The Potteries Examiner : — 1871-10-21 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

EXLMINETION OF THE PRISONER.  The Heir. John Silby Watson, Into head master of the Stockwell Orammar!School, was placed at the bar at the Lambeth Pollee:court, charged, upon his own confession. with the murder of his wife. The maid servant, Ellen Fyne, woe first examined, and in the course of her evidence mentioned that her master and mistrese had occupied separate apartments for two or three months past. They, however, lived quietly and happily together, and had walked not in company on Sunday morning. Mrs. Watson wee eommimes "a little booty,' but was not • violent. tempered woman. The testimony of Dr. Ragg was next taken. This withers produced the following letter in the handwriting of the prisoner : .. . . . .  "I know no't whose business it will be to look to the property left, as my little possessions will bo my books and furnitare. My only brother was hying, I whsn I last heard of him, five or six years ago, in Amerios, at 82, Grand!street, Williamsburg, and a aimos with him. Ile is my heir if he is still alive. I know not if I have any other surviving relatives. One quarter's wages will soon be due to my servant, and I should wish the sum to be more than doubled for her on account of the trouble whioh she will have at the present time, and the patient* with which she has borne other troubles. lii my purse will be found .E 5 10s.  leave a number of letters, maay of them very old, with which I hope that those who handle them will deal tenderly. 'The books aro very useful collection for a literary au. . .  "The two thick quart, MS. books, marked " P " and "Q' might be sent to the British Masonm, or might, probably, find some purchaser among literary men, for whom they contain many valuable notes and hints. Among the other MS. is a oomplete tranels. teen of Valerie. Place..' in revue, ,hich I think de. servos to be published. Messrs. LOUROlhil and Co. have also in their hands for inspection four volumes of manuscript, containing a complete history of the Popes from the foundation of the Papal power to the Reformation. There is also ready for the press • tale entitled 'Hercules ' I leave, too, in the book-calm several .books of extracts, and observations marked with the letters of the alphabet, the oldemt being, I believe, that marked M, and the most recent that marked P. There is an annotated copy of 'The Life of ?orison,' With a book of addenda, and a copy of 'The Life of Warbiuton,' with a few annotations and a book of addenda There will be found in loose sheets in the press at the side of the &viaoe in the libraiy, a complete translation of Berangeis Songs,' with the exception of'Mee Damien Chansons.' Some of these have been printed. "The house is to be vacated at the half.quester. For the rent to Michaelmas I have sent a cheque to. day. There will be some small bills, but when all claims are satisfied there will be a considerable sum left, besides what will arise from sale of hooks and furniture.  "I have made my way in the world, co far as it has been made, by my own efforts; my great fault bee been too much aelf.dependenoe, and too little regard for others. Whatever I have done I have endeavoured to do to the boat of my ability, and have been fortunate, I may Bay, generally, but with one great exception. _ . . . . _  "in the paper cases lying about Bad elsewhere will be found seine mannscripte which have been used, and others intended for literary purposes." At this stage of the inquiry, when Dr. I.r.gg had given his evidence, the magistrate remanded the prisoner until after the posbmortem examination of the body of Mn. Watson.