Star. — 1826-08-03 (London, England)

COMMISSION OF LUNACY.  Monday, a Jury was assembled at the Secondaries' Office, Coleman-street, upon a commission of inquiry into the lunacy of Sarah Eliason, of Hatton-garden. Mr. EVANCE, with Mr. PIIILLINIORE and another Gentle. man, presided. The first witness called was Dr. Van Oven, who stated that in March, 1825, he attended upon a Mrs. Eliason, the Lady in question, who was now about sixty years of age. She had made, as he understood, an attempt to commit suicide. He found on her person some wounds made, as he was informed, with a pa:r of blunt scissors, and they certainly appeared to have been inflicted with a weak hand. He had attended her subsequently, and had not the slightest doubt that she was at the time, land had continued ever since, in a state of mental derangement. he was imbecile, and totally incapable of managing her affairs. Dr. Monro stated, that he had been called upon to attend Mrs. Eliason, and had found her in a state of mental derangement. He mentioned several instances; he asked her what King's reign it was? she said it was the reign of George VI. He asked her how long it was since he first visited her? She replied, that it was a year and a half ago, although it was but a few days since. In fact, she had no distinct perception of time, and he could not entertain a doubt that she was utterly incompetent to manage any affairs. A young female, who was engaged from the service of Dr. Warburton as a nurse for Mrs. Eliason, was then examined. She stated that her mistress, when left alone, sit all day long in a chair, doubling up a handkerchief. She sometimes refused to take her meals, and witness was obliged-to use force to compel her. She save no orders to.the servants, and did not in any way interfere in domestic matters; she was incapable. She was occasionally taken our in her carriage, when she would never allow the blinds to be up, and was very troublesome.  The Lady was waiting in a carriage on the outside of the Office where theiaquiry was held. The Jury having expressed a desire to see her, they were informed that she positively refused to quit her carriage, in which she was attended by two Ladies. Mr. Commissioner PHILLIMORE, and several of the Jury, went out to speak to the Lady in her carriage. The circumstance soon attracted a crowd, who began to manifest some symptoms of * determination to know a the rights" of the matter. On his return, Mr. Phial=lie stated that such a mode of examination was ex trOiely inconvenient. He had spoken to the Lady, who appealed greatly agitated, and in tears. The answers she gave to him appeared very rational. When requested to step out, she stated that she was greatly depressed in spirits, and begged to be excused, as it would be extremely painful to her. Mrs. Solomons, a friend of the family, who hal attended the Lady in her carriage, was.examined. Her testimony was similar to that given by the nurse. The niece, who was the second Lady that attended her in the carriage, was called before the .lury, and examined. She gave evidence to the same effect as that given by Mrs. Solomon.. The Jury returned a verdict, finding that Mrs. Miasma was of unsound mind, end incapable of managing her affairs.