The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-05-08 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

unnecenary, benne, from the evidence, it was impossi-
ble to doubt the fact, that matrimonial intercourse had
occurred between the parties; and, therefore% there was
here proof of marriage, constituted by a promise of mar
riage, topule embsegareste. One Judge on this occasion
stated, that be Ives not convinced concerning the exist-
NICP of matrimonial intercourse; but the matter being
again brought before the Court (on petition) the 9th of
September following,wben the eause came to be ad vised,th e
Judge, who had formerly dissented from the opinion or
his Brethren, now stated. that his own,opin ion wasalteredi
and that his Lordship now entirely concurred with the
rest of tAe Court; and on the 20th of November, 1819,
the Court of Session unanimously confirmed the interlo-
cutor of the Commissary Court, and pronounced the
judgment, which was the subject of the present appeal.
On the part of Mr. Reid, it was contended before the
House of Lords, as it bad been in the Courts below,
that neither party considered the documents exchanged
between them as expressive of any thing more than a
promise or intention to marry; and though Mr. Reid ad-
mitted that at some of his private meetings with the re-
spondent he bad taken some slight freedoms with her ;
he positively denied that he ever had any enjoyment
of her person. _ _ _

After the hearing of Counsel (Mr. Monerieff for
the respondent, and Dr. LUSHINGTON for the sppejliabt.r.
the further heating of this appeal was postpotfed2
Friday. .!:

HORRID CI RCUMSTANCE.

(ABRIDGED FROM THE DORY GATETTR.)
_ _ _

On Saturday morning (the 3d instant) this town was
thrown into a state of alarm and agitation, from a report
that a murder and suicide bad been committed in the
night, at a house in the School-hall-lane. We found; on
inquiry, that a man named John Spring., who bad foe
some months been cohabiting with a young woman„oue
Mary Gooch, had procured poison for their mutual de-
struction; that they had taken it at the same time ; but
that only the girl had fallen a victim, and the man had
subsequently cut his throat, but was still alive. The pro-
per authorities having received notice•of the dreadful
oc-
currence, the body of the deceased wasaiemoved to the
Bridewell, in the market, and a Coroner's Inquest imme-
diately summoned. The following it the most, if not the
only material part of the examinatiotz.
The evidence of Spring being deemed admissible, the
Jury went to his house, where be still lies, and be de-
posed as follows :
- - - -

1 -
a John Spring said that be knew Mary Gooch, the de-
used
; that he was present with her when she died ; that
(peal about seven o'clock On Friday morning; that
',
,tria not die in agony; that on the Wednesday evening
th Iticksed and witness came to an agreement to boy
atilliQ liedanum to take together, that they might both
be ftwindllead together in 'the same bed; that on the
Thnrsdsy morning he (the witness)weut to *chemist's
lib
aud houllit some laudanum ; think four ounces ;he
purchased it at Mr. Bildwin's at after he bought the
- -.rah Mr. Mon in in his break to the
• and Mountain
_ Mountain his
use for it ; that
your heart has
___:.;" that she got
deceased said, "you
tied, " Oh, that 1
she said, " have
- buy it with;"
half-pence ;" the de-
la oranges with
for thew ;" that
ith two oranges;
took two wine
t the box, and
half into one
ie kept herself,
deceased said,
; 'vitness said,
it ; let us turn
witness turned
- contents of the
ianum the deceased
,ttle 1" Witness
she said, " she
that he threw
deceased had wipeit
lm the privy ; the
they both went
got out of bed
to it, and drew
, " now we shall
between two
how she came

deceased said, " that
not signify;" that the
averse together about differ-
ent things, till about eight o'cloilt ; she said she had
sent her gown to her aunt's, and that the money came
from her ; the laudanum did . . any effect till about
two, she then began to sleep; ' mess was sick about
four, and the deceased was aw AO that time; the de-
ceased was not sick at all, and fnto a sound sleep at
six; the witness awoke her between six and seven, the
deceased then said, " how large your eyes look ;" wit-
ness then said to, " Mary, I am afraid my laudanum will
take no effect ;" the deceased said, " 0.: dear, if I die
without you and you are taken before a coart Ofjasti^e.
I shall not die easy ;" witness told her she migh),, be
quite happy, fr: if it did not take effect, he would:wet
up and buy sow, that would, as be would die with her;
the deceased said, " My dear, pray give me that blue
muslin handkerchief, that I may bare it my hand when
I die; pray don't you take any thing, but let,' die
and you will get over it:" she then laid h
shoulder of the witness and died almost
the body began to grow cold by the ''
from the town, about half-past eight •
had been in a sad state of mind ever

her; that she always appeared to wish
a:tetnpted to destroy herself before wit(
at a fair; the deceased had told him'
klisence, attempted to 'hang herself
that the second time was a month
ceased came in from the town in an

nutria, written poison, he went • b hlr. hfondrain in his
she furnished f'oll, to and tb Farnham and back ;
greeted her to sat en down gate; that he gave
itt nd said uld have'no more use
mutual deela- wit e came I ary Gooch said, "yc
rid own hand• fd.;
it delivered to . , you 11* not bought it far me;'
. •. ~,L.,* .. 's pocket; the deceit
f engage to be
ishand to you, 3 . se "1,16 v, witness replied
e take ht.' sh
urther engage
en to nobod 1 , ‘ gave you to
mace Rem `F, n some half-pen
ten to the a .., . hale sense 4
It now qu. 1. "`• would send for
41. ta en . returned with
ieid t 3 ; that she to
;4
might her's on
Reid insi ng 1"",- 4the marrl ge tit ... , she poured I
it alleged t t giasi,;, n• , ne glass she
nurse with the I , ' ' • e. • nem; the t
Ic.• - • '
which had not " ...1.11.4.04 " er's hands;
.nished. • .... ..lt I not take
MS, entered . 'iuf"' ' !'' 4 ' , deceased and i
tained for one tb . i s ro,eifils nth' .44: . drank the ci
id showed the it sirsifter had a • the laudanun
was in town. ," u th hat a we ' i ' the bottle
the course of "he wen •o a row it away; st
the same rea- Id, in the ti , wipe •p ' the glasses;' 1
t for secrecy) bottle into the priev,'and tlpt the detestl
k- lace, qie-
glasses bv the time he can& bark from
sed said, " let us go to bed ;" that thl
/neenster" \
together ; the deceased afterwards i
qtr; and •
•
to pull) aced a chair against the door to faster
m . ndow blinds; the deceased then said,'
wrotq . , ,
ned fh th - ..• nappy. together ; " this u•as 4
aon account . . three o clock ;he ass he deceased I
, mothei, money she had given 4 ,; the deceas4
hi , 15th ty)
gt
Ilsof no congequence, and a' npt signi
„,- ,4„..,., deceased and the witness coheersedltogethe
...