The Sun.
London, England, 1829-12-19 00:00:00

COMMISSTON OF'LUNACY.
(SIXTH DAY.)
The examination of witnesses in favour of the Commis-
sion was resumed this morning at eleven o'clock.
Dr. Edward Itolnas sworn, examined by 'Mr.
Witiotrr—Was senior physician to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital. Visited Mr. Davies in the 14th of September
last, at the request of Dr. Spurgin ; had not before that
period seen the affidavits filed on ahe Court; Dr. Spurgin
and witness went together to Mr. Davies ; a messenger
was sent to him; ten minutes pasted before he arrived; Dr.
Spurgin introduced witness to Mr. Davies, who received
him courteously; he almost immediately introduced his
complaints against the keepers, he. said they had used him
very ill, they were perpetually imputing to him inclinations
to bad propensities, his conversations were very hurried ; he
said one night when he was in bed oneof the keepers Came into
the room, saying he must come to bed to him. Headmitted
afterwards that the keeper was to sleep in another bed in
the same room. Dr. Spurgin and another gentleman was
with witness during Isis interview with Mr. Davies. A
pretty little girl, aged four years old, he said, was sent into
Isis room, with words put into her mouth, to give him
offence. The keepers, when they let out some of his family
friends, jeered and spoke insultingly of them to him, say-
ing, that's not uncle Joseph, but uncle Turtle. Twice
during the conversation Mr. Davies most unconnectedly
used the word chicken. Witness made memorandums of
this conversation immediately on his return home. Said
in a very unconnected way there was a brazier
or tailor on the stairs making a noise. Mr. Davies's
manner was very earnest, and his:voice often reduced to an
anxious whisper. When witness was about to leave him,
he stooped down to his side pocket, and pulled out some
papers. Dr. Spurgin spoke kindly to him ; witness said
.to him I did not know what was coming Mr. Davies, I
thought it might be a pistol. Witness said he believed
something had been said about a pistol in your case Mr.
Davies ; oh, said Mr. Davies, that was only a toy, treated
it,very lightly, and measuring with his Angers, said it was
no longee that this. From what witness observed at that
period, this day five weeks, he was satisfied professionally
that Mr. Davies was of unsound mind.
By Mr. Arnraus—The care of insane patients had
come a good deal under witness's consideration. Knew
nothing of the keepers at the Retreat. It was difficult to
answer the question whether keepers generally were gen-
tlemen, or persons of low condition. Did not know whe-
ther the things spoken by Mr. Davies were false or true,
but witness believed that no person in his senses, whether
true or false, would speak as Mr. Davies'did. Witness
did not know that one of the charges against Mr. Davies
was paying a tremendous price for fowls. Whether it was
true or false that the pretty little child had done as repre-
sented, witness did not know.
By the Costsitssionsess—Was in the room with Mr.
Davies about three quarters of an hour. Witness be-
lieved Mr. Davies to be quite incompetent to managing
his own affairs.
By a Juryman—Mr. Davies, in bodily health, looked
very well.
Dr. Thomas Blundell, examined by Mr. Witten's,—
Is physician to the London Dispensary ; had known Mr.
Davies since the 14th of February, 1828. Had seen him
this year many times; there was a very visible alteration
in his mind, which witness observed on his first visit to
Mr. Davies at Crouch-bill, on the sth of August, 1829.
This was not the first time witness observed some " dawn-
ings of mental aberrations. Witness had been in the cus-
tom of attending him as physician before February in the
present year. In February last Mr. Davies complainel to
witness of pain in his throat, and expressed his anxiety to
have it examined, assuring witness he would find some
formidable disease. On examination witness could dis-
cover no disease ; there was a slight relaxation of the
uvulae, which was a common occurrence. Having quieted
his mind with regard to this supposed disease, Mr. Davies
directed witness's attention to a muscular swelling, which
he said he had on his breast, shoulder, or arm. 'Witness
searched fur this swelling, desired Mr. Davies to take offhis
coat and upper garments, but no discovery was made of
the slightest swelling. This quieted him for some time.
He al o complained of an affection in his sight, saying his
vision was not good, and desired witness to examine his
eyes, the tunics of which were slightly bloodshot, but
there was no evident defect of the organs. A vast deal
of witness's time was taken up in convincing Mr. Davies
no organic disease existed in his frame or constitution, but
as Mr. Dsvi a was in the habit of reading medical books
and dabbling in physic, he was seldom satisfied unless
witness prescribed for him, that was done, treating the case
according to circumstances. Mr. D. had a serious illness a
few months before the period witness was speaking of, at
which time an abscessfortned in the mouth ofsome magnitude,
which produced in his delicate ' constitution a considerable
degree of irritating fever, which confined him to his bed
eight or ten days. Mr. Davies was much weakened by
this, but shortly recovered his wonted state of health. On
the 17th of February, in the present year, Mr. Davies
became deranged in his ideas, and took up subjects in a
delusive point of view. Witness called upon Mr. Davies
many times, when he was detained upwards of an hour
with complaints of delusive disorders, from which witness
could collect no practical fact. Witness considered it his
duty to divert his attention from these complaints; to
enter a good deal into business ; to use horse exercise,
which he did, and his mind was much easier. Shortly
after this Mr. Davies's general health gave way very much.
On many occasions, when witness conversed with Mr.
Davies on his complaints, he had shown very fanciful and
visionary notions. He became so hypochondriacal, that it
became quite tedious for witness to attend on him, and
witness thought it right to state this to his mother and
sister. Witness told them Mr. Davies wanted rousing,
that there was no actual disease about him, and that he
was a confirmed hypochondriac. Early in June, Mrs.
Bywater wrote to witness, to attend Mr. Davies; but
in consequence 'of indisposition he was prevented. Mr.
Davies then went to Mr. Lawrence, and of course got into
Other medical hands. Witness saw Mr. Davies at Crouch-
hill, on the sth of August. As witness entered Mr.
Davies's house at this time, he was crossing the hall; Mr.
Davies shook hands with witness, asked him to walk into
an adjoining room and set down, as he had something
most important to tell witness ; he looked wild and hurried,
seemed much delighted at my calling on him ; all at once
he changed, walked into the middle of the room with a
dignified attitude, and asked me by what authority do you
come here, Witness answered, he came as a friend ; Mr.
Davies then said, do you come here, Sir, as the friend of
Edward Davies, or the agent of Catherine Bywater.—
Witness said he came as the friend of Mr. Davies, and
his mother. Mr. Davies said, Doctor there is a vile con-
spiracy against me. Doctor, I have had great confidence in
you, throw off the medical man and come to my side of the
question, and witness thought he said, if you do so you
shall throw physic to the dogs, I will make your purse deep
and heavy. Witness was somewhat astonished and rather
shocked, and witness's reply was, Mr. Daviesdo you think I
am capable of receiving a bribe, do you think I have no more
regard for you and your family than to receive bribes. Mr.
Davies put out his hand, called witness his kind friend,
and would have gone down on. his knees had not witness
prevented him. In this way the conversation went.on for
three hours, during which time' Mr. Davies was fright-
fully and- distressingly excited ; at this period witness was
Much shocked at Mr. Davies emaciated appearance, his
general health was much impaired, he was then pale and
cadaverous. This interview was interrupted in conse-
quence of a Mr. Forbes, .11 solicitor calling, and wit-
ness was much pleased at being released. At this
time he was labouring under great delusion of mind,—
his mind was clearly unsound. Mr. Davies was exceed-
ingly violent at the tsention of his mother's name. He
said his mother, Dr. Burrows, and others, were conspi-
rators against him. His spoke' of the Supreme Being at
this time, that he, was under the particular influence of
Providence, he WAS borne up sad supported by a superior
power. His prayers were fervent, and he had no doubt
he should have that miraculous itsterferenee which would
enable him to overcome his enemies. Witness made se-
veral attempts to leave the room, but was continually in-
terrupted. Never saw Mr. Davies in company with Mr.
Lawrence. On the 18th of August witness found Mr.
Davies labouring under violent paroxysm, which con-
vinced witness he was of unsound mind. In consequence
of such belief and conceiving his malady gradually incret,
ing, witness strongly urged to his friends the necessity ce
placing him under suitable care and restraint ; and upon
that conviction, and that only, witness signed his certificate.
Witness then believed him to be unfit to manage his person,
or his property. Witness also saw Mr. Davies on the
24th of August at Dr. Burrows' Retreat; what witness
then saw, more strongly confirmed the opinion witness had
formed on previous occasions. Witness had seen Mr.
Davies frequently produce money, which he believed Mr.
Davies was never without. Mr. Davies always presented
witness with Isis fee in the usual delicate way. Mr.
Davies was equally violent on the 21th of August, as on
the preceding visit. Witness saw Mr. Davies for the last
time on the sth of September, at which time witness
thought his malady was rather increased.
By Mr. Anotrit us—His mother was frequently pre-
sent at the consultations between hlr. Davies and the wit-
ness. The swelling of the wound occasioned only slight
pain to the patient. Buchan's work was enough to make
any weak man nervous ; and Vsradd on Fatness would
snake a corpulent man afraid of eating a plum-pndilini.
Witness had occasionally lunched with Mc. Davies and his

mother. Mr. Daviee's mother was by flotsam a WWII°
of education. Mr. Davies himself appeared to be ,an
imperfectly educated man. Ile had been taking
with his education latterly. Mr. Davies used freque!...."'
to make inapplicable quotations from Byron, ShakePe"'"
and so on—was always very obsequious and over polite.
The cross-examination of Dr. Blundell was proceeding
when we left. •

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS DAY•)

COURT OF CHANCERY.

COHORT V. RUEBBLL.
The LORD CHANCELLOR di.posed of this bankrurt
petifon in judgment. The bankrupt Russell, in the Ylr
1802, made a settlement upon his marriage, by which me
covenanted to pay to trustees 2,000/. at his des& ja,
the event of his wife, or any of the issue of his marring'
surviving him. The 2,000/. was to be apportioned-14
the trustees among such of the children as should survive
both him and his wife. In 1803 a commission of bank',
rupt issued against him, under which the creditors sor4c
paid 12s. in the pound. He died in 1825, and a furtPC('
dividend was paid in 1828, under a renewed commission.
The trustees were now all dead, and it could not be as'l
tained which of the trustees was the survivor; and,,sll
application was made to the Vice-Chancellor to tit%
the three chiMred who had survived their father
prove under the commission ; and the question was 10!e
ther they were entitled so to prove under the new Act,:
Parliament, the contingency having happened prior to-W
passing of that Act. The Vice-Chancellor was of opknlL,ll
that he could nut order the proof% to be received.
question depended principally on the construction of
56th section ; and his Lordship was of opinion that the°
was nothing in that section, or in any other part of the
Act, limiting the admission of inch a proof to conuniPa
sions that had issued after the passing of the Act, 1°
consequently ordered the proof to be received. r-

PERSONAL APPLICATION.
Mr. Pitt, surveyor in the Adelphi, craved the isditli
genre of the Court until he addressed his Lordship in 11
matter which he considered to be of an extremely Freslift
nature. He stated that the procedings under aco mmtwebe
sion of bankruptcy, taken out against individual' of
en oa nms ie s e
ofa
t iJo
ant n oe af
t ha encll
4HthenaJoofncoes,mwmeirsesionnoewrs. ungdeer
cvtha
one of the three assignees. When the bankrupts attenAel
e
for the purpase of passing their examination in March lase/
they produced a balAnce sheet which he had in his hod..
The LORD CHANCELLOR interrupted, by inqui"
whether Mr. Pitt meant to make any complaint. ,:;
Mr. Pitt meant to pray, that the Commission migu'
be removed to another list of Commissioners.
The LORD CHANCELLOR could only hear such applies'
tion upon petition.
Mr. Pitt had got both a petition and an affi lash..
The Loan Cmaticei..Lon. could not hear the applicstiou'
except in its regular course, and after notice hail bee°
served on the other side.
Mr. Pitt had received a summons to attend the CI
missioners to day at twelve o'clock. if Vie Court 'l'o
not hear him, and the Collmissioners dealt with
they had done with others, he felt satisfied that he ssnur
very soon have to address his Lordship under the 0100'
of a prisoner rom Newate.
The Loan fCHANCELLOR could not assume that sni
person in judicial authority would act improperly ;
fore he could not hear Mr. Pitt make any further (doe'
tions until became in a more regular way before the Cuur