiar ideas, and not one of
them attempted to ascertain whether a recovery was to be
expected in a short period, but had, it appeared, all arrived
at a settled conclusion that Mr. Ruck was a hopeless lunatic.
He now came to the part Mr. Wainwright had taken in
this case, and he contended that the whole of the proceedings
of that gentleman were dictated by the purest friendship and
disinterestedness. The advice he had given to Mr. Ruck
to abstain making statements except in the presence of his
legal advisers was most proper, for had he not pursued that
course, statements, no doubt, would have been made before
the agents of the petitioners which would have been used
with tenfold force against himself. lie (Sergeant Peters-
dorff) thought that the lunacy which had for a short time
attacked Mr. Ruck was entirely to be attributed to intem-
perance ; and the evidence of Drs. Copeland, Tuke, John-
son, Skey, Lawrence, and the rest of the gentlemen ex-
amined on the part of his client, clearly proved that the
most easily-cured cases of insanity were those occasioned
by intoxication. The learned sergeant then reminded the
jury of the responsibility that devolved upon them, and
resumed his seat by stating that he felt confident that the
result of the investigation would be to restore Mr. Ruck
to liberty and his proper station in society.
Mr. M. Chambers, Q.C., in replying on the whole of the
case, said that in the arguments used by the learned gen-
tlemen, the counsel for Mr. Ruck, they had sedulously
avoided discussing the facts of the case, and had confined
themselves to statements which could neither govern nor
guide the judgment of the jury. They had contended that
this investigation was an attack on private lunatic
asylums, but he (Mr. Chambers) thought the jury
would clearly see that such was not the case. This
long inquiry had not been instituted to investigate
the management of such establishments, but to ascertain
the state of mind of Mr. Ruck. That was the
single point at issue, and the jury bad nothing to do with
the vague generalities which occupied nine-tenths of the
addresses of his friends on the other side. He thought that
Dr. Stillwell, a young and rising medical gentleman, had
been treated with great cruelty in order that the jury might
be misled. He had been accused of treating his patients
with great cruelty, but he felt bound to say that, from what
he had seen, and from what he bad been told, in no
similar establishment was greater freedom and kindness ex-
ercised towards the unfortunate inmates than in that kept
by Dr. Stillwell. The conduct of the wife of Mr. Ruck bad
been very severely commented on by the counsel for the
husband, but he contended that the whole of the conduct of
that lady, miserable as she had been made by the present
proceedings, had been marked by the greatest tenderness
and affection. She had done everything possible to
secure the recovery of her husband, and for that
she had been misrepresented and calumniated. The
learned gentleman then proceeded to refer to the con-
duct of Mr. Ruck in 1855-56, when it had been proved he
was in the habit of getting up in the middle of the night,
ordering the groom to put the horses to the carriage, and
then directing him to drive up and down the open country,
of making indelicate proposals to his domestics, and
various other things equally strange, which a man possessed
of his sober senses would never have been guilty of.
The learned gentleman, having gone through the whole of
the medical evidence offered to prove the sanity of Mr. Ruck,
contended it had utterly failed to establish that fact ; but,
on the contrary, had clearly shown that it would be unsafe
to allow that gentleman the free and uncontrolled use of his
liberty.
Commissioner Winslow then summed up the evidence,
and, having explained the law with respect to lunacy, said
it now devolved upon the jury to say whether Mr. Ruck
was a person of sound or unsound mind.
At the conclusion of the summing up several of the jurors
put questions to Mr. Ruck, in answer to which he stated
that he believed he laboured under delusions with respect to
his wife, but that they had all disappeared and had been
founded on groundless suspicions. With respect to the
assertion attributed to him that Mr. Wainwright had been
forced upon him, he simply denied ever having uttered it.
A juror—Did it lot occur to you that on the removal of
your delusions the first person you communicated with
should have been your wife ?
Mr. Ruck—l should have done so had she not instituted
these proceedings.
The jury then, at twenty-five minutes past three, retired
to consider their verdict, and after an absence of a quarter
of an hour returned into court, and the Foreman announced
that they were of opinion that Mr. Ruck was of sound mind
and quite capable of managing his own affairs.
The announcement was received with loud applause.
During the deliberation of the jury, Mr. Ruck remained
in the hall, and laughed and chattered with his counsel in
the most familiar manner ; indeed, throughout the whole of
the protracted inquiry he has exhibited the most perfect
confidence in the successful result of the proceedings.
We understand the jury were divided in opinion as to their
verdict. Twelve were for a verdict of sound mind, and the
remaining six fur one unsound mind.

x in

FATAL GUN ACCIDENT.—On Sunday afternoon
last, a man named William Stephens, cattle dealer, died at
Gretton, from the effects of a pistol-shot received on Thurs-
day last. In the course of the latter day the deceased, in
company with Mr. John Hale, of Gretton, was amusing
himself by firing at a mark, there being some friendly
rivalry between the parties as to their skill in pistol
practice. Unfortunately, however, a quarrel arose, and
Hale attempted to wrest the pistol, which was loaded with
ball, from Stephens, and in the course of the struggle that
ensued its contents were by accident discharged into de-
ceased's stomach. He was at once removed, and had prompt
medical attention, but, as already stated, he expired en
Sunday last.—Cheltenham Examiner.
ExTENSIVE FIRE AT THE Bow WORKS OF THE
NORTH LONDON RAILWAY.—This morning, shortly after
4 o'clock, a very destructive fire took place at the locomo-
tive and carriage works of the North London Railway
Company's works at Bow. The fire originated in a long
range of brick buildings which stood close to the up line of
comprising carriage building, repairing,
rails of the incline,
painters' smiths', and various other:workshops. The alarm
pt.ilice stationed outside the building per-
was raised by the
ceiving smoke issuing from the roof. Before an entry
could be made the flames had obtained. a powerful
hold of the south end of the building. The tele-
graph office at the station being closed, the police
were prevented from at once communicating with the
fire brigade in London; a messenger had to be despatched to
London on horseback to the various stations of the brigade,
and it was owing. to this circumstance that delay was occa-
sioned in the arrival of the engines. During this time the
flames extended with fearful impetuosity, and before
the engines arrived the whole range of buildings was nearly
consumed. When the firemen got to work their exertions
were directed to the preservation of the main (locomotive)
building, which was filled with engines, and which, for
some time,
was placed in great peril. By the strenuous ex-
ertions of all parties, this valuable portion of the establish-
ment was saved, but not before a large number of the west
windows were shattered by the intense heat. By 7 o'clock
the conflagration was got under, but not until the wol
of the range of buildings, two stories in heighht,e
in which the fire commenced, was totally consumed.
The walls fell on the line, and far a time interrupted the
traffic, but gangs of labourers
were speedily put to work, ,
under the direction of Mr. King, one of the superintendents
of the company, and the rails were soon cleared, and the
trains in the coursa of the morning ran as usual. The loss
of property will amount t) several thousands. On the
lower floor of the buildicg were several carriages, which
were totally consumed, together with a quantity of ma-
chinery. Many of the workmen are seffereis by the less of
their tools. Tee °Hein of the fire is at present a eerfect
mystery. When the men left last night the place was to all
appearance as safe as it had ever been.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF DETAINING A LETTER.— -
THE LANDLADY AND HER COOK.—A day or two sir.ee
Mrs. Hunt, landlady of the well-known house of enterV4in-
meut, the Spread Eagle of Epsem, was called before the
magistrates for the county of Surrey, charged with ha vieg
detained a letter directed to her cook, one Emma at ker.
Upon being called upon to give her reason for Fo unwise
and unfavourable a proceeding, Mrs. Hunt said the -letter
contained language unfit for the gaze of any respect. 'Able
female. Miss Baker, highly indignant at this impute .lion
upon the morality of her correspondent, insisted tba• t the
epistle should be read. The clerk having read it, , pro-
nounced it a document of an entirely opposite chi aacter.
The letter was then given np. The magistrates cov invented
most severely upon Mrs. Hunt's conduct, and info emed her
that she was liable toe severe penalty, which won) d not now
be inflicted, as the cook was satisfied wittaer h tter. This
little incident has quite enlivened the quiet tovp of Eroin,

CITY SHERIFFS' COUCT.
(Before Mr. Prendergast, Q.C.)
THE VALUE OF AN I 0 IT.-WELLER A)ID ANOTHER

V. IeMILLEN.
Mr. Nash, for the plaintiffs, stated that they were execu-
tors to a person named Squires, amongst whose effects were
found an I 0 U for £4 10s., signed by defendant. Upon
being applied to for the money, defendant averred that he
had paid the debt, but as no account could be found in
plaintiff's' books, or any endorsement on the back of the
I 0 U, plaintiffs proceeded for the amount.
Mr. Perry (from Mr. Buchanan's, of Basinghall-street)
stated that from time to time various sums had been paid by
defendant to the deceased, and that in the presence of wit-
nesses. Accordingly he called several witnesses, who swore
to the amount having been paid.
Mr. Nash said he would consent to a nonsuit.
Mr. Perry could not understand how Mr. Nash could
move for a nonsuit in the face of such evidence, and his
Honour found for defendant.

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE IN CIVIL LAW.-LEWIN

T. EMERSON.

In this case, plaintiff, a cook, sought to recover the sum
of £slos. money lent to defendant's wife.
Mr. Perry, fur defendant, examined plaintiff at consider-
able length as to the fact of the money having been lent
with defendant's knowledge. Plaintiff said that Mr. Emer-
son was well aware that the money had been lent for an oc-
ca4on, and said, "I think it's about 505." Defendant's wife
had left him. Mr. Perry said defendant allowed his wife
;Ms. per week, and she had no reason to borrow the money.
If plaintiff would produce any document of authenticity,
defendant would pay. Upon this plaintiff produced a book,
in which were various entries made, as plaintiff alleged, at
the several times she lent the money. The book was a ge-
neral memorandum book. Upon looking at it, his Honour
said that it was a circumstantial document.
Mr. Perry then called defendant, who said that the
money had not been lent with his knowledge. He did not
say that if plaintiff produced any acknowledgment he would
pay. His Honour thought plaintiff had told a feasible
story, backed by circumstantial documentary evidence, and
he should give his verdict for the amount.

POLICE IiVTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY).

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.—BASE INGRATITUDE.
—STEALING A GOLD WATCH.—Alfred Minchley, a
grocer, of 9, Bedford-terrace, Borough, was charged with
stealing a gold watch and chain, of the value of £l2, the
property of Mr. Thomas Letchford, coffee-house keeper, 37,
High-street, St. Giles's.
Mr. Letchford said the prisoner came to lodge with him
about three months ago, and, after stopping with him about
six weeks, he left to go to a situation in the Borough. Yes-
terday fortnight, on getting up ire the morning, having given
the prisoner permission to sleep on a couch in his bedroom,
be missed the watch and chain, the prisoner having got up
very early and left. Previous to going to bed he had locked
the watch and chain up in his secretaire, and left the key on
the table.
James Buckingham, 141 F, proved taking the prisoner
into custody at Uaion-row, Borough. The prisoner said he
knew nothing about it. On searching the prisoner he found
on him three duplicates, one of which related to the watch
and chain, which the prisoner afterwards admitted to him
he had pawned for £3 10s.
A person was in attendance from the pawnbrokers', who
said he could not identify the prisoner, but it was paw ne'i
by a man who gave the name of " Letchford."
In defence the prisoner said he and the prosecutor had
been drinking together, and on retiring at night he assisted
in undressing the prosecutor, and took off his watch and
chain, which he put round his (prisoners) own neck, and on
going away in the morning he forgot to leave it. The
prosecutor denied the truth of this assertion. He had been
very kind to prisoner.
Mr. Bingham—How came you to pawn it then ?
Prisoner said he did not like to take it back.
Mr. Bingham having characterised it as a heartless and
audacious robbery, committed the prisoner for four months.

THAMES.—BURGLARY AND ROBBERY.— Thomas
Lovesey, a boy aged 15 years, was brought before Mr. Selfe,
charged with stealing four cotton handkerchiefs, a silk hand-
kerchief, a pair of trousers, and other property, from the pre-
mises of Mr. William Harman, outfitter, in Emmett-street,
Poplar.
Mr. Harman said his premises were burglariously entered
a few nights ago, and coins and other property to the value
of /20 stolen. Some of the coins had been since traced to a
man who called himself Henry Phelps, and a woman named
Ann Dunn, with whom be cohabited. The magistrate had
remanded Phelps and Dunn until next Tuesday, and
there was not any doubt but that the charge of
burglary could be brought home to them. When the
notpersons
now under remand were apprehended, he couldhelp
being struck with the resemblance of the man Phelps to the
boy now in the dock, who was formerly in the employ of
witness, as messenger and general servant. He went
streetto the
dwelling of the prisoner yesterday, at No. 43, Fore-,
Limehouse, and there discovered in a box, which belonged
to the prisoner's brother, Phelps, a pair of doe-skin
trousers, four cotton handkerchiefs, a silk handkerchief, and
a bouk, the title of which was " The Life
of of the
se Dukengs of
Wellington." He had not missed any tho thi
previously.
Mr. Selfe—You say that the man Phelps, whom I have
remanded, is the brother of the prisoner ?
Mr. Harman—He is, sir. This boy owned to having
taken the cotton handkerchiefs, one at a time, and to have
given them to another brother, not the one in custody.
Pullen, a police-constable, said that the prisoner told him
he had not seen Isis brother, who had given the name of
Phelps, for 10 weeks. He could prove that the prisoner had
seen his brother a day or two before his apprehension.
The prisoner, in his defence, said be did take a taw cotton
handkerchiefs while he was in the service of Mr. Harman,
but nothing else.
Mr. Selfe remanded the prisoner until Tuesday next, when
his brother and the woman Dunn will be again brought up
on a charge of burglary.

THIS DAYS MARKETS.