SCENE AT AN INQUEST.

Dunstan Times, Issue 667, 29 January 1875, Page 3

SCENE AT AN INQUEST.

0 — A rather amusing scone (says a Sydney exchange) occurred at an inquest respecting the cause of the death of a female infant whose bocly'Twas found near a house in Bourke-street. It was quite evident, from occasional remarks made by several’of the jurymen while the examination of witnesses was proceeding that something very novel if not amusing, must occur before the close of the proceedings. The jury were asked whether they wish to make further examiation, and one of them thus opened lire : (Addressing a"witness) — “S’pose now, which was the best—to send for a doctor or lave the girl i npain ? No answer. “Well s’pose now won of us fell on "the floor wid pain, which'would it.be better—to lave us on the flure or go for a doctor!” Witness, cuttingly: “Leave you on the floor.” “Would you? Then that’s all I want.” Silence reigned awhile. Then one of the “ gentlemen of the jury ” said : “ It’s my opinion, your Worship, that the as born the child killedut.” Similar''expressions of opinion were made by one or two others, and then again".the Coroner, directed the jury. A decidedly original consultation ensued. Then the foreman advanced to the coroner, and thus solemnly delivered himself : “Wo find that the girl boro the darling child, and that it was alive, and now, mon, dead, your Worship, and that it died—that, that the hillet-wood—we wouldn’t like to say.” Coroner : “ Upon my word—cries the the jury ; “ Go along, that’s not it ; that’s all wrong”—“Of course it is.” Foreman ; “ Well, sir, that’s my opinion, and it it’s not their’s I can’t help it. I suppose.” “ Consider your verdict, gentlemen,” replied the coroner, with official wrath. Another consultation, and then the verdict was announced to the coroner to the effect that wilful murder had been committed by the girl, when one of the jurymen cried out, “That’s not my opinion at all; I never said so.” “Send for the girl herself, and lot us get at the truth,” said a second juryman. Another consultation, when a verdict that half of the jury appeared not to comprehend was returned.”

The following advertisement appeared lately in a Liverpool paper :—“ For sale an excellent bottler’s cart-horse and harness w : th an established and extensive publichouse connexion attached thereto.”

A desirable apartment for persons of a serious disposition was recently advertised in Paris. On the door of a house in the Boulevard de I’Enfer was an advertisement announcing to let “ a charming suite of rooms, having a splendid view over a muchfrequented garden, planted with large trees, gay with all kinds of flowers, and rich- in numerous statues and other artistic objects. ” The garden in question was the Mont Parnesso Cemetery. English young ladies may like a hint from a knowing Tennessee damsel how to got rid of troublesome visitors. This young lady is always provided with a fan, and if her adorers stay too late in the evening, after she has exhausted all possible hints to them to go she suddenly turns this fan towards them. On one side is the inscription, “Young man, does your mother know you’ re out ?" and the young man suddenly remembering ho has no latch-key, is sure to take his departure at once. Her real lover, however, has never seen that side of the fan.

Goldsmiths’ Work. —The process of fine-art manufacture in this branch of trade is strikingly exemplified in a little work published by Mr. J. W. Benson, of No. 25, Old Bond-street, and of the City Steam Factory, 58 and GO Ludgate-hill, London. It is enriched and embellished with designs, by Italian, French and English artistes, of brooches, bracelets, ear-rings, and other articles, suitable for personal wear, or for wedding, birth-day, or other presents, with their prices. Mr. Benson, who holds the appointment to H.E.11. the Prince of Wales, has also published a very interesting pamphlet on the lliso and Progress of Watchmaking. These pamphlets are sent, post free, for two stamps each, and they cannot ho too strongly recommended to those contemplaing a purchase, especially to residents in the country or abroad, who are thus ena- , bled to select any article the y may require, i and have forwarded in perfect safety.