The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-05 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL RIFLE MATCH.

Such of the public—and they were a very select
few indeed—as went to Wimbledon yesterday in
the expectation of seeing a worthy repetition of the
exciting scene of last year must have been
grievously disappointed. In 1860 everything
favoured the spectacle. The Volunteer movement was
then in the full fever of its first enthusiasm, the wea-

ther was delightful, and the patronage and presence
of royalty were vouchsafed to the match. Wim-
bledon was on that occasion decked out in its best,
while wreaths and garlands, and rustic arches gar-
nished every avenue to the common, and the ground
was crowded with all classes of the London popu-
lation, from the peer to the costermonger. The
Queen came forth from her royal pavilion to fire
the first shot, and that gracious act gave a momen-
tum to the sports which carried them triumphantly
through to the close. But this year we had, like
the French doctor, "changed all that." The
weather was as disagreeable as it could reasonably
be in the first week in July ; and if it had not been
for some vague general impression that the comet
had something to do with its condition, would have
been quite unbearable. Tne wind blew strong
across the shooting-ground, seriously disturbing
the course of the balls, and the rain came down in
blinding showers, which were equally inimical to
the comfort of the spectators. The consequence
was, that the common was a wilderness, there not
being at any period of the day more than fifty
persons present, except the officials and the volun-
teers who contendLd for the prizes. There was not
a single private equipage on the ground, and the
drivers of the omnibuses and cabs speculatively sur-
rounded the entrance pronounced opinions anything
but favourable to rifle matches in general, and espe-
cially to that particular one which had attracted
them to Wimbledon on such a bootless errand.
One fine moral effect, however, of the rather dis-
couraging state of things was, that it completely
killed the spirit of extortion in their whole com-
munity. They would take a passenger to or fro
for anything he was Inclined to give, and in one or
two instances actually offered to take him for no-
thing, in the hope that his appearance in their
vehicle might serve as a trap for some more profit-
able customer. It is but fair to add that this

general languor had not infected either the counc
of the association or any of their staff. Lords
Elcho and Spencer, Sir J. Paxton and Colonel
Steele had been on the ground for two or
three days before, making arrangements, and
the last-named gentleman and Captain Mild-
may camped on the field, in order that they
might be able to give all the arrangements their
immediate and constant supervision. Quite a for-
midable encampment had been established at the
entrances to the ground, profusely decorated with
the flags of various nations, and commodious tents
were allotted to the council, the secretary, the in-
specting general arid his staff, and the representa-
tives of the press. Large refreshment booths, under
the superintendence of Mr. Donald, of the St.
James's-hall, stood in the immediate neighbourhood,
so that all the arrangements were perfect for a suc-
cessful and brilliant campaign. In a far corner a
cluster of small white tents indicated the locality
of a detachment of the Foot Guards, to whom, as in
last year's match, all the fatigue duty was allotted,
and the remainder of the vast space was given up
to the riflemen and their " Tir." It is satisfactory
to be able to state that in this, the most important
feature of the day's business, there was no falling
off, but an increase since the match of last year.
Every corps which had been written to sent up its
contingent, and there were not less than one thou-
sand candidates who answered to their names. The
arrangements comprised thirty-six targets against
twenty last year, and included twelve " Pools," a
most attractive branch of the firing, all electric
according to Chevalier's patent, and acting as their
own indicators. The firing commenced at about
half past twelve o'clock, and continued without in-
termission until nightfall. The crack of the rifle
was incessant, showing that no matter what might
be the weather, the volunteers were not to be de-
terred from their brave contention. The object of
yesterday's shooting was to ascertain the men who
were worthy of being allowed, to-day, to contend
for the Queen's prize, and the emulation was very
great-amongst the gallant riflemen. The weather,
however, marred all their efforts, and the firing was,
in consequence, anything but first-rate. Aminimum
of six points was necessary to " get" a man " out,"
that is to say to entitle him to direct candidature
to-day, and we believe that nearly two-thirds
failed in obtaining the minimum. Some blamed
the rifles, and others the screens behind which
they stood, and which they alleged deceived
them as to the force of the wind—ever one
blamed the weather, and nobody himself; but the
result
nscw as, as we have stated, to reduce the num-
bers who will shoot to-day to a very select band.
The men from Oxford all "got out," some of them
the.. palm eightoeisn, ta
hittinghned points,days firing
and
ri
e g ; altogether
but,
with
excep-
tion, eawayev
ton, the success of the candidates was very mid-
dling, five, four, and even three points being com-
mon
theon e
target ambitious
at al marksman having
failed gentleman,
whose name we were not fortunate enough. to obtain,.
considers that he has lost the Queen's Prize, which
through the scmreereneanansudrethtoe woinnfotrote-
he would have
techahnearwi
candidates, and
weather.day,na t stateentirely
o f
we were
the elder (father of the
wnoetre informed,. amongst the
seucrcoepediti.oruns
to
-day
necsehsosaarldy points.nthuemwbeeartohfer
better sport is expected candidates will be the
cream of the previous day's contention, and the
prize being actually in view will no doubt greatly
stimulate their efforts. It is a pity, however, that
btheeeeroryepaelatpeadt,raoundagite notwofasiwasitthyemaorechoruelcrdretthat o
haven
arriving at the South Western platform° we saw the
state carriages drawn -up for a trip to Osborne,
whilst the brave volunteers might be seen on the
other side of the line, crowding all sail for Wim-
bledon. The Queens presence would have been
like her Majesty's name—a tower of strengh—and
the Rifle Association, which is yet in its infancy,
wants all the strength that can be given to it from
influential quarters. For the convenience of the
volunteers and others who may be going to Wim-
bledon to-day, we have to state that at each en-
trance large entrance boards are erected contain-
ing all necessary information as to the situation of
the targets and the order of the shooting, so that it

Sergeant J. Davis, 2d ditto 2 1 1 2 3
Sergeant Winter, Ist Glo'ster Rifles 1 2 2 1 2
Sergeant Markey, 13th ditto 1 1 3 2 3
Sergeant T. Rees, Ist GlEmorgan 2 3 2 1 2
Owen, 2d ditto 2 2 1 2 2
Jenkins, 2d ditto .. 2 3 1 1 2
Capt. Richardson, Bth Hants 1 2 1 3 2
Capt. Perse, Ist ditto .. 3 1 1 1 2
J. Dawe, Bth Herts .. 3 3 2 0 1
.g.lkertf•Sth Isle of Wight - _ 2 —2- T 2 2
J. Woodford, 2d ditto .. .. 2 1 2 2 1
Angus, 26th Kent 0 2 2 2 2
Lieut. Cutbush, Ist ditto .. .. 2 2 0 2 0
A. Smith, Ist Mid-Lothian Artillery .. 2 2 2 3 2
Ensign Parr, 47th Lancashire .. 2 2 1 2 1
T. Casson, 39th ditto • • .. 2 1 2 2 2
Halsall, 21st ditto • 1 2 2 1 2
Sergeant Dougan, 26th ditto .. .. 3 3 2 3 1
Inway, 13th ditto • • .. 1 3 2 1 2
Sergeant Cotesworth, sth ditto .. 1 2 1 2 2
M'Gregor, Ist Mid-Lothian .. 1 1 3 2 1
Capt. Halford, Ist Leicester • • .. 122 2 1
Capt. Cox, Cinque Ports .. 1 1 2 3 1
Lieut. Millikin, 12th Leicester .• .. 1 2 1 2 2
W. Wilson, Ist Lanark .. .. 2 1 2 1 2
Capt. Steel, sth Monmouth .• .. 13 2 1 1
Rushton, Ist Northampton • • .. 2 2 2 2 1
Dawes, 3d Northampton .. 2 1 3 2 0
Tickling, 12th Artillery .. • • .. 122 2 2
Sergeant Hogg, ditto .. 3 2 2 0 1
Corporal Porcher, 11 ditto .. • • 122 2 2
Wood, Bth ditto 1 2 2 1 3
F. Hansard, Stafford .. • • •. 2 1 12 2
E. Smith, ditto .. . • .. 21'2 2 1
B. Thomas, ditto • . • • • • •• 3 11 2 1
Sergeant Green, 3d Somerset • • .. 212 2 2
Maynard, ditto • . • • .. 11 3 1 1
Major Moir, Stirling .. • • •.12 1 2 3
G. Clark, Ist Suffolk .. • • .. 302 2 1
Seargeant T. Norfolk, 13th ditto .. 1 3 1 1 2
W. Riddell, ditto • . • • • • ••22 1 2 2
W. J. Rafferty, 24th Middlesex . • .. 232 0 2
Sergeant Burton, 26th ditto.. • • .. 211 3 1
Corporal Pell, 23d ditto .. •. 2 1 2 1 2
Corporal Grantham, ditto .. • • .. 122 • 3 1
Captain Antler, 19th ditto .. • . .. 2 2 12 1
Plaskett, 21st ditto .. .. • • ••12 3 2 2
I. S. Fisher, Scottish.. . • .• .. 022 3 2
W. Fisher, 14th Middlesex .. • . ••13 1 1 2
Corporal Robinson, 16th ditto • • .. 332 . 1 1
Sergeant Stewart, 11th ditto .. 2 2 1 2 1
Sergeant Brookes, 12th ditto • • ••22 2 . 2 2
Symonds, 22 ditto .. . • ••21 2 1 2
Corporal Compton, ditto .. • • •• 1 11 3 2
Burmand, ditto .. • • 1 1 1 3 2
Jopling, ditto .. •23 2 3 1
Fillows, Ist ditto .. •• 1 2 1 2 2
Fellowes, Victoria Rifles .. • . •• 3 1 1 1 2
Dickens, ditto .. .. • • •32 3 2 3
J. Hallsall, 21st ditto.. • • .. ••12 2 1 2
Sergeant J. Dougan, 26th ditto .. •• 3 3 2 3 1
J. Turvey, 13th ditto.. .. .. ••1 3 2 1 2
Cotesworth, sth ditto.. .. .. ••12 1 2 2
P. Caton, Ist London .. .. ••12 1 2 2
Lieutenant W. Clarke, 3d ditto .. 2 3 1 1 2
Davidson, 11th Norfolk .. 2 1 2 3 3
Alderson, Bth Nottingham .. .. 1 1 1 3 2
Sergeant Wright, Robin Hood Rifles .. 1 2 2 2 1
Johnson, 2d Roxburgh .. 3 2 1 2 1
Sergeant Ensworthy, Oxford University.. 3 2 2 2 1
Sergeant E. Owen, ditto 1 1 3 3 0
Sergeant Morrison, 2d Renfrew .. .. 213 2 0
Cunningham, 3d ditto .. 2 1 1 3 1
A. Kirkwood, ditto •3 1 2 2 3
Ensign R. Thompson, 22 Sussex 1 3 1 2 1
Captain Pipon, 7th ditto .. 2 2 2 3 2
Ensign Beer, 4th ditto .. .. 3 1 3 1 g
Sergeant J. Adams, let Surrey .. 1 2 1 2 `i
E. D. Brown, 2d ditto .. .. 3 0 2 1
Sergeant Mannington, 17th ditto .. 1 2 '2 2 l
Corporal H. Penfold, 15th ditto .. 1 2 2 3

LA TV IA TELLIGENCE.-,Tuly 4.

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)
JONES V. THE QUEEN'S PROCTOR—AN ABERDEEN
" DOCTOR"—EXTRAORDINARY CASE.
This was a suit to establish the will of the late
Mrs. Sophia Bellis, otherwise Capell, which was
propounded by the universal legatee, Dr. Griffith
Jones, of 43, Woburn-place, Russell-square, and
resisted by the Queen's Proctor (the testatrix being
a bastard and leaving no issue), on the ground of
undue execution, undue influence, and want of tes-
tamentary capacity. The property was stated to
be worth some £3,000 or £4,000.
Mr. Digby Seymour, Q.C. (who was this morn-
ing called within the bar) and Mr. Phillips ap-
peared for the plaintiff; Sir J. D. Harding (Queen's
Advocate), Mr. Macaulay, Q.C., and Dr. Spin*
for the Crown ; Mr. Dunphy for a connexion of the
deceased, named Sharpe.
Mr. David Griffith Jones, the plaintiff, said—l
am a doctor of medicine, of Aberdeen, and a mem-
ber of the Royal College of Surgeons. 1 practise
homoeopathy. I have been acquainted with Mrs.
Bellis for several years. In the year 1857 she paid
me a visit at a country house I had at Colebrook,
near Windsor. She supposed that she came as a
guest, and she stayed for a fortnight. My wife took
upon herself to send her an account for her board ;
but I never received any payment for it. My wife
and the testatrix were not friendly for some time
in consequence of the misunderstanding. I con-
tinued to see her frequently. On the 11th of
February last, in consequence of a letter I received,
I sent my wife to her at 31, Fitzroy-square. In
the evening I went myself; and was shown into a
room where Mrs. Bellis was. Mrs. Calvert, the
landlady, said to me iu her presence and hearing,
" You really must remove her." Then in a lower
tone she added—" I really could not allow her to
die in this house. Mrs. Bellis then told Mrs. Cal-
vert to leave the room, as she had private business
to transact with me. When she was gone Mrs.
Bellis said, " God bless you, my dear doctor, how
are you?" Then she told me that two doctors had
given her up, that she had not a friend in the world,
nor any person to lean upon in her dying moments.
I replied, " Surely a lady at your age (about 75)
must have some friends in the world ?" She said,
"No, doctor, not a friend ; all that I have known
have robbed and swindled me." Then she told me
that she would be very glad to see my wife, and
went on to say, " Now, doctor, as a Christian and a
friend, will you take compassion on me and remove
me from this house ? I really cannot die here. I
have asked several persons to get me apartments_
even Mr. Gardner, my agent ; but here I am." I
said, " I really don't think I can remove you ; you
seem to be in such a feeble state." She replied,
" Then you are going to desert me, like the rest ?
I was rather afraid that your wife might object,
but I could not believe that you would, doctor—
you must remove me." Then she became angry,
and taking hold of my hands, said she would not let
me go until promised to remove her, again repeat-
ing that she had no relations or friends. I examined
her, and told her that I could not remove her
that day, but that if she improved I would.
She said, " Never mind, doctor, if I die on the way.
I should have no objection to die in your carriage.
In the course of the conversation she told me that
her name was not Capell as I had supposed, but
Bellis, and described to me ber property, adding,
" I shall leave you everything I have, and you
must make my will at once.' said, " Nay, nay, I
cant't make your will, but I will send for your soli-
citor." She replied, " Don't talk to me about soli-
citors, for I hate the very name of them." I re-
peated that I could not make her will. She said,
" Don't you know a lawyer ?" I said I did, but I
should prefer one of her own choice, and I left
after making a memorandum at her request, of her
property. I saw her again the same evening and
the next morning. Foind that she had a bad
night, and told her that she could not possibly be
removed that day. She acquiesced in that, but
still desired to be removed as soon as possible.
Subsequently I went at her request and fetched my
solicitor, Mr. Fitch, of Bloomsbury, but when he
came she said, " I don't feel disposed at present, I
feel rather weak." We then went away. Before
I left she told me to look in a drawer for a watch
and chain. I gave them to her and she said, " This
watch belonged to my dear son Frank ; keep it as
long as you live, for my sake." I felt some delicacy
in doing so, and rang the bell for Mrs. Calvert.
When she came I told her that Mrs. Capell was

desirous that I should take the watch, and also a
box which she also desired me to have. Mrs. Bellis
became very excited and asked me what business
I had to call her in ? " Surely, Doctor," she said,
" I can do what I like with my own property ?
I don't ask my landlady whom I am to leave
my property to. I did think, Doctor, you knew
yourself better." I saw her again the same
night. She seemed very excited; and I said I
would stay with her all the night. The next morn-
ing she was very much better, and at twelve I re-
moved her in my carriage to my house. When she
arrived there she held up her hands and said,
" Thank God I have come here ! I shall now be
comfortable." She could walk with assistance. She
then ordered her dinner, and asked me to send for
Mr. Fitch again. I did so ; and when he came she
told him that she wished to make her will. Mr.
Fitch said that Mrs. Jones and I must leave the
room. She said, " No, no ; lam going to leave my
property to the doctor ; there is no secret about it."
Mr. Fitch said, however, that I must leave, and I
did so. Saw her again in the evening, and she
asked me to get her some Holloway's pills. I asked
her, " Would it not be better to have some medical
man ?" She said that doctors were of no use to her,
and that her son Frank, after bang given up by
several, was after all cured by a simple pill." Then
she went to bed, but in the night I was knocked up.
I again wanted her to have a medical man, but she
said, " It's no use ; it's only throwing money away."
Nevertheless, I sent the nurse for Dr. Murphy.
The testatrix asked me if she was worse. I told
her that she was weaker ; and she said, " Then as I
am going to die I want to see your friend the lawyer,
and finish my will. I said he had left town by a
late train, and would not return till the morning.
Then she asked for the will, and I gave it her. I
told her that two witnesses would be required.
She looked over the will, and then Mr. Hutheranee,
a friend of mine, who was to be one of the wit-
nesses, began to read it to her. She stopped him,
and said she knew very well what was in it. I
then asked him to explain its contents to her, which
he did. She then had it placed in her hands and
proceeded to sign it. In so doing she made a blot.
Mr. Hutherance took the will from her and
scratched out the blot. Then he gave it her again
to sign. I was supporting her, and she said to me,
"Doctor, I am trembling, assist me." I put my
arm round her waist, and held her wrist. I said
to her, " I think your name is Isabella ?" She said,
" Isabella ? No, it is Sophia." Mr. Hutherance
was holding the candle before her. She objected
to that, and bade him to hold it behind her, for she
said she could then see batter. Having signed the
will, she gave it to Mr. Hutherance, who asked her
if it was her desire that he and my man Proctor
should witness it ? She said yes, and they accord-
ingly attested the paper. Mr. Hatherance gave it
back to her, and after looking at it for a moment
she handed it to me, and I told Mr. Hutherance
that we should not want him any longer. She then
asked for Mrs. Jones, who then gave her some wine.
The testatrix said, "God bless you ! I shall never
forget your kindness. The Lord is sure to reward
you for your trouble." She died at about two or
three o'clock in the same night. I had never pre-
scribed for her, as she did not believe in ho-
mccopathy. I knew, however, that she had heart
complaint and other diseases.
Cross-examined by the Queen's Advocate—l have
practised homoeopathy for nine or ten years. I
have also practised hydropathy during that time.
Hydropathy is not " the cold water cure." We use
hot water, cold water, hot air, regimen, exercise,
and other hygienic means. I was bred an allopa-
thist.

The Court—What is that ?
Witness—lt is the old treatment by bleeding,
blistering, emetics, purges, and the like.
Sir J. Harding—But it is the system pursued by
the great body of our ignorant physicians, is it not ?
Witness—By the great body of our physicians.
Sir J. Harding—Have you not contributed a new
medicine to the pharmacopoeia, called " Astra Man-
cac ?" (Laughter.)
Witness—Your orthography is inaccurate, sir.
It is " Axtramankez." (Renewed laughter.)
Sir J. Harding—Well, sir, and what language
do you call that? Is it Well ? (Laughter.)
Witness—l really am not aware, neither do I
know what it means. (A laugh.) I bought the
recipe of an old Dutchman in London, whose name
I don't know. " Axtramankaz" is a farinaceous
substance. It is made of rice and other cereals ;
but its precise composition is of course a secret. It
is intended as a substitute for cod liver oil. It may
still be procured at any wholesale chemist's. I had
an establishment in Oxford-street for its sale. I
had a man there who was named George, and who
managed the business for me. He brought
an action, and obtained damages against me for
turning him out. I have taken out a patent
for the axtramankaz. I took my degree at Aber-
deen in 1853. I had bought the axtramankaz be-
fore then. It did not form part of Mr. George's
duties to lecture upon it. He had some knowledge
of herbal medicine. The patent was taken out for
me by a merchant named 'Waller, who had more to
do with it than I had. I have never lectured upon
the virtues of axtramankaz myself, but I have lec-
tured on the subjects of hydropathy and homoe-
pathy at various halls in London and in the country.
I have lectured at Chipping Norton, where both
Mrs. Jones and Mr. Hutherance have resided. They
are related by marriage. I went to Chipping Nor-
ton to lecture in 1853. I think I was then courting
Mrs. Jones. I stayed with a Mr. Liddiard, a solici-
tor. I was there for two days. I left Chipping
Norton on the afternoon of April 14, 1853, for Ban-
bury, and travelled thence all nigkt to Aberdeen,
where I arrived in the early part of the next morn-
ing. The train was eight or ten hours going from
London to Aberdeen. It was a fast train.
A Juror—l should think so. (Laughter.)
The Judge—You would rejoice the hearts of the
people of Scotland if you could establish such a
communication as that.
The Queen's Advocate—You would deserve the
freedom of the City, as well as your doctor's
degree. Well, and what did you do when you
got to Aberdeen ?
Witness—l went to the Railway Hotel, where
I slept. When I rose I walked to the college.
It took me a quarter of an hour.
Sir J. Harding—Oh, did it ? Come, I know
Aberdeen pretty well myself. And so you mean
to say that you walked from the railway to the
Marischal College in a quarter of an hour !
Well, what did you do then ?
Witness—l asked to see the secretary, who made
an appointment with me for the next day. I went
again the next day, and was examined. I wrote
papers. There was some misunderstanding on the
subject of the examination with another gentleman
that I am acquainted with.
The Court—What was his name?
Witness—l don't remember.
Sir J. Harding—Perhaps I can help you. Did
it happen to be anything like Reeve ?
Witness—Well, yes. The misunderstanding was
between him and me. Reeve was not a member of
the college. He and I had some understanding
one with the other,
The Court—lt was not a misunderstanding, then,
but an understanding. Well, what was it?
Witness—Perhaps we did what we ought not to
have done.
The Court—That's very likely. (A laugh.) But
what was it ?
Witness (hesitating)—lt was a matter which I
should not like to talk about. (A laugh.)
The Judge—People often do what they neither
like to talk nor hear talked about. But you must
say what it was.
Witness—We used to go to various colleges and
pass examinations.
The Judge—Well, but there is no harm in that.
Come, now, what was this "understanding ?"
Witness—Mr. Reeve used to pass examinations
for various persons.
The Judge—What do you mean?
Witness—l think I have sufficiently answered.
The Judge—No, I think not. What do you
mean ? Were you not examined at the college ?
Witness—l would rather say nothing about it.
The Court—But you have sworn that you passed
an examination by the authorities of the college,
and was made a doctor. Were you examined ?
Witness—Yes.
Sir J. Harding—Look at these examination
papers, and tell me is this signature," 0. D. Jones,"
yours ?
Witness—No.
Sir J. Harding—ls it Reeve's ?
Witness—Yes.
The Court—Oh, I understand it all now., (A.
laugh.) There was but one " understanding ' be-
tween these two gentlemen, and so both used it.
(Laughter.)
Sir J. Harding—Did you represent him, or he

you.
Witness—He repre
andsente represented me he d me. I have represented
on this
others at Dublin ;
occasion.
The Court—ls it necessary to go further? He
does nc,t like to mention it, but it is clear that he
has perpetrated a fraud.
The Qtlefill'e Advocate—That is necessarily so,

Court--IsThe
seyn 0 u
rthe
lord,caste izi
Mr. TdO noadt?ini tAnnid
be justified, after what this person has said, in
placing the other witnesses in the box; but on
behalf of Mr. Fitch it is right to way, that this is, of
course, the first time he heard of this story.
The jury then found a verdict against the will.
The learned doctor, who had given his evidence
in chief with great glibness, was observed to show
great hesitation when the questions of the Queen's
Advocate began to point towards Aberdeen, and as
they proceeded he grew gradually paler and paler,
until at last, when he came down from the box, his
visage presented quite a ghastly appearance. He
lingered for a few seconds in the place allotted to
witnesses on the floor of the court, and then hurried
out, the crowd in the passage making way for him
with the greatest alacrity.
The Court pronounced against the will, with
costs.
Sir I. Harding—l have also to ask your lordship
for a certificate fot the special jury.
Sir C. Cresswell (emphatically)—You shall have
one, Queen's Advocate. (Laughter.)