The Sun.
London, England, 1835-01-30 00:00:00

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Yesterday afternoon an inquisition was held before
Thomas Stirling, Esq., and a respectable jury, at the sign
of the Plough, Kens►ngton Gravel-pits, to Inquire concern-
ing the death of Mrs. Susannah Thompson, aged eighty-
one years.

From the evidence of Mr. Hora, surgeon, of Notting-
hill, and other witnesses, it appeared that on Tuesday af-
ternoon, the 27th inst., the deceased who had for years la-
boured under a severe cough, was taken in a fit. A ca-
thartic and other remedies were promptly administered to
her, but without effect., and about eight o'clock the same
evening the deceased expired, without doubt from natural
causes.• After viewing the body the jury t-eturned a verdict
of " Died by the visitation of God."
After Mr. Hora had given his evidence he addressed the
Coroner, and said he was sure he would not think what he
was going to say at all disrespectful to himself or the jury.
He bad long felt it, in common with the majority of the me-
dical profession, a great evil that they should be called upon
at all times and at all hours to give attendance at inquests,
for the purpose of giving evidence, or performing post mor-
tem examinations, without receiving any remunerations for
their lost time. A men ing of the profession would shortly
be called for the purpose of petitioning the Legislature on
the subject, and if the coroner and jury could render them
any assistance to attain their object, the whole profession
would be very much obliged to them.
The CORONER regretted it was not in his power to grant
him some remuneration. It was, certainly; a great evil,
but he thought he had as much reason to complain as Mr.
Hora. Some time since he was called upon to hold an in-
quest on a poor fatherless and motherless child, who had
been compelled to sleep with her sister under a manger.
In the morning when they were found there, the man to
whom the stables belonged struck one of them over the
head, and in two or three doys afterwards the child died.
The occurrence created great excitement in the neighbour-
hood, and the inquest was adjourned for the purpose of
having the head opened by the parish surgeon: On their
re-assembling he was informed the operation bad not been
performed, the surgeon refusing to do so unless he was paid.
Finding expostulation had no effect be proceoded.to the
parish vestry, which was sitting at the time, where he was
told they paid their surgeon " by the lump," and operations
of that nature formed no part of their contract. He repre-
sented to them the excited state of the neighbourhood, and
told them he thought is was. a case to which they ought to
send a surgeon. They then said they had no funds out of
which to do it. Finding he was unsuccessful he returned
to the Jury (to use the old gentleman's own words) " with
his tail between his legs." He then sent for a surgeon him-
self and paid him a guinea for his fee, which he had never
got back to that day.
Mr. Hora acknowledged it was very bard Mr. Stirling
should have to pay out of his own pocket for medical at-
tendance. He did not doubt if the press would condescend
to notice the matter they would obtain what they desired.
The conversation then dropped.

The most recent narrative of travels in America is
that of Mr. Arfwedson, and is deservedly commanding great
attention. This gentleman ascended the Hudson, crossed the
romantic Catskill Mountains, and the hollow where, according
to Washington Irving, Rip Van Winkle enjoyed a twenty
years' nap, to Athens. Thence he proceeded to the New Le-
banon Springs, and in that neighbourhood saw that curious sect
called the " Shakers." He continued his journey to the state
of Massachusetts, and visited all the other states and principal
towns. We greatly admire his good humour and feeling.
" The United States and Canada" is altogether a pleasant
work, and his remarks on the penal system of the Americans,
and of the different prisons he visited in the States, deserve
serious attention.

CHESS.—SPANISII GALLANTRY.--FOT a speci-
men of pure gallantry commend us to the Spanish chess
players, one of whom, in a modern treatise on that science,
gives the following as rule 19. It breathes the very spirit of
the chivalry of the times departed :—" 19. Between two equal
players, the younger (or, in the original et de ?lunar caracter)
ought to allow the other the choice of the pieces, the white
being always reckoned preferable. Those, however, who are
short-sighted, usually prefer the black ; it seems right to
resign the latter to the ladies, because, on the black, the
whiteness of their hands is set off to greater advantage !"
Who shall, after this, presume to say that chess is an unsocial,
or ungallant pastime 7—a charge, which, probably from` its stu-
dious and taciturn nature, we have not unfrequently.h!ard:ad-
vanced, more especially by some fair disputant.

1 : •