Kansas Physician Confirms Howard Report

[Mayerling]

About ten to fifteen years back there was a full scale book about the London Body Snatcher Murder Case of 1831. It turned out Williams and his gang may have killed at least two other people before the boy Carlo Ferrari (and the author also mentioned that afterwards the nationality and name of the boy victim was brought into question - he may have been from Lincoln). This case, by the way, was the one that actually led to the change in the laws regarding giving adequate supplies of cadavers to anatomy schools - not the Burke and Hare "West Port" murders of 1827-28.

Jeff

[Rosella]

Bishop and Williams confesed after the trial, didnt they, to having murdered a Fanny Pigburn, a boy who may have been called Cunningham, a nameless black boy and stated that Carlo had come up from Lincolnshire with cattle for the Smithfield Market? If he had it's odd that he was a quite well-known London street performer who showed pet mice in a cage. May,the other accused , confessed to having been a resurrectionist for six years.

[Mayerling]

Bishop and Williams confesed after the trial, didnt they, to having murdered a Fanny Pigburn, a boy who may have been called Cunningham, a nameless black boy and stated that Carlo had come up from Lincolnshire with cattle for the Smithfield Market? If he had it's odd that he was a quite well-known London street performer who showed pet mice in a cage. May,the other accused , confessed to having been a resurrectionist for six years.

Hi Rosella,

Yes, what you put down was in the book I mentioned. The issue about Carlo's nationality and origins was never really settled very well. May strikes me as resembling Mr. Hunt in the "Thurtell/Weare" case of 1823. Hunt was tried with Thurtell, but he was sent to Australia, where he actually did well. Thurtell was hanged (as was the fellow who testified against them for the government, Probert, who stole a horse a few years later and got hanged).

Jeff

[Mayerling]

Citation on the London Resurrectionist Murder

The book about Williams, etc. and the 1831 case was Sarah Wise, "The Italian Boy" (London: Jonathan Cape, 2004).

The "Anatomy Reform Act" was passed in 1832, a year after the London trial.

Jeff

[TradeName]

Thanks for the info on the book about the Williams and Bishop case, Jeff.

A summary of a paper on an alleged phrenological examination of casts of the crania of the killers:

The New Monthly Magazine and Literary Journal, February 1, 1832, Page 69

LONDON PHRENOLOGICAL SOCIETY

On the 2nd of January, Dr. Elliotson, the President, read a paper on the Crania of Williams and Bishop, who were lately executed for the murder of the Italian boy, Carlo Ferrari. After pointing out that Gall had clearly demonstrated that there was a propensity in the human mind to destroy, he went on to observe, that it was not any individual action, but the general character and talents of a man placed under known external circumstances, which phrenology pointed out. The size and form of the head were the same the day before a man committed the murder, when he is no murderer, as the day after he had committed it, when he is a murderer. But the judgment of the phrenologist who views the cranium on both days must be the same. If the men in question had died before they committed the murder, the character given of their heads by phrenologists would have been the same as now; for their conduct did not arise from a morbid excitement or diseased condition of the brain, nor from any momentary impulse, but was deliberate and settled. Phrenologists, therefore, had a right to expect their organisation would be in perfect harmony with their lives—-and so it was. Williams’ head, which was by far the worse, had such a deficiency of moral sentiment, of benevolence, veneration, and conscientiousness, of intellectual strength and of ideality, or the sense of that which is refined and exquisite in nature or art, at the same time possessing such a superabundance of desire, covetiveness, destructiveness, secretiveness, and combativeness, that it was no wonder his whole life was marked as low and villainous; that his habits were dissipated, and that be associated with the worst of characters. The head of Bishop, which is much smaller than that of Williams, had a very sloping narrow forehead, the intellectual and moral portion wretched and low, and particularly narrow, while that devoted to the animal propensities was large, which also accorded with his character. The smaller size of the head agreed with the fact, that Williams in a great measure induced Bishop to commit those crimes which terminated on the scaffold. From this circumstance, Dr. Elliotson observed, that he had had no difficulty, when first the casts were shown him, to pronounce which was the head of Williams, and which of Bishop. The large developement of the organ of acquisitiveness, with the small developement of conscientiousness and the moral sentiments, accorded with the account which states that Bishop was always ready to perjure himself for the sake of gain, and to cheat in every way, while the smallness of combativeness equally agreed with his being a sneaking villain and an arrant coward.

---end

A jolly publication called The Annals of Crime ran a "charming" illustration along with their account:

The Annals of Crime: And New Newgate Calendar, September 14, 1833, Pages 25-32

The Trial of Bishop, Williams & May for the Murder of the Italian Boy



---end

Another account of the trial:

Celebrated Trials of All Countries, and Remarkable Cases of Criminal Jurisprudence (Philadelphia: E.L. Carey, 1835), Pages 282-297
by John Jay Smith

John Bishop, Thomas Williams, and James May

For the Murderof Charles Ferrair [sic]

[Mayerling]

A picture of Edward Aveling from an American paper and a picture of Professor Moriarty.

San Jose Daily News, October 22, 1886, Page 4

Dr. Edward Aveling
One of the Foremost Among the Socialist Leaders

[ATTACH]16482[/ATTACH]

Edward Aveling, one of the foremost
of socialist leaders was born Novermber 29,
1851 at Stoke Newington, a northern suburb
of London, his father and mother
were both Irish, and their families for
gernerations back were also Irish; he was a very
delicate child, and suffered for seven years
with spinal complaint, when he was thrice
given up by the doctors, He received no
schooling nor any regular instruction until
he arrived at the age of eleven years. He
spent most of his time in his father's library
(who was the Reverend Thomas Avling, D. D.
of Kingsland Congregational Church)
reading everything his could get his hands
upon, Shakespere, Smollett, Fielding, Don
Lerixohs [?], and John Runyan especially.

He studied meidicine and after passing
some time in lecturing on scientific subjects
he became a journalist and was connected with
Bradlaugh in the free thought movement.
He then studied the law of socialism and
quickly concluded that it was the great
subject of the century.

Dr. Aveling writes and speakes [sic] on this
subject in England, and is now travelling in
America to expound its doctrines. In Englad
he teaches science and is a dramtic
critic on the Topical Times, writing also for
the Journal of Education, Sunday Chronicle,
(Manchester) Court, and Society Review.
He is the author of the "Students Darwin"
a complete analysis of all Darwins' [sic] works,
also of the "People's Darwin," a popular
account of Evolution, "Natural Philosophy,"
chemistry of the non-metallics "General
Biology," "Value of this Earthly Life," etc.
He has translated a volume of Haeckle [sic]
under the title "Pedigree of Man."

---end

The Strand Magazine, Volume 6 (1893), Page 561

The Adventure of the Final Problem
by A. C. Doyle

[ATTACH]16483[/ATTACH]

Hi Tradename,

I'm glad I was of some service regarding the London "Bodysnatchers" Murder Case of 1831. And thanks for that link to that interesting book about famous trials published in 1835 (it is quite up-to-date for that year, having an account of the trials of Mrs. Lucretia Chapman and her young lover Lino de Espinosa for the murder of her husband in Pennsylvania - by arsenic poisoning - in 1832).

In today's Sunday New York Times "Book Review" section (5 April 2015) on page 20 they review an interesting new biography you may find helpful: "Eleanor Marx: A Life" by Rachel Holmes (illustrated, 508 pages, Bloomsbury Press, $35.00). It talks a great deal (mostly scathingly) about Edward Aveling.

Jeff

[TradeName]

jeff, thanks for alerting me to the NYT review of the Eleanor Marx bio. I'll have to keep an eye out for the book.

Here's an account of Abberline's involvement in rounding up some men charged with beating an employee of a venereal quack in 1870:

House of Commons Papers, Volume 28, Pages 60-61
by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons

Y or Highgate Division.

I beg to submit a Report on the state of this Division during the Year 1870.

Offences against the Person.

Four men apprehended for attempted Murder, and commendation by a Judge of the Police concerned in the apprehension.

Only one case of a serious nature occurred during the year. In the month of August, a man named John George, of 12 1/2 Cecil Court, St. Martin's Lane, was summoned to Marlborough Street Police Court by Dr. Bell, of 102, Wardour Street, for posting the word "Quack" over Dr. Bell's bills, the doctor's bill poster, James Fairweather, supplying the evidence, and on the 2nd September "George" was bound over in the sum of 200l. to keep the peace, &c.; the same day, immediately after the recognizances had been entered into, eight of the friends of "George" induced James Fairweather to accompany them to a public-house in St. Martin's Lane, where a disturbance was "got up" against Fairweather, who consented to fight one of the men; two cabs were engaged and the party were set down near Highgate ponds, when they went into a field adjoining the ponds, where the fight was to take place. Several of the men set upon "Fairweather," whom they kicked about the head and body, and one of them struck him on the head with a riding whip, and commenced rolling him down the hill towards the water from which they were but a short distance, and it is believed they would have drowned him, but for the fortunate appearance of a gentleman named Delancy who called "Shame" on seeing their barbarous treatment of the man, and they then ran away to the cabs which were waiting, and made their escape, "Fairweather," who was blind from kicks in the face and nearly insensible from loss of blood, was assisted to Kentish Town Police Station, by persons who had heard of the outrage, and he was attended by Dr. Rawlins, Highgate Road, and after being sufficiently recovered he was sent home in a cab.

He remained in a dangerous state for a fortnight, and in the interval his depositions were taken by a Magistrate. Directly after the occurrence, Sergeant Frederick Abberline and Constable John Dalton set about tracing the offenders, and they apprehended Edward George (the son of John George the defendant in the first case), on 4th September; and on 7th September, they apprehended Jeremiah Shannon, Bill poster, and Frederick Kingwell, Coach trimmer; and on 8th September apprehended Joseph M'Carthy, Pugilist, all of whom were committed for trial for attempting to murder James Fairweather. Tried at Central Criminal Court on 26th September and sentenced, George and M'Carthy, five years each, Shannon and Kingwell, 18 months each.

The Judge, Mr. Justice Lush, highly commended the conduct of the Constables in bringing the offenders to justice, and upon his recommendation the Commissioner granted them a reward.

---end

Accounts of the trials of the assailants are available at The Old Bailey Online:

EDWARD GEORGE, JEREMIAH SHANNON, FREDERICK KINGWELL, JOSHUA MCCARTHY, Breaking Peace > wounding, 24th October 1870.

818. EDWARD GEORGE (28), JEREMIAH SHANNON (24), FREDERICK KINGWELL (25), and JOSHUA MCCARTHY (22) , Feloniously wounding James Fairweather, with intent to kill and murder him.

Second Count—With intent to do grievous bodily harm.

[...]

GUILTY on Second Count. GEORGE and McCARTHY**— Five Years' Penal Servitude. SHANNON and KINGWELL— Eighteen Months Imprisonment.

---end

JAMES BROWN, JAMES FINCH, Breaking Peace > wounding, 3rd April 1871.

325. JAMES BROWN (41), and JAMES FINCH (25) , Feloniously cutting and wounding James Fairweather, with intent to murder him. Second Count—To do him grievous bodily harm.

[...]

GUILTY on the Second Count,

BROWN*— Eighteen Months' Imprisonment.

FINCH**— Two Years' Imprisonment.

---end

At the first trail, Fairweather testified that he worked as a coachman for "Dr. Bell" and that also "I know Mr. Ray, who is called Dr. Henry."

"Bell" and "Henry" (or "Henery") seem to have been a father and son duo.

British Medical Journal, April 19, 1862, Page 423

PRACTITIONERS of MEDICINE. In a police report, we read as follows:—-“Mr. John Wray, who keeps a chemist's shop at 52, Dorset Street, Manchester Square, and practises in the name of Dr. Henery, appeared to answer to an assault summons taken out against him by his father, Mr. Martin Oster Field Wray, who practises in the vicinity of the London Road, Southwark, as Dr. Bell.”

Fairweather denied knowing of the younger Wray's earlier trail for extortion.

JOHN OSTERFIELD WRAY, WILLIAM ANDERSON, Theft > extortion, 21st November 1864.

52. JOHN OSTERFIELD WRAY (28), and WILLIAM ANDERSON (42), were indicted for Feloniously sending, on 26th September, to Montague Augustus Clarke, a letter demanding money, with menaces, and without any reasonable or probable cause; Second Count, for sending on 5th October a letter to the like effect; Third Count, for demanding money with menaces.

[...]

NOT GUILTY.

---end

JOHN OSTERFIELD WRAY, WILLIAM ANDERSON, Theft > extortion, 21st November 1864.

53. JOHN OSTERFIELD WRAY (28), and WILLIAM ANDERSON (42), were again indicted for Unlawfully publishing a libel against Montague Augustus Clarke, with intent to extort money. Four other Counts varying the mode of charging. Sixth Count, for a conspiracy to defraud. Seventh Count, for a. conspiracy, by threatening to publish a libel, to extort money.


[...]


GUILTY on the sixth and seventh Counts. — Confined Two Years each.

---end

[TradeName]

In 1876, an assistant to "Dr. Bell" was fined for passing himself off as a doctor. An Osterfield Wray was called but dismissed as a witness for being too drunk to testify. By this time "Bell" was said to be in the galvanic belt business.

The Law Times, Volume 62, December 30, 1876, Page 153

MARLBOROUGH STREET POLICE COURT.

Thursday, Dec. 21.

(Before Mr. Knox.)

Tlie Medical Act—Unqualified person using the title of Dr. "wilfully and falsely "—Penalty.

Henry Thomas Lewis, of 102, Wardour-street, was summoned by Dr. Robert Carpenter, on behalf of the East London Medical Defence Association, for falsely pretending to be and taking and using the name and title of Doctor of Medicine, contrary to the 40th section of 21 & 22 Vict, c. 90, known as the Medical Act.

Pridham prosecuted.

Henry Kisch, barrister, appeared for the defendant.

Benjamin Fordham, detective of the E division, stated that on the 18th Oct he went to 102, Wardour-Street. The name of Dr. Bell was on a lamp over the front of the shop. He asked a person in the shop if Dr. Bell was in, and in reply was told to walk into the back room. The defendant was there, and witness asked him if he was Dr. Bell. He replied, "I am Dr. Bell," at the same time taking a card from the table and handing it to him. On the card was "Dr. Bell." Witness told the defendant he came for advice. The defendant said he knew what was the matter with him and would make him up a bottle of medicine for 6s. A few bottles would cure him. Witness told the defendant he had no money with him, and would call again.

Replying to Mr. Kisch, witness said he did not see the diploma produced in the defendant's window. He was certain the defendant gave him the card, though he had similar cards previously in his possession. The defendant did not say, "I am not Dr. Bell." He went there in consequence of instructions he received to get up a case against the defendant, and was not suffering at the time from any ailment. He received no pay from the association.

Pridham objected to these questions being put.

Kisch said he must press for an answer, as it was evidence of motive.

Mr. Knox ruled that the witness must answer the question, it being an important one. Witness then stated that he had no emolument of any kind from the association. He had nothing beyond his usual pay as a detective constable.

Pridham put in the Medical Register, in which the defendant's name did not appear. This was the case for the prosecution.

Mr. Knox doubted whether he ought to rely upon the unsupported testimony of a. single witness, who, according to his own statement, visited the house to get up a case against the defendant. Eventually, however, he decided to hear the case out.

Kisch then took the objection that nothing had been proved beyond the fact that the defendant called himself a "Dr." and was not registered. According to the judgment of Erie, C.J. (the other judges concurring), in the case of Pedgrift v. Chevalier (29 L. J. 225), this was not sufficient to convict under the statute, and the onus of proof that the defendant held no lawful diploma lay on the prosecution.

Mr. Knox, on referring to the 3rd section of the Act, which enacts that the words "legally qualified practitioner," &c, or any words importing a person recognised by law as a medical practitioner when used in any Act of Parliament shall be construed to mean a person registered under the Act, decided that inasmuch as the defendant's name did not appear in the Medical Register, the onus lay on him to show that he held some qualification. He overruled the objection.

Kisch, for the defendant, stated that his client was only an assistant to Dr. Osterfield Wray, who had undergone the proper examinations. The business passed into that gentleman's hands upon the death of Dr. Bell, who carried it on for nine years, and died about four years ago. Dr. Joseph Kingston, who held an English diploma, and whose name appeared in the Medical Register, attended daily to see patients, and Dr. Wray lived on the premises. The defendant never saw a patient when his principals were in the way, and he had positive instructions always to state that he was not Dr. Bell. He would ask the magistrate not to place too mnch reliance on the uncorroborated evidence of the detective, who might well mistake what actually occurred at a single interview, when the object of the visit was considered. The detective might have misunderstood the defendant to say "I am not Dr. Bell;" not "I am Dr. Bell." He would show that the defendant's principal occupation consisted in making galvanic belts, and that he could have no motive for making the alleged representation.

Dr. Wray was called, but did not give evidence.

A Witness, in the employ of Dr. Wray, proved that the certificate produced—-an American diploma—-was always in a conspicuous part of the shop window, and further stated that the defendant was only an assistant, and that he had invariably heard him tell patients he was not Dr. Bell.

Mr. Knox said he would convict on the facts, but in the case of Andrew v. Stysap (26 L. T. Rep. N.S. 704), it was held that where a person put M.D. after his name, without anything more, it implied that the person was a doctor of medicine with an English diploma. He had some notion, however, that in the course of his law reading he had come across a case in which it had been held that a person putting Dr. before his name did not bring himself within the statute. He would therefore grant an adjournment to give Mr. Kisch an opportunity of seeing if any such case appeared on the books.

Kisch urged that before the defendant could be convicted some overt act must be proved, and as no specific advice or medicine had been given, he contended that the defendant had not pretended to be a doctor within the meaning of the statute.

Mr. Knox considered, under the circumstances, there had been an overt act on the part of the defendant, but would adjourn the case for further consideration.

Upon the case being resumed, a witness named Sears produced an American diploma, framed and glazed, which, he said, was always conspicuously exposed in the window of his shop.

Kisch having addressed the court and referred to cases in support of his views.

Mr. Knox, after dealing with the counsel's arguments, said that in the present case there must be a conviction. The defendant had assumed to be Dr. Bell—-a person who, by the mouth of his own witnesses, was proved to be long since deceased. The detective went into the shop and asked for Dr. Bell. The defendant said he was Dr. Bell, and handed to the detective a card as his, with the title inscribed on it. He then remarked on the detective's sickly appearance, and offered to provide him for 6s. with a bottle of medicine, which would do him good. But the mere assumption of the title of doctor, with nothing more, might mean one of several things, but when a man held himself out as doctor in a doctor's shop and offered to prescribe for you, Surely it was not a violent inference to draw that he held himself out as a doctor of medicine and not doctor of laws, of music, and so forth. Then as to the words in the statute, "wilfully and falsely." Surely in this case the defendant assumed to represent a dead man. There could be no great doubt as to this point. Nor was he at all helped by the fact that he was merely the assistant of Dr. Wray, who was in court the other day in such a disgraceful state of intoxication, and was ordered out of the witness-box; that had simply nothing to do with the matter. He held himself out as Dr. Bell, and practised medicine. This was a clear case of violation of the Act of Parliament. The full penalty of £20 must be paid, with £1 3s. costs.

Kisch hoped the magistrate would express an opinion in favour of having, in cases brought before him by the association, more than one constable as witness.

Mr. Knox would emphatically say he concurred in the suggestion of Mr. Kisch, and hoped in future cases it would be carried out.

---end

In 1879 Martin Osterfield Wray was fined for acting as "Dr. Du Voy."

The Medical Press and Circular, October 8, 1879, Page 319

A notorious London quack, Martin Osterfield Ray, alias "Dr. Du Voy," of 36 Homer Street, Marylebone, was summoned last week by the Medical Defence Association, on the information of Mr. Reginald Wilson, student of St. Mary's Hospital, for falsely pretending to be, and prescribing as, a medical practitioner. Evidence was given to the effect that Mr. Wilson had one of the customary quack pamphlets placed in his hand in the streets. He communicated with the person named in it (Dr. Du Voy), explaining certain symptoms as to pains in the back, &c, from which he suffered, though, in fact, he had nothing the matter with him. He received a letter signed Dr. Voy, but did not take any notice of it. It contained, a card bearing on it the name " Dr. Du Voy." He received two other letters, and then went to the defendant's house. The defendant said he had written to him, and then proceeded to speak about medicines that he ought to take. Mr. Wilson said he had not enough money with him and left.—-In cross-examination, Mr. Wilson said as a medical student he was interested in putting down illegal practitioners.—-For the defence, Mr. Berkeley said Du Voy was no myth. He was a medical practitioner in France, and the defendant was an assistant in London.—One of the defendant's men was called, and in answer to Mr. De Rutzen, said many people who came there, asked to see "the doctor."—The magistrate observed that this was exactly the case which the Act of Parliament was enacted to deal with, and imposed the full penalty of £20 and costs.

We congratulate the Medical Defence Association, and Mr. Wilson, upon the result of their joint action. The quacks have been getting rather the worst of it lately, and we think that were other gentlemen to come forward at a little personal inconvenience, as Mr. Wilson has done, these pests of Society would migrate to other "fields and pastures new."

---end

In 1888 a "Dr. Bell" was still selling galvanic belts.

The Electrical Review, June 1, 1888, Page 610

(Copy of letter published in Western Morning News, Plymouth)

Self-restorer Electropathic Belt.

Sir,—-May I be allowed to draw attention to a pamphlet which is being widely circulated in Plymouth and elsewhere respecting the above belt, which is said to be the invention of a Dr. Bell. Volta House, Wardour Street, London. Most of the matter contained in this pamphlet, as you will observe, does not refer to the belt in question, but contains remarks too filthy for publication, and should be suppressed by law. Your readers will do well to commit it to the flames before even reading a page of the disgusting matter. Should any of your readers contemplate purchasing an electropathic belt, which electrical quacks state will cure all diseases incident to humanity, let me ask them to read the report and correspondence which has recently appeared in the columns of the Electrical Review, London, which clearly proves the utter uselessness of these so-called electropathic appliances.

J. Jerritt, S.T.E. & E.

Plymouth, 15ih May, 1888.

---end

"Dr. Bell" was still around in 1905, now personated by Alfred Wray.

The Lancet, November 4, 1905, Page 1361

"DR. BELL'S" CIRCULARS.

To the Editors of The Lancet. Sirs,—-With reference to previous correspondence regarding circulars of an objectionable character emanating from "Dr. Bell," 175, Wardour-street, London, W., I have to acquaint you that the persons responsible for carrying on this business—-viz., Alfred Wray, medical electrician, manager; Henry Townsend, otherwise 0. Field, shopman; Henry Mostyn, clerk; and Frank Orchard, porter—-were arrested on Oct. 12th and charged with sending a postal packet containing an indecent print or book on July 29th, 1905, contrary to the Post Office Protection Act, 1884, section 4 (b). The prisoners appeared on remand at Marlborough-street police court on Oct. 27th, when they all elected to plead guilty and asked for the case to be dealt with summarily under the above-quoted Act. The learned magistrate accepted the plea and imposed upon Wray, who was acknowledged to be the principal, the full penalty—-a fine of £10, with £5 costs. Townsend was fined £5 and £1 costs. Mostyn and Orchard were each bound over in their own recognisances in the sum of £10 to be of good behaviour for 12 months.—-I am, Sirs, your obedient servant,

F. S. Bullock,

Chief Constable, for Assistant Commissioner. Criminal Investigation Department, New Scotland Yard, London, S.W., Oct. 30th, 1905.

[TradeName]

A discussion of G. R Sims opinions of the "New Criticism" mentions Dr. Kahn's Museum:[

I]The Mercury[/I] (Hobart, Tas.), October 25, 1892, Page 3

NOTES AND NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[...]

Mr. George R. Sims has been expatiating on the New Criticism to an interviewer in the Era. "What a dreary lot of twaddle," he says, "is written about the stage nowadays! I know.it is said, by way of excuse, that these yards, and yards of essays show, at any rate, a revival of interest in the drama on the part of cultured and distinguished men. The fact is, your playgoer picks up magazine after magazine. 'More about the theatre. Oh, d--n the theatre!' he says in disgust; and again he goes to the music-hall. Why will not the new critic let us please our audiences according to our lights, and as our audiences choose?" A first night, Mr. Sims goes on, has become a death struggle between author and actors, and two rows of stalls filled with unappreciative, unsympathetic cynics, who treat a play as a doctor treats a corpse at a post mortem seeking the evidence of disease. Do you remember Dr. Kahn's Anatomical Museum where the model of a beautiful woman was taken to pieces before one's eyes, to the point of causing extreme disgust? That is the new criticism!

[...]

---end

[TradeName]

In late 1857 advertisements for Dr. Kahn's Museum promised demonstrations of scientific marvels that sound more fun (to me) than all the VD stuff.

The Saturday Review, October 31, 1857, Page 404

TO THE PUBLIC.–-DR. KAHN respectfully announces that, having taken the Building formerly known as the SALLE ROBIN, and at an enormous outlay made extensive alterations in its construction; decorated and fitted it up in a most appropriate manner, and erected an Apparatus for illuminating it outside with Du Bosque's magnificent Electric Light; he intends opening it the first Week in December as an institution of an entirely new character; in which the various branches of Natural and Experimental Science will occupy a prominent position. The newest discoveries in Natural Philosophy—-the most startling results of Electricity—-the mighty wonders of Magnetism (all illustrated by brilliant and imposing experiments); Dissolving Views of Physiological phenomena upon a principle never before attempted; Geology, with its pre-Adamite marvels; the Solar System illustrated by Guenal's new Orrery (the greatest perfection yet achieved); Worlds in Miniature, and Life in Death, shown by the large Oxy-Hydrogen Microscope; the great Phenomena of Nature portrayed: form a few of the subjects to be daily brought before the Public. In addition to all which, his present Anatomical and Pathological Preparations (considerably augmented) will form a distinct part of the Institution. Lectures will be delivered on Astronomy, Geology, Mineralogy, Chemistry applied to Agriculture and Manufactures), Electricity and the Electric Telegraph, Galvanism, Magnetism, Meteorology, Optics, Photography, Acoustics, Pneumatics, Hydrostatics, and other important and interesting topics. Further particulars will be shortly announced.

---end

The Saturday Review, December 5, 1857, Page 520

DR. KAHN'S MUSEUM AND GALLERY OF SCIENCE, 3, TICHBORNE STREET, facing the HAYMARKET. This Institution presents entirely new features, and offers unprecedented attractions. Its object is to combine Natural with Experimental Science, and to show the connexion between the functions of the Human Body and the great Forces of the Universe. Amongst the numerous novelties now added, may be named the large Oxyhydrogen Microscope, Güenal's Appareil Uranographique (now first introduced). The latest improvements in Electric and other Apparatus (including Ruhmkorff's world-renowned Coil), Illustrations of Microscopic Anatomy, Dissolving Views of Physiological Phenomena, upon a principle never before attempted, &c. Lectures are delivered daily on the various branches of Science, and their application to the Human Frame, the Laws of Life, and the Preservation of Health, by Dr.KAHN and Dr. SEXTON. The Institution is illuminated outside with Du Bosque's magnificent Electric Light. Open (for Gentlemen only), from 12 till 5, and from 7 till 10 o'clock. Admission to the whole Building, One Shilling. Illustrated Catalogues, Sixpence. Programmes and Lectures gratis on application, or by post free for Six Stamps.

--end

An 1859 announcement of an auction of "philosophical instruments" that seem similar to those mentioned in the Kahn's ads.

The Athenaeum, March 26, 1859, Page 407

Very Costly Collection of Philosophical Instruments.

MESSRS. PUTTICK & SIMPSON, Auctioneers of Literary Property, will SELL by AUCTION, at their new and very spacious Premises, 47, Leicester-square, W.C. (formerly the Western Literary Institution), on an Early Day,an Important and very Costly COLLECTION of MODERN PHILOSOPHICAL INSTRUMENTS by the Best Makers, comprising Apparatus for the Demonstration of Electrical, Galvanic, and Chemical Science, including a Magnetic, Optical, Guenal's Orrery, 8-feet diameter; the whole suited for the purposes of a Public Lecturer or first-class Philosophical Institution. Further particulars will be announced.

--end

[TradeName]

A description of the electric light mechanism of Dubosc (possibly the "DuBosque" mentioned in the Kahn ad above). It begins with a brief description of the oxy-hydrogen light also known as limelight.

Hand-book of Natural Philosophy: Optics (London: Walton and Maberly, 1856), Pages 388-390
by Dionysius Lardner

In the oxy-hydrogen lanterns, the cylinder of lime is mounted so as to occupy the place of the flame of the lamp in the axis of the lenses. The flame of the blow pipe is projected upon that side of it which is presented towards the lenses, and since the lime, though it does not undergo combustion, is gradually wasted by the action of the flame, it is kept in slow revolution by clockwork, connected with the axis upon which it is supported, so as to present to the flame successively different parts of its surface.

This method of illumination, though still continued, is greatly surpassed in splendour by that of the electric light, which has recently been applied to the magic lantern by M. Dubosc, the successor of M. Soleil, the celebrated Paris optician.

The electric light is produced by bringing two pieces of charcoal, previously put in connection with the poles of a voltaic battery, nearly into contact; the volta current will then pass from one to the other, the ends of the charcoal thus nearly in contact becoming incandescent, and emitting the most brilliant artificial light which has ever yet been produced.

The method of mounting this illuminating apparatus in the lantern is shown in fig. 257.

The wires H K, being connected with the poles of the battery, are attached to two pieces of metal, the negative wire H communicating with the upper pencil of charcoal, c, and the positive wire K with the lower charcoal pencil, a. The points of the pencils being nearly in contact, the light will be produced in the manner just explained.



Although the charcoal does not, properly speaking, undergo combustion, it is gradually wasted, and when the points would thus become separated, the current would be suspended, and, therefore, the light would cease. To prevent this, and to maintain the illumination, an apparatus consisting of clockwork is provided in the case p, by which the charcoal pencil, a, is kept nearly in contact with the pencil, c. The clockwork is so constructed that its motion is governed by the current.

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An Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue of Optical, Mathematical, Philosophical, Photographic and Meteorological Instruments (London: Negretti and Zambra, 1859 [per Google books]), link

[TradeName]

Palmer's New Catalogue with Three Hundred Engravings of Apparatus, Illustrative of Chemistry, Pneumatics, Frictional & Voltaic Electricity. Electro Magnetism, Optics, &c, &c. (London: 1840), link

Page 53




Page 61

[TradeName]

An obituary for the inventor of the Ruhmkorff's coil mentioned in Kahn's ad above. Experimental work with coils of this type contributed to the development of X-Rays and radio.

Nature, Volume 17, December 27, 1877, Page 169

Ruhmkorff

We regret to record the sudden death on December 20, at Paris, of Henry Daniel Ruhmkorff, whose name is so closely connected with the history of magneto-electricity. He was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1803, and but little is known of his early life. In 1819 he wandered to Paris, and obtained a position as porter in the laboratory of Prof. Charles Chevalier, at that time one of the leading French physicists. Here he displayed a remarkable fondness for electrical apparatus, as well as ingenuity in its arrangement, and was enabled shortly after to start a modest manufactory of physical apparatus. Through the efforts of Chevalier and the excellence of the work performed, the business was rapidly extended. In 1844 Ruhmkorff brought out his first invention, a convenient thermo-electric battery. Soon after he turned his attention to magneto-electricity, especially the production of the induced currents, discovered by Faraday in 1832. A long series of experiments resulted in the appearance, in 1851, of the famous “Ruhmkorff coil,” with its later modifications, the most important piece of apparatus in this branch of physics. With this powerful adjunct the electrician was enabled to obtain sparks 18 inches in length, pierce thick plates of glass, and carry out a vast variety of experiments. The invention was rewarded by a decoration and medal at the Exhibition of 1855, while in 1858 it received the first prize of 50,000 francs at the French Exhibition of Electrical Apparatus. Since then the manufacture of the coils and of electrical machines in general has assumed enormous dimensions, and the leading physicists of Europe are well acquainted with the dingy little bureau in the Rue Champollion, near the University. Personally M. Ruhmkorff was of a quiet, dignified appearance, and despite the disadvantages of his early life, he enjoyed the friendship of the leading Parisian savants, and was an honoured member of the French Physical Society. M. Jamin delivered an address over the grave, in which he stated that Ruhmkorff died almost a poor man, because he had spent all his earnings on behalf of science and in works of benevolence.

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Book about Ruhmkorff coils with chapters on Roentgen Rays and Wireless Telegraphy:

Induction Coils: How to Make, Use, and Repair Them (New York: Spon & Chamberlain, 1901), link
by H. S. Norrie (Norman Hugh Schneider)


A dubious-sounding story which mentions Ruhmkorff:

The American Architect and Building News, February 15, 1890, Page 112

A MYSTERIOUS COUNT AND HIS MACHINE.-— The visit of a certain French Count to London has given us much to think of beyond the limits of the disease, both mental and bodily, by which we have been assailed. This Count P.—-who, strange to say, seeks no publicity—-is one of the most learned men of the century. His studies have been followed in participation with the experiments of the great experimentalist, the late Ruhmkorff. The latter was generous enough to own that it was under the direction of Count P. that he accomplished most of his greatest inventions. The wondrous reel invented by the Count is still considered the most marvellous conquest of science. Upon this reel is wound a length of silver wire measuring 75,000 metres. Two magnetic needles crossing each other in a contrary direction are fixed upon the reel, and suspended by a slender thread. The apparatus works under glass like a watch, so that no tampering with the mechanism is possible. It is mounted, moreover, on a high stand. The Count takes hold of the two conductors, to which are attached the two ends of the silver thread rolled upon the reel, and bids you order the machine to move to right or left, according to your will. Under this power alone, hitherto misunderstood or underrated—-this, the mightiest power in the universe, according to Count P., the power of the human will—-the machine will act without the contact of touch. To right or to left will the reel revolve according to the fancy of the visitor. Without speech, without touch, by the mere mental influence alone, will the machine move in obedience to the unexpressed command. But not in all cases does the machine answer unreservedly. It is to the powerful will alone—-the concentrated and fixed determination—-that it can be made to reply. Ruhmkorff used to laugh immoderately at the vacillating movement of Count P’s machine when the savants of the Acadèmie were induced to try the experiment. With some the wire would tremble and vibrate, then start to one side, then move towards the other; while with others it would refuse to move at all, but confine its trembling vibration to one spot. The experiments made by Count P. in London have all been exhibited strictly in private. His object in coming here is merely to obtain wire more finely spun than any he has hitherto been able to get in Paris. They say that, contrary to the general rule, the Count, from having been all his life a confirmed materialist, has been converted to the highest degree of religious faith, to conviction of the lofty destinies of man and his connection with the divinity; man has abused his gifts and delivered himself to evil, but the divine essence is still within him. So fearful has the philosopher been of the pursuit of the fashionable coteries who under pretext of scientific inquiry merely seek to derive amusement from the most serious experiments in science, that he has sought a retreat in a convent near London, and his excuse of being compelled to return thither by eight o'clock is made to reply to all invitations to dinner, or to "select parties,” or to “small-and-earlies” with which the fine ladies of London would seek to overwhelm him.— Birmingham Post’s London Correspondence.

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[Mayerling]

The Ruhmkorff Coil "Lamp" is mentioned in Jules Verne's novels like "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" as a device to assist his heroes when exploring.

[TradeName]

Thanks, Jeff. Here's the description from Twenty Thousand Leagues:

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (New York: Butler Brothers, 1887), Pages 492-493
by Jules Verne

"I have no further objections to make,"I answered; "I will only ask you one thing. Captain—-how can you light your road at the bottom of the sea?"

""With the Ruhmkorff apparatus, M. Aronnax; one is carried on the back, the other is fastened to the waist. It is composed of a Bunsen pile, which I do not work with bichromate of potash, but with sodium. A wire is introduced which collects the electricity produced, and directs it towards a particularly made lantern. In this lantern is a spiral glass which contains a small quantity of carbonic gas. When the apparatus is at work, this gas becomes luminous, giving out a white and continuous light. Thus provided, I can breathe and I can see."

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Perhaps Verne was inspired by the work of Gassiot:

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Volume 10 (London: 1860), Page 432

IV. "On the Application of Electrical Discharges from the Induction Coil to the purposes of Illumination." by J.P. GAssiot, Esq., F.R.S. Received March 29, 1860.



The subjoined figure represents a carbonic acid vacuum-tube of about 1/16 of an inch internal diameter, wound in the form of a flattened spiral. The wider ends of the tube, in which the platinum wires are sealed, are 2 inches in length and about 1/2 an inch in diameter, and are shown by the dotted lines; they are enclosed in a wooden case (indicated by the surrounding entire line), so as to permit only the spiral to be exposed.

When the discharge from a Ruhmkorff's induction apparatus is passed through the vacuum-tube, the spiral becomes intensely luminous, exhibiting a brilliant white light. Mr. Gassiot, who exhibited the experiment at the meeting of the Society, caused the discharge from the induction coil to pass through two miles of copper wire; with the same coil excited so as to give a spark through air of one inch in length, he ascertained that the luminosity in the spiral was not reduced when the discharge passed through 14 miles of No 32 copper wire.

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Could such a device be used to illuminate impromptu surgery performed in a dark alley?