The Sun. — 1862-03-01 (London, England)

WANDSWORTIL—COMMITTAL OF THE WIMBLEDON FORTUNE TELLER.—Yesterday wes appointed for the re-examination of Selina Smith, the young gipsy woman, on the charge of telling for tunes. While the Court was waiting for the arrival of Dr. King, the prosecutor, Inspector Lovelace handed to the magistrate another communication he had received from the Lincolnshire constabulary, stating that the prisoner's description did not agree with the 'roman they wanted on a charge of telling fortunes, but they believed that she belonged to the  same family. Dr. King and his two female servants attended and he entered the witness-box. Mr. Day man inquired of him if he had received a satisfactory analysis of the contents of the bottle from his friend at Whitby. Dr. King said as yet he had received nothing satisfactory. Mr. Dayman observed that there not been sufficient time. Dr. King said he had carefully examined it, and found what the prisoner stated was in it. It may be here mentioned that the prisoner has never stated publicly what was the nature of the powder she mixed in the bottle. Mr. Dayman hearing that the servants were present, ordered them to stand up. He told them that r they, had both behaved very ill in the matter. It was the duty of servants to protect their masters and mistresses from imposition. They had not done so, and had encouraged the prisoner to work upon the credulity of their mistress, partly for their own enjoyment, and partly for a questionable purpose. One of the servants essayed to speak, but his worship told her that it was what she had stated, and she could not now free herself from her statement. Mr. Dayman then addressed the prisoner, god told her she had been exceedingly wicked. If she supposed that the bottle of mixture would have a poisonous effect, then she was guilty of secretly attempting to murder a husband, of all crimes that of secret poisoning being the most detestable. If it was true, as she had stated, that the mixture was not poisonous, then she had been guilty of gross impiety, as she had evoked the Almighty to the making of a lie. Any way her conduct had been very bad, and he should inflict the full punishment for fortune telling. He then committed her for three months, with hard labour, and said that if anything should be found in the mixture of a suspicious or deleterious character, she would be put on her trial for a much more serious offence. He recommended Dr. King to try experiments with the mixture on some small animal. Dr. King said he intended to try experiments on a small puppy he had. Mr. Dayman was anxious that he should, and that the superintendent of police should also make experiments. In this matter it was best to be satis: fled there is nothing in the mixture. In a case of so odious a nature they could not be too safe. He told the prisoner again, if they found anything unsatisfactory she would be tried for a serious offence. The prisoner said if they gave her the bottle of stuff, she would drink it, as there was no harm in it. Mr. Dayman said she was punished now for tell ing fortunes. The prisoner said the servants asked her if she could tell fortunes, and she replied " Yes." She had no thought of telling fortunes until they asked her the question. The officers of the court then removed the prisoner. - A gentleman then rose and said that Mrs. King had not been represented. Mr. Dayman thought Mrs. King's name should not be mentioned. Dr. King concurred in that opinion. The gentleman said that Mrs. King had a coin• plete answer. Mr. Dayman observed it was clear that Mrs. King's servants had practised on her credulity of mind, and prompted the prisoner as to what she should say. He nad no doubt it was all an imposition from beginning to last. The gentleman said it was very unpleasant, for Mrs. King was a very respectable lady. Mr. Dayman said it was clear Mrs. King had no serious intention, for she refused to pay for the bottle of mixture, and had the prisoner bundled out of the house. Dr. King said that all he had to complain of was of the mischief brought into a family by fortune telling. The parties then withdrew, and Inspector Lovelace promised to acquaint the superintendent with his worship's request that he should make experiments with the mixture ill conjunction with Dr. King.