The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 21, 1845.

T 7 LITERATURE.
ELATIONS OF SPAIN IN 1845. By an
English Resident.
Were Spain a country more worthy of public
noticeor of any great importance in the balance of
Powerin Europe, the revolutions which have taken
Pnelace there within the last forty years would form
o
hi o the most interesting features in modern
st"'T.f Even in her fallen state, however, Spain
cannot fail to excite interest. She has played a great
dllt on the stage of nations ; she had the glory of
ciseoaering the new world ; she in consequence
alined undivided dominion over the whole of South
Ataerica and in her wars with the ancient inhabitants
attracted the the eyes of all civilized nations, while in the
o
Nv"rld, both for the extent of her territory, the
power of her arms, and the ability of her kings and
ar`stnen, she justly occupied the very first rank.
ovv she is the least among the nations. Her vast
rsessions have one after another been wrested from
set 1.33, foreigners, or the revolt of her children, and of
immense colonies scarcely now a speck remains.
"ice Peru, New Granada, Florida, Louisiana, and
rtstates, other dstricts large enough for independent
.ea, have slipped away, and her colonial empire has
p'Y'ritiled to the Canary Islands, two of the Antilles,
t ono
„1, Leo and Cuba, and a spot or two on the
s°iiaern coast of Africa. The Low Countries, Italy,
he Y, nay the one half of civilized Europe owned
N.; swaY—her navy, even so late as 1782, com-
forted seventy sail of the line and frigates, besides
of smaller war vessels, is now reduced to one ship
or tee line, a few frigates, corvettes, and brigs, if
ilinela these can he said to exist, for during the last
e•
Years no uniforms have been made for the
and to every member of it, without exception,
tlell-six months' pay is due. "In the crumbling
thY and prevalent ruin of Spain," says the writer,
Wi.ere are no more melancholy fragments than those
no,
is the may be seen, or scarcely seen for their rarity,
the ",,e glorious ancient ports, from whence went forth
tiee,_"nauistadores in one century, and the Armada
three invincible in the next ; and into which for
frer hundred years flowed in lordly galleons the
laußilled. wealth of both the Indies. The Armada
tno remnant behind. The merchant service,
k il" once extended through the world, has sunk into
krtandful of generally inferior vessels, and a great
to thef the passenger and carrying trade is transferred
mighte B
Ships of England and America. 'ow are the
sso„i4Y fallen !' Is there here a requital for the
raa'les of Mexico and Peru ?" Never was the
44:, pronounced against a wicked nation so visibly
iskriedt, into effect. The mighty man and the man of
the Judge and the prophet, and the prudent and
taallsecient ; the captain of fifty, and the honourable
toe ' and the counsellor are gone, and the terrible
killoiation "I will give children to be their princes,
&ledithes shall rule over them," is literally ful-
Itievci Such is the melancholy condition of the
apthoin en whose dominions the sun never set. The
tale • of these "Revelations of Spain" begins his
1.,s eout the time when a babe began to rule over it,
akt gives the following concise outline of its
eats
104,eThe events of the year 1843, in Spain, have been of
tepttY extraordinary a character, and the principle of
aktrentative government in the Peninsula has been
kt 4 by such severe and unusual tests, that the social
r b„ttieal state of that rental kable country seems at
tlaat'vmlis period to have claimed a more attentive in-
The springs of society have been stirred from
Sita'▪ ePths pillars of the Commonwealth rudely
orders subverted, ai.d laws defied; the executivehiefe
the State has been exiled and deposed; a child
ciltioe raised to the exercise of sovereignty before the
t• d recognised by the Constitution; a Minister, after
ly klkhYs: tenure of power, has been expelled from office
~'"ses',lla,ce plot, and like the Regent, five months before,
7,lato.„7l,iged to fly for his life ; Parliament has been
91 f closed, its scrutiny contemptuously evaded,
hP):1111e"us audaciously usurped ; the heads of the
khts,t? Party have been thrown into dungeons without
ellarthtt the lives of numerous citizens forfeited without
r.`"e Sovereign has been brought forward in an in-
hit "'• attitude, and a military government, or the law-
s of dishonest civilians, established."
4loks• draws, apparently with great truth, the cha-
tit: of the leading personages,l including Espartero,
Nzaer,r, Lopez, Olozaga, the Marchioness of Santa
;Stasai:llleen Christina, and her two daughters, and
ate o",aes historical details of the intrigues, plots, and
aisteiaa- the principal actors, as well as the schemes of
Lea reekrs) among whom the French Ministers and
"a to chateau" perform a conspicuous part. The
,glraef the royal conspiracy is interesting. It was
conspiracy to ruin Olozaga, to bring back
sti
tia, and to destroy the Constitution, got up in
likee barefaced manner by the Camarilla, at the
oft which was the clever and notorious Marqueza
Ptrte,,_ ollita Cruz, who ho says is a very fascinating
eci it,)f most elegant and distinguished manners,.
Lilskip intellectual attainments. Of Queen Chris-
Pl)lie a° he speaks on the whole favourably. "In her
Zka,a`aPacity she has always been remarkable for
rahties, two of them virtues, and two of them
• e• resolution, insincerity, and
Lataetf• Olozaga was cruelly betrayed, and his de-
bellWas resolved on and effected because he had
aaete:e" patriotism and virtue to yield to the
Nat of the Camarilla. The poor child had been
Sib) her lesson well, she recited it before the as-
cliselecl councillors to perfection ; but of the falsehood
ft tit
61514 tn ents not a doubt can remain, judging
the Original document signed by the Queen
till 41
hah,, same regular, unshaken, and school-
-I,,skYertwriting, which she had invariably ena-
lieli stnee her majority was declared," and
ta a,a ploaaga refused at first to give up till
8
lallVn it to a hundred senators—from the
seaoll, with a signature shaky and scarcely
tillifes,-::.and What was known to the patriarchl herd
p)! 01.4' These, and other manifest proofs, cleared
fl_kat•llirtter of Olozaga, and hushedle up this
transaction.. The "R ve a
.ions
in
ag
Xi'°4„ ;Leh interest, and though given loose,
tolte% eett style, abounding with many Spanish
at'' Oat' Produced often for display rather than use,
k 14 e,e,essarily introducing the characters of some
dough this country—among others that of Lord
Isetitarasanot in the most favourable light, they will
aja °' service in estimating the remarkable revo-
tiOar',,elight about by Louis Philippe, Christina,
itkalieef,aaez• We give the following extract as a
die d k:Ten of the work, premising that the Queen
ten°h- in bad health, and that the King of the
rsil)l,l,Ce contemplated a marriage between her
'Lie Duke D'Aumale :
#0.1411 4PPearance of Queen Isabel Maria to the eye of
Oath; 4et. is that of a precocious but somewhat care-
Nllt • sickly girl—exceedingly pale, and with
k se. either
NBut expressive or interesting in her coon-
oti. 'Alt that her brow is circled with a crown, at
~kte4„ts,th:lf unparalleled youth to emerge from legal
'COith 're is little there to arrest your attention; you
iipieeder forbidden nor attracted ; you deem her more
okithui her age, but this precocity, as compared
‘43'44lrid, is universal in the Peninsula.
iitlok more closely, you will see a shade pass
Vintql,-",,ert Over her brow and features, indicative of
cN of disposition, and of a character somewhat
titillaafticllastiny ; and you will not be far mistaken if
e 18. conclusion. But your eye is soon arrested.
hiistejkithC face beside her, all radiant with vivacity
Ca It Inn :co ; younger, yet less frivolous ; more
Ci k-,JoYous, yet with more of sentimen.t.
Infanta Luisa, her sister—a charming child
11.tf 'llatme radiant with the highest beauty, the
s. kw the ra,
sitting of the Cortes, where
Josit, Ind. In the
"nklisz, of her royal sister was declared, this darling
itaatiee sal all the admiration.
N't; tto Isabel is said to be of a rather wilful nature,
,4/41,!1at ;hvetttsh fits• at times not a little obstinate, and
„ckh'ut,s 4 intelligence as well as in temper. These
~‘ato'ea si.r," inherited in part from both father and
11444%44 she has thrown her whole soul into her
Nf4l li!vvas likewise a maternal failing, for M!n-
-lty'Nll,,„l,la official interviews with Queen Christina
Oitisst":l,y. to lock out the listening Camarilla: the
;14ttlpttke,erill
Istsitiit)le;ts Olozaga's door.
Camarera Mayor, the Marquess de
;ttakrogkiortzt'in(Ar BO notorious throughout Europe, is a
?R am rig Person, of most elegant and distinguished
Ittke,Ates„' high intellectual attainments—one of the
1e55,,14; fid.!a of the Court of Spain—and to these
11)it'ai,e toe:‘llndebted for her influence over the Quell.
e,Losi„mu that she wears one of the proudest an
I%• ,kargoi'3 amongst the historical names of Spain.
tZoll,raos4ii°,F Santa. Cruz, in the time of Philip 11.,
Ltihe oceatioaustrious admiral, who defeated on nu-
Zitist of bus the Moors of Africa, and completed the
1),,a of 6'o urtugal by destroying Don Antonio's ex-
Q't the
,vessels fitted out by France. It was not
1,4 (\teat Ar""lte` of Medina Sidonia, who commanded
isans.aan.
kst toclacated.bel has been very imperfectly and irregu-
sii„Plisie. That she should be little enlightened is
`wedge ; that she should be deficient in ordinary
L;tita tt dot a Mere corollary of her inadequate tutoring.
;IllekttiNt,sish‘o:teltogether three months in the hands of
qik; ,t;' ; ithd instruction was confined to her political
411 s under the guidance of Arguelles, to
tits. i% and ,7eriPreviously entrusted, she was rather in-
kithakreaPrieioacturY• About the court, they say that
tli'triY char_ a
11.
ter ,ist disimulada ; and fibbing, en
1/41tq to a beic of her age in young girls, is
her./cry much the contrary of being
• Foy th
Ilto4Poti last th
hittt cleriee . ree years she has been in constant
qy 4 (I With with her mother, and inevitably thus im-
:lk s/k1 jo(Zia strong dislike for the Progresistss, as a
1211, aoddtlalY• It was they who drove Cristina
l'allfs°latisswth° hay° always thwarted that prin-
ttNit_ en wit, tendencies. Never, therefore, could
typsistk:s or
ofadtlectionate respect to the lessons o
lieftttlikt whlclati,d I°zaga, both of them eminent Pro-
Ile
r. Espartero she could only see the
P wed her mother of the regency, and
rtiti all Ornb
i„ces, and Plan. Still, being obliged to keep up
4541 P'sPartea le
entire power of the State being
titt4ts toy the force' she was taught to be false and
deceit. of circumstances, and trained by
4.ttotta, her 10_ An intimate friend of the master who
aeholai, eorres'aigoast; wrote things concerning her in a
Unerentl •
k',4lls, 44e, 4,4 lu.ltlenee which I should be sorry to
3ti•et f„ winch r .
llation f p Ler imputing rather to the
0 character at her age, than to
PO sae 3 bad in her disp.,ition."
t sari
but they are taken principally from the first
furaiall Au imperfect view of the

work. The second volume is chiefly dedicated to a
description of " men and manners" in Spain, and the
women are not forgotten. 'We have also graphic
accounts of the state of agriculture, smuggling, the
price of getting up a pronunciamento, and many
other peculiarities of that primitive and singular
people. Altogether it contains the best modern de-
scription of the country that we have seen, not even
" Inglis's Spain" excepted.
The author sums up his remarks with the following
conclusions, which we trust are well-founded :
"In the midst of all these broils and dissensions, and
in defiance of the turbulence of her sons, Spain is de-
cidedly and visibly advancing. The progress, to be sure,
is slow and feeble, but may be traced in every direction.
Material improvement develops itself in despite of Poli-
tical obstacles, comfort begins to be comprehended, and
faction cannot check the tendencies of the age. New
communications are opened, new roads constructed, old
ones repaired and made more available to the commu-
nity ; minerals are explored, and foundries established
for the melting of ores, with the aid of British skill and
capital ; the public vehicles are multiplied ; inns with
passable accommodations start up here at d there for the
first time in the lapse of centuries ; opposition on the
bustling road gives its spur to speculative enterprise.
The shipwright's cheerful sounds begin once more to
be heard, and the Guadalquivir is about to be made
navigable to Cordova. Happily, these are matters in which
governments have no concern, and the local Ayunta-
mieatos and Provincial Deputations in not a few quar-
ters make an honest and successful application of the
local taxes. New companies spring up for the working
of profitable mines, and fostering of manufacturing in-
dustry. An association has been formed for the dere
lopment of the colonial wealth of the Filippines ; im-
proved agricultural processes are likewise at intervals
introduced ; a system of telegraphs is about to be esta-
blished ; even a railway is more than spoken of. No
roseate tints of fancy are added to this picture, but facts
are stated which prove what a mighty thing is national
vitality. The incumbent weight on the acanthus makes
it sprout into more fantastic shapes, but still the growth
is incessant ; and if scoundrels were not at the top of the
tree, the plant would wax tall and beautiful."

NAVAL AND MILITARY SKETCH BOOK.

Part 11.

This interesting periodical goes on with increased
spirit. The translation of Eugene Sue's interesting
rautical romance of " Atar Gull" is continued in the-
present number, and is beautifully illustrated. It is
to be regretted that the names of the artists are not
given. The sketch of Atar Gull and the Pirate is one
of the most spirited things we have ever seen. The
whole of the illustrations of this part are worthy of
the highest praise. Many of the nautical sketches
are not inferior, to the happiest effects of old Pocock,
that prince of marine painters, who painted not mere
fancy pictures of ships, hut actual portraits of actual
crafts whiph had " braved the battle and the breeze,"
and carried "the meteor flag of England" in triumph
over every sea. The other service will in this Part
find also many of their gallant deeds illustrated by
the pencil of the artist. The sketch of the siege of
Cuidad Rodrigo would, if elaborated, become a fine
historical picture. The time chosen is the march of
the forlorn hope to the attack of the breach ; the
subject is handled in a thoroughly artist-like manner,
and the varied expression of the countenances of the
soldiers in the foreground is beautifully given. The
effect of the whole is admirable. The literary contents
of this part are of a very varied character. We have
biographical sketches of officers of both services, tales
of " moving accidents by flood and field," humorous
anecdotes, &c. ; in short, there is something to suit
every taste; and if the Naval and Military Sketch
Book goes on as it has begun, we augur for it a
long and prosperous career.

REMARKS AND COMMENTS ON THE
MEDICAL AND CHEMICAL EVIDENCE
ADDUCED AT THE TRIAL OF JOHN
TAWELL. By G. L. Strauss.
This is a pamphlet of most painful interest, and if
Mr. Strauss be right, a very heavy responsibility rests
upon the medical men on whose evidence a verdict of
guilty was returned against John Ta well. It struck
us from the beginning that the medical evidence
given before the Coroner was of a rather slovenly
character, and in this opinion we were borne out by
an article, which appeared shortly afterwards, in the
Medical Times. The contradictions in the medical
evidence, as given before the Coroner and at the trial,
are most important, and are thus pointed out by Mr.
Strauss :

" Mr. Champneys stated before the Coroner, that not

the slightest trace of the peculiar odour ofprussic acid was
perceptible during the post moi tem examination ; and,
probably, aware that the absence of this odour militates
most decisively against the supposition of free prussic
acid being present, he, as well as Mr. Norblad, endea-
voured to accornt fur the absence of this odour by
assuming that cyanide of potassium might have been
administered instead of prussic acid ; this proposition,
however, is quite untenable, as these gentlemen them-
selves seem to have discovered afterwards, since at the
trial they made no mention whatever of cyanide of po-
tassium. (Mr. Cooper had probably told them in the
meantime that cyanide of potassium in solution is rea-
dily decomposed, even by weak acids, such as carbonic
acid, with evolution of hydrocyanic acid ; and in the
stomach the cyanide encounters one of the strongest acid,
known to us—viz., hydrochloric acid.) Mr. Champneys,
however, mentioned to the Coroner that during the
examination he thought he smelt prussic acid, that he
made a remark to that effect to Mr. Norblad, who replied
that he perceived no smell. As this is a most important
point, I think it will be better to quote from the evidence
as taken down before the Coroner :

" Question—By a juryman—Would not the smell of
prussic acid be discovered if there was no other thing in
conjunction with it, to destroy that effect (smell) ?
" Mr. Champneys—lt was very unusual not smelling,
the prussic acid, but I mentioned during the examina-
tion that I thought I smelt prussic acid, but Mr. Norblad
did not think he did, and afterwards, on opening the
stomach, I did not think I did at all.

" The Coroner—Then you abandoned that idea of
smelling at all ?
" Mr. Champaeys—Yes, Sir.
" Mr. Norblad likewise stated before the Coroner that
there was no smell of prussic acid perceptible.
" At the trial, however, Mr. Champney asserts most
positively that he in reality smelt prussic acid immedi-
ately upon opening the body, and that he mentioned
something to that effect to Mr. Pickering (before the
Coroner it was to Mr. Norblad), that this was not a
mere passing conjecture of his, but a fact, of the reality
of which he was most positive. In cross-examination
he stated that neither Mr. Pickering nor Mr. Norblad
did smell it; and that he himself did not perceive it
after having opened the stomach. Mr. Pickering, on his
part, asserts that it was upon making the first incision in
the stomach of deceased that Mr. Champney a called his
attention to the smell, and that he himself did perceive
the smell of prussic acid. Here we have more contra-
dictions and discrepancies than would be considered quite
sufficient to overthrow the evidence of witnesses in any
common case.

Mr. Champneys positively contradicts himself. Be-
fore the Coroner he admits that he simply fancied he
smelt prussic acid, and tells the Coroner that he aban-
doned that idea subsequently altogether; at the trial, this
passing conjecture having had two months' time to grow,
had ripened into positive certainty.
" This assertion of Messrs. Champneys and Pickering
was laid hold of by Mr. Baron Parke in his very impar-
tial summing up, in order to prove that the prussic acid
existed as such in the stomach previously to the con-
tents of the stomach being subjected to digestion in the
sand and water baths. It is this assertion which has
most materially contributed to decide the issue of the
trial; and yet it would have been so easy to confute it,
simply by pointing out the discrepancies and contradic-
tions which appear on the face of the evidence on this
point."
Now, if these gentlemen really smelt prussic acid,
how comes it that tests were applied in the first in-
stance, to discover oxalic acid, vitriolic acid, in fact,
every conceivable poison but prussic acid ? How
comes it that neither of these gentlemen who smelt
prussic acid on opening the body, mentioned the fact
to Mr. Cooper, for—
" ki rem Mr. Cooper's own evidence, it appears that be
himself was the first to hint at a suspicion that prussic
acid might be present—' Well, if this woman has taken
poison, it can be no other than prussic acid :' these are
Mr. Cooper's own words, as given in cross-examination."

Besides, as Mr. Strauss very properly remarks in a
note—

" Had Messieurs Champneys and Pickering really
smelt prussic acid, they would have continued to smell
it. Do these gentlemen imagine that a definite minute
proportion of odour enters into the composition of prussic
acid? Perhaps the acid in This case retained only suffi-
cient to give a taste of it to two noses—which supposi-
tion would at once satisfactorily account fur Mr. Nor-
blad's inability to smell it." _

Then, as to the quantity discovered. Mr. Cooper
found only one grain in the contents of the stomach.
Mr. Strauss says—
" I myself have taken as much as three drops of pure
anhydrous prussic acid—(equivalent to about 2.1 grains)
—of course largely diluted with water, without feeling
any very considerable inconvenience ; and if Mr. Nor-
blad will read Liebig's lectures on Organic Chemistry'
(Lancet), he will find that a cat can stand, without in-
convemenco, from two to three drops of anhydrous
prussic acid, diluted with from four to six ounces of
water."

" I may venture to assert, that one grain of prussic
acid introduced (into the digestive apparatus in a high
state of dilution, will not be sufficient to destroy life.
Messrs. Champneys, Norblad, and Pickering, and also
Mr. Cooper and Mr. Baron Parke, however, deem even
less than one grain quite sufficient to cause death. On
this point these gentlemen take their stand, more parti-
cularly upon the case of the seven epileptic patients in
one of the hospitalat Paris, who are reported in Eng-
lish works on the subject of poisoning by prussic acid,
to have died from so small a dose as 7-10ths of one grain
of this deleterious substance. Now this is a most egre-
gious blunder, occasioned probably by confounding the
medicinal acid of France with that of Scheele."

" The physician who treated the seven patients in
question, prescribed eleven gramme% fifty centigrammes
of hydr )cyanic sirup, which he intended to be prepared
according to Ilagendie's formula,
" Had the sirup been prepared according to the phy-
sician's intention, every one of the seven patients would
in the 172 grains of hydrocyanic sirup which were ad-
ministered to him have received only one grain and one-
third of absolute acid. But having been prepared by
mistake, according to to formula
.of the old codex, the

amount of pure and absolute prussic acid administered
to each of the patients, was two grains and one-fourth,
on the most moderate calculation, i. e. if the acid au
sixierne was used; if the acid au troisieme was used, the
quantity of pure acid amounted to six grains for every
patient."
" Can there be a grosser blunder than this ? And
yet it is upon such and similar (ex uno discs onincs)
authority, that a fellow-creature is about being con-
signed to an ignominious death !
" It is by such evidence and such authorities that one
of the most clear-headed judges of the land has allowed
himself to be completely misguided."
The highest authority in Toxicological science is
undoubtedly M. Orfila, and—
" M. Orfila, states in his celebrated work on Toxico-
logy, that the mere detection of prussic acid in the di-
gestive apparatus, or in matter rejected,by vomiting, does
most decidedly not entitle the physician and chemist,
charged with medico legal investigations in cases of
suspicious death, to affirm that this acid has been in
reality administered to the subject of the investigation.
Prussic acid is formed in some cases in the animal
organismus, even though the individuals offering this
phenomenon be in a state of perfect health. It is a
well-known fact, that the perspiration of some per-
fectly healthy individuals exhales the peculiar odour
of hydrocyanic acid, and sulphocyanide of potassium has
been detected in the saliva, by Tiedemann and Gmelin.
Moreover it would be very absurd indeed to deny that
prussic acid may be formed in the decomposition and
putrefaction of organic matter, just as likely as ammonia,
acetic acid, and other similar compounds, to the forma-
tion of which the simple decomposition of organic
matter gives rise. Bitter almonds and pomaceous seeds
may be present in the stomach, and subsequently upon
the distillation of its contents, yield hydrocyanic acid.
Ferrocyanide of potassium is a perfectly innocuous
substance ; this may by chance have been partaken
of ; (as is frequently the case in manufactures of fer-
rocyanide of potassium—vide Liebig's Lectures on
Organic Chemistry, in the Lancet) ; and would, of
course, upon distillation, yield a considerable amount of
prussic acid.
"In the year 1841, M. Orfila was called in to refute
the evidence of two physicians and four chemists, in a
case of suspicious death. The physicians and chemists
in question asserted most positively that a certain Mon-
sieur Pralet, procureur at Chamtery, had died from the
effects of prussic acid. M. Orfila proved, however, most
clearly and satisfactorily, that M. Pralet died from apo-
plexy, and not from prussic acid.
" According to M. Orfila, the detection of prussic
acid in the digestive apparatus, &c., assumes the value
of positive evidence, only in such cases where the sub-
ject of the investigation has exhibited previously to his
or her death the characteristic symptoms which are con-
stantly attendant upon poisoning by prussic acid, and
where the post-mortem examination reveals the patho-
logical alterations produced by the action of this delete-
rious substance upon the animal organismus."
Now, were these symptoms observed in the case of

Sarah Hart ?
" Mr. Champneys states that he smelt at the mouth
of deceased, and that he could not perceive any odour of
prussic acid. Had prussic acid been administered, he
must have smelt it, especially as the quantity must have
been considerable enough to cause death within from ten

to fifteen minutes. lie, moreover, states that her eyes
were fixed; he does not mention a word of that peculiar
brilliancy of the eye which is generally considered one
of the characteristic symptoms of poisoning by prussic
acid, and which persists even for a considerable time
after death. I myself have seen three cases of poisoning
by hydrocyanic acid, and this symptom existed in every
one of them. With regard to the repeated screaming of
deceased, I will admit that this would not very much
militate against poisoning by prussic acid, since its re-
sults from Coullon's experiments that animals poisoned
by prussic acid scream repeatedly during the second pe-
riod of the action of the acid. It is, however, gene-
rally held, that after, or rather with that peculiar shriek
usually emitted by persons poisoned with prussic acid,
and which has not improperly been termed " death-
scream," all power of volition ceases, and complete insen-

sibility supervenes.
" The absence of the peculiar odour of prussic acid
militates, however, most strongly against the supposition
of poisoning by this deleterious substance. Mr. Champ-
neys, as well as Mr. Norblad, seem, indeed, to have felt
this difficulty—at least they endeavoured, before the
Coroner, to account for the absence of the characteristic
odour of prussic acid.
" The brain is found in a perfectly healthy state ;
the lungs are found perfectly healthy (this statement,
however, Mr. Champneys modified at the trial, inas-
much as he asserted, in et oss -examination, that he found
them slightly congested), with the exception of some
old adhesions of long standing ; the stomach and the
abdominal viscera likewise are found to be perfectly
health-, though rather fat : the internal surface of the
coat of the stomach is found to be covered with more
mucous than is usually the case, anditscontents are found
to manifest an acid reaction. There is nothing whatso•
ever to indicate the action of a poison. The acid reac-
tion of the contents of the stomach is owing, as is now
generally admitted by chemists and physiologists, to the
presence of free hydrocloric acid in the gastric juice.
" Not one single pathological alteration is found in
the brain, nor in the heart and lungs, stomach and ab-
dominal viscera of deceased; however Messieurs Champ-
neys, Norblad, and Pickering seem to have settled to
their own perfect satisfaction, that some poison or other
must have been administered, the notion that deceased
might have.died from natural causes seems to have been
scouted altogether and unanimously by these gentlemen.
This point being thus satisfai....tority settled, there re-
mained simply one slight difficulty, viz., to find out what
kind of poison had been administered to deceased.
" All they know is, that death has ensued suddenly,
and that the contents of the stomach are acid. It is
upon these very slight indices that Mr. Norblad comes at
once to the conclusion that oxalic acid has been the
cause of death ! in which opinion his colleagues seem to
have joined at once, since it results from Mr. Cooper's
evidence, that the contents of the stomach were tested in

the first instance for oxalic acid. Now, it is very true
that oxalic acid causes death, in some instances, almost
as rapidly as prussic acid, especially when the acid is
dissolved in a copious amount of water, so as to facilitate
and accelerate its absorption ; it is true, moreover, that in
such instances no remarkable alteration is observed in the
brain nor in the abdominal viscera ; but the lungs exhibit
a number of spots of a lively red tint, and the blood is
either black in the two vasculary systems, or the venous
blood is black, and the arterial blood of a vermilion tint.
Nothing of the kind was observed in Sarah Hart's case,
and yet Mr. Norblad actually stated at the trial (in
cross-examination) that he firmly believed deceased died
from the effects of oxalic acid, until he saw the special
test for this acid fail detecting it."
They did not examine the bronchial tubes—they
did not examine the spinal chord, and they say no-
thing as to the appearance of the blood.
" We are therefore justified in assuming that the ap-
pearance of the blood was perfectly natural, and this
natural appearance of the blood militates altogether
against the supposition that death was caused in this in-
stance by prussic acid."

When Mr. Champneys was first called in he at once
determines that his patient has been poisoned.
" Having made up Lis mind upon this point, he pro-
ceeds, about three minutes after the death of deceased, to
open one of her veins—not as he very naively stated be-
fore the coroner, with a view to bring her back to life,
but in order to ascertain the cause of her death from the
state and appearance of her blood. How this object
could be accomplished, I must confess I am altogether at
a loss to divine. At the trial, indeed, Mr. Champneys,
who has then had two months' leisure to find out the
absurdity of such a proceeding, declares that he bled de-
ceased simply in order to satisfy the parties present that
nothing was left undone ; but this after-statement has
surely not the power to annul the deliberate statement
made before the coroner. This part of the evidence is
very wavering and contradictory in every respect. Mrs.
Ashley, for instance, stated before the coroner, that de-
ceased died immediately after Mr. Champneys' attempt
at bleeding her, whilst at the trial she asserts most po-
sitively that deceased was dead when Mr. Champneys
bled her. If deceased was really still alive, bleeding,
under the peculiar circumstances of the case, was highly
improper, and could only tend to accelerate death.
" The fact, perhaps, ig, that Mr. Champneys fancied at
the time, he had to deal with a case of cerebral oonges-

tion, or Of apoplexy, and that bleeding would restore
animation."

With regard to the cause of death, Mr. Strauss

says :

It is my most conscientious conviction that Sarah

Hart died from natural causes. It is of course quite
out of my power to point out the precise cause of her
sudden death. I neither witnessed the symptoms exhi-
bited by her during the few minutes immediately pre-
ceding the extinction of life, nor have I seen her body
after death. It would perhaps have been easy to come
to a correct conclusion on this point, bad the postmor-
tem examination been made by men of sterling science;
however, as it is, the cause of death will probably re-
main shrouded in mystery.
" My conviction that prussic acid had nothing what-
ever to do with the poor woman's death, is based chiefly
and principally upon the absence of some of those symp-
toms which my own experience (limited as it is) has
taught me to expect invariably in cases of poisoning by
this acid; and moreover upon the total and complete
absence of any of the pathological alterations which I
should invariably expect, at least in all cases where the
acid has not destroyed life instantaneously, but after the
lapse of a few minutes or so. In all cases of poisoning
by prussic acid, without exception, the venous system is
found gorged with very fluid blood of a dark violet or
black tint ; the liver is gorged with blood of black
colour. The brain is in most cases overgorged with
blood, which in many instances is found to have extra-
vasated ; the lungs are almost invariably gorged with
blood of a deep violet or black colour ; the oesophagus,
stomach, and intestines are generally in a state of greater
or lesser inflammation, &c. &c. &c. Of all these indica-
tions of the action of prussic acid, we have none in this
instance. How is it possible that any professional man,
possessed of the slightest knowledge of his art, can, in
the face of these facts, come to the conclusion that the
death of Sarah Hart is chargeable upon prussic acid ;
simply because some prussic acid was obtained by dis-
tilling the contents of her stomach ?"
He thus concludes:—

" I have now arrived at the conclusion of my remarks.
I beg it to be distinctly understood that I do not know
Mr. Tawell, and that I am induced to step forward in
his defence, solely because I believe him innocent of the
crime imputed to him.
" In conclusion, I beg to propose two simple ques-
tions :

" 1. If the facts and allegations averred by me are
true (and I challenge the strictest inquiry into their
correctness)—will any impartial and unprejudiced man
be bold enough to assert that Mr. Tawell had a fair
trial, and that he has been condemned On indubitably
conclusive evidence ?

" 2. If I have succeeded in shaking the medical evi-
dence adduced against Mr. Tawell, and to render the
principal fact in the case doubtful, would his execution,
under the present circumstances, not positively amount
to legal murder?"

DISPATCHES AND LETTERS OF VICE-
ADMIRAL LORD VISCOUNT NELSON ;
with Notes by Sir Nicholas- Barris Nicolas, G.C.M.G.

The present volume contaios the Nelson dispatches
and letters from the beginning of l 795 to the end of
1797, and include an account of Admiral Hotham's
actions with the French fleet; c•f Nelson's proceed-
ings in the Mediterranean in 1798 ; of the battle of
St. Vincent, and of the attack on Teneriffe, in which
he lost his arm. These documents are many of them
of a most interesting character, and as materials for
the future historian they are invaluable. It is im-
possible to read this volume without admiring the de-
lightful style of Nelson's writings. Clear, distinct,
and terse, his letters and dispatches are models of
correspondence ; and whether he be making a report
to his superior officer, or issuing his directions to
those under his own command, his meaning cannot
for one instant be misunderstood.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, THURSDAY.—The Queen, accompanied by
the Princess Royal, and attended by the Dowager Lady
Lyttelton, took an early airing this morning in a pony
carriage and four, in the Great Park.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out in the
forenoon on horseback, attended by Major-General Sir
Edward Bowater, Equerry in Waiting. The Prince also
walked out this morning.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the
Princess Alice were taken for pony and walking exercise
in the pleasure grounds and Home Park.
In the afternoon her Majesty, attended by the Vis-
countess Canning, Lady in Waiting, took an airing in a
pony phaeton. The Honourable Colonel Grey, Equerry
in Waiting, was in attendance on horseback.
Prince Alfred and the Princess Royal were taken out
walking.
Prince Albert walked out again this afternoon.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the
Royal Family at the Castle in the afternoon.
The Bishop of London held a Confirmation yesterday
(Maunday Thursday) of the juvenile nobility and gentry
in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Rev. Dr. Wesley,
the Rev. Mr. Pack, and the Rev. Mr. Povah assisted at
the ceremony.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge was
present.

About thirty of the juvenile nobility and gentry were
confirmed. The Earl of Ripon and the Countess of
Jersey were among the nobility present.
Her Majesty's royal charities were distributed on
Monday and Tuesday last (being Passion Week) to the
necessitous and aged poor.
There were upwards of one thousand persons relieved,
in' various sums, from a crown to five pounds. These
persons had been previously selected by the Lord High
Almoner and by the Sub-Almoner, upon the recom-
mendation of the clergy, nobility, and gentry, in the seve-
ral metropolitan districts.
The Royal-gate Alms were also paid to 168 persons,
13s. each, being 6d. per week for six months. This
charity is of very ancient origin, and was formerly paid
to the poor at the gate of the Royal Palace at Whitehall.
Yesterday being Maunday Thursday the distribution
of the Royal Charities was made in Whitehall Chapel
with the customary formalities. The company who at-
tended to witness this distribution being admitted by
tickets.

At three o'clock a procession walked from the
Almonry-office in Scotland-yard, consisting of the
Yeomen of the Guard (one bearing the alms), the Sub-
Almoner, the Venerable Archdeacon S. Wilberforce ;
the Secretary and Yeoman of the Almonry, Joseph
Hanby, Esq.; four children from the national school at
Westminster, and attendants.

The following anthems were performed :
" Hide not thou thy face."
" 0 Lord, grant the Queen a long life."
" Who is this that cometh from Edom ?"
The recipients were granted an addition to the usual
bounties of money, and Maunday pennies, a sum of
thirty shillings, in lieu of provisions heretofore distri•
buted in kind.

There were present from the Chapel Royal, in addi-
tion to the choir, the following clergy :—The Sub-Dean
the Rev. Dr. Sleath, the Rev. Dr. Vivian, the Rev. Dr.
J. H. Dakins, the Rev. Mr. Packman, the Rev. Mr.
Povab, and the Rev. Mr. Clarke Haden..
One of the recipients has reached the great age of
ninety-eight years, but being too feeble to attend she
was represented by a deputy, as indeed were several
others who from age and infirmity could not attend
this highly interesting ceremonial.
A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon
at the Foreign-office. The Ministers present were Sir
Robert Peel, Lord Wharncliffe, the Duke of Buccleuch,
the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Stanley, Sir James Graham,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Haddington,
Earl of Ripon, Lord Granville Somerset, the Earl of
Lincoln, and the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert. The
Council sat two hours.

A Deputation of gentlemen connected with the Scotch
Banking system had an interview with Sir Robert Peel
yesterday.
The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a
meeting yesterday afternoon, at the office in Whitehall-
place. There were present the Bishop of Bangor, the
Bishop of Chester, the Bishop of St. David's, the Bishop
of Hereford, the Bishop of Lichfield, and Lord Ashley.
Sir David Davies arrived at his residence in Berkeley-
street yesterday.
Dispatches for the Governor of the settlement on the
Gambia, and also for the Governor of St. Helena, were
sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-office.