Notwithstanding the medical evidence at the inquest the police authorities of the Poplar and Bow districts affect to disbelieve that any murder has been committed, their explanation being that the woman died as the result of excessive indulgence in drink, whilst as to the mark on the neck, said to have been caused by strangulation, it is considered that it might easily have been made by a tight fitting dress collar. The yard in which the body was found is enclosed by two high doors, which, it appears, have latterly been shut to, but it is clear that any person might gain access to it from the rear, and thus avoid a busy thoroughfare like High street, Poplar. The yard has a number of houses abutting upon it, but the occupants do not appear to have heard cries or noises of any kind on the night of the supposed murder. It is now practically certain that the deceased was known by the name of Lizzie Davis. As to the woman's movements on the night she was last seen alive little is definitely known, although several people have come forward giving all sorts of accounts as to where they saw her and her movements generally. One of these persons - a man, on being taken to the Mortuary where the body now lies, became quite demonstrative and kissed the corpse. but the information he gave is not looked upon by the authorities as of the highest value. With reference to the eardrop which it was supposed had been taken away, it transpires that the woman when she left her lodgings was wearing one ornament only, and this was found in her ear untouched.
The Rev. S.A. Barnett and his friends, who are always zealous in their endeavours to amuse and instruct the inhabitants of the crowded neighbourhood of Whitechapel, have arranged, at St. Jude's School House, for the Christmas holidays and following weeks, a very interesting Black and White exhibition. It consists of fine engravings, old and new, lent by collectors, artists, the chief publishers of art works, and the authorities at the British Museum. The most interesting part of the collection to those who like to compare modern methods of reproduction and illustration with those of centuries ago are the series of woodcuts of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, by such masters of their craft as Albert Durer, Lucas Cranach, and Hans Burgkmair; the forcible chiaro-scuros, or light and shade prints, after old Italian and German masters; the rare little etchings by Rembrandt, and sundry more treasures contributed by Mr. Tattion, Mr. William Walker, Mr. Challoner W. Chute, and other fortunate owners of valuable old prints. Together with these hang the numerous well known favourites amongst the engravings from celebrated pictures of recent years. To name any of them specially would be an invidious task. Mr. Walter Crane sends an original design, executed expressly for the occasion, and Messrs. Cassell have undertaken to show in action the mode of printing impressions from woodblocks, or electrotype facsimiles. The collection will be open view until January 20th, Sundays inclusive.
