The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-04 00:00:00

COMMISSION OF LUNACY.

Yesterday a commission under the great seal was
opened at the Sheriff's Court, Red Lion-square, be-
fore Mr. Commissioner Barlow, one of the Masters in
Lunacy, and a special jury of eighteen, to inquire into
and ascertain the state of mind of Mr. James Fermor,
of No. 6, Fitzroy-street, Fitzroy-square, an aged
gentleman of large fortune.
The commission was issued upon the petition of the
Earl of Sefton, the Marquis of Delaforce of the Re-
public of France, in right of his wife, and Lady Maria
Massey Stanley, as next of kin. They were now re-
presented by 11Ir. Bramwell and Mr. Wilkins, and tl'e
Solicitor-General, Sir A. E. J. Cockburn ; Mr. Bar-
stow and Mr. Bird appeared on behalf of the subject of
the inquiry, Mr. Fermor.
The Lesassed Comtnisiorter made a few observa-
tions to the jury explanatory of the nature of the in-
q&ry, and
Mr. Bremwell proceeded to open the case on behalf
of the petitioners. He said he apprehended that when
' Mr. Fermor was introduced to the notice of the
jury, there would he little doubt in their minds
that he was at the present moment incapable of ex-
ercising any control over either himself or his pro-
perty. But he believed he should be able to show,
by evidence, that Mr. Feruler had been in this un-
fortunate condition for a great number of years.
His age was 76, and he was the son of a gentleman
who had large possessions in Berkshire and Oxford-
Aire. He was not brought up to any business or
profession, and in the earlier part of his life he had
come into the possession of large sums of money,
which afterwards were augmented to some consider.
able extent. He (the Learned Counsel) was not pre-
pared to say that he had been an idiot, or insane from
his birth, but he had always been of weak and feeble
intellect, and he was considered by all who knew him
to be affected as regarded his mental constitution.
Mr. Fermor's only direct relative, his sister, died
about three years ago. During her lifetime she was
frequently applied to to take proceedings to protect her
brother's person and property, hut she was also sin-
gular in her ways and habitia and refused. The next
of kin, however, had now taken that course, and it
would be for the jary to say, applying common sense
to the evidence, whether they were not satisfied that
for at least twenty years this gentleman had been in-
capable of mewing his own affairs.
Mrs. Caroline M.Nalty, widow, had known the
lunatic for nearly forty years. She knew his brother
William, who died in 1828. Was related to the lu-
natic. She knew him well, intimately in the early
part of the forty years. From 1824 to 1829, she
visited him at his cottage, Earl's-court, Brompton,
and stayed with him sometimes a week, sometimes a
fortnight. She always considered him of unsound
mind. He was guilty of all sorts of ridiculous and
trifluig actions. In conversation he had a set form of
answers, which was, "She is holy, she is holy ; she is
Cat' olic and Cat holical ;" and when saying this he
would cross himself. He was generally in liquor. He
frequently asked why his brother was burning in hell
He once received an anonymous letter, relating to
the death of his brother, warning him that he would
die as he had lived, in drink, and the contents of this
letter he was continually repeating aloud. The last
time she saw him was at No. 6, Fitzroy-street. She
was denied the house at first, by order of a Miss
Jones ; but she insisted upon being admitted. When
she was shown up stairs Mr. Fermor did not know
' her. That was in November, 1848. Had not seen
him since.

C:oss-examined by the Solicitor-General—Mr.
Ilenry Smyth wall the principal instigator of these
proceedings. Thought Mr. Fermor crazy during the
whole of the time she had known him.

Some letters relating to money matters be-
tween Mr. Fermor and the witness, were then put
into her hand, and in answer to the question whetter
she thought him crazy, when asking him for the loan
of nidney, she replied that she could not say, and in
reference to some letters respecting domestic matters,
she admitted that she had solicited Mr. Fermor to
interfere betweert herself and her husband. She did
not recollect writing to him about the executors of a
Mrs. Fitzherbert. She had no interest in the result
of this inquiry.
The, SJlicitor-General here said he should not deny
that at the present moment Mr. Fermor was nol; in a
sound state of mind, but he proposed to limit the
period of hi. mental incapacity to within four or five

years.
Mr. Henry Smyth deposed that Mr. Fermor had
been of eccentric habits, to his knowledge, since 1824.
He had an uncle who died a lunatic (under a com-
mission). He once put his finger into a red-hot to-
bscco pipe, and seemed quite astonished when told
that he would burn himself. He was not cleanly
personslly. He was i❑ the habit of reciting the con-
tents of the anonymous letter, and some of the most
beautiful passages in Scripture, and concluding with
a " hip, hip, hurrah !" Witness knew the Gunston
family. The lunnt:c said he had given Mrs. Gunston
5,000/, and seemed to be under the influence of a

threat by Mrs. Gunston, that if he did not pay the
money Mr. Gunston would sue for a divorce and get
darnpges. The witness heard this from the lunatic
himseV, who said k.sides, " You know, Harrsis he
might shoot me." In October, 1832, he was attacked
with delirium tremens. In 1838 he was under the
control of Miss Emma Jones. Witness frequently
called upon Miss Fermor in reference to proceedings
being taken to protect her brother. Sue refused, and
:aid she did not care tnr her brother. , Ha had been

refused admission to the house in Fitzroy-street.

In cross•exsminition the witness said he had hen
a collector of Customs at the Cape of Good Hope. He
was not broDgnt up to any profession. It was the
wish of his uncle that he should live with him. lie

bad drawn cheques on Messrs Wright's bank for Mr.
Fermnr.. The eh, ques were made payable to him,
and, therefore, his name appeared in the bankers'
pass-book (produced). He never applied the money
to his own use; he paid it over t 3 M. Fermor. Ile
was in recdipt of an annuity of 201. from Mr. Fer-
mor, who doubled it in 1838 at his
,request. It had

not been paid lately. When he went to Fitzroy-street
Emma Jones said She had to account for all moneys
paid away by her to Mr. Willoughby Gunston, who
had the sole and entire control of Mr. Fermor's affairs,
and she was mistress in the house. She required a receipt
for his annuity, but he would not give one, and went
away. He applied to the petitioners after the death
of Mi s Fermor. lie had heard that there was another
_ _

sister who was a nun. Did not know w hether such
was the case. He had a bond executed in 1832 by
Mr. Fermor, securing to witness an annuity of 1,10/.
after his death. No consideration was given for that
bond. Mr. Fermor executed it at the suggestion of
Colonel Garwood, an intimate friend of Mrs. Fit z-
h,erbe.rt, who was Mr. Fermor's first cousin. In
October, 1832, witness drew up a memorandum for
an annuity of 2001., which Mr. Fermor signed.
Could not say whether he then knew what he was
doing, beyond signing his name. The memorandum
was drawn up in his bedroom. He had been inco-
herent for several days ln fore he signed that, and
he said he had been signing papers of the na-
ture of which he was ignorant. There was no
witness at the signing of that instrument. In
1838 he apnlied to Mr. Fermor for money.
Should not have done that to a man whom he
thought insane. Could not say whether he thought
him insane or not. Did not expect to stele_ with
regard to the bond if previous wills and documents
were upset by the result of this inquiry. He had
been led to believe this by the solictor to Lady M.
Massey StAnley. Mr. NV .ioetnrimseodr
toallbeozuea,h
dwitnheimss
an annuity of 501., and pr
5,000/. at -his death, but did not. Mrs. Fitzherhert
allowed him 1001. a year till her death, but left Lim
nothing. He felt disappointed, and justly so at this.
His father and Mr. Fermor were cousins. He was
a member of the family, and was disappointed to see
the money go into the hands of strangers. lie never
said that he had been d?eeived by two of the family,
but would not be done by all. His name was erased
from the wills. The petitioners had always been in-
timate with witness's family.
The lunatic was then brought into court. He ap-
pears l in no way conscious of what was going on,
and he could no: he made to unde stand questions ad-
eL.essed to him.
MN. Danell, widow of the steward .to Mr. W.
Fermor, .and her sister, were then examined. Tne

lunatic had visited at tbeir house, and they depo: e
to several of his eccentricities of manner. They
both thought him of unsound mind iince 1830.
11is habits at;d conversation were at times indelicate.

George Woo 3, livery-stable-keeper, Islington, de-
posed that he was in the service of Mr. Fermor, as
coachman end groom, in the year 1830, and also for
some time previously. Mr. Fermor was very intern-
perate. Sometimes of an evening he would drink a
bottle of wine and a bottle of spirits. Witness had t,
procure wire pro'ectors fur the candles, because, when
intoxicated, Mr. Fermor was so careless. He would
get so drunk that the servants on coming down of a
morning would find him lying on the carpet in the
room he wAs left in the previous night. The Gun-
tons had the absolute control of him. Once, at Mrs.
Gunston's reqinist, witness attested a document, of the
niture of which he was ignorant. When quite alone
Mr. Fermor n mild say—
" Mrs. G—, you are divine,
Come, you and I will have some wine."
—(Laughter.) Whenever M. W. Fermor vi.ited
the house the Gunstons avoided him, sometimes they
went to the top of the house. Mr. Fermor at that
time lived at Earl's-court.

S,,%eral other vvitntsws were examined, and at five
o'clock, at the request of the jury, through Captain
Bague, the forernan, the inquiry was adjourned until
this morning.

THE COUNTRY MARKETS.

BIRMINGHAM, OCT. 3.—At Gloucester market on the
30th ult., wheat was is per quarter lower. At Worces-
ter, same day, the trade ruled dull, but the supply from
the farmers lying limited, no reduction was submitted
to. Barley unaltered in value, but less in request. Beans
fully as dear, with not much doing in them. Peas again
higher. Oats taken at about previous rates. During
the present week, as sellers will not give way, the trans-
actions in wheat have been on a very limited scale. Bar-
ley also very little inquired for, and the turn in favour
cf the buyer. Some oats have changed hands at rather
under former currency. Beans nominally unchanged in
value. Peas neglected. At this day's market there was
a fair supply of wheat, and no progress could be made
except at a reduction of is per quarter on fine and 2s
re r quarter on secondary qualities. Barley very dull,
and 61 to Is per quarter lower. Oats were only disposed
of in limited quantities. Beans and peas maintained
their value, but both were much less in request.
BRISTOL, OCT 3.—The wheat market has been inac-
tive and English has given way from is to 2s per quar-
ter, and foreign fully Is. Wheat: English, 38s to 42s
per imperial quarter; foreign white, 44s to 45a; ditto
re I (extra fine), 42s to 445; ditto ditto (fine), 40s to 425;
ditty ditto (ordinary and hard), 363 to 39s per 480Ibs.
Prime malting barley is inquired for, and for grinding
steady request. Barley, English malting, sold at 26s to.
30s per imperial quarter; ditto and foreign grinding 219
to 243 per 4001bs. In ea's but little doing at previous
rates. Oats: Devon and Welsh, 14s 61 to 16s per im-
perial quarter. Irish ditto (white), 16s to 17s 6d per
3201b5; ditto (black), 143 61 to 15s 61 per imperial
quarter. Foreign ditto, none. Beans fully maintain
the.r late advance. Beans, English, 28s to 34s per
im-
perial quarter; ditto foreign, 253 to 28s per 4801bs. The
flour trade was slow, at a decline of Is per sack. Flour,
English (seconds), 304 to 32s per sack; American ditto
(sweet), 233 to 25s per barrel. The averages are--
Bristol: wheat, 41s; Gloucester ditto, 40s 53; Glouces-
ter barley, 263 10d; Bristol oats, 17s 11; Gloucester
ditto, 17s 21; Gloucester beans, 32, 93.
DERRY SMITHFIELD MARKET, OCT. I.—The supply
of fat beasts today was somewhat improved since our
last without any alteration in the price. There were
but few sheep offered for sale, the number being less
than it has been for some time; higher prices were asked.
Fat pigs were plentiful. Beef, 4id to sd; mutton, 51
to Sid; veal 5d to 511 per lb; pigs, 6s 6d to 7s per score.
Rough far, 3. 61 per stone of 1410. Hides, lid per lb;
calf skins, 2p io 41 per lb.
CARLISLE, OCT. 1.--Wheat 433 21,1; barley 26s lid;
oats 193 1471 per quarter.
GLASGOW, OCT. 2.—Our supplies have been mock-
rate, with the exception of about 1 309 quarters of bar-
ley coastwise, 4.062 quarters of oats from Ireland, and
6,316 barrels of flour from transatlantic ports. At
Grangemouth about 5,129 quarters of wheat, 597
quarters of barley, 256 quarters of beans, and 15 quar-
ters of peas buyu been reported from the continent.
There was not much passing during the week, yet pre-
vious rates were pretty firmly insisted upon. At this
day's market, although well atteeded, sales proceeded
slowly in retail, at prices the turn in buyer.' favour.
EDINBURGH GRAIN MARKET, OCT. 2.—Wheat—There
were 853 qrs of wheat in the market to-day, being 132 qrs more
than last week. Prices were the same on the top, and 11 down
on the average-93 qrs unsold. Barley—There were in to-
day's market 633 qrs barley, being 196 qrs less than last week.
The top price was the same, and the average 41 up -100
qrs unsold. Oats—The quantity of oats in the
market was 673
qrs, being 51 more than last eeek. The top price was
7d up, and the average 2d down—t 6 qrs unsold.
Beans—The supply of beans was 39 qrs, being 11 less than
last week. Prices were 12s up on the top, and 2s 3d up isa
the average - all sold.
Top of Wheat 6111 b. 50s Od •
~ Barley 56iIb. 27s ed
~ Oats
... 46 lb. 23s 4d
„ Beans• 68 lb. 46s Od
EDINBURGH CATTLE MARKET, OCT. 2.—The number
of cattle was 432, or 87 less than last week. Top price, 7s Od;
current, 6s to 6s 61; secondary, from 4s 61 to 5s 61 per
Dutch stone. At the close a clearance was not effected.
The number of sheep this morning was 6,317, or 997 more
than last week. Top price of the best mutton, 5d per lb;
current, 4d to 11d, and downwards. A very large quantity
unsold.

CORK, Ocr. 2.—Flour--First 12e 6d to 13s ; extra 14s 6d;
seconds, 12,0 d to 12s 6d; households 9s to 108 6d; thirds, 6a to Ss
per cwt. Oatmeal 10s to lOs 6d; Indian meal 63 9d to 783,1; wheat..
meal, 10s to 1 Is Od per cwt. Indian corn 6111 s 6d to 61153 0d per
ton. Bran 41 to 4/2s 6d per ton. Hay—Farmers 30e to 38s; average
343; dealers 343 to 38s Od; average 36s per ton. Stlaw—Farmerli
lls Od to 24s Od; average 18e; dealers 24s Od to 27e Od;
average 00s Od per ton. Bread—Wheaten loaf 6d to bid;
household loaf 5d to sid per 41b. Fresh butter, Sd t°
10d per lb. Eggs-5s Od to 53 2d per hundred. Coals
Newport 14s; Lydney 15s Od; Smiths' 14s Od ; Cult°
13s Od per ton. Tallow 39s Od to 40s per owl'
Whisky, 25 0. p., 58 6d per imperial gallon. Meat
—Mel 4d to 4id ; mutton 4id to 6d• veal 4d t°
5d ; pork 4d to Od ; bacon 7d to 8d ; sausages 5d per
Hops 61 Os to 0103 per cwt. Bangor slates 3123 tid to 3/ 53 per
ton. Bark—Barbary 715 s to 0/ 03 ; Valonia 15/ to 0/; French
Si 15s ; Spanish 0/ per ton. Fleece Wool 15s to 00s per stone;
Hemp 32/ to 34/ per ton. Fish— Scotch herrings CO, to 009; re':
ditto ON to COs per barrel ; Newfoundland, 8/ Os to 81 101 per
ton. Timber—Memel, 80s per ton; red pine, 3/ 10s; yellow
ditto, 2/ 153 per ton; deals, 131 to 181 per 100. Hides-'
Market 205 to 325; salted 21s to 323 per cwt ; calf skin.
3d to 3id per lb. Potatoes, white 6d to 10d; Minioni
Od to Od ; Guano— Peruvian, 11/ les Ichaboe, 8/ to 91100
pr ton ; Tar—Archangel, 198 per barrel.
B,

)0110rG11-11ILL FAIR, WESTMORELAND.---ThiS,
the
largest and most important of 411 the cattle, sheep, and
horse fairs in tk-3 north cf Eng'an), %vas held on Monde'
and Tuesday list, and was aiunded by a large number,
of extensive dcaLls from Ireland, Scotland, the Isle 01
Map, and all the northern counties in England. The
supply of cattle of every description was large, especi.llf
black cattle from the Highlands. Selling was dull at re'
duced prices. The show if sheep was about an average
one, 40,000. There was a large show of horses, but ge-
nerally t6,ey were of an inferior description ; strong
draught horses were the best samples, and the most be'
siness was dune among them. Taere was a good displeY
of Highland ponies, arid a con•iderable business was don:
among them at good prices. The sale for sheep "A
v. ry bad. Upon the whole the fair was a slow one, an
'
prices on the decline. The following are the quotatiotigt•
as near as could le ascertained at at.ch an extensive fniri
—Ca tie : milk Cows and coNs ab..ty, to calve, from 7
and 9/ to 11/ and 121.; heifers and young bullocks, ''s'p ,cially the latter, were very bad to sell at prices Wel
3L and 31. 10.. to 41. 55. ant 71.; black cattle, accordiot
description ,scription and condition, from 3/. ss. to 3/. 153.. 4
to 61. and 71.—I12rses: hunters, from 30, 35, and 45
50 guineas; horses fit for the road and harness, from 10
and 121 to 25/. and 351. for the best; draught horse!'
first-class, from 18, 21, and 25 to 40 guineas; secorle.
class. from 8, 10, and 15 to 18 guineas; Highland ponies'
from 3,5, 6, and 8 to 10 guineas, according to quality'
—Sheep: Scotch wethers, from 19 6d. to 245. a head
grey-faced hogs, from Bs. 6e. to 93.6 d.; black-faced ewes'
fto n 9.. GI to ils.; Cheviot ewes, from 143. GI to 183'
per head.

[A DvEnTisEm t•rt.r.] —Bilions Complaints, Indigos.,
,
tion, and Sick Headaches, cured by Holloway's Pills.—Persorri
subject to, or suffering from, any of these complaints sh°°.,;;
immediately take a few doses of this most extraordinary Ineu*o
cine, which is a certain and efficacious remedy for all disordef
arising from a derangement of the digestive orgat.s ; it not told
cures but. preserves the body in sound health and strength, ,Int
likewise. improves the powers and faculties of the mind. .!'°,
debilitated constitutions, nervous affections, want of appet:
and diseases of the liverithere is no remedy equal to it. Eve''‘
one leading a sedentary:life should take Holloway's Plls
preventative of those maladies. Soli by all Druggists and at
Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London.
•

811ZT11.9.
OF A sox.
On the 336 ult., at Eltham, Kent, Mrs. T. Chartington•,
On the 29th ult , at the Grammar-school, Henley-on
Thames, the wife of the Hew. C. 11. Godby.
On the 2(1 inst., at Pembroke-square, Kensington, the Wife
of Thomas Tilleard, Esq.

OF -A
DAUGHTER.
On the 30th ult., at Colue-housc, Cromer, the lady of Sir
Edward N. Buxton, Bart., M.P.
On the let inst., at the Rectory, Tooting, the wire of the
Rev. B. W. Greaves.
On the 30th ult., at Royston, the wife of E. Beldam, Fj_s.l%

MARRIED.
"or
On the 2d inst., at St. George's, llanover-square, 10.1
Clark Kennedy, 18th Royal Irish,
Clark Kennedy (of Knockgray, Kirkcudbrightshire), Cl 3.
and K. II , aide-dc-camp to the Queen, to Frances Eleanor,
only child of John E. Walford, Esq., of Chipping'hill'
Witham, Essex.
On the Ist inst., at St. Pancras Church, the Rev. Jarilee„3
eldest son of Colone
Walter Carey, D. D., of Chichester-house, Brighton,
Frances Sarah, youngest daughter of the late John Butle'
Harrison, Esq., of St. Mary's, Southarni:ton.

DIM). On the 23th ult. , at Cusworth-park, Djncaster, the seat Of
W. B. Wrightson, Esq., M.P., Miss Peirse, of Bedele-halb
Yorkshire, aged 63.
On the , 9th ult., at Shipton &Binger, Hants, the Rev. I.
C. Garlike, M.A aged 42.
On 30th dt., at Hanover-place, R.; c-lane, Peckham'
Mr. F. May, Paymaster and Purser, R N., aged 64.
Oa the 30th ult., Selina, wife of George F. Copeland, Esq.'
of Olirlt‘nham, aged 3'l.
On the o.li ult., at East Retford, Notts,Charles M. White'
Commander R N., aged 78.
ve
On the Ist inst., at Sidcup, aged 78, Thomas H. Plast,
Esq., of Sideup-place, FootKrav, Kent, late chief clerk o. t','o
Secretary of State's office for the Home Depar; went. „A.
On the 2:.4 inst., at Putney, the Rev. W. Carmalt, aged V:

L radon : Printed and Published by MIIRDO TOUNO,„-,
2• '7774 0111,,, No. 11
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the eounlY °
Alichllesiez, Friday, October 4, 1850,