The Aberdare Times

The hearing of the case waa resumed on Monday morning. The Lord Chief Justice, on taking his seat, asked if the Attorney-General was present?—Mr. Hawkins: No. The Lord Chief-Justice Well, I call your attention, as his representative, to a paragraph which has appeared in more than one of the public prints, and which is the copy of a reputed letter from Mr. Guildford Onslow, M P. I may pre- sume that it was a private letter, written by Mr. Onslow te another person, and not intended for publication. It is, however, tRe grollS8It contempt ot court that bas yet been committed, hut I don't think that Mr. Gnlldfùrd Ouslow can be made responsible for It. H appears to been a private letter, which the recipient has had the bad taste to hand over to the press for publication. As gross aud scandalous a contempt of court has been committed by the publication of such a document as anything that has yet b=en done. Mr. Justice Lmh I observed that the paragraph is In some of the London papers. The Lord Chief Justice The effect of it is to impute per- jury to all the witnesses who have yet been called for the prosecution. Mr. Hawkins to the Lord Chief justice I will take care that the matter shall receive immediate attention, my lord. Mr. Walter Sheehan. of the War Office, produced some original papers connected with that department, comprising an application, dated December 2,18401, from Sir Edward Doughty, to have Roger Tlchborne's name put on the list of commissions, and the reply of Lord Fitzroy Somerset; two letters from Roger Charles Tichborne to Lord Fitzroy Somerset, dated June 19 and June 21, 1849 (respecting wnich it may be observed that in one case respectiuily was spelt "respecftUly," and In another, commission was spelt "comlsion"); the original return of the result of the examination at Sandhurst, of the date of Jllly 2; and Roger Tlchborne's application in 1853 to retire from the service with the reply. In reply to Dr. Kenealy, The witness stated that the recorded height of Roger Tich- bome was lirt. 81in, the height being taken in the stockings. Mr. Gerald Fitzgerald, examined by Mr. Serjeant Parry, said I reside at the Firs, Biufleld, Berkshire. I was acquainted with Sir Edward and Lady Doughty when they resided at Tichbome. I visited them twice ihere, and also at Upton. I remember once meeting Roarer Charles Tichborne, at Tlchborne, In the cummer of 1849. I stayed eight or ten days. Roger was then staying there. He was there when I arrived. I saw him every day, and dined, and walked about with him. A night or two after my arrival he proposed to me to smoke a cigar with him before going to bed. We adjourned for that purpose to a small sitting- room which he occupied. I sat dt/wn, and he went away to take off his coat and waistcoat, and he returned in a loose dressing gown, and as he came back to his seat he was settling the sleeve of his dressing-gown, when he showed me his arm and certain tattoo marks upon it. He told me they were tattoo marks. I had seen tattoo marks before and slnca then. All I can recollect of the after conversation waa that he mentioned a sailor in connection with the marks, but 1 do not remember whether he Bald wbo the sanor was, or how or when it was done. I do not remember on which arm it was. I have not seen the defendant until to-day. Mr. Serjeant Parry: Is he the Roger Tlchborne you then saw ? Witness: In my opinion, certainly not. The idea appears to me to be quite ridiculous (laughter). Cross-examined by Dr. Kenealy: This was 24 years ago? —It was In 1849. Since then you never saw Roger Tichbome ?—No. Had no reason for thinking anything about him?—No. Or the tattoo marks?—No. What time in 184g 1-ln the month of July. I had not seen him before that visit or eince but I saw him every day while I stopped. I have a memorandum-book which would tell the exact date of this visit—when I arrived, and when I left, and what I paid for the cab to Tichbome (a laugh). DJ you remember any other persons who were there during the visit ?—Yes Mr. and MrB. Robert Tichborne and M as Cnarlotte Talbot. I do not remember any others, but there might have been. m. How soon after the trial did it coma back to your memory ? —It was when I heard of the defendant a claim and I said to friends of mine that If he were the right man he would have those markL Did you see any member of the Mchborne family before the trial ?—I saw Lady Doughty in 1867. Did you call on Mr. Holmes in 1867 ?—I never heard of his name till I saw it in the pauers. You made no excursion to Croydon in 18&71-(With great surprise): Oh, dear, no. (Laughter.) The Lord Chief Justice There is another gantlenian of of your name in the case. Witness Indeed that accounts for the question then. Dr. Kenealy (to defendant): Will you please show your thumb? (Defendant held out his hand, and the witness descended from the witness-box to examine it ) Did you ever see any peculiarity in the defendant like that ? -Never. What colour was his hair ? Certainly not black, and cer- tainly not curly. „ Was there anything peculiar in his walk ?—No he had a slovenly gait—he was a loose-made man, not well set up. You say you spoke to Lady Doughty on this subject ?—Oh, dear, no. I never spoke to her about it. j gj.-jjpjy gaw her in London making » morning o ut. I had ne conversation with her about the Claimant or the cue. Tne triul had not begun in the Common the time. I had no conver- sation with any of the Tichbome family nor their lawyers about the tattoo. I had no communication with them. Re-examined by Mr. Serleant Parry: I don't remember the year when I first heard that the Claimant was in this country. Nubody called my attention in the first instance to these tattoo marks. I recollect them myself. Roger was a very slight man. It I had met him without knowing that la8 was the son of Mr. James J ichborne, I should have set him down for a Frenchman. He occasionally used French id lorn" translated into Eciglisn, and occasionally he would use a French word to explain what he meant. He spoke very broktn English. Mr. Alfred Seymour, examined by Mr. Hawkins I live at Knoyle House, Wiltshire, and B^ton square, London. I am member of parliament for Salisbury. My father was the late Mr. Henry Seymour, of Knoyle. My brother, Mr. Henry Danby Seymour, was the only other son. He was my younger brother. The Dowager Lady nchborne was a half-sister of mine. She was a natural daughter of my father. Lady Tichbome was born in the year 18ns and was married to Mr. James Tichbome in the year 1827. The family of Mr. Tichborne consisted of two sons, Ro?er and Alfred. The latter was ten years younger than Roger. I believe that there were two daughters, but I enly recollect one, who died In Infancy. Her name was Mabel, I remember. My impression Is that she was the elder but I would not be certain. Until the death of Lady Tiehborae I continued upon good and intimateuterms with her, and until his death, with Sir James Tichbome. The earliest recollection I have of Roger Tichbome was his coming to Knoyle with his father and mother, and his sister Mabel, who was quite a child. It was the only time 1 saw her. I have a childish recollection of her, and I believe sne was in arms, but whether she was in arms,' or' only neing: carried jnat at that time, I don't remember. In 1834 Mabel died. My father lived chiefly at Knoyle. Re had also a house in town at 39, Upper Grosvenor-street. My motner was a daughter of Mrs. Hopkinson, whose residence was at Bath. She was a widow. She spent the autumn and winter at KnoYI, in my father's house. Mrs. Hopkinson used to spend the summer at Bath, and the autumn and winter at &^y|e- phe died Jan., i860. Mr Seymour, my father, died in Nov. 1849, and my mother died in March, 186.. Besides my brother Henry, 1 had three sisters, Jane the eldest, married Mr. Philip Bouverie in August, 1847; Sarah Ellen mar- ried Mr. Ayshford Sanford, of Murehead.court, in Somersetshire, In 1856; Louisa ^aroiine A'Court, the wife of Sir Henry Rawlloson, in 1862. Lady Rawllnson was the youngest of the family- i W&S oorn next before her. Lady Rawllnson was two or three yean older than Roger Tichbome. Mrs. Sanford was called Ellen, dropping the first name. Roger Tichbome was in the ha|>it of visiting Knoyle, and also Grosvenor-street, He once visited with his father, Sir James Tichbome. That w^uia be in 1819 but he generally visited without him. Waa at Stony- hurst I think he was at Knoyle every autumn for two or three weeks. I think he was there In 1846, 1846, 1847, MM, and 1849. I knew he was there in the autumn- generally in September. He came and went Just as he pleased. Upon these occasions my d.oiums and sisters were, for the most part, at home, and Mrs. Hopkinson was a resident in the house. In speaking to my father he always caUed him Mr. Seymour. I never heard him, on a single occasion, speak of turn as his grandfather. He was in the habit of addressing me and my orottter as Henry and Alfred. He never addressed me as Uncle Alfred on any single occasion, In speaking or writing. aaaressed my slaters by their Christian names invariably. Rp8*r richbonie was a little taller than myself, exceedingly slight, slight-built, narrow-ihouldered, a wiry long figure, wltn an expressive face, and dark, straight bair. He was exceedingly narrow- chested. His hair was parted at the side, and before he went Into the army he used to wear It long, and he was always throwing it back. After he got his commission I suppoae they cut his hair off, and he wore it much shorter. The Lord Chief Justice: In one of his letters he speaks of their having cat his hair. „ Examination resumed :—A sketch by Lord Bellew was here handed in, and with reference to it the wl ness said that is exactly how Roger Charles Tichborne wore Ms bair, quite straight. His hair was several shades darker than mine, and he was a darker man. I should say he had rather an olive complexion. He was not what you would caU a fair compltxloned mau. I remember bis smile as a very pleasant one, and he had a p easant expiession. There was not the slightest twitch of t ,e eye never heard of any malformation or peculiarity about the thumb. I never heard such a thing suggested until long after the last trial commenced. I remember that he was tattooed. I saw the marks—it was on the left arm. To the best of my rooollectton tbey wen a cross, a bMrt, and an andior, with the initials underneath the figure. The Initials were straggling letters, badly done, and placed lengthways. The last letter sloped down and was larger than the othen. I have a perfect recollection of seeing them on two rccasions, but I have no doubt I have seen them oftener. When at Knoyle he used to po to my room and smote and play the French horn. My room was detachled from my father's house—in the butler's cottage. He used to take his coat off to smoke and play the French horn, more at his ease, and on one of those occasions I saw the marks. I don't remember whether I spoke to him about them. The other occasion was when we were standing beside a covert which the hounds were drawing, and he bared his arm to show the marks. There were other persons present, but I don't re- member who. In my conver8atlon, we almolt always used to speak in French-all the family nearly always spoke French with him. He could notspeak English. I remember his voice, in connection with his accent. I have had the opportunity of seeing the defendant on several occasions and hearing him speak and I see him now. Mr. Hawkins Is he Roger Charles Tichbome ? Witness (emphatically) —No. When at Knoyle he occupied a corner room looking into the court. yard-in a turret. Since 1851 there has been no alteration in the buildings— absolutely none. [Witness pointed out Roger's room in a photograph of Knoyle, produced ] In that part of the house there had been no alteration since 1845. In 1851, there was an additional room added to the garden-front (photograph produced) A third photograph represents the front of the house, and the butler's cottage, showing wit- ness's room, above-mentioned. My father hated smoking, and he had an equal aversion to practising on the French horn (a laugh) Roger used, therefore, during his visits to go for that purpose to my room. The Lord Chief Justice Was he at that time a great smoker ? Witness: He was, my lord; he used to smoke the strongest cavendish. Examination resumed Whilst Roger was at Knoyle he went to Wardour to Chapel. He usei to go every Sunday. My father sent him over in the carriage. Our side of the family were not Roman Catholics. He often paid vbits to Wardour, and sometimes stayed there a couple of days and nights. When Roger came to Knoyle from Tichbome, he came to Winchester, thence to Salisbury, 1 tl1ink, by train but I am not certain whether the railway was open at that time—1846 and from Salisbury to Shaftesbury he travelled by the coach. There we used to meet him. Roger Tichbome used to shoot occasionally, but he was a very bad ahot, and did not care much about It. He was very fond of riding and hunting. In 1843 or 1849 he bought a horse, when he was thinking of going into the army. In September, 1849. Roger Tichborne's father was at Knoyle. Roger joined him there just after he had received his commission. My recollection wal that he got hi. certlflclLteB in September, 1840. and came down to Joln.hia lather at Knoyle. At that time my father was at Bath. He was very feeble. He was In the last stages of dropsy, and htldeath was merely a question of weeks. He went to my grandmother's in order to be able to consult the doctors at Bath. I remember Roger going to Bath, or coming from there. I forget which. I was at Knoyle at the time. I had a conversation with Ro.;er Tichbome in which reference would probably be made to my father's illness. The object of the visit of Roger Tichbome to Bath was to eliable him to take leave of my father. I was constantly driving backwards and forwards between Bat'i and Knoyle, going one day and returning the next. On one of these occasions I found my father a little better, and advised Reger Tichborne to Co over at once to tee him. It was a question of taking a final farewell of him in this world and choosing a day to do it. My father was confined to bed, or to a chair propped up with pillows. My father died six weeks afterwards in Mr. Hop- kinsou's house at Bath. Mrs. Hopkinson died in his house at Knoyle. I think Roger went straight from Bath to Tichborue. I did not see him so much after he wts in the army. I was then a great deal abroad. I was at St. Petersburgb. After he went into the army he was at Knoyle. He spent there the last two nights he was in England. I am not certain of having seen Roger at Knoyle after 1849. I saw him aft^r In London in Upper Grosvenor-street, subsequent to 1849. Whenever he came to London, 89, Upper Grosvenor-street was his home, that is, he always had his meals there, but there was no bed to give him. At that time Thompson, the butler, had taken a place In St. James's place, and the time when Roger was there was when we were not in London. In the autumn of 1849 Roger made a long stay in Grosvenor street, when he was prepar- ing for his examination. At that time he kept there. That would be after February, 1849. My brother was a great deal there, and I was backwards and forwards myself. Per- sonally I knew nothing of his studies. There was a conver- sation with him ab^ut- his uniform in 1849. I remember his trying ie on at Knoyle. My Impression is that it was sent to him there from London. I remember his having his uniform OD, and his showing himself to us In it. By the Lord Chief Justice I don't remember the colour of the uniform—or whether it was red or blue. There was a good deal of gold lace about it. By Mr. Justice Lush I did not see Roger again at Knoyle after 1849; but I saw him afterwards in London, and went to the Exhibition with him In 1851. Examtnatbn reaumei I never had a word or differancs with him aLIld he never failed to come to our house when- ever he was in London. There was never any change in our intimacy—we were like brothers. In November, ]866, I paid a visit to Paris. Lady Tichbome at that time was living in Paris. I had a conversation with her about the Claimant's return. She communicated to me the fact of her having received a letter and photograph. She refused to show me either the one or the other, having at first promised to do so. In the early part of 18 j7 I saw Lady Tichborne on the subject of the arrival of tile defend- ant. I made many applications to her to see the defendant. I urged her to bring him to see me, and she never would. I did not see him till July, 1S67. I then learnt that he was to be cro->s-examined at the Law Institution. Before that I had had a letter from Holmes stating that the defendant could not keep an appointment which had been made with me to see him. I attended the cross-examination at the Law Institution on each of the three days. Nothing was done there by staring at him or otherwise In the court to disturb him or give him annoyance. Mr. Hawkins Tell us what happened at the Law Insti- tution. Witness I went In end sat down near the door. In about five minutes a person walked in and sat down within two or three feet of me. I recognised him from the photo- graph to be the defendant. When he sat down he looked at me—he glanced at me—but he took not the slightest notice of me. He had not the slightest recollection of me. At that time even Baigent did not know me by sight, so that he had nobody to prompt him. After I had been there some time, I was told by somebody that I had better go to the other side of the room, and I did 10. Then I saw that I was pointed out to him but during the ten minutes previously he had not the slightest recollection of me, and he took not the slightest notice of me. During the three days I was there he never made the slightest attempt to exchange a word with me. Up to that time there had never been the slightest circumstance to prevent Roger Tlchborne from coming to me almost the first on his arrival in England. I took Lady Tichbome out at luncheon on two of the three days, and was with her during the half-hour cf the recess. She never made the slightest attempt to speak to me at that time. Lady Tichbome was present during the whole of the three days of the examination, and I was glad to take her out and alslat her to get what she required at luncheon. Up to the time of Lady Tichborne's death there was no change in my friendly relations with her-the aame brotherly feeling which had always existed still remained. I don't remember seeing Lady Tichbome in the early part of the year 1863. I think it was in October, 1837, I went to see her. 1 think It was in October, 1867, that I first heard it suggested that the Claimant was Orton, and I remember seeing her upon that subject. I told her that it was ascer- tained that the person who called himself her son was really Arthur Orton, a butcher, at Wapping, and that by her conduct In supporting him as her 80n sbe wal doing a gross injustice to her real grandson, about whose birth and identity she could have no pos- sible doubt whatever—that she was the only one of the family who had taken up this Impostor, aud considered him as the real person, and that now we were absolutely certain who he was, I put it to her whether it would not be wiser for her, both from a social and religious point of view, to think the matter over in her own mind and endeavour to reconcile herself to the idea that he was not her son. I said there Is evidently a great conspiracy with regard to this matter, and it is determined to fathom It to the bottom and punish those who aided and abetied it. She jumped up and said, But they cannot do anything to me." 1 said I don't know, but I have come here to shield you. We have always been on good terms, and I have come here to denounce him as au impostor, and to endeavour to persuade you that ho is not your real son. Do you remember any peculiarity about Lady Tichbome, from the time that Roger was supposed to be drowned?— She always ha1 the idea that her son was not drowned. She had many which I have heard of, and which were notorious. By the Lord Chief Justice When Lady Tichborne made the remark I just now named, it appeared to me—it was my Impression at the time, and I held it up to h..r death—that she was then wavering. I could only judge from her manner. She said nothing more than what I have repeated. I never heard Roger Tlchborne call Lady Tlchborne mama af er the time he went to Stonyhurst. The family name, Stymour, has never been spelt in any other way toan S » y-m-o u-r since the 14th century. Roger never spelt it S-e-y-m-o-r-e. a Do you remember hearing of the Broom card case at Brighton ?—I hive heard of it in court. But the circumstances ?—I don't see how I could remem- ber 1t. The Lord Chief J astice: It was in 1851. Witness: I was abroad in some part of 1851. I never heard of the Broom card case, or of any other card swind- ling case at Brighton in connection with Roger Tichbome at all I never heard a suggestion on the subject until the sug- gestion made in the Claimant's letter. I knew that Roger was a member of the Alfred Club In 1845. I never saw Roger tbe wone for drink. ihe Lord Chief Justice Some men can take a good deal of wine without showing it. Did he appear to drink more than men generally do ?—I think he wis fond of wine and strong tobacco, and of that which would have blown my head oft. He "had a very strong head indeed." He may have taken as much wine as might hne hurt other people without producing aoy effect upon himself. I don't know whethtr R ger kept a diary. There is not the remotest similarity between the handwriting of my brother Henry Stymour and my father. I remember that Roger and Mrs H pkioson were on very good terms. Roger knew her as well as we did. The witness was cross-examined at considerable length, and in the oourse of his crol8.examinatlon he was asked al to a conversation in the House of Commoos with Mr. G. Onslow, and he denied any such conversation. He was pressed with a particular expression as to hid sister—"She may be grilling in hell, for aught I know," and he said he had no recollection of it. Asked if he would swear that Roger hild no twitching in the eyes, he s iid he would. Asked if Roger's hair was darker than his (which is nearly black), he said that it was darker than his had been. Is not the hair of the defendant that of the rest of the family ?—I say that his is not the hair of Roger Tlchborne. Is not his hair that of all trie Tichbornes ?—Why, they have not ail the same sort of hair. (Great Laughter ) Is bis not the hair of Alfred f-No that was lighter. It was the opposite of Roger's. You said his complexion was olive ?—I mean sallow. Did y"u advance money for the trial in the Common Pi»-as ?—I lent £2,000. You say that in 1819 he showed you the tattoo marks?— I never mentioned the year. It was one of the years he was stayiug at Knoyie-1846. 1847, or 1848—1 cannot give you the year. It was before 1849. Did it make any impression on you ?—No. When did he show it to the hunt 7-1 never sail he did show it to the hunt. I said I saw it at the hunt. (A lock of hair, which had been produced by the defend- ant in Chancery, was here exhibited, and the witness was asked if it resembled that of Roger, and he said he thought it did.) Asked to describe the tattoo marks, the witness men- tioned the cross, heart, and anchor, with tbe letters under- neath R. C. T." He thought they were two or three inches in extent without the letters. (lie drew a figure of tham.) The marks were aU blue, but he ceuld not answer as to the shade of colour. Asked if he had heard Roger speak of his mother, witnels said he supposed he h*d. Asked If he had Botctlledher "Mamma," he said, "Never after he went to Stonyhurst; only as a child." (The Lord Chief Justice ob- served that it was so in the earlier letters.) He never used the expression in after llte. About the Allred Club; are you a member ?—I used to be. Did you ever meet Roger there ?—Yes, repeatedly. (De- fendant had denied belonging to it) You never saw Roger drunk, you say ?—-No, never before he was in the Army. After he was In the Army, do you know his habits altered ? —I don't know. I did not see much of him while he was in the Army. Did you know enough of his habits in the army to know whether he was a drunkard?—I knew he never was a drunkard. At the Law Institution, how many of the family were there !-Ten or a dozen, Mrs. Townley and others. Were there not complaints made as to the staring st him ? —I believe there were whenever he bungled at a question he complained they were staring at him. That you swear J—Yes. Yon conversed with the family about him ?—Yes. And you all made np your minds that he was an impostor 7 —Not so far as I am concerned until I had oeenhtm. And then you made up your mind?—Yes, quite. Did you koow Alfred ?-Yes, well. Wm he as sober as Roger ? Mr. Hawkins objected, and the question trapped. How, fiom the time you first heard of his return did you *'ways bear these tattoo marks In mind?—Well, I believe to. Mr. Hawkins, in re-examination, asked U the family did not speak about it. Mr. Kenealy, however, objected to this. Witness said his mother had always spoken of it. Mr. Kenealy again objected. (Mr. Hawkins, with reference to that part of the cross- examination which related to the alleged estrangem. nt, read a most affectionate letter from the Dowager to Mr. Henry Seymour, addressing him as My dear Henry," acknowledg- ing his "kind letter,' :and expressing her own sorrow and her sympathy with him, with Mrs. Seymour, and "poor dear Mrs. Hopkinson," and sending, in conclusion, her fondest love to the whole family.) Did you ever hear of any complaint of her being separated from her father?—No, never. (Two letters of Mr Seymour, dated 1845 and 1846, both addressed to Mr. James Tichbome, were read, and speaking in the most affectionate terms of "Henriette," to whom he said be had written inviting her to come over with her child. Both letters spoke of letters to Henriette (the Dowager) containing invitations to Knoyle.) The Lord Chief Justice observed that the letters proved that invitations were sent to Lady Tichbome. Mr. Justice Lush They answer the suggestions made in cross-examination that she was not allowed to see her father. (A. letter from Mr. Seymour, dated June 30, 1845, was here read, containing this Mr. Ticbborne and Roger went this morning to Stonyhurst.') (This letter having bsen shown to defendant, in cross-examination, he said it was Mr. Henry Danby Seymour's, and he also stated that his father did not go with him to Stonyhurst.) The witness further stated with reference to the alleged estrangement that the Dowager continued to the time of hir death on terms of perfect affection with the family. He had, he said, no interest whatever In the suit. Asked if Mr. Bloxam was any connexion of the family, witness said "No," he never heard of him and, as to Mr. Baigent, he had married a Miss Plowden, who was a con- nexiou of the Tichborne family, but he had never known him. You have read Lord Bellew's evidence as to the tattooing ? —Yes. And his account of the conversation with you ?—Yes. Is It correct f—Absolutely to. The Lord Chief Justice: You were present at the Law Institution and heard the defendant's examination!—Yes. Did you observe any French accent 1-1; ot at all; no trace of it. When did you last see Rogerl-I think the summer of 1852. Did he speak with the French accent then ?—Always. He always spoke with that accent, and made use of French Idioms and phrases. Mr. Justice Mellor: Was there anything in the sound of the defendant's voice which reminded you of Roger 1-N ot the least; quite the contrary. Where you aware that Roger ever had St. Vitus's Dance l -No. Was it ever spoken of in the famUy ?—Never. Did you ever hear of his having a nervous affection t— Never. One of the Jury Did you ever hear of his having a brown mark ?—I never heard of it. Dr. Samuel Mills deposed: I am in fpractlce In South- ampton street, Strand. I have been in attendance on Don Thomas Castro from the 1st May until to-day. I have watched him narrowly. He is not mentally capable of being examined on this trial. He has mentally deteriorated this past week, and will continue to do so every week. Don Pedro Santandor, who came over with Castro, was cilled, but he refused to be sworn. He stated, through the interpreter, that he would not make any declaration. The Lord Chief Justice: You are within our Jurisdiction now. and must do it. Santa,, dor: I will not without I am paid for it. Mr. Hawkins said he was anxious to release Castro, because the South American mail sails the day after to- morrow. Mr. Purcell, barrister, who had tried to examine Castro in private, but without effect, was called, but M he was not present, the matter was directed to stand over until the fol- lowing day. A long letter from Mr. James Tichbome In 1839, com- plaining of the absurd conduct of his wi'e with regard to Roger, and describing her eccentric conduct, was put in and read. The Court then adjourned.

DESTRUCTION OF THE "ALEXANDRA PALACE," BY FIRE. The following particulars of the destructive fire at the Alexandra Palace," on Monday, are condensed from an account of the calamity in The Times of Tuesday From all accounts the fire originated In the dome, and first disclosed Itself some time between half-past 12 and 1 o'clock. It was first observed In the rim of the dome, and speeoiiy shot upwards and round it, alarming the whole of the people in the building and all connected with It. Al- though a Monday and a sixpenny day, there were, as It happened, not so many vlsltnrs to the Palace as might have been expected, or as probably that would have been later in the atternoon and, as far as could be ascertained last evening, none of them had sustained any Injury in making their escape; though three of the workmen employed at the Palace are said to have been lesi fortunate. One is understood to have been seriously hurt, so much so that it was apprehended he would not survive the night. At present some mystery hangs about the origin of the fire. There is a current report among people connected with the place that one, if not two work- men-laid to be braziers-hid been engaged all the morn- ing in doing something to the outside ot the dome, and that the fire was discovered during the dinner hour, and after those men had descended from the roof. Up till yesterday morning, it seems, there had been but one fireman perma- nently settled at the Palace-one Meek-reputed to have been an experienced member of the London Fire Brigade, and to have served as a fireman during the siege of Paris. By a sort of coincidence he was reinforced, under a fresh, arrangement, early on yesterday morning by another fireman and their united services, as it happened, were eocn in re- quisition, but there is said to have been a languid and fitful supply of water, and so rapidly did the flames spread that they were wholly unequal to cope with It A telegram was despatched to the headquarters ot the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Watling-street, and Captain Shaw, the chief of the Brigade, was speedily on his way to the scene of the fire, with a full complement ef men and engines, as fast as horses could convey them: but they had some six or eight miles of ground to cover, much of it be ng up-hill, and by the time they reached their destination the ruin which had been effected in the meantime was well-nigh complete and irreparable. Captain Shaw had taken with him nine steam fire-engines and seven manual engines, with about 120 of the most experienced men in the speedily baffl d all attempts to restrain its fury. The flames spread along the roof, which fell in great flakes by degrees upon the area below, splitting the floor in places, and distributing fire as it descended. At length the centre dome collapsed and fell in two directions with a tre- mendous crash. Just before that the cord of the Union Jack which had floated from the dome was burnt through, and the flag itself, coming down by the run, soon disappeared In the burning ruins. The draperies of the Royal box caught fire as the falling roof came in contact with them, and served to spread the flimes to other parts of the building. By three o'clock the work of destruction was complete. The organ—one of the grandest of its kind, and which stood on the north aide of the centre transept—has perished, with its two attendant engines and all the rest of the interior fittings of the building. It was built by Willis, under the superintendence of Sir Michael Costa, and had 101 stops, 80 of which were sounding stops, and was worked by two steam-engines one eight-horse and another 13 horse power. The fine orchestra in front of the organ, which was sufficiently large to accommodate 1,000 performers, and the front of which ww adorned with busts of Beethoven, Handel, Rossini, Verdi, Mendelssohn, and Aubtr, has likewise disappeared. and so has the theatre, with its pretty drop scene, and all the rest of its belongings. The whole interior, in fact, is ao unskhtiy ruin from beginning to ead, completely open to the sky, and filled with iron material, twisted into all kinds of fantastic shapes, and other rubbish. Such of the outer walh and towers as remain are in an exceedingly dangerous state, and the firemen yesterday plied their voca- tion with more than the accustomed veriL Still, all the main outer walls and salient points of the structure remain, though, as we have said, in a precarious state, and, viewed from a little distance in the twilight of last evening, it had much the appearance of an old ruin, wanting only the ivy. All this wreck was the work of two hours. It remains to be stated that most of the pictures, water-coloured drawings, tapestry, and music are saved, but the precious loan collec- tion of china] is said to have been destroyed, with the excep- tion of two vases contributed by the Queen. All the authorities on the subject agree that the fire was caused by the carelessness of the plumbers who were repair- ing the outside of the dome, and who left their devil," otherwise fire brazier, burning while they went to dinner. This was, it will be remembered, exactly the manner in which the late fire at Canterbury Cathedral and the two fires at St. Mary Magdalene's, Haddington, originated. Concerning the precautions against the possibility of fire, says a correspondent, they seem to have been either nil or very insufficient. With a large reservoir and the New River at the foot of the hill, there does not seem to have been any arrangements for pumping it up in quantities. It is hardly too much to say that if a couple of steamers with a good supply of water had been on the spot when the fire was first discovered the mischief done would have been very trifling. The tent containing Mr. Waterer's show of rhododendrons is still intact, and uninjured During the fire Thomas Lamer, foreman of the smiths at the Palace, fell and was crushed in the ruins. On being extricated It was found that he had both legs broken, and was severely burnt. It is stated that he died while being con- veyed to the hospital. Another man, a fireman, named John M ek, is, it is feared, so severely injured that his life is despaired of. In addition to these several people, two of them young girls, were missing up to last evening, and fears are entertained that some may still be among the ruins. It Is said that the structure was insured in three offices to the amount In all of £ 120,000.

A correspondent residing near the Palace writes to the Daily News :— "Living In Hornsey, I was soon made aware of the fact that the dome of the Palace was on fire. I hastened to the gate, and was told that no one was to go in. I penuaded the man that I might be of use, and ran up the hill. At first the fire was only making its way slowly round the dome. A small tank on the top, with a hose, would have soon put it out. But soon fire began to drop in large masses on the floor under the dome, and a small engine was playing on the burning wood. Quickly, however, the tire turned the angles on all sides, and then we knew that our Palace was doomed. The fire travelled rapidly. The materials of the roof seemed to burn like paper. Every few minutes down came masses of fire; and it was evident that, if anything was to be saved, a quarter of an hour only remained to do it. I ran out, and went from group to group, and begged the men to come in and save the precious piotur s. At my end were the water- colours. A friend of mine fortunately at the other end was inspired with the same notion, and largely contributed to the saving of the oil paintings. I got together about twenty persons, and they went up and then I went up, rejoicing to meet my men coming down with their arms full. In two or three minutes the rooms were cleared. I took down the last—a photograph, and saw a few more photographs Just beyond, but it was too late to go farther. I came down stairs, and saw some people carrying thines of value, as pianos, and the beautiful goods of Messrs. Defries and Co.; others pulling out rows of chairs some with their hands full of trifles, as bottles of beer, children's toys, crockery, &c. I then hastened to the east end of the building, and found the oil paintings standing outside, close to the entrance. A gentleman was near them, who was asking the people to help to«removt);them to a distance. I got a man to help me to carry the beautiful Rubens which was so precious, and happily it is safe. The scene round the place was beyond description. Ihe property of Mesirs. Bertram and Roberts was to be seen everywhere. The workmen, burning with thirst, did not hesitate to seize the bottles, knock off the heads, and drink the contents. A large mirror was carried out, and dropped, and broken in a hundred pieces. Engines were arriving on all øldes-not a drop of water to be had u fl"orlng boards lay as the east end outside the buiidiug. No one removed a plank; it burned for hours. ■kf worth while to remark upon the different manuer in which the event affected the various bystanders; Here and there were seen serious men with grief on their countenances at the tremendous loss which Lonoon, and indeed all England, has sustained. Others were exulting at the spectacle, and indulging in miserable jests. One man lamented to me that he had paid his money and seen nothing but a iii e. I could not restrain my scorn of some men who refused to stir at my appeal for help to save the pictures and other things. Returning home, 1 found a crowd at the gate, and a man nearly frantic at the loss he had sustained, but whom they would not admit."

EPITOME OF BRITISH AND FOR By the death of Lord Cadogao, a elevation of Lord Chelsea to the Peera; in the represeutation of Bath. A new public institution, tech CrSche""—a nursery f jr infant cbildri established in Glasgow, mainly through of a number of philanthropic ladies. 1 to the instltuUon by their parents befo the morning, and are taken home to evening. Lord Westbury has appointed t 19;h inst. tor a sitting in the European 1 of some cases which are now ripa for hi Mr. Michael Mitchell, stewai Oabbins. a large landed proprietor, was near Limerick, on Saturday night. The between him and the tenantry as regar of way, and this dispute had led to ittii It has been recently suggested b Berkeley—our great authority on c: that the arches of railways, at prese profitable utilised for the cultivation 01 A gentleman in Florida has killed less than five feet long, from the li th c 10th of April. The hides netted him making 900 dollars in four months. A general strike for increase of i nent amongst the labouring classes of i in the employment of several firms ha they will not work any longer for Ie Their present wages average in genen general turn-out of all the labourers 1J It is reported, says the Dublin 1J been forwal ded to the several "head the Civil Service in Ireland a most ir which "immediate dismissal" is aw who maybe proved to be in connectioi The Glasgow Herald says that a Court Buildings in that city has just ft of some £50,000 by the death of a relai A fire has occurred at Hyde-pj The damage is estimated at 500,000 doli The Poor Law Guardian says ment Board do not intend to appoint spectors. The Earl and Countess of Crave levere domestic affliction by the sudde evening, of their infant son. The sad expected. The import of horses from Fra assumed an astounding magnitude, II attention has been drawn to it acroa view of putting a stop to it. The French Figaro says :—" Th* Is a strange affair it is full of centres, The Newsvendor is the title of a n to be Issued shortly as the organ of the Father Hyacinthe's coadjutor, 1 preached his first sermon at Geneva large congregation. In the lact four months the valu was JM48 5)2 which was a great increi in the preceding year, when the amom The births registered in Irela 1872 amounted to 149292-76.910 b< affording a ratio of 1 in every 85 96, o estimated popu 'atton In the middle of amounted to 17,677-49,168 males, affording a ratto of only 1 la every The entire number of marriages regis1 in every 198, or '51 per cent. of the po of Roman Catbolic marriages affopd marriage to every 216 Roman Cathollci rrotestant marriages a ratio of 1 In evi The value of the Derby Stakes a In the last eighteen years, was £4.826 Lord Lyon's year. The Oaks was little total for a week Mr. Buckstone, of the Haymark thu- announces the close of his seas Wicked World is approaching." The July 12th. Captain Francis Galton has m posal to people Africa with Chinese s tvould ceem, of gradually improving i off the face of the earth. The idea ii cation might be extended to other co' "We understand that the autot Mill has left behind him, with instruc publication, is comprised within vei will make a volume not much large Libeity.' Within about the same spa what a good critls has pronounced on< log autobiographies in the language Mill's sketch of his own life will not d and permanent value upon its length. The Belfast Magistrates have allow procelsiona in their townlat the versarles. The Queensland annexe of th< hibition was opened on Saturday. It is floor on the north-eastern side of tt contains an interesting collection of natural characteristics of that colony. In the last four months the de< manufactured tobacco imported was Iai ge increase on the previous year, w £ 294,357. As to manufactured tobacc tive sums were £ 499,147 and £366,891. We understand that ships of wa for the purpose of affording the Shah caslon of his visit to thii country, ano] acquainted with the naval resources c apecting a large number of vessels of 1 Splthead An electrical apparatus, to be p] ships, for the purpose of giving warnl has been devised by M. Sortals. On tl current is established, and a commui operation, which gives notice to the ol According to a return to the E licensed game dealers last year In fii 1,485,553 wild iowls, 536,254 harea f raboits. In the United Kingdom t 1,641,960; wild fowls, 580,3S8; hares, 5,104,817. At the unveiling of the statu Derby, Colonel Patten, as a friend of LI as a fact within hla knowledge that w hil passion for manly sports, his lore mirable religious text-back for th children. A large torpedo-room is ordered the armour-clad turret-ship Glatton, 2, power, before the is floated out of the d « nd ergoing the repairs In her turret ren sequence of the injuties it sustained f the Hotspur, A toroedo-room will ir vessels built for the Royal Navy. The last words of Maozoni patriotic. Turning to those around hi no mere do what I have dons every da Italy, for its King, and for his family, tome"—20,000 francs have been all monument for him, and his house wil tained as an historical relic. Mr. C. Kuasel, of Stubber". ne —Aletter just received has called common notion that all soft-billed eaters. In a letter which you kindly to the statement that the garden war' two white throats eat fruit, 'I ought t( the best of my knowledge, no other t except robins, to an extent limited by position." At the sitting of the Spanish ( Senor Figueras, in resigning the powi been provisionally invested, referred and d eel area that the present state serious than ever. He concluded his I a Democratic Federal Republic sho being the form of Government require lution was at once taken into co adopted by 2tO votes against 2. The Marquis of Lome's schen pay of the poorer incumbents in the C met with very little response. Very men of the Church have taken any [ and some of those who have give it what is needed is not the addition of i to the Church, but the rearrangement her existing revenues."—Court Journ Admiral Griffin died at Plymou 75. His exploits in tbe great war wit Syrian campaign of 1840 helped to m. tige of England. The deceased, who one of an almost incessant active se step by step from the lowest rank to fond of showing hll scara anõ narratlI prisoner of war. During his later yeai won him many warm friends. In the Leisure Hour for this m count is given by sir John Lubbock o tame WalO. He says 01 She"—a com nature of the sex—" would take no moved her legs, wings, and abdomen. offered her food for the hat time, but were dead or paralYled she could bu token, as I could almost fancy, of gj As far as I could Judge, her death was now occupies a place in the British MI The Khedive of Eg-vpt is about tour, accompanied by a large mite. I stantinople, where he will settle his 1s and her husband in an elegant residen on the Bngphorus, and will then join Leaving his Foreign Minister, Nubar the Sultan, the Khedive will go on t< remain for several weeks, and when journey to Paris. The following extract from the t Synod of the Presbyterian body, held of June, 1700, shows in an amusing discipline of Ulster Protestants at the century :—"Overture that there are wivel, and children, who are too gat apparel, and some too sordid thereN mended to the several presbyteries to themselves and theiM, and study d< their apparel and wigs, avoiding po, naif shirts and the like." A German manufacturer, Her I dry cloth textures, passes them over apertures, out of which issues sup< penetrates the cloth, and dries It, In of the steam to absorb water, and The Iteam il drawn Into a flue abo, strong current of air. One advantage the original surface of the web is fre< apt to sUltain trem cOBtact with heat the ordinary process. The receipts for the Parisian month of April afford a curious indie of public taste In Parii. At tbe h. Dramitiques, which, with the Fille i opera-bouffe, took upwards of 15o 00 the Opera, with 128 000 francs; and I Franc lIS, with 124,000 francs. Last o cipal theatres comes the Vaudeville, reached only the smalllum of 43,000 fi At a meeting of the Leicester G ture, the subject of local taxation was tions were adopted condemning the bi Majesty's Government, namely, the] Bill, the Valuation Bill, and the Consi eminently unsatisfactory. On the e n cultural Children's Bill, the Rsv. J. ] this Chamber approve the bill as a ne the Education Act of 1870." Mr. V po«ed, as an amendment, "That this that the House of Commons, in extend from twelve to thirteen, will, in some hardship to be indlcted on labourer a,.d great Inconvenience to employe labour." air. Watson, in seconding the agricultural labourers meetings i lAhourer and farmer. The amendmen1 Some of the go-ahead ladies acrc agitating for women's rights uude cant phase. Thu8 we are told that a p, than 200 of the Mafsaahusetta women the Senate and Home of Represent praying for the abolition of the law a; 1\ man to more than one wife" in case does not object, and where it II made is able to suppurt the additional b resources." T iey argue that" the-cen it is impossible to curry out this unw: law," and the} feel bonnd to look for exan of things in times when men's wlveraf In proportion to their flocks and rlt have not the slightest design to ask Icf "free love "or spiritual wives," but t marriage of the second wife "shall be p rmauent" all that of the first. TI vengeance.

Cm futbra Comspfoent. TWO ffloom M right to state that we do not at all timeI SJreMSsf ourselves with our Correspondent's epimions.) I can scarcely describe the painful sensation which was created in London on Monday afternoon, at the intelligence that the Alexandra Palace had been destroyed by fire. After years of trouble, of expense, and of anxiety, the beautiful building, so full of attrac. tions for every class of the public, had been opened only sixteen days before, and I have already spoken in your columns of my experience at the Palace on the 24th of May. Only a week before the destruction of the building, sixty thousand of our Whit Monday holiday keepers had gathered within its walls, and upon its charming grounds, and it was terrible to think that in two or three short hours, the Palace itself, and most of its contents, had been reduced to ashes. By great exertions, many, if not the whole of the pictures were saved, but this appears to have been done at the peril of those who attempted the task. There was a lamentable lack of water at the outbreaak of the catastrophe, so that, unfortunately, the fire had time to get a complete mastery of the edifice before the engines eould be brought into play. The scene in Fleet-street, at seven o'clock in the evening, upon the issue of the special editions, was a very animated one, for it had been reported that there was a serious loss of ife. This was happily incorrect; still there was a general feeling of sadness at the sudden and unex- pected end of an institution which required only time to enable it to command a large share of the public confidence. We are threatened with another strike in the Lon- don Building Trade. Last year, when the men de- manded an advance from 8d. to 9d. per hour, a com- promise was effected after the men had been out several weeks, by which they obtained 8 £ cL They now state that this was accepted on the understanding that if trade was at all good this year, the-original request for 9d. should be acceded to. The masters reply that they are prepared to give the increase asked for on the 1st of March, 1874, but that in so doing they would require that the hour for leaving work on Saturdays should be one o'clock instead of twelve as is now the rule with the masons. This condition is, however, repudiated by the men, who state that they would not accept the id. advance if offered at once on such terms. Therefore the general body of the masons have given notice that they will cease working in July, unless the promise which they con. tend was unconditionally made last year is carried out. It is earnestly to be hoped that a settlement may yet be effected, and that in such an important branch of industry the summer will not be allowed to pass as unproductively as it did bust year. Every summer the London daily papers open their columns to appeals on behalf of numerous charitable institutions, whose object it is to take for a day in the country" large numbers of poor children, whose only chance of seeing the green fields for even a few hours in the year is through the agency of this form of charity. To those who are free at any time to take a trip to the seaside, or to enjoy a ramble amongst delightful rural scenery, it is hard to believe that in the crowded courts and alleys of I the metropolis there are thousands of poor children who would never breathe the fresh country air but through the kindness of those who are in better circumstances. Similar appeals for Christmas charity are made at that season of the year, but then the pressure upon the columns of the daily newspapers is comparatively light, and the insertion of these letters, so far from being an inconvenience, is rather an assist- ance. But it must be far otherwise at the height of the London season when meetings of every description are in full swing, and when the columns of the journals are crowded with advertisements, Parliamentary debates, and long reports of the Tichbome trial. At such times, when space is so valuable, publicity is given to such matters at a sacrifice which can be known only to those who have to make it. Still it is cheerfully done, and it is hoped that the results are commensurate with the earnestness with which the cause of the poor is pleaded. One of the most interesting features of the approach. ing "Volunteer gathering at Wimbledon will be the reception and entertainment of the Belgian Gardes Civiques, who are to pay a visit to this country. The subject has been taken up by the Lord Mayor, so that there is little doubt of its being heartily carried through. Nothing could exceed the warmth of the hospitality extended to the English Volunteers when they went over to Belgium, and there is no doubt that it will now be thoroughly reciprocated. Thirty riflemen of other nations are invited to enter into competition with the Belgians whilst at Wimbledon, and communica- tions have been entered into with the Ministers of other European States with a view to their sending representatives for that purpose. Tbe attractions of the meeting will certainly receive an addition if these arrangements can be effectually carried out. TMe second vacation of the legislative year is at an end, and both Houses of Parliament have now settled down to steady woik until the close of the session. If any judgment may be formed from appearances, there will be very little political excitement to mark the re- mainder of its existence. A visitor to the lobby of the Commons on one of those sultry evenings which we have had lately, could not fail to be impressed with the general air of lassitude which prevails throughout the place. The interest in the progress of the measures which occupied the attention of Parliament in its earlier years has died away. I have been there during the passage of the Irish Church Disestablish- ment Bill, and have seen the crowd of eager politicians so great in the Central Hall that a passage for honourable members was made with difficulty. The debates upon the Irish Land Bill brought over from the sister island a considerable number of the better class of agriculturists. The Abolition of purchase in the Army, the long discussions which ensued upon it, regu- larly and attracted to the lobby a numerous body of mili tary officers while the Ballot debates were regularly attended by election agents and town clerks from many parts of the kingdom. Now, however, that there is no prominent question under the consideration of eur lawgivers, the lobbies are deserted, and often at the adjournment of the House, there is no one to be seen there. It may not be generally known that when the House rises, the Serjeant-at-arms always goes out into the lobby, and asks in a loud voice, who goes home ?" The inquiry is now frequently addressed to the statues and the frescoes. Miss Stanley, sister of the Dean of Westminster, adopts a novel mode of rewarding those of the deserv- ing poor who come within the sphere of her infiaence. This estimable lady dispenses what may be called a kind of floral chaiity, and through the agency of dis- strict visitors, distributes large quantities of flowers to the poor at their own homes. It would be impossible to find any class of the community who do not take pleasure in the cultivation of flowers, and no one can doubt that, by giving the humbler classes of the people opportunities for employing their time in this direc- tion, Miss Stanley is performing a work of genuine philanthropy. It is only to go into one of the metro- politan parks on a Sunday afternoon in the summer, to be convinced of the enjoyment which the sight of the flower beds create amongst the immense numbers who congregate there, and it is very rare that an act ef wilful damage has to be punished. A suggestion has been made that hospitals have a claim upon public sympathy in this respect, and that, as newspapers and periodicals are supplied to the sick poor, flowers also might be furnished to them. The idea is unquestionably a good one, and it might be worked out so all to relieve the tedium of the dreary hours which many are compelled to spend jn our public institutions. I may mention inciden- tally that on Sunday, the 15th instant, simultaneous collections for the hospitals of the capital will be made in our places of worship, irrespective of sect or deno- mination. It will be the first Hospital Sunday in London, and it is to be hoped that the experiment will be equally as successful as it has already been in some of our large provincial towns. During the visit of the Shah of Persia to Berlin, His Majesty received some scores of begging letters to which, of course, a general reply only could be given. Is it too much to expect that our illustrious guest will escape such importunities during his brief sojourn in this country ? We are justly proud of our charitable institutions, but surely the wealth of our own people ought to be sufficient for their maintenance without forcing their claims up in the attention of a Sovereign who is asked to partake of the national hospitality. I mention this because it is a matter of fact that when the Sultan of Tarkey was here in 1867, numerous peti- tions of thi, kind were addressed to him. Miss Rye, whose benevolent exertions on behalf of destitute young women are so well known, is to have rent-free for two years the house in Great Coram- street, which is associated with the memory of one of the foulest crimes ever perpetrated in London After the murder which was committed there on the morning of last Christmas Day, the house property throughout the whole thoroughfare became consider- ably depreciated in value, and an application was made to the Metropolitan Board of Works to change the name of the street, but this was refused. This particular dwelling has been for some time tenantless and, as usual in such cases, it has obtained the reo putation of being haunted. It has accordingly been transferred to Miss Rye until the summer of 1875, by which time the influence of the good work carried on within its walls may tend in some degree to blunt the remembrance of a tragedy which seems to have cast gloomy shadow over the neighbourhood. We have known that for some time past the Asiatic cholera has been hovering on the eastern frontier of Prussia, and it has only been prevented from coming westward by the great vigilance of the local authori- ties. A few days ago, however, a telegram announced that notwithstanding the extraordinary precautions of the Prussian police, the disease had extended into that country, and had appeared in a few villages on the Polish boundary. This has given rise to some little anxiety when we remember the number carried off by cholera in London in the visitation of 1866. During the months of July, August, and September in that year 4,714 persons died of cholera in the metropolis, and 2,298 from diarrhoea, making a total of 7,012. The highest mortality was in the week ending the 4th of August, when the victims of cholera alone numbered more than a thousand persons.