The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-10 00:00:00

ABDUCTION AND SUICIDE.

STRETTON- UPON-D UNSMORE. —ln the spring of the
present year we gave an account of the abduction of
a young lady, named Jane Page, from the boarding-
school of Miss Kimberley, at Warwick, and the sub-
sequent apprehension of the parties at an hotel in the
Isle of Man. The young lady, who is the daughter
of a highly respectable farmer at Stretton, was only
about thirteen years of age ; while George Gardner,
the young man with whom she decamped, was some
years above twenty, and like the girl whom he en-
ticed from sclayl, was also most respectably connected.
On their return from the Isle of Man, Gardner,
after a lengthened examination, was committed to
take his trial for the felony at the last Warwick
Spring Assizes, but in consequence of the intimacy
which had existed between the families, and from
other causes, a compromise was effected, Gardner
pleaded " Guilty," and the Judge passed upon him a
mere nominal punishment. He was ordered to enter
into his own recognisance in the sum ofsoo/. towards
Mr. Page and his family. Nothing more was heard
of Gardner by the public until the latter end of last
week, when it suddenly transpired that he had poi-
soned himself in the house of Mr. Page, during that
gentleman's absence.
The following evidence, taken before Mr. W. H.
Seymour, Coroner, of Coventry, at the Royal Oak,
Dunmore, will explain the strange circumstances
under which his death took place :
Miss Jane Page (aged 13) deposed that she had
known the prisoner about three years ; that he had
been away for some time past, in consequence of the
result of an investigation some time ago, owing
to his having decoyed her away from school.
About one o'clock on Wednesday morning last
he contrived, by means of a hurdle, to effect
an entrance into the bedroom of witness and
her sister. He seemed dull, and after remain-
ing there some time, during which he spoke
very little, he went into an adjoining room. About 8
o'clock, Mr. Page (her father) left home to go to
Southam fair, and witness then informed her mother
of deceased's being in the house, and about nine
o'clock witness took him tip stairs some coffee and
toast ; on going up stairs, about half-an-hour after-
wards, witness observed deceased had not finished his
coffee, and smelling something strong and different
from the flavour of coffee, she asked him what it
was, and he said " Nothing." She left deceased,
but soon afterwards went up again; perceived
then that he had not
,partaken of his toast,
and saw a small bottle lying on the table empty. He
made no reply to her inquiries a+ to what the bottle
contained, but appeared to roll his eyes about, and
staggered. Witness advised him to go to bed, and he
did so. She went up to him again about twelve o'clock,
when he was lying on the bed on his back, with his
mouth open, and his eyes shut, hut sometimes snored.
She called up her mother, and then told her of the
extraordinary smell she had noticed when he was
taking his coffee. Previous to his going to bed
he had washed and shaved himself. Before he laid
down he said he should like to die on the bed. No
one could have gone up stairs to the deceased without
witness seeing, though her mother might have
gone up, for they were busy washing that day. Her
mother was much shocked, and proposed sending for
Mrs. Quinney, a nurse in the village, but did not
send for a surgeon, being afraid, because her father
was not at home. Mrs. Quinney, witness, and her
mother put the hurdle under the bed, deceased
haying pulled it into the room with him. Mrs.
Quinney washed his face, and was then sent for
away. Witness remained in the room with the de-
ceased all day, leaving him only occasionally, and in
the afternoon tried to administer to him some milk,
white of egg, and water, according to Mrs. Quin-
ney's recommendation, but he could not take it. In
the course of the morning deceased told witness that
he came from the Rugby station, and walked; she
told him she wished he had not come, as it -would
cause some unpleasantness with her father, and this
was the reason why she had not told hea father of his
being in the house. She also knew he was bound in
recognisances of 5001. not to disturb the family again.
He died while witness was gone to fetch Mrs. Qum-.
ney a second time, between six and seven o'clock in
the evening, just at which time her father returned
from Southam fair.

Miss Elizabeth Page corroborated her sister's evi-
dence as to the appearance of the deceased in their
bed-room.

Mrs. Page deposed, that when apprised of Gardner
being in the house, after her husband had gone out,
she went up stairs, and asked how he could think of
coming there. He replied he did not know what pos-
sessed him. He said he had but one eighteen pence
in the world ; that he had-been to America, and could
not get work anywhere. Witness went up stairs
again after deceased had finished his coffee, when he
asked for a razor to shave with. Witness left the
room, and forgot to give him one. Did not at that
time see any phial or smell any particular smell ;
and deceased appeared as well and as rational as
usual. No laudanum, opium, or drugs of any kind
were kept in the house. Witness then spoke of the
appearance of the deceased as before described, when
helay on the bed, about the middle of the day, and
explained why she did not send for a medical man.
The phial now produced she had never seen before,
but certainly did smell something in the room when
called up like that now proceeding from the bottle.
When her husband came home she informed him that
Gardner lay dead in the house. Saw deceased after
he had washed and shaved; he then looked pale. He
had not written to say that he was coming, nor did
witness know that he was in England. Witness
could not say, that she had never heard the deceased
declare that he would die in the house. He had not
slept in the room he died in before.
Hannah Quinney stated, that on going to Mr.
Page's, between eleven and twelve o'clock, she found
the deceased lying on the bed, and, she thought, dying.
He could not swallow anything. His face was cold
and clammy, and he appeared to have lost all use of
his hands. Did not smell anything particular in the
room. Advised Mrs. Page to send for a medical man,
but she said she durst not.
Jane Page, on being re-examined, said she took the
teacup and jug down stairs, but did not smell any-
thing particular in them.
Mr. Calvert, surgeon, of Woolston, deposed that on
being called in to deceased he found him lying on the
bed with his clothes on, except his neckerchief. There
was no external mark of violence on the body.
The vessels of the head were full of blood
of a dark colour. Examined the stomach, heart,
and bowels, but in none of these otgans
found sufficient disease to cause death. The sto-
mach contained about half a pint of darkish, thick
fluid, which did not indicate any poison from the
smell. The right side of the heart contained
more blood than usual, and of a more fluid character
than is ofen seen, but witness did not find sufficient
there to cause death. He should, therefore, suppose
that deceased died from a depressed state of the
nerves, which state might be produced from sedative,
poison without leaving any trace of it. He had seen
the small phial produced, and there was no doubt
there had been poison in it. He believed the deceased
died from opium.
The jury found a verdict of" Felo de se ;" and at the
same time declared themselves unanimously of opi-
nion, that the conduct of Mrs. Page towards the de-
ceased during the time he was in a dying state was
most unfeeling and unchristian, and desired the Coro-
' ner to convey to her the strongest censure on her
conduct.
The affair, as might be expected, has created con-
siderable Fail: in the neighbourhood.

Dispatche were sent off yesterday from the Colo-
nial-office to the Governors of Heligoland, St. Helena,
and her Majesty's settlements on the Gold Coast.
TIIE LAST OF TIIE PURKISES.—It is recorded in
the History of England, that the body of King William
Rufus, after that monerch had met his death by an
arrow discharged from the bow of Sir Walter Tyrrel,
wthilst engaged in hunting in the New Forest, was picked
up by a man named Purkis, who placed the corpse of
the King in a cart, and conveyed it to Winchester.
There is one very remarkable circumstance connected
with the Purkises, which is this, viz., that for upwards
of seven hundred and fifty years they have continued
to enjoy uninterrupted possession of the same iden-
tical spot, which amounts to about two acres of ground,
situated near the village of Minstead,
in the New Forest,
contiguous to which the King in question was killed.
From the earliest period of their history- it is
found that
the Purkises were by trade or calling
charcoal burners,
he present time, and which
from father to son up
have connhued to carry Oil
which same business they
thelrs patrimony entire through a
means of preserving h° tfortunately afforded them the
mode of employment
humble estate, is now in his
135) year, and, having outlived all his lonsgsecsosuorrseo(f)ttgheenearbaotli.oens William Purkis,. the present
eignty:seventlip
rela-
tions, is now the last of the ur Ises.
THE EUTERPEON SOCIETT.—A grand concert was
given by the members of this Society on Tuesday even-
ing, at the British and Foreign School-room, Denmark-
terrace, Pentonville. The concert was in two parts ;
the first consisted of selections from the oratario of the
Messiah, and the second of portions of Acis and Galatea,
Alexander's Feast, &c. Mr. W. Blagrove was the leader,
and Mr. Holderness the conductor. The solo parts
were executed by the Misses Tyne, Miss Wells, Mr.
Shoubridge, and Mr. Machin. The chorusses by the
members n ere, on the whole, very creditable. A nume-
rous and respectable company testified their estimation
of the entertainments by repeated plaudits.
HERRING TRADE.—The total quantity caught for
the season is estimated at 90,000 barrels, of which there
have been exported to Ireland 38,997 ; ditto to the Con-
tinent, 33,066. Leaving unshipped 17,936 barrels. The
total number of boats employed here during the season
was 906, and of hands 10,561.—Johno'Groat'sJournaL
MILITARY OUTRAGE.—We understand that the
circumstances connected with the outrage by the officers
of the Slst Regiment, in Templemore Barracks, on an
unoffending gentleman of Roscrea, are reported to the
Horse Guards. We shall refrain, therefore, from fur-
ther allusion to the matter, at present—Tipperary Yin.
dicator.

Wel=
POISONS—THEIR TESTS AND
ANTIDOTES.
At the Royal Polytechnic Institution, on Tuesday,
Dr. Ryan delivered a lecture upon the important subject of
poisons, mineral, vegetable, and animal—and the various
modes of discovering their presence and of counteracting
their effects in an animal body. He observed, that it was
in the highest degree desirable that some knowledge of
poisons, and the signs of their presence, should be pos-
sessed by every person who might be called upon to give
evidence, or deliver judgment, as to the guilt or innocence
of a fellow-subject accused of committing murder by the
most common and insidious means. Having explained,
in a popular manner, and illustrated by simple experi-
ments, the principles of chemical analysis, especially
the formation of precipitates, by the colour of which the
material held in solution is detected, the lecturer chose
arsenic as his first subject, on account of its extensive
use. He exhibited specimens in the solid form, and con-
demned the imprudence of selling, in the public shops,
without any precaution, so deadly a substance, which,
from its colour and appearance, might be mixed, without
detection, in flour, arrow-root, and other innocuous
white powders, from which, when separate, it is dis-
tinguishable only by the weight. There was a means
of rendering arsenic easily distinguishable without im-
pairing its utility in the arts or its efficacy in the de-
struction of vermin. If three or four per cent. of prus-
siate of potass and sulphate of iron be added, when
placed upon chalk, a blue colour will indicate the pre-
sence of arsenic. This we understood him to recommend
as a precaution in the public sale of the drug. But as a
test to discover its presence amongst other substances,
Marsh's test properly applied would discover the five-
thousandth part of it. At considerable length, and by
various beautiful experiments, he pointed out the falla-
cies of the liquid tests, which wore too much relied on,
and often too loosely applied. Zinc and sulphuric acid
both contained arsenic, and unless the chemist were very
careful in applying them he might place the life of an inno-
cent fellow-creature injeopardy. This risk might be avoided
by taking sufficient care to secure the purity of.the tests
themselves. Here he mentioned incidentally that pure
water in passing through lead pipes becomes impregnated
with a powerful poison, the cirbonic acid evolved from
the water combining with the lead to form carbonate of
lead. This combination does not so readily take place
when the water is impure, encrustations forming on the
surface of the pipes and preventing the contact of the
water with the lead. Dr. Ryan then illustrated the falla-
cies to which the hydro sulphuric acid may lead. The
experiment was very interesting, and elicited much ap-
plause. On the table were placed six glasses,
each containing a perfectly colourless fluid.
The first contained an arsenical solution ;
the second antimony in solution, the third .cadmium
metal found in small quantities with zinc), the fourth
tin, the fifth selenium, and the sixth zinc. To each of
those in succession' a few drops of hydro-sulphuric acid
were added, and the effect was such as ought to warn the
inexperienced analyst against giving too positive an
opinion upon the faith of his tests. The acid with the
arsenic produced a bright yellow, the orpiment of the
shops. With the antimony, the compound was nearly
of the same colour, only rather more orange, but easily
mistaken for the former, when not compared with it in
juxta-position, unless the observer have a very exact
memory of colours. The four remainine, compounds
were so nearly of the same colour, that where the
quantities are very small, any of the five might be mistaken
for an arsenical compound, unless by a person ofvery rare
experience and accurate eye. Fatal error in such a case
might be avoided by adding ammonia when the arsenic,
if present in the precipitate. would be re-dissolved. It
would exceed our limits to follow the learned Professor
*rough the details of this highly valuable discourse, but
we will content ourselves with giving his account of the
antidote m st to be relied upon in cases of poisoning by
arsenic. It is the hydrate peroxide of iron, which is
formed by boiling a solution of copperas in nitric acid,
and adding ammonia, when the peroxide is precipitated.
This combines immediately with the arsenious acid in
the stomach, and forms a neutral salt, which is in-
This course of lectures commenced with arsenic, because
that poison is the most easily obtained, and the must
frequently resorted to for the purpose of suicide or do-
mestic murder ; and whilst it is of importance to discover
its actual presence, it is also important to guard against
presuming its discovery where it is not. The next sub-
ject will be that of prussic acid, the antidotes to which
formidable poison are much more accessible than that for
arsenic.

LITERATURE.
NE IV QUARTERLY REVIEW. No. VIII.
Smith and Elder, London, 1844.
There is an elaborate article in the present Number
of this new quarterly periodical on the subject of the
celebrated German author, Werner, whom the -Re-
viewer regards as one of the greatest geniuses that
his country ever produced; and alluding incidentally
to his infidelity, accounts for it by the fact that, for
the last seventy or eighty yeani, free-thinking has in
too many instances possessed itself of ',4erman schools
and universities, and planted the germs of doubt and
unbelief in young minds atAhe season when they
were most open to all e-ifernal influences. In the
course of his criticism, the author gives translations
of .portions of some of Werner's best dramatic poems,
which certainly go far to bear out his assertion that
he was a man of high and rare powers of imagination.
In the notice of a recently published work, entitled
" Revelations of Russia," which has attracted public
attention.in no ordinary degree, the daily press of the
metropolis is taken to task for having lavished so
much flattery on the Emperor Nicholas when he last
visited this country in the spring. We were not aware
that the press was liable to this charge. On the con-
trary, to the best of our recollection, it studiously re-
frained from any obsequious flattery of his Imperial
Majesty ; and merely expressed a wish that English,.
men would receive him with cold and decent respect,
instead -of hooting him from the country. At any
rate, The Sun carefully abstained from paying any
fulsome "compliments to the Czar, for it could not •
forget his tyrannical conduct to the Poles, whom •he
had first goaded into rebellion by the severity of his
government, and then punished for not submitting,
like abject slaves, to their Lard lot; and still less
could it forget his unprincipled attempts to bring
Circa.s.sia under his domination, a country to whose
possession Le has not the shadow of a claim. In the
essay on the " Sate of Portugal," the Reviewer justly
remarks that fie crying evil of that kingdoin.—the
cause which has prevented the development of her
many valuable resources and which has been alone
sufficient to keep her behind other countries, has been
the want of communication between different parts of
the kingdom.. Of the few remaining articles,- the one
which at the present season will be found most accept-
able to the generality of readers is that "On the
Present State of Morocco."

ACTION AGAINST THE PRINCE OF LEININGEN.—
Cowitlerable excitement is at presentcaused at Mayence,
by a trial which is to be brought before the correctional
police in that city, at the opening of their sittings on the
Ist of November. The party inculpated in the affair is
a member of a former reigning family in Germany, is
related to several Royal families, and also closely allied
to the Royal family of England, being the young Prince
of Leining me. In the course of last month, while the
drawbridee of the Rhine was raised for the purpose of
various vessels passing, the-Prince of Leiningen crossed
that river in a boat, and on rending, the wife 0 the toll-
keeper of the drawbridge, who in the absence of her
husband was charged to receive the toile, demanded
sneireiT the Prince, who, according to the established
custom for persons passing the river in a boat„ under
similar circumstances, was entitled to pay it. The
Prince refused, on the ground of not having crossed the
bridge. The trill-keeper's wife insisted on her right of
having the toll, upon which an animated altercation
arose between them, and in the heat of the moment the
young Priem, raised his walking stick and aimed a blow
at the woman, which, unfortunately, fell on her breast,
from the effects of which she fainted. On recovering
slikeinamediately lodged a complaint to the authorities,
and the Prince was arrested the same day, but in the
course of the evenirg was liberated on bail. The Vice.
eldv,.rnor of Mayence, uncle of the Prince, and-Various
members of his faissily, as' well as his friends, have of
fered considerable sums of money to the plaintiff to
fbrego the pr isecution, but the woman has pertinaciously
sewed all and every offer of compromise, and insists on
the Prince being tried for the offence, which causes some
annoyance to the rely ives and friends of the defendant,
the Levis in such cases being rather severe.
INCENDIARY FIRES AT WEST BERGHOLT.-7lt iS
With the most painful regret we have to announce that
the spirit of incendiarism has again manifested itself it
this neighbourhood. About twelve o'clock on Saturday
night last, an outbuilding upon the farm homestead of
Mr. Bradbrook; at West Bergholt, about three miles
from Colchsster, was discovered to be on fire. An alarm
was instantly given throughout the neighbourhood, and
a number of the inhabitants and labourers were soon 01:
the spot, and rendered every assistance; and there being
a plentiful supply of water, the flames were happily got
under before the arrival of the engine from Colchester.
At the ssme instant, a fire was seen at a distance of about
hell- a-mile, which proved to be at the off-hand farm also
occupied by Mr. Bradbrook. A barn was discovered tt
be in flames, which burnt with determined, fury, and
defied the 'exertions of the firemen, and the whole was
consumed. The damage is .estimated about 3001. Mr
Rradbrook is fortunately covered by insurance in the
Essex Equitable office. This is the fourth instance
withiu the last three years of Mr. Bradbrook's propert,
being attacked and consumed in a similar manner. Then
has been no less than nine incendiary fires in that neigh
boUrhood within the same period, and only in one in
stance has the delinquent been discovered and brought
to justice. Mr. Bradbroolt is highly respected as a gooc
. neighbour and kind master. Therefore nothing but the
vilest spirit can have actuated the perpetrator of at
diale.lieal an act.—lpswich Express.
MILITARY SAVINGS BANKS By a return made
during the late session of Parliament it appears that ill
to March last one hundred .and eight military saving:
banks had been established 'under the Act stheand 6tf•
Victoria, c. 71. The total amount deposited by soldier:
to the period mentioned was 15,002/. 19s. 6Ad. ; the
-amount withdrawn was 3031. Os. 50. •, the interes.
allowed 98/. 16s. 3d. ; and the number of depositors wet:
1.840. The officers commanding troops and companie.
are to 'receive the savings, and to apply them in the pub
rie:‘,., e aervice. The interest to be allowed shall be 3/. 15s
~..,4 ' t , 14 Ertoipum of a soldier's deposit in one year tots c
not in the whole. By the Act of last sessioi
Z o eneral savings h,nh the establishments hay,
d--2,opa
g
, I kianged let ay to depositors a suns far below the suit
ee e f -teeiaebe allow to soldiers, and at present it is understoot
.--I`, - VicAlatitericllitirtyation has been made as to military saving:
-.
. --1- 4SikktltA,,

METROPOLITAN POLICE FORCE.

The following instructions and orders have been
issued from time to time to the New Police by the
Home Secretary and the Police Commissioners.
They are in general deserving of praise, and, were
they faithfully obeyed, we should hear fewer com-
plaints against that body. They are taken from
a useful publication, entitled " The Police and Con-
stabulary List" for October, 1844 :
EXTRACTS FROM INSTRUCTIONS.
POLICE CONSTABLE.
Every police constable in the force may hope to rise
by activity, intelligence, and good conduct, to the supe-
rior stations. Ile must make it his study to recommend
himself to notice by a diligent discharge of his duties,
and strict obedience to the commands of his superiors,
recollecting, that he who has been accustomed to submit
to discipline will be considered best qualified to com-

mand.
lie will devote the whole of his 'time and abilities to
the service. He is at all times to appear neat in his per-
son, and correctly dressed in his established uniform ;
his demeanour must always be respectful towards bis

officers.
lie should clearly understand what powers are given
to him by law for the efficient execution of his duties.
For this purpose, he is recommended to read carefully
the instructions given to him respecting the general
du ies of a constable.
On no pretence shall he enter any public-house, except
in the immediate execution of his duty : such a breach
of positive order will not be excused : the publican him-
self is subject to a severe fine fot allowing him to remain
in his house. No liquor of any sort shall be taken from
a publican tvithout paying for it at the time.
If during the tour of his• duty he observes in the
street anything likely to produce danger or public incon-
venience, or anything which seems to him irregular and
offensive, he must report it to the sergeant.
Ile will b? civil and attentive to all persons, of every
rank and class ; insolerlce or .incivility will not be

passed over.
While on duty, he must not enter into conversation
with any one, except on matters relating to his duty. -
lie must be particularly cautious not to interfere idly
or unnecessarily ; when required to act, he will do so
with decision and Maness ; on all occasions he may ex-
pect to receive the fullest support in the proper exercise
of his authority.
lie must remember that there is no qualification more
indispensable to a police-officer than a perfect command
of temper, never suffering himself to be moved in the
ligtitest degree by any language or thereats that may
be used ; if he do his duty in a quiet and determined
manner, such conduct will probably induce well-disposed
by-standers to assist him, should he require it.
In case of a fire taking place, the constable at the spot
will give immediate alarm, by springing his rattle ; be
should, as soon as possible, send information to the divi-
sion station, and, until the arrival of some superior
officer, from whom he may receive further orders, he will
exert himself in any way likely to be most useful, as. in
keeping the space near the spot clear, assisting in remov-
ing property, sending for a police force from the nearest
section residences, giving notice to the fire-offices, en-
gine-keepers, turncocks, &c. No man who is any great
distance from the fire should leave his beat ; as depre-
dators may take advantage of his absence.
For his exertions upon these or any other extraordi-
nary occasions, the commissioners may recommend him
to the Secretary of State for a reward ; but on no pre-
tence shall he receive a gratuity from any person for
anything relating to his duty ; this will always be visited
with immediate dismissal.