563 
THE FIELD. 
at storting being five to four upon Mitchell and Young — a 
position, however, upon the betting list which, like many 
other favourites, they lost after the commencement of the 
race. During the first day the ploy lasted four hours, and 
embraced three rubbers (of the first two games out of three), 
aud eight games, the scoring standing os follows : — 
G. and F. Erwood. Mitchell and Young. 
First Rubber... 
15 
5 
H 
15 
16 Won 
G Lost. 
Second Rubber 
D 
15 
16 
9 
15 Won 
12 Lost. 
Third Rubber 
16 
2 
15 Won 
6 Lost. 
At the end of the first day’s contest, which wns character- 
ised by some rare ploy on both 6ides, the Erwoods were the 
winners of the entire three rubbers, of six games out of (ho 
eight, and of a nominal majority of forty-four aces (in 
reality twenty), the scoring being 113 to G9. It will be 
seen from the above figures Hint had the parties played level 
the Erwoods would still have been winners of the three rub- 
bers, of certainly five games out i f the eight, and, os the 
odd gome would hove stood twelve and twelve, it would 
have had to be contested for. The idea of superiority of 
Mitcliell and Young was by this timo abandoned, but the 
friends of the losing players were not content to let tbo 
Erwoods retire with the amount of triumph they had 
achieved during the first day ; they therefore requested that 
another match should be played level the next day, at a 
different court. Tho request wns acceded to, and the Green 
Dragon Court was selected for the purpose, — a court much 
larger than Balh-slreet, giving Mitchell and Young greutcr 
scope for their superiority in physical strength over tluir 
opponents. In the second day’s play the honours were di- 
vided, each side winning off his rubber in two consecutive 
games, as follows : — 
G. and F. Erwood. 
First Rubber.. 8 
10 Lost 
Second Rubber 15 
15 Won 
Mitchell and Young. 
15 
15 Won. 
13 
6 Lost. 
The scoring of aces for tho day wns — Mitchell and Young, 
forty-nine; the Erwoods, forty-eight ; giving the former a 
majority of one ace. 
The summary of the two days’ play was the winning by 
the Erwoods of four rubbers out of the five; a result which, 
as before 6tated, would not havo been effected had they 
played level — a nominal majority in aces of forty-three, 
but a real mujority of nineteen. At the conclusion of the 
second day’s ploy, a gentleman offered to back George 
Erwood against Mitchell 6inglo-handed, for £100, the match 
to come off at Bath-sireet. Mitchell accepted the challenge 
as far as the man was concerned, but objected to the court 
named. The difficulty of place being got over, it is not im- 
probable that a trial of skill will take place between these 
two mo9t accomplished players, which will involve tho re- 
tention or loss of the championship hy its present possessor. 
Frank Erwood has entered upon the proprietorship of the 
Bath-street Court, much to the satisfaction of the Birming- 
ham players and racket admirers. Arrangements havo been 
made for matches at the Belvidere, in which all the above- 
named players will take part. Due notice of the same will 
bo given in the columns of “The Field.” 
Harvest Prospects in Hertfordshire. — The 
wheat, speaking generally, looks well, and on good sound 
ground, where there is full plant, tho promise is beyond an 
average crop. On the cold wet lands, where much of the 
plant was lost tn winter, or where the seed was put In badly 
and did not come up, the promise though not very cheering, 
is quite equal to what could ho expected. Tbo long dry 
spring, which is always favourable to the young wheals, bus 
done much to rrstoie the loss, and in many instances, where 
there was little expectation of a crop, the improvement 
has been great and cheering. Upon tho whole, con- 
sidering that a larger breadth than usual lias been sown, wo 
should say that thero is a hopeful prospect that next hurvest 
will range beyond an average. Barley and oats are looking 
well, ond the late sown are much improved by the recent rains. 
Peas and beans look healthy and well, and though in many 
cases they are thin on the ground, thero is a prospect of a 
fair average crop. Clover seems in most instances to be a 
failure. Tbo plant, in the first place, was thin on the ground, 
and the severo frosts at the beginning of tbo month gave a 
check to it, which it has never recovered. A finer season for 
cleaning and preparing the land for root crops has seldom 
been known. Tho prico of beef and mutton keeps up very 
high, and stoic beasts and sheep at the fairs that have taken 
place have realised high rates. As far os one can j edge, this 
high range of prices is likely to last . — Hirtford Mercury. 
MURDER OF SIX CHILDREN. 
coroner’s inquest. 
Esher. — O n Monday afternoon, at half-past four o’clock, 
Mr. W illiam Carter, the coroner for the eastern division of 
Surrey, and a jury, assembled at the Checkers Tavern, NVest- 
end, to inquire into the circumstances attending the deaths of 
Georgina Brough, aged eleven; Caroline Brough, aged eight; 
William Brough, aged six ; Henry and Harriet Brough (twins), 
aged two years and six months ; and George Brough, aged 21 
months, six unfortunate children, who were murdered by their 
mother, Mary Ann, the wife of George Brough, on Saturday 
Major-General Sir Edward Cust, Controller of her Majesty's 
Household, attended to watch the proceedings. The mother 
was for some short timo wct-mirse at tlic Palace, and suckled 
the Prince of Wales. . , , „ . 
The jury and coroner having viewed the bodies, the following 
evidence was taken : — 
Henry Woolger said, that he was a labourer in Claremont 
Gardens. On Saturday morning (the day ou which the Crystal 
Palace was opened), about a quurter before six o’clock, in 
passing Mr. Brough’s house he noticed a pillow hanging out of 
the window' all over blood. It appeared to belying on the sill, 
but hanging a little over. Witness became alarmed at the 
sight thereof. He did not see any one at that time in the house, 
and he heard no noise. He waited and heard a little gate clack, 
and on looking round, he saw Mr. Beaslev approaching. The 
gate led from West-end-comraon. Mr. ’Beasley was coming 
towards him, and, when he reached him, ho (witness) said. 
“ Look here, Thomas ; here is ail awful sight." lie also looked 
up, and said they had better call some one. He rang the bell 
at Brough’s house, but no one answered it. An alarm was 
given, aiid Mrs. Bergliaui, his landlady, came, nnd she rang 
Brough’s hell very violently. He Afterwards saw a woman 
dressed in a half mourning shawl come to the window and wave 
a towel, ns if to beckon them. He said, “'lliere U Mrs. 
Brough or some person, beckoning us for assistance.” AN itness 
then scaled the wall and entered the premises, when he opened 
the outer gate to lot the others in. Witness tried the outer 
door, and found it fastened. Seeing a ladder in the woodliousc 
he took it out and placed it against the window where the pillow 
was. lie ascended the ladder, and, on looking over the pillow, 
lie heard some one coming up stairs. In a minute or two he 
saw Mrs. Brough come to the top of the staircase with her hair 
hanging down and her body all over blood. As she reached 
the top of the steps, she turned towards the window, when he 
saw a wound in her throat, she at the same time making a 
whistling noise. He immediately slipped down the ladder, and 
went for the surgeon. He saw nothing else to strike his atten- 
tion. He knew Mrs. Brough, nnd hail an opportunity of seeing 
that it was she. He returned from the doctor’s, mid ft was then 
that he saw her lying on the bed with her throat cut. While 
on the ladder he saw no second person. Thero wns a front 
door, but lie tried only the back door. 
John Crockford, of West-end, said he saw the pillow spoken 
of hy the last witness. Witness ascended tho ladder ami 
looked into the room, when he saw a woman lying on her right 
side. lie went into tho room, and found that it was Mrs. 
Brough. He also saw a little child lying in bed with its throat 
cut. It was dead. He passed on into another room (the front), 
where Mrs. Brough was then lying. Two other children were 
at the foot of the bed, with their throats cut also. In another 
room he found three other children, with tluir throats also cut. 
They were lying on a bed, one with liis head almost < tl the bed, 
another was’ on the pillow, and the third in the middle of the 
bed, and the feet towards the foot. They appeared to lie dead. 
The only person he saw alive in the house was Mrs. Brough, 
who waved her hand when he got in. The rooms in the house 
were all over blood. The staircase led from the front door, but 
he saw no blood on it. lie saw nothing, nor heard anything, 
to account for the woman’s throat and her children’s being cut. 
Mr. Bedser. parish constable, said, in the right-hand room lie 
saw three children, with their throats cut, lying on the bed. 
; In the left linml room, on the same floor, he saw one. He w ent 
to another room, further on the right, and found Mrs. Brough 
alive, with her throat cut, nnd at her back were two other 
children. He asked Mrs. Brough if she knew him, and she 
said “Yes.” At the side of the bed lie found a razor, which hu 
now produced. It was open, and stained with blood. The 
blood was quite dry. 
Mr. Biddlecombe, chief superintendent of the Surrey con- 
stabulary, said that from information he received on Saturday 
morning last from Inspector Martell, he went to the house of 
Mrs. Brough. On entering the hack door, and going into a 
room, he found under a table a pair of woman’s boots and a 
pair of bloody stockings. He went to the door, and found that 
the holt on the inside was all over blood, as if handled with a 
bloody hand. There were no other marks of blood below. lie. 
went upstairs nnd found a hoy, aged seven years, on the bed, 
with his face covered with blood. He was dead, and his throat 
was cut. The wound was extensive and incised. He saw no 
other wound. There were lying on the foot of the bed Harriet 
and George. They were both dead. Each had received an 
incised wound in the throat, and the girl had received a super- 
ficial wound on the left shoulder. He passed into another room, 
and found three other children dead. They had extensive wounds 
in their throats. Those were two girls and a boy. The hitter 
had also a wound on the chin, and one on the forefinger. 
In a third bedroom he saw Mrs. Brough, the mother of the 
children. She was in bed, and had been attended to by a 
medical man. He gave instructions to the nurse and the 
police. When lie asked her if she had anything to say to 
him, she replied that she could not then speak to him. lie 
was satisfied that the children had been killed by some person, 
nnd not by themselves. On Sunday lie understood Mrs. 
Brough had inquired for him, and he went to the house, saw 
her, and asked her if she wanted Biddlecome. She replied 
" Yes ; I have been relating to an officer all about it, thinking 
I had been talking to you.” She then said, “ I should like to 
tell you all about it.” Nile then went on to snv, “On Friday 
last I was bad all day; I wanted to see ftlr. Izod, and 
waited all day. I wanted him to give me some medicine. 
In the evening I walked about, and afterwords put the 
children to bed, nnd wanted to go to sleep in a chair. About 
9 o’clock Georgy (meaning Georgiana) kept calling to me to 
come to bed. I came up to bed, and they kept calling me to 
bring them some barley-water, and kept calling till near 12 
o'clock. I had one candle lit on the chair. 1 went and got 
another, but could not see ; there was something like a cloud, 
and 1 thought I would go down and get a knife and cut my 
own throat, but could not see. I groped about in muster's 
room for a razor. 1 could not find one. At last I found his 
keys, and then found his razor. I went to Georgy, and cut 
her first; 1 did not look at her. 1 then came to Carry, ami 
cut her. Then to Henry. He said, * Don’t mother.' I said, 
‘ I must,’ and did cut him. Then I went to Bill. He was 
fast asleep. I turned him over. He never woke. I served 
him the same. I nearly tumbled into this room. The two 
children here, Harriet and George, were awake. They made 
no resistance at all. Harriet struggled very much, and 
gurgled. I then laid down and did myself. I can’t tell what 
occurred for some time after that, as I found myself weak and 
lying on the floor. That nasty great and black cloud was 
gone then. I was thirsty, and got the water-bottle and drank. 
1 fell in a sitting position ; got up, and saw the children, and 
it all came to me again. I wanted to call, but could not 
speak. I went to the window, and put something out to call 
attention. I went to bed, and remained there till tho bell 
rang. They made such a noise. 1 crawled on my hands and 
knees, hut could not make them hear. It was Henry Wool- 
ger. I went down to unbolt tho door. There was only one 
bolt fastened, and that I undid. Tlint is all I know. They 
can tell the rest. It was not quite daylight when I put the 
signal out. It is possible I might have said something more 
to the other officer. If I have, lie can tell you.” This state- 
ment was signed by the miserable woman. Witness added, 
that he did not believe she had made that statement for the 
purpose of screening any other person. 
James Martell, inspector of tho Surrey constabulary, .said, 
that on Sunday morning last he was sitting hy the bedside of 
Mrs. Brough, lie having her in charge; she began to cry. He 
said, " Don't cry, it wul hurt you. She said, “ See what I 
have done.” He nsked her what she had done, when she re- 
plied, “ You know all about it.” She then made a statement 
precisely similar to that made to Mr. Biddlecombe, with this 
addition, " If there liad been forty, I should have served them 
all the same; but what a pity it was that 1 did not do myself 
first!” She requested that what she had stated might he 
taken down in writing, but preferred it being done after she 
had had a sleep. Witness heard her make the statement 
which had been read by Mr. Biddlecombe. He hud no doubt 
but the children were killed by the mother. 
Mr. Charles Mott, surgeon, of Walton on Thames, said, that 
the children had each received a deep incised wound in the 
front of the throat, quite sufficient to aud it did cause death. 
Undoubtedly the injuries were caused by the mother upon the 
children. 
Ann Yates, n widow, said, that she resided at Clarcniont- 
jmrk. She had seen the deceased children, and knew each of 
them. Their father, yet alive, was named George Brough, 
and the mother was named Marv Ann Brough. They had 
been lawfully married she waa certain, although she was not 
present at the wedding. Tlic two eldest children had just re- 
covered from the measles. The girl Caroline and the boy 
Henry were labouring under the disease at the time. Harriet 
was sickening, hut the infant seemed well. She had no appre- 
hensions of the death of either. She kn ew nothing of the 
tragedy except what 6be had heard. . 
Mr. Mott recalled. — He had no doubt tlic razor produced 
would be sufficient to cause the injuries lie had spoken of. 
Emily Forster, a girl aged 11 year*, said, that she lived nt 
N\ est-ciid, nnd knew Mrs. Brough and her family. She had 
been m tho habit of going to lur home daily with tile milk 
which her mother sold her. She went ns usual on lost Friday 
moruuig, nt 8 o’clock. She >nw the eldest girl, Georgiana, 
amt M ine of the younger children. She wns about to speak 
upon something that Georgiana lind told her, but, na she 
could not say tlint Mrs. llrougli was within hearing, tho 
coroner could not receive her testimony ns evidence. *” ?■ . 
,, , r '\ after consulting, returned the following verdict : — 
Hint the deceased children were wilfully murdered by Mary 
Ann Brougli, their mother.” 
The proceedings lasted several hours. 
West End. near Esher, NYmm -lay, Jink U— Mrs. 
Brough is much worse to-dnj ; she still remains in tlic house 
rendered s<> feniful by her crimen, in a re cm beneath that where 
tin bodies of her poor children He. -idc by side, in tlicir coffins. 
Mlers have been e. np-gnting ,,11 day before the home, nnd nt 
tins hour (four o'clock), the immediate neighbourhood has had 
somewhat tho character of n mmtry holiday; so many arrive 
fii.m nil directions in ex; total ion < | the funeral taking place nt 
live o ric k. There is little in the conduct of those so assem- 
bled mdicutive of horror at this fearful tragedy. The greutcr 
number joke and laugh lightly, nnd point with brutal curiosity 
to the window, through the partially opened curtains of which, 
a coffin is visible; and, as a climax to this disgusting indif- 
tcronec, a polit email in charge of the premises has just been out 
to tell the people “they need not wait; the funeral won't take 
place vet, and returned, laughing heartily, at what he evi- 
dently thinks a good joke. 
Since the inquest, Mrs. Brough has repeated her statement 
with little vuriution. During the iluv previous to tlic murder, 
slip had been suffering much from illness and depression of 
spirits, and had been waiting with much anxiety for the arrival 
Mr. Izod, tho doctor. It would only increase a feeling of 
horror to repeat her account of murders unparalleled in the his- 
tory of crime; but it is evident that till within, nerllups, a few 
minutes of the catastrophe, she wns actuated by n mother's 
watchfulness to study her children’s comfort. Twice during 
the duv — in the morning, about half-past ten, she sent one of tho 
boys, and ngnin in tile evening, between seven nnd eight, sho 
sent the eldest girl to Mrs. Howry, at tho Choquen Tavern, for 
biscuits, saying that tho children were very cross, and, as their 
mouths were tender, sho thought sweet biscuit* would bo better 
for them than lier bread, which wns rather heavy. The eldest 
girl w ns seen again hy Mrs. Howry’s family about nine o’clock. 
After this hour “the ulack cloud ilcsccndcil.” 
The father, accompanied hy his remaining daughter. Mary, 
nged 19, who hn.s been for some time post lady’s maid to a 
noble family in Yorkshire, and who arrived here in tho course 
of the day, took a farewell look nt tho deceased children. It 
was the first time they had seen the victims since tho 
tragedy, and as might he supposed, the sight wns attended with 
tenfold horror, especially to the father, who appeared completely 
maniacal. His wife has frequently requested to see him, hut ho 
refuses ever again to speak to her. Shortly after her arrival the 
daughter had an interview with her wretched parent, who con- 
tinued weeping bitterly, while she hysterically narrated tho 
whole history of the appalling drama , nt the same time re- 
marking that it was fortunate that she (the daughter) wns from 
home at the time. She said her reasons for committing tho 
foul deed were, that sho wns afraid she w ould he separated from 
her children by the agreement sho was to sign on the Saturday 
(the day the murders were committed). The interview 
concluded hy her informing her daughter that she had 
willed all her effects to her, including several valuable 
trinkets received by her while nurse to the I’rince of 
Wales. Tile miserable woman, who remains under the surveil- 
lance of one constable and two female nurses, it is expected will 
be so far recovered nt the beginning of next week, as to be re- 
moved to the infirmary of Hom-mongcr-hinc jail, where sho 
will remain until her trial. The man w ho is charged with * 
being the whole cause of tile dreadful acts, lins sold his business 
and left the village to evade tile vengeance of his neighbours. 
He has not made his appearance in the village since the catas- 
trophe. He is a married man with a family, and is said to bo 
worth a deal of money. An action bus been entered against 
him by Brough for critn. con, 
“WAR.” 
WRITTEN BY WILLIAM DORRINOTON, 
And spoken by Mr. Pringle, at the Mechanics’ Institution, 
June 10, 1854. 
[From these excellent lines wo have only room to print tho 
following.— E d.] 
Tub words are spoken 1 their echo’s ringing still, 
Which publish’d War to terrify the world. 
Tho war-cry’s rais’d, and Europe’s up In arms ; 
Britannia bares her arm— her lion's rous’d, 
lili ruffl'd mane, In anger, stands on and. 
In Freedom’s cause her standard Is unfurl’d ; 
ller ships are flouting where tho tyrant hides; 
Her sons advance, amt draw the sword of war t 
To check a despot's iron will, wo fight s 
Our purest hope — “ May God defend the right.” 
Loud rolls tho drum— shrill sounds tho merry fife ; 
The banners wave, whilst cheering shouts resound; 
The eager crowd with anxious gaze press cuj; 
The heavy tramp of marching hosts is heurd. 
With stately tread, a thousand steps us one, 
Tho wur-llke legions on to battle go. 
The glltt'ring troop with martini pomp has pass a; 
The wild huzzas sound distant, low, and fulut. 
Behind it all comes mournfully along 
The soldier’s wife, bow'd down with grief • excess; 
Sho hears tho cheering crowd, and every word 
Out-pour' d from honest hearts, to wish them well, 
Is echo'd in her teurs wltii sad “ Amen ! ” 
Her hope, her life, her lord, Is marching there, • 
No chieftain lie, yet no less dear to tier. 
She’s by his side once more to bid adieu : 
One short embrace, with tearful uprais'd oyo, 
As If Imploring succour from above ; t 
One hurried grasp— one purling word, “ Farewell ’■ 
He’s gone I and those whom (tod hath Joined as one, 
Are rudely severed by tho hand of War 1 
In friendless solitude her lot Is cast ; 
She mourns her husband gone, perchance to death, 
And each day wonders If some cruel fato 
Hath ended his career, and all her Joy* of life. 
When heroes fall, n nation's wall is heard ; 
And mourning hosts attend him to the tomb. 
Ilut when the humble soldier meet* hi* death. 
He dies unknown, unwept for, save by her 
He's left In poverty and woe behind I 
• • • • • 
In War, Britannia Join* her hand with France, 
To strengthen Freedom’* bulwarks thro the world: 
Those ancient enemies — wboae fighting days 
Let’s hope are gone ne’er to return again - 
Have drawn the sword against Oppression s grasp. 
And rallied round the weak, to aid them 
'Gainst the strong ! Then lot the curse of \Y ar. 
Whene’er it fulls, descend like fire on him 
Wlmso evil passions hath engender'd It 
Though blood may flow, and Death a season reign 
May Freedom's sons their noble object gain. 
The tyrant vanquish'd- sheathe the sword oneo more 
Gain lasting Peace, and end Inhuman War. 
