The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1877-08-24 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE DANGERS OF SPIRITUALISM. CREDULITY AND ITS RESULTS.  At the Liverpool Police Court, on Monday, before Mr. Mansfield, deputy stipendiary; John Rogers, a man about 45 years old, and Minnie Hatton, a young lady of 16, were charged with stealing a gold ring belonging to Mrs. Emma White, a widow, residing in Towson street. The ease was a most painful one. The female prisoner was an attractive young lady, a ward in Chancery, and the daughter of a lady of property (the widow of a mill-owner), residing at Alderlel. , Edge, near Macclesfield: and the male prisoner, who professed to be a spiritualist, was a widower with three children. It appeared from the statement of Mr. Davies, prosecuting solicitor, Ithat Rogers became acquainted with Miss Hatton I at a siance which he gave at Macclesfield towards the end of last year. She was then at a boarding school in the neighbourhood, and he exerted so great an influence over her as to be able to seduce her, his object being to foroe the consent of her mother to their marriage, and so obtain a right to a fortune which the young lady was to possess. They came to Liverpool, and after undergoing many privations went to live at the house of Mrs. White, who soon afterwarda missed a gold ring from a room to which they had access. Mrs. White taxed them with taking the ring, and they replied that "the spirits had got it." The two subsequently took other apartments, upon quitting which the female prisoner left behind her a letter, containing a threat to commit suicide. This led to the police being communicated with, and to the apprehension of the prisoners. In the possession of Rogers was then found a copy of a letter addressed to the young lady's other, in which he stated that her daughter was in a state of destitution, and that unless she was assisted, and the marriage consented to, she would die in ' premature confinement —Mrs. White was called, I and said that while the prisoners were at her 1 house they held seances, the girl professing to be a "medium." When asked for the ring, they said the spirits had it, and would bring it back. The spirits, they said, were in Manchester. —The Magistrate having heard all the evidence, said the charge of felony was not sufficiently made out to justify the detention of the prisoners.—Mr. Davies then said he would prefer the charge of threatening to commit suicide against the young lady, as it was extremely desirous in the interests of society and humanity that she should be kept I out of the clutches of the male prisoner. He also I mentioned that a telegram had been received from Mrs. Hatton that morning saying that she disowned her daughter,who might go to the workhouse. —The female prisoner now said she had no intention of committing suicide, and only left the letter, containing the threat in order that it might reach her mother and induce her to consent to her marriage. She added that she wanted tol marry Rogers.—The Magistrate intimated that he' could not keep the prisoners in custody.—Mr. Davies said he would charge the male prisoner I with abduction.—The Magistrate replied that they could not at present be detained, and must be discharged. Both the prisoners were accordingly , discharged, and left the court together.  Mdme. Christine Nilsson is expected shortly at Berlin.  The death is announced of Count Conatabile, an eminent Italian archieologist.  The Archbishop of Canterbury has arrived in IDublin on a visit to Archbishop Trench.  Baron Rothschild, of Paris, -has purchased the celebrated picture gallery of Van Loon at Amsterdam for 5,000,000 f. _ _ _  . . Mr. R. Donnelly ?dangles, formerly M.P. for Guildford and a member of the Indian Council, died on Sunday. • - ••  Merritoroxrris Ruxwairs.—At a meeting of the Metropolitan Railway Company on Monday, the agreement with the Inner Circle Completion Company was confirmed. A handsome font of Devonshire marble, the gift of the parishioners of Plvmpton, was sent on ' Saturday from Plymouth for the proposed cathedral at Pretoria, the capital of the Transvaal. Mr. Herbert John Gladstone, University College, one of the sons of the ex-Premier, has been appointed Lecturer in Modern History at Kehl° College, and will commence his duties in October term.  YACHTING ACCIDENT OFT THE IfiLE OP