The Leeds Mercury, 1881-12-24, p.3

THE LEEDS MERCURY, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1881. [page number 3, top right of column 6] ## Column 1 # SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE. (By Private Telegraph.) LONDON, Friday Night. I understand that Lord Coleridge, in inviting the Judges to agree to a resolution in favour of shortening the Long Vacation, acted on the suggestion of the Lord Chancellor, who acted in the matter as the representative of the Government. It will be remembered, when the Judicature Act Amendment Bill was before Parliament last session, an amendment in favour of reducing the Long Vacation was proposed by Mr. H. Fowler. It was opposed, though not very heartily, by the Attorney-General, and was very nearly carried. Sir Henry James afterwards admitted that the division was significant, and it was with the view of giving effect to the evident opinion of the House that a council of the Judges was called to consider the question. The Judges have declined at present to sanction the shortening of the Long Vacation by the moderate space of a fortnight, but it cannot be doubted that at no distant date they will have to yield to the opinion of Parliament. If there is too great a strain on the existing occupants of the judicial bench, let there be more Judges appointed ; but the public will not much longer tolerate the closing of the courts of justice for a period of fully three months every year. All Englishmen and most Americans will be glad to learn that Mr. Lowell is to remain as American Minister in this country during the rest of President Arthur's administration. President Arthur has expressed his approval of the conduct of Mr. Lowell, and has asked him to continue to represent the United States in England. The publication of Mr. Gladstone's telegrams to the Lord Mayor has done irreparable injury to the Mansion House Fund for the Defence of Property. The party spirit which was carried into the movement at its very beginning would have prevented its ever attaining a national character, and it is now admitted that the whole affair is destined to sink into very insignificant proportions. Subscriptions are not coming in freely, and it is obvious that a large party in the community are holding aloof from the movement. The conduct of the Lord Mayor in the matter is exciting a good deal of unfavourable remark in the City. He has behaved with great indiscretion in his conduct of the movement. It is now clear that he misrepresented the purport of Mr. Gladstone's telegram. The subscription to the Defence of Property Fund will not probably reach the amount which is often gathered for the sufferers from a colliery accident. The well-known novelist, Ouida, will shortly appear before the public as a dramatist. A few years ago the Junior United Service Club tried the experiment of placing the control of the kitchen and coffee-room in the hands of a manager. The result was excellent for a time. The members were better served and at lower prices. Indeed, so successful did the experiment seem to be that other large clubs contemplated following suit. But the members of the Junior United Service are no longer happy. They complain that the prices of everything have been inordinately raised, while the manager urges that he cannot put them at lower figures. The issue is watched with interest by the many denizens of clubland. ### ELECTION NEWS. CARMARTHEN BOROUGHS.—Last night's *Gazette* contains the Speaker's notice of his intention to issue a new writ for the Carmarthen Boroughs at the expiration of six days. WESTMINSTER.—The Press Association has received the following telegram from Sir Chas. Russell :—" The statement that I intend to retire from the representation of Westminster is not true." ### RECESS SPEECHES. Mr. Holms, M.P., addressing his constituents at Paisley last night, said the Irish Land Bill was unnecessary for Scotland. Landlords would do well to readjust rents ; but it was not a matter in which the State should interfere, as it would soon adjust itself. Referring to the stagnation in trade, he said that, while the country did not want Protection, it wanted markets. If we were really Free Traders, we should not trammel ourselves with commercial treaties. Sir Matthew White Ridley, M.P., speaking last night at the dinner of the Newcastle Commercial Travellers' Association, referred to the Wigan Colliery disaster as one of the saddest during the last twenty years, and dwelt at length on the necessity for thrift. He also expatiated on the benefits of such an institution, and referred with satisfaction to its increasing prosperity. ROYAL VISIT AND AN ATTEMPTED POLITICAL DEMONSTRATION.—The *Birmingham Daily Post* says—" With reference to the visit of Prince Leopold to Salisbury on Wednesday, it is stated that at the last moment the unanimity of the loyal reception accorded to the Prince was in imminent danger of being interfered with by an extraordinary attempt on the part of some over-zealous partisans to give a political complexion to the visit which the Prince could not for a moment have thought of bearing any such significance. The members of the Town Council were astonished to find it announced in a local paper, for the first time on the previous morning, not only that the Prince had been asked by his host, Mr. Kennard, to visit the Conservative Club to inspect the collection of books which Mr. Kennard had recently presented to that newly formed institution in commemoration of the approaching Royal marriage, but that letters of invitation were being issued, and instead of a passing visit to the club library—which could have been all the Prince contemplated when he consented—something like a political demonstration was to be made. It was even stated that an address was to be presented at the club, and that there was to be a considerable gathering of local Conservatives. The club-room, indeed, had already been decorated, and on one of the walls was hung a panel of tapestry, forming one of ten panels made for Mr. Kennard at the Royal Windsor Tapestry Works. This piece of tapestry was lent by Mr. Kennard, who, in forwarding it to the club, accompanied it by a letter, in which he said he sent it for the decoration of the club-room on the occasion of the Prince's flying visit to the city. Members of the Council having seen one of the circulars issued, the course being pursued gave so much dissatisfaction that a meeting was held, and it was determined to take prompt action, in order that the unanimity which had hitherto prevailed in regard to the Royal visit should not be disturbed. Some members of the Council felt so indignant that they declared that if the attempt to make political capital out of the Prince's visit was carried out, and His Royal Highness was taken to the Conservative Club, they would absent themselves altogether from the chamber. A deputation was at once appointed, and the Deputy Town Clerk, Mr. Powning (a Conservative), waited on Mr. Kennard, and, joined by another Conservative, they represented what was being done, and the visit to the club was happily abandoned altogether." DEATH UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CHLOROFORM.—Dr. Danford Thomas yesterday morning held an inquiry at the Islington Coroner's Court, respecting the death of Henry Perry, 19 years old, who resided at 1[8?], Outram-street, London.—The mother of the deceased deposed that her son went to the Great Northern Hospital, suffering from an ulceration under the bed of the toe-nail.—Dr. A. W. Wharry, one of the surgeons at the institution, said that it was necessary to remove the nail, and prior to this painful operation being performed by him he caused to be administered to the deceased about half an ounce of chloroform and ether combined. The mixture was administered upon a piece of lint. He went on well, and the witness successfully performed the operation. After he had finished, however, he found the patient pulseless, and every effort was made in vain to restore respiration. The witness said only two patients in the course of twenty-five years had died at the hospital while under the influence of anæsthetics.—The Coroner remarked that the proportion of those who died thus was one in every 6,000.—Dr. Brewster said he administered the anæsthetic, and the deceased was under its influence only ten minutes.—Dr. Wharry (recalled) added that it would have been impossible to perform the operation without administering anæsthetics.—The jury returned a verdict of " Death from misadventure." A DIPSOMANIAC.—Yesterday morning, at the Islington Coroner's Court, Dr. Danford Thomas held an inquest on the body of Harriet Grimsley, aged 37, wife of John Grimsley, 30, Wharfdale-road, Caledonian-road, warehouseman.—The husband deposed that his wife was in the habit of drinking to excess. On Monday morning he left her the worse for drink when he went to work, but he did not anticipate any serious result from her state. While he was absent from home on the previous day he understood she was insensibly drunk. On returning home in the afternoon of Monday he found her lying dead on the bed. In answer to the Coroner, witness said he had himself procured stout and gin for the deceased, who would have intoxicating liquor under any circumstances. She had pawned his property in order to get drink, and when they were at Leicester she became mad through drink, and had to be confined in a lunatic asylum. Witness admitted that he drank himself. His wife preferred drink to food. He earned 15s. a week, a considerable part of which was spent upon drink.—Dr. Slater, 1, Thornhill-crescent, Barnsbury, stated that he was called to the deceased, who had died from exhaustion consequent upon disease of the liver, heart, and lungs.—The Coroner advised the husband to become a teetotaler, or he might die like his wife.—The jury returned a verdict according to the medical evidence, adding that deceased's death was accelerated by her intemperate habits. ## Column 2 # THE STATE OF IRELAND. ### THE "UNITED IRELAND." (From our Correspondent.) DUBLIN, Friday Night. The police are puzzled as to how this week's publication of the *United Ireland* was printed. They have two opinions on the subject—first, that one side of the paper was printed surreptitiously on Sunday last in the office of that journal, the other side being completed in England. The second idea is that it was printed in one of the job establishments in Dublin. This morning the police entered the office of the paper, and seized twenty-five copies they found there. During the day they took possession of nearly 500 from agents and street vendors. Since the seizure of last week's issue the business of the *United Ireland* has been carried on secretly at No. 9, Talbot-street. At half-past four this evening detectives entered the latter place, laid hold of a quantity of manuscript, and arrested Mr. Wm. Hunt, employed there as clerk. The prisoner was conveyed to Kilmainham Gaol. Miss Anna Parnell has, on behalf of the Ladies' Land League, issued a notice to the secretaries of branches, or those acting for them, in which she says, " Please send at your earliest convenience the names of the landlords in your district on the accompanying landlord's form, and, as well as you can, the rent, character, and antecedents of each as regards his relations with his tenantry. Give as well as you can the number of his tenantry and the size of the estate ; and give particulars as to the present action of the tenants ; whether they are to apply to the Land Court, are intending to do so, paying with or without reduction, are refusing to pay, or not yet called on to pay ; also give all the information you can about their circumstances." This document, which is dated from the League Offices, 39, Upper Sackville-street, is accompanied by a landlord's form, which sets out places for the names of the landlords and agents, and particulars respecting them. There is also a " tenant's form," and both are to be signed by the secretary of the branch to whom they are directed. The Town Clerk of Dublin has refused to convene a meeting, called by requisition for the 28th inst., to confer the freedom of the city on Mr. Parnell and Mr. Dillon. The Lord Mayor had, in accordance with his right, fixed the meeting for the 3rd of January, the same day that the great landlord demonstration is to come off. This annoys the Nationalists, who insisted on having it this year ; but the Town Clerk, acting under the advice of counsel, says he cannot interfere with the Lord Mayor's decision. Two parcels of the *United Ireland*, of December 24th, were seized at Kinsale yesterday. The *United Ireland* reappeared in its usual form in London last night. The space where the leading article should be is still blank, with a mourning border. It contains cartoons, depicting Irish landlords as beggars and the tenants as prosperous. ### THE LAND COMMISSION. It is stated that Mr. C. G. Grey, of Ballyconrey, Enniscorthy, has been appointed assessor to the Irish Land Commission. Mr. Grey was educated at Durham University. Early in life he was engaged in surveys for the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital, and for two years filled the office of Inspector under the Drainage Loan Commissioners. In 1851 he became agent over Earl Derby's Irish estates, a post which he held for twelve years. In 1863 he succeeded his father in the management of the northern estates of Greenwich Hospital at Dilston, where he resided till 1875. He holds a farm on the estate of the Earl of Portsmouth, in the county of Wexford, where he resided part of every year. While resident in Tipperary he tenanted a large tillage and dairy farm. For several years he was a leading member of the council of Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland. ### CHARGE AGAINST MISS REYNOLDS. (From our Correspondent.) CORK, Friday Night. At the Castletown (Berehaven) Petty Sessions to-day, before Mr. E. B. Warburton, R.M., Miss Hannah M. Reynolds, of the Dublin Ladies' Land League, was summoned for inciting a tenant of the Earl of Bantry, named Catherine Murphy, not to pay her rent. The offence was alleged to have occurred on the 18th of December, on the occasion of some evictions in the Castletown district. Miss Reynolds was defended by Mr. WHYTE-BARKER, of London. In the first summons Miss Reynolds was charged with inducing the tenant not to pay her rent, but this was withdrawn, and she was then charged with inciting the woman not to pay her rent. The second was framed, it is believed, in accordance with instructions from the Attorney-General. The principal witness in the case was *Benjamin White*, a bailiff, who said he heard the defendant toll [sic] a crowd of people at the house of Catherine Murphy not to pay any rent ; but he could not say if Mrs. Murphy was present. He believed her son was.—*Constable Rorke* proved that Mrs. Murphy was present at her house on the day in question.—*Sub-Inspector Maxwell* deposed that he heard Miss Reynolds say to Mrs. Murphy's son " that the Land League would build a hut for them at any expense."—*Patrick Murphy*, the son of the tenant, said he did not recollect Miss Reynolds advising his mother not to pay rent. His mother bought the house about 18 years ago, and she had paid no rent for it since. She only paid rent for the land. Mr. WHYTE-BARKER, for the defence, contended that no case had been proved, and asked his Worship to dismiss the case. It was not proved that Miss Reynolds spoke to the tenant at all, and the decree had not been put in evidence to show that she was evicted at all for non-payment of rent. He also asked the case to be dismissed because there was no fresh information on which to ground the second summons, and the first information died when the original summons was withdrawn. He said the Crown relied on Mr. Warburton acting there as Judge and jury to convict in the case. Mr. WARBURTON said that was a most uncalled-for observation. The Government did not expect that he or any other magistrate would commit perjury. They did not expect him to convict whether he considered the evidence sufficient or not. Mr. WHYTE-BARKER said it would not be perjury. He asked that Miss Reynolds should be sent for trial before a jury. If any conviction were made, he would have it at once set aside in the Court of Queen's Bench. Mr. WARBURTON said a threat had been held out about the Court of Queen's Bench, and he had also been charged with coming there to do his duty unfairly. That he denied, and he felt that the case had been proved, and that Miss Reynolds should give bail to be on good behaviour for six months, or in default to be imprisoned for one month in County Cork Gaol. There was plenty of bail for the asking, but Miss Reynolds would not allow it to be given, and declared her intention of going to gaol. She said that her imprisonment would make thousands join the League, and that the whole affair was " trumped up " to gratify the spleen of a petty magistrate and agent. Mr. WARBURTON said he would give Miss Reynolds a week to procure the bail, but she sternly refused to give an undertaking that bail should be tendered for her. Mr. WARBURTON said that under those circumstances there was no alternative for him but to make cut [sic] an order for committal. Miss REYNOLDS said that imprisonment would do her no harm, and that there were better people in gaol than she. Miss Reynolds will be allowed to remain at her hotel in Castletown to-night, under a police guard, and to-morrow (if she does not relent and give the bail) she will be conveyed to Cork Gaol. She walked down from the court-house to her hotel escorted by Head Constable Meek, and a large crowd of people followed, who cheered for the lady, the Land League, the suspects, and for Miss Parnell ; and groans were given for Mr. Forster. A band intended to turn out to play home Miss Reynolds in honour, but the members were warned if they did so they would be imprisoned for two months. On this account they remained indoors. The town is quiet. Mr. Herbert Gladstone, M.P., who was present at the evictions, was summoned as a witness for the defence, but he did not appear. He wrote a letter to the solicitor for the Land League in Dublin, Mr. Ma[c?]geogh, stating that he was not aware that he could give any evidence which would be favourable to Miss Reynolds, but if the solicitor thought otherwise, he would be good enough to inform him (Mr. Gladstone) of its nature. ### ARRESTS. Wm. Walsh and Denis Leary, farmers, Rathmore, county Kerry, were arrested yesterday morning under the Coercion Act, on suspicion of firing at a person with intent to murder, and conveyed to Kilmainham Gaol. A New Ross telegram announces the arrest at Clomoche, co. Wexford, of five farmers, named David Dorin, of Tomineculy ; John Williams, Forresttown ; Patrick Tinnot, Coalroe ; Henry O'Neill, Clomoche ; and Lawrence Bowe, Towncarly, under the Coercion Act, charged with intimidation. ### ATTEMPTED MURDER. A daring outrage was committed at the workhouse at Tubbercurry, co. Sligo, by which a gentleman nearly lost his life. Mr. James Donoghue, who holds agencies over a number of small properties in the neighbourhood, and who is also Clerk of the Union, was sitting in his private office at 7 p.m. on Thursday, when he was suddenly startled by seeing the window forced in, and the muzzle of a gun pointed at him. He immediately stooped his head, and as he did so a shot was fired, and he felt himself wounded. He immediately gave an alarm, and a doctor and the police were sent for. The police made a diligent search round the workhouse grounds, but no clue was obtained of the would-be assassin. The doctor removed a bullet from the fleshy part of Mr. Donoghue's arm. The wounded gentleman is doing well. No arrests have been made. A Cork telegram reports the release of a suspect named Moore from [Kilmainham?] Goal [sic], on condition that he will [emigrate?]. ## Column 3 ### MR. SHAW, M.P., AND THE HOME RULE LEAGUE. Mr. Shaw, M.P., has addressed the following letter to the Secretary of the Home Rule League, in reference to his resignation as a member of that body. He says—" I feel that it is due to the members of the League, from whom I have invariably received so much kindness and confidence, that I should place more fully before them my reason for withdrawing from its membership than was possible in my short and hurried note of last week. It was proposed some time since to revive the activity of the League. I stated at the time that it was impossible for me to join in this movement. My reasons were that the time was inopportune ; that the League, as at present constituted, was unfit to produce any effect on public opinion, and that before entering on such a movement the question will have to be fully reconsidered. It will be necessary for those so acting together to fully understand each other—their objects and methods. The country is only now beginning to recover from a period of great distress and excitement—is, in fact, passing through a great social revolution. I consider, and I believe, it is the opinion of the immense majority of the Irish people, that the Act of last session has settled the Irish land question. The principles of the measure are now being applied in all parts of Ireland in adjusting, on fair terms, the relationship between landlord and tenant, and as soon as there comes a cessation of the present unnatural excitement, steps will be taken under the provisions of the Act to extend largely the class of the tenant-owners. The public mind for some time will naturally be too much occupied by these operations of such vital importance to all classes of the community to give much attention to any other great political question. Besides, the state of feeling in England, and among large classes in Ireland, is not at present in that calm and judicial state necessary for considering such a difficult and important question as that involved in your movement ; in fact, the time is about as inopportune, as far as popular feeling in both countries is concerned, as the time when the Union was carried ; but the Home Rule League, as at present constituted, is not, in my opinion, fitted to move with any effect in this question. The Federal plan, as adopted by the Conference of 1873, was a compromise. It was believed in by many, by others accepted, as a fair mode of meeting a great difficulty ; and whilst they did not believe in it in the abstract, they honestly and loyally intended to work for it, and, if obtained, to give it a fair trial. But there were others, and among them active and influential men, who joined the association with the view of using it as a means of working out much more extreme ends ; and even before Mr. Butt's death, it was evident these gentlemen had acquired complete ascendency in its councils. Of the two parties of which the League is composed, the one is loyal to its original principles, desires to obtain self-government for our country within the Constitution, and by constitutional means ; the other plainly states that " the country has outgrown the programme of the League," which, explained from America, means " that the foundations have been firmly laid of an Irish Republic." Now, a society composed of these discordant materials can evidently make no progress. The time and energy of its members will be wasted by internal dissensions, and when it acts, its action will be weak and hesitating." I cannot belong to an association which may at any time be directed to promote objects and by methods to which I am thoroughly opposed. Do the gentlemen who now propose to raise the Standard of Separation estimate the forces they will have opposed to them ? It seems almost an absurdity to reason on such a subject, but I know that many of these men are honest and earnest lovers of their country. Opposed to them will be all the power of the British Empire, and at a time when she is hampered by no foreign disturbances or engagements. But do they lead a United Ireland ? Nothing of the kind. The great mass of the tenant-farmers, if they imagined the movement was serious, of the shopkeepers, the business and professional men are against them, and in this cause Ireland, unlike former times, will have no sympathy or support from foreign countries. Do they think of the generations and centuries past, and of the hundreds of noble and high-souled men who have given their lives in this cause in vain, and that a people thus for ever bent on a fruitless effort are dissipating the opportunities and qualities which, if used wisely, would build up a nationality ? I may be told the majority of the party of separation don't believe in its possibility, but think the only way to get anything is to adopt extreme courses, and no doubt the course of English legislation for Ireland may have given countenance to this contention. No great question has been settled till public feeling in Ireland had been excited to the very verge of revolution, hence the reforms have lost their moral influence, and public opinion has been demoralised. Notwithstanding, I believe that course is bad—bad in morals and bad in policy—to mean one thing and say another. We should get rid now and for ever of this curse of Irish parties and Irish polities [sic]. A public man should speak nothing to the Irish people except what he thoroughly and heartily believes. I believe the movement which, if language means anything, means separation, must end in fearful disaster to the Irish people. But does it follow that nothing should be done ; that we should rest satisfied with things as they are ? Nothing of the kind. The union of these countries was formed at a time, under conditions, and by means that rendered it perfectly impossible that it could work through all succeeding time without revision and readjustment. A people has been admitted within the Constitution which then had no political existence—the Catholics of Ireland. There has come that immense material and colonial development of Great Britain, and principles of government, then unknown, are now admitted and applied everywhere. The Union, as existing, has not fulfilled its promise. It has not strengthened the empire or benefited Ireland. England and Ireland are unequally yoked together. English statesmen must solve the problem, or they have not settled the Irish question. The Union is not good if it is not good for both countries. For centuries England governed Ireland as a dependency ; and during the present century by a nominal Union, but with no satisfaction or good results, because she undertook to do an impossibility. It cannot be done on a small scale. It is against the laws of nature. The attempt has been made to rule by English notions, through English statesmen, without regarding the wants and thoughts of the Irish people. The difficulties surrounding any similar case were multiplied and intensified hereby : confiscation, penal laws, differences of race and religion, of social and political ideas. On one side, a proud, strong, unsympathetic people, absorbed in its own grand history and career ; on the other side, a people in all natural and social habits the very opposite—warm-hearted, quick, imaginative, with the vices and weaknesses generated by centuries of oppression and cruelty. No wonder that the attempt has been a miserable failure. England is determined to maintain the connection, but if so, she must make it a good, and not an evil to Ireland. There is no political system or arrangement absolutely true. They are means ; the end is the greatest good of the community. They must be changed and adapted to the growth and wants of the people. English statesmanship need not think that the question can be got rid of by crushing it out of sight. As in the past, it will in the future recur again and again, at shorter intervals, but with greater intensity and danger. If they are wise, they will settle it now finally. It is not for them to propose a plan, but I believe the best solution of the question will be found in federalism, or in a modification of it adapted to circumstances. It can easily be done. It has been done elsewhere. Local self-government and development need not clash with, but rather may strengthen, central authority. This is not a party question. I believe the leading statesmen of both political parties are prepared to deal with the question in a large and generous manner. Whether it will be so dealt with, and when it may be so dealt with, depends on the Irish people and Irish politicians. No statesman can with justice take up this question whilst the country is excited by wild and impracticable schemes, social ties loosened, dastardly crime stalking through the land, and the country held down in the grasp of an extreme coercion. I believe that quietly, but surely and quickly, the good sense of the Irish people will assert itself ; that they will see the wisdom and necessity of allowing wrongs that may exist to be righted by law, as the only means of bringing peace to the country. I look with hope and confidence to the future, especially to a large development of industry, as the one real and permanent means of lifting the workman into a higher sphere of comfort and independence. The great foundation—the industry of the country—will soon be placed on a basis of justice and security ; the landowning and moneyed classes, if they are capable of learning, will learn from the past few years that the eternal laws will not allow rights to be enjoyed except duties are faithfully fulfilled, and I am quite sure the time will soon come when the atteution [sic] of Ireland and the empire can be fairly and effectually directed to the settlement of the great question of placing the relationship between the two countries on a solid, just, and natural basis." ### THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH AND THE DEFENCE [F?]UND. The Duke of Marlborough has forwarded a copy of the following correspondence to the papers, which has passed between his Grace and the Lord Mayor of London with reference to the proposed fund in aid of the Property Defence Association in Ireland :— " Mansion House, London, E.C., Dec. 14th. " To the Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Oxford. " My Lord,—I trust your Lordship will allow me to call your attention to the very influential and important meeting held here yesterday on the subject of rendering aid to the law-abiding people of Ireland, who are now so much disheartened and distressed by the peculiar phase which disaffection has assumed in that country. ## Column 4 [column continues from column 3] No doubt more astute organisers of rebellion against the established Government of the country have arisen than any that have gone before. Under their direction and counsel the bulk of the population have now assumed a passive resistance to the law and the fulfilment of the most ordinary contracts and obligations. By this combination the bonds of society are destroyed, and the very existence of a civilised community in the Sister Isle is threatened. I enclose your Lordship a memorandum of the meeting held here yesterday ; and, in accordance with the resolution then passed, I have to ask your Lordship's co-operation in this emergency.—I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's very obedient servant, J. WHITTAKER ELLIS, Lord Mayor." " Blenheim Palace, Dec. 22. " My Lord,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter enclosing a copy of the report of the proceedings of a meeting held at the Mansion House, in aid of the Property Defence Association in Ireland, which has already appeared in the public prints, and requesting my co-operation, as Lieutenant for the county of Oxford, with a view to raising by subscription funds in aid of those who are affected by ' the peculiar phase which disaffection has assumed in that country.' In deference to your Lordship's request, I have forwarded your letter to the Clerk of the Peace of this county, and have requested him to have copies of it sent to the gentlemen acting as magistrates within the county, as well as to arrange for opening a subscription account for those who may desire to contribute. " But in taking these steps I must be permitted to observe that it is somewhat singular that the Property Defence Association, which has maintained a struggling existence in Ireland for more than twelve months for effecting the very objects which your Lordship so justly considers to be now so important to the safety of society in that country, and through a period in which disaffection was not less rife than it is at present, should only at this eleventh hour have attracted the valuable support of the Mansion House, with the incidental approval of the Prime Minister. " And I must be further allowed, in giving effect to your Lordship's wishes, to guard myself from the implication that I place any faith in the expedient of a voluntary agency, however justly it pleads, supplying the forces which are requisite to cope successfully with the state of disaffection and resistance to law, either active or passive, into which the country has been allowed to degenerate. " I shall feel it right, under the circumstances, to send this letter for publication.—I have the honour to be, my Lord, your obedient servant, " MARLBOROUGH. " The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor." ### MR. GLADSTONE AND THE CORK CORPORATION. Letters from Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Forster were received by the Cork Corporation yesterday, acknowledging the resolutions passed by the Corporation urging the release of Mr. Parnell and other suspects. The guarantors of the now abandoned Irish Industrial Exhibition are to be called upon to pay 1s. 6d. in the pound on the sums they promised in order to meet the expenses, and the accounts are to be at once wound up. The three men—Bergen, Holland, and McGrath, charged with the murder of Martin Rogers, process server, with Martin Whelan, and Timothy Ryan, were yesterday remanded. It is stated that one of the accused has turned informer. ### THE DESECRATION OF TOMBS. (*From the Globe.*) The sanctity of the dead implies the inviolability of tombs. When Cheops, who, according to Herodotus, built the largest of the pyramids, pressed hundreds of thousands of men into his service for twenty years, he turned their labour to account in providing a tomb for himself which should effectually defy the inroads of time and the curiosity of posterity. He wished to secure a safe resting-place for his remains, and it is by a similar feeling that the rudest peasant in a hamlet is animated in selecting the narrow cell wherein the undistinguished ashes of himself and his family may repose in peace. The designs of the wisest and greatest, equally with those of the illiterate and simple poor, in this respect have been often frustrated. In ancient and modern times " resurrectionists " have pursued their detestable calling, and on one pretence or another, for thousands of years and in almost every country, " body-snatching " has been carried on by unduly inquisitive people, or cruel, crafty, and depraved miscreants. Offenders are usually prompted by greed, although it has unfortunately sometimes happened that revenge, political animosity, religious intolerance, and mere wanton mischief have impelled unscrupulous persons to desecrate the grave. The tombs of the Pharaohs, massive and magnificent as they were, have been rent asunder, defiled, robbed, and, in several cases, almost destroyed. Parr, the famous Oriental traveller, says that " the Arabs exhume the bodies and strew them over the plains at Cairo, to get the resin and asphaltum used in the process of embalming, and which they sell to great advantage." Sir F. Henniker asserts that " the plain is strewn with broken bones, and that the coffins are used for firewood." This writer also adds the reflection : " The trouble which the Egyptians took to preserve the dead, thus causes their destruction, and the race of Nilus barters for the bodies of their kings." Dr. Russell calls attention to the fact that " the celebrated tombs of the Mamelouks are fast going to decay, their boasted magnificence being limited to a gilt inscription." In order to prevent " the translation of the bodies of saints," which become most objectionably common in the early history of Christianity, the Council of Mentz, in the first canon, enacted that their remains should " not be transported from place to place without the advice of the prince of the country, or the bishop and Synod." Among the Jews it was customary for a prayer to be read from the " Book of Life " to the effect that " good angels may protect " the dead " against the terrors of disturbance in the grave." There are many remarkable instances of the desecration of tombs on record. Darius broke open the sepulchre of Nitocris, and Angelus opened that of Constantine. The third Otho and Tiberius have been classed among " grave robbers." Under an old Athenian law, a slave found guilty of disturbing a body after interment was put to death, while the act, if perpetrated by a free man, entailed the confiscation of a moiety of his possessions. Constantine decreed that a woman might obtain a divorce from her husband if she could show that he had disturbed a grave, and at one time in England it " was deemed unlawful to open a grave for a second person, except for a husband or wife." The tomb of Edward I., when opened, disclosed " the King dressed in his robes, with a coronet on his head," which statement may be accepted as proof that it had remained inviolate up to the period when it was disturbed under official sanction. When the Calvinists, more than three centuries ago, broke open the tomb of Matilda, Queen of the Conqueror, " they stole a ring from off her finger." In the reign of the second James the remains of Edward the Confessor were exposed to view in Westminster Abbey, and while Winchester Cathedral was undergoing repair towards the close of the last century, Canute's tomb was opened. The ashes of Sebert, King of the East Angles, were brought to light in the reign of Henry III., and the grave of Rufus was disturbed with the knowledge, if not under the sanction of the " Merry Monarch." George IV., called upon Sir Henry Halford to examine the body in the coffin placed in the Royal vault under St. George's Chapel, and supposed to be that of Charles I. A bone of the neck belonging to the vertebra being found severed, as by an axe, confirmed the common belief. At the same time the remains of Henry VIII. were exposed, but delicacy of feeling—if such words may be used in connection with proceedings of the kind—it is said, prevented the investigators violating the repose of Queen Jane Seymour's ashes, deposited in the same place. The tomb of Queen Catherine, fortunate enough to become the widow of Bluff King Hal, and who, subsequently marrying Lord Seymour, died at Sudeley, and was buried there, is said to have been violated five times. On four occasions a local authority—whose testimony has been supported by inhabitants of Winchcomb within the past 40 years—says " the remains were exhumed by a band of Bacchanalians, at which time the outrages were so disgraceful that a veil must be drawn over them." These shocking scenes were enacted at the close of the last century. The next time the tomb was opened on the plea of antiquarian research. To the credit of the present owner of Sudeley Castle the ancient chapel has been restored to more than its early magnificence, and the remains of the Queen now repose beneath a splendid memorial tomb. It is on record that the bodies of the first Henry and Richard Cœur de Leon were dismembered, and portions buried in different places ; and it is notorious that skulls of eminent persons have been removed from their coffins and casts taken of them. William Howitt, referring to the case of Pope, says that his skull, taken from the vault in Twickenham Church, " is in the private collection of a phrenologist," and that " fifty pounds were paid to manage and carry through the transaction." Mrs. Lushington, in her once popular narrative, calls attention to the fact that " the mountains in the neighbourhood of Goorno " are " merely roofs over the masses of mummies within them. The coffins serve as firewood to the whole neighbourhood." Immense numbers of bodies have been moved from London churchyards within the last twenty years in order to carry out improvements, and more than one large railway station has absorbed the consecrated ground in which our forefathers were laid to sleep. The infamous outrages committed under the pretext of advancing the interests of anatomical science are too well known, and it is humiliating to think that in an age of refinement like the present tombs should be rifled of their contents for the purpose of extorting money from the agonised relatives of the dead. It is a sure sign of the decay of piety in a land when contempt for the sanctity of the grave finds marked manifestation. It is to be hoped that incidents of the kind referred to will continue to be rare, and that, should similar crimes occur, those primarily affected by the cruel wrong may be able to display the same high moral courage in the interests of humanity which has recently been shown in so signal a manner. It will assuredly be a sad day for England when reverence for the dead decays, and the last resting-place of humanity may be outraged with impunity. FIRE AT BURNLEY.—Early yesterday morning a fire broke out in the warehouse of Messrs. Riley, Calder Vale, Burnley. The fire was first discovered by a policeman, who at once gave the alarm, and the firemen were speedily on the spot. By this time, however, the warehouse and winding and beaming room above were enveloped in flames. Shortly afterwards the roof fell in, and the building is now a complete wreck. The fire was not entirely extinguished at ten o'clock yesterday morning ; and the warehouse, which is a comparatively new building, was well stocked with cloth awaiting transit to Manchester. This is all consumed, and the damage will probably reach several thousand pounds. ## Column 5 ### PROPOSED ADVANCE OF YORKSHIRE COLLIERS' WAGES. Yesterday the following circular was sent to the Yorkshire coalowners :— " Yorkshire Miners' Association, December 21st, 1881. " To the Mineowners of Yorkshire. " Gentlemen,—We are directed by vote of committee meeting of yesterday to ask you to take into consideration the question of an advance of your miners' wages. During the past few years your workmen have conceded reduction after reduction on the grounds of the bad state of trade and lowness of prices. The men consider, now that trade is good and prices improved, that they are entitled to an advance of at least 10 per cent. on their present rates and wages. We also desire to ask you if you will meet a deputation from our council that the coalowners may consider the above question on Tuesday, January 3rd, at such time and place as the corresponding official of your association may appoint. Trusting you will favourably consider the above report,—We are, yours very faithfully, on behalf of the workmen, " BENJAMIN PICKARD. " JOHN FRITH. " WM. PARRATT." THE POTTERS' STRIKE.—At a meeting of the Staffordshire Master Potters' Committee it was reported that four-fifths of the men had returned to work, and that the whole would be at work early next week. The strike has caused the loss of £150,000 to the operatives. THE CASTLEFORD POTTERS.—A circular has been issued by the men's executive stating that the wages of the men were reduced two and a half years ago at the rate of 7½ per cent., on the understanding that it would be returned in a few months, but has not yet been returned. The circular makes a special appeal for Christmas. It is further stated that some potters are at present on strike. THE CLEVELAND MINERS' SLIDING SCALE.—Yesterday a protracted conference was held at Middlesbrough between the Cleveland mineowners and the miners' delegates respecting the proposed new sliding scale which was offered the miners on Saturday last. Mr. D. Dale, of Darlington, presided, the meeting being largely attended, and lasting over five hours. The miners' delegates reported that they were instructed to accept the owners' scale on certain conditions, coupled with a guaranteed minimum rate of wages over the first six months of 1882—this minimum being equal to 1d. per ton to miners, 10 per cent. to underground datal hands, and 8 per cent. to surface datal men, on the rates of their pay. The men asked that the basis of the scale should be improved by raising the tonnage price to the extent of a farthing, also for certain changes in the present gradations relatively to price. Ultimately, within certain limits of prices somewhat beyond what has been recently realised, the owners agreed to advance the basis by a farthing per ton, as asked for. The scale is to last for two years, and a meeting is to be held to-day to sign and ratify the new scale. ### THE WEATHER, FRIDAY. 8.30 p.m.—The changes in pressure and weather are proceeding quickly. The large anticyclone which was shown approaching us from the north-west last evening advanced over these islands by this morning, and at 8 a.m. embraced Ireland, England, the Channel, and the north of France. It brought very light variable breezes to our coasts, with fair weather generally, but dense fog to several inland stations, while it occasioned a brisk decrease of temperature, the minima in the early morning having been from 4 deg. to 8 deg. below freezing point at the more northern and central stations. In the extreme west, however, the thermometer had risen, and there were signs of a change. The chart at 2 p.m. showed that these signs of change had developed considerably ; the barometer was falling rather briskly at Valentia ; the wind there had changed to southerly, and was increasing in force, with a rough sea and very gloomy weather. This evening we find the fall of the barometer continuing over Ireland, and extending its influence as far as Holyhead ; but in all other places the mercury still rises, and the anticyclone, now 30·5 inches, lies over central and southern England. Strong south-south-easterly and southerly winds prevail in the West of Ireland, but elsewhere the wind continues light, blowing from south and west in the west and north, from north-west in the east, and from the north over the Channel. The weather is overcast and threatening in the extreme west, but in all other districts there is a complete absence of clouds, though dense fog or haze prevails at several stations. Temperature is considerably higher in the west, and slightly higher in the north than it was at the same hour yesterday, but is much lower in the south-east, and readings range at present from 49 deg. at Valentia to 28 deg. in London. The highest reading in London this afternoon was only 31 deg., at Aberdeen 33 deg., and at York 37 deg., while at Valentia the thermometer reached 50 deg. The sea is rough off the west coast of Ireland, and at Stornoway slight, or smooth elsewhere. ### WEATHER FORECASTS FOR TO-DAY. The following is the forecast of the weather for twenty-four hours from 8.30 p.m. on Friday :— 0. Scotland N. ... } Southerly winds, strong and increasing ; dull, some rain ; squally. 1. Scotland E. } 2. England N.E. [including Leeds and District] .... } South-westerly and southerly winds, moderate, strong ; fair and milder at first, then dull, and perhaps slight rain. 3. England E. .. } 4. Mid. Counties. } Same as No. 5. 5. England S. [including London District and Channel]. } Light, variable breezes, or calms ; with cold weather generally, and dense fog inland. Subsequently southerly airs ; rather milder, and fog clearing. 6. Scotland W. . Same as No. 0. 7. England N.W. and N. Wales. } South-easterly and south-westerly winds, strong to a gale ; fair to dull, and rain. 8. England S.W. and S. Wales. } Southerly winds, fresh and increasing ; fair generally. 9. Ireland N. ... } 10. Ireland S. ... } Southerly to south-westerly strong winds and gales ; unsettled, dull, and squally ; some rain. WARNING.—The south cone was hoisted this afternoon in districts 6, 7, 9, and 10, and part of 8. ### FOUR PERSONS DROWNED AT MANCHESTER. A fog of extreme density enveloped Manchester and the immediate neighbourhood yesterday. In the business portions of the city it was all day as dark as night, and gas had to be everywhere used. Several very unfortunate accidents were reported. While two girls named Stephens, aged about 17 and 19, factory operatives, of Heywood View, Failsworth, employed at Mr. James Etchell's and Mr. Trevor's mills, were going to their work about six o'clock yesterday morning, it is supposed they missed their way in attempting to cross Tan-yard Bridge and fell into the canal. Nothing was heard of an unusual character at the time by any of the passengers in the neighbourhood, and the loss of the girls was not noticed until some time later. As they did not appear at work at the ordinary hour inquiries were made. Fearing that they might have fallen into the water, a diligent search was instituted, and unfortunately the worst fears were realised, for between eight and nine o'clock the dead bodies of the girls were found in the canal. Not far from the same place Jane Taylor, wife of a boatman, was drowned. She lived with her husband on board a canal boat, which was moored at Newton Heath, and about six o'clock, in going ashore to feed their horse, she fell into the water. Her husband heard her cries and went to her assistance, but before she could be got out she expired. At Miles Platting, about a mile from Newton Heath, a man named George Tickle, 54 years of age, walked into the canal on his way to work, and was drowned. LEEDS.—On Thursday afternoon, and again last night, Leeds was enveloped in fog. On the first occasion, although dense clouds of fog covered many parts of the town, there were clear spaces of from a hundred to two hundred yards to be met with at intervals, and in the course of the evening the fog disappeared. Last night there was a return of the fog, which was more dense and more generally spread over the town than on Thursday. Locomotion had to be undertaken with caution, and was attended with some degree of danger, but so far as we have been able to ascertain, no accidents have resulted in Leeds from the fog, which still prevailed at a late hour last night. A dense fog prevailed all day at Cardiff, and the usual train service between South Wales and Bristol was in consequence suspended. London was visited yesterday with a fog of great density, which commenced shortly before noon, and increased in heaviness hour by hour till between four and five p.m., when traffic in the leading thoroughfares was carried on under serious difficulties. The fog overspread the City and Westminster, as well as the southern portions of the metropolis, but was less dense in the northern districts. RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—The passenger train from London, due at Evesham at 5.35 p.m., ran into a goods train which was being shunted. No person was hurt, but the line was blocked for an hour. The accident was caused by the fog and slipperiness of the rails. ACCIDENT AT ACCRINGTON.—During the dense fog on Thursday night, a porter at Accrington Station, who was sent to the locomotive shed for an engine, fell over a hedge into the street below. He was severely injured, having one or two ribs fractured. All vehicular traffic was stopped. The fog was not so bad last night. YOUNG MAN DROWNED AT BRISTOL.—At Bristol vehicular traffic was suspended, owing to the darkness, and near Avonmouth Dock a sailor was run over and killed by a train. A later telegram says—Further accidents through the fog are reported from Bristol. Henry Hunt, draper's assistant, was walking with a young lady named Ada Venn, when they both fell into the river. Hunt was drowned, and Ven [sic] taken to the Infirmary unconscious. RAILWAY TRAFFIC IMPEDED.—Trains from the north and south were considerably behind time in arriving at Birmingham, where, at mid-day, the density of the fog necessitated the almost entire suspension of vehicular traffic. ACCIDENTS IN THE MIDLANDS.—A correspondent at Birmingham telegraphs that an exceptionally dense fog has been experienced in the Midlands yesterday. Numerous accidents are reported. Near to Smethwick a young woman walked into the canal yesterday morning and was drowned. THE WEATHER IN LEEDS.—The following table shows the state of the weather for the week ending Fridav [sic]. ## Column 6 December 23rd, the observations having been made at th[e] Philosophical Hall, by the Curator (Prof. Louis C. Miall), at ten o'clock every morning :— | | Sat. | Sun. | Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thur. | Fri. | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Barometer ......... (inch) | 2[8?]·850 | 2[8?]·902 | 2[9?]·446 | 2[8?]·636 | 2[9?]·346 | 2[9?]·810 | 30·270 | | Thermometer— | | | | | | | | | Min. in shade .... (deg.) | 33 | 32 | 34 | [3?]0 | 32 | 31 | 25 | | Max. in shade .... (deg.) | 44 | 4[6?] | 43 | 3[9?] | 42 | 3[8?] | 37 | | Direction of wind ....... | SW | W | W | SE | W | NW | NW | | Force of wind ........... | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | Rainfall in previous 24 hours ......... (inch) | ·340 | ·120 | ·1[9?]5 | — | ·008 | — | — | The thermometer consulted is 46 feet above the street level. The force of the wind is estimated upon a scale ranging from 0 to 6 ; 1 corresponding to a pressure of 1lb. on the square foot, 2 to a pressure of 4lb., 3 a pressure of 9lb., and so on in proportion. ### THE COURT. Osborne, Friday. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, attended b[y] the Dowager Marchioness of Ely and the Hon. Mary Pitt. Prince Leopold arrived at Osborne yesterday. Her Majesty walked this morning with Princes[s] Beatrice and Prince Leopold. Her Majesty and the Princess Beatrice ar[e], according to present arrangements, expected to reside at Osborne till about the third week in February, when the Court will return to Windsor Castl[e]. ### OBITUARY. Mr. Grenville Murray, the author of "The Member fo[r] Paris," and other works, and well known as a frequent contributor to the newspaper and periodical press, died at Paris on the 20th inst. His funeral will take place a[t] Passy to-day (the 24th inst.). ### THE ABRAM COLLIERY ACCIDENT. WIGAN, Friday Evening. There is little more to chronicle in connection with the proceedings at the Arley pit of the Abram Coal Company, for although the workmen have been, without interruption, busily engaged removing the *débris* which has fallen in the various levels, no further bodies had been recovered up to this evening. To-day the official inspection of the mine was practically completed. Mr. Hall, Her Majesty's Inspector, was accompanied by his brother Inspector, Mr. Hedley, and Mr. W. Johnson and Mr. Thos. Taylor, the certificated managers, and Messrs. Cross and Oakes, miners' agents, were included in the party. The examination comprised the north-east portion of the workings. One of the two men who had lain in the waggon shed since Tuesday evening was identified to-day as David Aldred, of Leigh. It appears that the wife of the deceased had frequently visited the shed and examined the various bodies placed there, but was unable to recognise any as that of her husband. The check-weighman and some other officials felt certain that one of the unidentified was David Aldred, and on a careful examination of the features, and some peculiarities, particularly as to the formation of the teeth, the widow this afternoon pronounced the dead body to be that of her late husband. There are still two unidentified, and photographs of them have been taken. Should they not be recognised, the bodies will be interred on Monday by the Miners' Permanent Society. Several persons have visited the colliery from Staffordshire and other districts to see whether absent fathers or brothers were amongst the killed, but, so far, they have not found any. All those identified have been recognised by friends in the district. Two of the men entered as down the pit at the time of the explosion have reported themselves at the office. One, William Aspinall, had to attend the Police-court on Monday, and another, George Pass, who has lost his son, was too poorly to go to his work. There are still ten more bodies believed to be buried in the mine. Mr. Ellis Lever, of Culcheth Hall, Bowdon, has sent the following telegram to Mr. G. L. Campbell, secretary to the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Permanent Relief Society :—" The dense fog has again prevented my leaving town, but I send twenty pounds by post to be distributed amongst the bereaved families at Abram, in addition to the society's allowance. You say £1,000 will be required to meet the claims at Abram. I believe the public would subscribe this on Christmas Day if, in their family gatherings, a thought were given to the distressed sufferers and widows who on that day will bury their breadwinners. I think the safety-lamp, so-called, ought to be put away, and the electric light adopted. I should be glad to offer through the Central Association for dealing with distress caused by mining accidents a premium of £500 for a perfect system of lighting by electricity. You can refer to this offer if you choose in your own way. It may stimulate our electricians to attempt such an accomplishment." Mr. Campbell's reply was as follows :—" Many thanks for your telegram. It is, of course, open to any one to assist the society, on which the burden will fall very heavily ; but I don't think we ought to make any appeal, the great object of our system being to make the funds self-supporting." The interment of Mr. R. James Cronshaw, mining student, son of the Vicar of St. Thomas's Church, Wigan, whose sad death has been previously referred to, took place to-day, in the Wigan Cemetery. Although a heavy fog hung over the whole district, there was a large concourse of people assembled, and the sad ceremony was performed amid every demonstration of sorrow and regret. The procession from the Vicarage comprised Sunday school scholars, teachers, and choir ; and the *cortége* was met at the cemetery by the Mayor of Wigan (a parishioner of St. Thomas's), the Deputy-Mayor, the chairman, lecturers, and students of the Wigan Mining School, of which deceased was a distinguished scholar, and Mr. W. Heyes, one of the proprietors of the colliery. The coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths. The Rev. W. G. Sale, curate of St. Thomas's, and a Mining School student himself before entering for the ministry, read the service, and delivered an address at the grave-side, referring to the tragic but at the same time honourable end of the deceased, who died at his post, along with his brave men, just when it was being predicted of him that he would have a useful and, it was even whispered, a brilliant career. COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS AND SAFETY LAMPS.—A Barnsley correspondent writes—Mining engineers and experts are at a loss to account for the explosion which took place on Monday last near to Wigan, seeing that safety lamps only were in use, no blasting being allowed, whilst the ventilation was obtained by means of a powerful fan, so that there was no furnace at the bottom by which the return air, which is usually of a highly inflammatory character, could be ignited, as has been the case where the furnace has been the means of ventilating the workings. But it often happens that the so-called safety lamp is not found in practice what its name implies. It has been found from experiments made by eminent mining experts that the lamps given out to the miners in the largest and most carefully conducted collieries, clean and bright, and to all appearance in good condition, were in reality defective, and consequently dangerous. This was forcibly brought under the notice of the members of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers by Mr. T. W. Embleton, the president, and one of the oldest and most experienced mining engineers in the country. From experiments made by him he found that many of the safety lamps given out to the men had defects that could not be discovered by ordinary means. To remedy this serious drawback to the safety of the miner he found a test by which any defect likely to lead to danger could be readily detected. To effect this object he took the lamps, after they were trimmed ready for the miner to take into the workings, and plunged them singly into a bath of explosive gas and air, and those that passed without exploding could be taken anywhere by a miner with safety. On the occasion of a Royal Commission on accidents in mines to the well-known Oaks Colliery they tested the lamps given to each of the members in the manner stated. This means of ensuring the safety of a lamp is not generally known, but it has been most successfully adopted at some collieries, and should be in all mines where large quantities of gas are given off. Indeed, there is no knowing how many explosions, the cause of which has never been ascertained, have resulted from a defective but apparently sound safety-lamp. UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A SCHOOL TEACHER.—On Thursday Mr. George Collier held an inquiry at the Blue Anchor Tavern, Mile End-road, London, respecting the death of Anna Edwards, aged twelve years, who resided with her parents at 16, Houston-street, Mile End. Mr. Mary Edwards [sic] stated that the deceased was her daughter. On the 5th inst. she went to school as usual at the Latimer School in Bridge-street, Mile End, and when she returned in the evening she complained of being unwell, and said that Miss King had been knocking her about. She afterwards explained that the teacher named had pulled her hair and struck her on the back of the head. Next morning the deceased was so ill that she had to be taken to a doctor. She gradually became worse, and had fits up to the time of her death, which occurred on Sunday last.—Louisa Guardwell, a girl about twelve years of age, schoolfellow of the deceased, corroborated what had been previously stated with regard to the deceased being struck by Miss King, a teacher.—Jane King said she was an assistant at the Latimer School. The deceased was a pupil at that school. On Monday, the 5th December, the deceased was up in the gallery of the schoolroom, and she called to her six times to come down stairs, as she was talking and playing. The deceased said, " I will not." After another refusal, witness went up by the steps leading into the gallery, took the deceased by the arm and led her down. The deceased threw herself out of the witness's arms and refused to come. She then sat down, put her hands round the railings, and declared she would not move. Witness then carried her down stairs. By the Coroner : She would take her oath that she did not strike the deceased or pull her by the hair of the head. She was positive she used no unnecessary force to bring the deceased down stairs.—Mr. Joseph Barker, surgeon, Mile End-road, said he saw the deceased on the 6th Dec. She was then suffering from an enlargement of the glands, which he attributed to a cold. The deceased told him she had been knocked about the head and ears. He examined those parts, but could not find any marks of violence ; and therefore treated her simply for enlargement of the glands. He saw the deceased ten days' afterwards at her home. She was then in a collapsed condition, and was suffering from the effects of a convulsive fit. When the child was first brought to him she was in an excited state. He continued to attend the deceased, as she had a succession of fits. There was no eruption on the deceased, and she died on Sunday. He had since made a post-mortem examination, and found the cause of death to be suppressed scarlet fever and convulsions.—By the Coroner : The convulsions were part of the scarlet fever. In his opinion no injuries accelerated death.—The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.