The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-14 00:00:00

RURAL LABOURERS IN SCOTLAND.

The condition of the rural labourer in Scotland has for
some time attracted great attention, chiefly owing to the
large per tentage of illegitimate births disclosed of late
years in the registration statistics of some of the agricultu-
ral districts. The great strides of agricultw-e in many
quarters appear to have had a prejudicial, not a beneficial,
effect on the farm-labourer, and various associations have
been formed with the view of elevating his social condition,
one of the most important of these being the Association
for the improvement of Agricultural Dwellings. On Wed-
nesday last a meeting was held at Edinburgh to consider
the whole subject of the rural labourer's condition. Mr.
Stirling, M.P., presided, and among others present were—
Mr. Dunlop, M.P., Sir W. Dunbar, M.P., Mr. Wemyss,
M.P., Principal Sir D. Brewster, Sir John S. Jorbes, and
many of the leading proprietors and tenant farmers in Scot-
land. The chairman remarked that within the last G or 7
years the Association for the Improvement of Agricultural
Dwellings had doubled the number of good cottages in Scot-
land, and the Legislature had shewn its anxiety to promote
the object in view by passing almost without remark a bill
for facilitating the erection of cottages on entailed estates,
a measure for which the thanks of the country were due to
Mr. Dunlop, the member for Greenock. Though much had
been already done to improve the condition of the agricul-
tural labourer, very much still remained to be done. He
thought, however, that some of the accounts that had been
lately given of the farm labourers of Scotland were charged
with too gloomy a colouring. From some accounts given
of them a stranger would be led to suppose that the pea-
santry of Scotland were a demoralized and decaying race. He
did not deny the fidelity of some of the pictures that had
been drawn of the barbarian of the northern bothy, which
had lately surprised the public; but he believed the case
described was exceptional, just as the beautiful picture of
the cottar drawn by Burns was also exceptional. The rural
labourer, like other classes,was subject to temptations which
frequently he was unable to resist; and his two vices were
drunkenness and adding to the register of illegitimate births.
But drunkenness was.now almost banished from the better
classes, by the introduction of higher amusement and pur-
suits, and the operation of the same causes might perhaps
in course of time also banish it from that class. In regard

to the question of illegitimate births, he thought this fact
might be plainly stated, that the law of marriage in
Scotland taught the people almost a different morality from
that of England. In England a man who stamped on his
offspring illegitimacy inflicted on them an irreparable in-
jury. In Scotland, the injury was reparable, and was very
frequeni ly repaired ; and he did not think it would be main-
tained, on comparison between the registers of illegitimate
births in Scotland and in England, that that comparison
was so much in favour of England as might naturally be
supposed, owing to the difference between the laws of the
two kingdoms. The chairman concluded by pointing out
how much the welfare of the farm labourer was in the hands
of the classes above him, and by remarking that, while
nothimg could be done by the latter to improve his condition
without cost, the benefits that would result to both tenant
and proprietor were well worthy of the cost. The meeting
was then addressed by Messrs. Maelagan, Simpson, Cowie,
Hope, and other farmers, and by several land proprietors,
and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
" 1. That, taking into consideration the general improve-
ment in agriculture in Scotland, it is most desirable that
increased attention should be directed to improving the
condition of the rural labourers. 2. That as comfortable
and commodious dwelling great tend to promote morality,
delicacy of feeling, and sound bodily health, this meeting,
while cordially admitting what has been already done in this
direction, would earnestly call the attention of landed pro-
prietors and farmers to the necessity of increased efforts to
provide these in greater numbers than exist at present, and
to the facilities afforded for this purpose by recent Acts of
Parliament enabling proprietors of entailed and unentailed
estates to build and to improve cottages. 3. That as im-
proved cultivation necessarily implies an increase in the
amount and quality of the labour employed, it is the duty
and interest of both landlords and tenants that a sufficiency
of cottage accommodation be provided on every farm, thus
removing at the same time an impediment to the formation
of those domestic and family ties so essential to the happi-
ness and welfare of the human race. 4. That this meeting
recognises the necessity of greater attention on the part of
proprietors and farmers to the importance of education,
both juvenile and adult, and do not merely recommend the
regular attendance at school for the former, but that a sup-
ply of wholesome literature be constantly disseminated
among the latter, and especially to the disadvantages con;
netted with the ;practice of taking away children from
school during a pressure of field labour."
A committee was appointed to take all practical steps
thought expedient for the elevation of the farm labourer's
condition.

WIND AND WEATHER REPORT.

Trim DAY,

Ayr, E.N.E. • frost
Belfast, S.; fine
Birmingham, E.E. • fine
Bradford, N.W. ; fine
Brighton, W.; fog
Bristol, S.S.E. ; dull
Cambridge, E.; frosty
Cardiff, N.W. ; rain
Carlisle, E.S.E. ; frost
Chatham, S.E. ; cloudy
Cork, N.E. ; fine
Deal, S.E., moderate
Derby, N.E. ; snow
Doncaster, N.B. ; frosty
Dover, N.E. ; fine
Dublin, N.N.E. ; cloudy
Dumfries, S.W. ; rain
Dundee, E.; wet
Edinburgh, S.E.; fog
Falmouth, calm ; fog,cloudy
Galway, S.E. ; rain
Glasgow, N.E. ; frost
Goole, S.W. ; fine
Gravesend, S.E. ; frosty
Harwich, S.E. ; hard frost
Holyhead, E., light breeze;
cloudy

THIRD EDITION ,

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

TATTERSALL' 8-(THIS EVENING).

TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
Gto 1 agst Kettledrum (taken)
DERBY.
6to 1 agst Dundee (taken)
14 to 1 agst Big Ben (offered)
20 to 1 agst Kettledrum (taken)
25 to 1 agst Dictator (offered)
33 to 1 agst Nautilus (offered)
50 to 1 agst Yorkminster (taken)
50 to 1 agst King of Kent (taken)
50 to 1 agst Quicksilver (taken)
50 to 1 agst Pagoda (taken)
55 to 1 agst East Stanley (taken)
3000 to 40 agst Sycophant (taken)
1000 to 10 agst Aurelian (taken)

- -
-TILE _LION ACCIDENT AT ASTLEY'B AMPHI-

THEATRE:

ADJOURNED INQUEST—(This DAY).—This .(Monday)
forenoon at 11 o'clock, Mr. William Carter, the coroner for
East Surrey, resumed, at the Mitre Tavern, Palace-road,
Lambeth, the adjourned inquest on the body of the unfor-
tunate man who was killed by one of the performing lions
at Astley's Amphitheatre, some particulars of which have
already appeared in this journal. The inquiry created
considerable interest, and the large club room of the tavern
was densely crowded.

Mr. Nicholas Miskin, surgeon, of No. 7, York-road, said
that he had made a post mortem examination of the body of
deceased. The countenance of deceased exhibited a degree of
calmness and composure by no means indicative of suffer-
ing, rather implying that death was instantaneous. The
body exhibited a large number of wounds, same
superficial, others deep and penetrating. On the
upper portion of the body were 35 wounds, 27 on the left
side and 8 on the right, 18 of which were below the angle
of the jaw. One scalp wound, two inches above the left
eyebrow, exposing the bone. On the right groin and thigh
were 45 wounds. The following gentlemen were present
when he made the post mortem examination :—Mr. F. T.
Buckland, Mr. J. Bush, Mr. Lawton, and Mr. G. A.
Miskin. The deceased was about 5 feet 2 inches. On
examining the head two large lacerated scalp wounds were
found about 3 inches long, and four crossways 2 inches
above the right ear, another 2 inches to the left on the top
of the head with extravasated blood, another over the left
eye half an inch long and denuding the bone of its perios-
seum. On removing the colvarium underneath the dura-
mater at the corner of the head considerabl extra-
vasation, to the extent of 4 inches in diameter, was found.
By the Coroner—He attributed that extravasation to a
blow. The brain otherwise had a healthy appearance.
Examination in chief resumed—On examining the neck
a deep-seated wound was found extending to the 6th cer-
vical vertebra) on the left side. On tracing this wound
downwards a portion of the body of this vertebra) was
chipped eff, the arsiculasion exposed, and the tip of the
transverse process broken off—the animal's teeth having
penetrated through the transverse to the spinal canal,
causing effusion of blood between the sheath and the spinal
column. The carotid artery and jugular vein sustained no
injury. On the right groin were two wounds—one
above the os pubis and the other below, extending
deeply into the abdomen, and at the base of
the wounds was a considerable effusion of blood
by the side of the intestines, which were uninjured. The
femoral artery and viscera sustained no injury, although
they must have been in the animal's mouth, enclosed in a
mass of muscle. The right lung was firmly adherent to
the pleura and slightly congested. The left was perfectly
healthy. The heart was healthy. The wounds of the
body when dissected were of a much more serious character
than their appearances first indicated.. The conclusions
drawn from the wounds and their situations are, that the
man was seized from behind by the claws of the lion and
cuffed right and left, which produced concussion of the
brain, and in all probability instant death. The lion bit
him on the neck, which was a wound of a very dangerous
character. The wounds on the groin and thigh were
caused by the animal picking him up to carry him about.
At this stage of the proceedings the Coroner and jury
went to the theatre to witness the spot where the accident
occurred.

Upon the return of the jury the following evidence was
taken :
Robert Thomas Green said—l am in the employ of Mr.
W. Batty, as hall porter, at the stage door of the Amphi-
theatre in Stangate-street. It is an entrance for the ser-
vants of the establishment only. I knew the deceased man.
Last Monday I went on duty at a quarter-past seven
o'clock. I got up about half an hour before that time, and
went to the hall door, which was ajar. The deceased came
in about 20 minutes to eight as near as I can recollect. I
was in the little lodge where Mr. Batty keeps his coats,
&c. It is on the left hand as you pass to the yard. I had
left the hall door open. The deceased Jarvey, as
he entered, said, " Good morning." I asked him why
he came so early, and he replied, " Ile came to
work." lle said nothing more. but passed me,
and went down the yard towards the stables. I never
saw him again alive. I don't think it was more than five
minutes after I saw him that I heard a noise. I went
down the yard, where a man was carting away the manure;
he got off his cart, and with a'groom named Reynolds looked
through the door with glass panels. They went to a door
connected with the large gates, and then a remark was
made, " The lion has got Jarvey."
The Coroner—Mr. Batty, who had charge of the lions?

Mr. Batty—Mr. Crockett.
Coroner—Was he the only person P
Mr. Batty—lie had an assistant named Brown.
Mr.•Jas. Crockett was then called and was informed by the
coroner that he need not answer any questions that might
tend to criminate him should he need to give his evidence
on oath unless he chose to do so. He, however, expressed
a wish to give the fullest information, and also to give it on
oath. He then proceeded :—I am by professien a lion
tamer. I know there were three lions and a lionesslat
Aetley's Theatre. I performed with them. They are tho
property of two gentlemen named Sanger., I have exhibited
with them all over the country for the last three or four
years. I have have had them out without any guard or
chain, one or more at a time.
A Juror—Do you mean to say you have had mere than
one lion on the stage at a time ?
Witness—Yes.
Coroner—Then perhaps they are very docile ?
Witness—To mcperfectly so.
Coroner—We will now go to Monday last.

Witness—On that morning a 'lady came over from the
theatre and informed me that the lions were loose. I
dressed myself and proceeded immediately to the hall door
of the theatre. I there seized a hay-fork and proceeded to
the gates of the ride. Those gates were closed. There is
a small wicket-gate that opens inwardly by pushing it. I
opened that door, and when I had it half way open
I saw one of the lions near to the stable door on
the right side of the drive close to the gates.
It was one of the male lions, and in front of him lay the
body of a man whom I did not know. He was on his back.
The lion was doing nothing with him. He was quietly
sitting over him as a dog would a bone. I struck the lion
twice with the fork, and he then left the man, who I im-
mediately picked up and took to the hall. I did not then
see either of the other lions. I did not see any blood about
the lion's mouth. The man, when I. first picked him up,
breathed, and I directed medical aid to be sent for. I then
recognised him as the person called Jarvey, who was tem-
porarily engaged at the theatre. I never saw him in the
theatre in the day time. I did not know he had anything
to do with washing carriages. On the Saturday previous
to the accident three of the lions were exhibited on the
stage—one loose, the other two in the cage. They were
fed after they were exhibited. I feed them every night
after the performance in the large den. The fourth lion on
that occasion was separately confined in a small cage about
14 inches from the large den. The lion confined by itself
had been unwell for about a fortnight. The small den had
been in the position I have mentioned near the large one
for about 12 days. The length of the large den is 17 feet 6
inches, 6 feet wide, and the same in height. It is
made of iron cased with shutters. It is made precisely as a
birdcage. The ends and all parts are of iron. The top
is first put on, and then the shutters slide in a groove. The
panels or shutters are all secured by iron pins. There aro
five panels in front, five at the back, and two at each end.
After having taken the deceased man away I then went
to the den where the three lions were kept. I found nothing
therein but the cloth. The fourth was still in the small
cage. The deceased was about 50 yards from the lions' cage.
There had been a cloth nailed over the fourth lion, to•Prc"
tect the sick lion from the weather. That cloth I found
the large den. I then noticed that the door had bseto
n
opened. One of the panels was down. It hadsloP:was
the left, leaving the iron bars exposed, bat the d
open. It opens inwards.
The Coroner—How do you account for the opening of
the door ?
of the lions, in the act of drag-
Witness—One or more
the small den, must have broken
giiij in the cloth from off
the boii, and thus occasionedwiththeehoephentihnighgeo.f the The deloootrh.
Lions are fond of playing
was torn to pieces-. The sockets of the panels were quite
safe when I last saw them on Sunday night. The keys
were in them. Any person could remove the keys from
the sockets, but they could not be taken away, as they were
attached to the cage by chains. I have an assistant. His
name is Edward Brawn. I last saw the lions on the Sunday
night, previous to the accident, about half-past eight. I
gave some medicine to one that was unwell, and gave the
others some water. I had to remove one of the panels to
do so. The panel I found down was the neat one, on the
left, covering the door. I replaced the door.
Coroner—Having closed the door, are you positive you
replaced the fastening key?
Witness—Quite sure. I put in two keys and also used
two ropes to secure the cage. •
Coroner—What did you use the ropes for ?
Witness—As an additional security.
Coroner—Can you account in any way for the panel
coming down in the first instance ?
Witness—Not in any way.
Coroner—Have you tried to ascertain ?
Witness—Yes, and I cannot discover any. I have