The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-08-27 00:00:00

THE FANCY FAIR YESTERDAY

The time for opening was fixed for twelve o'clock, and
shortly after that hour, the company drew towards the en-
trance gate to the grounds, on the north side of the Walton
road, in carriages and on foot, in such numbers, as finally to
form a continued train or procession from Kirkdale ; and an
almost equal number moved to the spot from the direction of
Walton village. The road on the south presented, for some
time, the appearance of a rush to the races, with, however,
alit favourable difference, that the parties, whether riding or
on foot, were almost exclusively composed of the higher
classes of the community,—there being on such an occasion
no inducement or attraction for the gamblers and light-
fingered gentry who (notwithstanding all recent police regu-
lations), stillinfest those latter places of national amusement.
Over the entrance gate, at the lodge, an arch of evergreens
was erected, with two tall poles at each abutment. Over the
arch a national flag was hung horizontally, and a flag also
floated from each of the poles, high over head, which
covered with dark green foliage to their tops. The day was
exceedingly fine and sunny, and the visiters were delighted
as they proceeded, with the beauty of the grounds, and the
freshness and luxuriance of the vegetation, The fine avenue
of old sycamores leading to the shrubberies in which the
tents were pitched, was not the least interesting iortion of
the scene. From the branches of these venerable tiees many
national and other flags were appended, several of them with
appropriate mottoes. On one large white flag overhead, was
inscribed " Church and Queen ;" and Royal Standards,
large and small, broad pendants, &c. floated in every direc-
tion. About two o'clock the avenue presented, indeed, a
most interesting appearance. A continued stream of fashion-
ably dressed ladies and gentlemen moved along. the smooth
carriage way in the centre, and on the grass, rising on each
side, and terminating in shrubberies, were seen groups who
sought the shade, seated on garden chairs and forms com-
manding a view of the promenade. About half way up the
walk, and on one side, was stationed Mr. Stubb's harmonic
band. playing from time to time, many choice overtures and
national airs, as well as some pieces composed for the occa-
sion. Mr. Jolifie's band was also equally efficient at another
part of the ground.
At the top of the avenue, an4Over the gate leading into
the pleasure-grounds, immediatek surrounding " Spella
Hall," Mr. Skirving's residence, another triumphal arch is
erected, composed of evergreens, and ornamented with
shields, and devices, formed of beautiful dahlias in full
bloom. The effect of this was beautiful. On each side of
the arch floats the royal standard, and other flags tastefully
disposed on poles and staffs covered with evergreens.
Before entering the pleasure-grounds are two tents, one
within the angle of fine ivy-covered outbuildings, and another
outside of the south building. The former is a very large
tent, and appropriated for refreshments. Here Mrs. Walms-
ley Stanley and Mrs. Chubb presided, and, with their assis-
tants. dispensed the good things of this life with a hospitable
and kind attention, that left nothing to be expressed by their
numerous customers but admiration of their politeness; the
excellence of their viands and confectionary, and the fine
flavour of their wines. Here is a good model in confection-
ary of Walton Church, presented by Mr. Lynn.
The next tent, close to the gate last noticed, is filled with
toys and curiosities, prints, &c. This is conducted by Mr.
Coutts, in the print and book department ; and in the toy
line by the pupils of Mr. M`Gregor. At the further end of
the teat is a fine stuffed specimen of the Alpaca, or Peruvian
mountain sheep.

Passing the gate of the pleasure grounds, before noticed,
the visitor enters the " Royal Exchange," or general fancy
fair, near the house. The tents are beautifully dispersed in
the shrubberies, and are moreover shaded by large syca-
more trees. On the right (near the house) are two tents,
and further on, opposite the house, are two others. The
tents are not numbered, but for the sake of arrangement we
shall begin with those that first come into view, numbering
each, from one upwards.
No. I.—Mrs. Alanson and Assistants, beautifully deco-
rated inside with red and white drapery, as are the others.
The posts are covered with white cloth, so stretched as to
form clustered pillars. It would appear invidious to parti-
cularize, where all was so beautiful; but we cannot, in jus-
tice, refrain from noticing some of the most attractive arti-
cles in each tent. In No. 1 there was a beautiful assort-
ment of needle work of every description. A beautiful
model of St. Jude's Church, in Bristol board, was also dis-
played. The embroideryfand rug-work were much admired.
No. 2.—Mrs. Squires. A very fine assortment. We no-
ticed a beautiful doll—a capital likeness of the Queen, The
silk patch-work was much admired. Here there was a beau-
tiful model of a genteel house—every apartment finished and
furnished in excellent style, with all conceivable articles of
furniture and luxury, from the kitchen to the drawing-room,
and all of proportionate size. In the building and furnishing
of this " mansion " much ingenuity and time must have
been expended. Every article in a cabinet shop is here to
be found in correct miniature. Some fine satin wood chairs,
&c.

No. 3.—Mrs. Moss, the lady of the vicar of Walton. A
large collection of the beautiful ;in needle-work, elegant
embroidery, worsted work, &c. An embroidered piece in
the middle of the tent attracted much attention, as did also a
splendid hour-glass shaped ottoman on German cloth.
No. 4.—Mrs. Skirving. One of the most interesting
stalls on the ground. Besides a variety of fine needle-
work, paintings, prints, &c.,—there was a splendid collection
of natural flowers, in bouquets, culled from the immediate
gardens.
In the adjacent pleasure grounds, and isolated from the
tents noticed, where three other tents, equally replete with
the useful and the ornamental :

No. s.—Mrs. Birkett. Some beautiful patch work. A
complete cottage ornie in the fine comfortable old English
style, with furniture minutely proportionate in each apart-
ment to correspond. This excited much admiration. A
beautiful japaned chair was also shown, and commanded a
speedy sale. The needlework, &c., was superb.
No. 6.—Mrs. Myers, of Everton. This stall was furnished
on a very short notice, and was highly creditable to the con-
ductress. A beautiful child's cot, or swinging bed was
shown, presented by Mr. George Wright. It is of mahogany,
on two pillars, the top one representing a snake's head, sup-
porting the tester. The other articles were of superior quality,
—in embrodary, fine needle-work, &c., &c.
No. 7.—Mrs. Mc Gregor. This was one of the largest
stocks on the ground. We know not how to particularize
the various articles. The most conspicuous to our thinking
was a fanny ball—the charactors admirably dressed in varid
costumes, and the whole magnified to double their number by
mirrors behind,—two beautiful models of beds, and some
splendid needle-work.
We should notice that in each tent were autographs, on
beautifully mounted cards, of her most gracious Majesty the
Queen Dowager. Each autograph was a copy of a select
passage from Scripture.
The rockwork and shrubberies, as well as the extensive
grounds, were the general theme of astonishment and admi-
ration. In every direction the most beautiful promenades
presented themselves, and the whole grounds, with their
numerous winding and straight walks, and interesting hedges
and enclosures, were thronged with gay and admiring groups.
The whole grounds, on each side of the high road, contain
about 70 acres, and they are laid out in a manner which,
though chiefly intended to promote production in a commer-
cial point of view, are subservient to the purposes of plea-
sure, and especially to the gratification of the lovers of what-
ever is beautiful in the parterre, the shrubbery, the flower-
garden, the conservatory, and even the field and the forest.
The green-houses and the hot-house, on the south of Mr.
Skirving's mansion, were frequently resorted to throughout
the day, as well as the extensive and beautiful grounds south
of thence, comprising upwards of 12 acres. At the height of
the fair the whole scene was truly charming. The collection
of flowers and plants, in full bloom, was exceedingly beauti-
ful, and many of them of great richness and rarity ; but we
must in justice say, that the finest flowers there were the
blooming' Lancashire Witches" who honoured and raced the
fete by their presence. The bevies of beauties, with lovely
and smiling countenances, that everywhere met the eye, sur-
passed all that poets in their wildest dreams have compassed
or conceived ; and we shall, therefore, stand excused if we
refrain from all attempt to describe their charms and
graces in our humble prose. Those who beheld them
must be stoics, indeed, if they do not hereafter look
back upon the pleasure they enjoyed in seeing so brilliant a
constellation of the fairest of the fair, as a bright and sunny
day in the chequered span of their existence.
The company comprised the mass of the most respectable
and fashionable families and individuals of the town and
neighbourhood ; and let it suffice to say, that we never saw
so splendid a collection of " honest men and bonny lasses."
All appeared to enjoy themselves to the highest degree, and
were astonished and delighted to find grounds so beautifully
laid out, so near the town, and of the existenceof which few
of them had previously any conception. Mr. •Skirving and
his amiable lady, who devoted every possible attention to the
comfort and convenience of the company, cannot fail to be
gratified by learning, that their kindness was highly appre-
ciated by all who were present. The gentlemen of the com-
mittee exerted themselves to the utmost in their official vo-
cation. and it is highly gratifying to know, that the praise-
worthy object they had in view will, in all probability, be
attained to an extent exceeding their expectations.
This brings us to the question of " finances," as the
Chancellor of the Exchequer would say ; and we are happy
to state, that the receipts at the entrance-gate and at
the stalls were large and liberal. 'To carry out the view
purposed, however, a fund .of considerable amount is
required ; and we cannot better further that object than by
stating that the grounds, the tents, and the ladies will all be
" on view " to-morrow, for the small admission of one shill-
ing, and that the sight of any of the three separately is worth
ten times the money. All the principal articles, sold or not,
will be retained to gratify visitors ; and we would say, with-
out fear of causing disappointment; in inviting to a first visit
those who have not been present, and those who have been
present, to a second—
Let those admire who ne'er admired before,
And those who have admired. admire the more.

TO DR. COX AND THE DEPUTATION FROM
THE MANCHESTER CONFERENCE.

GENTLEMEN,—In my last, I arrogated to myself the title
of your Christian master; my object in so doing was to draw
on me, from you, a well-merited castigation, to which I
should have succumbed, and, after apologising with all humi-
lity, would have endeavoured to induce you to follow my
example to the public at large, by shewing inferentially how
superlatively arrogant you have been as a body, in compa-
rison with my humble self as an individual.
At the time I wrote I was not awore of the degredation into
which you were fallen, from your ignorance, indecency, and
impiety ;—so far, indeed, that I could not but consider it a
degredation to myself to bestow on you (as a body) any fur-
ther consideration ;—but, being aware that however innoxious
to myself have been your proceedings, that they may be
hurtful to others who have not read them, I shall just draw
your consideration to one point, which will be sufficient to
shew your ignorance, your weakness, and your wickedness.
I am not aware, Dr. Cox, whether you are D.D. or LL.D.,
but naturally presume you are either the one or the other;
it is sufficient for me that I have not to blush for conferring
on you an honorary distinction—of which it is evident you
are unworthy from one reason alone, that I now proceed to
point out. You will hardly attempt to deny that two lies
cannot make one truth, and yet you have had the modesty,
by your conduct, to assert that, formed as your heterogeneous
assembly were of 'unholy materiels, you were calculated to
sound the " death knell and give the death blow" (your own
words)—to what pray ? You said monopolies,—but little
dreamed that your words were prophetic as far as regarded
" political dissent," as well as any public esteem that may
have been accorded to you for ability.
Farewell, Dr. Cox, and remember that, though you have
done so, there are still, even in this age of liberalism,
" Seven thousand men who have not bowed unto Baal, or
KISSED him:"-Ist Kings, 19—I8.
I remain, your most obedient servant,
B. W. TRACEY, Lieut. R.N.
Mates' Association, Duke-street,
Liverpool.

There's a fellow in Boston who has got such a wry neck
that he can swallow nothing but gin twist.

SOUTH LANCASHIRE SUMMER ASSIZES

CROWN COURT.-TUESDAY.
TRIAL OF MR. WILLIAM JIINNER

William Jenner, 57, was indicted for the wilful murder of
William Jenner the younger, and Mary Jenner, at Liver-
pool;\ also with having feloniously shot at George Jenner,
with intent to murder him.

Mr. Starkie and Dr. Brown conducted the prosecution;
the prisoner was defended by Sir Gregory Lewin and Mr.
Murphy.
Mr. STARICIE opened the case, and having stated, at great
length, all the particulars of this melancholy transaction,
concluded by telling the jury, that it was for them to deter-
mine whether the prisoner committed the crime with which
he stood charged ; and, if so, whether he was then under the
influence of any illusion which rendered him insensible of
the nature of the act, since in that case, he would not be re-
sponsible for his conduct. If they should be of opinion,
that, when he committed the act, he was not under the influ-
ence of any such illusion as would render him unable to dis-
cover the difference between right and wrong, then they
should hold him to be amenable to the justice of his country,
and guilty in the eye of the law.
George Jenner, an intelligent and interesting boy, was
then called, and glancing at his father at the bar, his eyes
were suffused with tears. His appearance, and the manner
in which he gave his testimony, were very affecting, and pro-
duced a great sensation in court. He is the eldest son of
the prisoner, and was examined by Mr. Starkie. On the
27th of April, which was Tuesday, we resided in Portland-
place, Roscommon-street. The family consisted of my
father, my mother, and my brother, William Jenner. Mrs.
Bainbridge and Mary Goldsmith lisTd with us as servants.
We were about to remove from Portland-street to another
house. Neither of the servants slept in the house. on the
Monday night. I went to bed that night between half-past
eleven and twelve o'clock, and slept with my brother in the
front bed-room. My father and mother slept in the back
bed-room upon the same floor ;we left them up. No other
persons were in the house but them. I did not hear them
come to bed. I was awoke about six o'clock in the morn-
ing by a report something like the report of a pistol or a gun.
My brother slept nearest the door. I observed my father
standing by the side of the bed nearest my brother, and saw
that he had something in his hand, but I could not then tell
what it was. I jumped out of bed immediately, and caught
my father by both hands, and tried to hold him against the
door, but he got from me. During the time I was trying to
hold him I saw that he had a pistol in his hand. When he
got from me I went down stairs, leaving him in the room, to
the front door, which was fastened ; I could not unfasten it.
I then went into the front parlour. As I was going down
stairs I heard another report like the other. When I was in
the front parlour my father came to me; he caught hold of
me with his right hand by the left shoulder. I saw he had
two pistols in his left hand when he came into the room.
I caught hold of his hand and I got the two pistols from him.
He tried to get them back, but I kept hold of them. I told him
I wanted to go up stairs, I believe I said, to see my mother. I
do not remember whether he said anything. I went up stairs
into the back bed-room to see my mother, but she was not
there. I was coming out of the door when my father met me. I
came down stairs and went to the front door, and I think I
tried to get it open again. I then went into the front par-
lour. I believe my father was up stairs when I went there.
I had just gone in when he came down to me ; be then got
his left arm round my head, and I heard another report.
Before I heard the report I saw that he had another pistol in
his hand. I struggled and got from under his arm, and got
hold of the pistol which he held in his hand. I struck him
with the two pistols which I had on the back of the head, and
then I believe I struck him on the arm. I got the third pis-
tol from him, and asked him what he did it for. He said
"he was crazy." I believe I told him I wanted to go and
see my mother. I don't thing he said anything to that. I
wanted to go into the lobby, but he caught hold of me by the
night-clothes, and tried to keep me. I got into the lobby,
but he still kept hold of me, and there I got away from him.
1 then went into the kitchen. When I was in the parlour I
heard my mother shouting something, but I do not recollect
what it was. The shouts proceeded from the kitchen.
When I got in the kitchen I found my mother lying on the
floor with her head towards the fire-place. There was much
blood upon the floor near to her. She said it was my father
who had done it. My father then came down, and we tried
to raise her up. We did not raise her properly, and I found
we could not do it properly because of the pistols in my
hand. I told my father I would go and throw the pistols
away. He told me to give them to him. I told him I
would not, because he would shoot him. I went towards the
lobby which leads into the yard. The kitchen is a cellar
kitchen, and you go into the yard through a lobby. As I
was going into the lobby, my father caught hold of me by
the night-clothes and tried to keep me back, but I got away
and went into the yard to the midden door and opened it. I
threw all the three pistols in. I then went back towards the
door, and my father came and told me to come in. I told
him I would go for a surgeon and a policeman. He said no-
thing to that. I went out at the back door into a lane, still
in my night-clothes. I met a man, and asked him for a po-
liceman. He asked me what was to do, and he went in
search of a policeman. I went immediately to Mr. Ack-
erley, the surgeon, who had attended my father once. I
went home directly after. I was absent between five and
ten minutes. A policeman had then arrived. I saw my fa-
ther a few minutes afterwards, and he told me something
about Mr. Roberts.

Cross-examined by Sir GREGORY LEWIN.—He was stand-
ing up when I took the pistols from him. I had some dif-
ficulty in getting the two first from him, and I was about a
minute in getting the other. He was always a kind father
to me, and kind to my mother. About eight months since
Mr. Hunt brought home my father, who was ill. I heard
my mother scold him : his face was very red, and he was very
lively. I heard my mother tell him he was very foolish to
think of things that were past. Last October, or September,
Mr. Ackerley and Dr. Banning both came and attended upon
my father. His counting-house was then in James's-street;
after that time the practice was for somebody always to ac-
company him home. _ _ _

Willitim Maddock, police-officer, No. 285, said that at half
past six in the morning of the 27th April, in consequence of
information, he went to the prisoner's house, in Portland-
place. The prisoner was standing in the lobby, and witness
asked him " what was to do ?" but he returned no answer.
Witness then proceeded into the kitchen, and found Mrs.
Jenner lying on thefloor, bleeding from the head. With the
assistance of another officer he placed her upon a chair. In
the midden witness found a double-barrelled pistol, marked
Mo. 1; the top barrel had been discharged, but the other
was loaded with powder and ball. Saw two more pistols
found by John Thomas, another police-officer.
John Thomas said he was a police-officer, and searched the
midden at the prisoner's house, and found two pistols. One
pistol had both barrels empty ; the other had one barrel
loaded with powder and ball, the other having been dis-
charged.

George Hartley, police-officer, No. 67, said he went to the
house of the prisoner on the morning of this occurrence.
Witness took the prisoner into custody, and found a double-
barrelled pistol upon him, with both barrels loaded.
Bryce Smith, a police-inspector, said he went to the house
between half-past six and seven, after the other officers. He
searched the house, and in a small box under the bed in the
Nick bed-room he found some percussion caps, two powder
flasks, and a bullet-mould. In a chest of drawers, in the
same apartment, he found a small bottle labelled "laudanum."
Saw Mr. Jenner afterwards in the front parlour, in the cus-
tody of Hartley. He said Mr. Roberts, or Mr. Robertson,
was to blame for this, and that if all four had gone to the
Cemetery it would have been all right. He said his wife had
been a good wife to him, and he spoke of his two fine boys.
Cross-examined.—These observations were made by the
prisoner, who was sitting down in the front parlour. Wit-
ness asked him no questions. The first witness was saying
something to the prisoner as witness entered the room, and
these observations were made without anything leading to
them.
Jonathan Andrews, police-inspector, said he went to the
house shortly before seven o'clock, and saw the first witness
with his father. The prisoner asked his son to kiss him ;
but the boy, who appeared afraid of him, said " No, you have
shot my brother and my mother,
and you intended to have
shot me." The prisoner said, "Yes, George, we should all
have come to poverty." Witness asked the prisoner the
cause of his having committed such a rash act. His reply
was, " I have been unfortunate in business, and in a state of
insanity for some time." After that he wrung his hands and
said, " Oh, Mr. Roberts, what have you done for my wife
and family." He spoke of the kindness of his wife and his
two sons towards him. Witness found the case produced
under the bed in the back room. In it there was a bill of
parcel for the pistols.

Richard Yates Ackerley deposed, that, on the 27th of
April last, a little before seven in the morning, he was called
in to the assistance of Mrs. Jenner, and found that she had
a wound in the head. Witness attended her until the 6th of
May, when she died of the injury she had received from a
pistol ball, which he extracted after her death. The ball was
very rough and pointed. Saw the pistols ; the ball was so
altered in shape that it would not fit any of them; but was
the weight of a ball that would fit them. Had conversation
with Mrs. Jenner on the 27th of April, but could not say
that she then considered her life in danger.
Counsel was then proceeding to produce the deposition of
Mrs. Jenner; and the court having expressed some objection,
Mr. STARKIE quoted some cases to show that the receiving
of depositions in evidence was objected to only in cases
where the evidence was not given in the presence of the
prisoner ; but, in this case, the prisoner was present, and
heard the examination.

- His LORDSHIP did not consider a deposition evidence,
merely because it was given in the presence of the prisoner ;
however, as the counsel for the prisoner did not object to
the production of the depositions of Mrs. Jenner, his Lord-
ship said, they might he read, with the understanding that
he did not admit the correctness of the proceeding.
The following depositions of Mrs. Jenner, taken before
Edward Rushton, Esq., one of the magistrates for the
borough of Liverpool, was then read :
" I am the wife of William Jenner. I got up this morn-
ing (27th April) before five o'clock, and left Mr. Jenner in
bed. We were preparing to go out of this house to live in
another. I went down stairs and got a cup of tea. I don't
think my husband got up before half-past five. He came
down about that time. It was certainly before six. He
came down with his shoes in his hand, and said he would
clean them, as the servant was out. He went up again. I
remember feeling something, and I thought I had taken a
fit. What occasioned the sensation I don't know. I heard
the children scream. I was sensible before I spoke. 1
'
heard the children cry Mamma! mamma! murder !' I
called for Mr. Jenner, for Gods sake, to help me. I did
not know he had injured me. I did not see him after that.
I cannot tell where I was standing when 1 received the shock.
I am not sensible who came to my assistance. I cannot tell
whether I heard any thing before 1 fell. No one but the
children, and Mr. Jenner, and me were in the house at the
time. The servants were sleeping in another house."
The examination of Mr. Ackerley was then resumed. He
heard Mr. Jenner saying be was deranged, and speaking of
the kindness of his wife and children.
Cross-examined by Sir GREGORY LEWlN.—Witness was
called in to the prisoner on the 4th September last. He had
then taken some prussic acid, and was in a state of great ex-
citement. His countenance was flushed, and his eyes, which
glistened and protruded, wandered wildly about the room.
He was not altogether coherent. 'Witness administered an
emetic to him. A bottle of prussic acid was found in the
room, and a strong smell of it was found when witness en-
tered. The emetic was effective ; but no prussic acid was
discovered in what was emitted from the prisoner's stomach.
Some laudanum was also found in the room. The excite-
ment was not the consequence of poison. Dr. Banning was
also called in, and he and witness considered the prisoner
insane, and in a dangerous state to go at liberty. They sug-
gested to Mrs. Jenner the propriety of having her husband
put into an asylum. Witness had much experience in cases
of insanity ; but could not refer his kind of insanity to any
particular classification, in consequence of anything he heard
from the prisoner. From information which he had received
from other parties, he considered him affected with mono-
mania, and his flushed cheeks and swollen eyes were indica-
tive of that class of insanity. A derangement of the func-
tions of the liver materially tended to the production of mo-
nomania, and led to violent paroxysms. The first day wit-
ness was called in, the prisoner said Ile was much better, and
would not require witness's attendance. This was about
three hours after witness was called in.
By the Court.—This was after witness told Mrs. Jenner
to send her husband to an asylum. Monomania signified
madness, or a delusion on one particular subject, The par
ticular subject on which -
the prisoner was mad was respecting
the state of his affairs. His saying that it was better to be
in heaven than to be living in poverty, was not reasoning
soundly. His trying to persuade his wife to take prussic
acid, and to administer laudanum to his children, was ano-
ther reason why witness thought the prisoner mad.
Thomas Blissett proved the selling of the pistols.
John Kilahaw, Mr. Blissetes assistant, and Francis Lane,

who was in Mr. Blissett's employment, also proved the sell-
ing and loading of the pistols.
The case for the prosecution closed here.
Sir GREGORY LEWIN then rose to address the jury on be-
half of the prisoner. The shocking details which they had
heard, and which it was quite impossible for him to contro-
vert, imposed upon him a task, and a very melancholy task
it was—of shewing as he trusted for the honour of human
nature he should be able to do (beyond all question) that of
which those who had heard the evidence could not entertain
a doubt, namely—that at the time this dreadful deed was
done, he, by whom it was perpetrated, was not in a state of
mind to be responsible to God or man. To suppose an in-
telligent being comes calmly and deliberately, rises from the
bed whereon he had been lying beside the object of his
fondest affections, for the purpose of taking her life, and the
life of their united offspring, and that without any suggested
motive whatever, was to suppose not a man but a demon.
But while on the one hand, they might entertain the strongest
beiief in the insanity of the prisoner, at the time he com-
mitted the act, they would, no doubt, require to have that
opinion fortified by evidence, in order that the public mind
might be satisfied that the law was vigilant in the protection
of human life, and that the sense of security, which was so
important to the happiness of all, should neither be lessened
nor impared. It would be his duty to give the jury a short
outline of the history of the prisoner's life, and then point
their attention to those facts and circumstances which went
to show, as he should humbly contend, that he was afflicted
with that species of madness called mania, or monomania, of
which they had already had some account from Mr. Acker •
ley, the surgeon. It would also be necessary for him to point
their attention to the results of experience recorded by most
learned and enlightened men, who had dedicated their lives
to the subject of mental alienation. The prisoner was, in early
life, engaged as a cotton-broker, and resided in America. He
was in the habit of making consignments to this country ; and
in 1820 or 1821 he came to this country, and entered into an
arrangement with a Mr. Roberts, at Manchester, that he
should go to America, and they should make consignments
on account of each other. He remained there for some
time, taking for granted that his business in this country
would be properly transacted and attended to. In 1824, he
returned to this country, but not finding things in the state
he expected, he again went back to America. In 1825 he
came back and then he found that terrible crash in the com-
mercial world, which every person in the court would, no
doubt, well remember. The consequence was that a com-
mission of bankruptcy was instantly taken out against him.
That-commission was suspended, at the instance of Mr. Ro-
berts, and it continued suspended till 1827, but in the mean-
time uo less than four other commissions were issued against
him. In 1827, the commission of 1825 was commenced to be
worked, and the reason of it, as stated by the man himself,
was this, that he might commit frauds and perjuries for the
purpose of rescuing and saving Mr. Roberts, with whom he
had entered into engagements. Having done that, the con-
sequences followed which were natural enough ; he was cast
out altogether, and from being a man of affluence, lie became
a ruined man and a pauper. Devotedly attached to his wife
and children, they were foremost in his thoughts ; his mind
laid hold of the notion that they must come to poverty and
misery, and be degraded from the station in which they had
hitherto existed. This feeling went on growing from time to
time more oppressive. In vain he endeavoured to obtain
employment, he felt his character was gone. The expres-
sions he used plainly indicated what was passing in his mind,
for when an.individual attempted to comfort him, he said,
" No, I dare not go upon 'Change, they will see rogue writ-
ten upon my countenance." He called upon a gentleman
who received him in the most kind and benevolent manner,
Mr. Howard, of this town, who would be put into the wit-
ness-box. He went to that gentleman in a state of the
greatest possible excitement respecting Mr. Roberts having
been the cause of his misfortune ; his eyes glistened and pro-
truded, and he was in a state of the greatest possible agita-
tion. Mr. Howard endeavoured to calm him: he told him
it was too late to institute legal proceedings, and that if it
were not, there was no evidence but his own to prove the
facts, and he had been guilty of the fraud and perjury which
he had mentioned. On this he burst into tears and said,
" Good God, what is to become of my wife and children, I
have not bread for them to eat." This satisfied Mr. How-
ard that, at that time, his mind was labouring under very
serious infirmity. Mr. Howard, with great benevolence,
gave him a £5 note, telling him that neither he nor his
family should want, and he also gave him a letter of intro-
duction to Mr. M`Neile, who administered to him the com-
forts of religion. It seemed that the day before this lament-
able event happened, Mr. Howard went to London. Whilst
he was away, the prisoner called at his office with a large
bundle of papers to renew the subject, which were forwarded
to Mr. Howard in London; and whilst Mr. Howard was
there he heard of this dreadful catastrophe. Thus the same
subject was constantly dwelling upon his mind ; all his ideas
were concentrated upon that one thing ; he thought of
nothing else ; and it presented to his mind one universal
blank. In fact for the last fifteen years had this unfortunate
man's mind been in a perpetual rack; and for the last ten
years he had scarely had a ray of hope to brighten his pros-
pects. In that state, was it at all remarkable that by degrees
his mind should become disordered, and that symptoms
should be the consequence which as recorded by learned
men and shown by the evidence of Mr. Ackerley were symp-
toms of mania. After placing this view of the case before
the jury, the learned counsel said he should prove it by the
evidence of numerous witnesses, and he narrated the princi-
pal points of their testimony. He concluded with a few
general observations on the importance of the case, and with
expressing his confidence that the decision of the jury would
be a conscientious one.

Mr. John Howard, solicitor, was the first witness called
and examined for the defence. He said he had known the
prisoner six or seven years, and was employed by him upon
the decease of his brother, Mr. Richard Jenner, of Glasgow.
The prisoner left Liverpool for Glasgow, and returned from
thence about twelve months ago. In January last he called
at witness's office, in a state of great excitement, and a dis-
turbed state of mind, with some papers which he called
" correspondence," upon which he wished to consult wit-
ness professionally. The correspondence he said related to
some transactions with a Mr. Roberts, of Manchester, and
one or two other persons there. Witness asked him for a
general outline of the case, and he told him that in 1824 he
failed in business ; that, at the instigation of Mr.. Roberts,
he bad been led to commit various acts of fraud and perjury
in order to clear that person. Witness looked, on his re-
quest, at one or two of the letters, and told him the trans-
actidn had occurred so long ago that he could not see any
legal remedy for it, adding that, even if there were, there
appeared to be no evidence but his own to support any pro-
ceedings be might take; and that, as upon his own showing,
he had been guilty of fraud and perjury, he could not be be-
lieved. He then exclaimed, in a violent manner, " But Mr.
Howard what am I to do ? my wife and children are starv-
ing ; " and urged witness to take some proceedings, in the
hope that Mr. Roberts might be induced, by the dread of ex-
posure, to assist him. Seeing him in this excited state, wit-
ness endeavoured to calm him, by leading him to religious
subjects, recommending him to forget and forgive Mr. Ro-
berts's injuries, and pointed out to him the text of Scripture,
" Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all things shall be
added unto you." Witness had been in the habit, previ-
ously, of speaking to him on religious subjects. He said,
" Mr. Howard, you know I have been a great sinner ; the
devil tempted me only a few months ago to destroy ourselves
and our two children to prevent our coming to want. The
mode I suggested was this, to enclose our selves in a close
room, with a charcoal fire." He said he rejoiced he had re-
sisted this offer, and calmed his mind by telling him not to
think of such things. His excitement seemed to come on
again in consequence of his having nothing for his family to
eat. Witness said, " I will relieve you from that difficulty,"
and put a bank note into his hand, telling him to come again
when he was in distress. He burst into tears and said, "Now
my dear wife and children you have something to eat." Wit-
ness gave him a letter of introduction to the Rev. H. M`Neile,
and recommended him to attend the week-day services of
that gentleman, A day or two afterwards he again came to
witness's office, and said Mr. M`Neile had comforted his
mind greatly, and that he felt great advantage from having
attended the services of the church. He never after this re-
quired any assistance from witness. He came sometimes to
witness's office and complained of having been slighted upon
'Change. On the 19th of April witness went to London on
business ; the morning after his arrival there he received a
packet from the prisoner, containing a letter and a litho-
graphed copy of the correspondence which he had shown
witness before. Five or six days afterwards, witness read,
with great horror, the account of this dreadful occurrence.
As soon as he returned, witness went to see him iu Kirkdale
gaol. His wife was then living, and he expressed great plea-
sure at hearing she was better, adding, that she bad been a
dear wife, and had it not been for Mr. Roberts, they should
have been happy still. He wept exceedingly when he spoke
of his son, who was dead. He often said to witness, " Mr.
Howard, you know lam a crazy man." From the time he
visited witness in the month of January, to the time of this
unhappy occurrence, witness did not consider him in a sane
state of mind. The prisoner, from the first time witness
knew him, always complained of a running wound in his leg,
but in January he said this wound was healed. Witness
could not recollect whether he said anything about his suf-
ferings when in a recumbent posture.

Mary Bainbridge said she lived with Mr. Jenner as servant
about three weeks ag, and shortly before that he was con-
fined to his bed, with an ulcer upon his leg. During his con-
finement he lost his little boy, and that event quite mithered
him. He never came into the house without crying about it.
Mrs. Jenner told witness that he was quite out of his mind
then. The family after that went into Scotland, where they
remained twelve months, and when they returned witness
went to live with them again. Mr. Jenner was then very
mithered, and in a low way ; he complained about Mr. Ro-
berts, and used to say that his family would come to poverty.
Witness had heard Mrs. Jenner ask him to look up to God,
and she would endeavour to support the family. After Sep-
tember last be never came from his office alone ; he was
always fetched home. The same morning that this event
occurred, witness asked him why he had done it? He replied
that it was better they should all die together than live in
poverty. Witness never saw a better or more affectionate
husband and father ; they lived happily together. They were
removing to a cheaper house by £2 a-year. The rent of the
house in Portland-place was £35 ; that in Cazneau -street £33.
James Baines said he was in the service of the prisoner in
1835, as clerk. He had a curious method of addressing a
parcel ; he would address it upon every side. In giving wit-
ness instructions upon matters of business he would suddenly
break off, and not mention the subject again. Recollected
him being confined to his bed for three weeks, and witness
went frequently to see him on business. On some of those
occasions he neither knew witness nor Mrs. Jenner. His
manner was not always coherent ; but witness considered
him in sound mind during the greatest part of his sickness.
Mr. John Hunt, merchant, of Manchester, said he had
known the prisoner many years. About eight months ago
witness visited Liverpool, and in going down Pool-street, he
met him with a policeman, who said he knew neither where
he was nor where was his house. Witness took charge of
him, but three hours elapsed before his memory returned,
and at the end of that time witness conveyed him home, when
his wife said he was often so.

Mr. William Corner, cotton broker, said he had known
the prisoner 35 years. He frequently adverted to his trans-
actions with Roberts and Trueman, and was most excited
upon them. Witness's opinion was, that on some subjects
he was not sane.

Mr. Eason, cotton broker, said he was once in partnership
with the prisoner, and had frequently had conversations with
him upon his affairs. On those occasions he always com-
plained of having been most cruelly used by Roberts and
'freeman. A few days before the event witness met him,
and he was so excited that witness observed to his family
that if he committed suicide he should not be surprised.
Mr. John Johnston, cotton broker, had known the pri-
soner for five years. Had heard him. speak of transactions
with Roberts and Trueman, saying that he had been ill-used
by them, and that his character had suffered by those trans-
actions. He said " he was afraid to go into the Exchange
News-room, because every one lie met could see rogue
written in his face. A few evenings before the event, he
complained to witness some rebuffs he had met with that
day. Witness believed that he was not of sound mind when
he spoke of his misfortunes.
Mr. Daniel Mather, merchant, said he was in Lord-street
with his brother the day before the occurrence, when they
met the prisoner, who spoke to them about his papers. His
eyes were particularly staring and flashing, and he repeated
his words. Witness told him he might send the papers to
Mount-pleasant ; they related to transactions with Roberts,
of Manchester.
Mr. James George Howarth said he had frequently seen
the prisoner in church, and his conduct there was most con-
fused and agitated. Witness did not know him even by
name. He seemed very restless, and was constantly turning
the leaves of his book over as if he did not know what he wasabout. Witness had often remarked to his wife, that he did
not think the prisoner in his senses.
Thomas Haynes Banning, M.D., said he first knew the
prisoner in June, 1836, and he attended him professionally

from that time to the present. The first attendance was for
a severe attack of asthma, when witness was informed that he
bad a fit, but there was no appearance of his having had any
other kind of fit but one of an asthmatic character. There
was a diseased action of the liver, and a disordered state of
the stomach and bowels, which had much effect upon his
health. There was nothing at that time in the state of his
mind except what was attributable to his malady. In 1837
witness attended him for a return of his liver and stomach de-
rangement. Once or twice about that time he mentioned his
affairs to witness, stating that he had lost all his property,
which he expected would be £lO,OOO. In September last he
found the prisoner in a gloomy state of mind, and, conjointly
with Mr. Ackerley, he recommended Mrs. Jenner to place
him under restraint. She was opposed to that, and under-
took to take care of him. Witness was led to recommend
that extremity from being of opinion that he was in a state of
partial insanity. It was a frequent occurrence in cases of in-
sanity for the patient to be affected with gloom and melan-
choly. Witness's impression was, that the case was one of
monomania, and that the symptoms had in some degree been
aggravated by bodily disease. Witness had heard the autho-
rity Quoted and coincided with the generality of their opi-
nions. The witness described the various forms and symp-
toms of insanity. In all that witness h d seen, the prisoner
seemed to live most happy with his family.
Cross-examined.—Witness's idea was, that the mono-
mania of the prisoner was upon the subject of his affairs.
Monomania implied a delusion on one subject. Witness
came to the conclusion that he was afflicted with monomania
from his own account of himself, from his attempt to take
poison, and from his offer to his wife to destroy themselves
altogether.

The Rev. Dr. Tattershall, incumbent of St. Augustine's,
Everton, said, that two days after this matter occurred he
went to see the prisoner in Bridew ell. The first idea that
struck witness on seeing the prisoner was the extraordinary
appearance of his eye. It was extremely wild, glistening,
and wandering. Witness conversed with him, and he said he
was a very unfortunate man. He asked after his wife, and
he expressed a fear that she was not properly attended to.
He also spoke with considerable violence and agitation to
this effect :—" Secrets are of no use now ; it is no use to con-
ceal that Mrs. Jenner is not a lady who moved in the same
rank of society as myself, and she will now have to fall back
upon her friends." Witness assured him that she was at-
tended to : and told him he was most anxious that he should
consider seriously the state of his soul before God. To that
he replied with considerable vehemence, " Upon that sub-
ject, sir, I have nothing to reproach myself." Witness in-
ferred from that reply, and from his general conversation,
that he was not in a state to distinguish between right and
wrong. He manifested no apprehension for the consequences
of his conduct.

The case for the defence here closed.— Mr. Starkie then
addressed the jury at great length upon the evidence, and
contended, that no sufficient proof of the prisoner's insanity
had been given in evidence.

The CI;IEF JUSTICE then charged the jury. He quoted
from Carrington and Payne's Reports, vol. 9, the judgment
given by Lord Denman, Mr. Justice Patteson, and Baron
Alderson, in the case of Oxford, for shooting at the Queen,
to show that " a person must be taken to be of a sound mind
till the contrary was shown ; but a person might commit a
criminal act and yet not be responsible, if he were under the
influence of sonic controlling disease, or power which he
could not resist, then he was responsible. A man was sup-
posed to be non compos mentis if he was unable to dis-
tinguish right from wrong. or, in other words, if from the
effect of a diseased mind he did not know that the act was
wrong." His lordship, in commenting on the evidence, be-
came greatly affected by that given by Mr. Howard, which,
he said, afforded a very beautiful example of Christian be-
nevolence. His lordship did not consider Dr. Banning's
definitions of monomania very satisfactory, as they would go
to prove every man insane who entertained an erroneous
opinion on any subject. Having gone through the whole of
evidence, his lordship said, if the jury were clearly of opinion
that the prisoner was labouring under some influence which
prevented him from judging between right and wrong, they
would acquit him ; but if they thought that he calmly and
deliberately, with full knowledge of what lie was doing, and
in order to avoid evils that appeared to him greater, sacrificed
the life of his unfortunate wife, then they would find him
guilty.
The jury retired, and after ten minutes' deliberation, ac-
quited the prisoner on the ground of insanity. The prisoner,
who was greatly affected during the whole proceedings, burst
into tears at the announcement of the verdict. The trial
lasted from nine in the morning to five o'clock in the after-
noon.

Anne Farmer, who pleaded guilty yesterday, to an indict-
ment for making a false statement to the register touching
the birth of a child, was admonished by the court this day,
and on the ground of her supposed ignorance of the nature
of the offence, was fined in a Mitigated penalty of one shilling,
and dismissed.

NISI PRIUS COURT.-TUESDAY
HADWEN V. SATTERTHWAITE.

The plaintiff, Joseph Hadwen, claimed a sum of money
from William Satterthwaite, the defendant, as a balance of
account due to him for service rendered, and as commission-
agent to the steamer John O'Gaunt. The case was long and
uninteresting to all but the parties concerned.
WALKER AND OTHERS V. JACKSON AND OTHERS,

The plaintiffs in this case were Joseph Walker and Co.,
jewellers, of Brmingham, and the defendants. John Jackson
and others, the proprietors of the Woodside Ferry. The
action was brought to recover compensation for loss alleged
to have been occasioned by the negligence of the defendants'
servants, in having damaged a carriage and a quantity of
jewellery, by letting the same fall into the water, instead of
landing them safely from one of the ferry steamers.
Mr. CRESSWELL and Mr. CROMPTON appeared for the
plaintiffs, and Mr. KNOWLES and Mr. MARTIN for the de-
fence.

It appeared that on the 26th August, 1840, Mr. Armitage,
of the firm of Walker and Co., arrived with his phaeton, in
which was £7OOO or £BOOO worth of jewellery, at Woodside.
The plaintiff's were in the habit of travelling about the
country with large stocks of jewellery. Mr. Armitage wish-
ing to cross the river to Liverpool, caused his phaeton to be
placed on board one of the Woodside steam-packets. Having
arrived at the slip on the Liverpool side, the horse was
landed and led part of the way up the slip, when the owner,
knowing the animal to be rather mettlesome, ran after it,
and assisted to take it to the pier. Meanwhile two men be-
longing to the boat got out the phaeton, and were endeavour-
ing to convey it it up the slip, but it proved too heavy for
their strength, and tumbled into the water.

Witnesses were called who proved the value of the pro-
perty, which consisted of watches and valuable articles of
jewellery, which were much damaged. It was also proved
that the loss above stated was sustained.

Mr. KNOWLES elicited, on cross-examination, that the
phaeton was, to all appearance, a light phaeton ; that it was
closely packed internally with very heavy masses of jewellery,
which made it heavier than it could have been supposed to
be from its appearance ; and that parties were generally em.
ployed to take out carriages, or if the boatmen did so they
would expect to be paid.
For the defence, it was shown that there was a notice up at
the gate at Woodside that the proprietors would not be liable
for loss or damage ; that the plaintiff paid only fire shillings
for his vehicle as a light phaeton ; that the servants of the
defendants had no means of ascertaining the extra weight
that was in the phaeton, the defendants having no intimation
thereof given them ; but the captain and his men had fre-
quently, with great care, taken a similar phaeton on the slip;
that the extra weight came upon them, therefore, by surprise,
the captain having been overturned into the water, and his
life jeopardised.
The jury found for the plaintiff—damages, £2ll 10s.

SEPHTON V. A SHCROFT

This action was brought by a farmer's labourer, named
Thomas Sephton, against Roger Ashcroft, a farmer at Scaris-
brick, for an alleged assault at a public-house, while the latter
was in a state of intoxication. Verdict for the plaintiff—
damages £5.

Mr: Knowles and Mr. Martin were for the plaintiff, and
Mr. Watson for the defence.

MOSS AND OTHERS V. JACOBSON

In this case the plaintiffs were John, Henry, and Peter
Cottingham Moss, bankers, and the defendant was Richard
Jacobson,

The action was brought to recover the amount of a bill of
exchange for £65 6s. in an account stated. The defendant
pleaded that he did not accept, and was not indebted.
Verdict for the plaintiff.