The Sun.
London, England, 1828-01-12 00:00:00

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Yesterday evening an inquest was held on the
body of Jai iPs Smith, aged 43 years, whose death
was said to have been occasioned by taking a cer-
tain medicine, administered to him by a medical gen-
tleman.

Mary Ann Smith stated, that the deceased, a
baker by trade, was her brother; witness resided
with him. On Friday last, the deceased complained
of a violent head ache, and pain of the right side.—
On Saturday morning he became worse, and witness
went for Mr. Heyderman, a surgeon, in North-street,
Manchester-square, who sent a powder, with direc-
tions that it should be taken in the evening in some
barley mar or gruel. 1/41kbout seven o'clock On Sun-
day eveniflg, witness mixed the powder in some
water gruel, and gave it to the deceased. About
five minutes after the deceased took the powder he
fell asleep witness did not disturb him till near
eleven o'clock, when ahe attempted to rouse him
for the purpose of giving him some nourishment, but
she could not wake him; about two o'clock he
started in his sleep, and the "death rattle" in his
throat came on. Witness was much alarmed, and
hurried off for Dr. Heyderman, whom she told that
her brother was dying in consequence of the pOwder
he had sent him on the night previous, and begged
his immediate attendance. Mr. Heyderman, how-
ever, thought it unnecessary to attend, and desired
her to give the deceased plenty of barley-water.—
On witness's return she found the deceased much
worse, and apparently on the eve of dissolution.—
She again sent the deceased's son for Mr. Heyder-
man, but he refused to attend ; on her nephew's re-
turn she sent him for Mr. Wells, a surgeon of Wel-
'beck-street, but before that gentleman could arrive
the deceased had ceased to exist.

CORONER—What message did the medical gentle-
man send back, when you sent for him a second
time ?—That he considered it useless to come, as he
knew the deceased was dead.

CORONER—Were the deceased and Mr. Heyder-
man on friendly terms ?—Yes, Sir.
John Smith, a youth about 16 years old, was next
examined—On Monday morning last he was di-
rected by his aunt, the last witness, to go for Mr.
Heyderman, as she considered that his father was
(lying. Witness went immediately, and saw Dr.
Heyderman, whom he informed of the dangerous
state of the deceased, and begged his immediate at-
tendance. Mr. Heyderman, however, said it would
be no use to go, and desired witness to return and
give his father plenty of milk. Witness again re-
peated that his father was dying, and implored him
to come, but in vain.

Mr. STIRLING, on the suggestion of the Jury, sent
a message by the beadle to Mr. Heyderman to at-
tend the inquiry.
The beadle returned in a few minutes, stating,
that Mr. H. would not come forward, unless the
Coroner sent him a sovereign for his trouble.
The CORONER now forwarded a peremptory note,
which had the effect desired.

On Mr. H.'s entering the room, he stated that
the deceased having applied to him, for a cough
and pain in the side, he sent him a powder on Sa-
turday erenink; between three and four o'clock in
the morning (Monday) lie was knocked up to attend
the deceased, whom he was told was in a motionless
state; from the nature of the disease he was la-
bouring under, witness concluded that the sleep
which he was described to be in was no more or less
than the sleep of death, consequently he considered
it useless to attend.

CORONER-But the lad informed you that his
father was not dead, but very ill.
Mr. Heyderman—Oh, but I knew he would soon
die ; besides, I was once robbed in going to a patient
in the night-time, and I'll take care that shall not
occur a second time.

The Jury should require the body of the deceased
to be opened before they decided as to their verdict.
The CORONER said that they could adjourn for a
short time, till the operation was performed by the
parish surgeons.
Mr. Fred. Goodyear, the surgeon of Marylebone
infirmary, opened the body of the deceased, and ex-
amined the stomach and intestines. There were no
appearances which would lead witness to say that
the deceased died otherwise than a natural death.

The Jury, after consulting about a quarter of an
hour, returned a verdict—A, That the deceased died
by the visitation of God."

The third Dorset County Ball was held at the
Assembly Rosms, Blandford, on Tuesday evening last,
which was attended by a numerous and brilliant assemblage
of beauty and fashion.—Dorset Chronicle.

SUDDEN DEATH.—On the morning of New
Year's day, when Mr. Joint Wst.sox, innkeeper, Siller
Dyke, was enjoying himself with some friends, he leant his
head on the table in a sleeping posture. Several hours
afterwards, as he did not stir, his family went to rouse
him, and they found that he had been some time dead.—
Scotsman.