The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-14 00:00:00

TIRE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVE ri 1 144 G, MAY 14, Itih

PROPOSED SHIP CANAL ACROSS THE
ISTHMUS OF SUEZ. .

On Monday morning a meeting of the council of
the Dublin Chamber of Commerce took pace to
hear a statement on behalf of Baron de Lesseps,
the promulgator of the plan for throwing open the
Isthmus of Suez by means of a ship canal, and
thereby to unite the Red Sea with the Mediter-

railean.
M. de Lesseps, who was unable to express his
views in English, was accompanied by Mr. D. A.
Lange, of the firm of Lange, Brothers and Co., of
Mark-lane, and Mr. Charles L. Kenny, the secre-
tary to the company in London.
The chair WAS taken by THOMAS CROSTHWAITE,
Esq , president of the council of the Chamber of
Commerce. _ _

Mr. E. CODD, honorary secretary, read a letter
from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce intro-
ducing M. de Lesseps.
Mr. D. A. LANGE was then introduced by M. de
Lesseps, and proceeded to give some details re-
specting the Suez Canal. He said that the object of
the baron's visit was simply to elicit from the coun-
cil an expression of opinion with regard to the
utility of the undertaking of cutting the canal, the
Viceroy of Egypt when granting this concession to
M. de Lesseps having expressed a wish that he
should ascertain from different countries the exact
opinion entertained in reference to its usefulness.
In many other cases the works were carried out by
the shareholders at their own expense, but in the
present the Viceroy of Egypt had paid down
1,200,0001. out of his own purse, before bringing
the project before the world at large. The track of
the canal was from Suez to a town in the Pelusian
Gulf, a distance of 72 miles. A very important
feature connected with this project was, that the
Viceroy had granted to the company a tract of land
60 miles in extent, which runs from Cairo to Lake
Timsah ; this land would be useless unless a branch
canal were formed to irrigate those lands ; but the
Viceroy had already anticipated the advantages to
Le derived from it, and had projected at his own
expense this canal, at the cost of 9,000,000 f., or
360,0001. Upon both sides the land would belong
to this company, as far as it could be irrigated, and
it bad been ascertained that no less tban 155,000
acres of land could be irrigated by this means in the
winter, and 93,000 in the summer. In addition to
the land at either side of the branch canal, he also
granted for 30 miles along both sides of their ele-
mentary canal, as much land as could possibly be
irrigated. The whole extent of the land given to
the company, not merely upon lease, but by a
grant iu perpetuity, was 250,000 acres, which were
capable of growing indigo, cotton, and Indian
corn, and might in time be very valuable to the
company. Another very important point was, that
no difference existed in the level of the two seas.
Mr. HALLIDAY—Is there not a difference of
three feet ?
Mr. LANGE—The reason why the canal was not
made before was, because the aueients always sup-
pos, d there was a great difference between the two
seas, and that by cutting open the Isthmus they
would give rise to an overflow at' ended by
very dengerous consequences. It had now,
however, been ascerta'neel beyond all doubt that
there is no difference at all between the level
of the two seas, nor are there any obstacles to
be encountered. There wouldbe no locks, so that a
vessel could sail right through the Mediterranean
to India, or to any part of the East. There would
be a coaling station at Lake Tiuisah, w Bich would
also be used for provisioning and victualling pnr-
poses.
Mr. KENNY stated that in the course of the canal
a very large basin would be formed at the Bitter
Lake, into which the stream would run, and begin
afresh a little further. The object to be gained was
to counteract the effects of the tide which 1030 in
the Red Sea, and by means of allowing it to spread
out at this basin, which acted as a regulator between
the two seas, its subsequent current in the canalwas
very feeble.
In reply to Mr. HUTTON,
Mr. KENNY further stated that the height to
which the tide in the Red Sea rose was about five
feet.

Mr. LANGE went on to say that at both sides of the
canal there would be a jetty—the lengest 3,800 feet
inlength, and the shortest 2,700 feet. It had baen
supposed by many, and the idea still, perhaps, was
prevalent in the minds of many, that the coast was
nut a safe one. Tbi4, however, did not appear to
b 3 the case ; for in order to test this, and to ascer-
tain whether there were any danger to shipping,
the viceroy stationed a corvette during the winter
months, when the winds were generally highest on
this part of the coast, and it appeared that she
never shifted her anchorage at all, but remained
throughout in the same position, and it was only
very recently when the point necessary to be ascer-
tained had been placed beyond doubt, and when,
moreover, it was found that the sands were quite
firm and nnmoveable, that the vessel had been re-
called. The depth of the canal was 28 feet, which
was looked upon as adequate for all purposes of
navigation ; and whilst upon the subject of drafts
and depths of water, he thought it tight to read to
the council a letter which he had received from Mr.
Laird, of Birkenhead, the observations made by
whom upon the construction of vessels seemed to
present a new phase in shipbuilding :--
"Birkenhead Iron Works, Birkenhead, May 9.
" The Baron de Lesseps,—Sir, in reply to your in-
quiry as to my opinion on the probable size and draught
of water of ships and steam vessels, I beg to state that,
judging from my own experience of 28 years in ship.
building, the dimensions of vessels, say length and beam,
are increasing, both in the merchant and naval service,
but the draught of water, if anything, diminishing►—cer-
tainly not increasing. The Dublin mail steamers, 30 to 35
years ago, drew about 11 feet of water, and were of about
300 tons carpenter's measurement. The Holyhead mail
steamers are now 600 to 700 tons, and draw about 9 to
10 feet water, and I have built vessels of 300 to 400 tons
for the Channel trade drawing only 6i to 8 A feet, and
find them as good sea boats as the old vessels of similar
class drawing from 10 to 12 ft. In fact, light draught of
water is decidedly preferrable for vessels of this descrip-
tion. I have constructed altogether more than 200 ves-
sels, being an aggregate tonnage of 30,000 tons, and
among them sailing ships, paddlewheel and sorew steamers
of alt sizes up t 02,250 tons, and I find moderate draught of
water always a consideration. In proof of this I built two
vessels, the Nubia and Alma, of 2,250 and 500 H.P. each
for the Peninsular and Oriental Company now running
from Calcutta to Suez. They drew 20 ft., but the managing
director, of the company told me if they had them built
again they would much prefer them not to exceed 18
feet draught, as being more generally useful ships for the
Calcutta and other trades ; and I have no doubt I could
give them equally fast vessels and as satisfactory in
other respects on 18 feet. I consider 22 feet about the
greatest draught that any vessel should have intended
fur general trade to all parts of the world, as few har-
bours or docks will with convenience accommodate ships
of greater draught. Should you wish any further infor-
mation on the subject tha; I am in possession of I will
be glad to furnish it.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
"JOHN LALUD.

" Te Baron de Lesseps."
Mr. HuTToN—Perhaps you will allow me to state
that in the Red Sea the growth of coral renders
navigation very uncertain.
Mr. LANGE—Yes, there are rocks of that nature
in the Red Sea, but they merely skirt the coast,
and do not at all iuterfere with the navigation, but
on the contrary they are very useful, because if it
were not for these we should be at a loss how to
construct the jet'ies.
In reply to Mr. Parker,
_ _

Mr. KENNY stated that notwithstanding the line
of coral rocks in the Red Sea, the Peninsular and
Oriental steamers were continually passing and re-
passin; in the clear channel which existed in the
midclle of that sea ; whilst between those rocks and
the shore there was also a navigable channel in
which the whole of the trad, was carried on by
means of vessels of light draft.
_ _

Mr. LANGE went on to say that the winds gene-
rally blew in one direction, but it was from the
side, and consequently facilitated the sailing up or
down of the Red Sea ; but it was different in the
Mediterranean, where the prevailing wind was
from the no rth-east. They should remember, how-
ever, that it was not sailing vessels, but steamers
and sarews that they had calculated upon, although
Bailing vessels at certain periods of the year, from
to Sept., could always avail themselves of this
canal when going. to India, or to ports on the other
side. The saving of distance in going to Ceylon by
this means would be just half-7,000 instead of
14,000 miles, and a very favourable feature con-
ileated with the cutting of this canal was that five`
sixths of its extent were below the level of the sea.
The capital required for the undertaking would he
6,500,0001., and 1,500,000/. had been set aside for
iutereat and ulterior improvements, making the
total estimate 8,000,0001. It would naturally occur
to them as commercial men how many vessels a
day would be required to pass through this canal in
order to pay a remizneratinp; dividend upon so large
an amount of capit.4l. In ordin,l y . 5 tinier per ,c
upon this sum would amount to 400,0001., to which
should be added the cost of b-.'eping up the canal-
-63,000!.; but instead of confining themselves to this
calculation he would lump the two sums, and set
them down at 3)0,000/., including interest and cost
of maintenance. It would require two vesses daily,
of 2,500 tons each, to pay this interest and keep up
the canal. The deputation were prepared with more
minute calculations, but they they considered it
hetfar to lay this startling fact before the council in
the first in,tance.

Mr. PARKER—You have taken tho tonnage very
high of iho6e two ves-!ell.
Mr. LANGE explained that he meant any vessel
to tha ex-Lmt of 5,000 tuns.
Mr. CODD —Ducs trade at '2 went exist which
wouli justify you in supposing that you could have

two vessels daily 61'2,500 tons each passing through
this canal
Mr. LANGE—I think there can be very little
doubt of it. In our estimates we have taken credit
only for the annual increase iu foreign shipping at
the rate of 10.),003 tons per annum, whereas the
list account shows that it is at the rate of 300,0U0
tons per annum. All this does not go to the East
certainly, but a considerable portion of it does.
A Member inquired what might be the expense
per ton of the transit through the canal.
Mr. LANuEreplied that the charge for the entire
distance, including tugs, would be 10f. par ton.
M. DE LESSEPS here ob?.erved, in French, that
this was the maximum rate allowed by the conces-
sion ; it was possible that the charges might even
be lower.
Mr. LANGE went on to say the tugs would be re-
quired for sailing vessels. With respect to the capital
of 8,000,0001., it had been reserved in portions for
the various countries of Europe. Egypt and Tur-
key had contributed two millions ; the northern
parts of Europ one million ; Holland and Belgium
one million ; Spain, the United States of America,
and Portugal one million ; France, 1,500,0001. ;
leaving over for Great Britain, in case it should
choose to avail i'self of this undertaking in a finan-
cial point of view, 1,500,0001, The present object
of M. de Lesseps was to ascertain whether England
and Ireland would be disposed to admit the utility
of the undertaking, and to embark financially in it.
If such should, not be the case, and that England
and Ireland should consider that the Suez Canal
was not necessary to them, the undertaking would,
notwithstanding, progress, because there was no
difficulty in raising the amount. It was a perfectly
mercantile speculation, and had nothing to do with
Government.
The PRESIDENT—In case of war, how would you
preserve neutrality ?
Mr. LANGE—By each nation having an interest
at stake. It is one of the articles in toe concession
that it shall be a neutral passage—and that no
country shall be excluded. M. de Lesseps has not
asked the protection of any Government—it is
simply a commercial speculation, with which Go-
vernments have nothing to do.
Mr. PARKER—But you must be aware that the
fact of British merchants having stock in an under-
taking of this kind by no means obliges the Govern-
mentto neutrality, or to look upon it as a neutral
canal in case of war.
M. de LESSEPS remarked that it was only the
proptietor of the country who could oppose the
passage ; and as he had given his consent, and was
anxious even for the perfect neutrality of the com-
pany, there could be no difficulty in the matter.
Mr. LANGE said no one wag more anxious than
the Viceroy himself in reference to the matter ; he
was particularly anxious that no one nation should
enjoy the advantage, bat that it should have the
protection of all.
The PRESIDENT—IIe wishes it to be neutral, and
it remains for all the other Governments to agree
that it shall be so. You cannot push it further
than that.
After some further observations, M. de Lesseps
and the gentlemen by whom he was accompanied
withdrew, the council undertaking to give the sub-
ject every consideration, and to furnish them with
their opinions with as little delay as possible.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.—May 13.

THE WALWORTH MURDERS.
OLD COURT.

TRIAL OF BACON AND HIS WIFE.

(Before Lord Campbell, Mr. Justice Creswell, and Mr,

Baron Bramwell.)

[A. portion of the following appeared in our impression
of yesterday :—]

This morning Thomas Fuller Bacon and Martha Bacon
-.vere indicted for the murder of their two children,
Edwin Fuller Bacon and Martha Bacon.
Mr. Bodkin and Mr. Chrk appeared for the prosecu-
tion. Mr. Sleigh and Mr. Poland defended Mrs.
Bacon, and Messrs. Metcalfe and Lawrence appeared for
Bacon.

Mr. Bodkin, in opening the case for the prosecution,
eaid, placed in the pesitim in which he then stood it
would be his duty to lay before the jury facts and eh--
cumatances to bring horse to the prisoners at the bar the
charge of murder. The case was one of the most extra
ordinary kind that had occurred for some time ; and the
fact that the prisoners were man and wife, and the
victims their children, added to the heinousness of the
crime. The learned gentleman then proceeded to detail
the facts of the case, which have already appeared in the
columns of The Sum, and, in the course of his
observations, said it was his duty to inform the
jury that the female prisoner had been confined in
a lunatic asylum, and that she only quitted that
asylum two months before the commission of the murder,
but the version she had given of the affair, namely,
that a man had entered the window and killed her chil-
dren and attempted to cut her throat, was irrational,
absurd, and unworthy of belief, for the police had
examined the place and found the windows fastened in-
side, and that the dust and ground about the place had
not been disturbed in the slightest manner. Having al-
luded to Bacon's version of the murder, he said he should
also lay before them evidence to prove its entire falsity,
aid he would prove that he neither lost a watch, note,
nor clothes, on the occasion, and that the whole story
about the robbery was a fabrication, and was only in-
vented to dri‘w off from him the suspicion that attached
to him respecting the murder. With respect to blood
found on the trousers of the male prisoner, he accounted
for it by saying that he cut his finger at dinner on the
Sunday previous to the discovery of the murder. That
also was untrue. On the Sunday in question, he should
prove that be wore black trousers, and that being the
case, if he had cut his finger on that occasion the
blood would have been found on the black trousers
and not on those worn every day by the prisoner. The
jury would take into their consideration the circum-
stance that the female prisoner had been subject to aber-
rations of mind; but in order to acquit her on account of
the state of her mind, it must be shown that she was in
such a state of mind as to be unable to distinguish be
tween right and wrong. The learned gentleman con-
cluded his remarks by hoping that an all-wise Providence
would guide them to a right conclusion.

The first witness called was Harriet Monroe. She
said—l am cousin to the male prisoner. On Sunday,
the 28th of December, the female prisoner came to my
house and asked me if I would e)me and stay with her
whils her husband stopped at Reigate. I said I would
do so, and it was arranged that I should go to their
house in Four-acre-street, Walworth, between the hours
of 4 and son the following Monday. On the same
Sunday evening I saw both prisoners together at her
brother-in-law's house. I did not observe his bands that
evening. On the Monday when I went to Bacon's house
in Four-acre-street, I knocked repeatedly at the door but
could get no answer. I listened and waited at the door
for about three hours, not getting any answer I returned
home, but went to Bacon's house again that evening
about half-past 10, On the Tuesday morning, about 1
o'clock, my mother and myself met Mrs. Bacon in Four-
acre-street, she had a rent book and half a sovereign in her
hand. My mother asked her where she bad been, and
she said she had been in the house all night. She then
said a man had got in at the window during the night
and had murdered her two children and cut her throat-
She said she was going to pay her rent and tell her land
lord of the shocking affair. Mrs. Bacnn, my mother,
and myself, returned to the house in Fouracre-street,
and, on going into the back room on the ground floor,
I saw the little boy sitting in a chair by the side of the
fireplace, with his throat cut. There was a quantity of
blood all round the place, and his face was resting on the
table. Mrs. Bacon made no other observation while
they were in the room but that " somebody came in at
the window and done it." On leaving the house I
went to the male prisoner's brother Mr. Edward Bacon's,
my mother and Mrs. Bacon (the prisoner), went
on to the police-station. I next eaw Mr. Bacon after
he was brought up from Reigate on the Wednesday
morning, but I did not notice how he was dressed. I
some days after saw the male prisoner in a pair of
fustian trousers, but on the Friday the day of the
funeral, be did not wear them. I saw the fustian on
the day of the funeral at Four• Acre-street, he took them
off shortly before the funeral, and I then saw some
spots of blood on the legs of the trousers. Two or
three days after the murder I saw the spots of blood,
and told Bacon cf it, but he said the blood came from a
cut on his &ger.
Lord Campbell—What day did you first see the bl )od
on the trousers ?

Witness—On the Tuesday after he returned from
Raicate.

Examination olotinued—Bacon told me he had cut
his finger on the Sunday.
Lord Campbell—Did he say on what Sunday ?
witness—On Suncl,,y after Christmas day. He said
be did it at carving the dinner. A day cr two after ho
said he cut his &ger while cutting some wood to light
a fire with. He made this remark during a conversa-
tion that was going on at my mothers. He said the
knife slipped and it cut his finger. The first time I saw
the cut on his hard was the Friday after the
murder, the 2,1 of January. Us did rot have
a rag on his baud. On the Thursday, as
the funeral was on the Friday, Mrs. Hyde
sh:iwed me a shirt of Bacon's upon which
Vitro were stains of blood. She was just going to put
it into the tub to wa,h when she showed me two or
Oree very sinr.:l spots of blood. One of the spots was
on the c Aar, rya if he had cut himself while shaving ;
tie two were on the wristband. I have remarked
pit,ces I cord a: d twine thr ,wing about in the
bay 1.:!t::11t,, 311,1 room in the house in Four-acre- '
st:r,t. set:Lg r. picee of cord thrown upon
the fire•with the aher the police had irfi the house.

I have known the prisoners ever since their marriage,
which took place seven years ago. Mrs. Bacon had
been in a lunaTi:.-. asylum in London, but I cannot tell
how long she bad been there. My mother and myself
took her from the asylum in October of the last year.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sleigh—From all I know
Mrs. Bacon has always been kind and affectionate to
her children.

By Mr. Metcalfe—On the day on which Mrs. Bacon
asked me to come and stop with her, she wished me to
come early in the morning. The reason I was asked to
stop with her was that Bacon said he did not like to
leave her alone at home the whole of the week, It was
from the circumstance of her being confined in the
lanatic asylum. The blood he bad spoken of was on
the inside the collar of the shirt, and looked as if it had
come from his chin while shaving. I have often seen
his chin bleed while shaving. I never asked Mrs. Bacon
to confess what part she had taken in the murder,
By a Juror—She did not ray what time it was
when the men broke into the b.ouse.
William Henry Cooke, a police-constable, L 75
On Tuesday, the 30th of December, I was on duty
at the ate+ ion-house in Kennington-lane, and I remem-
ber Mrs Bacon coming there about half-past 1 in the
afternoon in cornpa ay with Mrs. Payne. They wished
me to come to Friar-acre-street, as she said she thought
there was something taken place very serious in the
house. I want with them, and on the way Mrs.
Bacon eaid somebody had come in at the window and
cut the c'aildren's throats and her own as well, but
she did not say when it bad been done. On getting
Fo•Jr-acre-street Mrs. Bacon unlocked the door and
we went into the back room, and I there found a
lit'ae boy with his head on a table with his throat
cut and quite dead. There was a goad deal of blood
about—on the wails, the furniture, and the floor. I
asked Mrs. Payne where the other child was, and she
said, "Up stairs," and in the room up stairs I found
the infant lying on the floor with its throat cut.
There was a child's bed in the room. There was no
blood upon it, but it had the appearance of having
been slept in. Both the children had their night-
clothes on. On seeing the children I said, "This is a
bad job," and Mrs. Bacon said she did not do it ; a man
came in at the window and did it. She did not say
what time. She raid it was the hack parlour win-
dow. I looked at the window, it was fastened, but not
properly. The hasp of the* window was bent, but it was
sufficient to hold it down. A. person from the outside
could not have opened it. After the observation about
its being a bad job, we all went into the first floor front
room, and I saw a female's night dress lying on the bed,
nearly covered with blood. I particularly observed the
sleeve, there was a quantity of blood round the neck.
There was a quantity of blood on the floor. While I was
searching the room, Mrs. Bacon passed me and went
to a little box, from which she took out an envelope
and said that she must send it to her husband. The
envelope was already addressed to " Mr. Bacon, at Mr.
Marriage, - Ironmonger, Market-place, Reigate." It
contained a blank sheet of paper. She said the writing
on the envelope was her husband's. I then returned to
the station•house and took Mrs. Bacon with me where
she was detained. She was taken before the magistrate
the same afternoon and was remanded. Before Mrs.
Bacon was taken to the police office I took Mr. Bashel,
the surgeon, to see the children. On the table of the
room in which I found the little boy. I saw the two
knives I now produce (they were two common black-
handled dinner knives). They bore marks of blood, and
one appeared to have been recently sharpened. I
examined the room on the Wednesday after the
discovery of the murder, but there was nothing
to lead to the belief that any person had entered the
window. The dust about the window had not been dis-

turbed, and the ground underneath the window, which
would have easily shown the impression of footmarks,
was also undisturbed. On the 6th of January I received
from a female turnkey of Horsamonger-lane Gaol the
chemise which had been wont by Mrs. Bacon, which I
now produce. [The cbemipd was stained with blood.]
Cross-examined by Mr, Sleigh—On the Tuesday that
I first sa N Mrs. .Bacot I did not think Edie was in a
right state of mind. She never manifested the slightest
feeling or concern, about the children.
By Mr. Metcalfe—ln searching the house I found a
woman's apron. It had the appearance of a bloody
knife having been wiped upon it. It had been
placed over a pool of blood in the room where
the little boy had been murdered. There were some
toys on the little table before the murdered child and
several on the floor. On the Tuesday I went to Reigate
to bring him back to London. I was told not to tell
him what had occurred. I went to the address on the
envelope, but I did not find him there, and Mr. Mar-
rigs said he did not know him by name.
Re-examined by Mr. Bodkin—l found Bacon at the
Bell public house at Reigate. I arrived about one
o'clock in the morning, he appeared as if he had been
in bed, and the first question 1 asked him was whether
he had not an aunt of the name of Payne, and he said
yes. I was in plain clothes. I told him his aunt had
sent for him as his wife was very ill. He
wanted to know what was the matter, and said,
" What can it be l" I did not tell him what really was
the matter, in fact I bad but little talk with him the
whole of the time we were coming to London. We left
ReAill by the mail-train at ten minutes to four in the
morning. He never asked me who I was, or made the
slightest inquiry.
Thomas Horton, another policeman of the L division,
said : I went with the last witness on the Tuesday to
Bacon's house in Four Acre-street, and found the
articles I now produce (a woman's night-dress and an
apron), upon which were large blood stains. The apron
was lying on the floor and night-dress on the bed. I
also examined the window and found the dust outside
undisturbed.
Rebecca Longbridge : lam matron of Horsemonger-
lane Gaol. I was present when Mrs. Bacon was
brought there. I observed marks on her throat, it bad
plaister upon it. On the Wedneday I observed a mark
on her throat as if a string had been tied tight round it.
It was very visible at the back part of the neck. On
being questioned about it, she said it had been made
with the knife, the same as her throat was cut with.
Emilia Oaks, the female searcher at Kennington-lane
Police Court.—On the 30th of December I searched
Mrs. Bacon, and, whilst I was doing so, she said a man
had come in at the v► indow and murdered her two
children, and cut her throat as well. She said " will
they lock me up," and I said "nn, put on your clothes."
There was blood on her chemise but none on the outside
dress.

The Court then adjourned for a quarter of an hour.

On the return of the judges into court,

Mr. Charles Bushel, the surgeon, was called and ex-
amined by Mr. Bodkin. I was sent for on the 31st of
December from the Kennington-lane police-station to
Mrs. Bacon. I saw her, and on asking her how she was,
she said she was very poorly—that a ma❑ had got in at
the window and cut her throat as also those of her chil-
dren. I examined her throat and found a cut about
three inches in length, it went over the windpipe, and
another cut downwards about two inches long, there
were also several cuts on the throat, but they were all
above the first one. There was no continuous cut, they
were all from right to left and from left to right.
The principal cut was that over the windpipe, but it did
not wound that organ. The wounds might have been
caused by her own band. If they had been done by
soy other person she must have been quite quiet and
assenting. I told her the wounds had been done some
time, and she said, "Yes, eight o'clock last night." I
examined her bands and found the left covered with
brown colour as if from stains of blood. I noticed the
nails on the hand, the stains were much deeper colour
round them. The second finger of the right hand was also
partially stained. After the interview with Mrs. Bacon
I went to Four Acre-street and saw the bodies of three
murdered children. I found them with their throats cut,
and the wounds were very likely to have been caused by
one of the knives produced. As far as lam able to
judge the stains on the knives are those of human blood.
I was shown a woman's night dress in thefront room on
the first floor. There was blood upon the night dress.
That on the lower part of the dress, but it was quite
different from that which had proceeded from thethroat.
It had the appearance of having been rubbed with
something for some time after. I was shown a chore ise
and also a pair of fustian trousers, upon which there
were appearances of blood on the front. I also saw a
waistcoat. There was a spot of blood on the collar. I saw
the waistcoat the first time. I wentto the house, but I did
not closely examine it. When I next saw the waistcoat
it was in possession of Inspector Young. The witness
was then banded,,the trousers, and pointed out spots of
blood down the front.

Cross-examined by Mr. Sleigh.—When I ssw the
female prisoner on Tuesday my first impression WWI that
she was not quite conscious of the act that had been
committed.

By Lord Campbell.—By that, do you mean she was
not in her right mind ?
Witness—l do, my lord.
By Mr. Metcalfe.—l
.was examined on the first
occasion, before the man was in custody, and I said it
was my impression that the act h:.d been committed be-
fore the time she mentioned-8 o'clock. I should
be very sorry to pledge that the stains on the trousers
are those of blood. There are many things that will
produce very similar stains. It is my opinion that the
blood on the lower part of the chemise had the appear-
ance of having spurted on it, and for the blood to bear
the appearance it did it mu at Lave come from a living
person.

Dr. Harris, surgeon of H semonger-lane Gaol said :
I saw Mrs. Bacon for the first time on the 31st of
December. I observed wo a ads on her neck ; they had
been dressed with plaistcr. 'Caere' was also one as it caused
by a cord being tied ti'gktly round it. The mark
could not have been pror..nced by hanging, it must have
been inflicted lying dow a —it is so regular all round the
throat. The curd must 'have been tied rather tightly, or
see-sawed, to have pres 3 need the mark. I asked Mrs.
Bacon how the injury 'was inflicted, and she said a man
had come in at the w'rr dow and tried to cut her throat.
I have been shown r. 4 .piece of rope by the police, and am
of opinion that it •firiuld cause the marks he had de-
scribed.

Cross-examined by Mr. SleiFh—When I firEt saw the
female prisoner I. was of opinion that she was not a per-
son of sound n.r.nd.

By Mr. 11101-c,?lfe—lt was my impression when I saw
the female prisoner at Horeemonger-lane gaol that she
had inflicted tl• e injuries upon her throat herself.
Mr. Sargea at, who resided next door to the house oc-
cupied by Ba con, said—l last saw the prisoners on Sun-
day, the 28t7.1 of December. They went out together.
I did not set: them again until the murder was discovered.
On the Monday following' was sweeping is front of the
door, and In doing so accidentally struck Bacon's door
and made a noise, and I heard somebody moving inside,
as if some person was approaching the door to open it.
The door was not opened, and I heard the sounds return.
I have frequently beard a child cry in Bacon's house,
but on Monday I did not hear any crying, _

Mary Vartic;l3 said—ln Deceulber freaided pea', door

to Bacon, in Fouracre-street. On Monday, the 29th, I
heard a noise in the room adjoining ' • it continued for
about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour. My atten-
tion was called to the circumstance by persons calling,
and not gaining admittance.
William Boka said—l occupy the house No. 5, Four-
acre-street. I was at home the whole of Mondaw
6.ne
29th. I did not hear the children cry that
y 'Eversince the Bacons had lived next door t'- me I hav® heard
a child cry every day.
gar..:ier of Lambeth Police-court,
said—Mrs. Bacon
ooke, tvihe
:al under my care during the time
of her examinati:n. Mrs. Bacon, in my room, wrote a
letter.

Lordi (,on was one that ;ampbell reminded the jury that the letter in
gn: t did not at all affect Thomas Bacon,
,
and that it ought not to enter into their consideration.
Witness continued—Mrs. Bacon asked for ink and
paper when she was in the gaoler's room at Lambeth
Police-court. There were some other persons in
the room, but they did not interfere with her. Having
written the letter she gave it to me, and I said, " This
is a very serious charge you have made against your
husband. Let me beg and pray of you not to make any
charge that is not quite correct, and remember the Al-
mighty is looking down upon what you are doing." She
said, "I am quite aware of that. What I have written
there is perfectly true. I don'tsee why the innocentshould
suffer far the guilty." I then went with her to the court,
and handed the paper to the magistrate, who read it
aloud. The male prisoner was in the court. He was
taken into custody after the letter was written, but be-
fore it was read in court. Bacon Wari standing near me
when the letter was read, but I did not hear him snake
any remark.
The letter was here read by the clerk of the arraigns.
It stated that she was an innocent person—that her
husband was the person who murdered the children.
Inspector Young said—On the 30th Dec. I heard of
the murder in Fouracres-street. I sent down to Reigate
for the male prisoner, and on his arrival at the station-
house in Kennington-lane I told him I had sent to him

in consequence of something that had happened to his
wife. He became very agitated, and asked what had
been done. I broke it to him gently by telling
him that his wife had attempted to commit
suicide. He appeared very much affected, and
said he knew three women who had come from the same
plale, and had gone in the same way. I asked him
what he meant, and be said out of their mind. He very
anz ously asked about the children, and I told him
there was nothing particulir the matter, as he appeared
very much distressed. I afterwards told him that the
children bad been destroyed by his wife. He wished to
go at once to see his children, and I sent a constable
with him to the house. He returned to the station-
house with the constable about half-past six, and he said
he had not been able to see the children, but that he had
seen the blood of his deal. boy. On the Saturday follow-
ing this interview, I observed a cqt on his finger.
The first eruninatton of Mrs. Bacon was on the
30th. The inquest took place on Friday, the
2d of January, I was present and saw Bacon there.
I a-ked Bacon if it was true that some clothes were mis-

sing from the house. He said there were, and also a
watch and 71. in money. In accordance with an ar-
rangement Bacon came to the station-house on Satur-
day and gave a description of the clothes lost. which
consisted of a rough greatcoat and other apparel. The
money lost consisted of a 51. note and two sovereigns.
The 51. note he had received at the London and West-
minster Bank in payment of a cheque for 151., drawn
by Mr. Attar. I asked the name and number of the
watch, which he hesitated in giving. I pressed him for
the number, and it was some time before I got the
number from him. Ultimately, he said he had bought
the watch of his brother James, who resided at 3,
Charles-street, Northampton-square. The clothes stolen
he said he had worn on the Sunday, the day of the
murder. When he came back from Reigate he had on
a black coat, a pair of fustian trousers, and a black
waistcoat. I was referred by Bacon to Mr. Edward
James Bacon to get the number of the watch, and he
gave me a bill in which the watch was described. The
description of the watch was circulated amongst the L
division of police, it was numbered 32,793. It was
brought to me by Sergeant Broad, L division. The first
time I saw a watch in Bacon's possession was on the 7th
of January. He told me be had been down at Stamford
on the 4th of January. I then asked him about his
watch, and he showed me the one I now produce, No.
13,663. I went to the house for the purpose of searching
it. Bacon was with me, and told him I had sent for a
candle to search the cellar. While I was near the cellar
I heard a noise in the yard, and Sergeant Broad told me
Bacon had put something into hie pocket. On search-
ing him I found the watch 13,663. With respect to
some money he said he had received, he said he had put
away two 51. notes to buy furniture with, and the other
two, part of the produce of a eheque for 501., he had
paid away at Reigate. I told him I had traced four
notes, and I asked him for further information as to the
note he alleged to have been stolen. He said he bad
another Si. note, for which he had given change to
a person in the street. This note I have also
traced, and found it to have formed part of the
money reeeived for the cheque. In asking about the
clothes he bad lost, he said that Mr. Dixon had made
all his clothes for the last twenty years • but I told him
Mr. Dijon denied that he had ever made a coat for him
like the one he had described. I asked . him how he
came by the cut on his left hand, and he said he had
done it whilst cutting a stick. I asked him if he had
seen his wife before he left London for Reigate, on the
Sunday morning, and he said he had left her in bed very
comfortable, that he had kissed her, and that she had
bound up his finger to prevent it catching cold. After
Bacon was in custody, he said, "Oh, Mr. Young, is
it not shocking that she should say I did it ? I don't care,
the Lord will help me through it. My poor boy I could
not hurt a hair of his little head. Truth will always go
the fur %est."
Cross-examined by Mr. Metcalfe—Bacon was not much
affected at his final examination, but has been very
much affected on certain occasions when the children
were referred to. The female prisoner throughout the
police examination seemed perfectly indifferent as to all
that took place.
Wm. Payne, an engineer, living at Mile End said—
My wife was a relative of Mr. Bacon's. I saw the
prisoner at Mr. James Payne's house in Galloway-
street. It was about half past eight in the evening, they
had neitber of the children with them. On the day after
the inquest I noticed Bacon's finger, and I asked how it
was done, he said it wascutting a piece of wood—l said I
thought it was done whilst sharpening the knife on a
steel. He said his knives were new and did not require
sharpening. After some consideration I said his wife
had murdered the children, and he said he did not be.
lieve it. He then told me he had been robbed of a suit
of clothes and a coat, and I told him I did not believe
it. I asked if Dixon made it, and he said no. He also
said be had lost a watch, and I told him I did not be-
lieve it. When I last saw both the prisoners I told them
it was not proper for them to leave the children alone in
the house, and she said, " Never mind the children, they
are happy."
Cross-examined by Mr. Metcalfe —I told Bacon that I
would not believe anybody would go and murder the
children without robbing the house, and then a day or
two after he told me he had lost the money.
Mrs. Payne, wife of the last witness, stated that after
the birth of her last child Mrs. Bacon laboured under
insanity. She (witness) had heard that she had threat-
ened the lives of her nearest and dearest relatives. She
always appeared fond of her children and kind to them.
Henrietta Lawrence, a child about eight years, was
next examined, and, in a very clear manner, proved the
finding of Bacon's watch in George-street, Walworth.
Sergeant Broad was next called, and repeated his
evidence relative to finding the watch in the cellar,
Mr. Astell, cashier in the London and Westminster
Bank, Lothbury, said in Oct. last he cashed a cheek
drawn on the Stamford branch of the Northampton
Bank. He gave four five pound-notes.
•A. clerk, from the Bank of England, proved that the
notes traced by Inspector Young were the same as
those received from the Stamford Bank.
The case for the prosecution having closed, the jury
were then taken to the London Coffeehouse for the
night, in charge of the officers of the court.

WINDING.UP OF JOINT STOCK COMPINIES. —The Court
of Chancory has declined to make an order to wind-up
the affairs of the Esgair Lee Mining Company. A peti-
tion has been presented for winding up the affairs of the
St. George Benefit Building Society. A call of 3.. per
share is required to pay of the debts of the Culchote
Mining Company. The list of shareholders liable in the
Cwtndyle Mining Company is about to undergo a settle-
ment. A c4ll of 301. per share is required to pay off the
debts of the Norwich Yarn Company. Mr. Wryghte has
been appointed official manager to wind up and investi-
gate the affairs of the Hull and London Assurance Co.
The Wheal Helen and Trevena Alining Companies are
proposed to be wound up. A call of 21.105. is to be made
to discharge the debts of the Wheal Concord Mine, and
one of 12s. 6d. per share for those of the Great Cam-
brian.

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EXTRAORDI A ItY CASE.

(Prom the Priyht,:„ u„dte.)
Y est e•--' TR • -
_-,ufEER V D'AGUILAIL
at the Through Bench, this case came en
..,.rore Messrs. A Biggo, J. C. Burrows, T. Warner, F.
Smithe, F. A. Argle, ard D. M. Follsard.
Mr. Hutchinson, solicitor, of London, again appeared
for the complainant, and Mr. RoupE-11, barrister, in-
structed by Messrs. Palmer and France, of Bedford-row,
London, appeared for the defendant.

Mr. itonp.ell, on behaff of his client, accepted service
of summons.

Mr. Hutchinson then opened the case. The complaint
was alleged against Colonel D'Aguilar that he bad not
supported his son by the complainant. He proceeded to
say that Mrs. Thatcher was the widow of an officer. In
1853 she was residing at Briehton with her children,
when C donel D'Aguilar, seeing her, was attracted by
her, and after much perseverance obtained an introduc-
tion to her. After ascertaining her position in life,
family, Sec., he made her an offer of marriage, which was
accepted. Mrs. Thatcher wile not a lady of fortune, and
the Colonel told her that ho did not wish the marriage
to take place during his father's (Sir George D'Aguilar's)
lifetime, as he had other views for him. Unfortunately,
the result of their intimacy was the birth of a child. Col.
D'Aguilar left Brighton to join his regiment in Landon
five months before the birth of the child. He came down
at the time, engaged a medical man, removed Mrs.
Thatcher, and agreed to allow her 301. a-year, being, as
he expressed it, the same amount as, if the child had
been born during her husband's lifetime, she would have
received from the E est India Co. The money was regu-
larly paid by cheques upon Messrs. Hall & Co. from the
Col., who now said he did not wish to be annoyed by Mrs.
Thatcher. After some time she wrote to him, and he then
refused to continue the allowance. Till that time he had
never asserted that the child was not his own, nor
breathed a word against her reputation. The colonel,
during his acquaintance, had done ell that was consie.
tent. He had given Mrs. Thatcher his portrait, a lock
of his hair, an engaged ring ; had written her many
letters, and she had worked him a pair of slippers.
After this he wrote her a lettrr saying if she would return
all his letters, he would act as an officer and a gentle-
man, and lad! his promise to marry her. This she did,
when he turned round open her, abused her, and in-
sinuated that she was everything that was bad. The
friends of both parties had tried to induce the colonel to
do something for her, and proposed to refer the whale
matter to some military man, or other respectable per-
win. His client was now anxious to set her reputation
right, if she had done wrong with bins she had done no
wrung with others. She was anxious to establish the
parentage of her child, and he should produce legal evi-
dence to prove that the colonel was its father, He was
aware that the law only allowed a very small amount,
yet the decision of the bench would be of great import-
ance, as it might influence the father to do what was
right and proper towards the maintenance of his child.
Tne remuneration that could be allowed was scarcely
worth having, but they wished perfectly to establish the
parentage.

Mrs. Thatcher, examined by Mr. Hutchinson, de-
posed—ln 1852 I became acquainted with Colonel
D'Aguilar. Was then a widow, residing at 12, Mont-
pelier-street, where my children were living with me.
The colonel was then residing with his father, Sir Geo.
D'Aguilar, in Brunswick-square. In January, 1853,
he first calhd on me. Had met him several times before.

When the colonel called, I thought be called in an
honourable manner, and he became daily more ardent.
He called and brought bouquets every day ; gave me
his likeness, also an engaged ring.
Mr. Roupell objected to the term "engaged" ring.
Mr. Bigge did not understand the term. Was it a
wedding ring I
Mr. Hutchinson then called for the ring, which Mr.
Roupell did not produce.
Mre. Thatcher continued—lt was a handsome ruby
ring, worth 40 or 50 guineas. He gave me a lock of his
hair. Had a child by defendant on Dec. 24, 1853. Our
position in life is quite equal to the Co!onel's. When
defendant gave the ring he put it on my finger.
Mr. Hutchinson wished to know which finger, and
being shown, asked if that ia as the one ladies called the
engaged finger.
Mrs. Thatcher—l havebeen told it is, and understood
from the Colonel it was. The Colonel put it on and
kissed my hand. (Laughter.)
The child was here produced by the mother, who said
he was very like his father, whose photograph was also
produced.
Mrs. Thatcher—l used to teach him to sing and to
play the piano, and he offered to teach me drawing in
return. Unfortunately something of a private nature took
place before he left Brighton. Before this he promised
marriage, which be said must be private, as Sir George
and Lady d'Aguilar had prier views for him, and wouli
never consent to it. Dr. J. Turner, of Regency-square,
attended me in my confinemement. I nehher engaged
nor paid Mr. Turner. I received many letters from the
Colonel. Before the birth of the child I received a letter
from defendant requesting these letters to be sent back,
saying if so he would be inclined to fulfil his promise. I
returned all the letters, and after that, in consequence of
a communication received from Mr. Turner, bad been in
the habit of drawing cheques on Hall's bank for 71. 108.
a quarter. In May, 1854, I received a letter from de-
fendant.
The letter was produced and read. It offered an allow-
ance, refused to adopt the child, and desired to break off
the correspondence.
Mrs. Thatcher—He had never accused me of impro-
priety of conduct before. This was after I had returned
the ring and letters. He had always been very affection-
ate, and no man could be more devoted or kind. I never
received any money from the colonel, except from these
cheques, the proceeds of which were applied to the
maintenance of the child. Commenced an action for
breach of promise of marriage in May, 1855. Met the
Colonel in R-gent.street, 13 months after the birth of
the child, when be much abused me, Saw those cheques
in the Westminster Court, where an action was brought
against the defendant, and one of the cheques was put
into my band by Sergeant Ballantine, who was counsel
for Colonel d'Aguilar. To support this child I have
parted with my own income, and taken a position in a
school. Have called on Mr. Bellingham asking bim, as
Colonel d'Aguilar's agent, to use his influence to induce
the colonel to continue the allowance.

Cross-exanuned by Mr. Roupell—Have brought two
actions against the col mei. The one fur breach of pro-
mise is still gong on, the other was in the County Court.
Was taken ill there, and fainted.
Mr. Roupell—What was that action brought for
Mrs. Thatcher—l do not know.
Mr. Hutchinson explained that fhe was nonsuited.

Mr. Roupell—Did you give instructions for this ac-
tion to be brought ?
Mrs. Thatcher—l had some conversation with Mr.
Hutchinson about it.
Was any arrangement made respecting costs or da-
mages t—None.
Was any arrangement made with respect to costs or
damages in the action for breach of promise of marriage ?
—This is not apropos, and I decline answering it.
Mr. Roupell repeated the question, and was again re-
fused. He then asked, remarking that witness might re•
fuse to answer or not as she pleased—Have you not
stated that an arrangement was made between you and
this gentleman (Mr. Hutchinson) with respect to the ac-
tion for the breach of promise I—l will not answer any
more such questions.
When did you first meet the Colonel?—I will not an-
swer that question.
Mr. Bigge—l think she ought to answer that question.
Mrs. Thatcher—lt was in the latter end of 1852.
Mr. Roupell—Where were you living when you first
met him I—At 12, Montpelier-street.
Where before I—At Mrs. Sheppard's, a highly-res-
pectable lady's, in Montpelier•road.
Where before ?—ln Montpelier-street.
Where before ?—ln London.
Where ?—I will not answer ? it is independent of the
subject.
Mr. Roupell persisted in his questions, with a view to
elicit where Mrs. Thatcher was frona the time she stated
she left London till she came to Brighton, but did not
make any material point. He then proceeded :—Where
did you first see the Colonel ?—Listening to the band in
Regency-square.
Did you speak to him first ?—Certainly not. We met
several times, and felt as interest in each other. He
took off his bat and bowed, and then I bowed. We
afterwards seemed to understand each other, and as
though we loved each other. (Laughter.)
How long was it between the time that he bowed and
spoke ? —Three or four days. I was walking on the Es-
planade with my children.
Was there any difficulty or necessity for an introduc-
tion I—l ascertained who he was before I permitted him
to speak to me. I found he was as unexceptionable per-
sonage, but no one introduced us.
Then it was a street acquaintance ?—I do not call itse.
Was it not so in fact ?—lt was not a street acquaint-
ance.
Then all that flourish made by Mr. Hutchinson about
considerable perseverance before he obtained an intro-
duction was all sham ?—We were introduced after that,
and before he came to my house. I liked the look of
him ; I thought be was a nice-looking person ; and I
dare say he thought similar of me. (Laughter.)
Mr. Roupell then proceeded with several questions
concerning the portrait which the Colonel had pre-
sented her, and endeavoured to ascertain if Mrs. That-
cher was in possession of a similar one previously. He
then proceeded to examine Mrs. Thatcher with respect
to her name, and elicited that she had sometimes, by
the advice of her friends, when much pressed in money
matters, used her maiden name of Ross, her mother-
in-law's name of DsumMond, and also signed her
name Thatcher-Druinmond. Ile then examined her
concerning her movements in London in 1850,
asking her if she was not then under the protection of a
gentleman of the name of Dunbar ; whether she bad not
received money from that gentleman, and whether she
was not dismissed or turne;). out of her lodging in Albany-
street, in consequence of being found in an indelicate po-
sition with a gentleman, all of which the denied, and
oharacterised as vile falsehoods. Mr. Roupell then asked
if she knew a gentleman named Firth, to which she re-
plied that he was her cousin, and had called upon her.
Mr. Roupell—Do you know a person in town of the
Lame of Granville ?—Yee, he came to see me while in
Moor-street, to make arrangements for me to bring his
little girl to Brighton, to bring up with mine.
Has he been to see you in Brighton ?—Yes.
When did you last see him?--I shall be very particu-
lar in this, for this is the gentleman with whom the Co-
lonel is annoyed, and I wish to clear my character. He
came down by an evening train, and we could not agree
about his child. I had a house of my own, and he slept
there that night. My eldest daughter slept with me.
Did you meet Miss Husband at Gravesend in 1856 ?

—Yes.
Did she not say that she thought you was g, ne to
Scotland to live with an old gentleman ?—Certainly not.
I never told her I bad rectived 201. pore from the ell

gentleman in Scotland through a letter that I had sent.
I did not tell her that I was receiving 10i. a month from
that gentleman whilst I was living in Brigi,ton. I don't
remember saying that it was singular the c'iild was fair,
when the Colonel and I were bath dark. I did not say
that, although I did not know who the father of the
child was, I would make both of them pay. I wonder
you should dare to ask me the question. (A laugh )
By Mr. Hutchinsons—Nothing ever occurred impre-
per between me and the old gentleman. (A. laugh.)
After what has been called a "street" acquaintance, I
had an introduction to Cal. D'Aguilar. Any statement
with regard to an intimacy with any other gentleman is
entirely without foundation. I only took another name
with the view of getting out of difficulty. Messrs. Han-
niegton advanced me money, and having paid them a
considerable sum, caused me to be very much reduced.
Geo. Padmore, clerk to the solicitor to Mrs. Thatcher,
deposed—l have assisted very much in Mrs. Thatcher's
affair. I posted letters, of which those produced are the
copies. (The first letter was frqqa Mi s Husband to Col.
D'Aguilar, to ask hen to return the letters wlsicla had
been sent to.hiret by Mrs. Thatcher, nod in reference to
the promise of marriage.)
Mr. Turner deposed—l am a surgeon-accoucheur, and
reside in Regency-square. In the latter part of 1853 I
attended Mrs. Thatcher in her confinement. Colonel
D'Aguilar instructing me to pay her every a' tention,
and he paid me for that attendance. I don's remember
Col. D'Aguilar instructing me as to receiving any money
from agents. On the 25th Dec, after the child was horn
I saw Col. D'Aguilar at his father's house in Brighwn,
and he was to pay all expenses. It was to be paid in'
London through the bank of Messrs. Hall and Co. to
Mrs. Thatcher, and not to any other person. The
' amount was 80/. a-year. I know that the first money,
71. 10s., was paid in January. Col. D'Aguilar pad all
the expenses connected with Mrs. Thatcher pregnancy.
Nothing was said about an old gentleman. (A. laugh.)
Cross-ex 'Alined—l became acquainted with Mrs.
Thatcher :lightly in 1852. I attended her fora few days,
and there was au end of it. There was a condition when
D'Aguilar consented to give her money that she
was not to annoy him or his family.
Mr. Jenner deposed—ln 1853 Mrs. Thatcher was con-
fined at my house. An arrangement was made for me
to keep the child for 71. 10s. per quarter. I have received
four cheques for that amount.
Mr. Hiller, solicitor, Gravesend, deposed—l knew
Mrs. Thatcher when at Gravesend. Have tried to nego-
tiate between her and the Colonel. She has always con-
ducted herself with great propriety ever since I have
known her. I have been very as uch annoyed by Miss
Husband.

This was the complainant's case.
Mr. Roupell then addressed the bench for the defence.
He said his instructions were that Mrs. Thatcher's cha-
racter was not unimpeachable, and.it was for that reasen
he had questioned her as to her rnodoof living previously
to her acquaintance with Colonel D'Aguilar. Alter the
way in which he had examined her he should not be
doing right if he did not bring witnesses to prove that
she was a person of immoral chara, ter. He then caled
Ann Mannering, who deposed—l am a spinster, and
reside at 49. Ebury-street, Pimlico, where I keep a
lodging-house. In 1852 I was living in iVloorgate-street,
.Cheliea. Mrs. Thatcher came to live there in May, mei
quitted about Jan. 3, 1853~ She was in the habit of
receiving visits from a gentleman called Firth, whom
she represented as her c‘ersin. I remember him sleeping
there eight or ten times. He had no room of his own,
and he slept with Mrs. Thatcher. He was in the habit
of coming from May to August. A month or six weeks
after another person came to visit Mrs. Thatcher. Irs
member a person of the name of Edwards sleeping with
Mrs. Thatcher one night. Tnera were other persons
who visited her, but to what extent their intimacy went
don't know. I should not call her conduct prudent ;
it was immoral.
Cross-examined—Very soon after Mrs. Thatcher came
into my house, I knew the gentleman slept with her.
The children of Mrs. Thatcher were at school. It was
when I went to shut the shutters I saw something. I
knew he slept there several nights, because I let him
out in the morning. I was obliged to keep the children
away. I was in the intrigue mysseif. (Laughter.) I
had a` few shillings far it. There was a elergyfrau
lodging in the house, but I did not tell him. Mrs.
Thatcher gave me in chafge for stealing a ten-pound
note, but she never lost it. I never asked her to
forgive me. The 101. note has nothing to do with me.
I have been paid for my expenses, but I shall not tell

you hcw much.
Charlotte Jane Husband deposed—l reside at 24,
Wellington-street, Gravesend. My father was an ra-
cer in the 57th Regiment. I knew Mrs. Thatcher in 1850,
and she came to take lessons of me in embr rider. I was
then living in Liverpool-street, Gray'-inn-lane. Mrs.
Thatcher was living in New-road, Gloucester-square. I

removed with her. She told me that she knew Mr.
Dunbar, and that she was intimate with him. She
asked me to go and get money from him, as he had pro-
mised her marriage, and she was going to bring an action
against him for breach of promise. I asked him for
money, and he said she was no better than a common
prostitute, and if I cause there he would give me in
charge. Mrs. Thatcher and myself had one common
sitting-room and each a bed-room. Mrs. Thatcher re-
mained only three days. A gentleman came in, and
from Mrs. Thatcher's impropriety of conduct with Lim
the landlady gave us notice to quit. The next time I raw
her was last July, at Gravesend, and she said her cousin
was dead. The next day she said the child was Colonel
D'Aguilar's. She said she wanted me to write to another
gentleman for the support of the child, as she really did
not know whose child it was. She said she had bad 101.
a month from the gentleman she bad lived with. She said
she had had 1001. from him before. I refused to write,
and she wrote herself. She said she saw the gentleman
frequently at Brighton, and she got money out of him,
frightened it out of him, because he had got a wife alive.
(Laughter.)
Cross-examined—When this took place with the gend
tleman she was quite willing. She did not scream, 1301
she made a sort of a noise. Mrs. Thatcher was pretty
much always drunk. We lived together a week after,
and then she was drunk. I cannot tell how many
gentlemen she had there. I could mention 100 of her fol-
lowers if necessary. (Laughter.) I have not been ac-
cused of improper conduct with a Mr. Lethbridge.
This was the defendant's case.
Mr. Mitchinson proceeded to reply, observing that
the parties called for the defence were evidently actu-
ated by malicious motives, and was proceeding to show
why, when he was stopped by
Mr. Bigge, who said the magistrates had unanimously
agreed to make an order upon Col. D'Aguilar for 2s. 6d.
a week towards the maintenance of the child.

LAW /NTELL/GENCB.—May 13.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

RIDDEN V. SALISBURY.-ACTION ON A BOND.-SINGULAR

CASE.

This was an action to recover 7001. for the assignment
of a " bottomry " bond to the defendant. There was
also a count for assault and false imprisonment. The
defendant denied that the bond was the property of the
plaintiff, and as to the assault, pleaded a justification.
Mr. Overend and another learned gentlema❑ appeared
for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Sergeant Shee and Mr. Char-
neck for the defendant.

The plaintiff, Miss Ridder, had formerly kept a
lodging-house at Melbourne, Australia, and having
saved a considerable sum of money, returned to
England with ber daughter, a girl between ten
and twelve years of age. She took a passage in a
ship called the Ann, commanded by a Captain Barns
den, who was part owner. In the course of the voyage
the captain borrowed from her 700/. for the repairs of
the ship and other matters, and gave her a " bottornry
bond" on the vessel for the ainount. The plaintiff being
in want of money when slie reached England, Captain
Ran3sden introduced her to the defendant, Mr. Salis-
bury, who is a ship chandler, at Poplar, and he agreed
to advance her 7001. on receiving an assignment of the
bond to himself. An assignment was accer ingly pre-
pared by a notary named Harrison., in Lombard-street,
and the parties attended at his office to execute it. The
plaintiff attached ber mark to the assignment, and also
to the receipt for the 7001., not being able to write ; but
when the defendant was asked for the money he sad he
had forgotten his cheque-book. According to the plain-
tiff's evidence he afterwards snatched the document out
of her hand and induced her to let it remain-in his pos-
session by promising to pay the money at his house. She
afterwards wend to his house repeatedly and demanded
the money or the bond, but without receiving either, and
on one occ tsion he gave her into custody for annoying
him and using bad 1 ingua4e to himself nod his mother,
but the inspector at the police station dismissed the
charge. The defendant then sold the ship under a pro-
ceeding in the Court of Admiralty upon the bond, and
had kept the proceeds, which amounted to more than
1,0001.
The principal question in the case was whether the de-
fendant had paid the money, and upon this point there
was a direct conflict of testimony.
The learned Judge summed up favourably to the de-
fendant, but said it was entirely for the jury to say on
which side the truth laid.
The jury retired, and after about an hour's delibera-
tion found a verdict of guilty as to the assult, and
also that .he 6001. had not been paid to the plaintiff
Damages 51. for the zisault, and 7561. 121. in respect
eft the plaintiff's claim upon the bond, with interest from
October.

JUDGE'S CH AMBERS.
(Before Mr. J ustice Erie.)
THE QUEEN V. CAPTAIN ERLAM-THE ALLEGED CASE OF

ABDUCTION.
In this case, which was expected to be tried at the
present session of the Central Criminal Court, for the
alleged abduction of Miss Goodman, an application was
made to put in bail until neat term, the indictment hav-
ing been removed into the Court of Queen's Beech.
Mr. Lewis, jun. (Lewis and Lewis) informed the
learned judge that, the certiorari, which was an ex parte
appileatic.n, had been obtained at the last moment to
prevent the case being tried at the Central Criminal
Court. The defendant had been committed without bail ;
had applied to Mr. Baron Watson to put in bail, which
was refused, as the sessions were near, and now, after
the grand jury bad found a true bill, and Mr. Sergeant.
Ballantine and two other learned counsel had been in-
strected to prosecute at an expense in, fees alone of 40
guineas, a writ of certiorari was on Tuesday afternoon
obtained by Mr. Justice Crompton.
Mr. Justice Erie asked whether the costs would not
be allowed I
Air. Lewis remarked there were only certain costs
allowable.
His Lordship Paid Mr. Justice Crompton had fired the
amount of bail, which was 250/. by the sureties and 5001.
by the defendant.
- Mr. Humphreys, for the defendant, intimated that
there would be an answer to the case.
The hail were not opposed, and accepted in the sum

of 2501. The defendant was brought up from Newgate
and entered into his own recogni-anceg to appear etx
tftrn to anewer the indictment the Court of Qrieen's