The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-13 00:00:00

trona a scald, and he observed a slow-
ness and dullness of intellect which her derange-
ment of healthdid not account for. She was afflicted
with abstraction of mind. There was a dullness,
slowness, and abstraction of manner which led her
to do things from inadvertence. It was so manifest
that he pointed out to her mother the necessity of
exorcising great watchfulness and care over her.
Mie
r.tAlfredKirkup,
tii
another medical gentleman
having had great experience
always of
that lunatic cases, said
apathy. There was great abstraction and want of
power in concentrating her mind. The malady did
not amount to imbecility. There were many per-
sons who did ridiculous acts unconsciously, without
being imbecile or insane. She was an amiable, re-
tiring, modest, diffident girl, whom one would never
imagine had courage enough to do a dishonest act,
even if such a disposition existed.
Miss Kate Hawkins, an elder sister of the ac-
cused, said she was so exceedingly forgetful and
absent that the family could never trust her with
a parcel or a message. She often left parcels in
omnibuses; and recently, at Swan and Edgar's,
walked with a parcel to the door, and then
remembering that it was not hers, returned it to
the place from which she had taken it. A short
time ago she went into an omnibus without any
money in her pocket.
Mr. and Mrs. Bidgood, who had known the ac-
cused many years, said that she had always borne
the character of being. dull, moody, abstracted, and
dreamy, thinking of.one thing, and doing another.
The Rev. Wm. Edward Batty, curate of Fulham,
ssid he had known the accused from 12 or 13 years
of age, and her character wasAerfectly unblemished.
Her eldest sister hadtaken' arge of a parish cha
rhmi
he observed
manner es
rericv el
dgave
obviouslyan himaawr o
arising
iwn eeagr a tdfsrniot aerts.
do,
sine
da call
'peculiarity
t st
ofhe
intellect.
l 1e s
of
The Rev. Robert George Baker, vicar of Fulham,
proved that her character had been irreproachable.
Mr. William Admiral Hawkins, the accused's
father, said she had always been wandering in
mind. Her abstraction and treachery of memory
had been commonly observed by her family. Her
sisters had made up their minds not to go out with
her to any shop, as they could not get her to deter-
mine what she wanted.
Mr. Arnold said he had adopted a very unusual
course in this case, but he hoped he had done right.
He thought that if the facts he had heard were laid
before a grand jury—which they could not be, they
would naturally impart so much doubt as to the
intention with which she took the ribbon, that there
would be no doubt of their ignoring the bill against
her, and he therefore considered himself perfectly
justified in discharging her ; but he thought, being
aware, as her family were, of her infirmity, they
should not let her go out to shops alone, as she
was likely to incur disgrace, and give much trouble
by her conduct. He begged, in conclusion, to
observe that the shopkeeper had been perfectly
justified in giving her in charge.
The decision was greeted with much applause by
a crowded auditory.

HAMMERSMITH.—LAMENTABLE DEATH OF
A SON IN A STRUGGLE WITH HIS FATHER.-Mr.
Charles Routledge, a gentlemanly-looking, middle-
aged man, was placed in the dock before Mr.lngham
charged on suspicion of causing the death of his
son, Charles Routledge, aged 17 years, in a scuffle,
at his residence, 13, Elgin•crescent, Notting-hill.
Mr. Humphrey, jun., appeared for the prisoner.
Inspector Hepburn, of the T division, stated that
about a quarter before 10 o'clock on Saturday night
he was on duty at the Notting-hill Police Station,
when he received intormation that a murder had
been committed at No. 13, Elgin-crescent. He im-
mediately proceeded to the spot, and upon entering
the house he found the son of the prisoner lying
dead on a sofa in the drawing•room. The prisoner
stated that it was a most lamentable affair, and he
was truly sorry for his poor dear boy, but what else
could be do under the circumstances. He further
stated that his son fenced with him, and put himself
in a fighting attitude, and he caught hold of him to
prevent him striking him, when the deceased said,
"I shall have a fit," and he immediately fell into
his arms. Witness sent for Dr. Coghlan, who had.
been there previously, and he examined the body,
but could find no marks of violence.
Mr. G. M. R. Robertshaw, a gentleman residing
at No. 14, Elgin-crescent, said he was entering his
house about 10 minutes to 9 o'clock on Saturday
night, when he heard a violent altercation in the
passage of the prisoner's house. He listened at the.
door for a moment, and he heard the voices of the
prisoner and his son. He also heard a scuffling.
noise, and the son said, " I will not have such lar,_
guage used to me ;" and the prisoner said, " ou
; rascal, will you give in?"
The prisoner—Did you hear that distinctly ?
Witness—l did. I heard Mrs. Routledge's voice
say, "Let him alone." I immediately knocked at
the door, and it was opened by Miss Routledge.
Mr. Ingham—You say that you heard a scuffle,
Was it after the words were used ?

Witness—lt was while the words were be.ing
used. When the door was opened I saw the son
lying on the floor of the passage. The mothc.r was
supporting his head, and the father was behind the
door. He said, "Be quiet, my son is in a fit."
The daughter said, " Pray send for a doctor, Mr.
Robertshaw." Mrs. Routledge replied to the ob-
servations of the prisoner, and said, " You worried.
him into it by your violence," I ran for the doctor
and brought Dr. Coghlan.
Mr. Ingham—Did the prisoner say anything ?
Witness--Nothing beyond what I have stated.
Mr. Ingham—Did he appear sober ?
Witness—Quite.
Mr. Humphreys—Did he appear distressed in
mind ?
Witness—He appeared more to be trying to ex-
culpate himself than exhibiting signs of distress.
Elizabeth Routledge, sister of the deceased, was
next examined. She appeared very much affected
and was allowed a seat in the witness-box. k. he
said that her brother bad been in the house some
time before the unfortunate occurrence. About tea
time he lay down on the sofa in the dining-1 :oom,
as he bad a cold. Her father ordered him to ;et up
and leave the room, as he fidgeted him. Her 'father
was always ordering him away. Her mattara.a said,
ignotointthoe
dthraewdirnao.wi.renegm-room.
was n it got
tu"opoGaonddaarwwkaeytnot; see he returned to the dinir ig-room.
Witness remained in the drawing-room at ljoining,
and she heard the prisoner say, " Get up, you have
taken my chair." She heard her brother move,
and he then said, " Perhaps you will say this is
yours too." After a time the deceased went to the
passage for his coat, and the prisoner followed him.
She heard her father say, " Get out of the way ;
eyiothuearrdeolikoneeatsht
innpgidoreatthtehoatthreerq;ugiroesoutot
boerksntaoyekiend.
out of the way." She heard her brother give some
answer, as, "I am not in your way." The prisoner
returned to the dining-room, and she heard her
brother walk slowly towards the door, as if he was
going out. The prisoner rushed out and attacked
him. She heard her father call him a great many
had names. She heard her brother say, " Call out
at the back for the police, like mad." She also
heard. him say, " Will no one go for the police 9"
She then heard him say, " I am going to have a
fit." She ran out and saw her brother in her father's
arms.
brol tnh
ea
rn sdwi
eedr tsoh
oquestionsr
wthaer
dwsi, t
anne sds
thatsai d
he
hea
never
spoke again. She did not hear the noise of any
blows. Some vears ago her brother was subject to
epileptic fits. The last one be had was between
seven and eight years ago.
Mr. Ingham said he should require the evidence
of the surgeon.
Inspector Hepburn said he was not in attendance,
ebxuatmhineabteielin,eved that he had made a post-mortem
Mr. Ingham said he should remand. him (the pri-
soner) until to-morrow (Wednesday),
Mr. Humphreys applied for his client to be ad-
mitted
r.lnghamto bail.said he would accept two sureties in
_A
appearance of the prisoner.
The necessary bail h •
aTing been put in the pri-
soner was liberated. •
£lOO each for the

An Englishwoman, of the name of Hendry, 21
years of age, was threri days ago tried by the Court of
Assizes of the Calve.dos for infanticide. In September
last, it appeared, she came to France from England, and
obtained a place as companion to a wealthy English lady
named Alban, residing at Honfleur. On the 20th Feb.
circumstances which led to the belief that she had been
delivered of a child were remarked, and on searching her
room the dead body of a female infant, with two stabs in
the throat, was found in a large box. Medical Dien who
examined the body declared that the child had been born
alive, and that the wounds had been inflicted by a. pair of
scissors. The young woman was immediately ai -rested,
and she confessed that she had been delivered of th, e child,
and had killed it, but she subsequently retracted .her ad-
mission. She could not, however, explain how flu! infant
came to be dead. The jury declared her guilty, t tncl the
court condemned her to six years' hard labour. S: he waS
greatly affected- on hearing the sentence.—aatipical