The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-02-22 00:00:00

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POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND AT-
TEMPTED SUICIDE.

On Tuesday last, Elizabeth Busby, wife of F. Busby,
coach-driver, was brought before Mr. Hall, at the Police-
court, on a charge of having, on Saturday last, snapped a
loaded pistol at Mr. William Busby, her husband's brother,
with intent to deprive him of life. It further appeared, that
the prisoner had also attempted to commit suicide, by previ-
ously swallowing a large quantity of laudanum. Some evi-
dence as to the identity of the pistol, however, being defi-
cient, she was remanded until Wednesday, when she was
again placed at the bar, and, being still apparently feeble
from the effects of the poison she had taken, was allowed to
sit. It appeared that she was married about two years ago ;
that her husband was about twenty years of age, and she
(according to her own account) about three years older ;
that they did not live comfortably together, and had been
parted on Saturday last.—Mr. Davenport appeared for the
prisoner.—After hearing the evidence, Mr. Hall remarked,
that it was providential that the pistol had flashed in the pan,
otherwise the death of Mr. Busby would have been inevita-
ble ; and he ordered the informations to be taken, adding,
that he should send the case to the assizes, when (as it was
stated by Mr. Davenport that he was informed the prisoner
was occasionally subject to aberration of mind) the facts
would be fully investigated. The following is the evidence
given by the witnesses :
Wm. Busby, the younger, said—l am a coach-proprietor,
and have two establishments ; one at the corner of Fox-
street, and the other in Everton-terrace. My brother, Fre-
derick James Busby, the husband of the prisoner, Elizabeth
Busby, is employed by me as a driver. On Saturday last,
between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, I was at the
stables in Everton-terrace, when the prisoner came there,
and asked me if her husband was there. I said he was not.
She asked me if he was at the corner of Fox-street ; and I
said he was not. She asked me if I knew where he was, and
I said " No." She said, "On your soul don't you know ?"
I said I would not say so, but I did not know. I was aware
that my brother and the prisoner had had some disputes, but
I did not know where he was at that time. I stepped back
a pace, and at that time the cloak which the prisoner wore
wasiblown aside, and I saw that she had something in her
right hand, which I thought was a hammer. I did not speak,
but she immediately raised her right hand, and pointed it
towards my breast. I heard a click, and saw a flash. I was
about a yard from her hand at the time. I made some ex-
clamation, and Henry Masker, one of our men, immediately
sprang forward, and I saw him take the pistol now produced
from.the prisoner's hand. He gave it to me. I did not
observe whether the hammer of the lock was down. I de-
tained her, and sent Masker for an officer, who came, and
the prisoner was taken to Rose-hill Bridewell. 1 went with
them and carried the pistol, which I gave to Kissack, the
keeper of the Bridewell. I saw some powder shaken from
the barrel of the pistol into the pan. The prisoner did not
appear to be drunk.
Henry Masker said—l am in the employ of Mr. Busby.
On Saturday night, while I was at the stables, I saw the
prisoner come into the yard, and heard her ask Mr. William
Busby if her husband was there. He told her he was not.
She then asked for Mr. Daniel Busby, and was told he was
not there. She then said, "Do you know where Frederick
is ?" Mr. William said he did not. She said, "On your
soul ?" He said he would not put his soul to it. She said
she had Frederick's trowsers and waistcoat there. I saw
something under her cloak, but thought it was the clothes.
She then drew a pistol from under her cloak, and snapped it
at Mr. Wm. Busby. I heard the snap, and saw fire. The
pistol was pointed towards his breast, and was nbt more than
about a yard from him when she snapped it. I rushed for-
ward and took the pistol from her, and gave it to Mr. Busby.
He told me to go for a policeman, and I fetched Daniel Her-
bert. She had no trowsers or waistcoat upon her.
Daniel Herbert said—l am a policeman. On Saturday
night, from information I had received, I went to Mr. Bus-
by s stables, in Everton-terrace, where I found the prisoner
detained. I took her into custody, and to the Bridewell in
Rose-hill. On the road to Bridewell she said, without any
auactiops having herd put to hcr, that she had h0,5g1,4 tha
pistol for 4s. 61., to shoot her husband, and that she had
taken fourteen-pence worth of laudanum. She said she had
taken the poison in a garden near Mr. Busby's stables, and
had left a bottle and glass there. After putting her into
Bridewell, I went to the garden she described, and near the
gate I found a broken wine-glass, and a phial with a label
marked " Laudanum." The prisoner appeared rather stu-
pitied. She also said that she was sorry she had offended
Mr. Busby, as. she did not intend it for him, but for her
husband.

Thomas Kissack, keeper of the Bridewell at Rose-hill,
said—The prisoner was brought to Bridewell on Saturday
night, by Herbert. Mr. Busby was with him, and delivered
to me the pistol now produced. I did not examine it at the
time, but shortly afterwards I did so. I shook some powder
out of the barrel into the pan. I then put the ramrod into
the barrel, and found that it contained a large charge. I did
not draw the charge, but placed the pistol in a drawer in the
office, and locked it up. In consequence of what Herbert
said about the prisoner's taking poison, I sent for Mr.
Cooper, the surgeon of the police force. He applied the
stomach-pump to her, and ultimately restored her, though
not until the next morning.—The pistol, it appeared, was
afterwards taken away from the office at Rose-hill, but wit-
ness subsequently saw it, and identified it in court. He also
received the shot and powder it contained, which were pro-
duced. Mr. Whitty was in the office on Saturday night,
and shook some powder out of the pistol in witness s pre-
sence.

Jane Kissack (wife of the last witness), Archibaldßalfour,
Lydia Manor, and Superintendent M`Donald, identified the
pistol as being the same. M`Donald said—" I saw Mr.
Cooper draw the charge, which consisted of shot and pow-
der. There was a very little powder. There was a very
large touch-hole to the pistol. There was about three-quar-
ters of an ounce of shot, and some paper as wadding. I
wrapped them up. They are the same now produced. I
have another pistol in my house, but it is quite different."
The prisoner, on her voluntary examination, said—" I
shall say nothing but the truth. My husband's family never
liked me. They have said, if he would come home they
would do everything they could to get rid of me. We had
only been two days married when they brought a policeman
for the purpose of parting us. Ido not know what I was
doing. I bought the pistol, and thought we would both die
together."
The witnesses were then bound over, each in the sum of
£lOO, to appear and give evidence at the assizes. The pri-
soner, whose looks were somewhat wild, appeared to be
much alarmed when she learnt that she was ta be sent for
trial.

ILLEGAL PAWNlNG.—Yesterday, a joiner, named Henry
Atkinson, was charged by Mr. Hill, by whom he had been
employed as foreman, by taking away and pawning a mould-
ing-plane, the property of the latter. It appeared that the
prisoner was taken into custody yesterday, for being disor-
derly, and the ticket for the plane being found upon him, led
to the present oharge being brought against him. He said

in his defence that he had pledged theardele on hitillelelr'
account, to pay some small debts, and an allowevill * NW*
ter. This, however, Hill denied. - The value of aallialp
was stated to be about 6s ; and the prisoner wag palleisei to
pay thafainount, together with a penalty of 201, cot, de-
fault of payment, to be committed for three weeks to the
Borough Gaol.
CAUTION TO STAY-MAKERS, DRAPERS, AND OTHSRI.
Yesterday, alittle boy was committed by Mr. Hall, for seven
days, to the Housa of Correction, for purloining a pair of
stays, from a shop in Byrom-street. Mr. Hall, on hearing
that the article was hung out at the door, strongly animad-
verted on the impropriety of shopkeepers thus exposing
goods in a manner calculated to tempt depredators to carry
them off.

A DESERTER. - Yesterday, a youth named Christopizer
Duffy, was brought before Mr. Hall, rat the Police Court,
charged by John Shannon, a stupid-looking fellow, who
said he was a pensioner, with being a deserter from the 86th
regiment of foot, now lying at Todmorden, in Yorkshire.
The accused. did not deny that he had belonged to that regi-
ment, from which be said he had deserted about two months
ago. The evidence was accordingly taken against him, and
he was committed, to be delivered over to the military autho-
rities. The pensioner will, we understand, receive a reward
of a sovereign.

A DISTRESSING CASE.—On Wednesday. last, a woman
named Burgoyne, in the last stage of destitution, with four
little children, was placed at the bar of the Police-court.
Mr. Whitty, superintendent of police, stated that he had
seen her and her children begging in Fenwick-street, and
that they seemed to be starving of cold and hunger. He had
brought them up with a view to something being done for
their relief. The woman said her husband was a shoemaker,
but had got lamed and was unable to work. Mr. Parkinson,
the keeper of the bridewell, said the family had been visited
in the court where they lived, and that they were in great
misery. The woman said she had pawned every thing of
which she was possessed for food for her family—even to the
blanket from the bed. She wished she could get back some
of her little things, which were pledged for but a trifle. Mr.
Hall said he would speak to Mr. Evans the overseer, and
also see what could be done to redeem her children's clothing.
The poor woman expressed her gratitude for this humane
consideration of her case.

INFORMATION AGAINST A RETAIL BREWER.—On Wed-
nesday last, a keeper of a retail beer-house in Brook's-
street, named Charles Lowe, was charged before Mr. Hall
with having five men and a woman, with some ale before
them in his house on Sunday last, at half-past four o'clock
in the afternoon. Mr. Hall inquired of the two police offi-
cers whether they expected a reward from the Police Com-
mittee. They replied that they did expect a reward, whether
conviction occurred or not. They had laid no informations,
how.vpr. that were not followed by convictions Mr_ Super-
intendant Tyrrell explained to the bench that all these cases
first went before the committee of Police Commissioners,
and were instigated with a view to ascertain whether tW•
were fit cases to he brought before that court. The paretEs
accused were advised of such investigation, and might attend
the hearing before the committee if they thought proper:
Some did attend and others did not. Mr. Hall, after hear-
ing the evidence, said it was a great pity that beer-house
keepers were not more cautious ; but a bill had been brought
into the Lords, and another, it was understood, would be laid
before the Commons, which, if passed, would do away with
future complaints, as the object was to prevent the sale of
ale in such houses, to be drunk on the premises. He also
noticed that the moment a retail-brewer was convicted under
the present law, his license was forfeited, and if he continued
to sell, he might at any moment be proceeded against by the
excise. The present case being proved, the penalty (which
he had no power to mitigate) was 40s and costs.

MALAM V. THE DOUGLAS GAS COMPANY.—This Cause
came on for hearing before Lord Abinger on Monday. The
plaintiff has reeently erected the gas works in the town of
Douglas, and the directors have resisted his claim, (the sub-
ject of the present action) in consequence of the piping, &c.
not having been completed to their satisfaction. The case
was opened by Sir F. Pollock, and after the examination of
two of plaintiff's witnesses, it was mutually agreed to submit
the whole matter to arbitration. Mr. Cresswell appeared for
the defendants. The case has excited great interest in the
Isle of Man.

On St. David's day, the Ist of March, the usual services
will take place at the Welsh Church, after which the Rev.
Hugh M`Neile will preach a sermon on behalf of the Welt
schools. After this service the children will be examined.
ELECTION OF PHYSICIAN TO THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.—
After a smart canvass for the situation left vacant by the
retirement of Dr. Brandreth, the numbers, at the close of
the poll on Tuesday, were—Dr. Freckleton, 256 ; Dr. Mac-
rorie, 190 ; Dr. Scott, 54.
THE GREAT STEEPLE CHACE ON TUESDAY NEXT.—
The interest which this great event excites in the sporting
world is unprecedently great. Mr. Turner, the celebrated
animal painter, whose professional talents are so familiar to
the public, is engaged, we understand, to paint four splendid
pictures, illustrative of the scene. They are intended to be
published by subscription ; the engraving and colouring will
rank them with the popular efforts of the same artists, as
exemplified in the views of the St. Alban's and Aylesllury
Steeple 'Chases, and the Quorn Hunt. The list of sub-
scribers is already numerous, and those who intend to possess
a striking memento of this splendid affair, had better seize
the opportunity forthwith. Subscribers' names will be. re-
ceived at the Chronicle-Office, and by Mr. Aylward, Lord-
street.—See Advertisement.

ROBBERY—CAUTION.--On Tuesday, a number of articles
were stolen from the house of Miss Robinson, 51, Corn-
wallis-street, consisting of wearing apparel, belonging in
part to Dr. Quail, a lodger, and in part to Miss Robinson.
The thief was a Pole, a dark complexioned little man, who
had humanely been taken into the house by Dr. Quail, and
allowed to sleep in the parlour. He cannot speak English,
but is acquainted with the French language.
On Wednesday last, a painter employed on hoard of the
" Lerwick," in the Brunswick Dock, fell from a ladder at
the bows of the vessel into the water, but was immediately
rescued by police constable, 427, and taken to the station-
house. Alter being dried, he was taken home none the
worse for the accident.

ACCIDENT.—On Sunday last, a young female named 'Agnes
Speed, was so severely burnt in Sawney Pope-street,iliy,her
clothes catching fire, that she died at the Northern Hosirtal
the following day. An inquest was held Qn the body on
Wednesday, before Mr. Currie, coroner, and a verdict of
" Accidental death" was returned by the jury
•
FIRES.—The fires briefly noticed in our last number,,when
on the eve of publication, were happily unattended with.any
severe loss. One of them was in a store in, JordaargOet,
belonging to Messrs. Johnson and Lawrence, ,cheni4tolliSt.
James's-street. Several police constables went nuNeditttely
to the spot, and having obtained a supply of .water 'pled
in keeping down the fire until the engines. arriyetibi)gi.hon it
was effectually suppressed without much.darnagee t.The ma-
terials in the store were drugs, &c., of a yery,nonabustible
nature. The other fire was merel, the iguiti4P..cif liar
chimney in Concert-street.

RUN ON THE CORK BANKS.—There has been. a Jun on
the, Cork banks : the banks, however, sustained themselves,
and the run ceased. The Southern Reporter, of ThUrsday,
sayg :—" This folly is at an end. The run declined yester-
day, and to-day it ceased altogether. A few schemers may
have made some pounds by it, which the country lost, and
that is the only result."
ARCHITECTURE.—The objects which we have in view, it:
undertaking an Architectural Magazine, are the same that
influenced us in submitting to the world our Encyclopcedia
of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture—
viz. to diffuse among general reader , a taste for architectu-
ral beauties and comforts, and to improve the dwellings ofthe
great mass of society in all countries. The Architectural
Magazine, however, will embrace a more extensive range of
subjects than the Encyclopedia; since in addition to the
private dwellings of every class of society residing in the coun-
try, it will include also dwellings in cities and towns, and
public buildiings—in a word, the whole of civilarehitectUre,
building, and furnishing. The study of the science of archi-
tecture recommends itself to the general reader by the-utility
of its productions as au art, and by the pleasure affoidect by
the contemplation of these productions as subjecti teapte.
To young men, engaged in the various professions andiOCCu-
pations connected with the art of building, this tittl? p`rittents
a means of professional improvement, and, ecnide'qneitilf, of
advancement in the world ; in it, the landowner wilt find
one of the principal means of increasing the value'nf,l.;gico-
perty : it will give to the retiring citizen an opportanitt of
forming his taste before building or choosing a tottael or
villa residence ; and to every individual who eithet -)dkiittes
a house, or intends to occupy one, it will afford the'Yekabi of
ascertaining what is good or bad in construction oCinappelir-
ance, and of choosing, repairing, altering, fitting tip; and
furnishing his habitation. Though all men do •ntl: Ittfild
houses, yet all men in a state of civilization live in *rad; and
it must therefore, be of some importance to every individual
to have have his judgment in the choice of a house heighten-
ed by a knowledge of what points in its construction, and
arrangement will contribute most to his security, convenience,
and comfort. A taste for architecture, like that of any of the
fine arts, is at once a source of enjoyment, and a mark of re-
finement. As buildings are more frequently occurring to the
view than either pictures or statues, this enjoyment can be
proportionately more frequently obtained; and hence it would
appear to be more desirable for the possessor. It may further
be stated, that to understand and enjoy architecture, does
not depend nearly so much on what is called natural taste as
does the enjoyment of pictures, statuary, or music. Archi-
tecture is more an enjoyment of reason than of imagination ;
and there is hardly any great feature of beauty or deformity,
in a building, the propriety or absurdity of which could not be
made obvious to the mostordinary understanding, even if the
possessor of that understanding had paid very little attention
previously to the subject. Whatever may be the advantage
to the possessor individually of a C.Nt, fir. 21.1UlliteCCU.1., si
ornament, and ultimately the benefit, to the whole country,
arising from such a taste becoming general would .be
beyond calculation. What man who had built his own
house, and possessed any taste in this art, would be content
to live in houses exhibiting such external elevations as-those
which at present continually meet the eye, both in town and
country ? Let a taste for architecture spread generally, and
our, towns will soon present continuous elevations of archi-
tectural beauty, and our country residences became as cele-
brated for their architeCture, as they are now for their
gardens and landscape scenery.—lntroduction to Loudon's
Architectural Magazine.
Rusw N NAVY.—While we refuse to adopt the exaggera-
tion in which some have indulged in this subject, we cannot
conceal the fact, that Russia now possesses a navy which
ought to make us look searchingly at the state of our own.
The magnitude of the danger which menaces us will be most
apparent, from an analysis of the united force.above named.
The Baltic fleet, for instance, which, two years ago, consisted
of only twenty-six ships of the line, now (1838,) Mcluding
the two fine ships which were launched last September,kis
of 120 1
8410:
gu;n
composed as follows : '
1 Three-decker
3 Three-deckers
7 Ships
19 Ships
in all, thirty heavy line-of-battle ships (not forty-five, tta-haa
been erroneously stated.) To these, however, must be ntiticd
1 Razee of 56 guns. • -
3 Frigates of 52 „ -
18 Ditto
besides corvettes and small-craft ; in all composing,a fleet-of
the strength. above named, and manned by a force of 33019
mea. _ • • :t

The Russian fleet in the Black Sea, which, three years
ago, reckoned only 'fifteen ships of, the line, • (not eighteett,
as has been frequently stated in. England,) with sinaller-i-
-sels in proportion, and manned by 19,800 well-trainethaa=
men, was considerably weakened by losses in the rsevite
gales of the winter of 1837-8 ; but, in consequenoe-of
Lions made to it of ships recently at Nicolaelf,T Erti...,? the
strength of this fleet at the present moment amounts td.iris-
teen ships of the line, which, it is said, will be. &Aker
strengthened in the course of the ensuing sumrner,, by: the
addition of other ships now building. It being-customary in
Russia to begin the training of. the crew.of a nekv-sliptlie' •
moment her keel is laid, the shins last referred.-td:wilMe
ready for sea as soon as they are launched.
Nor is the last yet finished. In calculating • theJr.iival
strength of Russia, we must not overlook the ships.witiEft
she now has on the Caspian, which are the more vatuable-:to.
her, that there it no chance of an enemy being able-to reach
them. Already there are several vessels orvery considerable.
size on this sea ; and more are in rapid progress at thelmilct.:
ink yards recently established at very favourable points. ,
The last item to be added is her steam-boats, which., in .
such seas as Russia will have to fight upon, will be of the
utmost service to her in case of war. Including those on the •
Caspian and the Sea of Azoif, she has now at least siztp
steamers, of one kind or other..—iirtMrifrit R 4,1411.