Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-08
GAZETTE
From the London Chronicle.
EXTRAORDINARY INVESTIGATIONS
in LONDON.


stances were disclosed at a Coroners inquest,
held on Wednesday, iu Deans yard, Wesimin-
ster. The investigation took place by order of
the Secretary of State. The deceased was
an individual, known as Miss Eliza Edwards,
who had walked the streets apparently as wo.
man OF the town. She had a sister residing in
Union. court, Orchard. street, Westminster. and
both were supposed to be keptwomen. Last week
the deceased died. and there being no claimants
for the body it was taken To Guys Hospital for
dissection, when It was discovered that the de.
ceased ,Uas a pefect man! This circumstance
was communicated to the parish authorities. and
ON representa- ion being made by them to Lord
Melbourne, directions were given TO summon a
jury. The jury-room was crowded to excess
The body was of a very efeminate appearance,
no appearance of beard beyond that of boy
Of II, and the whskers seemed as if they had
been plucked out with pair Of tweeZers.
The hair of the head vas light brown. and up.
wards of two feet long behind, of soft glossy
texture. and the whole appearance Of the cnun.
tenance was that Of o female Dr.. Clutterouek, of
New. Bridge-street, Blackfriars, stated that he
had examined the body Of the deceased at the re-.
quest of Dr.. SomervIe. who was DESTROYS that
they shouldidentify the body as the person whom
name of Lavinia Edwards, at her lodgings near
the Cooburg Theatre. (She appears TO have been
in the habit of changing her naine.) He had at.
tended the deceased for dangerous Inflammation
of the lungs. He had no idea but that the de-
ceased was woman. He attended her previous
ly at the request of gentleman, under whose
protection she lived, and who paid him for his at
tendance. The deceased had always very effe-
md ind nf
not unlike female. Maria Edwards, who pass
ed as the deceased's sister, was next examined.
She stated that she was born in Dublin, and was
II years old. She had lived with the deceased
constantly for the last ten years.
The deceased was performer on the stage.
and travelled about the country and played te-
male characters. Witness mostly slept with the
deceased. Coroner: How long have you been in
Lundonl Witness: We have been about three
years-Coroner: How was the deceased sup
ported during this time? Witness: by differ
ent gentlemen Juror: DO you know OF any
gentleman who visited the deceased! witness:
[ remember q gentleman coming to see her when
we lived in the Westminster d-Juror: Any
person else?-WitBess: Yes, s-', who is gone to
iraIv, he formerly lived at Leather head. Juror:
viii you undertake to say that you did not Know
her to be female. Deceased was three weeks
confined to her bed, and wanted the common ne
cessaries OF lite.
Last Wednesday night she went to bed with
wheeling in her throat. and very III. About
three o'clo,k the deceased called me up. and
SAID, IS Maria, am dying it has pleased God 10
cali me;'' and in about five minutes the deceaseu
expired. In the country she played under the
name of Miss Edu ards. in the first line o. Tase
DIV. Juror.-D,d the deceased. ever perform in
Loudm?-N ,,ness-Ne.er; the last place she
olayed at .as Tewke,bury-Juror-Did she
ever play under any other name! Wines
Y.. upd.r the name of Miss Waistem. Ii APP
peared from one of the letters read oy 'he SISTER,
that she was introduced on the stage by the cele-
brot.J Talma.-Mary Mortimer. residing IN
I1nion court. stated. that she had known her
ab nut ten or eleven yeas NeVe Khe" heF sex
until the preseLt day. Sne hade reason TO
believe that the deceased died nalura' hea.h -
Juror-WiIi you swear that you d'd not kno"
the sex of the deceaseds-W i'ness-l viii
She always appeared as most iahy.l' "o'"an
have slept with deceased repeatedly anu ne
yer for moment supposed that she wasa nan
The Coroner EXPRESSED the greatest adjustment
At the evidence adduced. Juror-LooS al inc
head of hair, and the ears Dored Tor ear rings
T. is the NEST extraordinary case ever met win;
LIMOS, doubt the evidence Of my own senses
A number of letters and of other documents,
found on the person of the deceased, were read
~ the Jury, By which it appeared that she mad
n,ssed under various names. The 40. omen,s
ayc,ted the most intense interest. Maria EDWARDS
was AGAIN recalled and examined In answer 70
questions. she said that she was only IL years OF
aro She never knew the deceased 10 use ra'
a zsr q, pair Of ,~eezers; was positive that she
" The Jury then adjourned until Yesterday when
thew ,,ain met. but the crowds OF medical STU.
dent. and others, attracted by the extraordinary
nature Of the case, was so great, that large 'o'
DIV If nol,ce were required TO preserve order -
The evidence threw DO further light on The case
A nerson stepped forward. and said that from
wba, he had seen in the newspapers ana ahoer.
s,andine that the deceased came from dublin ne
was satisfied that he knew the party About ~
mr. "a wears ago, the deceased sometimes passed
for a man. and sometimes woman, Sne nao
iateIv performed on the stage in the country III
a. -; .;,., t,ao;c characters. JurQr-uld y0u