The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-24 00:00:00

ME CONVICT SM.ETHU.RST.

This convict, who at present lies in a position so
perilous, is the son of a small schoolmaster, and
was born in the neighbourhood of Coventry, in the
year 1804. There is, however, no pretext for the
allegation that his father was tutor to the Earl of
Dysart ; nor does thero appear to be any better
foundation for his assertion that he is a regularly-
educated medical man. According to his own ac-
count, as detailed in a boarding-house where he
lived, he married his present wife from feelings of
gratitude for her attention to him when ill, during
the period of his career as a medical student; but
there is no proof that he originally was more than a
chemist, or possesses a higher professional degree
than that of the Apothecaries' Company and a Ger-
man degree (Giessen) of doubtful merit. He un-
doubtedly, however, carried on medical practice at
Stockwell, Camberwell, and various places adjoining
London. But it was at Ramsgate where he practised
longest, and was best known. He carried on business
there for several years, and it is but fair to add that,
except as being consiierecl somewhat close-fisted
and fond of money, he bore a tolerably respect-
able character. After residing there for some time
he quitted for, Germany, with the double view of
placing himself under the celebrated bydropathist
Priessnitz, for the purpose of obtaining relief from
a lameness with which he was afflicted, and of ac-
quiring a sufficient knowledge of the system to
enable him to practise it. On his return to Rams•
j."
gentleman wan ork
who is
then dedicated
enjoyed to
gate he not only opened a cold-water cure estab-
lishment, but published a book upon the subject en-
liydrop Ea tshge.r,
a a g
Claridge,"
some notoriety for having introduced' the cold-
water system into this country, and who
must have been of a very
enviable cha-
racter indeed, if, as declared by
" for the health of his fello Smethurst, his
zeal
w-creatures was uver-
sal as his benevolence.' A prayer for his health fol-
lows by the author, and the work is frequently
quotations interlarded by
accurately rendered. The extraordinary course
adopted by Smethurst of objecting, at his
lorial to jurymen in any degree connected with dis-
tillation, is explained by this work. In its pages
he warmly advocates " Teetotalism," and he was
evidently afraid that this might raise in their
breasts a prejudice against him. The book is rather
respectable as a compilation, and it is somewhat
remarkable that when absent in Germany his prac-
tice was, at his request, taken care of by a gentleman
before whom he was eventually brought at Rich-
mond on a charge for murder. But at Ramsgate he
never got into what is termed " fashionable practice,"
and he consequently removed to the establishment
of Moor Park, in Surrey. After keeping this for
several years, he eventually sold it to advantage,
and led a comparatively private life until arrested
on the charge for which he has recently been con-
demned.
The conduct of Dr. Smethurst from the time of
his conviction to the present has been uniform, and
though depressed, he believes the sentence will not
be carried into effect. Tuesday, in the week after
next, is the day fixed for the e7:ec u 7011 but Sir
Walter Farquhar, the High Sheriff, has
not offici-
ally notified the fact to the wretched
man. That
will, however, be done this day, in thee presence of
Mr. Abbott, the Under-Sheriff
end gaol officials.