the day."

CHAPTER XXIV.

Murder by Tawell--Curious story--King William IV.'s Statue--Visits by the
Queen--Testimonial to Rowland Hill--Breaking the Portland Vase--Sad end
of William Austin--Sale of Van Amburgh's stud--Hungerford Suspension
bridge--Accident at Yarmouth--An Excise case--Beginning of the Railway
Mania--Sailing of Sir J. Franklin.

This year begins badly--with a murder--which I should not chronicle, were
it not that it was the first case in which the electric telegraph lent
its services for the detection of a crime. A man named John Tawell, a
member of the Society of Friends, and who occupied a decent position in
life, poisoned a poor woman at Salt Hill. A Quaker who seemed much
confused had been met close by her house, and he went by train from
Slough to Paddington. Suspicion being aroused, a message was sent from
Slough, giving a description of him, and asking that he should be
shadowed on his arrival. This was done, and, next day, he was arrested.
He was tried, found guilty, and duly executed. The case, at the time,
created an immense sensation, mainly because the villain was a member of
the Society of Friends. _Apropos_ of this, the _Observer_ of 23 March is
responsible for the following:

"THE MURDERER TAWELL.--The following strange statement has been made
by a person, who is a Quaker, living near Berkhampstead, and who is
acquainted with Tawell: About a year ago, the stillness and decorum
of the Quakers' meeting at Berkhampstead, at which Tawell attended,
was disturbed by one of the male members, who suddenly rose from his
seat and exclaimed, with frantic earnestness, that there was then
present, a person who was, at that very moment, meditating a most
fearful crime. His conviction was so strong, that he passionately
besought this individual, whoever, he might be, to reflect upon the
wickedness of his intention, and to implore his Maker's pardon for
his murderous thoughts. As may be imagined, the Friends were thrown
into great consternation by this strange and impetuous appeal, and
the meeting broke up in alarm and confusion. Tawell was present at
the time."

Early in January the statue of King William IV., by Samuel Nixon, was
placed on its pedestal, fronting London Bridge; but, as far as I know,
there was no public ceremony at its inauguration, for the _Times_ of 1
Feb. says: "That workmen are now actively employed in cle