The Sun. — 1847-10-06 (London, England)

DEATH OF A WIFE THROUGH  THE VIOLENCE OF HER HUSBAND.  Last night, at the William the Fourth, Beauchampstreet, Leather-lane, Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an inquest on the body of Matilda Clifton, aged 38, who resided at 6, Beauchamp street, who diEd on Sunday morning last from the effects of a kick on the lower part of the abdomen, received by deceased from her husband.  The evidence of the deceased's landlady, Margaret Goodwin, and Mr. Col:lough, the surgeon who first attended, were now taken in full by the Coroner ; but as they appeared in the police report of the case yesterday, we proceed at once to the evidence of the daughter. Elizabeth Clifton, aged 12, stated that she was in bed in the front attic on Sunday morning last, about half-past twelve, when her father and mother came in and sat down to supper. Both were intoxicated, the latter more particularly. Deceased made use of the most gross and abusive epithets to witness's father, who acted with much forbearance ; but after submitting to much abuse and violence, he was unable to control his passion, followed his wife out on to the landing-place, and in the sight of the witness kicked deceased in the abdomen, who cried out as if in pain He expressed remorse for his act, and the daughter positively declared that deceased, after receiving the kick, instantly returned to the chamber, and sat down supported by her husband. Mr. Pollock, surgeon, of Hatton-garden, stated that he had made a post mortem examination ; found no trace of injury externally, but internally he dia-1 covered a small lacerated wound—several ruptured, but no artery of any size. yews were The CORONER here recalled the daughter, and the length of time that questioned her closely, as to the the witness persisted in describing it as under a her mother had remained on landing-place, and minute. Mr. Wakley observed that he found it ' "ble to reconcile her statement with that of the impossible surgeon, and suggested to Mr. Pollock whether it were not possible that there might be some more serious injury of the parts as yet undiscovered, and should adjourning be m a thede butin q ui r Mr.y tuntilhe consequent oannsoe tqbueern t propriety examination Pollock expressed himself confident in his,diagnosis. The Coroner here ordered the room to be cleared, and, after some consultation, the daughter was again recalled, and, in re-stating her evidence, altered the time to five minutes, and the jury, taking the disparity in her statements into consideration, and the excitement natural on such a dreadful scene having been transacted before her eyes, declared themselves satisfied with the surgeon's evidence. The CORONER replied that if that were the case the rest of the evidence was clear beyond a doubt, and he considered it unnecessary for him to recapitulate it. It was conclusive from the evidence before them that the death of the deceased was caused by an act of unlawful violence on the part of her husband, and they must record a verdict of manslaughter against him. Verdict accordingly.  _ The two parties, Edward and Robert Bristow, who had been remanded on suspicion of having made a most murderous assault upon the bead and assistant keepers to Mr. Erogley, at West Horsley, in Surrey, have been examined at 'Guildford gaol, before the Earl of Lovelace (chairman) and several other magistrates. Edward Bristow brought forward sufficient evidence to prove that he was not in the preserves when the attack was made. The bench difeharged the prisoner Edward. The bench said that nothing had been proved on the part of the other prisoner to alter the previous opinion of the magistrates, and he was again locked up.  TO BE