CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTA TOR.1 Sra,—Your article on circumstantial evidence in the Spectator of January 31st leads me to lay before you the following statement, one of downright fact. I give it as exhibiting the possibility of uncertainty existing under conditions which would justify most positive evidence on oath. A few years ago one of my sons was a medical student at St. Bartholomew's. One afternoon I was returning from town with one of my grown-up daughters. We were delayed a short time at King's Cross whilst getting our tickets snipped at the gate leading down to the lower suburban platform, when a young fellow rushed past us showing his season ticket, and brushing against me where I stood. I said quietly to my daughter, "There goes Harry ! We will roast him when we get home for his unceremonious behaviour ! " We hurried after him, but were just too late for the train, yet in time to see him enter it, at a very few yards' distance. " Never mind," I said, "this is not a main-line train; he will have to change at Fins- bury Park; we shall find him there." Our own train came in in a very short time; but at Finsbury Park he was not on the platform, nor did we find him on the platform of our own station. We were puzzled. But on reaching our house, to our surprise, we found him sitting in the dining-room; and on my inquiring how long he had been at home, he said : " Half-an-hour ! " Now here were two persons, fairly intelli- gent, clear-sighted, and in full possession of their senses, com- pletely mistaken, and in broad daylight, confusing some perfect stranger with a member of their own family. Height, figure, and strongly defined features notwithstanding, we were both deceived ! After this may I never have to give evidence
in Court on oath in a 'case involving life or death !—I am, Sir, &c., J. BOWMAN. New Southgate Vicarage, N.
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