The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-19


later must by the force Of circumstances become
public, will expose one OF the most thrilling and at
the same time atrocous ronances in real life which
has ever seen the light. 1t is hoped that this band
can only give place to others OF similar kind.
-Four murders have been lately committed about
fifteen miles from this city, the Palace OF Yer
sailes, which have excited deep interest from the
singular circumstances attending them. They were
all executed on the public highway on men walking
along the road, and by means OF Ratchet, of the
same uniform size, apparently. None Of the men
were robbed, and all OF them were acquaintances,
which has given rise to all sorts of surmises to the
cause Of the deed They were murdered at different
periods within the last two months.
Aiter the second murder, strange man was ar
rested in the road, not far from where the murder
was committed, and only an hour after its commits
sion, with bloody Ratchet in his hand, which ex-
actiy corresponded in size to the cuts in the muir
dered mans skull. Other circumstances led the au-
thortes to believe confidently that he was the guilty
man. He positively refused and continues to refuse
to say one word concerning the matter He will not
give his name, his residence explain what he was
doing with the Ratchet, while he maintains the most
naughty and selfconfdent air.
Tuesday is market day in Versailles, when two or
three thousand persons from the country around col
lect in the market places. The Judge ordered the
prisoner to be roned, and to be led by two cords in
the MIDST OF an escort of geGdarmes around all the
market places, on the first market day after his
tinement, to see if any one would recognise him.
The prisoner, during the two hours which was occu
pied in this march, carried high head, marched
with firm step, appeared to respire the free air
with great pleasure, and threw on the immense
crewd that followed him gances of sarcasm and
sdan
While passing along the avenue Saint Cloud, be-
fore the booths Of some mountebanks travelling Jug
glers, Hercules, &C., suddenly little girl belonging
to the troupe cried ont, pointing her finger to the pr
soner, " M0,s, nnan,an, c'est M. -, gui rc1lait
81 sonrent chez nows!" {" But, mother, that's Mr..
-, who comes so often to our house !" The old
MIN uxvbc alJ
fercely around and struck her such a powerful
blow on the side of the head as to knock her down
suspicion at once arose in the crowd and the fact
was Immediately carried to the judge, who ordered
prison, where they yet remain without the deveope
ment OF any new fact as far as they are concerned.
But the most bewldering part OF the drama is that
since THIS event the two other murders have been
Ratchet !! othe matter rests at present.
From the London Sun, June
COURT OF QUEENS BENCH, LONDON.
Before Lord Campbell Mr.. Justice Coerdee Mr. Justice
Erie, and Mr. Justice Crompton.
LSn,ley us Gye-Jssdgment.-T was an action
brought by the former lessee of Her Majesys thea
Opera to recover damages for having caused Made
m0isee Wagner to break an agreement which she had
entered into with the plaintiff to sing at his theatre.
The defendant demurTed to the plaintiff declaration,
person Tor causing the non-fulfment Of q contract
which had been entered into by third party. The
Court of Chancery had granted an injunction re-
straining Mad'lle Wagner from singing at Mr.. eyes
to bring this action. The case was argued some
months ago. and the court had taken time to consider
its decision. As their lordships differed in opinion,
judgment was delivered by
Mr.. Justice CrOmptOn, who, after reciting the pro-
ceedings, said it must be considered clearly estab
lished that wrOngfully and malciously inducing or
procuring servant to depart from masters ser.
vice, whereby the master was injured was a wrong
full act according to the rule of law relating to
tiers and servants, ard as such was good cause of
action. He thought that the relation of master and
servant subsisted sufficiently between Mr.. Lumley
ard Mdle. Wagner during the time the contract ex-
she had actually entered into his service. He saw
reason for combining the general rule OF law as to
the illegaty of enticing away servants, to employ
ment of any particular description 1t as much
applied to the services which to be rendered by
Mdlle. Wagner, as to that by apprentices or other
mental servants. It appeared to him that she con-
tracted to render personal services to the plaintiff
within the meaning of the rule and that the parties
master and servant He, therefore, thought that
jud yment should be entered for the plaintiff
Mr. Justice Erie said the question raised in the de-
murrer was, whether on action would lie by the pro-
pretor Of theatre against person who malicously
procured the entire abandonment OF a contract en-
tered into by another person to perform exclusively
at his theatre certain time whereby he sustained
damage, and it seemed to him that it would The
authorities were numerous and uniform that an
ton would lie by the master against person who
procured servant unlawfully to leave his service.
The principle applied to the present case. The ma
ture of the services contracted for was imm aeral
He did not think the objection that the contracting
party had not begun her services was tenabe
ground Of defence. The breach of the engagement
might be equally injurious whether the services were
begun or not, and in his opinion, ought to he made
who ha fvan nm.
ployer and employed existed. He considered that
the judgment of the court should be for the plaintiff.
Lord Campbell said, as the case had been ar
gued in the bail court during his absence. he could
Wighman, who was prevented attending by indis-
position, and who though considerably better, had
been ordered by his physicians to keep his house,
had sent his Judgment, and he Uord CampbelD had
been requested to read it. The noble lord then read
the judgment. The learned Judge (Wightman)
dealt with the different points in the case at con-
siderable length. and concurred generally, in the
views and opinions of the two preceding judges. He
considered that the plaintiff entitled to judgment,
Mr.. Justice Coeridge said the demurrer raised
the question, whether an action could lie against
third party for maliciousy and injuriousy enticing
and procuring another to break contract to per-
form exclusively at his theatre-in the first place
before it came actually into force and in the Sc
cond, when it was really in force In his opinion
it did not lie in either case, and that the de-
PENDANT was entitled to Judgment generally. In
to be establshed-either that an action could lie
against any one by whose persuasions the party to
the contract was induced to break 1t, and thereby
damage the plaintiff, or that an action against per-
son for inducing or persuading servant to leave his
master and to enter into the service of another was
OF SO wide an application as to embrace one in che
positions and profession Mile. Wagner. After
much consideration and inquiry, he was Of opinion
that neither proposition was true. The defendant
in his judgment, was not the direct or proximate
canse Of the damage which the plaintiff had sus
tanned. The general rule was to confne the remedy
by action to the contracting party, and to the dam
ages directly consequential Of his act. He came to
the conclusion, in the first place, that an ac-
ton for merely inducing or procuring o con-
tracing party to break covenant, whether
he did it maliciousy or not, was not tenable;
secondly that the common law with regard to the
seduction Of servants from masters exception,
the origin of which was known; and that exception
did not reach the case of o theatrical performer.
Perhaps it might be objected that this judgment was
conceived in narrow spirit which restrained the
full application Of the law in gard to contracts for
personal services He did not however, think it was
open to that objection He saw the danger Of estab-