POISONING IN PARIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1131, 29 June 1867, Page 5

POISONING IN PARIS.

The Paris galrie relates tlic following startling incident: — M. Sam relates that lie was standing at a ball given at the Tuileries, talking to the great chemist Dr. Lisfranc, when he perceived, him suddenly hecoine pale and move from his position. M. Sam, fancying that his friend had been taken ill, followed him out to the Salle des Marechaux. There, having recovered his equanimity, he said, " I have just seen a beautiful young bride, waltzing with lier second husband." Now I am perfectly convinced that she murdered her first husband. It had been a love match; but the young man discovered that he made a fatal mistake, aud his health visibly declined. One morning he was found dead in his bedroom, which his wife had filled with flowers, especially hyacinths. Their poisonous emanations had evidently killed him. On being summoned to examine iuto the cause of his death, I perfectly remembered having related in his wife's hearing a case of poisoning produced by these flowers ; and on hearing that a scandalous intrigue on her part had been the cause of his misery, I have not the slightest doubt that the wretched woman took this mode of regaining lier liberty."

Tliis tragic anecdote recalls to me another, which one of the first physicians in Paris related a few days ago as having occurred to liim during the course of his practice. He liad been for some time in the attendance of a wealthy merchant, -whose illness, though of a painful nature, "was not dangerous. ]\luc 11 to Dr. N. s surprise, the symptoms became complicated, and M. S. got rapidly worse. Dr. N. asked to see the mixture his patient had been talcing through the night, and remarked to the servant that the glass from which he had apparently drank was not clean. " IN o one, sir, touches madame," replied the servant. Pouring a littie water into it, Dr. put it to his lips. He then asked to see Madame X. alone, blie \7as voung and lovely. " "la my husband worse ?" she enquired with great apparent anxiety. " Yes, madame, hut he must improve rapidly, Do you hear, madame? - in a week he must be cured."

The lady's fair cheek grew pale. "But, doctor " " You have understood me, madame; good morning." _ The patient recovered within the given time, and N. and madame X. gave a ball last week, and looked as jolly a couple as you would wish, to see.