The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-17 00:00:00

been made. The defendant, it would appear, was the eldest 1
son of a farmer, who was separated from his wife. Mrs. Ben-
nett lived at Camberwell with the second son John, and with
them the plaintiff became acquainted after the attachment
had sprung up with the defendant. This being the state of
the parties, the first letter written to the plaintiff was in
January, 1842, and that, which was of an ordinary character,
was followed by several others, all of which breathed un-
mixed love and affection to the plaintiff, prose being accom-
panied by verse in delightful variety. Of these the following
effusions are samples :
" Plummer's-plain, Nov. 20.
"My dearest Louisa,—l am happy to say I have had the
pleasure of receiving your kind and affectionate letter, but
was sorry to hear you have been troubled with tooth-ache. I
have been told that is a sign when a person does not love
true, but I am sure that is not the case with my dear Louisa,
for I am quite convinced that her love for me is sincere, and
I hope lasting. My dear, yon wished to know if I returned
home on Tuesday. I did so, or I should have come and seen
you again, for that is the only pleasure I have or desire. I
hope soon to have the pleasure of being with you for ever.
How blest shall I be when that time comes, for it is very un-
comfortable for us both, situated as we are, with two unfeel-
ing parents, that studies to make us uncomfortable; but be
advised by me and keep your spirits up, for I hope there will
be a change for the better soon, for I am completly tired of
being a bachelor any longer. Don't you think it is time I
was? And the cold weather is coining on—what shall I do?
Buy a pair of blankets or cuddle with you? I only wish I
had a comfortable home to take you to, I would not be a
bachelor any longer; but I hope soon to have a comfortable
place where we shall enjoy ourselves. I long for that time to
come. I was at Horsham fair on Friday last, and bought
some more pigs very cheap. lam sorry, my dear Louisa, I
did not see you at Smithfield when you were there. . . .
I forgot to tell you in my last letter that John (his brother)
said he thought it very strange that you had not been once
to see them (John and his mother) or wrote. I hope you will
go and see them, for you know he is a strange chap. I know
you will go to oblige me."
" P.S. Excuse haste. Please write by return of post, and
let me know how you are."
This was relieved by some verses of the following calibre:—
" Let me hold thee to my heart,
And every care resign ;
And we shall never, never part—
My heart and all is thine."
Then again, in another letter, the defendant thus apostro-
phises the fair milliner :
-

"Art thou not dear unto my heart?
Oh, search that heart and see ;
And from my bosom tear the part
That beats not true to thee.
" But to that bosom thou art dear—
More dear than words can tell—
And if a thought be cherished there,
'Tis loving thee too well."
On a third occasion the defendant presented the plaintiff with
some stanzas, of which the two first ran as follow :

" All hopeless of relief—
Incapable of rest :
In vain I strive to vent a grief
That's not to be express'd.
"This rage within my veins
No reason can remove ;
Of all the mind's most cruel pains,
The sharpest, sure, is love."
So the correspondence continued till October, 1844, the de-
fendant constantly visiting London, on which occasions he
took up his abode near the lodgings of the plaintiff, who re-
sided with her father, in Lisson-street, New-road. On these
occasions he took his meals at her house, and continued his
addresses till the 4th of October. On the 17th, however, of
the same month, he actually married another lady. On this
the plaintiff, naturally enraged, wrote to his father, threaten-
ing legal proceedings—a communication which elicited from
the defendant the following extraordinary letter, the circum-
stance alluded to therein being the accidental firing of Miss
Pratt's bed one night by her father's incautious use of a
lighted candle :

" January 20, 1845.
" Louisa Pratt—l have this day seen a letter you wrote to
my father some time since, saying you intend taking law pro-
ceedings against me. I now tell you that you had better be
cautious what you do, for so sure that you act as you say
you mean to do, you will with your father have serious
cause to repent it. You have, perhaps, forgot I have some
letters of yours. Were they exhibited to certain parties, you
and your father would be placed in a most awful situation.
One in particular, dated the 25th of February last, wherein
you state the particulars most fully that your father set fire
to the bed in your apartments. You claimed of the insurance-
office the money for the articles that were burnt, and had
the money for them, and that the inmates of the house sup-
posed that the fire was accidental.
" Now, I must tell you the law punishes crimes of this sort
with death. I have no wish whatever to have the crime
made public, but if you drive me to it, I will take your let-
ter to the insurance company for them to act on it, although
it would be most painful to my feelings to do it. You had
better, therefore, send me a letter signed in your full name,
saying you never will take any law proceedings whatever
against me, but if I do not receive such a letter from you,
addressed for me at my father's house by Saturday, the 25th
instant, securely sealed, I shall then say I am justified in
acting as I have said I will. Therefore do not deceive your-
self, for you have caused my father to refuse me what I had
hoped for, and should have had; but now my prospects are
blasted, and I intend taking a situation in London directly.
As it regards your conduct, Ido not intend to say much
now, and I hope you will not, by your conduct, compel me
to expose you now, as I can do, and which would compel
every prudent person to discard you.—l am, &c.
" G. BiNNETT."
This letter, which the Learned Counsel stigmatised as the
most heartless piece of ruffianism he had ever met with in
the history of such cases, led to the commencement of this
action ; and several witnesses having been called to show
the footing on which the parties stood towards each other,
the case for the plaintiff closed.
Mr. JERVIS then addressed the jury for the defendant,
observing that he felt reluctant to enter upon the defence
which was submitted to him by his client ; but in the dis-
charge of his duty he had no other alternative than to present
to the jury the most extraordinary and yet convincing answer
which ever was made to such an action in the annals of the
law. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to state that he
would accept the challenge given to him by his Learned
Friend, and prove to the satisfaction cf the Jury that the
plaintiffivas a most immodest and improper person. Few
people would suspect that at the time she was allowing the
defendant to address her in the passionate strains they had
heard, she was actually engaged in carrying on the most
familiar, if not illicit, intercourse with his own brother, John,
of whom mention was made in the letters of the brother. She
was actually herself writing to him in terms quite as strong
and passionate as those which George was addressing to her;
and her letters to him would show that she was carrying on
the same game with both brothers. These letters the Learned
Gentleman then read hurriedly to the jury, and in them she
spoke of the brother, John, in terms which bespoke the
warmest interest and attachment. In one she writes to him,
" You say in your last note that 1 enjoy George's society
more than Ido yours. Perhaps you think so ; but time will
-show." In another she speaks of herself as his " poor
Louisa," and always signed herself as his " attached Louisa,"
or in terms equally significant ; while in another, speaking
of John's jealously of his brother, and of her own feelings to-
wards him;she'says "I shall ever esteem and respect George flar
his kindness towards me; but my happiness is to be found in
your society." This correspondence was unknown to Mrs.
Bennett, or to any one else, till this action was brought, when
John, hearing of the letters to and from his brother, gave
np his own to the solicitor. These and other circumstances
which would be proved, would go to show that whether the
plaintiff was actually guilty, of misconduct or not, yet the de-
fendant was justified in refusing to marry her. The Learned
Gentleman then called Mrs. Bennett and a Mrs. Kell to prove
certain acts of familiarity on the part of the plaintiff to-
wards John Bennett, but as the cause came to an abrupt
termination, we abstain from giving further publicity to
them.

At the close of Mrs. Bennett's examination,
The LORD Cm BARON interposed with a view to bring
about an arrangement between the parties in a manner which
showed that, in his opinion, great blame was attributable to
them both—to the plaintiff for carrying on the correspon-
dence with both brothers in the way proved, and to the de-
fendant for the letter of January, 1845, which was wholly
unjustifiable, especially as he had treated the affair at the
time as an accident. Under all the circumtancer, it was
very desirable that nothing more should be said on either
side, while it could not be denied that it was a very fortu-
nate thing for the parties that they did not intermarry.
Mr. COCKBURN begged to assure the Learned Judge that
the letters of the plaintiff to John could many of them be
explained, but still he would gladly listen to the suggestion
of the Court if it had not been for the stigma which had been
laid on the plaintiff by Mr. Jervis—imputations for which he
believed there was no foundation.
Sir F. Poukai—l asked Mrs. Bennett whether she had
ever observed any indecency in the plaintiff's conduct, and
she said, "do ;" so that there is only the familiarity and
correspondence with the brother of the defendant.
Mr. JERVIS would withdraw the observations he had
made, and the plea of immorality, if his Learned Friend
would consent to withdraw a juror in the action generally.
Mr. COCKBURN having assented to this course.
His LORDSRrP expressed his unqualified approbation of
the course adopted by the Learned Counsel, and the cause
was so terminated.

SECONDARIES' COURT, May 16.
(Before Mr. Secondary JAMES.)
ATKINS V. HOBBS.

This was an action for libel. The parties are well-known
public vocalists. The damages were laid at 2,0001.
The libel was set forth in the declaration as being a letter
written by the defendant to Mr. George Robinson, in the
following words :
" 29, Upper Stamford-street, Nov. 11.
" Dear Sir,—My reason for asking who would constitute
your party was, that I might not pledge myself to you if I
had any chance of meeting that rogue Atkins—he robbed
me of the major part of 1001. I therefore consider him to be
too dishonest for me to meet him; and for that reason must
decline your kind remembrance."
The defendant suffered judgment to go by default.
Mr. WATKINS addressed the jury at great length. He said
that the plaintiff and defendant had formerly been on the
most friendly terms, and the plaintiff had formerly always
endeaioured to promote the interests of the defendant. It had
been said that lowliness was young Ambition's ladder, but
when Ambition grew old, he was apt to kick down
the steps by which he had ascended—this was the
case with the defendant, who had at all times re-
ceived the most kindly attentions from the plaintiff, bnt
having raised himself to a high position in his profession, he
had turned round upon his friend, and for some reason had
chosen to traduce his character. His friendship hail dropped
to coolness, and from coolness to aversion. He (the Learned
Counsel) considered that this letter could not be viewed
as a mere ebullition of feeling over some injury, either real
or imaginary, but was a deliberate intention to malign the
plaintiff. The Learned Counsel dwelt with considerable force
on the position in which the plaintiff stood with the public, and
that such an aspersion was likely to do him the most serious
injury. The object of the plaintiff was not to_pnt money into his
pocket, but to vindicate his character. The defendant had
been twice written to by Mr. Hobler, the plaintiff's attorney,
to
retract the calumniousexpressions, but he had not deigned
a reply.
lVv
Nolerm. Gbeero,rgleB44Ro,bwinassoenngexamined—ls a
of
vocalistsln
to sing at Haberdashers' Hall. He makewrote up
a y
party
to plaintiff
the letter produced from Mr. Hobbs
and defendant, inviting them to be of theHr party,
no,
anansne
consequence
eenr
ceed receivedtoof
that letter witness again applied to Mr. Hobbs,
t ennodt,t
?t
no
thea -
lies for
alter the party—that was, to request
tend, but he, Mr. Hobbs, however, declined to attend,
ground of a pre-engagement. Had known both
years, and had been in the habit of engaging thenr when
had occasion. Had not engaged Mr. Atkins since enthhaet
time.
Mr. WOOLRYCFI then addressed the jury for the de
fendant ; he said, that if the defendant had acted with
the malignancy imputed to him, he would deserve the strong
epithets which had been applied to him, but he had done no-
thing except what any person in his situation would have
done. The facts were these—that so far from the defendant
being under any obligation to the plaintiff, it was the re-
verse—that the defendant had accepted many accommoda-

tion bills for the plaintiff, which ought to have been taken up
by him, but which the defendant had been obliged to pay,
and an action had been- tried, and a verdict-
The SECONDARY said he could not hear statements which,
if evidence to support was called, he was bound to reject.
The Learned Counsel could not go into detail, but might
show that there was a ground for ill-feeling. He, however,
could not go into evidence to justify the words imputing
robbery to the plaintiff, as there was no plea of justification
on the record.

Mr. WOOLRYCH then proceeded, and urged that the let-
ters from Mr. Hobler were written in such a tone that it was
quite impossible for the defendant to admit the assertions that
he had made " most wicked and unfounded aspersions on his
(Mt. Atkins's) character." Indeed, the bitter censure in the
letter was almost libellous. He begged the jury to well weigh
the circumstances before they gave heavy 'damages, and to
pine the fair interpretation on the words, and not construe
them to apply in the ordinary meaning of the words—not as
charging a legal robbery, but a moral fraud.
Mr. NYILKINS replied. . _

The SECONDARY summed up. The plaintiff's conduct in
writing for an apology had been most proper and gentle-
manly—he had received an injury, and no apology or atone-
ment had been made, therefore the jury would give damages,
but not excessive or vindictive.

The jury consulted twenty minutes, and gave a verdict—
Damages, 251.

THE LATE. MURDER AT
GREENWICH.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.

Martha Brixy, aged 18, charged with the wilful murder
of Robert Barry Ffinch, aged ten months, the son of Mr.
Flinch, a solicitor, of Greenwich, was arraigned, and pleaded
"Not Guilty" to the charge in a feeble voice.
She was then removed, and on the arrival of Lord
Denman, Mr. Baron Alderson, and Mr. Justice Coltman,
who were accompanied by the Lord Mayor, and the Sheriffs,
she was again placed at the bar.
She is a dark good-looking girl, with nothing in her
appearaace to denote that she was influenced by violent
passions, or that she was labouring under that most
distressing of all maladies—insanity. On being placed in the
dock she burst into tears, and was placed in a chair by the
attendants. During the address of the Counsel for the pro-
secution hhe hung down her head, kept her hankerchief to
her mouth, and rocked herself to and fro.

The court was not so crowded as during the trial of
Connor yesterday. There were several respectably-dressed
females present.

Mr. Bodkin and Mr. Wyld appeared for the prosecution,
and Mr. Clarkson for the prisoner.
Mr. BODKIN then stated the case to the jury, and pointed'
out several peculiarities on the part of the prisoner, which,
he said, denoted insanity, or that at the time she committed
thb murder she was not responsible for her actions. They
would, therefore, have to consider whether she was account-
able for actions at the time she destroyed the life of the child
or not. The Learned Counsel the called the following wit-
nesses :

Mr. Ffinch, the father of the infant, said—On the 20th
of August the deceased was born. On the 4th of May I was
in my drawing-room with my wife and Mr. Traill. It was
about 10 in the morning. The prisoner entered the room in
an excited state, and said, " Oh ! what have. I done ; will
you forgive me." We all rose. She said, " Oh, Sir, lam a
murderer. I have cut the baby's throat." I ran from the
room, and proceeded to the nursery. I there saw the child
in the cot, with his head very nearly off. I saw an ordinary
table knife lying across the child, which I saw was dead. I
left the room, and on the landing I met Mr. Traill. I told
him what had happened. I went down stairs, and shortly
after I saw the prisoner in what is called my room. She there
begged my forgiveness, and said, " Oh, what will become ofme."
I said, "You wretch, you have murdered my poor child
which never could have done you any injury. You will be
hanged, that's what will become of you., 'I pushed her from
me, and she fell down on her knees and prayed God to for-
give her. A policeman was called, and she was given into
his charge. She said, "Oh, Sir, let me stop to change my
boots." I said there was no necessity for that; but they
were brought by one of the servants, and she was taken away.
She was kind to the children in every respect.
By Mr. Cr-inicsox—Her general conduct was kind. I had
noticed that she was dull and restless, and unwell. Mrs. Ffinch
had applied to a medical gentleman respecting her. Her
mother had been sent for in consequence of committing that
crime. She said she wished to leave her situation, and after-
wards prayed that she might be allowed to stay. She had
mourning with others on account of the death of my father.
Her mother was at my house on the Ist of May. Ido not
know if she ever complained of her head. I had seen her in
the nursery that morning with the child in her arms, about
a quarter before nine. The other nurse had the entire care
of the children. I know of nothing that would cause her
to have any enmity to her mistress. She was always treated
with the utmost kindness. She seemed sensible of the kind.
ness she was receiving. I noticed nothing peculiar in her
demeanour towards the child.

By Lord DENmart—She had been three years in my ser-
vice, and the children seemed fond of her.
Mr. Traill, one of the magistrates at Union-hall—l was at
Mr. Fflnch's house on Sunday morning, the 4th of May. I
followed Mr. Ffineh when he left the room, and met him
coming out of the nursery door. I saw the sight was too
horrible for the mother of the child to see, and I went down
to prevent her coming up. I saw the prisoner at the bottom
of the stairs. I took hold of her hands, and held her. She
addressed me by name, and said, " What have I done—what
will become of me; do you think God will forgive me?"
She had used the expressions when she came into the room,
"lam a murderer." The first time she spoke to me I said,
" You poor, miserable wretch ;" but I expressed no opinion.
By Mr. CLarissox—My first impression was, that some
act of carelessness had led to some dreadful accident. Per.
haps that she had let the infant fall out of the window. I
could not say that her conduct was that of a person who had
become conscious by some act she had committed. From the
first time I saw her I thought she was low-spirited.
Mr. John Sutton, residing at Greenwich, grand uncle to
the deceased, surgeon, described the appearance of the child.
The head was nearly severed from its body_
Sarah May—l have been in Mr. Ffinch's service two years
next June. I recollect the Sunday morning. The prisoner
had nursed thechild. She did not very often take him in the
morning, more frequently during the day time. The prisoner
afterwards assisted me in making a bed. She asked me
if I thought Mrs. Ffinch would forgive her, and
allow her to stop. I said, " Martha, Mrs. Ffinch will
not let you stop." She stood in a study, biting her
nails. I went down stairs into the back yard immediately.
She had previously gone into the back nursery where the
infant was. Three elder children were in the said nursery.
I heard a scream. I had not seen the prisoner from the time
I left her till I heard the scream. She was the only person
left up stairs with the exception of the children. She was a
person of kind disposition, and the children were fond of her.
I recollect Mrs. Ffinch going to Dover. On the same morn-
ing she gave the servants mourning. The prisoner was dissatis-
fied with her's, though there was nothing the matter with it.
She was low in spirits, and did not look so well as she used
to do. After Mrs. Ffinch had gone to Dover she took the
body off, and said she would burn it. She put it in the
middle of the flames and pushed it down with a poker. I
told Mrs. Ffinch this when she came back. This
I told the prisoner I would do so. I told Mrs. Ffinch. Mrs.
Ffinch told her that she must be in a great passion to do it,
and she must leave her service. Her mother was sent for.
Mr. and Mrs. Ffinch overlooked this, and she was to stop.
Mrs. Ffinch also said that if she heard anything more about
the dress she should leave. The prisoner seemed desirous
to leave. I recollect the prisoner being sent to fetch the
children from school on the 2d of May. She was gone a long
time and came in with the dress in her hand and said she
had been to the dress-maker's. Mrs. Ffinch said, " You re-
collect, Martha, what 1 said about the dress last night, and,
that if anything more was said about it you should leave.
You must now leave." The prisoner cried. On the Satur
day she asked to be allowed to stay. I heard
her say many times that she would never be
happy again if she left. Mrs. Flinch told her that she had
been to Deptford to see a young woman who was coming to
take her place in the nursery. The prisoner said she was
very sorry indeed, and hoped her mistress would forgive her,
and let her stop. She seemed very comfortable and cheerful,
and indeed I heard her sing on the Saturday afternoon. She
spoke about the young woman coming, and said she did not
like another to come in her place, and that she should stay.
The prisoner had been taking medicine. She had complained
of her head about a month before the occurrence—before Mrs.
Ffinch went to Dover. She said it was a curious sort of
aching pain. She had said she was better. She was very
-much liked in the family.' On the Saturday morning she
spoke about persons being hung. She said, " I need not
make myself so unhappy as I do ; anyone would think I had
committed a murder." I said, " Martha, don't talk in that
way." She asked me if I ever heard of women being hung;
and I said they were hung as well as men. She said she
would rather be hung or transported than put in a mad-
house. She spoke of this herself. The idea of leaving was
uppermost in her mind ; she talked of nothing else.
By Mr. Cr AnxsoN—She had said that Greenwich did not
agree with her, and that her health was lad. She told this
to her mistress. This was about three weeks before the oc-
currence. Her dress fitted very well indeed. She said it
did not feel comfortable, and she would nor wear it. She
wanted for nothing—neither money nor nothing else. 'found
she had pawned the dress, to which she had a new body
made. From the time she was told she was to go, she be-
came unhappy and melancholy.
Elizabeth Middleditcb, housemaid to Mr. Ffinch--Let Mr.
Traill in 10 minutes before 10. I returned to the kitchen.
The prisoner was there. She went into the pantry. I fol-
lowed her. She took a large knife out of the box. I asked
her what she was going to do with it, and she said she was
going to cut a pencil for one of the children. I said a smaller
one would do, and she said it would do to cut the bread and
butter in the afternoon, and took a smaller knife, and took '
them both up stairs. Heard the infant scream. On the same
morning I went into the nursery at a quarter past nine o'clock.
She was washing up the breakfast things. She said, " Oh,
Eliza, I wish I was dead." I said that was a strange wish,
as she was going to stop.
Caroline Matilda Priest, cook to Mr. Ffinch—l have been
four months in his service. I recollect the prisoner coming
into the kitchen. She afterwards had two knives. I saw
her feel the blade of one of them.

Mr. John Burton, surgeon—l was desired to send the
prisoner some medicine on the 31st March. I treated her
for irregularity.
By Mr. CLARK-sox—l have treated young females for a
similar complaint, It affects the constitution, and fre-
quently the head. It causes dullness, moroseness, and fits
of irritability, and great excitement. These fits sometimes
come on suddenly. I have known cases where the mind
has been visibly affected. I did not see her after, but I
had blen constantly consulted by Mrs. Ffinch about her. I
recommended that she should be sent away, because I con-
sidered that such an act of violence as burning her dress
unfitted her for her occupation. I thought it was a prudent
recommendation. She had taken medicine up to the day of
the fatal occurrence.

By Mr. Bonicni—l did not state that she was deranged at
the time.

By Lord DENmeN—But do you think so? Witness—That
is a difficult question to answer.

Police constable 21 R—l was at the station-house when
the prisoner was brought in. She asked me If I thought
God would forgive her? She said that she had not quar-
relled with any of the family, and that there never was a
kinder master or mistress. She asked me if I thought' she
would be sent across the water in chains. She said she wanted
to go, and could not stop there, and asked if I thought Mr.
Ffinch would forgive her in a week. She asked if she
would have to wear the prison dress, and if they would treat
her harshly. If they did, she should not know what to do,
as she had always been treated kindly.
Elizabeth Gerrard had the care of the prisoner at the sta-
ticn-house. She wrote that letter on the following Monday
morning, about nine o'clock :

." sth of May.
gloves, "D ea ranMdarii7l,a—y PuroarlAselmndigmhteyanfoortghievie cmolelarfo,ratnhde
I have done. I remain your sincere friend, a
pairwicked-
ness o f
" MARTHA BRIXEY."
This was the case for the prosecution.
Mr. CLARKSON then rose to address the jury on behalf of
the prisoner. He characterised the case as one of the most
painful which bad ever engaged his attention during a long

professional life. He could not complain of the way in which
his Learned Friend had opened the case,notof the law which
met cases of the distressing kind before them. He referred
at some length to the answers of the law Lords to questions
propounded to them by the House of Lords, respecting the
state of the laws relating to lunatics, to show that no general
rules could be laid down fur the guidanceof juries in arriving
at conclusions in cases of insanity. So great a responsibility
then devolving upon them, it behoved them to be extremely
cautious in returning their verdict. The unsettled disposi-
tion of the prisoner, the irregularity of her system, the pains
in her head, the sudden fits'of passion which came upon her
from trivial causes, all denoted that she was labouring under
insanity, and had been affected with this disease for three
weeks before the murder. Her kindness to the children, and
their love for her, her desire to leave her employment at one
time and to stay at another, also denoted aberration of intellect.
The family doctor had advised her removal, as from her condi-
tion she ought not to be trusted with children ; so that he had
noticed the diseased state of her mind. Let them recollect
the questions she put to one of the witnesses, if women were
ever hanged ?" and, when in custody, if she should be sent
abroad in chains? that she could not stay in the prison,
and must be let out ; and her asking if Mr. Ffinch would
forgive her in a week ; her conduct in the house, and every
circumstance in the case, and then let them say if she was
in a sound state of mind. He concluded by confidently rely-
ing on a verdict of acquittal in behalf of the unhappy prisoner
at the bar.

Lord DENMAN then proceeded to sum up the evidence. He
held that the act was clearly proved against the prisoner,
but they would have to consider whether she was or was not
in a deranged state of mind at the time of its commission.
After pointing out the responsibility of juries, and telling
them that they had to consider the facts of the case as honest
and sensible men, without bias either one way or the other,
and dismissing from their minds all apprehensions, to arrive
at a conclusion warranted by the evidence which they had
heard. He read over the evidence, and commented as be
proceeded on the important points. His Lordship con-
cluded by leaving the case in the hands of the jury, who re-
tired to consider their verdict at halfpast one o'clock.
After an absence of twenty-five minutes the jury returned
into Court with this verdict :—" That from constitutional
and other causes the prisoner, at the time of committing
the act, was not responsible for her actions"—virtually Not
Guilty, on the ground of insanity.
The prisoner, who could scarcely stand whilst the names of
the jury were being called over, was then led from the dock.
During the whole of the trial she never raised her head, and
rocked herself slightly backwards and forwards during the
whole time it lasted.

THE CASE OF MR. MYER-THE LATE ASSAULT
IN THE STRAND.

The Grand Jury this morning ignored the bill in this case.
It will be recollected that Mr. Myer was committed for trial
by Mr. Twyford, for an assault on Mr. M‘Lean, a picture
dealer in the Strand.

Mr. CLARILSON, during the absence of the jury in the
case of Martha Brixey, said Mr. M‘Lean had not presented
himself before the grand jury to support his prosecution
against Mr. Myer. He wished to state publicly that Mr.
Myer was not a party to Mr. M'Lean's absence.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
(YESTERDAY.)
BOW-STREET.

At a few minutes to five on Thursday, as the Magistrate was
preparing to leave the Court, a middle-aged gentleman was
brought in, charged by the steward of the Free-trade Ba-
zaar, at Covent-garden Theatre, with uttering a counterfeit
sovereign. The accused declined giving his name.
Mr. Burnaby—Am I to put you down as a person refusing
to give your name ? Defendant—My only object in refusing
is, the utter absurdity of the charge, which will be found so
on inquiry.
Mr. TIVIFORD—WeII, if you are innocent, you can have
no motive for concealing your name.
Defendant—lf lam compelled to give it, of course I will
do so.

Mr. TWYFORD—Why, bless me, I know your voice,
surely, although I cannot recollect your name. Are you not
personally known to me? I don't mean in my capacity
here, but in private? Defendant—Yes, Sir, we have met
before.

Mr. TWYFORD—Dear me, I thought so. You must be
the person I mean. There can be no reason for withholding
your name.

- Defendant—My name is White.
Mr. TwyFonD—To be awe it is. I know this gentleman
perfectly well. lam the habit of meeting him in private so-
ciety every week. He is an intimate friend of mine, and I
cannot conceive it possible that he is guilty of any such act
as that imputed to him. However, it is my duty to go on
with the case of course.

Mr. W. F. James, of 15, Bridge-street, Blackfriars, one of
the stewards of the Bazaar, here observed, that without
knowing anything of the accused, he felt it his duty to have
the case investigated. The gentleman was certainly in a very
awkward position.
Mr. TWYFORD—Oh, certainly, you are quite right in press-
ing the charge, and I must go through with it in the ordi-
nary way, and even with greater attention, after what I have
heard stated respecting the defendant.
The defendant—No one can be more anxious than myself
that the matter should be examined.
Mr. James then stated that he was officiating as one of the
managers at the Bazaar, when applied to by the Rev. T.
Witcherly, another steward, whose statement relative to the
defendant induced him to give him into custody on the charge
entered upon the sheet.
Mr. T. E. Wicherley said he was a dissenting minister,
from the country, but at present residing at 59, Frederick-
street, Borough-road. He deposed as follows :—I was acting
as one of the stewards, near a perfumery stall, en the stage
this afternoon, when the person at the bar came and pur-
chased a box of perfumery, price 35., tendering in payment a
coin which I supposed to be a sovereign, and for which
change in silver was given. I handed the coin to Mr. Gads-
ley, who, returning it immediately, said it was a light pne.
I took it and showed it to the gentleman, upon which he
pulled out his purse and gave me a good one, remarking at
the same time, that he had ten of the imitation ones in the
other end of his purse, and that it was a mistake. He then
purchased another article of the same kind, for which he paid
39. in silver, and was afterwards taken into custody by the
direction of last witness.

A constable of the detective force deposed to having taken
the defendant, in whose pocket he found a purse containing
nine false sovereigns at one end, and 51. 10s. in gold at the
other.

Mr. TwTroaD—Have you any evidence to show that this
gentleman is a reputed hand at this sort of thing ? The
officer, as well as the stewards, stated that they had never
seen him before.

Mr. TwYFonb—Then there is nothing in the case that I
can take notice of. But, Mr. White, you can explain the
affair if you like, and in your own way.
Mr. Witcherley—l assure your Worship, that if the gen-
tleman does not deserve suspicion, no one will rejoice more
than myself in his honourable acquittal.
Mr. Twyronb—lf I had not known the gentleman I should
have treated the case precisely in the same manner. It
would have been better if I had not known him.
The defendant—l wish, Sir, you had not, for lam certain
you would have seen that I bad no wrong intention. Those
imitation sovereigns I have had in my purse for three or four
years. They were quite bright when I first had them, and I
have often shown them to my friends. I bought them of a
man; and gave something like sixpence a dozen for them I
believe. I have also in another purse in my pocket two dia-
mond rings, and two 101. notes, besides other things. I ten-
dered the coin produced quite by mistake, it being a gloomy
part of the theatre, and when it was asked who had given
that sovereign, I replied in a loud voice that I had, at the
same time stating that I had others in my pocket. So that
there was no attempt at evasion made by me, and when I
was apprised of the error, I immediately offered a good
sovereign.
Mr. TWYFORD—I have known this gentleman a long time,
and shall dine with him, in all probability, to-day, and with
several of his friends.

Mr. Witcherley—l hope your Worship will not deem it
improper in me to bring this case before you?
Mr. TWYFORD—Oh, no, not at all. I should have acted
so myself. I can only say that, knowing Mr. White, he is
the very last person I should have thought capable of buying
such trumpery as that which has got him into this un-
pleasant position. However, unless I could believe, from the
evidence given, that Mr. White had been in the habit of.
uttering base coin, I could not detain him on this charge.
If he had been guilty of such acts before, to our knowledge,
it would have been my duty to remand him to Monday, in
the usual way, in order that the case might come into the
hands of the solicitor for the Mint, who, whenever the party
is recognised by him as an old offender, undertakes to pro •
secute him. 'So that, if Mr. White was actually guilty of
one uttering, in the absence of any proof of previous guilt, I
should be bound, as I am now bound, to discharge him ; and
I do so without being influenced by any acquaintance with
him, and my conviction that he could not have intended to
commit a felony. I think you said, Mr. White, that you had
another purse containing other money.
Defendant—Yes, Sir (producing it). You are liberty to ex-
amine it.
. Mr. TWYFORD—Let the officer examine it. _

The constable took out the contents, which were, as Mr.
White had mentioned, two 101. notes, and two diamond
rin
Mr. James here stepped forward to examine the rings, and
asked if he might be allowed to detain the false sovereign.
Defendant—l have no objection to that whatever.
Mr. James then asked if the gentleman would have the
goodness to leave his address.
Thd defendant asked if it was necessary ?
Mr. TWYFORD—YOU cannot have any objection to it,
surely.
The defendant said it was " No. 8, Regent-street." He de-
clined to mention his profession, and the stewards stated that
they did not require that.
Mr. Witcherley, Mr. James, and the defendant then ex-
changed personal assurances of the absence of any ill-feeling
towards each other. The former shook hands with Mr.
White, remarking, at the same time, that if any other similar
coins were found in the treasury, he might hear of. the sub-
ject. The defendant assured them that they would find him
at his residence.

➢lr. TWYFOIW confirmed the statement, and then the
parties separated, ➢lr. White slipping out of the prisoner's
box on to the bench.

WANDSWORTH.
SCANDALOUS ASSAULT ON A CIIILD BY A GENTLEMAN IN
WANDSWORTH FAIR.—The Court and its avenues were
crowded, in consequence of its having become known that
an elderly gentleman had been taken into custody in the fair
on the previous evening, on a charge of indecently assaulting
a little girl, only ten years of age.
Immediately on Mr. CLINE'S arrival, the accused was
placed in the dock. He is a tall military-looking man,
about 60 years of age; he wore a military cloak, and gave
his name and address, Charles Bell, 13, Parliament-street,
gentleman. Both name and address are said to be fictitious,
and it is generally believed that he is an officer of considerable
rank, on half-pay.
The complainant in the case is a pretty-looking girl,
turned ten years of age. Her name is Eliza Willis, the
daughter of a bargeman of that name, living in Spencer's •
court, Waterside, Wandsworth. It appeared from her
evidence, corroborated and materially strengthened by nume-
rous other witnesses, that on Wednesday evening, between
five and six o'clock, the complainant was playing
with her
sister and brother, in the fair field, and was in the act of run-
ning after them, when the prisoner seized her hand and asked
her if she should like to go into a show. She said she had
been in one on the previous night, and didn't care about seeing
any more. The prisoner, however, pulled the child up the
steps of " Tanner's Mechanical Exhibition," and whilst stand-
ing on the platform, he wasobserved by Maria Warlters, one
of the perfiewiers, to act very indecently with the child, and
Elizabeth Tanner, the daughter of the proprietor of the exhi-
bition, had her suspicions so much aroused, that she desired
her mother, who took the money, to ask him if it was his
little girl. Upon this he. hummed and hesitated, and then
said, " It is fair time, it is all right." With some reluctance
Mrs. Tanner admitted the prisoner into the show. He was,
however, watched by the proprietor, his family, and servants,
and seen to take the child on his lap, kiss her several times, and
after drawing his cloak around her, proceed to take most die.
gusting liberties. The child was then snatched out of his arms
by, the man who beat the drum, but not without some
resistance and stormy language on the part of the prisoner.
The proprietor of the exhibition sent for a policeman, and
gave the prisoner into custody. The prisoner's conduct was

witnessed also by several persons who had paid to see the !,
performances.'
Mr. CUVE asked the prisoner if he wished to put any ques-
tion to the child or any of the witnesses 2—The prisoner re-
plied in the negative.
Mr. CLIVE then called upon him for his defence, reminding
him that he was not obliged to make any statement.
The prisoner, in a tremulous tone, said, I should like to
say a few words, but I have no desire to question the child
or witnesses, as they have given their evidence fairly, and
with very little exaggeration. lam at present so over-
whelmed with shame and confusion, at my egregious folic,
that I scarce know what to say. lam a perfect stranger to
this place. I wandered from London to the fair, and, seeing
this little thing, I asked her to go into a show. I was de-.
sirous that she should see everything that was to be seen,
and took her on my lap.
Mr. CLIVE—I shall send this case for trial.

Prisoner—l implore you to dispose of it summarily. You
know not what I am suffering in my mind, and what I have
suffered in that horrid cell all night. • Do not send me for
trial. I will cheerfully undergo whatever punishment you may
be disposed to inflict.
Mr. CLIVE—I have no alternative. It must go for trial.
Prisoner—l have been indiscreet, but deny that I had any
improper motives. If I had, a public booth was not the place
in which to commit such an act. Indeed, I had no such
thought, so help me God !
The child here said that the prisoner wanted her to go to
Westminster with him.

Mr. CLIVE asked the prisoner if any one was present who
was acquainted with him/

Prisoner—l have sent for no one. I had hoped you would
deal with the case summarily. My character up to this mo-
ment is unimpeached and unimpeachable. If lam sent to
prisoner I shall go mad. Some minds are keenly sensitive
to suffering; and mine is one of that nature. lam nearly
sixty years of ago. lam a soldier, and have seen service in
the four quarters of the globe, and never till now have I
stood charged before a magistrate. lam willing to recom-
pense the parents of the child to any amount. Do dispose of
it summarily, I implore—l entreat of you.
Mr. CLIVE—I cannot ; I shall send this case to the ses-
sions, and shall commit you for the misdemeanour, but will
accent of bail, with twenty-four hours' notice.
Prisoner—lf you will permit me to go to Westminster I
will get any amount of bail you require.
Mr. CLIVE—I cannot allow you to do so ; you must re-
main in custody until you find two approved sureties of
)5/. each.

The prisoner was then removed in custody, and in the course
of the afternoon he dispatched a messenger to procure bail.

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE.
DOWNING-STREET, MAY 10, 1845.
The- Queen has been pleased to appoint William Arrindell.
Esq., to be her Majesty's Attorney-General for the colony of
British Guiana.

Her Idajesty has also been pleased to appoint E. F. Wylde,
Esq., to be Clark of the Peace at 'Worcester, in the settlement
of the Cape of Good

WAR-OFFICE, MAY 16.
Ist Dragoon Guards—Captain J. Crofts, from the 7th
Dragoon Guards, to be Captain, vice Jackson, who ex-
changes, May 16.
7th Dragoon Guards—Captain G. W. C. Jackson, from
the Ist Dragoon Guards, to be Captain, vice Crofts, who ex.
changes, Mayl6.
2d Dragoons—Cornet H. S. Scobell to be Lieutenant, by
purchase, vice Batnett, who retires ; D. C. R. C. Buchanan,
Gent., to be Cornet, vice Scobell, May 16.
3dLight Dragoons—Major R. B. tawards, froni.half-pay
Unattached, to be Major, vice Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel
G. A. Malcolm, who exchanges ; Captain C. W.
M. Balders to be Major, by purchase, vice Edwards, who
retires; Lieutenant W. E. F. Barnes to be Captain, by pur-
chase, vice Balders; Cornet J. G. A. Burton to be Lieute-
nant, by purchase, vice Barnes; C. R. Colt, Gent., to be
Cordet, by purchase, vice Burton, May 16.
7th Light Dragoons—Lieutenant C. H. Wyndham to be
Captain, by purchase, vice Lord Alfred Paget, promoted;
Cornet J. M. Hagart to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice
Wyndham ; E. H. Cooper, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase,
vice Hagart, May 16.
14th Light Dragoons—Brevet Lieut.-Colonel E. Harvey to
be Lieut.-Colonel, without purchase, vice Townsend, de-
ceased, April 23; Brevet Lieut.-Colonel T. JoHes, from
half-pay of the 21st Light Dragoons, to be Major, vice
Harvey ; Captain W. H. Archer, to be Major, by
purchase, vice Jones, who retires; Lieutenant J. H. God-
dard to be Captain, by purchase, vice Archer; Cornet R. J.
Brown to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Goddard ; W.
English, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Brown,
May 16.
Ist or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards—Lieut. and
Capt. J. H. Hudson to be Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel,
by purchase, vice the Hon. C. J. F. Stanley, who retires ;
Ensign and Lieut. the Hon. M. West to be Lieutenant and
Captain, by purchase, vice Hudson ; A. H. L. Fox, Gent.,
to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice West,
May 16.
12th Foot—Ensign F. Brydon, from 3d West India Regi-
ment, to be Ensign, vice Maitland, who retires, May 16.
15th Foot—Lieutenant A. R. Sewell to be Adjutant, vice
Hay, promoted, May 16.
46th Foot—Brevet Colonel F. Le Blanc, from half-pay
Unattached, to be Lieut.-Colonel, vice A. Clarke, who ex-
changes; Brevet Lieut.-Colonel R. Garrett, to be Lieut-
Colonel, by purchase, vice Le Blanc, who retires ; Captain R.
Campbell, to be Major, by purchase, vice Garrett; Lieut.-
D. Fyffe to be Captain, by purchase, vice Campbell ; Ensign
B. Menzies, to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Fyffe;
F. Dallas, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchse, vice Menzies,
May 16.

49th Foot—W. W. Maitland, Gent., to be Ensign, by pur-
chase, vice M'Dermott, who retires, May 16.
67th Foot—Ensign F. R. Taylor to be Lieutenant, without
purchase, vice Jones, who retires ; F. W. Breedon, Gent., to
be Ensign, by purchase, vice Taylor, May 16.
77th Foot—Lieut. B. W. A. Sleigh, from the 2d West
India Regiment,, to be Lieutenant, vice .Dumaresq, who ex-
changes, May 16.
Ist West India Regiment—F. Miller, Gent., to be Ensign,
without purchase, vice Hills, promoted in the 3d. West India
Regiment, May 16.
2d West India Regiment—Lieut. C. T. Dumaresq, from
the 77th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Sleigh, who exchanges,
May 16.
3d West India Regiment—C. F. Amiel, Gent., to be En-
sign, by purchase, vice Brydon, appointed to the 12th Foot,
May 16.
Li NATTACHED.—Captain Lord A. Paget, from the 7th Light
Dragoons, to be Major, by purchase, May 16.
ME3IOIANDUM.—Brevet Lieut.-Colonel T. C. Kirby has
been permitted to retire from the Army, with the sale of an
Unattached Majority, he being about to become a settler in
Nova Scotia, from May 16, 1845.
The Christian names of Captaini Trevelyan, of the 60th
Feot, are " James Haringtbn,' not " Harrington," as pre-
viously stated.
Commissions by. the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire.
J. G. Marshall, Esq:, to be Deputy Lieutenant, April 11 ;
11. Hoghton, Esq., to be ditto, April 12 ; C. H. L. W. Stan-
dish, Esq., to be ditto, April 13.
Commissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Durham.
Sir W. Eden, Bart., to be Deputy Lieutenant; F. Mil,
bank, Esq., to be ditto, May 3.
Commissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex.
The Hon. C. C. Neville to be Deputy Lieutenant; J. C.
Whiteman, Esq., to be ditto; R. W. H. Dare, Esq., to be
ditto, May 6.
WHITEHALL, MARCH 26.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Frederick Potts, of the
city of Chester, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the
High Court of Chancery.
WHITEHALL, MAY 3.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Edward Corser, of
Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, Gent., to be a
Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery.
BANKRUPTCIES SUPERSEDED..

Frederic Lindsay Cole, wine merchant, Fenchurch-street,
City. _ _

Absolom Francis, ironfounder, Halkin, Flintshire.
BANKRUPTS.

James Richards, plumber, Deptford• bridge, to surrender
May 30, at half-past twelve, and June 27, at twelve, at
the Court of Bankruptcy. Alsager, official assignee, Birchin-
lane ; Burn, Great Carter-lane, Doctors'-commons.

Frederic 'Lindsay Cole, wine merchant, Fenchurch• street,
June 5,-at twelve, and June 27, at one, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-street ;
Goddard, Wood-street, Cheapside.
John Lamprey, money scrivener, Warwick, May 30 and
June 24, at half-past ten, at the Birmingham District Court.
Valpy, official assignee, Birmingham ; Morris and Walling-
ton, Warwick ; Harrison and Smith, Birmingham.
James Livingston and Thomas Brittain, plumbers, Man-
chester, May 30, at eleven, and June 20, at twelve, at the
Manchester District COurt. Hobson, official assignee, Man-
chester ; Kelsall, Chester ; Goulden, Manchester ; Milne,
Parry, Milne, and Morris, Temple, London.
William Summers aad Nicholas Rae, rope-makers, Strange-
mays, June 4, and July 1, at twelve, at the Manchester Dis-
trict Court. Stanway, official assignee, Manchester; Makin-
son, Manchester; Gregory, Faulkner, Gregory, and Bour-
dillon, Bedford-row, London.
Edward Lawton and Thomas Kay, iron founders, Roch-
dale, Lancashire, June 2,. and June 30, at twelve, at the
Manchester District Court. Fraser, official assignee ; May-
hew and Son, Carey-street, Lincoln's-inn ; Halsall, Mid-
dleton, Lancashire. _

William Russell, James Knowles, and Henry Simister,
dyers, Salford, May 24, and June 19, at eleven, at the
Manchester District Court. Pott, official assignee; Vincent
and Sherwood, Temple ; Todd, Manchester.

PRICE' OF SUGAR.
The Average Price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, for the
week ending, May 13, 1845, is 28s. 101 d. per cwt., exclusive
of the Duties of Customs paid or payable thereon on the im-
portation thereof into Great Britain.
Dividonds, he., in our next.

BANK OF ENGLAND.
(From last Night's Gazette.)
An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria,
cap. 32, for the Week eading on Saturday, the 10th day of
May, 1845.

ISSUE DEPARTMENT.
Notes issued ...... 29,222,935 Government debt 11,015,100
Other securities 2,984,900
Gold coin and bul-
lion 13,124,113
Silver bullion, 2,098,822

£29,222,935
M.
Dated the 15th day of May,

£29,222,935
►IARSHALL, Chief Cashier.
1845.

BANKING DI
Proprietors' capitall4s3,ooo
Rest
Public deposits (in-
cluding Exche- '
quer, Savings-
banks, Commis-
-sioners of National
Debt, and divi-

PARTNENT.

Government seen-
. rities (including
Dead Weight
Annuity)
Other securities 10,104,644
Notes 8,140,050
Gold and silver
coin 638,751

Bend' accounts) 3,391,477
Other deposits...' _10,065,486
Seven day and other
bills

£32,300,411

M. MAI
Dated the 15th day of May,

X 32,300,411
.SHALL, Chief Cashier.
1845.

MADAME ANNA THILLON.—We are authorsed to
state that the indisposition under which Madame Anna
Thillon is labouring is laryngeal irritation (not bronchial), as
stated in the Morning Post of yesterday. This irritation has
been brought on by over-exertion in preparing herself for
the new opera; and, from present appearances, it is not likely
she will be in a state to appear before the publicfor some days
to come. •

A SAILOR'S PRE-PAYMENT.—A Sunderland ship-
owner received a letter from his skipper in London, with a
penny-piece enclosed to pay the postage 'He was, however,
charged fourpence freight; and he has written to instruct his
clever captain, the next time he writes, to "lash" his penny
on the outside of the letter, with a note to the Postmaster
to pocket it for his trouble.