6 JULY 1850, Page 5

London was shocked on Sunday with the news that Sir

Robert Peel had been thrown from his horse on Saturday afternoon, and was in immi- nent danger of his life ; on Wednesday the whole country learnt with the deepest sorrow the news of that statesman's death.

On Wednesday morning, there appeared simultaneously in the journals a narrative of the circumstances of Sir Robert's accident, and his linger- The first account of the deplorable accident was to the following effect-

" Sir Robert left his residence in Whitehall Gardens shortly before fiVe o'clock, attended by his groom ; and passing through the _Park, had arrived nearly opposite to the new entrance into Grosvenor Place, on Constitution • Hill, when his horse suddenly shied at something that was passing, ancli kicking up its heels„ threw Sir Robert over its head, on his face, in the road: Although rendered insensible by the fall, Sir Robert for the moment retained hold Of the reins ; and the horse, being thereby suddenly checked, fell heavily upon Sir Robert, the animal's knees striking him between the shoulders. There were several persons passing near the spot at the time ; and among the rest, Sir James Clarke the Queen's Physician, the Reverend Canon Wood, Commodere Eden, awl the Reverend Henry Mackenzie, Vicar of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. The first persons to raise Sir Robert from the ground were two gentlemen named Towll and King. He was then completely insensible ; his features were slightly abrased, and his face perfectly pallid, indeed, so much changed that it was some momenta before his identity was discovered. Sir James Clarke, on observing the ac- cident, hastened forward to render all the assistance in his power ; and Cons- modore Eden, who was the first to recognize Sir Robert, galloped off to give the first information at the right honourable Baronet's residence, and en- deavour to lessen the shock to the family on receiving the intelligence. Another gentleman galloped off to St. George's Hospital, and returned im- mediately with one of the medical assistants and a cabriolet to remove Sir Robert. Mr. Mackenzie just previously, observing an open carriage ap- proaching in which were two ladies, Mrs. Lucas, of Bryauston Square, and: her daus,slIter, had explained to them the serious nature of the accident';. upon which iirs. Lucas at once insisted upon alighting and placing her car- riage at Mr. Mackenzie's disposal. Sir Robert had at this time shoten symp- toms of returning animation; and Sir James Clarke having expressed his opinion that his removal might be effected, was lifted into the carriage, and supported by the two gentlemen who had picked him up, and attended by the medical officer from St. George's Hospital, was driven slowly home." The accident was soon reported at Buckingham Palace, and at the houses of Sir Robert's acquaintances ; and in a short time after he hadr been brought home, Prince Albert, and the Wince of Prussia, Prince George of Cambridge, and the Duke of Wellington, hastened thither. The first men in, the medical profession were assembled ; and after they had deliberated, a bulletin was issued stating that the patient had re- ceived a severe injury of the shoulder and a fracture of the collar-bone, but it was hoped no internal injury. He passed a bad night on Saturday, and the anxiety about him spread all over the Metropolis. The Queen and Prince Albert, and the Duke of Wellington, sent very early on Suns day morning, and repeated their messages throughout the day ; the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge, and the Dutchess of Gloucester, also sent inquiries ; and the personal calls of friends were immensely nus- merous. The first bulletin. on Monday stated that refreshing sleep, had improved the patient's state ; but in the course of that day

the symptoms grew alarming. The public interest then became so acute and pressing, that the gates of Whitehall Gardens were closed, and po- lice-officers were stationed there with copies of the successive bulletins, which they communicated to the stream of anxious anivers, and read aloud to the eager concourse of people. On Tuesday morning a refresh- ing sleep had once again seemed to offer nature a chance, but the hope' soon passed away ; towards the evening it was plain that Sir Robert's 'lib was ebbing fast. He received the sacrament, at the hands of his old: friend Dr. Tomlinson' bade farewell to his closest personal and political intimates Lord Hardinge and Sir James Graham—whose names had been often on his tongue in the wandering moments of his fevered dozings-

and summoned his heartbroken family around him : affectionately. bless- ing them with faint accents, he sunk into unconsciousness to pain and external impression, and breathed his last about eleven o'clock on Tuesday night. ing, death, seemingly prepared with the approval of his, family : we pre- sent it entire, as filling up with authentic details the preceding sketch.

"Sir Robert Peel had called at Buckingham Palace and entered his name in. her Majesty's visiting-book only a few minutes before the accident. Pro-

ceeding up Constitution Hill, he had arrived nearly opposite the wicket-gate leading into the Green Park, when he met Miss Ellis, one of Lady Dover's daughters, on horseback, attended by a groom. Sir Robert had scarely changed salutes with this young lady when his horse became slightly restiff, swerved towards the rails of the Green Park, and threw Sir Robert sideways on his loft shoulder. Two gentlemen who were close to the spot ran forward and raised him, holding him in a sitting posture. Dr. Foucart was the third gentleman to render assistance. He saw the accident from a distance of 150 , yards, and hastening forward reached the spot just as Sir Robert had been raised by the other two gentlemen. Sir Robert, on being raised, groaned very heavily ; and in reply to Dr. Foucart's question, as to whether he was much hurt, replied, 'Yes—very much.' During the few moments which elapsed before a carriage was procured, Sir Robert became unconscious ; in which state he remained unt after he had been assisted into the carriage. He then slightly revived, and, again. in reply to Dr. Foucart, said, I feel better.' The carriage was then ordered to drive slowly through the Park to Whitehall Gardena; Wu. Robert being supported by Dr. Foucart and the two gentlemen who had first raised him from the ground. They had not pro- (seeded more than thirty- yards when Sir James Clarke met the carriage, and, having heard of the accident, came up to see if he could render any assist- ance. Dr. Foucart requested Sir James to accompany him in the carriage to Whitehell ; which Sir James consented to do. In a few minutes after he had entered the carriage, Sir Robert because much excited, and endeavoured to raise himself up ; which it was thought necessary to prevent. He then again sank into a state of half-unconsciousness, in which he remained until his arrival in Whitehall Gardens. On being lifted out of the carriage, he revived, and walked, with assistance, into the house. On entering the mansion, Sir Robert was met by Lady Peel and the members of his family, who had been awaiting his arrival in painful anxiety after having received intelligence of the accident. Lady Peel was overwhelmed with emotion, and would have flung herself into her husband's arms had not Sir James Clarke and the other gentlemen in attendance removed her. The effect of the meeting upon Sir Robert was extremely painful. He swooned in the arms of Dr. Foucart, and was placed upon a sofa in the nearest apartment (the dining-room). From this room Sir Robert was never removed ; and so extremely sensitive to pain did he speedily become, that it was only after very considerable difficulty that he could be removed from the sofa to a patent hydraulic bed which had been procured for his use. "Sir James Clarke having consulted with Lady Peel, it was arranged to send at once for Sir Benjamin Brodie and Mr. Cmsar Hawkins. Dr. Seymour and Mr. Hodgson, the family physician and surgeon, were also sent for at the same time. Sir James Clarke and Dr. Foucart remained in attendance until Mr. Shaw (Sir Benjamin Brodie's assistant) came, when the former left. At length, Sir Benjamin arrived, and a consultation took place between the ix gentlemen whose names are above given. A formidable difficulty presented itself at the very outset of the ease, from the distressing fact that Sir Ro- bert's sufferings were so acute that he would not permit any minute exami- nation of his injuries to be made by the medical men.. The slightest touch in the vicinity of the injured parts gave him intense agony; and the only manner in which he could be treated under the circumstances was to assume that the comminuted fracture of the clavicle (which was evident to the eye, on the clothes being removed) was the only one, and that the ribs were un- injured, After the consultation, it was determined to reduce this fracture ; but, owing to the extreme sensibility of the patient, the operation was not completely performed, and, at the expiration of a few hours, the sufferer en- treated that he might be released from the bandages, and they were ac- cordingly taken off. "During Saturday evening, Sir Robert was permitted to see Lady Peel and the members of his family ; but after this time it was thought advisable to exclude all strangers from the apartment, for fear of producing any addi- tional excitement. Sir Robert passed a restless night on Saturday; his ex- treme sensibility to touch increasing hourly, and his symptoms altogether becoming very alarming, which at the first, we believe, some of the medical gentlemen in attendance did not consider them to be. On Sunday evening, the pulse having increased from between 80 and 90, at which it had ranged after the accident, to upwards of 100, it was deemed necessary to take some blood, with a view of reducing the inflammation. Twenty leeches were accordingly applied to the left shoulder by Dr. Foucart, and a large quantity of blood was obtained. There was no positive improvement in the condi- tion of the patient from this operation, and he continued in a very pre- carious state throughout the whole of Sunday and Monday. On Monday night the alarming symptoms were greatly increased. About seven o'clock Sir Robert became delirious, and attempted to raise himself up in bed. In this state he continued during the greater part of the night; and at intervals he became so much exhausted that his medical attendants were several times of opinion that he could not survive through the night. In the paroxysms of his sufferings, Sir Robert's thoughts were with his oldest and dearest friends, and the names of Hardinge and Graham were frequently upon his lips. At four o'clock on Tuesday morning, Sir Robert fell into a sound sleep, in which he continued uninter- ruptedly until eight o'clock. On awaking, his mind was quite composed, and his medical attendants considered him to be much refreshed by the rest he had enjoyed. There was still, however, cause for intense anxiety. From the period of the accident up to this time (nearly seventy hours) Sir Robert had taken no other sustenance than a glass of champagne and the yolk of one egg beaten up, which he was induced with some difficulty to swallow. Medicine had been administered, as a matter of course ; but throughout the same lengthened period the system had remained perfectly inactive. The pulse had greatly increased on Tuesday, marking from 112 to 118, and 'becoming very weak. At noon on Tuescray, Sir Robert expressed himself to he a little easier. This relief was, unhappily, of short duration. At two o'clock, far more dangerous symptoms than any which had vet been ob- served presented themselves. At this time Sir Robert began to.breathe star- Wrongly, and his senses a in failed him. He ceased to answer any of• the questions addressed to and appeared to be sinking into a coma- tose state. Sir Benjamin B 'e was again sent for; and on his arrival weed with Dr. Foucart and the other medical gentlemen that the case now assumed a most dangerous aspect. The pulse hall become very weak, and marked 118. From two o'clock to six o'clock the change for the worse was pro- gressive; the pulse increasing to 1301 and becoming gradually w=ker. Stimulants were administered, but had no apparent effect, and the stertorous breathing became more and more painful. The relatives were now informed that all the relief medics-I mien= could afford was exhausted, and that no hope whatever existed of Sir Robert Peel's life being prolonged for twenty- four hours. The Bishop of Gibraltar, (the Reverend Dr. Tomlinson,) a very old friend of Sir Robert's,. was now sent for to administer the last offices of the ehureh. On the arrival of the Prelate it was intimated to Lady Peel and the members of the family that they might now, without risk of in- creasing the dangerous condition of the patient, be admitted to the apart. assent us which he was lying. In a few momenta the whole family were as- ambled in. the presence of their beloved relative; whose exhausted condition- ' at this time scarcely enabled him to recognize their identity..

I

"It is net the province of the journalist to violate the sanctity of 's scene like this, and therefore this portion of our narrative necessarily omits alf matters of detail. It is sufficient to say, that the lamented sufferer revived sufficiently during. one period of the interview to identify the features of those beloved ones surrounding his couch; towards whom he at length ex- tended his faltering hand, and, in an attitude bespeaking the intensity of his feelings, whispered, in a scarcely audible voice—' God bless you!' "At the termination of this distressing scene, Lord Hardinge and Sir James Graham, who had been informed of the fatal result anticipated, were admitted to the presence of the patient, now rapidly sinking. Both gentle- men were painfully affected ; and well might Lord Hardinge remark on leaving the room, that the contemplation °this beloved friend upon his dying couch had more unnerved him than all the dangers he had encountered on the plains of Moodkee and Sobraon.

"At nine o'clock, Sir Robert had become so exhausted as to be callous to all external impressions. The members of his family stall remained near him, with the exception of Lady Peel, whose painfully excited feelings ren- dered it absolutely necessary to remove her from the apartment. The ea- ferer's strength was, however, so far exhausted, that although he gave occa- sional indications of being sensible of their presence, the power of utteranee had altogether ceased, and it soon became evident that his end was rapidly approaching. "Sir Robert ceased to exert at nine minutes after eleven o'clock. Those present at his decease were; his three brothers, the Dean of Worcester, Colo- nel Peel, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Peel ; three of his sons, Mr. Frederick Peel, M.P., Captain W. Peel, R.N., and Mt. Arthur Peel ; his son-in-law, Lord Villiers ; Lord Hardinge, Sir James Graham, and the medical gentlemen in attendance. Sensibility to pain had ceased some time before death, and hilt last moments were not disturbed by any physical suffering..

"After death, an examination of the body was made ; when a most im- portant fact was for the first time discovered, vie, that the fifth rib on the left side was fractured. This was the region where Sir Robert complained of suffering the greatest painz and it was probably the seat of the mortal in, jury ; the broken rib pressing on the lung, and producing what is technically known as effusion and pulmonary engorgement. "The family were consulted on the subject of a post-mortem examination; but both Mr. Frederick Peel and Captain Peel objected to allow the remains to be disturbed in any, way, and the precise cause of death will therefore never be ascertained. An application foicersrendrir. ssion to take a east of the

e face, from an eminent sculptor, was also

Sorrowful emotion at Sir Robert's sudden endlias been manifested-in every quarter of the kingdom. In London itself the feeling was such as has been rarely witnessed.. In the neighbourhood of Whitehall, on Wednesday, every window was closed; and in the City the same mark of respect was shown by a vast number of mercantile establishmenta; many public buildings, and much of the shipping in the river, hoisted flags half-mast high, in token of mournful respect.

The journals have also been- teeming with biographical' notices of Sir Robert Peel, such as are usually prepared for the like occasions: but the deceased lived too constantly in view of the publicfor any such retrospect to be needed by our readers. Suffice it to. recall a few dates. Sir Rebert was born near Bury, in Lancashire, on the 5th of February 1788.; iii 1820 he married Julia, daughter of General Sir John Floyd ; he first entered Parliament as Member for Cashel, in 1809; he has represented Tamworth since 1880; he first entered office, as Under-Secretary for-the Home Department, in 1810; butlis transfer to Ireland as Chief Secre- tary to the Lord-Lieutenant, in 1812, may be reckoned as the date for commencing an important part of his political experience. He leavers four sons and two daughters; and is succeeded in his title by his eldest son, Robert, new Charge d'Affaires Switzerland.

At the adjourned annual meeting of the New Zealand Company, on Tuesday, the Directors mooted the question of dissolving the companee; their means being exhausted,, and their ability to carry on the work of colonizing paralyzed. They had corresponded with Earl Grey in hopes of obtaining a favourable naoclification of the arrangements of 1847; had represented that the bargain with them has not altogether been ful- filled in the spirit of that arrangement, and had asked a present peat- niary guarantee from Government in consideration of past failures : but Earl Grey had not consented to this : the Directors therefore reeran- mended the shareholders to authorize the formal steps for dissolving the company. After long debate, the decision was adjourned till Thursday, when another meeting was held. Some opposition was made to the dis- solution, from a feeling that a surrender of the charter would. be a surrender of what might assist them in contesting their equitable claims. But it was urged that they admit themselves unable to carry out the ob- jects of the charter, and that the retainer of it might bring on them. the obligation to do what is beyond their power without further appeals to the shareholders' purses. This hint was effective, and it was resolved to surrender the charter.

The Scottish fete given last year in Holland Park, for exemplifying and encouraging in the South the pastimes of the North, was renewed We year with improved arrangements, and with such increased success as will probably secure the exhibition a perennial recurrence. The Queen arid Prince Albert, with their guest the Prince of Prussia, were present on Monday, the first day, and remained above an hour, enjoying with zest the competitions in racing, caber-tossing, throwing the hammer, and put- ting the stone ; and more especially delighting in the spirited and grace- ful performances of sword dances, strathspeys, andreels. The two Princes were much edified by a contest between English combatants with the ba- yonet and Scotch swordsmen with the claymore and target, which are deemed to have established beyond further contest the superiority of the conjoined point and fence over the point alone, even when wielded with double-handed power at the end of a musket-shaft On the other hand, the English had the honour to show the best sort of wrestling to their friendly opponents from the Land of Cakes. At the Queen's desire, Cluny Mac- pherson and Davidson of 'I'ulloch were introducedto her by the Marquis of Breadalbane, the 'President of the Scottish Society. The sports were renewed on Tuesday, with the addition of a preliminary bout of archery. Mr. Rourdeyn Gordon Cumming, the lion-hunter of South Africa, with some other gentlemen, took part in the feats, and somewhat astonished, the Nepaulese Embassy with their power and skill. A banquet at Free- mason's Hall wound up the proceedings. The Court of Exohequer, on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, heard the inguments fer and against issuing a prohibition against instituting Mr. Gor- ham to the living of Brampford Spoke. There was little novelty in the arguments. The Attorney-General quoted a vast number of additional but secondary authorities, and founded some foreible induction on the contrast between the objects of the two acts of Henry VIII. as shown by the recital of their preambles. Sir Fitzroy Belly_remivated on the concurrent stream of teat-writers of primary authority. The Court indicated an increased ten- dency to question the hitherto conceded point that the suit is one which "touches the Queen" ; and on this new ground it seems probable that the decision will again be in favour of Mr. Gorham. The Court is now deliber- ating on its judgment.

At Guildhall Police Office, on Wednesday, a young man, respectably dressed, who refused to give his name, was charged with uttering seditious language in a public-house ; it was suggested in the oharge-sheet that he was insane. In consequence of his violent language,information was given to the Police, and Policeman Webb of the Detective Force went to the public- house. Di an interview in a. private, room, the young man made use of divers threats, and produced three letters or papers which he had written. One consisted of hints to those who thought of self-destruction; urging that they might as well be hanged—or, take the chance of it with the alternative of a comfortable provision for• life—as drown themselves ; and they could manage this by killing a policeman, a dutchess, a countess, or a jockey, and then pleading insanity. Another paper said the writer would like to kill five hundred of the aristocracy. During the interview with Webb, the young luau said, "I tun a determined Chartist, and a physical-force man,' and asked if he would assist in Gaming out a certain plan; adding, "It can be tipsily done, and if you will not do it I am determined toget somebody else." This "plan" was detailed in the third paper: it explained a mode of setting fire to ladies' dresses in Kensington Gardens, on a Tuesday or a Friday, when "nearly the whole of the aristocracy in town are congregated to hear the band play." Before the Alderman, the accused admitted that the writings were by him : he smiled during the proceedings, and handed in a paper as his defence, in which he said he hail merely explained how an unlawful act might be committed, but had not intended, o commit it himself: that was no offence. He was remanded, in order that inquiries might be made.

After a number of examinations before the Lambeth Magistrate, Henry Page and Mary Clarke have been committed for trial on a charge of bigamy. The peculiarity in this case is, that both parties offended : Page has another wife, and Clarke another husband. The offence came under the cognizance of the Magistrate in consequence of a charge made by Clarke that her second hasband had given her poison; that charge was not made out, but during the examinations the bigamy came to light.

At Marlborough Street Polies Office, on Saturday, Mr. Wayre, a draper of Oxford Street, was summoned for assaulting Mrs. Hannah Denning. Mrs. Denning and a female friend saw a mantle in Mr. Wayre's window ; they read the price to be "one guinea," and went in to buy. The mantle was produced, but a guinea and a half asked for it ; a ticket was shown them, with "one ,,••uinea" in large print, and a veryiimall " " written on it : the ladies believed it had just been written. Words arose between the and the draper pushed the customer out of the shop. Mr. Wayre declared that he had used me unnecessary violence, Mrs. Denning having accused him of cheating. A shopman deposed that he put the ticket on the mantle—one guinea and a half. M. Bingham the Magistrate commented on the conse- quences of exhibiting fetch tickets, and fined the defendant 20s.

Alexander Seed, a Policeman, has lost his life in Guy's Hospital from in- haling chloroform. About a year ago, his finger was bitten by a man whom he had taken prisoner ; it was necessary to amputate part of the finger,- re- cently he has suffered much pain in the hand and arm. He went to Guy's Hospital, and was advised to have the rest of the bone of the finger removed, as it was diseased. Mr. Cook, one of the surgeons, proposed to remove it in the usual way; but Scott begged so earnestly that chloroform might be given him, that Mr. Cock cemented. The vapour was first administered by a ma- chine, but did not take effect ; then a napkin was used, and the patient be- came unconscious. The bone was rapidly cut out ; but it was then found that the patient was dead. At the inquest, Mr. Cock certified that chloro- form was the cause. He is unfavourable to the use of chloroform, for there is danger in its use ; it may alleviate the sufferings of many, but occasionally it will kill a patient, and the public must pay that penalty if they employ it. In this case very little was administered to the patient. The verdict was, "Died from the effects of chloroform."

Mr. Green, the veteran aUronaut, met with an alarming accident on Satur- day evening. He ascended with a friend in his balloon from Vauxhall Gar- dens; a little before nine he passed over Gravesend; shortly afterwards the machine descended, and fell into the water at the Nore. The people in a barge and the Fly revenue-cutter came to the assistance of the voyagers, and rescued them from drowning; but Mr. Green was hurt on the head and face. The cutter secured the balloon, but 'with difficulty,—firing vollies of musketry through the silk to liberate the gas.