The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-28 00:00:00

TtiE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 28, 186(5.

LAW INTELLIGENCE---This Day.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

(Sittings at Nisi Prius, Guildhall, before Lord Chie:
Justico Erie and a Special Jury.)

MYERS V. THE LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAIL

WAY COMPANY.

Mr. M. Chambers, Q.C., and Mr. 11. James appeared foi
the plaintiff; and Mr. Harrison for the defendant.
This was an action brought to recover damages for in-
juries sustained through the alleged neglect of the de-
fendants' servants, to which a plea of not guilty was en-
tered.
The plaintiff is a commercial traveller, and had been for
some years employed by a firm in the City, and was also en-
gaged in business on his own account. He was examined at
length, and stated that on Nov. 6th last he was pro-
ceeding in a northerly direction towards Fore-street, when
ho perceived a large van approaching him at the wrong
side of the road. lie attempted to avoid it, but before he
could get on the pavement the wheel of the van struck a
boy who was in front of him a violent blow, and the corner
of a box which the boy was carrying was driven into
his groin. Ho remained for some time jammed
between the •wheel of the van and . the box, and
he had not recovered from the effects of his injuries.
Prior to the accident he was in receipt of a good salary,
and was doing very" well on his own account, but since
then he was unable to get up and down stairs without pain,
and his duties were consequently materially interfered
with.
The evidence was conflicting, and the jury found a ver-
dict for the defendant.
His Lordship, on .the application of counsel for the
plaintiff, stayed execution until nest term.

MR. BENEDICT'S CONCERT.

The great concert—we perhaps ought to say the
greatmusical festival of the season—was given yes-
terday morning at St. James's Hall, by Mr. Bene-
dict, and often as we have had the extreme pleasure
of attending the great musical treat, we never
recollect witnessing a more brilliant or fashionable
audience. The extraordinary temperature of the
atmosphere (the thermometer standing at 75 in the
shade), it might be thought was disadvantageous
as far as attendance of company was concerned,
but the wonderful programme issued by Mr. Bene-
dict, embracing, as it did, the names of all the stars
of Her Majesty's 'Theatre and the Royal Italian
Opera, combined with the greatest musical celebri-
ties, both vocal and instrumental, in the world, was
more than sufficient to attract an overflowing
audience, which, for exquisite toilette, rivalled in
beauty the grand displays at Longehamps. The
programme consisted of no less than 47 pieces of
music ; and amongst the names of the vocal per-
formers were Mdlle. 'Edens, Mdlle. Pauline Lucca,
:Mlle. Biancolini, Mme. Maria Vilda, Mme. Parepa,
hldlle. Artot, Mdlle. Enequist, Mdlle. Liebhart,
Mule. Irebelli Bettini, Miss Wynn, Signor Fancelli,
Mr. Santley, Mr. Sims Reeves, M. Faure, Mr.
Tom Hohler, Signor Gardoni, Signor Farranti,
Dr. Gun; Signor Garcia, Master Coker, Signor
Bettini, and Signor Bossi. The principal instru-
mentalists were Mr. Benedict, Mr. Lindsay
Sloper, Mr. John Thomas, M. Wieniawaski,
Sig. Piatti, Herr Ludwig Strauss, and Madame
Arabella Goddard. In addition to the above emi-
nently gifted artistes there was a perfect crowd of
other names familiar to concert visitors, but space
prevents us giving a longer list than the selection
we have made. The concert commenced precisely
at half-past one, and the whole of the programme,
with a trifling exception, was performed by a quarter
past six, during which time, a space of nearly five
hours, the" greater part of the audience however
retained their seats, and left the hall at the con-
clusion of the concert without the slightest appear-
ance of fatigue. The great secret of the concert
retaining its charm to 'the last piece on
the programme, was owing to the excellent
manner in which the pieces were arranged. Unlike
many great concerts, Mr. Benedict's is not confined
to the Italian language ; he judiciously places in his
programme English songs by English artistes, and
thus additional charm is given to his entertainment,
and the hours fleet by with remarkable speed. It
would be impossible for us to remark separately
upon each of the pieces of music performed, although
each deserved the highest commendation. Such a
task would involve upon us, single handed, a five
hours' labour; therefore we content ourselves with
briefly mentioning the chief pieces in the pro-
gramme which created greatest enthusiasm, and
called forth the most rapturous applause. Mdlle.
Biancolini sang Mercadante's aria "Ah ! s'estinto,"
with faultless expression. After which Master
Richard Coker gave Verdi's aria from " I Lombardi"
"Non fu sogno" with remarkable power and
effect. Mr. Santley perfectly charmed his audi-
ence by his rendering of Schubert's " Wan-
derer," and for his new song " On Parting," the
words by Lord. Byron, and the music by
the Patti, he secured a great success. M. Faure
sang " Oh, lieto di," from L'Etoile du Nord, in the
most artistic manner, and Mr. Torn Hohler, must
have perfectly charmed the majority of the ladies
present by his beautiful rendering of Balfe's Ro-
mance "Si to savais." Mme. Titiens sang in her
own unapproachable style the scena from Der Frey-
schutz, " Softly sighs," and Aldlle. Pauline Lucca
called forth great applause by the manner in which
she sang Auber's air from " Fra Diavolo," " Quell'
uomo." The piece, however, that produced the
most rapturous applause was the duet by Madame
Parepa, and Signor Farranti, from "Don Pasquili,"
" Signorina in tanta fretta ;" it was mast hu-
morously executed, and pleased the audience
beyond measure. Mr. Sims Reeves, of course, secured
an encore for the scene, " The Lady Mildred," but
to our taste he could very easily have selected
something more worthy of his talent. The great
instrumental piece of the evening was the duo con-
ecrtant for two pianofortes, by Mr. Benedict
and Mr. Lindsay Sloper, and certainly two
finer performers on the instrument have
not yet been produced. The elastic touch
and vigorous treatment by the spirited composition
of both gentlemen was beyond all praise—it was
perfection of execution, and the applause it elicited
was universal and enthusiastic. As both gentlemen
rose after its performance they were again loudly
cheered, and certainly applause was never more hon-
ourably won or deservedly bestowed. There were
various other items in the programme that we had
intended to notice, but we must content ourselves
with those we have already mentioned, and close
our remarks upon this interesting concert with a
word of praise to Mr. Nimmo, who for many
years has had the control of the " audi-
torium." Nothing could be more perfect than
his arrangements, as during the entire concert not
the slightest confusion occurred, although there
must have been between two and three thousand
persons present.

Remarkable Case of Mistaken Identity,

(From the Stu; Fork Times.)
Among the many cases of mistaken identity which ha ye
occurred in the police annals, none have been publisheLl
presenting more singular features than the one we are
about to relate. Although the main incidents occurred
several years ago, the explanations which served to clear
up the mystery have been but recently made. The affair
at the time was widely canvassed, the newspapers giving
every publicity to the case in its various stages ; and while
some of our readers will doubtless remember the interest
excited, they will be glad to learn the facts which will
disperse the mystery which then surrounded the entire
matter. Several years ago Inspector Leonard, then a cap-
tain of police, received a telegraphic despatch from the
police authorities of Providence, Rhode Island, requesting
him to arrest John M. Cookson, master of a small coasting
schooner plying between Providence and Norfolk, Vir-
ginia. The accused was charged with having murdered
his wife at the little town of Seaconk, near Providence.
Capt. Leonard at once set about the task required of him,

tufti in a very short timo ascertained that Capt. Cookson's
schooner was then lying in this harbour. Ho at once
boarded the vessel, and on inquiring for tho master, Capt.

Cookson appeared in person. The officer notified him of
the charges against him and of his purpose to arrest him.

Cookson turned pale, stammered, was confused, and in fact
showed all those signs of embarrassment which are gene-
rally interpreted as evidences of guilt, but may also be the
effect of surprise and virtuous indignation. He, how-
ever, submitted quietly to the arrest, protesting in the
most solemn manner his innocence, and declaring that
he knew nothing of the whereabouts of his wife, if she
was not at home. The officer conveyed his prisoner at
once to Seaconk, and there learned the facts which led
to the arrest. It appeared that Cookson lived in the

outskirts of the village with his wife, with whom he was
riot on the best of terms. Quarrels frequently arose between
them, but no violence on his part had ever been obsorvod.
On a certain morning Cookson and his wife were overheard
by the neighbours quarrelling violently. Shortly after-
wards Cookson started for Providence, and immediately
for Norfolk with his schooner. His wife was not seen dur-

ing that day nor the following, but no attention had been
paid to that fact. On the third day some children. who
were picking blackberries near the village, wore attracted
by the unusual movements of a dog which accompanied
them to a spot where he was pawing up the earth in a

frantic manner, and barking violently. On reaching the
spot the children were horror-stricken on beholding the
faco of a dead woman exposed to view whero the dog was
scratching. Tho citizens having been notified of the fact
hastened to the scene, and in a short time had uncovered
the body of a woman, over whose remains an inch or two
of dirt had bean scattered. It was found that the body was
frightfully mutilated, and had been sprinkled with quick-

lime to aid in its decomposition previous to being covered
with earth. The body was conveyed to the village, and there
identified as the remains of Mrs. Cookson. The mother
and sister of that lady positively identified the body, not
only by its general appearance, but by certain marks.
Mrs. Cookson's hair was somewhat singular in its colour,
and her manner of wearing it was peculiar. She had lost
one of her front teeth, and another had been filled with
composition. These marks all appeared on the body of the
dead person ; and tho mother and sister were not only
positive on those points, but also identified the clothing
with which the corpse was covered. The fact of the
quarrel between Cookson and his wife became known,
and the dead body of the woman found in the woods
being recognised as that of Mrs. Cookson, led to the
belief that that lady had fallen a victim to her husband's
violence. Tho despatch to Captain Leonard and tho
arrest of Cookson followed. When the prisoner arrived
at Soaconk the indignation of the citizens against him was
most intense, and for a short time it was feared that lynch
law would be called into requisition. Good sense, how-
ever, guided the citizens, and the prisoner was confined in
gaol to await the action of the grand jury. This body soon
met, and with little delay found an indictment against
John M. Cookson for the murder of his wife. Additional
evidence of a circumstantial nature was adduced, calcu-
lated to remove all shadow of doubt as to the guilt of the
accused. It was shown that after the quarrel with his
wife the accused had come down to Providence and there
purchased a barrel of lime, which had been sent on board
his schooner. From this time he was lost sight of for
several hours, and the next that was known of him was
that ho had boarded his schooner at an unreasonable hour
and suddenly put to sea. Tho prisoner explained that he
certainly did quarr©l with his wife, and, leaving her in
anger, had determined to start upoti his voyage as speedily
as possible. As he was going to a southern climate in hot
weather, he had purchased the lime to be used as a disin-
fectant on board his schooner. He could suggest no pos-
sible place where his wife could have concealed herself,
and, indeed, had no doubt that the body found was her re-
mains. His explanations, of course, wore disbelieved, and
his fate was considered settled. The prisoner himself
thought that there was no possible way by which to
establish his innocence—the evidence against him ap-
peared conclusive, and the only opposition to it he could
interpose was his unsupported statement. He abandoned
himself to despair, and as the day for his trial approached
all hope had fled from his bosom. Arrangements for his
trial were completed, the day was fixed, counsel had
volunteered to defend to the extent of their ability the
seemingly doomed man, when, the day before the trial
was to commence, Mrs. Cookson, alive and well, appeared
upon the scene and claimed her husband. Of course the
prison doors worn opened, and he who had so long stood
beneath the shadow of the gallows was restored
to society with an unblemished reputation. Mrs. Cook-
son accounted for her absence by stating that after
the quarrel with her husband and his departure for Nor-
folk she had departed quite as hastily for New Hampshire,

where she had been visiting some friends. Being an un-
educated woman, she had hold no communication with her
relatives, and they had been in uttor ignorance of her
whereabouts. She returned at tho critical time she did,

supposing her husband would have completed his voyage,
but not knowing that he was imprisoned on a charge of
having murdered her. Tho question then arose, "Who is
the woman who has been thus murdered ?" but no satis-
factory answer could be given, and although the police
long devoted their energies to unravelling the mystery, no
solution to it could be obtained, and the affair was for-
gotten. The unfortunate woman slept in the graveyard at
Seaconk ; no friend visited her grave, and no one could
tell her story. Her sad fate and her remarkable resem-
blance to another had secured for her Christain burial, and
that was all that was known of her. A short time since,
Inspector Leonard had in custody a noted burglar, who
had long been known to the authorities as being ono of the
most skilful of his class. This man gave the inspector a
solution of the Seaconk mystery, which has never been
printed. He said that the murdered woman was the wife
of an export English burglar namodtollins, who is now
dead. Collins had long followed his nefarious profession,
from the pursuit of which his wife had endeavoured to
wean him. She was aware of many of the secrets of the
gang to which Collins belonged, and particularly of all
the facts connected with a burglary perpetrated at Provi-
dence shortly previous to her death. The gang had be
come suspicious of her, and, fearing that she might expose
them, had resolved upon her death. She was accordingly
most brutally murdered by her husband and his associates,
and her body disposed of in the manner described. Col-

lins immediately loft the scone, and shortly afterwards
died in prison. The burglar who related these facts know
nothing regarding the history of the unfortunate woman,
save that she was born in England and was Collins's wife.
The old adage that " murder will out" seldom fails, al-
though its exploitation may somotimesbo delayed until the
perpetrator has answered the charge before a oourt from
which there is no appeal.

MARKETS.--This Day.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE.

To-day's market was very moderately supplied with
beasts in only middling condition. Owing to the heat of
the weather sales progressed slowly in all breeds, at
Monday's currency. The general top price was 5s 8d per
81bs. Sheep were in moderate supply and slow request,
at Monday's currency. Prime Downs and half-breeds
changed hands at Gs. per 81bs. Lambs were in but mode-
rato supply, and all breeds moved off steadily at full prices,
viz., at from 6s 4d to 8s per Blbs. The demand for calves
ruled inactive on former terms. Pigs were in slow request,
at late rates.

Per 81b to sink tho offal.

s ds d
Crse. & inf. beasts... 3 10 4 2
Second quality do —1 4 4 10
Prime large oxen ..5 0 5 4
Prime Scots, Ju5....5 6 5 8
Crse. and int. sheep. 3 8 4 2
Second quality do ..4 4 5 0

s ds d
Prams-wool sheep 5 2 5 S
Prime S'thdown e 0.5 0 6 0
La•ge coarse calves. 4 8 5 4
Prime small d0......5 0 5 10
Large hogs ....4 0 4 4
Small porkers 4 6 5 2

_
Lamb....6s Id to 8i Od.
Suckling, calves, 21s to 235 ; and quarter-old store pigs, 30s
,0 335 each. _ _ .

-- --- --
Head of stock on salo.
Total supply. Foreign supply.
Beasts B9O Beasts .. ~..
Cows. .. 105 C0w5..........
Sheep and lambs 8,300 Sheep and 1 .rab 3
Calves 2:O Ca ves ~
Pigs . 250 Pigs