The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-23 00:00:00

TliE ARMY.

Great complaints have of late been made of the
quality and weight of the bread served out to the
troops in Portsmouth garrison, and in consequence,
since the 19th inst., no less than five Boards have
been assembled to investigate into and report on
the matter. Portions of the bread supplied have
been rejected both for short weight and quality.
Her Majesty's troopship Megtrra, having em-
barked the following troops of the Royal Artillery
and the Line yesterday morning, at the Royal
Arsenal pier, sailed thence, at half past 11 a.m., for
Gibraltar. The rank and names of the officers and
detail of the troops, as given in the official return,
are as follows :—Col. Strange; Copts. J. F. E.
Travers, G. H. Colomb, IT. A. De Vismes, and G.
-W. Holmes; Lieuts. P. C. Whalley, A. B. Brown,
H. T. T. Sandes, W. A. Day, J. M. Murray,
P. D. Barclay, C. Morley, and C. Tufnell ;
Paymaster W. P. Brisley ; Assist.-Surg. J. M.
Fiddes, M. 8., 18 sergeants, 24 corporals, 7 trum-
peters, and 308 privates, belonging to the 6th, 7th,
and Bth batteries of the Ist Brigade Royal Artil-
lery ; 1 officer's servant not a soldier, 2S women
and children, and 36 children belonging to the Bth
Foot; Ensign Carleton, 25th Foot; Lieut. F. W
Benwell, 100th Foot, and 1 woman belonging to the
7th Regiment—making a total of 463 persons.

BRUTAL ATTE MP T TO 111URDER A

FEMALE.

' A short, thick-built, young fellow, about 15 yearn
of age, who gave the name of Frederick Strugnell,
and described himself as a butcher, residing at 1,
Alma-terrace, Thornhill-road, Islington, was placed
at the bar of the Clerkenwell Police-court, before
Mr. Barker, charged with being concerned with
others, not in custody, in stealing an iron chest,
containing 1105, the moneys of Mr. George Hig-
gins, butcer, of 47, Chapel-street, Islington; and
further with murderously assaulting Mary Ann
Iledkison at the same time and place.
Long before the usual hour for opening the court,
the front of the building was besieged with persons
anxious to gain admission. The cause of this ex-
citement was a rumour that an attempt had been
made to murder a female at Islington on the night
before. The unfortunate female was taken to the
Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn-road, last night
in an insensible state, when she was at once at-
tended to by Mr. John Daniel Hill, the house sur-
geon. That gentleman found her suffering from an
extensive lacesated and incised wound of the nose
and forehead. The nose was smashed into the
face, the bones being completely broken to pieces,
and Mr. Hill removed several pieces that were
hanging to the flesh and skin.- There were also
two. oter incised wounds, one on the fore-
head penetrating the skull, and very dangerous ;the
other was at the back of the head, but not of so
dangerous a character. On the wrist of the left arm
there was an incised wound, and also one on the
forefinger of the left hand. Mr. IEII stated that
when she was admitted she presented a very ghastly
appearance, was insensible from loss of blood, and
although she rallied in the course of the night, she
was still in imminent danger...

Mr. George Higgins was the first witness exa-
mined. He said—l am a butcher, carrying on busi-
ness at 47, Chapel-street, Islington. I have known
the prisoner for about three years. He was in
my service about two years and a half since, and
worked for me about a month at Christmas. I saw
him last about five weeks since, when he came and
asked me to give him a character to get another
situation, which I consented to do. Last night,
about ten o'clock, I returned home, and found an
immense mob in front of my house. I went inside,
and found that my servant, Mary Ann Redkinson,
had been wounded on the head, nose, arms, and
hands. She was immediately taken to the hospital.
On the bed at the hospital she stated to me that the
-prisoner had been in the house, and had injured her.
I gave information to the police, and they took the
prisoner into custody. I have missed a chest with a
cash-box containing £lO5, besides a number of rings,
and other articles of some value, as well as a bank
book. All the things stolen were kept in the first-
floor front. From what I have heard I believe that
the prisoner is concerned with others in committing
the felony and wounding the woman. I have not
seen the prisoner since I gave him the character,*
but be was seen at my house three weeks ago.
The prisoner said he did not wish to ask the
witness any questions, but he should like to make a
statement to exculpate himself from this charge. •
Mr. Barker cautioned the prisoner that what he
did say would be taken down in writing, and might
be used against him at the trial.
The prisoner, who treated the matter with the
greatest indifference, said—l shall make a statement.
About three weeks ago I met this young woman, and
she asked me to come and see her some Sunday.
Well, I went last evening to see her, and stayed
there some time talking to her in the back kitchen.
I then went and fetched a drop of gin.
We stayed
talking in the back kitchin after this for about half
an hour, when she said she heard some one talking
in the street, and thought the street door must be
open. We went to see, and the door was wide
open. She said some one was in the house. We
went up stairs to see, and we could plainly see that
some one had been there. We then came down
stairs, and she said she was going for a policeman.
Before we got to the bottom of the stairs some one
came running down. That person was a man, that
man struck her, and I ran out of the use
frightened. That is all I have to say.
Mr. Higgins—Perhaps you will say how you got
out of the house.
The prisoner—From the front door. As I was
frightened I do not know what it was that the girl
struck me with. I ran home and got my clean
clothes, and went back to my place, where I re-
mained until I was apprehended this morning.
Police-constable Tomkins, 315 N, said—l received
information of this robbery and outrage, and I went
to the prisoner's master's in Basinghall-street. I
told the prisoner the charge and cautioned him. I
said I have come about the robbery at Mr. Higgins's,
in Chapel-street, and I asked him if he had been
there, and he said "No, I have not been there." I
asked him if he was positive, and he said " Yes, I
have not been there." I then asked to look at the
hings he had on, but I found no marks of blood on
them. I then took him to the police-station, and
going along he said he was never near the place.
He knew nothing about it, for he was at the time
with his mother, and had been so since he left his
master's, is lAsinglaak§treet, until 4 quarter-past

Mrs. Sophia Morris, residing at 5, Jamea's•sgar.
dens, Chupelstrect, Islington, said the garden of
my house comes to the back of Mr. Higgin's houze.
Yesterday evening, about 25 minutes to nine, I was
passing Mr. Higgins's house, and saw the poor ser,
vant go into the house by the street door, the gas
at the time burning very strongly in the shop. I
went up the.street, and when about two minutes
had elapsed, I returned and heard scuEing in the
shop, but I did not knew whether. it was in play,
or whether the parties were quarrelling, I heard
a female say, " Pray, don't hurt me; don't strike
nie,"at least 20 times. Not knowing what it Wa
I walked up and down the front of the door. I again
heard the female say, " Fred., Fred.. pray do not
hurt me." I then heard two tremendous blows,
which sounded as if given by a chopper. All was
looked through the
then still, and the gas-light was lowered. Several
persons stood by, and I said, " Pray, break the
door open, for •I
think the woman is murdered."
c d another
and up,
saw the
woman
lying
shutters,
there, and the door was then broken open.
Prisoner—You say the gas was burning strongly?
Witness—Yes, it was in the shop.
Prisoner—The gas was burning in the parlour
when I went in, but not in the shop.
hOonlee s man
theiin
IVitness—l believe it was in the shop.
Prisoner—l say It was not burning in the shop,
neither when I went in nor when I came out.
Mr. Barker—Have you any other questions to
ask ?

Prisoner—No. nut I can positively say that it
was not burning in the shop when I went in nor
when I came out.

him.
The keep
At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Barker, the
magistrate, Mr. Mould, the chief clerk, 'and Mr-
,T.:
.. ..-J, the chief usher, and the prisoner, under the
care of Inspector Judge, N division, -proceeded to
the Royal Free Hospital. The prisoner was taken
there in a cal), Which was followed by a large con-
course of perronr, whO hooted him, and it required
The unfortunate female, who is under the care
tthheenta.,:gostimionfo. as
tliamrginsart;
of Mr. Thomas Wakley, the surgeon, and Mr. Hill,
vtleYngoefantlil'one
the house-surgeon, gave her evidence with great
clearness and precision. The only portion of her
face visible was her mouth, the other portions being
enveloped in surgical bandages. Having been
sworn, she stated as follows :—My name is Mary
Ann Redkison. lam wounded, but do not know
what it was done with. I only saw the knife that
Fred. had in his hand.

Mr. Mould—Who do you mean by Fred.?
Witness—l mean that young lad, who used to
live with us. He lived with us just before Christ-
mas. He came to see me last night, a little before
eight, but lam not quite certain. He came to me
and said, "Might I come in ?" I said, Yes ; there
is no one at home, but I expect mistress's mother
home immediately from church." He said "We
will come into the kitchen and sit down for a
minute or so." When we had been there a short
time he said he was thirsty, and would fetch.
something, and I got up for the purpose of getting
him the beer jug. He said he did not want any
beer, he wanted some gin, and I then gave him the
pint jug. So he went out to get it and I shut the
door after him. I came up to the door just as he
turned the corner of the street. I let him in, shut
the door, and put the chopper against it as I always
do. We went into the kitchen, and he mixed the
gin with some water. A little while after that he
said he would go into the parlour and see the time.
I did not think anything of it, for I h.ld no suspi-
cion. I forget what time he . said it was. He
brought down some of Cassell's Bibles, and when.
he had been there a moment or so 1 beard some
boys calling out, and I said the street door is open,
some one must have opened it and got in. I took.
the candle and went up stairs to my master's bed-
room. He took the knife from the shop, and came
up after me. When I got upstairs I fancied I saw
my master's chest was open, and the place turned
topsey-turvey. I said I will run down and
fetch the police, and he cut after me,
and when I was going to the door Fred.
got before me, but he shut it, and he cut at me
with a knife. I said, "Oh Fred. it is Mary,
do not hurt me." I do not know any more. I
am almost sure I fell. I had not got my senses
after that until I was put in a cab and taken to
some hospital, but Ido not know which. When I
went to the door to answer the knock Fred. was
standing on the opposite side of the street. Ho
crossed over, and I stared and said, " Lor, Fred.,
who would have thought of seeing you." He told
me he had knocked at the door the other Sunday
night, but could not see me. I told him I was out
that night. I had not asked him to call.

Mr. Barker—})id you see any man at the house
last night but Fred. ?
Witness—No, none but Fred.
Mr. Barker—Did any strange man run down
stairs after you ?
Witness—No,
The witness here said she was in pain, and thought
she should die, and expressed a wish to see her
master, who was standing by her bedside.
Mr. B lrker (to the prisoner)—Do you wish to ask
the witness any questions ?
Tho prisoner (with the greatest callousness) said
No ; but added, she asked me to call and see her
about three weeks ago.
The further hearing of the case took place at the
police court, on the way back to which the cab was
followed by thousands of persons, who most ener-
getically hissed the prisoner.
Mr. Glackner said—l reside at 21, Mount-row,
Liverpool-road. Last night, a little before nine, I
was attracted by a noise in Chapel-street, which
proceeded from Mr. Higgins's shop. I proceeded
directly to the house, and T heard a female voice
exclaim, " Don't cut, or hurt me, Fred." I cannot
say whether it was " cut'' or " hurt," but "Fred"
I heard distinctly. It was followed by a noise like
a blow, and then a person falling. I heard a
hatchet thrown or laid on the floor. All was then
silent for a few minutes. We lifted a man up to
look into the shop, and finding a woman lying
there, we broke the shop door open.
said
rw
wereas re
markscalled, of
and,
personsin an
having
s wer t o
got The
'ho over questions,erprlisseid there
wall at the rear of the house.
Police-constable Tompkins said he should be able
to bring persons who could identify the prisoner as
having been seen about the house, and also to his
having got over the wall.
Inspector Judge (who asked for a remand) said
there was blood only in the shop.
The prisoner said he did not wish to offer any
remarks, nor did he object to being remanded.
Mr. Barker remanded the prisoner until Tuesday
next.

A large mob of persons waited outside the court,
expecting to get another sight of the prisoner, but
in this they were disappointed.

The ironwork for the Exhibition of 1862 has
been given to Mr. Barrow, of Staveley, Derby. The con•
tract is for £60,000.

A return to an order of the House of Commons
shows that the total cost of the poor in the 163 unions of
Ireland for 1860 was £413,596, the average daily number of
persons in the workhouses being 40,369. The increased cost
of 1860 over 1859 is £40,670.
A parliamentary return shows that there are in
England 2,326 brewers, 64,455 victuallers, 2,961 persons
licensed to sell beer to be drunk on the premises, and 41,543
licensed to sell beer not to be drunk on the premises. In.
Scotland there are 105 brewers and 12,010 victuallers. The
total in the United Kingdom is 2,540 brewers, 93,596 vic-
tuallers, besides the number of beer-sellers mentioned above.
A return to parliament of beer exported from the Ist of
October, 1859, to the ht of October last, shows that from
the United Kingdom there were 574,872 barrels exported,
at the declared value of £2,055,479—0f that amount
£1,894,814 was sent from England, £150,856 from Scot•
land, and £10,016 from Ireland.
hair,
The Armstrong Guns, by constant improvemenst,maargne now
ic
perfection. The same is the case with Herring'
brushes, which are now so perfected that failure with them
annoyance digs-
is all but impossible. They are the true remedy for grey
neuralgia, and nervous headache. N.B.—Counterfeits are
being made. Offices, 32, Basingliall-street, London.
[ADVERTISEMENT.] Pills and medicine invariably a
g 7 avate and perpetuate diseases ; their
S. Barry, Esq., 77, Regent-street, W,
appointment, and expense may be avoided by ' persona-
in indifferent health sending only their
dtoth
will receive gratis and free by post the
w f
t3urnx," or Natural Restorer, without \medicineiiD so
r ex
rnse, of perfect digestion, strong nerves, sound • lungs, and
refreshing sleep, to the most enfeebled, insuring the removal
of indigestion (dyspepsia\ Constipation, liver complaint-a'
nausea, epilepsy, paralysis, debility, nervousness, palpitation.,
noises in the ears, rheumatism, gout, imln:ritbm'
cough, asthma, consumption, dropsy, flatulency, dialTlicea'
, London,„iN,address
,n
0 E.
dysentery, biliousness, fevers, sore throats catarrhs, °olds,
hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, islee lessness, acidity, palpi-
tation, heartburn, headache, des ouPdencY, cramp°, spasms'
the safest Guide
sinking, fits, bronchitis,— "U'nquePstionably
to health." eruptions,

of
and
tPt
lining ls — [Anv ETIT I SPMENT.l—liolloway's
happiness is to secure calth,
Relief for all Sufferings. --The gra
without which, whatever
other blessings are possessed, life is stripped of all its plea-
sures. The of function should be checked
purifying medicaments according to his
First irregularity ndinstnlecerentt
and set right by the sufferer, who can always do so by
using Holloway's
instructions ; which are so intelligible that all who
read can understand them. Holloway's remedies, season-
ably applied, always prevent, or cut short, disordered
action, and save families much anxiety and suffering. For
all throat and chest affections, so common to our climate
this Ointment well rubbed upon the throat, back,
or chest,'
will successfully oppose eye ' ' eery ultsichow q*tew, NA re°
egfa,liglA liValtht