The Sun.
London, England, 1829-09-25 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

Yesterday Mr. Adolphus, the 'barrister, accom-
panied by another professional gentleman, waited
upon Sir R. BIRNIE, the Sitting Magistrate, and
stated that his friend and himself appeared before
him relative to the late melancholy transaction
which had taken place at Finchley, which had given
rise to the most painful interest. He alluded to the
death, from poison, of a lady named Phillips.

Sir IL BIRNIE was aware of the case, as some of
the parish officers of Finchley had been with him on
the subject.
Mr. Adolphus said that the transaction had ex-
cited a great deal of feeling among the parties inte-
rested, and the greatest anxiety prevailed that a full
investigation should take place before a competent
authority relative to the circumstances that led to
the decease of the unfortunate lady. "My friend
and I" (added Mr. Adolphus), "appear before you,
understanding that an application is about to be
made, requesting you to fix a time for investigating
the business. I appear on behalf of the medical
gentlemen whose names have been mixed up in the
unfortunate transaction."

Sir R. BIRNIE said, that in a case which involved
so much mystery, it was quite proper that the fullest
investigation should take place.
Mr. Adolphus observed, that a good deal had
been said respecting Mr. Snow and his assistant,
but there did not appear to be the slightest grounds
for imputing blame to either, and to prove that fact
it was only requisite to state, that of the eight ounces
of laudanum which Mr. Snow had upon his pre-
mises for some dine previous to the decease of Mrs.
Phillips, not a particle was found to have been
touched when the bottle was examined after her
death. The fair inference to be. drawn from that
circumstance was, that no mistake could possibly
have occurred in preparing Dr. Tweedie's prescrip-
tion by the gentleman who acted for Mr. Snow.
Sir R. BIRNIE expressed some surprise that the
affair had not been sooner taken up by the church-
wardens and overseers of the parish of Finehley.
Mr. Adolphus said, that the parish officers, as
well as the medical gentlemen, were most anxious
to have the matter investigated, but what was to be
done in the absence of any evidence ? It was their
intention, however, and he believed they would be
backed by the executors appointed to carry into
effect the last will and testament of the deceased, to
make an application to him (Sir R. Birnie) in order
to appoint a day when the case might be investigated.
Sir R. BIRNIE said he was quite ready to meet
the wishes of Mr. Adolphus and those for whom he
appeared. The Magis:rate then added, that from
what he could learn, the inquest had been managed
in a very slovenly manner.
In about half an hour after the above converia-
tion took place, live or six gentlemen, amongst
whom we understood were the churchwardens and
overseers of Finehley parish, arrived at the office,
and after conferring for a short time with Mr.
Adolphus, that gentleman introduced them -to Sir
R. Birnie, and the Magistrate immediately requested

them to repair to the private office, where be would
Join them in a few minutes. The gentlemen ac-
cordingly- retired, but almost immediately returned,
and—

Mr. Adolphus addressing Sir R. Birnie, said he
was obliged to return to the Middlesex Sessions.
and therefore he hoped that Sir Richard would ex-
cuse him for a few moments, as time was precious.
The application which he was instructed to make
respected an affair of deep and melancholy interest.
He alluded to the mysterious death of Mrs. Phillips,
of Finchley. A great deal had been reported with
regard to that subject; and in order tkat the whole
transaction should undergo inquiry, it became the
wish of the churchwardens and overseers of Finch-
ley, as well as of Mr. Snow, with the perfect con-
sent of Mr. Phillips, the husband of the unfortunate
lady, that a full inquiry should take place, with as
little delay as possible, into the circumstances which
led to her death.

Sir R. BIRNIE said it was extremely proper that a
transaction of so strange and unaccountable a nature
should be placed in a train of inquiry, and he was
quite willing to lend his assistance whenever Mr.
Adolphus should think fit to appoint a time for the
investigation to take place. " I have the pleasure,"
added the Magistrate, "of being personally ac-
quainted with Mr. Snow, of Hampstead, and I be-
lieve his reputation as a medical man stands very
high. He was with me on Sunday week, and he
then evinced the greatest anxiety that the affair
should undergo an inquiry. His assistant, Mr.
Hill, who prepared the prescription, is, I under-
stand, a very clever young man, and his connec-
tions, I know, are of the greatest respectability. It
's certainly most desirable that both these gentle-
men should stand clear before the public, and I, for
my part, have not the smallest objection to attend
at any time which you, Mr. Adolphus, may think
proper to appoint. So fix your own day."
It was then arranged that on Thursday next the
inquiry should take place at this office.
As the gentlemen were about to retire, one of
them, who, we believe, is one of the executors
named by the deceased lady to carry her will, into
effect, said that a meeting of the executors had
taken place, which was attended by Mr. Phillips,
and it was then determined that nothing should be
done with respect to the will of the deceased until
the investigation, which had just been prayed for,
should first take place. It was the almost unani-
mous desire that the matter should be sifted to the
bottom.

Mr. Adolphus said that he had not the pleasure
of knowing any of the executors personally, but he
felt bound to say it appeared to him that they
evinced the greatest anxiety, by every possible means
to promote inquiry.
Sir R. BIRNIE said that it might be necessary to
summon some of the witnesses whose testimony
might be most material. The Magistrate then de-
sired the clerk to take instructions from the parties
as to the names, &c., of those parties whom it would
be requisite to summon. The parties then retired.