The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-13 00:00:00

Ti; .E SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 13, 1366.

ment of the sums falling due on account of the pur-
chase-money, &c., of the Panama vessels, would be
distributed. These expectations had not been realized
—the monetary crisis having continued for a longer
period than anticipated; the distrust which it occa-
sioned, combined with other events, had affected
the issue of the debentures, and rendered it neces-
sary to further postpone the dividend. It was, how-
over, gratifying to state that during the last three
months £30,000 had been received for debentures,
making the total amount £82,500, out of the pro-
posed issue of £150,000, and when the balance of
£67,500 was subscribed for the payment of the di-
vidend in question could be arranged. As the com-
pany were now in actual receipt of subsidies
amounting to £125,000 per annum, making the ag- I
gregate returns about £300,000 per annum, and the
future being full of promise, the directors were led
to hope that it would not be long before the remain-
ing capital would be obtained. Their fleet com-
prised 14 screw steamers, of 13,370 tons in the
aggregate, and 2,785-horse power ; also one screw
steam tender, and eight coal ships, of 8,200 tons,
making a total of 23 vessels, of 21,610 tons and
2,800-horse power.

TRIAL OF MARTIN BEAU.

♦--.~.

NIORT, Dec. 9.
Now that the case comes near to its issue, the
sensation it causes becomes more intense. Every
sitting—nay, every hour—brings a dramatic inci-
dent, and the evidence seems to accumulate over
the accused in such a way that he must entertain
very little hope, indeed, of escaping capital punish-
ment.

At yesterday's sitting, several witnesses gave
details already known upon the remedies that the
accused gave to his second wife, and upon the diffe-
rent accidents concocted by him in the view of
causing a miscarriage.
The Count of Merinville, landowner, at Pres-
signy, was then examined. The following are the
principal points of his deposition :—I knew Julia
Bontemps well. The Countess of Merinville and
myself were greatly interested in her. When we
learnt that she was going to be married with Reau
we were greatly surprised, because Reau is not con-
sidered much in the country. When she gave birth
to a child somebody came and told me of it. I said
that my intention was to
go and compliment the
young family. One of my workmen told me it
was useless, as Reau was not pleased to be a father.
I went to Fouilloux to see Reau and his wife. I
found Madame Reau alone. She told me she had
been delivered of a sou after two falls she had when
going down to the cellar. She had seen on the
stairs pieces of wood placed crossways. I remember
asking her who put those pieces of wood there.
She said she did not know. Some time after I
called again on Madame Reau. I then found her
in a horrible state ; she was extremely thin, her
eyes were glaring, and her dried lips striking each
other, giving a sound as that made by castanets. I
retired painfully impressed and returned to the Coun-
tess of Merinville, who entertained a kind affection
for Julia Bontemps. She liked her very much.
She wanted to see Julia-Bontemps, and I returned
to Fouilloux with her. I remember that Reau did

not give me a warm reception. Madame Reau died
two or three days after. This is, gentlemen, all
that I have to say.
The President—What do you know about the
child's nurse ?

Witness—The child was sent to a nurse who had

had a child two years before, and who was very
poor. It was strange that Roan, in his position,
should choose such a nurse. I spoke about it to
Julia Bontemps, whosaid, " Well, you see, one can-
not always do as one wants." Reau said to me,
"It is very unfortunate for me that Dr. Martin at-
tended my wife. He did not understand her ill-
ness. lie attended upon her for a sore throat, and
she had inflammation."
The President—Reau has said for his defence

that all these criminal proceedings were opened, and
continued at your instigation and under your influ-
ence, in consequence of a difference between you
and him concerning an election and the project of
a spire for the parish church ?

The Couut of Alcrinville (with indignation)—l
wish he had told me that in my presence. (To the
accused) Dare you say it is I who am the cause of
all this?

The Accused—The Count of Merinville is angry
with me on account of the plan of the church spire.
The President (to the accused)— Do you persist
in saying that it is M. de Merinville who originated
the prosecution ?

The Accused—The count has great power. I have
said, and I repeat, that he was cross against me on
account of the spire business and of the election.
Moreover, he raised difficulties about my estate of
Fouilloux.

Count Merinville—He offered me to purchase it
many times for a sum much above its real value.

The President (to the accused)—You have said,
" Ah, M. de Merinville is so powerful that it is he
who has organised the plot."

M. Lachaud—Such an accusation cannot be sup-
ported. I beg M. de Merinville to believe that. the
defence does not believe a single word of it.

The President (to the accused)—Well, you do not
persist in your insinuations, you do not charge any
longer the count of having originated the prosecu-
tion ?

•
The Accused—No, I say nothing.
The President—lt would have been much better
if you had not spoken as you did two days ago.
Most of the witnesses were also interrogated upon
the character of Bichon and Bontemps, against
whom the accused tried to bring the charge of
poisoning by suborning witnesses; both Bichon and
Bontemps received the best character from all.
Dr. Jaurand, physician at Airvault.—l first at-
tended Julia Bontemps. She had reached a state of
general debility which became chronic pneumonia.
I did not suppose that she had died from poison ;
the idea never crossed my mind. Julia Bontemps
had very violent colics; I thought they were caused
by the blisters I had prescribed for her, but these
colics could have been caused also by corrosive subli-
mate. If a large dose of poison had been given to
her I think I should have discovered it ; but possi-
bly I should not have known it because I was a
month without seeing Julia Bontemps again.
Dr. Bennet, physician at Airvault—On July 4,
1865, Dr. Jaurand requested me to go with him to
Fouilloux to examine Madame Reau. She was
dying. I could not discern the cause of the disease
because she was exceedingly feeble.
M. Lachaud—What is the particular effect of cor-
rosive sublimate introduced into the human body,
and what are the symptoms ?
Witness—lt causes salivation, but all depends on
the temperament. The breath of patients undergo-
ing a mercurial treatment has a metallic odour.
The next witness was Peter Bichon, on whom the
accused tried to throw the poisoning of his wife and
son. He deposed that the accused's son came to see
him on a Sunday after his father's second marriage,
and told him, "It seems that we shall be rich now."
The witness replied, "Yes, if there arc no children."
Young Reau said, " My father has told me that he
shall have none."

The President told witness that the Court held
him as an honest man, who would not commit a bad

action.

James Roux deposed that he saw the accused pour
a liquid of a light blue tinge from a large black
bottle, and give it to Julia Bontemps, who said to
him, " IVbat yoi gave me is something very bad."
Theodore Porcher said that when Julia Bontemps
was in agony he heard the accused sing obscene
songs. He seemed to care very little about his wife.
The Countess of Mcrinville, nee Marchioness
Mansabre, a young lady of great distinction, and
who seemed much affected, deposed to the same
effect as the count, her husband. She added, speak-
ing of her last visit to Julia Bontemps—When I left
I saw Reau ; he was so indifferent that 1 turned my
back upon him, and I said to M. de Merinville, "It
is horrible ; a dreadful drama is going on in this
house." M. de Aierinville shook hands with Reau. I
told him, " I beseech you do not give your hand to
that man, it hurts me." I have been told that at the
funeral of Julia, Reau was bawling and crying while
his eyes were dry.

Florine Thihaut, who had been a servant of the