The Express. — 1863-01-12 (London, England)

FATAL ACCIDENT TO AN ACROBAT.—Ina recent impression we gave an account of an accident to a travelling performer during • tight-rope performance near Gravesen by which a man of colour named Beujamin Prewett, and • female imitator of Blondin, received severe injuries. Preset* was taken to the Gravesend Infirmary, having sustained • fractured arm, together with injuries to the right hip, back, and lunge, arising from the fall, from the effects of which he died on Thursday last. An inquest on the deceased was held on Saturday by Mr. Haider, the borough coroner, when Robt. Abbott, a travelling °quests :an, residing at Canterbury, stated that he and deceased were attached to Mace's circus, and, having been discharged about eight weeks since, resolved on giving street performances. They fixed • rope, supported by six poles, across the green at Northfleet. His daughter was one of the performers, and had ' performed on the tight rope for the last two years. She was attired in a Ganbaldisn dress, and went along the rope the first time safely. The second time she attempted to walk along the rope she had a handkerchief tied over her eves and • sack placed over her head. She had reached about the middle of the rope when the deoeased climbed up the poles to stand on the rope, so as to receive the performer when she had got to the mad of the rope. The deceased called to her to go back, and immediately there was a crash, occasioned by one of the lodes breaking, and his daughter and the deceased fell from the rope. He caught his daughter by the waist as she was falling, but she was was hurt. The deceased fell to the ground and sustained severe injuries. He was known as Ben Asters, the African champion. The &ceded was oc. easioned by the deceased climbing up the poles, which were not sufficiently strong to bear him. They were twenty-six feet long, and the rope twenty-four feet from the ground. Medical evidence was given as to the nature of the injuries received by the deceased. The coroner having summed up, and remarked upon each exhibitioos, the jury returned a verdict of " Axidental death," and strongly condemned the practice of allowing females to ascend ropes placed at so great an altitude, especially is the public streets. RESPITE OF MARY Cox.—On SatUrilay morning Mr. Gram, the governor of Durham gaol, received a nom' municatioo from Sir George Grey, the Home Secretary, li ordering that Mary COM should be reepited until further signification of her Majesty's pleasure. The prisoner. it will be remembered, was convicted along with her huebald. John Cox, at the last Durham Assizes, of the murder of an old woman named Ann Halliday. at a place called Broadniires, near the city of Durham. John Cox was executed on the 23rd ult. ; but the sentence on Mary Cox was ordered to be deferred until after her eonHomed, • jury of =trees having declared her to be pregnant. The decision of the Home Secret..ry was made known to the prisoner by the Rev. Provost Platt, catholic priest, who bad been in attendance upon her siuce her con. deumation. The prisoner, who had at times been in= excited condition, has become numb eslmer since she I that there was a strong probability that her life would be spared ; and the two female warders. who have been in ate tetehmee epee her day and eight since her coudeaswatias, have been withdrawn from her mill. THE FATAL BUNNINo