The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-31 00:00:00

THE MILITIA.

Her Majesty's steam-s'oop Vulcan, 6, -Com-
mander Seccombe, called at Falmouth on Monday
last and landed the headquarters of tho Waterford
Artillery Regiment of Militia, who are to garrison
Pendennis-castle. The Vulcan embarked them at
Queenstown, and took on the remainder of the
corps to Plymouth for duty at that place.

THE LATE FIRE AND LOSS OF THREE
LIVLS AT BIe.TIINAL GREEN.

ALLEOED ARSON-ADJOURNED CORONER'S INQUEST

-SPECIAL VERDICT.

Yesterday, at noon, Mr. William Baker, the
coroner, resumed the adjourned inquest at the
Prince of Wales Tavern, Bonner's-road, Victoria
Park, respecting the deaths of John Metcalf, aged
fifty-two years, Ann Metcalf, aged forty-eight years,
and Julia Maria Metcalf, aged seven yews, who
perished at the late 6ro on the premises of Mr. Jas.
Alfred Harman, silk fringe manufacturer, of No.
27, Anchor-street, near the terminus of the Eastern
Counties Railway, Shoreditch.

The inquest-room was again densely crowded by
persons anxious to hear the proceedings, which
created the utmost interest.

Mr. Sleigh attended for the accused (Mr. Har-
man), and Mr. Roberts was present on the part of
the Liverpool and London Fire Insurance
Inspector Dendy and Inspector Wakeford, with
Sergeant Egerton, of the H division, were in at-
tendance on the authority of the Metropolitan
Police Commissioners.

The jury having answered to their names,
The Coroner asked Mr. Vaughan, the summon-
ing officer, whether there was any additional evi-
dence in the case, and being answered iu the nega-
tive, he proceeded to sum up the whole of the
voluminous testimony adduced ou the two previous
occasions, after which he sa;d the jury could hear
any statement which Mr. Harman thought proper
to make, if his solicitor (Mr. Sleigh) thought pro-
per, but under the peculiar circumstances of the
case he (the Coroner) thought Mr. Harman had
better not make any.
Mr. Sleigh was of a similar opinion.
The Coroner, after a few preliminary observa-
tions, remarked at great length on the varioas
points of the case, and begged of the jury to dismiss
from their minds any idle reports which they might
have heard, and give a free expressionof their opinion
upon the evidence which they had heard. The case
as affecting Mr. Harman, fafled in all its material
portions, and he (the coroner) was of opinion that
no one could be so wretchedly or miserably cruel
as to commit such an act, for if they did the
party would be guilty of wilful murder. The un-
fortunate calamity might have arisen by accident
through the gas or from some other cause over
which there was no control. If there was a doubt
in their minds give the party accused the benefit
of it.

The inquest-room was subsequently cleared of
stringers, and the jury were locked up in consulta-
tion ab Jut an hour, whm the court was again
opened, and the foreman announced that they had
nnanimously agreel to the following special ver-
dict :

" That the deceased persons, whilst in a certain
house, then awl there on fire, were, by the noxious
vapour and smoke, and the flames issuing from
the said fire, suffocated, of which they then and there
died, but how or by what means the said fire was caused
there was no evidence to satisfy the jury; but they could
not separate without recommending a careful division of
the respective duties of the fire-engine keeper and the
escape keeper, so that the engine keeper should be able
to give the greatest assistance in cases of fire, and they
also express their satisfaction at the conduct of the police
and fire brigade, and Barton, the Royal Society's escape-
man, on the occasion in question."
Mr. Harman, who was in the inqUest-room, upon
hearing the verdict, said—" Gentlemen of the jury,
I am innocent of the charge brought against me."
The proceedings then terminated.