THE DERBYSHIRE TRAGEDY.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 12, 4 December 1863, Page 3

THE DERBYSHIRE TRAGEDY.

(Morninj Star Aug. 25,) The terrible tragedy at Wigwoll Hull has rarely deen surpassed in horror. The innocence of t lie helpless victim, the cool malignity of the assassin, and the atrocious treacheiy of the deed combine to give to the murder of Miss Elizabeth VI art ha Goodwin a foremost rank in the grim ca'endar of crime. The poor yonng lady hart accepted the addresses of I\lr George Victor fow n ley, and Irad promised to become his wife. But subsequently to the engage :nent she discovered tliat the affection which she fancied had taken firm hold upon her heart was as unreal as Romeo's passion for Ro-aline. Sucli being the case there w;is but one cour c which she could honestly pur-ue. Her own happiness would net have been more surely sacrificed than that of her betrothed by a loveless marriage, fto she wrote to him. frankly stating tin; truth, find begging him to release her from her promise. He made a journey from Manchester to Rep her. pretending thai hr> could not; be satisfied unless he hea d iliis avowal from her own lips ; and profos-slng that, afier this, lie would leave her i'ree to net ng she pleased. He oiled upon her, was courteously received, and conversed with her for som^ tim« in the garden. In the course of this interview, he belied his previous spocious protestations, by intimating to her that, if she would not accept his addresses he would prevent her from receivingthoseofany rival. Itcertuinlyseeinsstranjte that after this 'threat Miss Goodwin should h.we consented to meet him again the same evening. But yhe probably looked upon it as a mere passionate outburst, without serious meaning, and in the goodness of her hpart wish-e I i<"> soften as far as possible by kindly words the disappointment which she could not help inflicting. After lc;i she walked out with him again and never r. 'turned alive. A laboring man found her struggling to find her \v:>y home, i-upportini;- herself hy cHnppne; to tlie wall, with deep gashes in her neck, from which the blood was ebbing fast. She told him that a gentleman who still in the lane had inflicted tho.se fii-^ht-ful injuvies, and Mr 'L'ownU-.y nt once presented himself, avowed his guilt, assisted to carry her home, and made some attempt to staunch her wounds. Hut this was a mere pas-ing impulse, and not the fruit of repenfaiKie. When his victim was lying de.>d, and he was beinjf led away in custody, he declared that lie was happier since tlie perpcf radon of the crime, and talked of weather and indifferent topics with the utmost light lieavtedness and self possession. The settled purpose had been accomplished, and the sight of the pallid corpse inspired him with no sentiment save joy that the treasure which was refused to him could fall into no other hands.