Company for the injuries which he had sustained through the negligence of their servants, at the time of the accident on the 2nd of October, 1841. The AttorneyGeneral led for the plaintiff, the Solicitor-General for the defend. ants. There was a good deal of evidence on either side, to show that the train had gone too fast, or that it had been prudently retarded in descending the gradient. Sir Frederick Smith, Inspector-General of Railroads, expressed an opinion that it is not a safe practice to put two engines to one train: the train had better be divided, and the second part despatched fifteen minutes after the other. Several medical gentlemen stated that Mr. Carpue, who is seventytwo years of age, was before the accident quite capable of practising in his profession, but now he is quite incapable. The jury awarded 2501. damages.

12. MURDEROUS ATTACK AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.. About a quarter before one o'clock this morning a most determined, and, as it would appear, a long premeditated attempt at murder, was perpetrated on a female named Elizabeth Magnus, forty years of age, barmaid at the Auction Mart Tavern, Throgmorton-street, by the potman at the same house, of the name of William Cannell, aged twenty-one. At the time abovementioned loud screams of murder were heard to issue from the area in front of the tavern, and on policeman Chapman, 648, who was close at hand, proceeding to ascertain the cause, he saw a female making her escape out of one of the windows, who implored his assistance, saying that murder had been committed in the house. He lost no time, in company with a

young man who was passing at the instant, in climbing over the railings and forcing his way into the house. They then proceeded up one flight of the stairs, when they saw a female lying on the landing apparently dead, and Cannell close by her in the act of cutting his own throat. On the approach of the officer, the miscreant was observed to put something into his pocket, which proved to be a razor, he no doubt thinking that he had effected his purpose. He also had a clasp-knife, which, as well as the razor, was covered with blood, and he had evidently first used that, but finding it not answer his purpose had recourse to the razor. The officer, however, seized him in time to prevent the infliction of any mortal injury on himself, although he had already made an incision in his throat from which a great quantity of blood had flowed. It was then discovered that prior to the attempt on his own life he had discharged a pistol at the barmaid (Elizabeth Magnus), the ball from which had entered her side. Cannell was taken to the station-house in Bishopsgate-street, and a surgeon sent for, who dressed his wounds, and he was then sent to St. Thomas's Hospital in a very exhausted state from loss of blood. Other medical gentlemen were called in to attend the unfortunate woman, when it was found that the charge had penetrated her side, just below the shoulder, and had passed out at the opposite hip, fracturing a rib in its progress. On lifting her up the bullet dropped on the floor. The pistol with which the murderous act was committed is a small pocket one, which the prisoner stated he had kept about him loaded for six weeks past, together

with the razor and knife above alluded to, and from the fact of having before held out vague threats to the barmaid, it would seem that he had long contemplated his murderous intentions. It appears that in the evening Mr. Baker, the landlord, had gone to the theatre, leaving the house in charge of the barmaid, with another female servant and Cannell. The premises, as usual, were closed a little before twelve o'clock, and they all three retired to a back parlour to await Mr. Baker's return. They had been there but a few moments when the prisoner began to accost Mrs. Magnus, but apparently in good humour. She rebuked him for his folly, which seemed to make a considerable impression on him, and he then went along a passage to fasten a door, having done which, and while in the act of turning away, the wretch discharged the pistol at her (the report of which was heard by the policeman before he entered the premises) and struck her as before described. She then ran up stairs, and only proceeded to the first landing before she fell, and the other female gave the alarm. Mrs. Magnus, it is stated, is a widow, having a daughter daughter nearly as old as the prisoner. She was a handsome woman, and of a lively disposition. She had held the situation of confidential servant for a long time at the tavern, and was much respected by every one who knew her. Her connections also are respectable tradespeople in the city. Cannell has been in his situation about six months, and was looked upon as a very steady young man. Shortly after coming to the place he appears to have imbibed an ardent attachment to his intended victim,

although nearly twice his age, and he soon made her acquainted with his passion. his passion. No encouragement, however, was given to him, but, on the contrary, he met with repulses only; and it is supposed, that while smarting under this rejection, he first conceived his deadly intention. On Monday evening he took an opportunity again to press his suit, when he met the same reception as before, and then it was he determined upon carrying out his purpose. On being taken to the station-house, Cannell at first resisted the attempts of the surgeon to dress his wound, and appeared quite inconsolable; but on being told that Mrs. Magnus was still alive, he submitted, but afterwards attempted to remove the bandages. A policeman remained with him all the night in the ward at St. Thomas's, where he frequently expressed his regret for the cruelty he had shown to the woman he so much loved.

ing the glass with the dirt, which he picked off the street with his stick. He instantly went out to desire him to desist, when he smashed one of the panes, against which a paper was exhibited, with the stick he held in his hand, and then took out the paper, at the same time telling witness to remove another placard from another part of the window, or he would smash that also.

The defendant here said, he unfortunately did not succeed in possessing himself of the second placard.

Witness then took the second paper from the window, which the defendant tried to snatch from him, but did not succeed, and tracing him to a pastrycook shop in the Strand, he called a constable and gave him into custody.

The defendant said, he had merely retired to the pastrycook's to give a gentleman some refreshment, who had expressed his disgust at the abominable exhibition.

Witness, in continuation, said his master was from home at the time, and the defendant told him, if he (witness) was a little taller, he would smash him with his stick. Each pane was worth 4s., which was the price paid for them when they were broken on a former occasion.

Pierce Rice, a fruit-seller, 52, Holy well-street, proved he saw a mob round the opposite window in consequence of the defendant talking about the blasphemous placards, which he said he would have taken down; but upon the last witness saying his master was not at home, the defendant said, "Then I shall take them out myself," at the same time lifting up his stick. He then deliberately gave the window a good tap, so as to break it, with

out, however, doing any further injury; and having torn down the placard, he handed it to another person in the street, but the defendant subsequently tore it up. After remaining for some time asking for the police, that the boy might give him in charge, as no constable was at hand, he walked away into the Strand. The boy accordingly followed to look for a constable, and witness having seen the occurrence, he thought it his duty to come forward and give evidence.

The defendant said he would feel much obliged if the magistrate would read the placard.

The chief clerk, having placed the fragments together, laid them on the bench for the magistrate's inspection.

The defendant assured the Court that the contents of it were mild, compared with the others which were exhibited in the other parts of the window and in the interior of the shop, for they were of such an awful character as to make the hair stand on end of any person who read them. He was actuated by a laudable disgust in the part he had taken in the matter, and he had no hesitation in declaring he would have threshed the master of the house had he met with him. He was glad at what had happened, as it would bring the matter to an issue, and particularly as he saw some poor ignorant persons drinking in such putrefaction; and he considered he was but doing a duty he owed to the public in destroying such exhibitions. He was passing by chance on his way to his father's, and not being able to restrain his feelings before he committed the act, he was not prepared with any witness. Whatever the damage was he would

willingly pay, if the Court thought proper; but he would again assure the magistrate that the placard produced was holy and righteous compared with the others that still remained in the shop.

Mr. Jardine, having read the placard, said he was not at all surprised at the course the defendant had taken, and for which every excuse might be made. He was exceed ingly glad Mr. Bruce had acted in such a manner, because it helped to bring the matter immediately into court, for which the public ought to thank him, as through him there would be no difficulty in bringing the case home to the parties who published such placards. He hoped Mr. Bruce would have no objection to lend his assistance in following up the prosecution, and for what he had done he would inflict no fine, but direct that he would pay for the damage he had done.

13. DANGEROUS HUNTING. The Cheltenham stag-hounds, had a narrow escape of adding another item to the long catalogue of "dreadful railway accidents." The meet had been the Rising Sun, and the stag having given its pursuers a smart run thence in a circuit round the town, crossed the railroad near Badgeworth, just as one of the Gloucester trains came up. The foremost dog was instantly crushed beneath the carriages, and had the train been a few seconds later, the whole of the pack must have shared the same fate, as the hounds were at that moment com

ing full speed down the bank, but the engine being at full speed also, the train had passed before they crossed in pursuit, followed by such of the field as were up at the time. The stag was captured at Badgeworth.

The

14. ATTEMPT AT ROBBERY. The following most violent outrage was committed at Beckingham Manor-house, the residence of Mr. C. G. Milnes, within five miles of Newark, on the Sleaford-road. Mr. Milnes, it appears owns considerable property in the neighbourhood, and had only received his rents yesterday, and it was known that he carried his money about his person. Two ruffians (disguised), one having on a mask, and the other having his face blacked, entered Mr. Milnes' room, while he was asleep, threw a cord across the bed, and proceeded to tie his hands. The tightness of the cord soon awoke him, and he shouted so lustily that the ruffians retreated into the kitchen, to which place he followed them, and then returned, and closed and fastened his door. butler, John North, then got up, and brought his master a pistol, that had been in possession of the robbers. On the following day, there was an inquiry set on foot, and it appeared that William Bradshaw, of Newark, and William North, had been secreted in Mr. Milnes' hay chamber, and that the butler planned the robbery, and kept them in the hay chamber till all were asleep, and then conducted them to the door of his master's room. It had been previously agreed to shoot him had he resisted. The butler, it appeared, planned the robbery, and found them drink while secreted on the premises; and he (the butler) was to have been tied to his bed to prevent suspicion. The butler and William Bradshaw were committed to Lincoln Castle for trial at the assizes; and William North was committed to Falkingham gaol to be further remanded.

What makes the case of the butler worse is, that his master was exceedingly kind to him, granted him every indulgence, and had even taken out a certificate for him to shoot upon the lordship.

14. DREADFUL FIRE.-SEVEN LIVES LOST.-At a late hour at night the vicinities of the Minories and Goodman's-fields were thrown into a most painful state of excitement by the outbreak of a dreadful fire, accompanied by fearful sacrifice of human life, in Little Prescott-street, Goodman's-yard, Minories. The premises in which this deplorable event originated, were situate at the west side of the street, within a few yards of the Blackwall Railway. They They consisted of a dwelling-house four stories high, the property of Mr. Cook, a soap-boiler, in Goodman'sfields, who lets them out to numerous families-to the number, it was reported, of no fewer than twentyfive individuals. The ground-floor was tenanted by a green-grocer named Shackleton; the first-floor front room by a foreigner (a manufacturer of Dutch drops); the third floor by Mrs. Holland and her four daughters; and the remainder of the rooms by other persons, the names of whom could not be obtained. The discovery was made at about a quarter past ten o'clock, and the first alarm was made by some of the inhabitants, whose attention was attracted by the smoke and sparks issuing from the room over the shop front, tenanted by the Dutch-drop maker.

They instantly commenced knocking violently at the street-door, whilst others endeavoured to arouse the inmates, by throwing stones at the windows; but for a length of time none of them made their appearance. At last the front

door was opened, and two females rushed out across the street, in a state of nudity. By this time policeconstable Thomas Rutledge, 192 of the H division, came up, in company with other constables, when an attempt was made to force a passage up the staircase, but it was found impracticable, in consequence of the smoke and heat, which were intense. A few minutes afterwards two females made their appearance at the windows of the second floor, in a dreadful state of alarm. It was evident the window was their only means of escape; and the mob, which had now increased to nearly 100 persons, shouted out to them to hold on until some ladders were brought, while others called to them to jump out. One poor creature got one of her legs over the sill of the window, and after remaining in that position a second or two, threw herself out, and fell with awful violence upon the pavement, smashing, apparently, every bone in her body, the height being upwards of thirty-five feet. Directly afterwards the other precipitated herself in a similar manner; but, fortunately, her fall was in a slight way broken, by alighting on the lead-front of the shop window. Before being picked up, she was proved to be dreadfully injured; and as soon as the stretcher could be procured, she was forthwith conveyed to the London Hospital.

The other unfortunate sufferer proved to be dead: she was recognised to be Julia Holiand; and the other (her sister), Nancy Holland, young women, under the age of three-and-twenty.

it

In the interval, the terrible element had made rapid progress; had extended up the staircase to the rooms above, and shortly shot