The Express. — 1849-10-10 (London, England)

IMPROVED DWELLINGS POR LABOURERS.—Let week the first public meeting of the Tunbridge Wells branch society for improving the dwellings of the poor, was held in the Corn Exchange in that town. Notwithitandiag the extreme wetness of the day, which no doubt prevented many attending, the large room was well filled with • highly respectable and attentive audience. The chair was taken b Lord Ashley, M.P. The report stated that the society had last year purchased about five acres of land on the London road, on which were at present erected six cottages for separate families, as well as a lodging-house, capable of accommodating 14 unmarried labourers of good character. To each cottage was attached a piece of land for garden-ground, of about the eighth of an acre. On the remainder of the ground the society contemplated building eighteen additional cottages. Among the rides to be observed by the tenants, were that the children were to be sent regularly to a day school, and a strict observance of the sabbath wee to be attended to, and a punctual attendance at some protestant place of worship. CABE OF SUSPECTED POISONING AND ROBBERY:. During the summer months, Jane Hamilton, a servant girl, resided with her mother in the town of Strathaven. She had been for many years a servant to a clergyman in Edinburgh, and had returned to her native place in a delicate state of health. She had accumulated upwards of 201. of her fees; and of these in her chest, along with • few loose pound notes, was a bank receipt for 201. She wee lattetiy confined to bed ; and her mother was assisted by Janet Lennox, who was married to Jane's brother, Andrew Hamilton. Janet prepared drinks, and the doctor's medicines for the use of her Siang slater; and both she and her husband were in frequent and clogs attendance, as became affectionate relative,. Jane began to show symptoms of recovery, so much so es to induce the medical gentleman to discontinue the usual visit. On the following day Jane's mother stepped into the doctor's shop. Mother : ThL is a 'Ridden change wi' Jane —Doctor : What way ?—Mother : She's awe' I—Doctor (in astonishment): Where to ?—Mother : She's dead!—Doctor : Dead ! When did she die ? This is a sudden change, indeed.—Mother : But what way did ye no come yesterday, when ye were sent for ?—Doctor She was so much better that I did not think it necessary to call ; and to my knowledge I was not sent for.—Mother: That's strange ! Janet Lennox left my house o' her tun accord to gang for ye, and she cams back 'eying that you would be directly. This was the first ground of suspicion of foul agency. Jane had thus died suddenly, and death had been attended with retching and burning pains. Arsenic is alleged to have been purchased by Janet Lennox from a druggist's shop in Strathaven, and arsenic is alleged to have been found, on the body of the deceased being opened. Before suspicion had been matured and legal steps taken, Janet absconded, but afterwards came back, when both she and her husband were apprehended. Jane's chest, on examination before relatives, was found robbed of all money ; and it is alleged that the sister, Janet, has been identified as the person who cashed the 201. receipt in the bank. Litters have been run, and the trial will shortly take place in Edinburgh. Remembering all the circumstances of Mrs. Gilmour's trial, this may be considered peculiarly fortunate for the female prisoner. Altogether, the non-publicity of this atrocious case of murder and robbery exhibits • striking centrist with the courts and press of our English neighbour..—Reformers' Gazette.