A very important clue to the discovery of the author of the crime was afforded by the hat left in the carriage, which was at once perceived by the son of deceased to be not that of his father. It bore the name of the maker-Mr. Walker, of Crawford-street, Marylebone-and was stained with blood. Another important fact was shortly afterwards brought to light. The chain belonging to the late Mr. Briggs was traced to a silversmith-Mr. Death, of Cheapside-where it had been exchanged for another one the day before by a man having the appearance of a foreigner. The post-mortem examination of the body was made the next day. From the size and shape of the wounds on the head they appeared to have been inflicted by a life-preserver, and the deep incised wound over the ear might have been caused by the two-edged dagger with which many of those instruments are provided. The blow on the ear was a most severe one, dividing the lobe and crushing it fearfully. The stab above the ear must have entered the base of the brain at least three inches. The other wounds were also most severe, and the medical men in attendance expressed their surprise that the deceased lived so long after the infliction of such injuries. Bills were posted all over the metropolis offering a reward of 1007. for the discovery of the murderer on the part of the Government, and a further reward of 1007. from the deceased gentleman's late employers, Messrs. Robarts and Co. The railway company also offered a reward. On the 18th, a cabman named Jonathan Matthews, of Earlstreet, Lisson-grove, attended at the Harrow police-station and made a statement, which he subsequently repeated to the magistrate at Bow-street. He said, for some months past Franz Müller, a native of Cologne, lodged at his house, but had left it some days ago. Nine months before, Müller paid his addresses to his (Matthews's) sister, and he gave her his photograph. But subsequently their attachment was brought to a close by his jealous temper. Some days before he left, he gave his (Matthews's) daughter a small card paper-box used by jewellers. In the box were the name and address of Mr. Death, jeweller, 55, Cheapside. Matthews and a policeman went to Mr. Death, who recognized the box as one of those which he used, and the photograph as that of the person who had exchanged the gold chain, identified as having belonged to the deceased. Matthews further said that in November last Müller admired a hat which witness wore, and which he had bought from a Mr. Walker, of Crawford-street, hatter. Witness, at his request, bought a hat for him at Mr. Walker's. (Matthews identified this hat as being the hat found in the railway carriage after the murder.) On the Monday after the murder he came to his (Matthews's) house, and showed his (Matthews's) wife a gold chain, for which he said he paid 37. 10s., and he fixed it on his watch. He also exhibited a ring, which was similar to that described by Mr. Death. He then said a cart had passed near his foot and sprained his ankle. He added, "I am going to Canada, be sure you see Jonathan (meaning witness), and tell him not to go out to-morrow till I come," but witness never saw him since. After this communication, witness and two officers went to 16, Park-terrace, Old Ford, Bow, occupied by Mr. Blyth, a warehouseman in the City, where Müller lodged after he left witness's house, and the officers questioned a German lodger named Goodwin, who said that Müller came home on the night of the murder at eleven o'clock, and appeared very much confused. Mr. Blyth, the landlord, gave Inspector Steer a letter from Müller, posted at Worthing on the 16th instant, which the pilot of the ship "Victoria" had brought. That letter was addressed to Goodwin, bidding him farewell, and saying that he (Müller) would never see England's shores again. Upon receiving the information given by Matthews, Inspector Tanner obtained a warrant for the apprehension of Müller, and on the next day he, Sergeant Clarke, Mr. Death, and the cabman, started from Euston-square to Liverpool, for New York. They sailed from Liverpool in the "City of Manchester" steamer. It was expected that this vessel would arrive at New York four days before the "Victoria 1.” 11. DESTRUCTION OF MR. COXWELL'S BALLOON BY A MOв.— Leicester was the scene of a disgraceful riot, on the occasion of the Foresters' fete on the racecourse. Among the entertainments provided, Mr. Coxwell was to ascend in his balloon at 5.30. The arrangements for the keeping of the ground, however, were so bad as to preclude the possibility of Mr. Coxwell making his necessary, and of course most important, arrangements. The temporary barriers round the balloon were broken down soon after two p.m., and the dense mob rushed in, surrounding the balloon, and setting Mr. Coxwell at defiance. But five of the police force were present, and their efforts were fruitless and feeble in the extreme. Mr. Coxwell had a large party about to ascend with him, and they had to fight their way to the car. Mr. Coxwell sent to the committee for assistance at least a dozen times to no purpose. He wanted carpenters to remove the boarding, but they were not provided. His position was difficult in the greatest degree. He, however, made an effort, but the crowd clung to the netting, and ultimately broke it. He got from the enclosure, still held by the crowd. He could get no clearance; one of the anchors or grapplers was dragging persons to the ground, the car became partly detached from the balloon, when Mr. Coxwell opened the valve and allowed the gas to escape. As soon as the mob perceived this, they rushed to the balloon on all sides, clinging, tearing, and trampling, and then some brutal persons seized upon Mr. Coxwell, knocked his cap from his head, tore his coat from skirt to collar, and hustled him in every direction. Amidst the threats and savage outcries of the mob he was 1 See "Chronicle" for August and September, post; also the Trial of Müller for Murder, in the "Remarkable Trials." conveyed to the residence of Mr. Stone, the town clerk. The police were embarrassed and in helpless confusion. The mob proceeded to vent their fury upon the balloon. They made a bonfire of the car, paraded the hoop, which would not burn, through the streets, and tore the balloon itself to shreds, selling the pieces at various prices. The whole mischief, as it appeared, might have been prevented had proper arrangements been adopted, by the erection of sufficient barriers and the attendance of an adequate police force. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.The fourth annual meeting of this Association commenced at Wimbledon, under very favourable auspices. About four o'clock the Prince of Wales made his appearance to inspect the arrangements. His Royal Highness was attended by Captain Grey, and was received on his arrival by Earl Grosvenor, Lord Elcho, and Captain St. John Mildmay, the secretary of the National Rifle Association. After passing round and inspecting the various shooting points and targets, having reached the shooting point commanding the popular moving target known as the Running Deer, the Prince entered into a competition with Lord Elcho, Earl Grosvenor, and the Master of Lovat, and although the shooting was generally very good, the only bull's-eye made on the chest of the deer was made by the Prince. After shooting, His Royal Highness inspected the tents and the encampment, and expressed his high appreciation of the general arrangements. His Royal Highness then took a ride on the tramway. The only lady present was Lady Elcho. On the return of the car His Royal Highness mounted his horse and rode away amidst loud applause. The active business of the meeting commenced on the next day, and was continued till the 22nd. The principal contests were the following: The Middlesex Bronze Medal, at ranges of 200, 500, and 600 yards, the first five scores being entitled to 57. each :-Lieutenant D. Hopkins, 41st Middlesex (winner), 42; Sergeant J. H. Robinson, 16th Middlesex, 40; Private W. Michie, 15th Middlesex, 38; Private Seymour, 22nd Middlesex, 38; Corporal Smart, 23rd Middlesex, 38. The Oxford and Cambridge Bronze Medal was won by Ensign R. Thompson, 3rd Cambridgeshire (University), with a total of 44, Captain Edward Ross coming next, with 42 marks. The ranges were 200, 500, and 600 yards, and the highest score on the side of Oxford was 34 marks. The All Comers' County Match, ten men from each county, with seven shots each, at 900 yards. Four counties entered, viz. Lancashire, Middlesex, Gloucestershire, and, for the first time, Derbyshire. Lancashire, who won last year, were again the victors. The following was the result of the shooting :-Lancashire 495, Middlesex 482, Gloucestershire 480, and Derbyshire 425. The Duke of Cambridge's prize for breech-loaders was won by Captain Edward Ross, Cambridge University, who gained 36 out of a possible score of 40 marks. The same gentleman was declared the winner of the long-range match, with the telescope, five shots, each at 1000 yards, with rifles not exceeding 10lbs. Captain Ross made four bulls'-eyes and a centre, making 19 marks, being only one short of the possible score. The match between eleven picked men of the London Scottish and 1st Edinburgh was won by the latter, making 367 against 343. For the Enfield Association Cup, of the value of 507., Sergeant H. M. Aldridge, of the 4th Dorset, was declared the winner with 35 points. The contests for the Saturday Review and Count de Gendre prizes, volley-firing at 400 yards, ten men each, produced the following result:-2nd Stafford 144, first prize; 1st Surrey 142, second prize; 19th Middlesex 140, third prize. The 1st Warwick, 47th Lancashire, and 8th Lancashire, tied with 134 each for the fourth prize. County matches, ten competitors, five rounds, at 200 and 500 yards -Staffordshire 273, Gloucestershire 266, Middlesex 266, Norfolk 262, Lancashire 257, Warwickshire 256, Midlothian 255, Worcestershire 249, Wiltshire 247, Kent 253, Herefordshire 251, Nottinghamshire 240, Berkshire 233. Derbyshire having made 128 at the first range, retired. Some of the most interesting contests were decided on the 18th, the match between the members of the two Houses of Parliament being the first in the day's programme. The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived on the ground about half-past three; they were received and conducted to the Royal tent by Lords Elcho and Grosvenor. The company in the tent included Lady Constance Grosvenor, Lady Ducie, the Marchioness of Carmarthen, the Marchioness of Abercorn, Lady Elcho, &c. The match between the Lords and Commons was, as might be expected, the great centre of attraction; it was pretty well known that the corps of the Commons was not so strong as last year, whilst that of the Lords had been improved by the weeding out of two or three doubtful shots, and replacing them with others from whom good average scores were to be expected. The Commons also laboured under the disadvantage of having the attention of some of their best men, Lords Elcho, Bury, and Grosvenor, diverted by the responsibility attending their active share in the management of the meeting. The Lords, therefore, from the outset, had all prestige in their favour, and began in a style which augured well for their ultimate success. Last year the Commons won with a score of 460, the Lords making 423. This year the Lords made 468, and the Commons 428, the former beating their competitors at both ranges. The positions chosen were the lying down, and various modifications of the deer-stalking, or sitting position, the Earl of Aberdeen, however, taking the Hythe kneeling position. The following were the names and the scores of the competitors, the Lords winning by 40 points: The Prince and Princess of Wales at the conclusion of the match returned to the Cottage, where they remained the guests of Lady Elcho until seven o'clock, when they departed, amidst the usual demonstrations of respect from the large assembly on the ground. The next most interesting match of the day was the International Enfield Match, between twenty picked gentlemen on each side, representing England and Scotland, as being the standard to which hereafter Enfield shooting will be referred, in the same way that the Elcho Challenge Shield competition is regarded with reference to small-bore shooting. The conditions of the match were seven shots at 200, 500, and 600 yards. The competitors shoot in four squads of ten each at the same butt, and therefore with precisely the same advantages or disadvantages. The English twenty made 381 at 200, 360 at 500, and 275 at 600 yards, or a total of 1016; the Scottish twenty, at 200 yards 393, at 500 yards 301, and 600 yards 269-total 963. Majority of marks for the English side, 53. Probably next in point of interest was the competition for the Chancellors' Challenge Plate, value 100%., given by the Duke of Devonshire and the Earl of Derby, for competition between eight members of the Oxford and Cambridge University Corps, seven rounds at 200, 500, and 600 yards. Last year Cambridge made 402, Oxford 329. This year the gap between the two was lessened by Oxford, the scores being-Cambridge at 200 yards 161, at 500 yards 124, at 600 yards 130-total 415; Oxford at 200 yards 145, at 500 yards 115, at 600 yards 11-total 371. Majority for Cambridge, 44. The St. George's Challenge Vase Match was brought to a close, and the vase was inspected by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who expressed their admiration. Last year Mr. Jopling won |