The Northern Daily Times. — 1853-12-02 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

REARDON V. BUSBY.—This was an action brought to recover damages for injury done to the plaintiff's child, by the negligence, it was alleged, of a driver of a mourningcoach belonging to the defendant. Mr Grocott appeared for the plaintiff. The amount claimed was 1/. los. for the expense of a nurse to attend the child, whose leg was broken, and lOs for a surge m who set the limb. Several witnesses were called upon on behalf of the plaintiff, who deposed that the injury was caused on Sunday morning the 23rd of October last, in Chisenhall-street : it was stated that the child was crossing the road when the mourning coach came driving up at a very rapid rate, the child was struck by the horse, and fell, and the wheel passed over his leg. The nurse who attended the child stated she had been six weeks attendin him, for which she was engaged at five shillings a-week, and that the child was not yet restored to health. It was also stated that the driver .M• atop thp nn .ftpr thc orcorrence took place. The neighbourhood was a very crowded one, and there were a great many children playing about. It was positively deposed that if the driver had been looking before he might have easily have avoided running over the child, and that he had plenty of time to pull up his horse. The witnesses also stated that a great crowd assembled, and that there was much excitement, several of the mob crying out that " they would follow the driver and break his leg," and it required great exertion to keep them from pursuing him. His HONOR : Such misconduct as that has only the effect of compelling drivers in those cases to drive on, because they are afraid to stop. The defendant said he felt the greatest regret that such an occurrence should have taken place, and that he should never have defended the action, but that he was distinctly assured the accident had not been caused by any carelessness upon the part of the driver, and he therefore thought it right to have the matter fully inquired into. He was informed that the child ran across the street in an oblique direction, from behind the coach, and as soon as the driver perceived him he used every exertion to pull up, and a person who sat upon the box along with him, also caught the reins to stop the horse. The driver of the coach was examined, and stated that the child ran across the road, and in stepping upon the footpath slipped, and fell backwards, when the wheel passed over him. He stated that he made every exertion to stop the horse, and that but for the child's falling the accident would not have occurred. He added that he was only driving at the rate of five miles an hour at the time. The witnesses on behalf of the plaintiff denied that the child tripped against the pavement, or fell, until struck by the horse. His HONOR : I am of opinion that if children are permitted to run about in this way, it is almost impossible always to avoid an accident; but I am also (*opinion that the man was driving too fast in such a crowded thoroughfare. lam not disposed to attribute to him much blame, and I am bound to say that beyond the single fact of his driving at an imprudent rate in that overcrowded thoroughfare, I see nothing wrong in his conduct. It was very wrong of the people to assemble and threaten him. The accident must be to a certain extent culpable, for I am not prepared to say that it might not be the driver's duty to walk his horse in such a crowded thoroughfare, thronged with children to such an extent. If he select such a route, he must go at a rate of speed consistent with the safety of the population of the neighbourhood. I shall °ice a tit herefore,rfi hr tt ht toe amount emneeck -enTte—ro-al jan&othseayeatlsiea,t in 4nu4 AD inquiry should be made into the matter ; and had I been in the position of the defendant myself, I should have felt bound to do so.  The convocation of the prelates and clergy of the provinc a of Canterbury was prorogued on Wednesday until an early day in January. threrTouliraTiMigN igeaCusr, F.,:.172.,11. Wednesday at grocers were each fined £lO for selling coffee adulterated with chicory as pure coffee. The extent of the adulteration varied from 9 to 43 per cent. . Shaving prevails in Europe because the Kings of France set the example to their courtiers, who were followed by the nation, which formerly gave the ton to neighbouring nations, and therefore was at length followed by all in this troublesome and unmanly fashion.—Dr. Elliotson's Human Physiology. SUICIDE OF AN ARTILLERY OFFlCER.—Yesterday, Mr. Wakley held an inquest on the body of Mr. John Bradshaw, aged 56, who had shot himself with a pistol, on Monday evening, at his lodgings, No. 1, Union-place, Newroad. The deceased was a half-pay officer •of artillery, and had served with some distinction in the Greek war of inde pendence. He had been in infirm health for some time, and had lately been subjected to much anxiety by severe losses. The jury returned a verdict of suicide, leaving the state of the deceased's mind an open question.