Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
24th September 1842
The New Royal Gardens at Frogmore
On Saturday last when John Phipps, Esq., surveyor to the Commissioner of Woods and Forests, paid his accustomed visit to these gardens to view the progress of the various buildings which are under his management, he found that the workmen had just roofed in the neat residence intended for Mr.Ingram, her Majesty's gardener, and had hoisted flags as is the usual custom when buildings had progressed thus far. Mr.Phipps, by way of further commemoration, very liberally gave to each of the workmen - bricklayers, carpenters, and gardeners - employed about the premises half a crown, and to each foreman half a sovereign, amounting in the whole to above twenty pounds. This liberal gift the men resolved to make a common fund, with a view of enjoying it in a substantial way on Wednesday last, which day they devoted to a holiday. In the morning they had games of cricket, and in the afternoon they partook of a good dinner at the Hope Inn, where they terminated the day in the most agreeable manner.
Shaksperian Lectures
Mr.Otway, a gentleman who has gained considerable celebrity by his lectures on the immortal bard's productions, has this week been lecturing at the public rooms in Windsor, to highly respectable audiences, although not very numerous ones. His mode of delineating Shakspere's principal characters is at one chaste and correct. His "reading" is excellent, and with the auxiliaries of a good voice and figure and appropriate costume, he renders his personations quite complete. On Monday Mr.Otway selected for his morning lecture "Julius Caesar," on Wednesday evening, "Macbeth," and yesterday morning, "Othello." He will continue his course of lectures next week, and we would advise all who delight in Shakspere's plays (and who does not?) and who desire and enjoy a good intellectual treat, to avail themselves of this opportunity of doing so.
Burglary
On Sunday morning the house of a small farmer, named John Prater, of Clewer-green, was broken into and robbed. It appeared that Mr.Prater and his wife drove out in their cart between ten and eleven o'clock, leaving no one in the house, and on their return between twelve and one, they discovered that some person had broken into the house, and stolen a gun (loaded), a silk handkerchief, and some money, but how much they could not tell. Information was given to the Windsor police, and two men, named Clayton and Bennett, have since been apprehended and committed to Reading gaol for the robbery.
The Fatal Accident at Old Windsor
An inquest was held at the Bells of Ouseley , Old Windsor, on Saturday last before Mr.May, coroner for Berks, on the body of Geo.Field aged 35, coachman to Miss Harvey Bonnell, a short account of whose death we gave in last week's paper. Richard Weston being sworn, deposed - I am steward to Miss Harvey Bonnell, the deceased was employed in conjunction with other persons in felling timber, and whilst so engaged a piece of wood in its descent struck deceased upon the head and knocked him down; the deceased never spoke afterwards. Every precaution had been adopted by the direction of Miss Bonnell to prevent accidents, and with this view men accustomed to this particular labour were employed. Richard Wright corroborated this evidence. Mr.G.P.Heyward said that he was a surgeon, residing at Egham, that he was desired to attend the deceased between six and seven o'clock on Thursday evening, that he arrived at the residence of Miss Bonnell within one hour after the accident occurred, that upon
examination he discovered a fracture upon the left side of the head, and entertained no doubt that the deceased died from concussion of the brain. Verdict accordingly. The deceased bore a high character for good conduct, and was much respected by Miss Bonnell, who has promised to provide for the mother of the deceased mainly dependent upon her unfortunate son for support. Lord Ashbrook, in a very handsome manner, as soon as he heard of the accident, sent a present of �5 to the mother of the deceased.
Eton Union
Cheap Bread
The board of guardians of this union met on Tuesday to receive tenders for the supply of bread and meat to the union, from the 29th of September to the 25th of March next, when the following contracts were entered into: - Bread for the Eton district, Mr.Lawrence, of Colnbrook, at 5 3/4d for the 4lb loaf; and Iver district, Mr.Ashley, of Iver, at 6 1/4d . For the Burnham district the only tender sent in was 6 1/2d, the loaf, and that was refused. Not a single tender was sent in for meat.
The Vicarage of Shalbourne, in the counties of Berks and Wilts, has been conferred on the Rev. John Gore, one of the minor Canons of St.George's Chapel, by the Dean and Canons of Windsor.
Wombwell's extensive menagerie, which passed through Windsor this week en route from Staines to Reading fair, will return again to Windsor, we understand, at our fair next month.
Bucks Registration
P.F. O'Malley and John Worlledge, Esqrs., the revising barristers for Bucks, have given notice of their intention to hold courts for the purpose of revising the lists for that county at the following times and places:- Tuesday, Sept 27th, at the Christopher Inn, Eton; Wednesday, Sept 28th, at the Crown Inn, Great Marlow
Reading Fair
This celebrated cheese fair was held on Wednesday, when the favourable state of the weather drew together a very numerous company - some bent on pleasure, some on business, and many on both. The supply of cheese was rather small, being under 500 tons; there was but a small portion of fine new cheese, but the great proportion was good. A few fine lots brought 58s, but the average was from 50s to 60s, and for the inferior 30s and upwards were obtained. The quantity of loaf was considerable and good. realizing 60s to 70s, and fine old Cheddars and Somersets 65s to 75s. The horse and cattle fair was remarkably dull. For the latter, although considerable in numbers, but few sales were effected, owing as believed, to the fears entertained at present as to the effect which the new tariff to the admission of foreign cattle may have on the markets generally. The pleasure seekers had an abundance of amusement in the numerous stalls, shows, &c., that were erected, among which the most conspicuous and attractive were Wombwell's extensive exhibition of wild beasts, and Batty's celebrated circus, The "light fingered gentry" were as usual at their vocation, but owing to the excellent arrangements made by the police, their dexterity was not followed by any considerable profit.
Windsor Police - Monday
[Before John Clode, Esq., (Mayor), Sir John Chapman, and Robert Tebbott, Esq.]
Sarah Anne Smith was brought up for re-examination on a charge of felony in robbing her companion, who, however, did not choose to appear to prosecute.
The mayor, after reprimanding her, and telling her she had had a very narrow escape, warned her of the consequences of similar acts in future. She was then discharged.
William Hill, a boy, was re-examined on a charge of stealing money from the till of Mr.Hill (his first cousin), of the Barley Mow beer-shop, sheet street.
The prosecutor said he did not wish to proceed against the prisoner who was certainly a very bad youth, and had no doubt frequently robbed him.
The magistrates said they had no doubt of the evil propensities of the prisoner.
The mother of the prisoner attended, and said she would take care to send him to her friends at a considerable distance from Windsor.
The magistrates then consented to hand the prisoner over to his mother, accompanied by a reprimand to him as to his future conduct.
Thursday [Before John Clode, Esq., (Mayor), and Robert Tebbott, Esq.]
Charles Tindal and Thomas White were charged with being drunk and resisting the police at half-past one o'clock in the morning, in the execution of their duty.
The case was proved against White, was fined 5s, and 6s 6d costs, and Tindal was discharged. White in default of payment, was committed to the borough gaol for fourteen days.
Thomas Hall was charged with stealing a ladder, the property of Alfred Edwin Atkins, of Chalvey; but after hearing some evidence the magistrates did not conceive the case to be made out, and therefore they discharged the accused, telling complainant that, if he thought proper, he might indict him at the sessions.
John Walker was charged with assaulting John Cripps, at the Britannia beer-shop. He was however, discharged.
Eton Police - Saturday
[Before the Rev.W.G.Cookesley]
John Soley was charged with stealing a jacket and a waistcoat, in one of the pockets of which was a purse containing 15s, the property of Francis Stafford Pipe Wolferstan, one of the scholars of Eton College.
It appeared that the complainant on the afternoon of the 15th inst., went with some other youths into a field called the "Slads" to play at hockey, and that they pulled off their jackets and waistcoats and placed them near a hedge until they had done playing. At seven o'clock, when they had finished their play, the complainant went to the place where he had left his jacket and waistcoat (in one of the pockets there was his purse containing 15s) when he missed them. Information was given to the police, and the prisoner was found to have offered the jacket and waistcoat for sale to John Quelch, of Eton. The purse and money were, however, gone. The prisoner was fully committed for trial.
Thursday
[Before C.Towers, Esq., and the Rev.W.G.Cookesley]
John Condon, a labouring man, was charged with the following serious misconduct
.
It appeared from the testimony of Mr.Wm.Henry White, in the service of the Great Western Railway Company, and Mr.Joseph Collard, the superintendent of the railway on that line, that on the preceding morning (Wednesday) just after the quarter-past 10 o'clock train had started from Paddington station, the prisoner (who had formerly been employed as a labourer on the line) was seen to jump on the "buffer" of the last carriage. At this time the train was going at a very considerable speed and the attempt was a most dangerous one, for it is almost wonderful how he escaped with his life. He was seen by several persons belonging to the company, and some ran after the train, which, however, outstripped them, and he was conveyed in this manner to Slough, that train not stopping at any intervening station. On arriving at Slough, and before the train had stopped, Rose, one of the railway constables, saw the prisoner descend and was walking off, when he stopped him and asked him if he had a ticket.
The prisoner replied in the negative, and he was detained. Information was sent back to Paddington, and Mr.Collard, the superintendent, came down to Slough. He questioned the prisoner, and it was admitted that the latter had intended to have a journey to Bristol, scot-free.
Mr.Collard then had him conveyed before a magistrate, by whom he was remanded until to day, as the case required two magistrates to decide it. Mr.Collard said it was not so much for the sake of punishing the prisoner that the case was proceeded with, as it was for the sake of proving an example to other persons, for instances like this were of such frequent occurrence, and they were of such a dangerous nature to the parties attempting those frauds, as well as rendering the luggage on the carriages liable to be pilfered, that it was absolutely necessary to inforce the provisions of the act, which imposed heavy penalties for those offences.
The magistrates seriously admonished the prisoner for the offence of which he had been guilty, which was a very serious one, and expressed their intention of fining him as a caution to others.
Mr.Towers said it was absolutely necessary to punish such offenders as the prisoner, for it was impossible to pass these cases over.
The Rev.Mr.Cookesley said it was a very bad case. The prisoner exposed himself to great danger; and although he did not mean to accuse him of a desire to rob the train of any luggage, still by his conduct he had the power to do so.
The magistrates agreed that it was necessary to make an example of such persons, and convicted the prisoner in 20s fine and 18s 6d costs.
Mr.Cookesley said it was an extraordinary case in the prisoner attempting what he did.
The prisoner declared his inability to pay the fine, and was committed to prison for two months.
Staines
Our fair was held on Monday last, and owing to an arrangement which took place last May fair, by the cow cattle having been exhibited for sale in a field near the White Lion Inn, instead of the town, the cattle fair was this year held in the aforesaid field, thus removing a great annoyance to the inhabitants. There was a greater collection than for some time past, every person approving of the change, and proving that a great deal may be effected if the inhabitants only used a little more energy. Prices were about much the same; of pigs there was a good supply, rather a dull sale, and much cheaper; there were more horses than usual, and many found buyers; onions, a short supply; we suppose the growers began to recollect the alteration in the tariff on foreign onions. The pleasure fair was very gay, owing to the arrival of Wombwell's large collection of wild beasts, with his splendid band, which caused a great deal of bustle and gratification to those who visited them; the five young cubs, which the noble lioness had five weeks ago, were a source of great attention; of the stalls for gingerbread, toys, &c., there was a poor collection.
The contract for bread for the Staines Union Workhouse for the next six months has been taken by Messrs. J.Reddington and Powell, for 6 1/4d the 4lb loaf.
Uxbridge
Melancholy Suicide of Captain Brew
On Sunday afternoon last a lengthened inquiry was proceeded with before Mr.T.Wakley, M.P., at the sign of the Dragon, at Hillingdon and Uxbridge, into the circumstances attending the death of Capt.Wm.Brew (formerly of the Queen's bays), captain and adjutant of the royal West Middlesex militia, and adjutant of the Uxbridge volunteer infantry corps, who was found dead in his bed on the afternoon of Thursday week.
The inquiry, from the extraordinary circumstances connected with the case, created intense sensation throughout the town and neighbourhood of Uxbridge.
The following witnesses were called:-
Timothy Carter deposed - I am a serjeant in the royal West Middlesex militia. I knew the deceased Captain William Brew, who belonged to the same regiment. I have lived with him for the last seventeen years. He resided at Hillingdon and Uxbridge. I saw him last alive on Wednesday, the 14th instant, at his own house. It was about half past four o'clock in the afternoon. He then appeared in good health. He was in the dining-room. Noticed nothing particular in his conduct or manner. On Thursday afternoon, about three o'clock, found him at his own house in bed, quite dead. Noticed nothing particular in the room at the time. Saw on the table a parcel addressed to "Lieutenant Charles Brew." Deceased was lying in bed as if asleep, I immediately fetched Mr.Stilwell, and sent a messenger off to London for Mr.Charles Brew, deceased's son. Mr.Stillwell instantly attended, but could do nothing for the deceased, the body being quite cold.
By the Coroner - Knew the deceased well during the last 17 years I lived with him, and he had late observed that he laboured under a deal of worry of mind in consequence of the conspiracy against him.
Coroner - Don't talk of a conspiracy unless you can prove its existence. Did you observe of late any alteration in his manner and mind showing that he fancied there was a conspiracy against him ?
Witness - I did. Deceased was in the daily habit of giving me letters and orders for the regiment, but I do not recollect that he ever forgot that he had given them to me, or scolded me without cause. He had of late been very fidgety and quicker in his manner. I can't say if he was in a right state of mind. He appeared rather low of late. Never heard him threaten that he would destroy himself. No one lived in the house but deceased and me.
Mr.James Stilwell deposed - I am a surgeon, residing at Uxbridge, and am also surgeon to the militia staff. I have known the deceased for about 10 or 12 years and have been in the habit of meeting him repeatedly. I last saw him alive on the Tuesday evening. He then appeared to be low-spirited and oppressed in mind. On that occasion I merely exchanged a few words with him as he and I met in the street. I had understood he was in some difficulties, and asked him how matters were going on. He said he was afraid matters would be very serious with him. His manner did not appear to me other than usual, as I had noticed the same in him for some considerable time. On the Thursday afternoon, about a quarter after three o'clock, I was sent for to deceased's residence, and on reaching it found the deceased lying in bed apparently perfectly quiet and tranquil. He was lying perfectly straight in the bed, with his arms folded over his chest. On that (Friday) morning I had found a bottle marked "laudanum" between the bed and the mattress. It was still about two thirds filled with laudanum. I was so tightly fixed under the bed that I had to lift the body up in order to get the bottle out. Mr.Charles Brew also gave me a box of opium pills, which I saw him take out of a drawer in the room. They appear to be made of a very crude sort of opium.
The Coroner (examining the box) - And to be composed of henbane too. Do you think, from the examination you have made, that poison has been the cause of death ?
Mr.Stilwell - I should say death has been caused by the use of strong narcotics.
Are you aware of any papers having been left by the deceased tending to prove that he had taken poison ? Yes; I have seen some letters which were enclosed in an envelope, amongst which is one addressed to you, sir, as coroner. They are now in the possession of Mr.Charles Brew. I attended deceased about six months ago, when he had nearly destroyed himself by opium pills. He then told me he had made the pills up himself from opium.
Do you think from what you know, and from all that you have seen of the deceased, that he was insane ? - I never saw anything insane in him, but he was certainly very excited.
Do you mean excitement from delusion, or excitement from natural causes ? - Excitement not arising from insanity, but natural causes. He had many difficulties and troubles to contend with. I have seen a difference in deceased's conduct for about six months, but not sufficient for me to say that he was insane. He has complained to me of persons whom he said had ill-used him.
Do you know, of your own knowledge, that such a persecution existed, or did it only exist in his fancy ? - I believe the deceased had very good grounds for stating what he did to me. Deceased was still retaining his command in the militia.
A juror - Have you not known insanity to have been caused by ill-treatment ?
Mr.Stilwell - I have not met with such a case in my own practice.
The juror was the proceeding to put some further questions to the witness, when he was interrupted by
The Coroner, who explained that it was not the province of the jury to go into what had caused the state of mind described. Were they to do so the coroner's office would in a very short time become a public nuisance instead of a public benefit. The object of such inquiries was only to ascertain if death had been caused by the own act of the party, and, if so, the state of their mind at the time. Believing that to be the law, he would act only on that principle until the Court of Queen's Bench decided that he was wrong, which he was confident they never would.
Richard Williamson deposed - I am a serjeant-major in the royal West Middlesex militia, and reside at Uxbridge. I saw the deceased last on Tuesday, about 12 o'clock, in his usual sitting-room at his own house. I have known him about 32 years. Within the last month I have noticed a great difference in his manner. He was much more irritable about the most trifling things, and seemed very fretful. I was continually in the habit of receiving orders from him, but do not recollect that he repeated them more than once. For the last six months I do not think he was in his right state of mind from his behaviour to persons with whom he mixed. I believe he had cause for doing so in consequence of a quarrel he had had with some persons in the town, and whenever their names were mentioned he became a complete madman.
The Coroner - That is a strong impression of insanity, certainly.
Witness - Deceased appeared so to me. He would frequently grind his teeth without speaking when the names of the parties were mentioned in his presence. I frequently told him "For God's sake, Captain Brew, do not excite yourself so much; treat them with contempt."
Mr.Charles Brew deposed - I am a lieutenant in the royal West Middlesex militia, and I am the youngest son of the deceased. I reside in London, and was made acquainted with his death about ten minutes past six o'clock on the evening of Thursday last. I came down to Uxbridge almost immediately, having first read some documents in the deceased's hand writing, which were handed to me by my nephew, Mr.William Brew. Amongst those documents was one addressed "To - Wakley, Esq., or the coroner, Uxbridge."
The witness here handed a letter to the coroner, who immediately handed it to a person present, and requested him to read it aloud to the jury, which he did. Just as he had commenced, the coroner inquired whether the letter contained accusations against individuals not present; and, being answered in the affirmative, said the room must then be cleared of all persons not on the jury.
All persons were then excluded, and kept out for nearly an hour. On their being re-admitted, the reporter obtained the following particulars of what had transpired during their exclusion.
The letter was read by the foreman of the jury, and its contents were as follows:-
"Uxbridge, September 14th, 1842.
"Sir, - It is under the severest depression of mind I take leave to submit the enclosed to your perusal, that the cause may be known which has led to my melancholy and unfortunate fate. The fact, sir, is that for the last two years I have been the victim of the most cruel conspiracy, who have unceasingly resorted to every possible unjust means to effect my ruin, and have at last succeeded. The names of my enemies who have formed the conspiracy are ____, _____ ____, and the _____ ______. Oh how I ever had to regret allowing myself to be drawn into an acquaintance and intercourse with that family; people, I declare before my God, I never injured either by word or thought, and yet they have shared in what has led to my unfortunate fate. With respect to the anonymous letter to the War-office, Mr. _____ knows Mr. _____ suggested and urged him to allow (Mr. _____ ) to write to his brother, Mr. _____ , who is a clerk in the War-office, respecting a small amount I owed to the estate of Mr. _____'s father; but from the respect, he said he had for me, he would not be led into such a transaction. It appears, however, that Mr. _____ did so without his sanction. I have, therefore, reasonable grounds for accusing the _____ of conjointly being the authors of the said letter, which was couched in the most glaring colours, and had led to my ruin, and an extract from the United Service Gazette will also show the part the other gentlemen of the conspiracy have taken against me.
"I have, sir, served my country fifty years with unremitted zeal and honour, and have been an adjutant forty-three years, and yet, from the unmerited and unavoidable causes stated in the enclosed letters, which have led to my being the loser of about �602, and thereby occasioned a deficit in my public accounts, I have been removed from the service without the opportunity of affording a full explanation to the War-office. Being thus suddenly thrown upon the wide world without resources, and my mind being so nervous and sensitive to bear me up against so cruel and unmerited a reverse, I have been driven to this last fatal act to end my misery, humbly hoping, through the merits of my blessed Saviour. I shall meet with the forgiveness of Almighty God, who is ever more graciously inclined to show mercy to man than his fellow man.
"Concluding with a sincere forgiveness to all my enemies. I subscribe myself, sir, the cruelly persecuted and unfortunate
"W.Brew.
"To - Wakley, Esq., or the Coroner, Uxbridge"
The following is the extract alluded to by the deceased from the United Service Gazette of July, 9, 1842.
"We think we have said enough on the subject of Captain Rayner's (not his coadjutors) underhand attempts to prejudice the character of Captain Brew. A mass of documents were forwarded to us some time ago, which fully satisfied us that the last-mentioned gentleman, if imprudent in calling out Captain Rayner, had been extremely ill used. The reasons Capt.Rayner assigns for declining to meet Capt.Brew are far from satisfactory. If the veteran had acted in the manner he describes prior to the formation of the Uxbridge Volunteers, how came Capt.Rayner to accept his services in training and organising the corps, and afterwards to join with his brother officers in the presentation to him of a splendid sword, as a testimonial of their approbation to his conduct ? We will notice no further correspondence connected with the above corps or its officers. What have we to do with the private affairs of Capt.Brew or anyone else, who may have taught them the art of soldiering ! Nothing. We must request, therefore, that Capt.Rayner will address us no more letters on the subject."
Two other letters, addressed to "Sir John Gibbon, Bart.," were also read to the jury, but as they related more particularly to private matters between the deceased and his colonel, we abstain from publishing them.
Mr.Wakley then put it to the jury if, in their opinion, those letters betrayed any indications of the deceased's labouring , at the time he wrote them, which was in a few hours of his death, under insanity.
The jury said they did, and they had agreed on returning a verdict of temporary insanity.
A juror, however, said he did not consider that verdict strong enough to mark their opinion of the conduct the deceased had received. He thought they ought to say, "Temporary insanity, produced by the ill-usage he had received."
Several of the jury appeared to coincide in that opinion.
The Coroner said, if that was their opinion, the inquiry could not end there. They must go further, and inquire from whom the deceased had received the ill-usage which would probably occupy them a week without any good resulting therefrom, as if ill-usage was proved it would be ill-usage of such a nature, as that the parties could not be legally liable to a coroner's inquest.
Ultimately the jury signed a verdict of "temporary insanity," with the exception of the juryman who proposed the addenda, and who positively refused to sign any verdict to which it was not attached.
After the close of the inquiry, Sir John Gibbon informed the reporter that Captain Brew was wrong in supposing he was removed from the service, the letter of Sir Henry Hardinge, directed from the War-office, advising him to retire, the right hon.baronet offering if he did so to recommend to her Majesty that he be placed on the retired allowance. It was also stated that an order had at the same time been sent from the War-office for the volunteer corps to send in their arms [We are assured, however, that if what Sir John Gibbon stated to the reporter be true, there was no notification of such intention on the part of the War-office authorities communicated to the deceased, who, considered himself dismissed from the service, and without any expectation of being remunerated for his long services as an efficient soldier.]
The remains of the above lamented gentleman were interred in the parish church of Hillingdon on Tuesday last. The body was borne by six-serjeants of the staff of the Royal Middlesex Militia, and the pall was also borne by six serjeants of the same corps, and after the relatives of the deceased followed the wives of the serjeants of the staff, and the recruiting parties stationed at Uxbridge. The procession was closed by about thirty respectable tradesmen of Uxbridge, attired in mourning.
The members of the Uxbridge Yeomanry Cavalry wished also to have shown their respect for the deceased officer by following his remains to the grave, but their captain (H.De Burgh, Esq.), for some reason , refused to give such an order, or sanction their so doing.
[From the above report of the coroner's inquest on Captain Brew, coupled with what has appeared in our paper on various former occasions, relative to the deceased, there can be no doubt that he has fallen a victim to a most cruel and disgraceful persecution. That he was a gallant and zealous officer in the execution of his duty, and that he by his own exertions brought the corps with which he was connected to a high state of discipline, which it might not otherwise have reached, is beyond all question, and must be admitted by his personal enemies. It is therefore the more to be deprecated that certain persons for any cause whatever , should have so vented their animosity as to absolutely drive him to this last act of desperation.]
The following ludicrous circumstance occurred on Monday last at our parish church:- Master Tommy Hearn, a droll character residing in Uxbridge, was married in this town that day to Miss Tabitha Ruby, of Langley, and the ceremony of making the happy party twain one flesh proceeded smoothly and regularly until the clergyman, the Rev.Mr.Price, came to the part "What God hath joined together, let no man part asunder," when Master Tommy politely touched his forehead with his fore-finger, and addressed the Rev.Gentleman thus - "I beg yer pardon, sir, but supposen we should go to the Union." This remark excited some considerable amusement to the numerous persons who had been drawn together to witness the ceremony, but had an opposite effect on the mind of the clergyman; who slightly admonished the bridgegroom for his ill-timed question.