The Sun. — 1823-09-20 (London, England)

CORONERS' INQUESTS.  An Inquest was.held on ThUrsday at the Nag's Head, in Wandsworth-road, before Wit. FRANI4, Esq., Deputy Coroner for the Duchy of Lancaster, on view of the body of Henry Long, a boy seven years of age. This case excited great sensation in the parish of Clapham, and rumours had been spread that the boy's death had been caused by a young man immersing him in a tub of water. In consequence of such a report, the parish officers directed that an inquiry should be instituted, they having previously ascertained that the matter was attempted to be hushed up. The deceased was labouring under a malady that made him almost an idiot, and he was in consequence the ridicule of other boys in the neighbourhood. The inquiry lasted seven hours, during which the following evidence was adduced : Mary Hayman, aged thirteen, residing in Matrimony-place, Clapham, deposed, that on Monday, the Bth inst., about three o'clock in the afternoon, the deceased came into her father's house, and asked her how she did; after she had answered him, he went into the yard, and sat on a little stool. Joseph Stacey, aged about 20, and 2 other boys, named Terry (aged 14), and Crockford (aged 15), came along the alley ; Stacey asked the deceased to sing a song, but herefused ; he pressed him still to sing, and added that if he woulci not, he, Stacey, would dip hint into the tub of water. The deceased still refused ; upon which Stacey laid hold of-the deceased, and dipped him into the tub ; Stacey then took him out again, and the boys all ran off, .except the deceased, who was very wet about the shoulders and all over his head. 'Witness told the deceased to hasten home and get his clothes changed, and he went away. All the boys had desired the deceased to sing. The tub wag a large one, with a little 'water in it. Witness could not say whether 'Terry or Crockford held the deceased in the tub as well as Stacey. The deceased looked very pale when he went away. This evidence was corroborated by another resident of Matehnony.place. The mother of the deceased deposed, that on Monday night he complained of his head and stomach, and that on the following.day he died in convulsions. TwO surgeons proved that the deceased had a tendency to hydrocephalus, and was subject to epilepsy. They were of opinion that thei putting. his head in the tub was the exciting cause of his death liSr bringing on convulsions. After the Coroner had summed up the evidence, the Jury deliberated for a considerable time whether they should return a verdict against Stacey for manslaughter : they were unanimous in their reprobation of Stacey's con dtict,and expressed :some surprise that the deceased's mother did not betray much greater anxiety for her son than she had done. The Jury requested to know whether it was necessary that they should be unanimous in their verdict, as they could not agree. The Coroner said it was not necessary, and as they seemed divided he would take their opinions separately, when the fol. lowing verdict was recorded, there being rune Jurymen in favour of it, and six for manslaughter:.—" That the deceased died by a convulsive fit, which fit was occasioned by the wanton and improper conduct of Joseph Stacey." SuicinE.—An Inquisition was taken yesterday before Joule WRIGHT UNWIN, Esq., Coroner, at the tired). (late, Hackney-road, on view of the body of Fanny Ilerring, a fine young woman, aged 23, who committed self-murder, in consequence of finding herself in a state of pregnancy.—The Jury were unanimously of opinion " That the deceased's death was produced :by her having administered to herself poison while in a state of temporary mental derangement," which verdict was recorded.  Mr. SADLER made two attempts, on Friday and Saturday last, to ascend with is magnificent balloon from Sheffield ; but on both occasions, from the density of the coal gas with which it was to be inflated, and from the humidity of the atmosphere, the balloon was unable to rise.