The Sun.
London, England, 1842-11-28 00:00:00

BENNETT, THE MURDERER,

GLOUCESTER, SATURDAY.--Few occurrences have
excited a more painful interest in this quarter than
the investigation which terminated in the ec,mmittal
of Frances Bennett from Ruardean, in the Forest of
Dean, to the County Gaol in this city, to await her
trial at the assizes. The circumstances have been
stated, and are shortly these :—Frances Bennett,
after the death of her husband, by whom she had
several children, lived with a man named Yapp, a
hauler, the children by marriage having gone to live
elsewhere. About a month ago Bennett, under the
apprehension that she was about to die, made a dis-
closure to a clergyman, in the presence of several per-
sons, to the effect that she had had six children by
Yapp, but none of them had been allowed to live, she
having suffocated them immediately after birth. She
told where the remains of the bodies would be found.
The latest murder, according to the confession of the
woman, was perpetrated about Christmas last year, and
the spot which she indicated as containing the remains
was found on examination to conceal the most perfect
skeleton of any. The truth of this horrid conkssion
having in this way been placed beyond a doubt,
information was, sent to John Cooke, Esq„ one of
the County Coroners, who instantly proceeded from
Gloucester to Ituardean to institute an investigation.
The witnesses examined on the inquest consisted
chiefly of the persons to whom the woman had made
the confession, including the clergyman who had com-
municated with the Magistrate on the subject, and the
persons who had found the remains of the bodies. In
course .of the examination of the clergyman by the
Coroner, it came out that he had had a second inter-
view with the wretched woman, none being present
but themselves, and that she had made some addi-
tional disclosures. The rev. gentleman, however, on
the ground that what he was told upon this occasion
was mixed up with his " spiritual " duties, refused to
communicate any particulars, although pressed to do
so.by the Coroner. The woman, moreover, began to
deny that she had made any such confession as that
sworn to by the witnesses ; but enough had been
proved to justify the Jury in returning a verdict of
wilful murder against Bennett and her paramour
Yapp. The latter was instantly removed to Glouces-
ter, but the state of Bennett's health was such as to
induce the Coroner to delay the order for her removal
till it could be effected without danger.

On the afternoon of Thursday,-the 17th instant,
the miserable woman arrived at the county gaol in a
fly, attended by Mr. Bird, a medical man. She was
carried up stairs to the hospital, and on being placed
on the bed, she said, " Now I will die happy, She
died early on Friday morning. This day (Saturday)
an inquest was held on the body, before Join). Cooke,
Esq., the Coroner, who conducted the investigation
at Ruardean. Disease had reduced the body to a
perfect skeleton, but the appearance of the features
was more pleasing than otherwise. Mr, Cooke, who
saw the deceased alive about three weeks ago, re-
marked that her face had undergone little change.
of
tfirst
n
witness
ursesatteaxachmedinteodthAe'asgaoMil, whoza Gastantedsmtohrae,t
one The
she was directed to wait upon deceased shortly after
her arrival. Deceased often thanked God that she
had been removed, and said that she was much hap-
pier in gaol than at home.
The CORO/4ER here stated that a rumour was abroad
that the deceased was in the family way, and he asked
the witness if she could speak to the point?—The
witness stated that she asked the question of deceased,
and she stated that she was not. Deceased said that
she was only 38 years of age.
Maria Nuttal, another nurse, was next examined:
She said that she was present when the deceased died
on Friday morning, and was with her for some days
previous. She asked witness to read and pray to her.
Sometimes when she was reading the deceased would
say, " Stop ; wait till I'm better," and when she re-
covered she would ask her to go on. As her death
approached she seemed to feel contented. She was
sensible to the last. She said that she had been ill for
about twelve months.

Mr. Ilickes, the surgeon, stated that the complaint
of which the deceased died was pulmonary consump-
tion, and, in his opinion, the removal from Ituardeas
had neither injured nor benefited her. She seemed
to be aware that she could survive only for a few days.
She mentioned to him and to others that she had been
sent to g-aol charged with the murder of her children.
The Jury returned a verdict of " Died from natural
causes." _ _ _

-irapp, on being told of the death of Bennett, wept
bitterly. The body was buried' by the relatives of
the deceased.

As to worldly means, the murderers were comfort-
able. Indeed it is alleged that the only index to their
brutal conduct is to be found in the circumstance that
Bennett's husband settled his property upon her, hut
with the restriction that should she marry again the
property was to go to his children. It was the desire
to retain the property which probably prevented her
marriage with Yapp, and every body
one
crime leads to another, knows how

SILK AND Sruri HATS.--A writer in the Chemist
of this month
ts
judicial to Cite growth and preservation of the hair,
inasmuch I they are made in such a manner as to be
st?..tes, that silk hats are extremely pre-
inasmuch y
and thus to prevent the escape of the in-
sensibi-e perspiration from the head. The writer
say';_« Men who constantly wear silk hats lose their
lvair much sooner than those who adhere to the use of
beaver ; and this will explain to many, who have not
before been able to account for it, the reason of their
becoming prematurely bald, and not unfrequently
experiencing very unpleasant sensations about the
head. The fact that those who wear silk hats become
bald earlier than others, is well known to every one
in the hat trade. A traveller for a large firm has
been heard to say that he would eat every hair left on
the head of a man who had worn a silk hat for ten
years ; meaning, of course, that such a person would
be completely bald." The use of beaver hats is ac-
cordingly recommended, as very much superior to
those made of silk.
SUMMARY CONVICTION.—The name of the commit-
ting Magistrate, in the case of the girl sent to North'
leach gaol for being modest and virtuous/
is

• THE DECEMBER NUMBER OF
OLBURN'S NEW MONTHLY
1-1 MAGAZINE AND HUMORIST,
EDITED EY 'THOMAS HOOD, ESQ., Contains,
More News from China. By the Editor.
Tour in Search of the Picturesque. By Leman Blanchard, Esq.
The Hot Water Cure.
The Five Incumbents.. By the Author of " Peter Priggins."
No. 5. The Sub-Yicar of Ditchingly.'
The Persian Bandit. By the Hon. C. S. &wile.
Persons whom everybody has seen. By Leman Blanchard, Esq.
Persons who joke at their own expense—Persons whe don't
know what to do.
School Friendships.
Reminiscences of a Medical Student. No. 11. The Story of
a Genius. (Concluded.)
Phineas Quiddy ; or, Sheer Industry. By John Poole, Esq.,
Author of " Paul Pry."
Short Rides in an Author's Omnibus.
The Diary and Correspondence of Madame D'Arblay.
The Barriabys in America. By Mrs. Trollope.
Sonnet, he. By the Editor.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

ARMY AND NAVY.
THE DECEMBER NUMBER OF

f'IOLBURN'S UNITED SERVICE MXGA-
v/ ZIINE and NAVAL and MILITARY JOURNAL,
contains :—Notes on the Army—Naval Improvements of the
Nineteenth Century—The Late Prussian Reviews at Dussel-
dorf and Bonn—Passages in the Life of a Sailor—Errors and
Faults in Our Military System—The Staff—Notes on Syria.
By Lieutenant-Colonel Napier—Scenes in Ireland, from a
Tyro's Note-Book—The Volunteering System in India—My
OldslMessmates. By Jonathan Oldjunk, Esq., R.N.—Military
Historyof Jamaica. By Lieutenant-Colonel Wilkie—Memoirs
of General Sir G. T. Walker,!Bart., G.C.B.—The War in
Afghanistan—Peace with China—The Natal Expedition—
Recent Operations in Lycia—The Mortality in the Windward
aad Leeward Islands—Promotion from the Ranks—Public Exa-
minations at Sandhurst—Pitcairn's Island—Distributions of
the Army and Nary—Dispatches from India and China--
Promotions and Appointments, with all the Professional News
of the Month, ZCc.
eery Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF " PAUL PRY."
Now ready at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
p ITINEAS QUIDDY;
OR, SHEER INDUSTRY.
By JOHN POOLE, Esq.,
Author of " Paul Pry," " Little Pedlington," " The Comic
' Sketch-Book," &e.
Hegry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlhorouah-street.

THE NEW NOVEL.
Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.
p7ELF -D EV OTION;
or, the HISTORY of KATHARINE RANDOLPH.
Br the Authoress of " The Only Daughter."
EDI,TED-BY THE AUTHOR OF " THE SUBALTERN."
TA more beautiful tale of domestic life has not appeared for
many a long day."—Morning Pest.
Henry eolburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.
•

WITLL NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY GEORGE
CRUIKSHANK, LEECH, AND CROWQUILL,
The DECEMBER NUMBER, price Half-a• Crown. of
BE "N. 1:- LEI'S MISCELLANY,
Will contain • • ,
Mr. LEDBURY'S ADVENTI3RES AT HOME AND

ABROAD.
By ALBERT SMITH.
• ,
WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS BY LEECH.
The Tiger Hunt, by H. R. Addison.
Line* on Lord' Vivian, by Miss Fox.
The'Last O'Rourke.
Leaves of Legendary Lore; Legend of Roland, by Dr. W. C.
Taylor. •
The Injured Individual, by Curio.
Life in Hanover, by Dudley Costello.
The Philosophy of Sleep, Edited and Illustrated by Alfred
Crowquill.
Mask of Mischief, by the
•Author of " Wanted a Governess."
Harvest Home, by Paul Pindar, with a Song set to Music.
The Irish Mandarin, by J. B. O'Meara.
Sirarchibald, a Winter's Tale, by Dalton, with an Illustration
by George Cruikshank.
A Might in the Adriatic, by Mrs. Romer.
Richard Savage, a Romance, by Charles Whitehead.
The Keeper's Grave, by Martingale.
The Monk's Choice, William Jones.

&c., &e., &c.
Richard Ileittley, New Burlington street.

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Direct for PROSPECTUS with full particulars, WITH.
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THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN.
THIS EVENING. NOV. 28,

Will be repeated Shakspeare's Play of THE TEMPEST.
Alonzo, Mr. Cooper ; Sebastian, Mr. Diddear ; Prospero, Mr.
Vendenhoff ; Antonio, Mr. J. Vining ; Ferdinand, Mr. C.
Pitt ; Caliban, Mr. J. Bland ; Trinculo, Mr. Harley ; Ste-
pban9,„ Mr. Bartley. Miranda, Miss Vandenhoff ; Ariel, Miss
liainfotth.
To conclude with the Operatic Play of ROB ROY. Rash-
hiselPsbaldistone, Mr. C. Pitt ; Francis Osbaldistone' Mr.
W. Itarrison ; Rob Roy OP G regor Campbell, Mr. Cooper ;
Dougal, Mr. W. H. Payne ; Diana Vernon, Miss Rainforth ;
Malin ISt' Gregor, M q. Salzberg.
Doors open at. Hal past Six, and the Performances corn-
aienoe at Seven.—Dress Boxes is., Second Price 3s. 3d. ;
Pirst and Second Circles 55., Second Price 2s. 6d. ; Pit 3s;
Second-Price :Is. ; Gallery Is.
Tickets and Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr. Whit-
low, .at the Box-office, from Tea till Four, where Season
Tickets racy be had.
PArate Boxes to be had at the Box-office ' • of Messrs. An-
kh e 4s. Itit, New land-street, Mr. Mitchell, Old Bond-street ;
and of Mr. ikms, Pall Malt.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAY-MARKET.
THIS, ETENING, MONDAY, Nov. 28,

Will be performed, Sheridan's Comedy of
THE. SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL.

Sir Peter Teazle, Mr. W. Farren ; Sir Oliver Surface, Mr.
St4,4l4Fid ; Joseph, Surface, Mr. Stuart ; Charles Surface,
Alia*s .Crabtrre' Sir Benjamin'
BeffZinTef, Buckstene';'Moes„ Mr._ :Webster ; Carele?i,
MF.9loitii Fl?tiiitleY;3ll:. GrciitUti";4 Vrilsone ; Sir
Harry, ( with a Song), Mr. Caulfield ; Trip, Mr. BrindaL
LerlitTeOler,'Madatue Vesta.; Mrs. Candour, Mrs.. Glorer,
14.11-40.0,rwe11,- Mrs. W. Clifford; Maria, Mrs. E. Yarnold.
Ater vihich a New 'Drama, in Two Acts, called GRAND-
P4THER WHITEHEAD.. Grandfather Whitehead, Mr.
W'..Pitireni Drayton,' (a Builder), Mr-. Tilbury; Langley, (a
Retired Trader), -Mr. Stuart ; Driver, (a Lawyer), Mr.
Strickland; Bob Lincoln, (his Clerk), Mr. Webster; Snap,
Mt., Clark ; Edward Drayton (Drayton's Son), Master George
Webster ; Lnuiia Drayton, Mrs. Edwin Yarnold ; Susan,
(Servant to Laugley), Mrs. Stanley..
To conclude with Mr. Buckstone's original Farce of
THE IRISH LION.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI. •
THIS EVENING, NOV. 28,
Will be produced a New Drama in Two Acts, called YOU
KNOW WHAT. The principal 'Characters by Mr. 0. Smith,
Mr. Wright, Mr. Maynard, Miss Fawcett, and Miss Murray.
Aftir which, a New Comic Burletta, called ANTONY and
CLEOPATRA. Antony, Mr. Wright ; Cleopatra, Miss
Murray.
•be followed by a Grand Burletta Spectacle, entitled
ALS! Principal Characters by Messrs. Paul Bedford,
Wiela rainpton, Mrs. 11. P. Grattan, and Madame Proche
Giubi

To conclude with THE MISER'S DAUGHTER. Prin-
cipal Characters by Messrs. 0. Smith, Lyon, H. Beverly,
Wright, Sterling, Wilkinson,, Maynard, Craven, Mrs. H. P.
Grattan, Miss Faucit, Miss Murray, Mrs. H. Beverly, &c.
Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, us. ; Gallery, Is. Doors open at half-past
itx, commence at seven o'clock.

DAVIDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE:. -
Last Twelve Nights of Mr. T. P. Cooke's Engagement, and
Final Arrangement of his Performing.