The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1866-04-28 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

CAREER OF ADVENTURE AND VICE.  Leigh. who, it must be remembered, was executed a short time ago at Lewis for the murder of Mrs. Horton, at Brighton, left a statement which is remarkable, if true:—  In thii confession he says he is twenty-six years of age. He was the Illegitimate son of a gentleman who was consul of —. At tight years of age he ran away from a grammar school, and took to begging. lie WAS sent to London, where he led a vidmis life, and then returned to Brighton. His father's wife took him in band, and endeavoured to Mail proper principles into him, but without result. lie expresses great gratitude to the lady. He was then sent to• hoarding school, but was expelled. At thirteen, having a desire for sea, his friends thought they would cure him of it, and, therefore, sent him to aeri in a collier; but although he suffered hardships, he did not dislike the We. Returning to Brighton, he studied navigation—was afterwards apprenticed to a shipping firm, went in a transport to the Crimea, was wrecked off lislaklave and remained on the wreck under a fire from cossacks for two days and three nights. Ile then went voyages to India, Australia, and South America. On the expiration of his apprenticeship he received an excellent character. Between seventeen and eighteen his principles were totally corruptid. Ile shipped for Calcutta as second mate, and drank hard a mutiny took place, and he nearly killed six of the mutineers was tried at Calcutta, hut was ac.lultted, the captain [akin g his part. fie was ma,e chief officer, but continued to drink hard. In the East Indies hemarried a opauish girl, and lived with her in cutta for 'line months; she followed him to China, and he atterwaris lost sight of her. Returning to Brighton he lade dissipated life, appropriated soni e money which g lid not belong to him, and had to abscond as chief mate of an American vessel Afterwards he went in a Scotch clipper to Hongkong and Whampoa, and then deserted with four others on a raft. He then became a crimp, and induced seamen to desert from her Majesty's service. Being found cut he decamped to Singapore and managed a sailors' boarding-house. Returning to Hongkong he Joined the Tuning rebels. On one occasien he escaped being captured by the English by getting into a large Chinese coffin containing a skeleton. Becoming a chief among the rebels under the name of Palmer he fought against the English, French, and imperialists. He was wounded in the head, chest, and leg. Turning pirate he hail many narrow eitiapes and much fighting with the Imperialists. After being taken prisoner several times, and escaping, he returned to Englnni. Among his comrades in China were three other Europeans all of them used to read Infidel books with great delight and amusement. At Brighton Be led his old life. Ills statement conclude., as follows—" As I said at the end of my trial, ' I cannot Justify the act ,murder, but I can account for it.' I had many aggravations. I did not wish to hurt any of the police, but when the inspector came up I had no alternative In fact he came somehow so unawares that I had hardly time to think. I was aboard the A /abroad for about sin weeks. We Joined her off the rape of iiood Hope."