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her husband had been placed by the accusation, by his subsequent injudicious conduct, and the apparent impossibility of offering negative evidence, that she lost her presence of mind, and had thrown her husband and herself upon the mercy of the accusers in such terms as were tantamount to an admission of guilt. This wife, moreover, by the nature of the case the sole witness who could have negatived the evidence of the prosecution, is disabled by our law from being a witness for or against her husband.

It is difficult to give such an outline of the case as to show the nature of the charge, and yet to maintain the proper reserve. It was alleged that immediately after the arrival of the elder child, and then of the younger, Mr. Hatch commenced a course of indecent treatment and conversation; and in particular that the girls, one of whom was 11 and the other 7 years old, being admitted into the bed-room before Mr. and Mrs. Hatch had risen, and being sometimes allowed to get into the bed, Mr. Hatch frequently treated them with great indecency, and that other acts had been committed in the bedroom, Mrs. Hatch being in the room or in a dressing-room adjoining. All these acts and conversations the children narrated with steadfast countenance, with perfect mastery of the language descriptive of matters usually left in decent obscurity, making their stories agree in every essential, and withstand ing the ordeal of skilful crossexamination. In fact, the impres sion was, that they were truthfully describing what had been submitted to their senses, the descriptive language being afterwards supplied by the examination of their friends.

Upon a prosecution for perjury the law allows a wife to be a witness, and Mrs. Hatch was placed in the box, as were also a young girl, Mr. Hatch's adopted daughter, a governess residing in the house, a young French lady who was staying at the house as a visitor, and many relatives and friends of the family. The general evidence of the inmates could do no more than affirm that none of the transactions charged were committed in their presence, or came within the general scope of their observation. or suspicion. The feeling which their evidence conveyed was, that Mr. Hatch was a kindly, rightminded family-man, fond of children, and in his conversation and demeanour such as became a clergyman. Their direct testimony, and that of friends and visitors, excluded the possibility of the truth of some of the circumstances alleged by the children. Something was also proved as to a sudden enmity having been exhibited by the parents of the children towards Mr. and Mrs. Hatch. The case for the prosecution established a strong case of the improbability of any of these allegations against Mr. Hatch being true.

In defence of the present accused, Mr. Serjeant Shee insisted on the truth of the tale as originally told, supporting his argument on the frank simplicity of the children's narrative, their consistency, and adherence in a common tale; and he pointed out how inconclusive was the evidence now adduced to prove the falseness of their testimony. The youngest child, Stephanie Augusta Plummer, an artless-looking child, now 8 years old, was first placed in the witness-box.

She told her tale (which is unfit for repetition) with

the same readiness as both sisters had displayed before; and when cross-examined by Mr. James, supplied with wonderful promptitude every accessory required. This promptitude to meet the question of counsel, at first very effective, hur ried the child into the incredible. In answer to a sudden question of the learned Judge, who probably saw through the case, she said, "When Mr. Hatch was in my room, I saw Mrs. Hatch in her own room." "Then she could see all that took place?" Yes." "How far was Mrs. Hatch from you at the time." "Not very far." "As far as you are from me?" (about ten feet). "Not so far."

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The incredulity which had now affected the minds of the auditors was confirmed by the conduct and language of the mother, who was next placed in the box. It is said that the newspapers have not reported all that occurred in her examination; but sufficient appears to show that her unfortunate children had had none of those wholesome home teachings that make childhood innocent and beautiful. She was compelled to admit that her children had been at eight or ten different schools, from all of which they had been suddenly withdrawn.

Mr. Plummer, the father of the children, was also examined. He repeated in substance the charges formerly made against Mr. Hatch, and again affirmed their truth; but a cross-examination elicited some damaging admissions.

The evidence for the defence, and the reply of Mr. James, were not concluded until late on Saturday, the fourth day.

On Monday Baron CHANNELL summed up the evidence-a duty which occupied nearly eight hours.

He said, "It was impossible to conceive a more important or extraordinary inquiry. There was contradiction upon contradiction; he confessed that he felt utterly incapable of presenting to them any theory as to the probability of truth being on one side or the other." His Lordship then pointed out numerous improbabilities in the tale of the children and inconsistencies in the conduct of the parents, supposing the facts to have been as they stated.

The jury deliberated about two hours, and then delivered their verdict in writing as follows:

"We find the prisoner, Mary Eugenia Plummer, Guilty; and while we recommend her to the utmost extent of mercy, we venture at the same time to express a hope that your Lordship, if you have the power to do so, will direct that any imprisonment to which she may be subjected, may be accompanied by a proper course of training and education, of which she has hitherto been deprived, and probably would still be deprived, at home."

When the verdict was known a shout of applause was raised in court, which was taken up and repeated by numbers assembled outside. It was a striking feature of this melancholy case, that when the verdict had been pronounced, and the learned Judge announced his wish to consult Mr. Justice Keating as to the sentence he should pronounce, the father of the unfortunate child could not be found to give the usual recognizances for her appearance, and she was bailed by a friend of her solicitor. On the next day Baron CHANNELL, in awarding the sentence, said, "The crime of perjury was one of the most serious cha

racter, for it placed in jeopardy not only the property but the liberty and lives of Her Majesty's subjects; but he thought, in her case, she had made a statement that was not true for a particular purpose, and he should not enter into the question whether her parents were justified in believing that statement, and in preferring the charges they subsequently did against Mr. Hatch. She certainly was not responsible for that proceeding, and there was good reason to believe that she was labouring under a want of education, both religious and moral, and had imbibed habits of untruthfulness which, if not checked, might lead to great mischief. His impression was, that she had told this story originally for the purpose of being taken away from Mr. Hatch's and not being sent back, and that she had afterwards been led to persist in it by the interrogatories that had been put to her by others, and that she did not scruple at last to make the same statement while under the sanction of an oath." He then said that it was understood that her friends proposed to place her where she would receive a proper education, and if proper guarantees were given that that would be so, no doubt that would receive proper consideration by the authorities, and the sentence would be merely a formal one; but the duty of the Court was to Award the punishment awarded by law, and the least was three weeks' imprisonment, and then to be sent to a reformatory school for two years." Ultimately a lady of known benevolence and great judgment in the treatment of juvenile offenders, proposed to take the unfortu nate child under her charge, and

to remove her entirely from the evil influences that had so degraded her childhood; and the Home Secretary consequently remitted the punishment awarded.

Immediately that the result of the trial was known a notification was sent to Mr. Hatch, in Newgate, that it was the intention of the Home Secretary to grant him a free pardon; and he was discharged, having undergone for six months all the indignities to which convicts are subjected.

PROMPT

12. EXTENSIVE ROBBERY AND CAPTURE. — A wealthy Liverpool merchant having bills, &c., to the value of 11,500l. to deposit in Heywood's bank, was proceeding towards their establishment with these securities in his hand. Having occasion to use his handkerchief he for the moment placed them in his pocket; when he returned his hand, the valuables were gone! A passing thief had seized the favourable moment and escaped. The merchant immediately hurried to the Liverpool police-court to detail his loss. On his way he met two London detective officers, whom he informed of the robbery. The merchant and officers passed on towards the post-office, and met coming therefrom a man whom the latter recognized as an acquaintance, and immediately captured him. him they found a receipt for a registered letter. Steps were taken for intercepting the missive, and sure enough it was found to contain the whole of the stolen securities. The thief and his confederate were tried and convicted.

15. MURDER AND SUICIDE IN SHOREDITCH.-A shocking tragedy has occurred in Shoreditch. A journeyman pipe maker named Radden, lived in Philip Street

Kingsland Road, with a woman who passed as his wife, but whose real name was Hart, and who had been for many years separated from her husband. They both seem to have been of intemperate habits, and quarrelled when in liquor. On the 15th instant, at an early hour, Radden came to the house of the woman's sister, and said that Ellen was dying. He seemed in liquor but not excited. On proceeding to the house the woman was found dead on the bed, in a pool of blood, which had saturated the bed-clothes, and had then penetrated through the flooring and stained the ceiling below. Her throat was cut so extensively that the head was nearly severed from the body; she must have died instantaneously without struggle or noise. It was evident that the poor woman was asleep when the deed was committed, and that her murderer must have stood behind her with his left hand placed firmly over her mouth. There was a pail of water in the centre of the room in which the murderer had washed his hands, and a wet towel which bore marks of blood, and a scrubbing-brush which had also been recently used.

In the meanwhile Radden had disappeared, nor could the police find any trace of him; but on the following day, the tow-rope of a barge traversing the Regent's Canal dragged up the dead body of a man, which was recognized to be that of Radden. He had tied his hands firmly round with a pocket-handkerchief, so that his arms were placed closely on his breast, so as to render any struggle for life impossible.

18. MURDER OF A WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN. One of the most ter

le tragedies it has ever fallen

to these pages to record has occurred at Sandown Fort, in the Isle of Wight.

At 2.20 P.M. Sergeant William Henry Whitworth, of the Royal Artillery, was seen coming across the parade ground in the village of Sandown, some distance from the fort. He was hurried and staggering in his step as he crossed over towards the officers' quarters. Several officers of the Isle of Wight, Artillery, Militia, and others, were standing on the steps, and when Whitworth approached Captain Robinson, he threw himself upon his knees before him, and holding up his hands, exclaimed, "For God's sake, sir, save me!" He then gave Captain Robinson his watch, an envelope with some papers, and some money, and said, "He's used me dreadfully; he's held a pistol at my head, and swore he'd shoot me if I didn't cut my throat;" pulling down at the same time the collar of his coat and showing his throat covered with blood. He then added, "There's awful work down there-pray go down." His hands and face were covered with blood; and he wore a great coat buttoned up to his chin, so that his neck could not be plainly seen. He was immediately secured and sent to the hospital. His strange appearance and excited mauner had caused some alarm, and the rumour now ran round the parade ground that he had murdered his whole family! When the officers arrived at the court-yard of the fort they found the door of Whitworth's house surrounded by a terrified group; and on searching the dwelling discovered a most appalling scene.

Sandown Fort is situated on a piece of low swampy ground adjoining the sea-beach and at the

eastern end of the village. It is of very old date, and is consequently in a very dilapidated state. No sentries do duty at the fort, the custom being to lock the gates at 9.30 P.M. each day, and the keys are kept in the quarters of the officers' servants. The persons in the fort at the time the murders are supposed to have been committed were Captain Manners and Lieutenant Brigstock, with three private soldiers (officers' servants) belonging to the Isle of Wight Artillery Militia; Corporal Easley, of the Royal Engineers, and wife; and the murderer, Sergeant William Henry Whitworth, of the Royal Artillery, with his wife and children, who had charge of the fort as master-gunner. On crossing the shallow moat of the fort by the narrow wooden bridge, and entering by the gateway, you enter upon the small square, or parade of the fort, thirty-five paces square, three sides of the enclosure being formed by the officers' and men's quarters, and the fourth by the entrance gateway. The central building opposite the gateway is the original keep of the fort, now used for officers' quarters. The buildings on each side are of more modern erection. In those on the right of the square live Corporal Easley and his wife. On the left of the square, nearest the officers' quarters, live the three soldier servants, while in the part of the building adjoining them, and nearest the fort entrance gate, lived Sergeant Whitworth and his unfortunate wife and family. On opening the door of the house the appearance of the dresser, with the crockery, &c., upon it, with the pans and pails, &c., show it to have been the living room. In front of the fireplace stood two

chairs, on which were hung two printed children's frocks which had been placed there to dry. A staircase to the right of this room led to a bedroom, in which was a bedstead with bedding on it, but no clothing, and nothing disturbed beyond the absence of the clothing from the bed, the bedding being perfectly even. On the stairs, however, were two or three spots of blood.

room

At the foot of this staircase, at a distance of about six feet, another door led into a the ground-floor, which had been used as an office by Whitworth, his letter-book lying on the table, with a number of official forms and envelopes. The flooring of this room was covered with bloody footprints of naked feet and feet with stockings on, some of the footprints being those of two children of different ages, and others those of a man; the latter, in some places, with the mark of the stocking on the foot plainly impressed on the floor, and in other parts with the naked foot, as distinctly marked on the boarded flooring. These footprints crossed and recrossed each other, and led into the entrance to the kitchen, the only chance of escape from the house, but there took back an abrupt turn towards the stairs in the room leading to the second sleeping-room above. On these stairs the footprints were thicker and more intermingled with blood. From the marks in the rooms below and on the stairs, it would appear that some of the children had escaped from the room, and had been pursued by the murderer and driven upstairs again, where he completed his horrible work. On going upstairs and entering the room, the sight was indescribably dreadful. Opposite the

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