The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-08 00:00:00

ATTEMPT at MURDER by a BRO-
. THER of LARD AUDLEY.

On Saturday .a.yuwag sago cf gentlemanly-appearance,
who said his name was. Wrn. Rose T.4-audlet. was brought
before Mr. Twyford, at Bow-street, charged with firing a
loaded pistol at Thomas Smith, gun-maker, and pro-
prietor of a shooting-gallery, 288, High Holborn, with
intent to murder him.
The prisoner seemed perfectly composed, and not by
any means conscious of having committed an offence of
such a serious nature.
Alfred Smith, being sworn, said—l am son of Thomas
Smith, gunsmith, and keeper of a shooting gallery, 288,
Holborn. About half-past twelve o'clock the prisoner
entered the gallery, and said he wished to know if he
could have a shot or two with pistols ? The ques-
tion was then put to my father, who replied, " Cer-
tainly," and having loaded a brace of pistols he
put them into the prisoner's hands for the purpose of
shooting at the target. At the second shot he said
the trigger pulled rather hard, and my father told him
he might set the hair-trigger if he liked, but he replied he
did not want them to go exactly so easy, and he Would shoot
with them as they were. On the third shot the prisoner
deliberately turned round while my father was loading
the other pistol, and shot him in the back without ut-
tering a word, but he smiled after he had committed the
deed. My father immediately cried out, " Good God !
I'm shot through the back," and upon my asking the
prisoner what induced him to commit such an act, he
made no reply. I was close by all the time, and after
assisting my father up stairs with some difficulty, on my
return the prisoner said he committed the deed as he was
tired of his life and wanted to be hanged, but he ad-
mitted that he had no animosity against my father. I
recollect that about three months back the prisoner came
to the gallery and had some shots, but nothing particular
occurred on that occasion.
In answer to the Magistrate, the prisoner said he had
no explanation to give, except that he had no
against the man, and he committed the act for the pur-
pose of being hanged.
Mr. TWYFORD—IS there anything particular that
makes you unhappy, ? Prisoner—Nothing whatever.
Mr. TWYFORD—Are you married or single. Prisoner
—I am not a married man.
Mr. TWYFORD—DO you live with your parents ? Pri-
soner—l live alone in lodgings.
Mr. TWYFORD—Have you lately been ill ? Prisoner
—Not at all.
Mr. TWYFORD—What may be your age ? Prisoner
—Twenty-two last April.
Mr. TWYFORD—What are your reasons for acting in
such an extraordinary manner ? Priioner—Oh, there
are a variety of reasons.
Mr. TWYFORD—YOU are aware you have committed
a dreadful act ? Prisoner—Yes, 'tis a dreadful thing.
Mr. TWYFORD—I shall direct you to be taken care of
for some days. Prisoner—Very well.
Mr. Smith's son informed the Court, after the pri
soner was removed from the bar, that his father re-
ceived the contents of the pistol in the small of the back.
and that he was directly removed to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital.
Mr. TwyFonD directed the constable to proceed to the
Hospital, and bring him some account of the wounded
man before the closing of the Court.
After the prisoner was removed from the bar, he was
immediately removed in the van to Clerkenwell Prison.
In the course of the day Lord Audley came to the
Court, evidently much affected at the account he had
received of the prisoner's conduct, and had a long con-
versation with Mr. Twyford. He said he did not con-
sider his brother (the prisoner) was deranged. His
Lordship afterwards had an interview with the prisoner
in a room at the rear of the office.
The policeman who was sent to make inquiries at the
Hospital as to the state of the sufferer, brought' back the
following certificate:—
" I certify that I have this day examined Thomas
Smith, an inmate, of this Hospital, with a pistol-shot
wound in his loins, and I cannot pronounce him out of
danger.

" St. Bartholomew's Hospital, GEORGE
ROYDE,JuIy House-Surgeon.
6, 1844."

From inquiries instituted yesterday, we have a.scer•
tained the following particulars in reference to the me•
lancholy affair. It appears that Mr. William Ross Tuche
has occupied apartments at No. 26, Weymouth-street
Portland-place, during the last eighteen months. Ile
lived a very retired life, generally leaving home after
breakfast, and returning late in the evening. About
eight weeks since Lord Audley came over from Ireland
on a temporary visit, and took up his residence with his
brother in Weymouth-street. Nothing occurred to lead
his Lordship to believe that his brother's mind was
affected until within the last few days, when his manner,
which was invariably reserved, became much more so,
to such an extent, indeed, that it was exceedingly diffi-
cult to obtain an answer 'to any question addressed to
him. On ordinary subjects he occasionally conversed in
his usual manner, manifesting considerable strength of
mind. This appears to have thrown his friends off their
guard, and Lord Audley states that he himself thought
the peculiarity of his brother's manner arose from cir-
cumstances connected with his affairs. On Saturday
morning Mr. Tuchet received a letter which added to the
gloom under which he previously appeared to labour,
and for a considerable period ho became quite abstracted.
At eleven o'clock he left home for the avowed purpose
of taking a walk, having rallied a little at that time,
and, upon going
could execute out, he asked Lord Andle4 if he
any commission for him ? His
Lordship replied in the negative, and the unhappy gen-
tleman left home alone. At four o'clock a policeman
arrived in Weymouth-street to inform Lord Audley of
the melancholy event which had occurred, and to request
his attendance at Bow-street. His Lordship, who was
of course deeply affected at the circumstance, set off in-
stantly, but did not reach the office in time to see his
brother. He, however, had, as above stated, an inter-
view with Mr. Twyford, and then proceeded to Clerken-
well Prison for the purpose- of visiting his unfortunate
brother. Upon being introchiced to his brother, Lord
Audley inquired what brought him to that place, to
which Mr. Tuchet, who appeared quite unmoved at his
position, replied, "I am sure Ido not know." It will
be observed that this observation is altogether at vari-
ance with the answers made to the questions put by the
magistrate during the examination at an earlier period
of the afternoon. Lady Audley, the mother of the un-
fortunate young man, is at present residing with her
daughters at Sandgate, whither information was immedi-
ately forwarded, and the lion. Miss Tuchet arrived in
town last evening. It is said that letters written by the
young man evince decided proofs of aberration of mind ;
but the members of his family had hoped itwas but a tem-
porary affliction which had long since passed away. Mr.
Smith, the object of Mr. Tuchet's attack, is happily
going on well, and great hopes are entertained of a
, favourable termination of his ease.

COMMITMENTS FOR ARSON.--CAMBRIDGESHIRE.—
The following prisoners • have been committed to the
Castle during the week on charges of arson, viz :
Robert Murrell, John Robinson, Samuel Baker, Joseph
Dorrall, and George Fairhead, by J. S. Tharp,
and J. Dobede, Esqrs., charged with having, on the 14th
inst , at Snailwell, unlawfully set fire to a haulm rick,
the property of James Gittus, whereby the said rick,
together --with two barns, three lodges and other pro-
perty adjoining were destroyed. The *above five men
are railway labourers and strangers to the county.—
William Fuller and Robert Munson, of Burwell, la-
bourers, by the same magistrate; charged with having,
on the Bth instant at Burwell, unlawfully set fire to a
certain stack of straw, whereby a barn and other build-
ings adjoining the property of Charles Phillips, gent.,
were destroyed.--Easex Herald.
VISIT OF THE COURT TO THE ISLE or
The negotiations for the purchase of Norris Castle for
the marine residence of the Sovereign are now entirely
broken off, or, at any rate, for the present. The sum
named by the proprietor to the agent of the Commissioners
of Woods and Forests, for the purchase of the mansion
140,0001. The erection of the castle,
and grounds, was
we understand, cost upwards of 180,0004 As Osborne
House, from the extremely confined nature of its accom-
modations, will be totally inadequate for her Majesty to
entertain the King of the French (who is expected to ar-
rive in England upon a visit to the Queen in September
next), the Pavilion at Brighton has been commanded -to
undergo the necessary preparations for the reception of
the Court at that period.—Sunday raper.