The Sun. — 1846-08-29 (London, England)

COMMISSION OF LUNACY. A commission de Lunatico Inquirendo was opened on Thursday morning, at ten o'clock, before Francis Barlow, Esq., one of the Masters in Lunacy, and a jury of seventeen gentlemen of the county of Middlesex, at the Eyre Arms Tavern, St. John's-wood, to inquire into the state of mind of Mrs. Sarah Westbrook, of High-street, Portland-town, widow. The commission was sued out by Mr. J. French, the heir-at-law, and cousin to the alleged lunatic. Mr. CHAMBERS, in support of the commission, stated that the present proceeding was taken by order of the Crown, through the Chancellor. It would seem that the lady evinced imbecility during her childhood. Having been at school she returned home to her father's house, who was a man of some property, and whilst there she was most indecorous in her conduct. It was thought a change by marriage would alter her state of mind, and a person of the name of Westbrook was introduced to her, and allowed to marry her, the brother, Mr. Edmund French, allowing there 1001. per annum to live upon. Westbrook and his wife went to live in a small oottage at Acton, where she was not capable of attending to the domestic duties of the house. Her husband was compelled to sweep and clean it whilst she went about the village in the filthiest state. On one occasion she had been to London in a coach, and because the driver did not stop opposite the lane where she lived, she cried out at the top of her voice "murder" several times. In the year 1841 her husband died, and only an hour before his death Mrs. Westbrook tried to pull him out of bed, telling the surgeon, who arrived opportunely to prevent her, that he had better get up and take a walk. She appeared so imbecile, that after his death she could not perform the proper offices for the dead, and a neighbour was called in to do it. After this her brother took her to his own home, with a view of having her taken better care of. The brother thought it advisable to lime a person to take care of her, and for that purpose engaged a Mrs. Adams. With this person she remained until very recently, and the jury would find that she had been got out of her custody under extraordinary circumstances. In April, 184.5. her brother, Mr. Edmund French, died. He had lived rather penuriously, and left property amountieg to between 15,0001. and 20,0004 Mr. Richard Kirkham Lane being his solicitor. For some time after the brother's death, Mrs. Adams still had the care of Mrs. Westbrook, the property all coming into the possession of that lady. A house was then taken for her next to Mrs. Adams', and a carriage, which was not worth more than 301. or 401., was purchased for 801. In Feb., 1846, a person of the name of Wood was introduced to Mrs. Westbrook, and from that time to this she has remained at the residence of Mrs. Westbrook, telling that lady she had been sent by a "supreme power to take care of her ;" and having a fearful control over that lady. The unfortunate lady had frequently said that Mrs. Wood would not let her do anything. Two young men were introduced of the names of Marsh and Osborn ; one a journeyman saddler, and the other a waiter, who made love to Mrs. Westbrook, taking her to Cremorne-gardens, Vauxhall, and other places of amusement. Before the witnesses were examused Mrs. Westbrook was introduced, and took her seat by the side of the Learned Commissioner. She was most fashionably and elegantly attired. During the whole proceedings she was very loquacious. After the evidence by which these facts were elicited, the case was adjourned.