The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-26 00:00:00

" ANTONIO PAULINO LIMP() DE A BREN.'

MYSTERIOUS DEATH of an AGED
FEMALE in WESTMINSTER.
-"Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Bedford, the coroner for
Westminster, held an inqeest, of several hours' duration,
at the Crown and Sceptre Tavern, Chapter-street, Vin-
cent-square, Westminster, on view of the body of Sarah
Dozen, aged 63 years, wife of an accountant, living at
31, Douglas-street, in the above neighbourhood, who
met her death, as it was rumoured, by the ill-treatment
of her husband. The body exhibited two wounds in the
left arm, evidently inflicted by a sharp instrument, but
not of recent date, besides which, there were several
bruises in various parts of the body. The first witness
called was
Mary Spivey, who deposed that she was a lodger in
the same house as deceased, who lived with her husband,
and occupied the first floor back. Witness saw her daily,
and she always seemed to enjoy good health. Her hus-
band was a very drunken character, and would often
come home late at night and then quarrel with her. De-
ceased was certainly violent in her temper. About
two o'clock on Tuesday morning last, Dozell
came home to his wife and began quarrelling
with her, but witness did not think he was tipsy
on that occasion. Between seven and eight the same
morning witness again heard a row between them, and
a noise, as if the table had fallen over, which was accom-
panied by the smashing of a quantity of crockery ware.
Shortly after the man went out, and deceased came
down stairs, partially dressed, after him. Deceased was
then so exhausted that she was obliged to be carried up
by one of the lodgers. At ten o'clock witness was called
by a person on the first floor, and went into the de-
ceased's room and found her in a fit. All the breakfast
things were lying about the floor broken, and the table
turned upside down. Witness washed her face with
some vinegar.
By the CORONER—Deceased was not long in a fit,
and upon coming to, requested that a doctor should be
sent for, which was accordingly done, and witness admi-
nistered some brandy and water, as had been ordered
by the medical gentleman. Her son was also called in.
In answer to questions, deceased replied that she had
not been struck, but complained of her neck, saying that
she had injured it by turning her head suddenly on one
side. She also frequently ejaculated, " Oh, lam very
bad, I shall die." Soon after she had taken the brandy
and water she expired.
Mr. George Pierce, surgeon, of' 5, Regent. street,
Westminster, stated that he was called to deceased by
her landlord shortly before eleven on the morning in
question. Witness found deceased in a very exhausted
state, lying upon the ground on a sort of bed covered
with rags. She did not complain of pain anywhere, but
merely said she had injured her neck a little. Witness
examined the part, and found she had the perfect use of
it ; the extremities were cold, and she appeared to be
suffering chiefly from exhaustion, evidently the result of
great excitement. There were not the slightest symp-
toms of paralysis or apoplexy of any kind. Witness then
lea her, having ordered some weak brandy and water.
In a few minutes after he was recalled by the son, say-
ing that deceased was dead. On going to the room, he
saw deceased stretched out upon the floor, and made an
external examination of the body. Theie were direct
marks of violence about the arms, which he (witness)
thought must have been inflicted some days ago. There
were also several bruises and discolorations in' various
parts of the body. There were no appearances of de-
ceased having taken anything of a deleterious character.
Other corroborative evidence of the above was adduced,
showing that deceased's death had been accelerated by
violence.
After a short consultation, the jury confessing their
doubts and ignorance of the cause of deceased's death,
returned the singular and extraordinary verdict of
" Death from natural causes.

THE MILITIA:
The following circular has been addressed by Sir
James Graham to the Lords Lieutenant of the several
counties in Great Britain, in reference to the appoint-
ment of adjutants and the filling up of the other va-
cancies that exist at present among the commissioned
officers of the various regiments of militia:—

" Whitehall, December, 1845.
"My Lord,—l have the honour to inform your Lord-
ship that her Majesty has been graciously pleased to
signify her commands that the permanent staff of the
several regiments, battalions, or corps of the militia of
Great Britain, should be completed to the number pre-
scribed by the Act of the sth and 6th William IV.,
cap. 37.

" A communication has already been addressed by the
Secretary at War to the colonels of regiments of militia,
respecting the sergeant-majors and sergeants, with a
view of supplying any vacancies that may at present
exist, as well as for discharging such of the sergeants as
have been found by the recent inspectors to be totally
unfit for the performance of any duty whatever, and also
conveying to them a suggestion for a prospective dis-
charge of those who, although they have been reported
unfit for duty when the militia shall be in an enrolled
state, are nevertheless competent to the performance of
local duties connected with the billet, enrolment, and
training of that force. It being of considerable import-
ance that the full establishment of officers in the several
regiments of militia should be completed to the extent
prescribed by law, I beg leave to call your Lordship's
attention to this subject, and to suggest that in the event
of there being any vacancies (that of paymaster ex-
cepted) in the regiment of militia in your county, such
vacancies should be filled up before the spring of the
ensuing year.
" I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's
very obedient servant, J. G. GRAHAM.
" Her Majesty's Lieutenant of the county of

NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES.—The total num-
ber of sailors in the United States' navy is 6,100, of whom
about 960 are native•born Americans, the rest being prin-
cipally English, with a few Swedes and Hanseatic& Their
pay is fifteen dollars a month, and two dollars per month
additional, if they don't draw any grog ration. This is fully
equal to three pounds ten shillings per month. Without this
high rate of wages it would be next to impossible for the
Secretary of the Navy to man the ships. The navy of the
United States is very respectable. Taking their navy list, it
appears that they have of all classes of ships, old, rotten, or
3', ten line-of-
on the stocks, on their rivers and lakes, in China and the
bPaatotiltiec,
ships,
grandps,
t3st,oetha.le
frigates
gsaetve
gen seventy-six, s
theix, first-class,
!ell
s,
two of the
second class, twenty-three sloops of war, eight brigs, eight
schooners, eight steamers, together with four store-ships and
brigs ; but it may be safely reckoned that between forty and
fifty of this list are really superior, formidable vessels, and
immediately available for any service or emergency. Five
ships of the line, alongside of which they say, our Victory
looks like a frigate, might be ready for sea in a month, and
about six first-class frigates, rated as forty-fours, but really
more resembling our razee Warspite, which may be.con-
sidered one of the best ships of her class. The Americans
have only one razee, the Independence, fifty-four, a descrip-
tion of ship that hitherto has not been seen in any of our
navy yards, but which we. shall soon have to exhibit in a
few razees now constructing out of some old first-rates that
have not seen much service.
NORFOLK RAILWAY.—FATAL ACCIDENT. --- We
regret to learn that an accident occurred on this line on
Tuesday, which occasioned the death of the engineer, and
will probably prove fatal to the fireman. It appears that
the train which left Norwich for London at half-past eleven,
got off the line near Thetford, owing, as is supposed, to the
great speed at which it was travelling, and the engineer
and fireman were thrown under the engine. The former was
killed on the spot, and the latter had both his thighs and an
arm broken, and now lies at Thetford in a dreadful state of
suffering. Two or three of the carriages were overturned,
but the passengers were not seriously injured.

WEST YORKSHIRE ELECTION.
LEEDS, TUESDAY EVENING.—The free-traders are
setting to work in good earnest to bring Lord Mon-
peth forward as a candidate for the representation of
this riding. The Conservates are not known to be at
all stirring. The following is a copy of a large placard
that has just been posted in this town, and I believe
similar ones have been, or will be to morrow, distri-
buted through the various polling districts into which
the riding is divided
WEST BIDING ELECTION.

"A vacancy having' occurred in the represen'ation of
the riding, owing to the elevation of the Hon. John
Stuart Wortley to the peerage, a requisition is in course
of signature to the Right Hon. Lord Morpeth, inviting
that nobleman to offer himself as a candidate for the
riding. Requisition-sheets will lie for the signature of
West Riding electors at the Leeds Mercury office, Leeds
Times office, and at the Reform Registration-office, 187,
Wellington•street, till Friday noon, 26th inst., at twelve
o'clock. " HASLER STANSFIELD.
Chairman of the Leeds Polling District.
"Leeds, Dec. 23, 1845."

CHRISTMAS-DAY IN THE WORK-
HOUSES.
The following report will be found to detail succinctly
the treatment of the poor, both old and youog, in these
establishments on this anniversary. The entire number
of poor in each workhouse is specified and compared
with the corresponding period last year, and a careful
summary of decrease and increase will be found at the
end of the report.
It is a gratifying fact, that there is a very great de-
crease of pauperism id the metropolis and its suburbs, as
compared with the corresponding period last year.
Sr. MARYLEBONE WORKHOUSE.—Number in the
workhouse this day, 1,950 (last Christmas-day 2,158),
viz., adult males, 487; adult females, 930; boys, 220;
girls, 148; infants, 165. Christmas-day fare to adults,
6oz. of roast beef free from bone, 11b. of potatoes, Ilb.
of plum pudding, one pint of strong porter, loz. of tea,
a quarter of a pound of sugar, with tobacco, snuff, &c.,
in the evening. The children to be fed in a similar man-
ner, but without limitation as to quantity, and in the
evening to be regaled with oranges, apples, sweetmeats,
&c. The inmates of the Marylebone almshouses, pre-
sented by the board of directors under the will of the
late Count Woronzowi will receive similar fare. De-
crease of in door poor; as compared with last year, 208;
number of out-door poor, 4,286 (last year 5,205); de-
crease of out-door poor, 919; total decrease as compared
with last year, 1,127; total number receiving weekly
relief, 6,236.
ST. MA R TIN'S-IN-THE-FlELDS.—lnmates, 711(last year
706), viz., adult males, 173 ; adult females, 357 ; boys,
89 ; girls, 92. Christman-day fare-12 ounces of roast
beef, lb. potatoes, 4 lb. plum-pudding, and a pint of
porter to adults ; half a pint to the children. A similar
allowance on New Year's-day. Out-door poor, 733,
viz., 100 males, 270 females, 363 children ; increase on
in-door poor, as compared with last year, 5.
ST. JAMES'S, WESTMINSTER.—Inmates, 560 (last
year, 578), viz., men, 184 ; women, 341 ; boys, 9 ;
girls, 20 ; infants, 6 ; boys at Mr. Aubm's establish-
ment, Norwood, 40. Out-door permanent poor, 250.
This parish has also a juvenile establishment at Brent
ford, in which there are 101 children. Diet for Christ-
mas-day, 8 ounces of roast beef, 13 ounces of bread, 12
ounces of plum-pudding, 16 ounces of potatoes, a pint
of porter, and a pint bf table ale, for adults ; hildren
fed in proportion. De",crease of in- door poor this year,
as compared with last, 18.
ST. MARY, ISLINGTON.—Average number of inmates,
320 (last year the same number), viz., 100 men, 215
women, and 5 children. The infant establishment at
Edmonton receives children from two to seven years of
age, averaging in number. 60. Children from the age of
seven to sixteen, 55 in.,number, farmed at Mr. Drouet's,
Grove-house, Brixton. There are but few able-bodied
in-door poor, whilst the number of permanent out-door
poor is 420, of which number half are females. Christ-
mas fare, 6 ounces roast ribs of beef, cooked and free
from bone ; 11b. of baked potatoes, 11b. of plum-padding,
1 pint of London porter, and bread as required.
ST. PANCRAS WORKHOUSE.—Inmates, 1,352 (last year

.397). Men, 362 ; women, 652 ;.boys,-.167 ; girls, 17

.
The board of guardians have prohibited those denomi
nated " refractory," from having any extra allowance.
To the other inmates the fare is 6 ounces of roast beef
without bone, 11b. of plum pudding, and 1 pint of porter,
with 1 ounce of tobacco each to the men, and 1 ounce of
tea and 4 ounces of loaf sugar to the females ; children,
4 ounces roast beef, ilh. plum-pudding, and 2d. to each
child. Out-door poor, 2,738 (last year, 3,000), De-
crease of in-door poor; 45 ; of out-door poor, 262. Total
decrease, 307.
ST. MATTHEW, BETHNAL GREEN.-Inmates 604 (cor-
responding week last year, 630), men, 183; women, 259;
boys, 91; girls, 71. Christmas Day fare. Every in-
mate supplied with bread and butter and tea morning
and evening; and roast beef, plum-pudding, and porter
for dinner. Decrease, as compared with the correspond-
ing period last year, 26.
ST. LUKE, CLIELSEA.-(Reply to Application for In-
formation.) On a former occasion, those thankless
" saveall," the bone-grubbing gentlemen of Somerset
House, thought proper to disallow the item for the little
annual festivity of thetpoor, not one farthing of which,
however, have they yet; even attempted to enforce the
repayment of. Notwithstanding the disallowance, the
guardians have again provided the same extra fare as
last year to the inmates of the workhouse, who number
366, viz., adultmales, 129; adult females, 207; children,
33. To the two former classes, each person half a pound
of roast beef of superior quality, half a pound of potatoes,
three-quarters of a pound of plum-pudding, and one pint
of beer. The children, at the master's discretion,
farmed out at Drouet's infant establishment at Tooting
127 children for whom sixpence per head is allowed fo;
extra fare, which is served out ad libitum. Total num-
ber of in-door poor 495. Last year 518, decrease 23.
Number of out-door poor 1,304. Last year 1,359, de-
crease 55. Total decrease 78. Out of the 368 in the
workhouse, 24 are under seven years of age, 25 from
seven to twenty years, 50 from twenty to forty years,
47 from forty to sixty years, 160 from sixty to eighty
years, 25 from eighty to ninety years, 1 ninety-two
years, 1 one hundred years, 16 imbecile, 16 paralytic,
and 3 dumb.
ST. LUKE, MIDDLESEX.-Inmates of workhouse 580
(last Christmas 610) viz.-adults 480, children 100, be-
sides which there are 140 young children farmed out at
establishments at Winchmore-hill and Southgate. Christ-
mas day fare-Substantial !dnner of roast beef ilb., pots-
tos, alb., plum pudding llb., and one pint of strong ale each
person, after which, oranges, apples, and other extras will
be distributed, the authorities (so says the master of the
workhouse) being desirous that the poor shall have a
merry old English Christmas day. Decrease, as com-
pared with last year, 30.
ST. JAMES'S, CLERKENwELL.-Inmates of workhouse
452 (last year no return). Men 147, women 255, boys
24, girls 26. Farmed out at Mr. Aubin's, Norwood,
87 children, 43 boys and 44 girls. Fare Boz. of roast
beef without bone, and baked potatoes ad libitum, 4oz. of
bread, 16oz. of plum pudding, one pint of porter, with
pipes, tobacco, and snuff. To children 60r.. of roast beef,
with baked potatoes, 4oz. of bread, Boz. of pudding, and
half a pint of porter, with apples, oranges, nuts, &c. In
the evening all have tea and sugar, and four days holi-
day allowed.
CITY OF LONDON UNION.-Workhouse for males at
Peckham, females at Stepney, and children farmed out
at Aubin's Asylum, Norwood; inmates, 1,070 (last year
1,177), viz Men, 348; females, 450; chi:dren, 282.
Ceristmas fare, roast beef, plum pudding, and one pint
of beer each. Decrease of in-door poor as compared
with last year, 107; out-door, 2,425, last year, 2,472;
total decrease, 84.
EAST LONDON UNION (Aldersgate Workhouse, for
males only).-Inmates, 200; adult male children, under
16, at Mr. Aubin's establishment, Norwood. Fare
ordered by guardians, 7 oz. roast beef, 11b. baked pots-
toes, llb. of plum pudding, and 1 pint of porter; holi-
days are allowed once a fortnight, or in any other emer-
gency; decrease, 9. Bishopsgate Workhouse (for females
only).-Inmates, 345; (last year, 370). Christmas fare,
roast beef 6 oz., with vegetables, 111, plum pudding, and
1 pint of porter each. Inmates above 60 years of age are
allowed a liberty-day once a fortnight; below 60 years
once in three months, dependent on good behaviour;
total decrease, 34.
WEST LONDON lINzoN.-Inmates, 460 (last year
480); about 130 children at the establishment at Ed-
monton. Christmas fsre, 7 or.. roast beef, 12 oz. of plum
pudding, 12 oz. of potatoes, and 1 pint of porter each ;
decrease, 20.
STRAND UNION, comprising the parishes of St.
Clement Danes, St. Mary-le-Strand, St. Paul, Covent-
garden, St. Ann's, Soho, liberty of the Rolls and pre-
cincts of the Savoy-Inmates of workhouses, 484 (last
year, 582); viz., males, 162; females, 322; children
year,
out at Tooting Christmas fare, 6 oz. boiled leg
of pork, peas pudding, potatoes, 1 pint of porter, 14 oz.
of plum-pudding, men, and 12 oz. women. Decrease, 98.
BRENTFORD UNION-Inmates, 383 (last year, 428) ;
viz., 145 men; 123 women; and 115 children. Christ-
mas- day fare, 8 oz. roast beef, llb of potatoes, llb. of
plum-pudding, 1 pint of ale, and tea to each. Leave of
absence on Boxing day allowed. Number of out door
poor, 1,434. Decrease of in-door poor, 45.
KENSINGTON WORKHOUSE (LATE UNION). - Gross
number (including poor belonging to the parish of Pad-
dington, 76 remaining since the dissolution of the union
until their workhouSe is built), 258 ; viz., males, 92 ;
females, 124; boys, 13 ; girls, 29. Christmas-day fare
not specified, but consists of roast beef, plum pudding,
and porter. The 'girls and boys in the workhouse,
under 4 years of age ; the remainder of children at Mr.
Drouet's, Grove-hcuse, Brixton.
POPLAR tiNioN.-Inmates, 437 (last year 492), viz.,
men, 129; women, 162; children, 136. Fare, roast beef,
potatoes, plum pudding, and porter; amount not speci-
fied. Number of out-door poor 600 (last year 690),
showing a decrease of 55 with respect to in-door poor,
and 90 as regards out-door poor. Total decrease 145.
HACKNEY UNION.-Inmates 401 (last year 424), viz.,
men, 105; women, 187; children, 109. Christmas-day
fare, alb. of roast beef, with mustard and horse-radish,
potatoes, 1 pint of ale, llb. of plum pudding, with bread
and butter at breakfast and tea Decrease 23.
GREENWICH UNION.-Inmates 949 (last year no re-
turn) ; men, 297 ; women, 406 ; boys, 143 ; girls, 123.
Fare to each person above twelve years of age-80z.
roast ribs of beef, 11b. of plum-pudding, 1 pint of Bar-
clay's London porter.; children fed proportionately.
Any of the inmates who express a desire to leave the
house for a few days, are permitted to do so without re-
striction. Nearly 100 have availed themselves of the
privilege, most of whom spend their Christmas with
their friends.
WANDSWORTH AND CLAPHAM UNION.-Inmates 304
(last year 322) ; merit 135 ; women, 122 ; children, 47 ;
children at Mr. Aubin's establishment, Norwood, 68.
Christmas fare to adults, of roast beef, lib. of po-
tatoes, 11b. of plum-pudding, 1 pint of Barclay's porter,
with snuff and tob4pco for the aged. Out-door poor
1,770, of all ages. Decrease of in-door poor, 18.
ST, OLlver, Util.N.-Inmates, 309 (last year 376)-