The Brighton Magistrates are hearing a case which promises to
become a cause ccriebre. A lady named Christina Edmunds, 35 years of age, very pretty, ladylike, and self-possessed, is accused of having scattered poison broadcast. She had fallen in love with Dr. Beard, a married man, and it is alleged attempted to poison Mrs. Beard, by giving her chocolate drops with poison in them ; but when taxed with the attempt threatened an action, and Dr. Board was obliged to withdraw his accusation. She still con- tinued to write to him letters so affectionate that he was compelled to request her to desist, after which she seems, on the theory of the prosecution, again to have thought of poison. The prosecution allege that parcels of poisoned chocolate cakes were sent to Mrs. Beard and other persons, and hint that previously to all this a child had been poisoned in the same mauuer. Miss Edmunds was at length suspected, and the evidence against her begins to be very serious. She has, however, been remanded for a week, in order that the police may make up their minds as to the precise character of the charges they intend to maintain.
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