The Express. — 1862-03-01 (London, England)

WANDSWORTH.  Selina Smith, the young gipsy woman, was brought up on remand on the charge of telling fortunes. Inspector Lovelace handed to the magistrate another communication be had received from the Linooleshire constabulary, stating that the prisoner's description did not meripegwith that of the woman they wanted on • charge of fortunes, but they believed that she belonged to the game family. Mr. Duyrnan inquired of Dr. King, the prosecutor, if he bad received a satisfactory analysis of the contents of the bottle from his friend at Whitby Dr. King said as yet be had received nothing algid rani. He had carefully examined it, and found what the primmer stated was in it. It may be here mentioned that the prisoner has never stated precisely what was the nature of the powder she mixed in the bottle. Mr. Doyenne, bearing that the servants were present, ordered them to stand up. He told them that they had both behaved very ill iu the matter. It was the duty of servants to protect their masters and mistresses from imposition. They had not done so but had encouraged the prisoner to work upon the credulity of their mistress, partly for their own enjoyment, and partly for • questionable purOom One of the servants essayed to speak, but his worship told her that it was what she had stated, and she could not now free herself from her statement. Mr. Duman thou addressed the prisoner, and said that her conduct had been exceedingly wicked. If she slimmed that the bottle of mixture would have a poisonous effect, then she was guilty of secretly attempting to murder a husband • of all crimes that of secret poisoning being the most detestable. If it was true, as she had stated, that the mixture was not poisonous, then she had been guilty of mem impiety, as she bad evoked the Almighty to the making of a lie. Any way her conduct had been very fad, sod he should inflict the full punishment for fortune telling. He then committed her for three months with hard labour, and said that if anythicg should be found in the mixture of • suspizioug or deleterious character. she would be put on her trial for a much more serious offence. He recommended Dr. King to try experiments with the mixture on some small animal. Dr. King laid he intended to try experiment' on a small uke): Dayman was anxious that he should, and that the supenutendent of police should also make experiments. In this matter it was bust to be satisfied there was nothing in the mixture. In a case of so odious a nature, they could not be too safe. He told the prisoner again if they found anything unsatisfactory she would be tried for • serious offence. The prisoner said if they gave her the bottle of stuff she would drink it, as there was no harm in it. Mr. Dayman said she was punished now for telling fortunes. The prisoner said the servants asked her if she could tell fortunes. and she replied, "Yea" She had no thought of telling fortunes until they asked her the question. The officers of the court then removed the prisoner. A gentleman then rose and said that Mrs. King had not been represented. Mr. Dayman thought Mrs. King's name should not be mentioned. Dr. King concurred in that opinion. The gentleman said that Mrs. King had a complete answer. Mr. Dayman observed it was clear that Mrs. King's per. wants had practised on her credulity of mind, and prompted the prisoner as to what she should say. He had no doubt it was In an imposition from beginning to end. • The gentleman said it was very unpleasant for Mrs. King, who was • very respectable lady. Mr. Dayman said it was clear Mrs. King had no serious intention, for she refused to pay for the bottle of mixtem. and had the prisoner bundled out of her home. Dr. King said that all he bad to complain of woo the mischief brought into a family by fortune-telling. The parties then withdrew and Inspector Lovelace wee mimed to acquaint the superintendent with hie worship's request that he should make experiments with the mixture n co-operation with Dr. King.