The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-27 00:00:00

MOST DISTRESSING CASE.

Two young persons, named Mary Ann and Sarah
Ann Ann Johnson, f lady-like manners, and evi-
dently of superior education, about four months ago
engaged an apartment at the house of Mr. Stainsbury,
No. 27, Charlotte-street West, White Conduit-fields,
at the rent of 43. per week. They commenced a
small school, and obtained a few scholars, but they
were not enabled to support themselves or to pay
their rent, and they became involved in arrears to the
amount of 2/. 10s. They were pressed for the money,
or a portion of it, but were unable to answer the de-
mand, and kept their distressed and starving condi-
tion a secret until it was discovered by their landlord,
who told them if they would leave the lodging he
would forgive them the whole of the rent. This,
however, they declined doing. The younger sister,
Sarah Ann, whose previous system had been wrought
upon by grief, want of nourishment, and the anxieties
attendant upon the school, fell into a state of con-
sumption and insanity. Every step she heard she
fancied to be a fresh application for rent, and she in-
dulged in loud exclamations to her sister, such as
" Here they are ; they are coming for the rent." Last
Saturday week a noise attracted the attention of
Mrs. Stainsbury, who proceeded up stairs to the
young ladies' apartment, and found them struggling
violently together. The younger sister sprung upon
the other in a state of raving madness, pulled and
dragged her about, and would have choked her had
she not been prevented by timely assistance.
It was not until now that the real destitution of the
unfortunate creatures was exhibited. Medical aid
was called in, and Mr. Kitt, surgeon, of No. 15,
Upper Copenhagen-street, and Mr. Duncombe, at-
tended, but the youngest sister lingered until the fol-
lowing Monday, when she expired, the doctor having
no doubt that she died through want of nourishment.
The remains of the deceased lay in the room with the
surviving sister (alone) until Friday, when, from
their decomposed state, the sister having no friends
nor means to bury the body, the landlord applied to
the parish authorities. A coffin was sent to the
house, and the remains were interred on Monday last
in the burial-ground of the Chapel-of-Ease at Hol-
loway, her sister being the only mourner. The sister
has been visited by one or two humane persons, who
have afforded her temporary relief. She is a most in-
telligent person, and states that they were orphans of
respectable parents, who came from Dumfries, in
Scotland, about ten years since. The parents died
and left property, and the sisters lived for some time
afterwards at Lewisham, in Kent ; but in their in-
experience they speculated in building, and were
cheated of their money, and reduced to distress. They
were often starving. ller sister and herself had re-
peatedly lived on a penny loaf and cold water, in
preference to exposing their distress; and on being
asked if they ever applied to the parish for relief, she
said they chose rather to bear their misfortunes than
go to the workhouse. They had no friends, and they
entered upon a small school, which was too precarious
for a livelihood. The unfortunate young lady is still
in the house, depending upon casual bounty, and in
great grief.

PRINCE ALBERT'S BEEs.—The American Quaker
bee-hive-maker, who keeps his hat on before the Queen,
and calls her Majesty friend," arrived at Windsor
Castle on Saturday last, with five additional hives, beau-
tifully constructed in the shape of castles, for his Royal
Highness Prince Albert. They were afterwards taken
to the Royal Apiary, at the dairy in the Home Park.
Instructions were immediately forwarded by the Secre-
tary to the Master of the Household to an apiarian of
Old Windsor, to supply his Royal Highness with five
swarms of bees to stock the new hives with, a task which
was satisfactorily accomplished before dark the same
evening. Several more additional hives are expeAcd
shortly to arrive at Windtior. •