The Sun.
London, England, 1842-03-15 00:00:00

plrted, according to the average price of corn at the time of
its entering into port, a drawback of per cent. on the
amount of such duty ; and if the value of the goods so ex-
ported, to be ascertained as aforesaid, shall be less than the
value of the corn so imported, to be ascertained as aforesaid,
then the same proportion of duty in respect of the value of the
goods so exported as the whole value of the corn' imported shall
bear to the whole duty payable on the importation as aforesaid."
After a few words from Sir R. PEEL and Mr. HAWES,
The original clause was agreed to.
Mr. BROTHERTON then moved that the Chairman re-
port progress, and obtain leave to sit again.
An Hort. MEMBER seconded the motion.

After a few observations from Sir ROBERT PEEL and
Mr. LABOUCHERE,
The Committee then divided, when there appeared—
For the motion ...
Against it 64
Majority
The House then resumed.
RIVERS (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion of Lord ELIOT the House went into Com-
mittee pro forma on this Bill, and it was ordered to be read a
third time on Monday next.
SALMON FISHERIES (SCOTCH) BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be com-
mitted on the 27th of April.
The Parish Property B►ll was read a second time.
The West India Clergy Bill was read a third time and passed.
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at a Quarter to One o'Clock.

THE LATE DREADFUL MURDER
AND SUICIDE IN THE CITY.

INQUEST ON THE BODIES.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon before Mr. Payne,
the Coroner, in the school-house, Philip-lane, IVood-street,
on the bodies of John Lucas, George Lucas, Ann Lucas, and
Alfred Lucas.
Ann Gorman was the first witness called, and who deposed
as follows :—I am servant in the house No. 4, Sion-gardens,
oseepied by !Mr. Lucas. I have been in his employment
nearly four months. I was in the house yesterday morning.
Mrs: Lucas was my aunt. I saw Mr. Lucas yesterday morn-
ing on the stairs. He said to my aunt, " Shall Igo up stairs,
and fetch the children ?" and she replied, " Yes, any dear."
Mr. Lucas had been gone about ten minutes, when my aunt
told me to go and see what her husband was about. I went
up stairs to the room where the two youngest children gene-
rally sleep. I put my head into the room, and saw the little
boy. It was the eldest, and his name was George, and was
ten years old. I saw the blood, but 1 did not see where he
was hurt. I then went to the other room, and there 1 saw
the two other children on the bed, as they are now. I saw
that there was blood about them. One was named Ann, who
was six years of age ; the other's name was Alfred, and he
was four years of aee. 'When I saw them I ran down stairs, and
screamed to my aunt.' This was about nine o'clock. Soon after
that Mr. Pierce came in and he went up stairs. He lodged in
the house ; there was another gentleman who lodged in the
house, but his name Ido not know ; he came in also. I went
up stairs and went into the room again. I saw my uncle first
as he is now. I saw the razor in his hand. The blade of the
razor touched the eldest child's face. He was not bleeding,
but there was blood about him. Mrs. Lucas's sister was im-
mediately sent for. She live; in Oliver-street, • Westminster.
A doctor was sent for afterwards, but I cannot say how long af-
terwards. I was in the habit of sleeping with the two young-
est children. When I left the room in the morning they were
then both asleep. • George sleeps in the middle room. Mr.
Lucas slept where the two youngest children now lie. 1 do not
know how the children got into that room. Mr. Lucas must
have gone into that room and fetched them. Mr. Lucas came
down before me that morning. He spoke to me when I came
down ; he was cleaning his own boots and his children's shoes.
He told me to tell one of the gentlemen that his boots wanted
repairing. He shaved himself afterwards. I should think it
was about half-past seven ; it was in the kitchen near the win-
dow, which was his usual habit. hey had not had their
breakfasts. After he shaved himself he did not say anything
to me. When he began shaving it was about half-past seven.
When he had shaved himself he went up stairs. Mrs. Lucas
was down stairs then. He said as he went up stairs, "My
dear, shall I go and fetch the children." She said, " Yes, if you
please, my dear." He turned round and looked at her very
hard, anti she asked him what he wanted, and he said he was
going to put his razors away. He generally kept them in a bu-
reau in the kitchen. 1 (lid not see him put them away.
I can't say whether he had them in his hand. Mrs. Lucas
said, " Shall I put there away, my dear?" He said, " Never
mind, my dear." He then went up stairs. I have noticed
him lately to he very low-spirited and wretched. The cause
was his leaving his situation; he left before Christmas ; it was
at Air. Bassett's, in Wood-street. I do not know why he left.
It was his master's act. Does not know why he was dis-
charged. I believe his master turned him away without any
previous notice. He has • been in a situation since, but only
for a few days. Ido not know where it was. The reason he
left them was he did not know the business. That was about
a fortnight ago. They were in no want of food at home.
They lived by theiflodgers. He was on very good terms with
his wife, and was doatingly fond of his children, and they of
him. I never heard him say he would destroy his wife. Has
heard of his speaking about the probability of their coming to
want. This was told to me by my aunt. He was a very so-
ber and industrious man. I never heard him say or do any-
thing that appeared to be strange. He was in the habit of
going to church, but no particular one. He generally took
the children with him. He had, made no arrangements for
going out. He slid not say anything about it. He cleaned all
their boots, and his own too, ready to go out. He went some-
times to Aldermanbury, and sometimes to Christ Church.
By a Juror—When he was out of employment, he spent
his evenings at home, but he was generally out all day. He
used to come home to his kreals. I did not see any sign of
life in either of the children when I went up. He was not
gone up stairs more than ten minutes.
Policeman, 155, deposed that he was passing down the street,
and in consequence of what he heard from a neighbour, he
went into Sion-gardens, where he saw a gentleman, who told
him he had heard a s'eream of murder. He went into the
house, No. 4, and went up stairs. When he got to the top of
the house, he went to the room at the end of the passage. The
door was a little open, and he saw the body of one of the chil-
dren lying againstit. lie opened the door a littlo, and he saw'
Lucas lying on his right side, With the razor hi his right'
hand. He then went in and found both thOpay and father
dead. He came out; went into the other room, where the
other children were lying, both dead. The surgeon came sown
after. He knew Lucas by sight, but never spoke to him far-
ther than a passing-good morning.
By a Juror—The bodies were warm.
:Maria Stevens deposed that she lived hi Sion-gardens. She
heard a noise yesterday scorning at about half-past eight. She
heard the elder boy cry out, "Oh father, father, don't." She

immediately called Mr. Stevens, and asked him if he heard
it? They paused for some time, and they heard another cry.
and apparently a rustling in the room, followed by a fall. Had
seen Lucas a few evenings previously, when he appeared very
dejected. He said he was very poorly off, and he grieved
much that his wife had to exert herself so much.
James Green, of Oliver-street, Westminster, deposed that
his wife and Mrs. Lucas are sisters. Has seen Mr. Lucas fre-
quently ; not so frequent since he left Mr. Bassett as before.
Witness is in Somerset House. Deceased came into his room
on the day of his (decedeirs) discharge, and in a very agitated
manner said Bassett has discharged me. Witness said, good
God ! what have you done ? He said he had been away from
the office a few minutes, and when he came back his money
was ready for him, together with a month in advance, and he
was told his services would not be required further.
Witness could not call to mind whether the de-
ceased said he asked for an explanation. He saw
him a fear days afterwards' when he said he had nothing
to fear, as Mr. Bassett had told him he would give
him a good character. That was some time in January.
Lucas was at witness's house last week, and the witness was at
Lucas's house from one o'clock till twenty minutes past ten
on Saturday night. He then seemed in a very low and de-
jected state. lie talked about his affairs. V; itness had sent
him a letter of advice a few days before, and he said he had
read it with great interest two or three times, and told witness
he"was sorry he had not taken his advice at first. The prin-
cipal thing which appeared to weigh on his mind was the
thonht that his children would come to want. He had been
with Mr: Bassett for-- nearly four years. He has since had
another situation, but only for a few days. He told witness
that Mr. Lowe (the person who employed him) had said to him
" Lucas, you have something on your mind." Since he has
left his employment lie has been quite an altered man. Wit.
nest has never seen a smile on his countenance since he lust his
situation. lie then said he was a ruined man. He called at
the apartments of witness on Sunday fortnight, and said he
had not not a situation, and burst into tears, saying, "What will
become of my poor family ?" Had no engagement with him for
this week ; but he had invited a friend to come to tea on
Sunday.

By a Juror—His spirits were usually good, when in the ser-
vice of Mr. Bassett. Everybody with whom he had lived,
had the highest opinion of him. Witness never heard a word
of complaint against him from any one. He was in the em-
ploy of Mr. Burbage, of Blackfriar's-bridge, previous to his
going to Mr. Bassett's.
J. S. Bassett deposed that he carried on his business in
Wood-street. The deceased was employed in the warehouse.
He was discharged early in January last. Told the deceased that
witness was about to make some alteration in his establishment,
in consequence of a party going out who had previously had
the care of the premises, and therefore he should not want his
services further. Witness did not want a married man to be
on the premises, and he had engaged a single one. Witness
could not take the deceased, as he had a wife and family.
The deceased was dissatisfied with his salary. He wanted
50/. a-year advance. lie left for no misconduct whatever.
Has seen him since. Has given him a good character. He
called on witness about a a month ago, when he said his uncle,
who resides at Worthing, was in town, and he was about to
enter into an arrangement with his uncle to go into partner.
ship. Witness, at the request of the deceased. spoke to the
uncle of the deceased respecting- this. The deceased called
afterwards and said the affair was broken off. He then seemed
very much out of spirits. Told him that if witness heard of a
situation he would tell him.

Another witness deposed that lie lived in Hamburgh, and
was travelling through London on business. He took the ap-
partments in the house of the deceased. lie brought his lug-
gage, aria it was placed in the parlour. The deceased came
into the parlour.. His manner was extremely strange. fie
asked witness what he had got in his boxes, and wished to take
them up stairs. Deceased said he had been with Mr. Bassett for
'l4 years. The deceased was in and out of the room seven or
eight times, and every time he went out lie, held the door in
his hand, and looked hard at the witness._ The last time he
came he said "Do you want a warehouse, because if you do
lozni can put me into it; I want a berth." His manner was
,extremely strange, and his conversation incoherent. The wit-
teas then corroborated the testimony of the first 'in • In
the Morning he beard a wiwasesirs; bed. Pe heard one of the children sayup ,s'ttaillrilerwueld,e wicked father."
James Spencer, a draper, residing near Watfordi deposed
to having met the deceased iri the Strand last week. His
manner was extremely wild, and he said he had Mt. to make
up in three weeks, for money he bad borrowed to take
•
the house he lived in. Deceased said he was afraid of
coining
to the workhouse.
Mr. Sinaker, the surgeon, Wm was called in, corroborated
the evidence of former witnesse,.
The CORONER then summed up the evidence, and-the Jury
immediately returned a verdict of—" Temporary derangement."

UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY.—The annual meet-
ing of this Company took place on the llth ult., at their office
inCornhill, when a bonus .was declared equal to a moiety of
the whole profits of the Life Department, payable upon and
with the sum insured by policies effected for the whole term of
life, on and prior to Dec. 31, 1840, and in force on the 30th of
June, 1841 (by the profit system), in Great Britain, Ireland,
and Germany, respectively. It would likewise appear that,
besides this large appropriation, a reserve has been made out of
the surplus profits of an amount which, with the moiety afore-
said, is equal to two-thirds of the whole profit of the Life De-
partment. This CoMpany has also very properly placed the
advantages of life assurance within the reach of a greater circle,
more especially persons ihmiddle cireu'..stances, by its consent
to receive premiums half-yearly and quarterly, a convenience
which ought not to be lost sight of. By some remarks that
were collected during the meeting, we find the Union Society
was instituted so long back as the reign of Queen Anne, and
that Wily have a very large invested capital belonging to the
Proprietors, in addition to the accumulated funds arising from
fire andlife assurance.