The Sun.
London, England, 1827-01-02 00:00:00

CORONER'S INQUEST.

On Thursday last an inquest was taken at the Rising Son, in
St. Ebbe's parish, by Mr. Cecil, the City Coroner, on view of the
body of Edwin Serle, a very steady young man, who had lately
been in the employ of Mr. Purbrick, tailor, of this city, and who,
the preceding day, cut his throat in a most dreadful manner,
nearly severing his head from his body. There is every reason to
believe that this nnfortrmate young man took off his coat, waist-
coat, and neckcloth, and stood before a looking glass to perpetrate
the dreadfil act ; he afterwards went towards the staircase, where
he fell from loss of blood, and was found by a neighbour a shock-
ing spectacle.
Mr. G. Ilitchings, of the city of Oxford, surgeon, about three
o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, attended at the house of Mr.
Brazier, where Edwin Serle lodged, and found him lying on his
back on the floor, up two pair of stairs, with his throat cut.
Witness examined the wound, which appeared to have been done
by a razor, or some sharp instrument. It was about six inches
in length, and so deep as to have completely divided the windpipe,
and the passage leading to the stomach behind ; and the jugular
vein on each side, and carotid artery on the right side, were both
severed ; the wound inflicted was the cause of his death.
Ann, wife of William Brazier, of this city, shopkeeper, de-
posed, that Edwin Serie had lodged at her husband's house the
last three or four months ; he was 19 or 20 years of age ; he was
as steady as most young men. On Monday last he told witness
he was poorly, and that he could not think the reason why he
had such a pressure on his spirits when he was poorly ; did not
say any thing else. Serie came into the house shortly after one
o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, and witness gave him a basin of
broth, of which he ate a little, and then went into the street ;
witness did not see him afterwards. When Serle had the broth,
he told witness he was better. Witness did not think, when he
complained of being poorly, that lie was of unsound mind. Never
saw him do any thing extraordinary ; was not out late at night
the evening before.
Thomas Taylor, of this city, tailor, had known Serie about five
weeks, and had worked in Mr. Pm-brick's shop with him from
Monday week until the Saturday following. On Monday last
witness called on Serie at his lodgings : he then told witness he
was poorly with a pain in his head. Witness dined with Serle,
and then went to the Vine, in George-lane, and there drank be-
tween them two pints of beer. On Tuesday morning witness
called on Serle, who said he was better; did not observe any
thing particular in his conduct. Witness was with Serle till half-
past one on Wednesday, and did not observe any thing particular
in his conduct.

The Jury returned a verdict of Febo de ee ; and the Co-
roner issued his warrant for the burial, between the hours of 9
and 12, as directed by the Act of George IV.

THE AGE OF IMPROVEMENT.—The following fact
offers a striking illustration of the astonishing improvements,
which hare been effected in steam machinery in our days
few weeks ago a steam-engine of six-horse power, with its boiler
complete, on Mr. Gurney's new principle, was packed and ad-
dressed to a correspondent at Paris ; and on reaching Calaia.by
the packet, it was actually forwarded from thence to its place of
destination, on the roof of the common diligence, in addition to
the ordinary complement of passengers and luggage !
The late M. Talina's father was a respectable den-
tist in Frith-street, Soho. His name was on an oral white ena-
melled plate on the door. M. Telma, the son, was one of the ju-
nior scholars at the Soho-square Academy, in and prior to the
year 1751. Mr. Holman was at the Academy at the same time.
It was the custom there to get up and perform plays pre-
vious to the holydays, to which performances the friends of the
scholars were invited, and M. Talma and Mr. Holman pet:-
formed the principal characters, and they always received much
applause, and this, no doubt, induced them both to take to the
stage. M. Telma who was then about sixteen years of age, was
always considered to have been born in England. He was a youth
of a very lively turn, and considered one of the best classical
scholars at the time. As there have been doubts respecting the
country which gave him birth, this communication may proba-
bly decide it.