The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-02 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

SINGULAR CHARGE OF DESERTION FROM THE
MlLlTlA.—Charles Campbell, a respectable-look-
ing young man, was brought up in custody,
charged with deserting from the militia.
A non-commissioned officer proved that the
defendant joined the 4th Middlesex Militia two
years ago. He received the usual notice to attend
for training in April last, but never appeared.
A letter was sent to him at the address given re-
quiring his attendance, and although the training
practice extended to nearly a month nothing was
heard of him. lie was met with yesterday and
given into custody for desertion.

The defendant, who was a very mild-spoken,
quiet man, said that he could not go to the
training when he received the notice because
he had inflammation of the lungs.

His non-commissioned officer said that if such
was the case it was his duty to have sent a certifi-
cate of disability to attend. The colonel always
made it perfectly known to all who joined that that
was requisite in case of illness.

Mr. Arnold (to defendant) —Why did you not
send a certificate ?

Defendant—•l could not, I was too ill and con-
fined to my bed.
Mr. Arnold—Who attended you as a medical
man ?

Defendant— I could not afford a medical man ?

Non-commissioned Officer—lie told me that he
had been to Mr. Faxon, a medical man, from whom
he had medicine. I have called there, and they
have examined their books and can find no entry
there respecting him.
Defendant—When I went into Mr. Faxon's shop
I told him what was the matter with me, and he
gave me some medicine, for which I paid him. lle
told me to go home immediately and remain there.
I became very bad for weeks, and my wife and
sister-in-law went and fetched it, and paid for it as
I had it.

• The wife's sister and the landlord proved that he
ha long been ill. The former proved that she had
got ineiieine as prescribed, but could not give the
exact dates.
Mr. Arnold said he should like to hear what
course the comman ling officer of the corps would
suggest in such a c tse, as, although defendant had
not complied with the regulations, it was hardly a
case for punishment.
Defendant was set at large upon his own recog-
nisarices to appear again.

DLINVILLE and Co., Belfast, are the largest
holders of Whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is ro
commended by the medical profession in preference to French
Brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home use or exporta
Lion. Quotations on application to Messrs. Danville and Co.,
Belfast; or 4, Beaufort-buildings, Strand, London W.O —[Ad
Tortiseutent.]

_REMARKABLE SUICIDE.

-0-

The Kentish Gazette gives the particulars of an inquest held
before Mr. Carttar, at Eritli, on the body of Aubrey Chas.
Smith, aged eighteen, the only son of the Rev. Archdeacon
Smith, the respected vicar of Erith. It appeared that
deceased was rather an excitable young man, and that
on the day of the West Kent election ho took
particular interest in the contest, and frequently
called at the fly station during the morning
to inquire how it proceeded. Soon afterwards
he returned home and was asked by his mother a
few questions respecting a meerschaum cigar holder which
he exhibited, and which he said had been given him as a
present by his aunt. This statement appears to have been
doubted, as that lady had visited the house just before and
admired it during his absence. Deceased became excited
and offered to fetch a letter from Lis bedroom to
prove his assertion. Soon after be left the report of a
pistol was heard, and on being searched for he was found
lying on Lis bed weltering in his blood which oozed from
a fearful wound in his head. A pistol was found lying ly
his side. Dr. Churton, of rier-, oad, Erith, was imme-
diately called in and pronounced the wound fatal. The
deceased died about au hour afterwards. A written
paper was found on his person expressing a hope that ho
would be forgiven. It appears that ho was much given to
smoking, and his father had often asked him to give up the
habit. No particular motive could be asaigned for the
suicide, and the jury returned a verdict that deceased com-
mitted suicide while in a fit of temporary insanity.