The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

On Wednesday evening an inquiry was held by Mr. William Carter, in the Board-room of the Battersea Union, Wandswrth, respecting the death of Mr. EA "ard Villier Crotty, aged fifty years.. The deceased gentleman was born in France, but was of Irish extraction. He was by profession a solicitor, nnd was at one time possessed of a large fortune, all of which, however, he lost on the tun. Mrs. Eliza Grotty, No. 1, Cheyne-walk, C.ieUen, said that deceased was her husband. She had only been married to him f ,ur years. For twenty years .e had not followed his profession as a solioito Before witness married him he had ran through a large for- tune. After the marriage he was left < £ 700. and he lost that. He bet on horse-racing. He latterly tried to regain his money. He used to return home de- pressed at night, and when witness would ask him what was the matter, he used to reply, It is a busi- ness you do not understand." A gentleman in Oxford rare 1 to send him information about particular horses. Numbers of letters from betting gentlemen used to come to tie house. There was only one child, a girl three years old. They were in straitened circum- stances latterly, but they never wanted food. De- ceased was only able to contribute a little towards witness's support, and witness went out as a milliner, in order to keep up the family. He would not take or accept any of the money so earned, but used to sav, "What money you have is yours, and you must keep it." His losses of money on horse-racing, his reduced circumstances, and the fact that all his own resources had failed him, witness believed had affected his mind, and caused him to kill himself, but he had never threatened to commit suicide. On the Friday nreceding ha said that he had lost a large sum of money. J. Hawkins said that on Monday evening xast be. tween five and six o'clock, be was on duty in Batter- sea-park, when he funnd the deceased lying on the grass near the flower-gardens. He was surrounded by some children and ladies. He was very pale, and he appeared to be dying. A white china cup lay by his side. He died in a few minutes. Sergeant Clarke, 31 V, searched the body of the deceased, and found in his pocket a bottle labelled "poison." There was a telegraphic message of the state of the field at the Reading races last Thursday. In another pocket was a form of application to a manual loan fund society. The only money found was one Beimy. Deceased was a gentleman of dis- tinguished appearance, and he looked to be only thirty years of age. Mr. W. Butler said that deceased had commenced life with a very large fortune, and ho had at various pariods inherited considerable sums, bat he had lost all on the turf. Dr. W. Poeoek said that deceased died from prussic acid. The bottle found in his pocket had contained poison. The Coroner having summed up, The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while iii a state of temporary mental derangement."

FEABFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION'. Eighteen Lives Lost. On Wednesday night, about eleven o'clock, a moat dreadful explosion took place in Seghill Colliery, near Shields. At the time it occurred the night shaft men were in, and in a moment eighteen men and lads were swept into eternity. Seghill is a pit with extensive workings, and that part of the mine where it fired is known as the Far California Bank. The hewers were then working at the "broken." The explosion took place in the hewers' boards, probably at a naked light, but that is a matter of conjecture. It came tearing down the main rolling way, but spent itself somewhat at the way ends, and though the noise of it was heard in all the other parts of the pit, none of the miners in any other part of the pit were hurt except those in Far California, and they escaped to bank in safety. Of course, as soon as it was known at bank that the pit had fired the news-flew about the village like" wildfire," and hundreds of persons flocked to bank. Mr. Ket- tering, the head viewer, and Mr. Sanderson, the under viewer, ware sent for, and the most desperate efforts were mo.de to reach the men and lads buried in the far workings of California. But it was found that the pit was very foul inby, and that therolley way was choked up with falls from the roof. Several of the miners wno have bsen employed to got to the men save been brought to bank suffering from the effects of after damp, and others immediately descended to take their places in the work of ridding away the rubbish. The explosion took place in the low main seam._ Amongst those killed are a father and son named Mills. Robert Eutherford, two hewers named Hogg and Dcdds, and Thomas Weathevburn.

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATHS AT MILE- END. On Wednesday afternoon Mr. John Humphreys resumed and concluded an inquiry which he opened on the 29th nit., into the circumstances of the death of Frances Backingham and Mary N. Gribbin, whose bodies were found dead in a room at 21, Albert Cottages, Mile-end New-town, on Friday, the 26th ult. It will be remembered that the first witness called on the last occasion was John Buckingham, the husband of ene of the deceased women but it soon transpired that he was a perfect imbecile, and the coroner declined to proceed wittrliis evidence, which was of a contradictory and inconclusive character. The women, it was proved on that occasion, had been drinking hard for several days. The first witness called was Lydia Goosey, a neigh- bour, who was in the habit of sit ting with the deceased persons. She said she fetched beer for them, and some gin, but nothing" else. She saw no powder or anything else put into the beer or gin which the de- ceased persons drank. Elizabeth Wagstaff, of 27, Albert Cottages, said she knew Lydia Goozey, the last witness, and had had some conversation 'with her about this case. It was soon after the funeral. She said that Mrs. Backingham had offered a white powder to her hus- band, but that he would not take it, so she took some of it herself and gave the rest to her sister. She then said that both of them were very sick afterwards. She said they put the powder in some beer. Mary Anne Hoare, of 22, Arundel-street, Bethnal- green, said Mrs. Gribbin had been a lodger of hers, having occupied a back reom in her house nearly a month. She was not a person of sober habits. She got no tipsy and went to bed tipsy—in fact, she had beer fetched her at eight o'clock in the morning. By the Jury Never heard her threaten to take her own life or that of her sister. Dr. Henry Letheby, professor of chemistry in the London Hospital, detailed the analyses which he had made. Potash was present in both cases, and m one to a large extent. The potash must have been taken in the form of caustic of potash, or carbonate of potash, or cyanide of potassium. His own opinion was that cyanide of potassium had been taken. It was a deadly poison, the active principle being prtissic acid. It was more easily obtained than any other, in consequence of its being so generally used. Dr. Gayton, who was examined on a previous o oa- sion, was re-called, and asked by the jury whether the man Backingham could have lived so long in the room as he appeared to have done without food. He said that a man could live that time, three days, without food. The Coroner reminded the jury that when the room was broken into, crumbs of bread were found on the floor, so that the man had probably been feeding dur- ing the time he was there. Dr. Gayton, in answer to a juryman, said a person would live half an hour, or an hour at the outside, after taking such poison as Dr. Letheby had described. The Coroner in summing up went carefully through the facts of the case, and described with great minute- ness the circumstances under which the bodies were discovered. He also commented upon the medical evidence which had been given. The jury after a brief consultation returned as their verdict, "That the deceased persons died from the effects of poison, but how it was administered there was no evidence to show." ♦

The following story is going the round of Paris -.—A small German baron had occasion, as it seems, to see Baron Rothsehild, of Frankfort. The great financier was writing away for very life when Baron X. was announced. He did not even lift his eyes, but said,, Take a chair, sir." The baron, with t je German touchiness' about titles, said Sir, indeed! I think M. le Baron did not hear my name. I am a baron also—the Baron X." "Ah! a thousand pardons," said the banker, still writing: "you are a baron—take two chairs then, if you will be so kind, and wait till I have finished this letter."

TERRIBLE CONFLAGRATION IN LIN- COLNSHIRE. Nearly Half a Village Burnt. About ton o'clock on Friday morning a fire, attended I' with most disastrous results, broke out at Sillingham, near Tatterahall. It was first discovered at the corner of the main street leading to Lincoln, on the roof of a thatched hovel, in a -yard belonging to a man named William Scott, wood dealer. The wind at the time was blowing quite a gale from the west, and the sparks flew in all directions. The flames quickly extended to the remaining building in the yard, and thence the burning straw was blown upon a thatched cottage and outbuildings belonging to Robert Newton, a car- rier between Sleaford and Lincoln. The building was completely gutted, as well as the stable and cart- house, with other buildings adjoining. The flames next communicated to a brick and thatch cottage, which was levelled with the ground in a few minutes, all the furniture being destroyed. The flames then extended across the road in an easterly direction, and two brick and thatch cottages were quickly on fire, and were soon consumed, with nearly all their con- tents. In tha rear was a quantity of grain buildings and produce, none of which escaped. The flames then appeared to make a sudden leap, and reiched a row of cottages across another street. One of these in the occupation of Robert Wilson and another of John Stevenson were in complete ruins, as well as many useful farm-buildings in the rear an out-stack hovel and pig-stye, belonging to Charles Croft, were also consumed." The most serious loss, however, was that of Thomas Gilbert. The house was a substantial stone i building, with thatched roof, which had recently snder- f gone extensive repairs; nothing but the wails remain. In the yard were two oat stacks, two hay stacks, three straw stacks, stables, and other outbuildings, none of which escaped, and it was only with the greatest pos- sible difficulty thet an adjoining stack-yard was saved. The Primitive Methodist Chapel opposite was also burnt out, as well as a cottage in the ocupatio11 of Wi liam Gadsby, and the produce of two acres of wheat; adjoining, a stack of wheat, the produce of four acres, belonging to William Sharp, was totally consumed, and the poor fellow was not insured. Be- yond this long list of terrible disasters a quantity of furniture was destroyed in removal-nearly all the hos.383 in the village in the immediate neighbourhood | of the fire being cleared. At the spot where the fire f originated, a fat pig, which the owner had given < £ 4 ( for a few days ago, was burnt to death, and at alil- other place three or four pigs were burnt. The hour at which the fire broke out was rather unfortunate, as most of the cottagers were out in the harvest field. As soon as the alarm was given they quickly returned, to ind the comfortable home they had left onl.' a few hours before a smoking mass of ruins. The Biiling- hay engine was quickly got out; but, owing to the long distance from which the water had to be fetched, it was some time before it could be made of much service. When, however, it commenced it proved very useful, and a messenger being sent to Tatterahall, soon arrived with their eagine, and, between the two, with other resources at hand, the spread of the fire was somewhat prevented. The high wind, however, did not allow of any help being rendered to the burning property, and it was only with the utmost exertions that the conflagration could be checked. Towards evening a mastery was obtained over it; and although the thatch and straw continue burning, it is hoped, if the wind abates, there will not be any farther out- break. The Las will fall very heavy upon the sufferers, few of whom are insured, and, as they are generally of the poorer class, the catastrophe is most distressing. Nearly one hundred men, women, and children have to be accommodated with temporary lodgings in the village schoolroom, and their sufferings must be very great for some time, as they ha e lost their little all. It is to be hoped that steps will be promptly taken to afford them temporary relief. The best possible order prevailed, the local police rendering efficient service, and nearly every man, woman, and child in the village t rned out to give assistance.

EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH PEACE IN AMERICA. A great and important movement is now going* on in Great Britain and Ireland, says the Standard, in the shape of a peace address from the people of this country to the people of the United States. Thejad- dress appeals to the ties of ra-e and kindred, and asks if there has not bean enough of strife and bloodshed, of misery, and scfferil-ig P It goes on to say—"It is now time for you to pause, and after calmly reviewing all that you have accomplished, the distance which you have travelled from your well-known land narks, and the difficulties and dangers that are certainly be- fore yoa, to take counsel together as to the best means of restoring peace. It is in your hands to give pease to the American Continent. We appeal to you to re- cognise the duty which attaches to your high privilege, and to make peace with the Southern States, and we make this appeal in the name of religion, humanity, civilisation, and common justice." In 11 eland the ad- dress has met with hearty support from the people genor Jly—Protestant and Catholic alike—the clergy taking a very active part in promoting the object. The people of Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Limerick, Drog- heda, Queenstown, and the principal towns in Ire- land, are signing the address in immense numbers, In Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Huddersfield, York, Leicester, Prestqn, Stockport, Macclesfield, Chester, Congleton, Bury, Oldham, Bath, Stafford, Stoke-upon- Trent, and in many oth r towns in England and Scot- land, the number of signatures is daily increasing. If the signatures which the address is receiving in Lon- don may be taken as a sign of popularity, this move- ment is certainly popular. As the time is near at hand when the people of the United States will decide the question of peace or war for another four years, the friends of peace and huma,nity are anxious that the counsels of the people of Great Britain and Ireland, should be uttered in iavonr of peace, believ- ing that a people can best address a republican government and a republican multitude.

RAISING THE SUNKEN STEAMER CHEVY CHASE. The operations for raising the Chevy Chase steamer, sunk in the Elbe, by the representatives of Lloyd's, are exciting a considerable amount of interest. The Chevy Chase was a new steam-ship, about 600 tons, beipnging to the General Steam Navigation Company, valued at £ 50,000. In going up the Elbe in the early part of the ye%r she got foul of some ice, which stove her bows and she sunk. The spot wheie she went down is about twenty miles from Hamburg, lying across the stream with her head in shore. At low tide there are twenty feet of water over the deck aft and ten feet forward. There is a rise of fifteen feet in the flood, the tides sweeping over the ship at the rate of four or five knots an hour. There is not more than ten minutes' slack for working purposes-this is at low water. It was in consequence of the rapid now of water over the vessel that the raising of the ship was rendered so difficult. One of the company's _masters, Captain Frost, succeeded with some divers in repair- ing the steamer's bows, but the difficulty was to get buoyancy so as to float her, and, with twenty feet of water over the decks, it seemed insurmountable. Then again a second accident befel the ship, another of her plates got stove near her fore sponson, which will have to be made secure before any attempts can be made to raise her. In this dilemma the directors of e com- pany came to a resolution to place the vessei hi the hands of Lloyd's Salvage Association, who, after causing a careful survey of the wreck, proposed a plan for accomplishing the rescue of the vessel, which was at once accepted, and instructed Captain Russell to set about carrying. i out. The operations, however, have been somewhat tedious. The sunken steamer is now enclosed in a coffer-dam, consisting of wooden balks, twelve inches thick and sixty feet long, driven into the bed of the river ten or ¡ twelve feet. The dam is cased with strong water-tight canvas sheeting. Divers were employed to secure the lower end of the sheeting to the bottom of the piles, heavy bags of clay and stone being placed in it to keep it at the bottom, secured to the bed of the riv.er. Five steam pumps will be set in motion to pump out the water from the dam, so as to get in the stove plate near the sponson. This movement accomplished, the engines will knock off pumping, and will be employed to pump out the ship so as to float her. Beams and other appliances have been erected across the dam to secure it from collapsing. Captain Russell, in a tele- gram he dispatched from Hamburg to the General Steam Navigation Company, states that he intends to commence pumping as soon as the high wind ceases, aud hopes to get the ship afloat in a few days. The operations have at present involved an outlay of nearly < £ 12,000. f,' f

DEATH OF THE DUKE OF CLEVELAND. The new Duke of Cleveland died last week at Raby Castle, near Durham, having only succeeded his brother the late Duke in January last. William John Frederick Vane, third Dake of Cleve. land. Marquis of Cleveland, Earl of Darlington and Viscount Barnard, Baron Raby, of Raby Castle, in the Bishopric of Durham, was born in London April 3, 1792, and was the second son of William Henry, third Earl of Darlington, K.G., Lord-Lieutenant and Vice- Admiral of Durham (who was created Marquis of Cleveland September 17,1827, and Duke of Cleveland and Baron Raby January 15, 1833), by Lady Katharine Margaret Powlett, second daughter and co-heiress of Henry sixth and last Baron Bolton. He assumed the name of Powlett on inheriting his mother's property, and was for many years familiar to the sportsmen of England as Lord William Powlett. He resumed his paternal name of Vane by Royal licence, shortly after succeeding to the dukedom. He received the degree of M.A. of Oxford in 1812 was M.P. for St. Ives 1846-52, and for Ludlow 1852-7, taking, however, no active part in the debates of the Lower House. He married, July 3, 1815, Lady Catherine Lowther, daughter of William, first Earl of Lonsdale, but had no issue by his marriage. Lord William Powlett began his racing career some- what late in life. His father was a shrewd and intel- ligent sportsman, who was said to be half Scotchman, half Manchester-man. His grace was owner of the famous racers Barefoot, Memnon, and Mulev Moloch. As a fox-hunter he was commemorated, and still lives in the famous song, "The hounds of old Raby for me"— They are Darlington's sure, for his voice I well know, Crying "'forward; hark, forward," from Shelbrook's below. And in another Bong- With persuaders in flank comes Darlington's peer, With his chin stretching- out, and his cap on one ear." Lord William, as he wa^ called, was not unworthy of his father. His first victory was in the Somerset- shire, with Brandyface. His Sharavogue won five Queen's plates; but he expected great things from Promised Land, which expectations, unfortunately, were disappointed. Tim Whiffler was his great card, and won the Royal Stand Plate at Ascot, the Good- wood Cup, the Doncasfcer Cap, and the Doncaster Stand Cup. As Lord William owned some consider- able portion of Bath (Puiteney and other fashionable streets included), he always sent his horses to the races there. He was a steward of the Jockey Club, and was most liberal as an owner of horses, and as a landlord at Downham. His grace is succeeded in his titles and vast estates by his only surviving brother, Lord Harry George Vane, M.P. for Hastings, who was born April 19, 1803; was educated at Oriel College, Oxford; and married, August 2, 1854, Lady Catherine Lucy Wil- helmine Stanhope, Viscountess Dalmenv, daughter of the fourth Earl Stanhope. Lord H. Vane was attached to the Embassy at Paris, 1829; was Secretary of Lega- tion at Stockholm, in 1839; sat for South Durham, in the Liberal interest, from 1841 to 1859, when, on his brother Henry, Duke of Cleveland, supporting the Derby Ministry, he was not re-elected, and was re- turned for Hastings. He had purchased Battle Abbey from the Webster family. As the present duke has no family, the heir-presumptive is Mr. Henry Morgan Vane, born November 29, 1808, who, by his marriage in 1853 with Louisa, daughter of the Rev. R. Farrer, has three sons, who may perpetuate this famous title.

TAKING LEAVE OF A CONVICTED MURDERER. An Affecting Seene. The Sheffield Telegraph of last week publishes the following concerning the murderer, Myers :—As some misconception has arisen respecting the mood of mind in which the prisoner now is, we have much satisfac- tion in placing before our readers an account derived from the best authority of his present condition. Stories, founded on his previously callous behaviour, and on reports furnished by persons who judge of him from casual notice of his demeanour under observation, have represented the doomed man as behaving with shocking levity and stolid indifference to the conse- quences of his position. On Monday last his family were admitted to see him in prison; and from the results of their observations and inquiries, we are enabled to state the following facts; He neither smokes nor drinks, he is thin and attenuated in body, anxious of mind, and docile in manner. So far from pampering himself in diet and eatisg his food with relish, he alleges that he has found his appetite para- lysed by the condition of his mind; and his wan and wasted appearance would seem to countenance his assertion. On Monday he had an interview with his sister, his son-in-law, his son. and his two young chil- dren. One of the first remarks he made was in the form of a question which exhibited his desire to miti- gate the sdium under which he labours, and to leave behind him a better impression in the minds of his family. It is said there is no man so good but he has in him some elements of badness and no man so bad, but if you come to know him well, you will find in him some traces of goodness; and this observation, which is borne out by those who have carefully observed the conduct of liberated convicts in Australia and else- where, is also confirmed by the conduct of Myers. He asked his son pointedly, and with much eagerness, whether he thought the murder premeditated; the son answered that he thought it was. This answer took him aback, and visibly troubled him; and he said, extenuatingly, "I can't help what you think; I was not myself; I was not my own man." He blames the drink, and is convinced that but for that he would never have been in the solemn position he now occupies. Herein, he probably reasons rightly. The physical derangement produced by hard drinking excites, as many of our readers will have seen, an almost uncon- trollable irritability of both body and mind, and, coupled with a deepening sense of demoralisation and a consciousness of self-caused misery and degradation, makes its victims sour in temper, surly of mood, and as reckless of the lives of others as they are of an existence which has ceased to have any value for themselves, He spent some little time arranging his affairs, ap- portioning his fishing-rods, his money, and his tools, after which an affecting scene occurred. His youngest child was asked, "Would you like to live with your father?" "Not here," said the child. "If father could fetch mother back we'd go and live at home again." At this touching allusion Myers broke down, tears rolled down his face, and he was for some time convulsed with grief. The simple language of the child—simple as truth and innocence could make it- brought back to him the good that had been, the good that might have been, and the affection of a. wife whose love had survived the worst abuses; and he remained for some time almost choking with emotion. Turning to his son-in-law, he said, Can you forgive me ?" The son-in-law, seeing his penitence, said he thought he could. Turning next to his son he asked the same question. The son, moved by his contrition, replied that he also could now forgive him. This answer had an electrical effect. With fa.ce all quivering, and tears streaming down his features in beads, he grasped the hands of his son with spasmodic energy, and said, in a voice husky with feeling, "Now I can die content." The gaolers, accustomed as they are to solemn scenes, were moved by this uncommon exhibition of passionate penitence, and they also were in tears. He complains that he should have been described as hardened beyond feeling. He says that if he could have cried, as some people can, he would not have been so thin and wan as he now is. He is deeply grateful to the governor and officers of the prison for the attention they have shown him, saying, "That had he been a child of their own he could not have been more kindly treated by them." He was much consoled by the results of the meeting with his friends and family, declaring that before he saw them life was valueless and death unacceptable; but that since he had seen them, and been assured of their forgiveness, he should meet death with perfect resignation. He spoke of the Condemned Sermon" as a beautiful dis- course, and with the renewed expressions of gratitude to, and good-will for, all around him, ended an inter- view which had been at once one of the most mournful and most moving that ever occurred within prison walls. »

DEATH OF TWO FEMALES FROM STARVATION. Great excitement prevails in Chelsea about a painful Ica ie which has just been brought to light. Two sisters, who had seen better days, have met with untimely deaths through the want of proper sustenance. Three weeks ago a man between thirty and forty years of age, and who then gave the name of Selby, took an unfurnished front room on the first floor, at No. 4, Durham-street, Chelsea, at the rate of three shillings and sixpence per week, as he alleged for the occupancy of two of his maiden sisters, but in reality it turned out afterwards that the room was hired for himself and three sisters. From that time to the present nothing was seen of the deceased by any persons in the house, and even the surviving sister and brother appear to have lived in a most secluded manner, as they were seldom heard except at night. The stench which latterly came from the room was so great that the landlord attributed it to the dirty habits of his new lodgers, and determined to see Selby, but never could do so until Friday morning last, when coming home from breakfast, Selby then told Matthews that he was in great trouble, that one of his sisters had died on the previous Monday at ten o'clock, and then pausing for a little time, added that his other sister had died on the Tuesday at ten o'clock, and that he did not know what to do, as he could not get an order for their burial without a doctor's certificate. He asked Mr. Matthews not to tell Mrs. Matthews or anybody else about the affair; but of course Mr. Matthews felt it his duty to take some steps in the matter, and communicated the facts of the case to his wife, requesting her, as he was compelled to re- sume his work, to call upon Mr. Green, the coroner's officer, which mandate she lost no time in obeying. I The coroner's officer arrived in the afternoon, and accompanied by Mrs. Matthews proceeded to the room, which was locked inside, and an intimation that if the door was not unfastened it would be forced open, gained them admission. A sad spectacle presented itself. Stretched before them lay the de;id bodies of two females, in such a state of decomposition that maggots were upon them, and they resembled skele- tons covered with green tissue paper more than human bodies. Both were naked, with the exception of a chemise; one was stretched out on an iron bedstead with web sacking, aud the other lay on the floor, crouched up like a dog in one corner of the room. The only other articles of furniture were two chairs. An inquest was held at the Surprise Tavern, Christ- church-terrace, on Saturday, by Mr. Bird, deputy coroner. The man Selby was called, and said that his right name was Moss. He had oeen a solicitor's clerk. The deceased were his two sisters, Emma Moss, aged thirty-eight, and Jane Moss, aged forty. The surviving sister, who lived with them, said.she could not get them to take any food. Mr. Thomas Dickinson, the surgeon who had made a post-mortem examination, said that he found no traces of food in either of their stomachs, and it was his opinion that they died fram exhaustion from fever, or the want <y proper sustenance. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

A PANIC IN THE ADELPIII THEATRE. On Friday night the Adelphi Theatre was the scene of alarm and consternation in consequence of a report that the building was on fire. Towards the close of the performance of the "Woman of Business" theory of "Fire" was raised, and a majority of the audience leaving their seats beat a hasty retreat. On an in- spection being made the theatre was found to be quite safe, but some smoke from an adjoining house in Heathcock-court had entered the back part of the pit. The whole of the company, including the mechanical portion of the establishment, appeared before the curtain to give confidence to those who retained their seats, and in less than half an hour the entertainments were proceeded with. Several persons were more or less seriously injured in the rush made from the theatre. A gentleman of the name of Horatio Prater, of 6, Commercial-road, Bayswater, was forced down as he attempted to rush out of the pit, and was trampled upon by at least thirty persons. Such were the shrieks and cries of the people, especially from the women, that the unfortunate gentleman was not seen to be lying prostrate on the floor, and many, in their anxiety to leave, tumbled over him, and they in consequenoa received sundry bruises. Mr. Inspector Brennan, of I the F division of police, with a number of his men, were fortunately on the spot at the time, and the first-named officer entered the lobbies and assured the people that there was nothing to fear, that no fire of any description had taken place. At the same time Mr. Anson was telling those who were struggling to leave that everything was perfectly safe. Order having at length been restored, the house was again filled, and the performances were resumed and con- cluded without any further interruption. Mr. Prater was conveyed on a stretcher to Charing-cross Hospital, when it was found that, besides receiving several in- ternal injuries, his left arm near the shoulder was broken. He remains in the hospital under the care of Dr. Hancock. The other persons injured were able to return home.

DOUBLE EXECUTION AT LEEDS. On Saturday morning tha two men Myers and Sar- gisson underwent the extreme penalty of the law in front of the gaol at Leeds. They were both convicted of wilful murder at the last assizes (being the first ever held in Leeds), the former for the murder of his wife at Sheffield, and the latter for the murder of John Cooper, at Roche Abbey. The chief witness against Myers was his own daughter, who saw him cut her mother's throat with a table knife. In the case of Sargisson's victim, who was a poor gardener, the watch and other property was found in the cottage of the murderer, who endeavoured, while admitting having witnessed the murder, to fix the actual com- mission of the deed on another man, who had also been indicted, but had been released on the grand jury ignoring the bill. Sargisson maintained to the last that he was not the murderer of Cooper. He said, after being urged to confess, "If I could say anything that would free him (the other man, Denton) from suspicion, I would, but he is guilty. He struck the blow." No hope of pardon or respite has been held out to either of the condemned men by any of the officials of the gaol, or by the relatives and others with whom they have had interviews, nor have they themselves even suggested the possibility of their receiving any commutation of their sentence. From the time of their condemnation both men showed a befitting sense of their awful position, and listened V(_ attentively to the instruction afforded them. This was more especially the case with the younger of the two criminals, Sargisson. 'On Saturday week the Bishop of Ripon arrived unexpectedly at Armley Gaol, where the condemned men were confined, and had an interview of an hour's duration with each of them. The preparations for the carrying out the sen- tences were commenced 'on Friday, and every step was taken for the preservation of order. The scaffold was taken for the preservation of order. The scaffold was erected at the north-east angle of the gaol enclosure, access to it for the condemned men, the chaplain, the under-sheriff, the governor; and other officials, being provided for by the formation of a doorway in the masonry of the wall near to the turnkey's residence. The scaffold was nine feet from the ground, the front of it screened with black cloth, which concealed the bodies of the unfortunate men from the waist down- wards. In front of the wall and at some distance from the scaffold on either side strong barricades were erected, and a powerful force of police was employed in the preservation of order among the many thou- sands of spectators who were present. Both the unhappy men went to bed between twelve and one o'clock. The governor went to Sargisson about five o'clock in the morning and found him lying in the bed still with his clothes on. He was reading his Bible. The governor then went to Myers about half-past six. He was asleep, but on being awakened he rose up, and producing a small piece of paper which he had in his hand said, "These are two sixpences which Mr. Godson has promised to give my children." Mr. Under-sheriff William Gray arrived at a quarter- past eight. Askern, the executioneer, was also present at that time. The mob had begun to collect at four o'clock, and at the time of the execution there could not. have been less than 120,000 persons present. When the prison clock struck nine, the cry of H-its off! was raised by the multitude. The under-sheriff and Mr. Keene were followed by the chaplain, repeating the Funeral Service.. Myers came up first, then Sargisson, both appearing pale and anxious-looking. They knelt upon the drop whilst Mr. Tuckwell read the Burial Service. Both the culprits uttered the responses, and frequently ejacu- lated, "Lord, have mercy upon me," and "Lord, save my soul." Myers appeared quiet, but Sargisson shook his head heavily. Both the men continued to cry out, "Lord, have mercy upon me!" and the last words uttered by Sargisson were to his brother murderer. He called out, Are you happy, lad ? I am happy!" to which Myers responded, "Indeed I am." The drop fell, and the bodies were immediately hidden from the view of the crowd, and it was only from the vibration of the rope that Myers seemed to die almost imme- diately but the other man struggled violently for the next few minutes. Sargisson to the last adhered to the statement that he had made throughout. The crowd then commenced rapidly dispersing, though a large number remained to witness the cutting down of the bodies at ten o'clock. The arrangements for the preservation of order were carried out with great dis- cretion by Mr. Bell, the chief constable. So large a number of visitors to witness this melan- choly spectacle may be accounted for by this being the first execution since the division of the West Riding, Leeds being the appointed place for the final consummation of the law. A most shocking scene occurred immediately after the drop fell. It appears that a short time previous to the execution attention was directed to a wound in Myers's throat, and one of the warders placed a small plaster 'upon it. This, however, was not sufficient.. A few days before the execution Myers alluded to the state of his throat, and said that if the executioner did not give him "another yard" of fall he should not die, for he could breathe through the wound. He showed to the person he addressed that he. could actually respire through the wound. The wound was in the middle of his throat, and the rope would necessarily come above it, so that there was imminent danger of a horrible scene unless the place was securely plastered over. The event showed that proper means had not been taken to obviate this danger. The fall did not dislocate his neck, because of his weight, but it was sufficiently violent to tear open the wound, and a dreadful scene ensued. After one or two movements Myers ceased apparently to struggle, and the attention of the executioner was directed to Sargisson, who struggled violently, and seemed to die very hard. But after a minute had elapsed it was seen that Myers was still alive, and that breathing was going on through the wound in the throat below the rope. The dreadful occurrence caused an overpowering feeling of horror, but, after a consultation with the surgeon, steps were taken which resulted in the eventual fulfilment of the sentence; but this was not accomplished until more than twenty minutes had expired after the drop fell. Whether sensibility remained in the body during the whole of that time it is impossible to say. Certain, however, it is that the culprit breathed for that time, and that the hoarse sound of the air rushing into the lungs was distinctly audible.

A MATRIMONIAL DIFFICULTY: A CURIOUS POINT OF LAW. A case involving a curious point of law was recently heard by the Gainsborough Petty Sessional magistracy. A woman, giving the name of Elizabeth Clayton, ap- plied for an affiliation order in bastardy against George Mumby, of Willoughton, to whom she had been united in matrimony. Mr. Howlett, for the woman, said Several years ago Elizabeth Clayton became the wife of David Clayton, and lived with him many years. At length Clayton left her and her two children, and, in order to maintain herself and children, she went into service. Some considerable time after she became acquainted with George Mumby, and the result of that acquaintance was the birth of a child, of which Georga Mumby was the father. At the time my client became acquainted with George Mumby she had reason to sup- pose that David Clayton, her husband, was dead, and, acting upon that knowledge, she went through the ceremony of marriage with George Mumby. The case turns upon this very simple point—whether, at the time Elisabeth Clayton went through the ceremony of marriage with George Mumby, David Clayton was alive. Mrs. Clayton shall give her evidence on that point, and also on the point of the paternity of the child, which will not be disputed. Elizabeth Clayton was sworn, and proceeded to say, in answer to a ques- tion from Mr. Howlett, that she was the wife of David Clayton, when Mr. Toynbee objected to the question and answer after the statement that the applicant had been married to George Mumby. He objected to Mrs. Clayton being asked to prove that at the time of her marriage with Mumby her first husband was alive, for the effect of such evidence would be to bastardise the present issue, and no woman was at liberty to give such evidence. The applicant then gave evidence to the fact that fourteen years ago she became the wife of Clayton, that she lived with him four or five years, and he then left her. She had not seen him since, but had heard of him through Mumby, who found him near Sheffield. On the 22nd of last May she gave birth to a child of which Mumby was the father. Mr. Toynbee objected to this evidence. The Bench: We have not yet had any proof of David Clayton being alive at the time of the second marriage. "Mr. Toyn- bee If Clayton was not alive then, Mumby is the ap- I plicant's lawful husband, and the present proceedings must at once fall to the ground. After some discus- sion, the magistrates' clerk (Mr. Oldman) said the presumption in such cases had always been in favour of access, and there must be very strong evidence to prove non-access before it could be acted upon. And prove non-access before it could be acted upon. And as long as the husband resided inter qnatuor mares, the presumption of access was all the stronger. Mr. Toynbee Suppose in this case Clayton was living and had possible access, the effect would be to bastardise his children. The Court declined to make an order. 'I It is stated that the first husband, David Clayton, is now living at Sheffield, and that he is married a second time, and has two children by the second wife.

FATAL ACCIDENT TO A YORK ARCHITECT. ( A very sudden and singular accident occurred last week at Church Feuton, at the brickyards belonging to Mr. Graham, of York, whereby one gentleman lost his life, and two other persons were more or less injured. On the premises was a large eight hole brick or tile kiln, capable of burning some 40,000 ordinary draining tiles, and this building had fallen somewhat out of repair. The manager of the works, William Palmer, communicated to his employer, Mr. Graham, the state of the building, and the latter gentleman promptly took measures to restore or rebuild the worn out structure. Accordingly on Wednesday afternoon he went to view the place, accompanied by Mr. John Hornsey, of York, architect. After spending a short time in looking at the place, Mr. Hornsey proceeded to make his measurement, preparatory to drawing his intended plan for re-building the place, and for that purpose went inside the kiln. With him were Mr. Graham, Palmer (the manager), and his son, and also a labourer, named Cawthorne. Mr. Hornsey mounted a ladder and proceeded to take the dimensions of the spring of the aich, and while he was so occupied, and without the slightest premonitory warning, tha roof fell in with a frightful crash. At the entrance to the kiln was found Palmer's son, jammed by the legs between a wheelbarrow and the wall. In the right corner of the kiln, up to the waist in fallen bricks, stood the labourer Cawthorne, his face streamilig with blood from wounds in the head. He had noticed the building giving way, and had just time to jump into a corner, and thus escape certain death. As it is, the wounds a.re very severe, and he is in a very dangerous state. Groans were now heard in another corner of the kiln, and after a lapse of nearly a quarter of an hour, Mr. Hornsey was taken from the ruins. About forty minutes after he had been rescued, and before the arrival of the medical officers, he breathed his last. The deceased's injuries were of the most frightful description. His skull was beaten in in more than one place, and his jaws, about the mouth, dreadfully torn and lacerated. His right thigh, his right knee, and right leg were shockingly mangled, and his right arm was broken. It is also believed that he had sustained fracture of the ribs, besides severe internal injuries. Mr. Hornsey followed the profession of an architect, and was most highly respected, and his untimely death will be regretted by a large circle of friends. ♦ —

Heartless Robbery. The Fitzroy Market Ragged School, Tottenham-court-road, was on Tuesday night cruelly robbed of considerable stores of the clothing and property which had been pre- pared for the charitable operations of the establish- ment. A great portion of the property taken con- sisted of new clothing and materials belonging to the poor women of the mothers' meeting," and the children of the industrial classes. All the-portable contents of the school were abstracted, and the loss will seriously cripple the operations of the- schoal, which was struggling with inadequate funds. The thieves, who have as yet escaped the vigilance of the police, forced an entrance into the, building.