THE FIELD. 
993 
is stated to be fast recovering from his recent attack of 
illness . — Morning Post. 
Mr. J. Page Reade and Lady Mary Page Reade have 
arrived at Edward's Private Hotel, in George-street, Hanover- 
aquare. 
The Marquis of Anglesey left Newmarket on Friday last 
for Beaudesort. His lordship ia forming a valuable racing 
stud. 
The Earl of Desart has arrived in town, from a cruise in 
his yacht off the coast of Scotland. 
Baron Wydenbruck, for some years secretary at the 
Austrian embassy in London, chamberlain of his Imperial 
Majesty the Emperor of Austria, and charge d'affaires for 
Austria at the Court of Hesse-Cassel, was married on Mon- 
day, according to the rites of the two churches, to Miss 
Isabella Blacker, daughter of the late S. J. Blacker, lieu- 
tenant-colonel in her Majesty's service. 
Sir Gilbert and Lady Heathcote have returned from 
Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby’s at Drummond 
Castle, to Normanton Park, where they are entertaining a 
succession of visitors. 
We are sorry to announce the demise of the Earl of 
Abingdon, which took place a little before Beven o’clock on 
Monday evening at Wytham Abbey, about three miles from 
Oxford. 
METROPOLIS. 
PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT. 
House of Lords. 
Thursday being the day to which Parliament stood pro- 
rogued, in pursuance of the Order in Council, and by virtue 
of her Majesty’s commission, the House of Lords met for tho 
purpose of the Lords Commissioners, in the name of the 
Queen, continuing the prorogation until Thursday, the 16th 
of November next. 
The Lords Commissioners present were the Right Hon. 
tho Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Argyll, and Earl Gran- 
ville. As usual on these occasions, a large number of ladies 
and their friends were present, being admitted as spectators 
behind tho bar ; but the ceremony being of so simple and 
formal a character, no interest whatever can bo created. 
The Lords Commissioners met at half-past three o’clock, 
and having taken their seats in front of the throne, 
The Lord Chan cello r rose, and having stated that their 
lordships had met, by virtue of her Majesty's Commission, 
for the further prorogation of Parliament, commanded Mr. 
Pulinan, the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod, to summons 
the House of Commons to appear at the bar, to hear the 
commission read. 
Mr. Pulmer having retired for that purpose, shortly 
afterwards returned, accompanied by Sir Denis Le Marchant, 
chief clerk, ’and other officers of the House, as the representa- 
tives of her Majesty’s most faithful Commons. 
Mr. Shaw Lefevre, deputy clerk of the House, then read 
the commission, proroguing Parliament until Thursday, tho 
16th of November next. 
The Lord Chancellor then, in the usual manner, in the 
name of her Majesty, declared Parliament prorogued to that 
day accordingly. 
Their Lordships then rose and retired. 
being 11 to 7. A desperate struggle now ensued for tho 
fifth and conquering game. Tho amateur led oft' most gal- 
lantly by gaining seven aces to Erwood’s “ love," or none. 
This touched Erwood’s metal, and ho went in, and, by his 
splendid play, brought himself again even with his opponent. 
Tho next three aces were gained by each party, neck and 
neck ; the game, and consequently tho match, standing as 
close as it possibly could do, namely, ten to each player. 
The last ace, which decided the match, was ultimately won 
by Erwood. His victory over such a first-rato amateur, 
against such heavy odds, is one of tho best proofs that ho 
has ever given of his great skill ns a racket player. The 
closing of the season of the Belvidero court however, liko 
the closing of tho season of many theatres, is moro nominal 
than real. On Monday next the court will re-open, under 
the management of George Erwood, Mr. Rouso having very 
kindly given it up to him for liis own benefit until next 
Easter, the commencement of the season of 1805. Erwood 
will therefore continue in daily attendance for tho purpose 
of superintending the play and giving gratuitous instruction 
in the game to gentlemeu. There will be little or no abate- 
ment in tho play when the weather permits, os the winter is 
the finest part of the year for players, and spectators only 
need the addition of a top-coat to enable them to witness tho 
fine play constantly exhibited in this court, ns they have 
been enabled to do during the spring and autumn. 
Hoi*e Mutual Life Assurance. — On Thursday tho Hope 
Mutual Life Assurance and Honesty Guarantee Society held 
their annual meeting at the chief office, Priuces-street, Bank ; 
Mr. Vane in the chair. Tho report stated that from the 1st 
of September to the 31st of August, 1854, 341 proposals 
had beeu offered for new assurances for sums exceeding 
£S1,000, from which had beeu selected 234, covering risks 
of about £48,000, and yielding an aunual income of £1,406. 
14s. 9d. ; while, in addition, a large amount of business had 
been declined, owing to the extrome nature of the risks pro- 
posed. The lives enrolled on tho books of tho company on 
tho 1st of Sept, numbered 544 for life and endowment in- 
surances, the average sum assured on each being being about 
£227, and the average age thirty-seven yearn. Tho total 
sum assured exceeded £123,000, yielding an annual income 
of £5,000, and realised within the first twenty-nine mouths 
of the society’s existence. Tho balance Bheet showed an 
amount on either side of £20,519. 9s. 6d. Tho chairman 
having regretted the loss, from death, of two of their 
directors, and congratulated the shareholders on tho satis- 
factory position of their affairs, moved tho adoption of tho 
report, which was seconded by Mr. Glentou, aud canned 
unanimously. Some observations from several of tho share- 
holders having been replied to by the chairman, the retiring 
directors and auditors were re-elected, and the proceedings, 
after thanks to the London and provincial medical officers, 
agents, directors, and general manager (Mr. Eiffe), termi- 
nated. 
Pillar Letter-boxes in the Metropolis. — Lord Canning 
and the authorities of the General Post-office have had a 
scheme for Borne time in contemplation to facilitate the post- 
ing of letters in London, by establishing “ pillar letter-boxes” 
in the most populous districts of the metropolis, and reducing 
the number of receiving-houses, which are attended with great 
expense. The subjoined circular from the Secretary of the 
General Post-office has been transmitted to the several dis- 
trict boards of Commissioners of Pavements in which the 
experiment is about to be made : — “ Sir, — I am directed by 
the Postmaster-General to state, with a view of giving addi- 
tional facilities to the public for posting then' letters, his 
lordship has it in contemplation to place pillar letter-boxes 
along the leading thoroughfares of the metropolis, at intervals 
of half a mile, or thereabouts ; and that he has selected the 
important line of Ludgate-hill, Fleet-street, the Strand, and 
Piccadilly, as the first wherein to erect those letter-boxes. 
It is proposed to fix the boxes on the side of the footway, in 
Buch a position as not to obstruct traffic of any kind, and the 
whole cost of construction and erection will be borne by this 
department. I request that you will inform me whether 
your board will give their permission for the erection of such 
letter-boxes in the district under their authority. Lord 
Canning will be happy to direct an officer of this department 
to meet any person your board may appoint, to consult re- 
specting the precise points of construction. — I am, &c., R. 
Hill.” 
The Public Health ( From the Registrar-QcncraT s Report). 
— The returns for the last week from the metropolitan dis- 
tricts furnish evidence of a steady, if not a rapid improve- 
ment in the public health. The deaths, which numbered 
1,532 in the previous week, declined to 1,394 in that which 
ended last Saturday ; but the mortality still exceeds the 
average of former years by more than 300 deaths, aud it is 
also greater than the mortality of the same week in 1849, 
when the number had fallen to 1,075. Last week cholera 
was fatal in 249 cases, diarrhoea in 102. The deaths from 
the former disease were registered in the last two weeks in 
the five divisions of London in the following proportions : — 
in the western districts, 59 and 46 ; in the northern, 26 and 
14 ; in tho central, 31 and 24 ; in the eastern, 95 and 50 ; 
and on the Boutli side of the river, 200 aud 115. In tho 
second week of October, 1849, the deaths reported as caused 
by cholera were 110. Scarlatina prevails to some extent in 
London, and the mortality from it exhibits a weekly increase. 
In tho last three returns this disease numbered 88, 105, and 
112. This is considerably more than the average. 
Rackets. — Belvidere, Pentonville. — The season at this 
court was terminated on Monday last by a grand display of 
skill by the elite of the racket world, professional and ama- 
teur. The play throughout the day was exceedingly fine 
between Bull and Mr. Caplin against Mr. Morris and Mr. 
Pittman, the two former players being the winners. The 
most interesting match of the day was, however, between 
George Erwood, probably now the most talented professional, 
and the junior winner of the Belvidere cup this season, cer- 
tainly one of the finest amateurs in England ; the former giv- 
ing the latter what is technically called “the odd hand," that 
ia, two hands to one of his own every alternate innings and 
two aces in addition, tho amount of odds thus given being 
calculated at about one-half of the game. The contest was 
almost unparalleled for severity. The first game was won by 
Erwood by 1 1 to 7, the next by his opponent by 11 to 4. The 
fourth placed his opponent again upon an equality, tho scoring 
PROVINCIAL. 
THE NEWCASTLE FIRES. 
The coroner for Gateshead has examined Mr. William 
Woods, the managing director of the Newcastlo Fire As- 
surance Company, who gave evideuco as to the working of 
the engines. Several other witnesses were examined, chiefly 
in reference to the alleged storing of gunpowder in the vaults 
of the Hillgate warehouse. Two of the witnesses mentioned 
some alleged statements as to niue tons of gunpowder 
having been carried into the warehouse, but nothing posi- 
tive upon the subject was elicited. Mr. Stocker, the coroner 
for Newcastle, has also opened an inquisition on tho bodies 
of the sufferers who had died in the infirmary of that town. 
At this inquiry, also, a good deal was given upon the same 
point, but it was equally loose and inconclusive. Elizabeth 
Brown, widow, of Gateshead, said, her husband was killed 
by the explosion, and was found five days after. He was a 
labourer, and worked on the Quayside. Never knew him 
employed by any one but Mr. Davidson, miller, and Mr. 
Bertram, of Gateshead. About three weeks before his 
death, he came home one evening, and said he had been 
carrying some gunpowder in Hillgate. Since then he had 
frequently said that if Hillgate took fire the whole of Gates- 
head would be blown up. He did not say exactly where the 
gunpowder was stored. When the fire broke out she and 
her husband were in bed. He got up and went down 
towards Hillgate, as he expressed a desire to know if the 
sulphur was in danger of taking fire. At that time tho ware- 
house was completely in the power of the flames. Witness 
saw no more of him till five days after, when his body was 
found in Griudon-chare. 
Alexander Molteni, a cabinet-maker, raid he had a shop in 
the lower part of Pilgrim-street. About half past three on 
Friday morning, the 6th inst., when he was in bed, ho heard 
a terrific explosion which nearly threw him out of bed. His 
bed-room window looks towards Gateshead, and it was com- 
pletely smashed. When he got down into hia yard the saw- 
pit was broken in, and near it he found several large black 
looking stones. In another part of the yard he found some 
of the timber was broken, aud on looking round he dis- 
covered a very large stone, which had apparently done the 
damage. His parlour carpet was also burnt in several places. 
On Monday witness went to the insurance-office and saw Mr. 
Henry Wilson, who accompanied him to the yard and 
viewed the black stones before mentioned. Mr. Wilson ex- 
amined the largest of the stones, and scraped from it a 
quantity of black powder, which he took away with him. 
A day or two afterwards he camo with a police-officer and 
took charge of some of the other stones. Witness noticed 
that the peculiar smell attached to these stones strongly re- 
sembled that of gunpowder. Was quite certain that these 
stones muBt have come from the place of explosion. 
At this stage of the proceedings the coroner said it would 
be advisable to make an adjournment for as long a period as 
possible, so that the gentlemen deputed by Lord Palmerston 
should have ample time to ascertain whether or no gun- 
powder had been an agent in the explosion. (The inquest 
was adjourned until Monday, Oct. 23.) 
The Gateshead jury proceeded to the Felling Chemical 
Works to witness experiments elucidatory of the theory' Mr. 
Pattinson had brought forward, as to tho possibility of the 
explosion having been caused by steam, engendered by the 
contact of water with nitre, rendered incandescent by the 
burning sulphur. The experiments were conducted in tho 
following manner : — Nine pounds of sulphur were put into 
an iron pot, fixed iu tho earth, aud set fire to. Upon this 
six pounds of nitrate of soda, iu a bag similar to that in 
which the material is usually contained, were placed, and the 
two thoroughly fused, an intensely white heat being pro- 
duced. By means of a spout, about a quart of water was 
then poured into tho pot, and a report followed equal to 
that of a piece of heavy ordnance. I n order to test the amount 
of the force thus produced, the experiment was then tried 
near the mouth of a " drift" where some excavations are 
making. An iron pot was sunk and covered with a plate of 
iron weighing nearly two owt. Upon this two or three cwt. 
of clay were piled, and tho explosive process gone through. 
From the difficulty of judging of the exact period at which 
the water should be introduced, one or two failures occurred ; 
but, even with this disadvantage, sufficient force was created 
to throw off the clay aud to dislodge the iron plate. By one 
of these explosioua a heavy iron bucket was thrown into tho 
air a distance of fifty feet at least ; atones aud clny were scat- 
tered about, aud the iron caldrou was rent iu two. — A rneot- 
ing of tho Newcastlo Towu Council has beeu held in tho 
Guildhall, when a committee was appointed for the purpose 
of considering a plan of improvement in couuoctiou with tho 
Quayside property destroyed and damaged by tho late fire, 
and tho committee was authorised to exorcise the power 
which the corporation possesses to purchase all properties 
necessary for currying out tho plnu of improvement. It was 
also resolved that public notice should bo given of this reso- 
lution, in order to prevent unnecessary expenditure iu re- 
building or repairing property. A letter from Mr. R. Gail, 
one of the largest builders iu this district, was read, in which 
he suggested a plan for rebuilding tho portion of tho town 
destroyed by fire. Special thanks wore voted to tho military 
for their eminent services on tho occasion ; the vote to bo 
communicated to Lord Hnrdingo through Major-General 
Arbuthuot, iu order that it may bo read at tho head of every 
regiment in tho kingdom. 
DREADFUL MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. 
Early ou tho moruiug of Thursday considerable excite- 
ment was created in the parish of Little Widdingfield, a 
remote village, about ton miles north-west (of Hadleigh, iu 
this county, by a rumour that a woman bad been murdered 
by her husband, and also that the murderer had afterwards 
made an attempt at self-destruction. Tho rumour, upon 
inquiry, proved too true, aud wo have been enabled, after 
visiting the plage, to lay before our readers the following 
facts conuectcd with tho tragical occurrence; though, from 
tho present precarious position of tho murderer, and tho 
almost immediate discovery of tho crime, they will bo of n 
very concise nature. 
The name of tho murderer is William Game, who is Btatod 
to bo a man of very poauliar habits. For the last three years 
he has beeu subsisting on parochial relief, and tho earnings 
of his wife, who went out nursing. He is a labourer by oc- 
cupation, but has refused to work during tho period ho has 
been under relief. Ho is stated to be a man of desponding, 
sullen disposition, upending his time during the day by 
sleeping, and wandering in the fields ; bolding communication 
with no one, and always studiously avoiding all human in- 
tercourse or observation, as fur as ho was able. Ho had 
been twice married, liko his unfortunate victim, each having 
a family when united. The unfortunate woman’s age is 
stated to be about forty, and the murderer fifty-two. They 
had been manned about soveu years. Rumour speaks of 
thoir uot living very happily together, ns is, unfortunately, 
too frequently tho case when two families live under one 
roof ; and also that jealousy led to tho commission of tho 
act. It appears that about soveu o’clock ou Thursday morn- 
ing, a neighbour was alarmed by hearing one of tho children 
Bliriek violently, and upon going to ascertain tho eauso, found 
the murdered) woman lying on the floor of the cottage, 
bathed in blood, and tho husband in tho act of cutting his 
own throat. Tho alarm was given, aud, upon ascertaining 
that the murderer was still alive, a messenger was at once 
dispatched to Lavenham, about four miles distant, for 
medical assistance. Upon tho arrival of tho’ surgeon tho 
poor woman’s life was found to bo extinct, but the wounds 
of the murderer were at once dressed, and every possible 
means takeu to preserve life though with little hope, os tho 
wound iuflictcd had completely severed tho oesophagus. A 
guard was at once placed over him, as also a medical attend- 
ant, who remains upou the spot with him. 
Information having been dispatched to tho coroner, 
— Partridge, Esq,, of Bui-y, an inquisition was held at the 
Swan Inn, at Little Widdingfield, on Friday last, upon the 
body of the murdered woman, and at which the following 
are the principal points of evidence presented : — 
Annis Newman deposed to living near the house of Game. 
On Thursday morning last, between six and seven o’clock, 
she heard one of Gamo’a children shriek violently. She 
went out immediately to tho back door of his house, ami 
upon looking in saw tho woman lying upou tho floor of tho 
cottage. Saw only her feet nud legs, but not her face. 
Game was standing over her, bleeding very much from the 
throat. He had something in his hand, looking liko a knife, 
but could not positively state what it was. lion out imme- 
diately, aud gave tho alarm to Mr. Bouttell, who lives near. 
(This witness declined to say anything as to the terms ou 
which deceased aud her husband lived.) Both Game and 
his wife had been previously married, and had families, who 
lived in the house. Two children were also th j result of this 
union. Game turned his head round when ah; first looked 
in nt tho door. 
A witucss named Stannard spoke to having seen the de- 
ceased about a quarter of an hour before the occurrence, 
carrying a pail of water, with which she entered the cottage. 
She never aaw her afterwards alive. 
Mr. Samuel Bouttell, farmer, stated that ou the morning 
in question lie saw tho witness Newman coming up the road, 
crying out that a man was cutting his throat. lie imme- 
diately went to Game’s house. Upon entering the room ho 
raw the woman lying upon the floor bleeding, but apparently 
dead. Her features did uot appear the least distorted, and 
bad witness uot seen the wounds, he should only have sup- 
posed ber to be in a fainting fit. He saw, however, there 
were wounds ou tho left side of tho throat. About a yard 
from her body lay that of the murderer. Ho suw also that 
he was wounded iu tho throat, and bleeding profusely ; the 
gurgling sound produced by the flow of blood he could dis- 
tinctly hear. A long clasp knife, covered with blood, was 
lying between the two bodies. Witness, finding that Gurno 
still breathed, immediately dispatched u messenger on 
horseback to Larunhnm, for medical assistance. After tho 
lapse of about three-quarters of an hour, Mr. Barkway and 
his brother arrived, and attended to the wounds of the mur- 
derer. Witness had known Game for many years. He was 
peculiar aud desponding iu Ins habits, and very sullen. He 
had been receiving parish relief for nearly three years, aud 
refused to follow any occupation. He was aided in support 
by bis wife, who went out and attended upou people. Game 
always appeared to shun all society, and avoid observation. 
Ho passed his time iu sleeping and roaming about the fields. 
