Mr. Parker held an inquest at the Swan Hotel, Higham Ferrers, on Saturday last upon the body of William Smith, aged 78 years.—John Seamark, curriers labourer, Higham Ferrers, stated that the deceased lived next door to him, and was a shoe hand, but had been unable to work for sometime past. His age was about 78 years. About half-past eight on Thursday, the 27th inst., he was in his house when he heard a screaming next door. Witness ran in and found the deceased and a Mrs. Clark, his sister, standing in the doorway of an upstairs room. The bed and other things in the room were on fire, and the room was full of flame, which wrapped round the two people. Witness got deceased and his sister out of the room. Their clothes were on fire, and when he had put out the fire, he found they were much injured. He asked the deceased how the accident happened, but he could not speak.—Charles Denton stated that he was the son of Mrs. Clark, who lived with the deceased. He was called to their house Thursday night, and found them both very seriously injured. Witness said he could not learn how the accident happened from deceased, but he asked his mother who said she went into deceased's room to bid him goodnight, when he asked her to rub his arm. She did so, but not doing just as he wanted he was in a pet and struck at her, knocking the candle out of her hand. Witness asked her if she tried to pick it up, when she said "No, I was afraid he would strike me again. I thought the candle was out so I went to my own room." His mother said she could not say how long she was in her room before she heard deceased scream, and upon going to see what was the matter found him on fire. She had pulled him off the bed and got him to the top of the stairs, and she did not know how he got down. Witness stated that he had looked in the bedroom but could not find any candle or lamp. His mother's hands were badly burnt, and her dress was scorched in front.— John Crew registered medical practitioner, Higham Ferrers said he had known the deceased for years. He had feeble health from paralysis and weak intel­lect. On the Thursday evening about nine o'clock he was sent for, and found him in a down­stairs room much burnt about the hands, feet, and back. He was put to bed and attended but it was a hopeless case from the first, deceased died that morning from the injuries. His sister was also badly burnt.—The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."