The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-08 00:00:00

COMMISSION OF LUNACY.

(THIS DAY.)
(Before Mr. Commissioner Ballow.)

.4.0 inquiry of a very exciting character was commenced
this morning, at the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's-
street, before the learned Chief Commissioner of Lunacy,
touching the sanity of Sir H. Mena.
There was a large attendance of gentlemen of the long
robe.

Mr. Montagu Chambers, Q.C., Mr. Bovill, Q.C., and
Mr. Bodkin, appeared for Mrs. Bowyer Smith, the sis-
ter of Sir H. Meux.
The Attorney-General, Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., Mr.
Wilde, Q.C., and Mr. Hawkins, appeared for Lady Meux.
A jury of merchants having been empanneled,
The learned Commissioner proceeded to explain to them
the duty which devolved upon them, which was to ascer-
tain the state of mind of Sir H. Meux, Bart., of Hertford
shire and Belgrave-square. If they were of opinion of
heating the evidence that the unfortunate gentleman was
of unsound mind, then they would have to fix the date
at which he became incompetent to manage his affairs,
because that was the point in issue.
Mr. M. Chambers then commenced to address the jury.
He said the duty which would devolve upon the jury was
a very painful one, it was to fix the date at which Sir
Henry Meux became incapable of managing his own affairs.
There was no question about the insanity of the unfortunate
gentleman, at the present time he believed that he was in a
very hopeless condition. Sir H. Meux, the object of the
present inquiry, was the only son of the late wealthy-gen-
tleman who had formerly carried on the large, brewery at
the bottom of Oxford-street, known as the Horseshoe
Brewery. Early in life he was placed at Eton, and even-
tually went Oxford; and although his. mental faculties
were peculiarly strong, he was of a very reserved disposi-
tion. Events went on, and in the year 1841, Sir Henry,
on the death of his father, came into possession of all his
property. There was an estate in Hertfordshire, and a
large amount of property vested in the brewery, in which
there were two other partners, Mr. Dudley Coutts Mar-
joribanks and Mr. Berries. Sir Henry Meux did not
interfere in the active management of the brewery, but
the quarterly accounts were submitted to him which he
always examined. Sir Henry had three sisters, each of
whom were married. One married Lord Malden, the son
of the Earl of Essex ; one Mr. Arabin, the son of the late
Sergeant Arabin, and the order Mr. Bowyer Smith. In
1855, there being a strong intimacy existing between Sir
M. Mteux and Lord Ernest Bruce, Sir Henry married his-
leeedshiles daughter at rails, and it was very shortly after;
this that symptoms of a very alarming nature presented
themselves, and a change in his manner became evident to
a number f persons. Nothing was done by the relatives
until 1856, and evidence would be given by the medical
and independent witnesses, which would show that in
their opinion very considerable mental imbecility had
taken place. Sir Henry who was very fond of field sports,
'ent to the Highlands to shoot, and there met General
Hall and several other gentlemen, and from the reckless
manner in which he used his gun, it became dangerous to
go out with him. The gentlemen there assembled did not
say anything to Sir Henry, but his friends were so struck
with the circumstances that they advised, in order to
counteract the malady they feared was approaching, that
the best medical gentlemen should be consulted.
Shortly after, a medical consultation took place, at which
Mr. Allen, Dr. Watts, and Dr. Ferguson was present, and
it was their opinion that decided disc rganisation of the brain
had taken place, and in their opinion it was thought advis-
able that Sir Henry should be kept exceedingly quiet. On
the day following this consultation` a letter was received
from Sir Henry, stating that he was quite well, and that
he did not wish to see either of the medical gentlemen
again. In the month of March last year a circumstance
transpired which hada great effect on the powers of Sir H.,
viz., the dissolution of Parliament. Sir Henry had for some
years represented Hertfordshire, and on the time of the
election approaching, Sir Henry was advised to retire,
which he refused. There were a number of candidates,
both. Conservative and Liberal, and in order to prevent tie
expenses of a contest, an arrangement was made to return
one Liberal and two Conservatives—Hertfordshire return-
ing three members. The preliminaries were arranged, and
a committee was appointed to decide who was to be the
retiring Conservative, and it resulted that Sir H. Meux
was the person decided upon. This circumstance pro-
duced the greatest excitement on the part of the
unfortunate gentleman. He refused to submit to the de-
cision of the committee, commenced a canvass, and was
ultimately returned. In April, of the satneyear, the mike y
began further to develope itself, and delusions began to arise ;
his mind gave way, and ultimately he sank into utter hope-
lessness. Sir Henry had a butler in his service, and on
ene occasion he rang the bell, and, pointing to a picture
hanging in the room, directed his servant to wipe the bread
crumbs off the picture. The butler was compelled to wipe
the picture to prevent Sir Henry from discharging him.
The next day Sir Henry complained that all the doors
were opened, and unless they were shut he would dis-
charge all the servants. The next symptom was exhibited
in August of the same year, at a review of the Yeomanry
Cavalry, he being colonel of the regiment. He was taken
to the review in his carriage, and was with great difficulty
lifted on his horse, and after that he was unable to give
the word of command, so that the whole of the evolutions
devolved on the Lieutenant. After the ceremony was
over Sir Henry recognised Lord Verulum, whom he told
he was going to town. In August of the next year the ur.
feu tunategentleman wentto the Highlan Is to enjoy another
shooting excursion, and there exhibited more advanced signs
of insanity. He laboured under the delusion that all the
birds shot were shot by him, and that in one day he had
shot upwards of 100 stags. At this time another medical
consultation took place, at which Sir B. Brodie was pre-
sent, and during the consultation Sir Henry, being in au
adjoining room, attempted to cut his arms with a paper
knife, and did various other things which no person
in his senses would be guilty of, and the result ar-
rived at was, that he was of unsound mind. et was
supposed that during the previous month Sir Henry
Meux had executed a certain paper which was of
great importance to Lady Manx and his only son.
It was supposed that the document was executed previous
to this consultation, so the question for the jury 'would
be whether at the time the deed was executed, which was
supposed to be in July, Sir Henry Meux was of
unsound mind. There was no question about theimbecility
of Sir Henry at the present time, as all the jury would
have the opportunity of seeing him at his own house. He
had thought it best thus to state shortly the facts of the
case, leaving the details to be adduced in evidence.
The first witness called was
Gen. Hall, M.P. for Buckingham, who stated that he
knew Sir Henry Meux most intimately. He recollected
being present in January last year at a shooting party in
Theobalds, Sir Henry k estate in Hertfordshire. Sir
Henry shot very wild, in fact he injured several persons.
He also recollected seeing Sir Henry previous to the last
Hertfordshire election. He was then in a very
excited state of mind in consequence of a committee
recording him to retire from the contest. He
thought it. exceedingly dangerous for Sir Henry to
undergo the dangers of a contested election in his then
state of mind and body.
By Mr. Edwin James—Sir Henry Meux being the senior
member for the county of Hertford was asked to
retire in order to make room for Mr. Abel Smith.
He considered he was competent to stand for Hertford-
shire although he did not think he could undergo a
contested election. It was by no means strange that acci-
dents occurred at shooting parties. Sir Henry was not
given to conversation.
Lord Charles Clinton gave similar evidence.
Dr. Williams, the medical attendant to the Meux family,
said he had seen Sir Henry several times, and found him
labouring under brain disease. During the latter part of
the last year he had seen him, and he was then of opinion
that be was of unsound mind.
By Mr. E. James—He had not entered the minutes of
his visit in his case book at the time, but had since done
so—about 10 days ago. He had not the book with him,
but he would produce it tc-morrow.
Dr. Wet sin, of Cavendish-square, said he first saw Sir
Henry on the 29th of Dec., 1856. The opinion he formed
was that he was labouring under disease of the brain—a
structural disease of the brain which excitement would
greatly aggravate. The next occasion was on the 24th of
Feb., 1857, when he was suffering from brain disease, and
he advised that he should abstain from all business.
The excitement of a general election would produce the
most dangerous results. He had seen the unfortunate gen-
tleman afterwards, in the latter part of the year 1857. He
talked a great deal. He laboured under the delusion that
General Havelock had been buried alive, and that he had
a specific which would cure all wounds, and render the
British troops invisible. He talked about killing large
quantities of game in a d iy—a quantity quite impossible.
By Attorney-Genet al—On the 24th of February, 1857,
he was batter than he was in December of the previous
year. Softening of the brain might exist for a long time
previous to a person losing his senses. Nothing occurred
on the two occasions spoken to which incapacitated Sir
Henry from managing his own affairs. He was under the
medical charge of Mr. Skey.
By Mr. Bovill— It would have been extremely hazardous
for Siz Henry to have gone through a eontested elections.
It would hasten on any disease, if there were any.
Sir B. Brodie—Said he saw Sir Henry on the 26th Oct.,
1857, forSparalysia. He then recommended that Dr.
Conolly should be sent for, as he was labouring under
mental as well as bodily disease. On the 19th of Dec.,
in the same year ho again saw him, he was then in a im-
becile state.
By Mr. Edwin James—When he last saw him, after the
visit in December, he would have been pertfrtlfy,rohmips eitnetnet.
to have executed a power of attorney to
re
the hands f trustees. He would
havekntohe brewery
w nwehwaetryheinwto thasabu
oait!ldnoitrabaegeinnecotubsautlis,7l
°Men
as to the state o
By the Chief
fChoinismniiisnside,nbeur-t-hHe
Henry might, at the time he was speaking of, be influenced

in hi; actions.
The case was proceeding when we went to press.

letter's
pecuniaryM.
Several of the continental journals publish the trans-
lationatttyof a letter addressel by Sir Edward Bulwrr
de Lamartine, on the subject the
embarrassments. The English novtl-
bt expresses profound admiration of the French par t
ryrnpathises with him in his difficulties, and offers Lim
his cordial co-operation in the measures undertaken for
his reli:f.
THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN FLEETS IN THE WEST
INDIES AND THE GULF. The American jourrals re-
ceived by the Persia contain the folliwing details in re-
ference to the naval strength cf the two Powers :—The
Br ti,li Fleet on the We, t India Station.—TneArachne,
18 guns ; the Atalanta, 16 ; the steamer Brunswick,
80 ; the s earner Basilisk, 6 ; the steamer Buzzard,
6 ; the Cumberland, 70 ; the steamer Devastation,
6 ; the strata gunboat Forward, 2 ; the steamer
Harrier, 16 ; the Imaum, 72 ; the Indus, 78; the
, steam gunboat JaPeur, 1 ; the steam gunboat Jasper, 1 ;
the steamer Liot.ard, 18 ; the steam gunboat Skipjack,
2 ; the steamer S:yx, 6 ; the steamer Tartar, 20 ; the
• learner Terror, 16 ; total number of guns, 435. The
American fleet. —The vessels of war now in the Gulf,
or under orders to appear in the waters thereof, are as
follow :—The steamer Cahrado, 40 ; the steamer Ful-
ton, 5 ; the steamer Wabash, 40 ; the rtearaer Water-
witch, 2 ; the steamer Arctic, 2; the steamer Despatch,
2 ; the sloop of war Savannah, 24; the sloop of war
Jamestown, 24; the brig D.rlphin, 4 Total number of
guns, 141. The guns are of different calibre, and con-
sr quently do not convey any very accurate thea of the
rreuht of me!al carried by these vessels.