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Catherine Foreman , who had lived with Miss Lambert , in StJaSes-street , when Dr . Achillilodged there , stated Sat \ SSnpted to take jiberties . with ; her oh several OC ^^ abroad to collect evidence , said that ^ e had _ been toTiterbo , and had there communicated with the Bishop and the police authorities . The police document ^ had been destroyed in the revolution ; but he had obtained a declaration from the mayor of what he knew on the subject ^ wh ^ ch , however , - Lord Campbell refused to receive . He afterwards went to Borne , where he obtained a copy of the
iudff ment of the Inquisition passed upon JJr . Aehilli . _ The Eev . Dr . Grant , English Eoman-cathohc bishop , explained the nature of the Inquisition , stating his belief that the copy of the judgment in question was authentic . The proceedings of the Court were secret , and strangers were not permitted to inspcet the documents . Lord Campbell decided that he could receive the document . It was the first precedent of the kind ; but he hoped it would not be attended with the slightest danger to the Protestant religion of this country . He received it simply as evidence of the allegation in the plea . t uisiti ttached
The copy , which had the seal of he Inq on a to it , was read ; and was in effect that , on his own confession and after a mature examination , it had been found that Dr . Achilli had been guilty of great incontinence . The holy Inquisitors deprived him of all ecclesiastical functions for ever , and sentenced him to be sent to a certain convent for three years . The defendant ' s case was then closed . Dr . Achilli was the first witness called on behalf of the prosecution . He appeared on Wednesday , and is thus described by the Times : — -
He is a plain-featured middle-sized man , about 50 years of age , and his face is strongly Italian . His forehead is low and receding , his nose prominent , the mouth and the muscles around it fall of resolution and courage . He wears a black wig , the hair of which is perfectly straight , and , being close shaved , this wig gives to his appearance a certain air of the conventicle . Yet he retains many traces of the " Roman-catholic priest , especially in his bearing , enunciation , and gestures , which have a sort of stealthy grace about them . His eyes are deep set and lustrous , and with his black hair , dark complexion , and sombre , demure aspect , leave an impression upon the mind of the observer by no means agreeable , and not readily to be forgotten . Judging of his intellectual powers , from his
physiognomy and mode of giving evidence , one would be led to say that he was a man of considerable penetration and cleverness . ' The questions put to him b y his own counsel he answered with great clearness , and in a calm , unwavering , quiet manner , without any trace of strong excitement , or feeling 3 deeply roused . Sometimes a slight contemptuous smile accompanied his denials of opposing evidence , and once or twice he even seemed to treat points merrily . His general bearing , however , was serious , without any excessive display of anxiety , or much apparent admixture of cant . Yet , at certain portions of his examination , without losing his self-possession , he became more animated . His dark sunken eyes flashed fire as he listened nnd rnnlied to tho Questions put . This was particularly
the case when he was cross-oxamieed by Sir Alexander Cockburn on the more particular points of _ the libel , and especially when ho was confronted by the xtalian women who havo sworn that ho debauched them . The effoct produced by these meetings was quite dramatic—tho poor women eyeing their alleged seducer with half timid , yet steady glances ; while he , his face overcome for tho moment with a slight pallor , turned upon them looks that seemed to pierce through them . Dr . Achilli ' s manner in the witness-box considerably diminishes tho effect of the sanctimonious expression which his singularly-fashioned wig giveB to his fuco . Ho is evidently a man of strong passion and uncommon nerve . Ho said ho would prefer to give his evidence in English , but Lord Campbell thought ho would g ive his evidenco best in Italian . He narrated tho principal events ol his
life up to the present time ; nnd then gave n point-blank denial to every ono of tho charges made against him . \ V hen the several women who had accused him were placed bofore him , ho unhesitatingly denied ever haying seen them before . With regard to Garamoni and las wife , lie admitted that ho had lived next door , and that ho had been in their house . As he was passing the door ono nig ht , tho ¦ wife called him in , to ask him some questions , as ho believes , as to whother ho had hoard any noise in her houso on tho preceding night . Before h 1 » o had time- to do bo , Garamoni came in , and behaved with great violence . Dr . Achilli had never met the wifo in any other placo , and this was the only time ho had been in the house . Ho admitted that ho had had Coriboni and his wife in his service at Corfu , but ho had never committed any indecency with ili « wifo . Mr . JtovnoW house did not overlook his .
Dr . Achilli ' s house wuh tho hjghor of tho two , nnd it waH only from the upper windows that tho house of Mr . Iteynolds could bo soon . Dr . Achilli hud reproved Mr . Key . noldu for his habii « ofexeosHivo drinking , and this had ho displeased him that ho loft tho congregation . Dr . Achilli denied having over ( lined or wnlkod with Coriboni ' s wifo . lie continued < , o preach at tho chapel for inoro than seven months , and the congregation increased to tho last , Tho faults with which Leonini and SacearoH were charged , ywrvi nllogod to have been committed , and the necuBution luririnst thorn was made , when Dr . Aohilliwas almont from
Malta . Mo believed that no credit wiih to no given to the accusation ; ho did not send SacearoH awuy to stop the investigation . Dr . Achilli denied that he wa « an infidel , or that thoro was over a time when , ho did not believe in Christianity . Ho positively denied all tho charges mado against him , as to hia conduct wince ho ciuno to England . He said that he hftd boon charged before the Inquisition with regard to his teaching , but not with immoral conduct . The Inquisition wna not competent to try charges of immoral conduct , Ho had novotf made fcny confession of
having had intercourse with women . In explanation , the document put in , purporting to be from the archives of the Inquisition , I ) r . Achilli said that he did not know of any proceeding in which the charges therein contained were brought to his notice . He had made no confession , nor had he thrown himself on their compassion . Perhaps they might have asked me , at the commencement , whether I was content to stand or throw myself upon their mercy . Upon that supposition I should have answered " yes ;"
and then the Chancellor of the Inquisition would naturally have written that I threw myself upon , their mercy . JELe said that no judgment or sentence was pronounced against him , but that he was set at liberty under certain conditions , that ho should abstain from the exercise of his ministry until he was reconciled to the Holy See . This reconciliation , according to the secret instructions given , consisted in that he should write and publish some book in favour of the "Roman-catholic Church .
To a question from Sir A . E . Cockburn , whether he had had connexion with other women , Lord Campbell said the witness was not bound to reply , and Dr . Achilli , though as he said he " could answer ' , ' " yet availed himself of the privilege-Sir A . E . Gockburn asked the witness how he got funds for this prosecution ? Dr . Achilli . —I hope the providence of God will provide me with funds through some friends . They do not exist as yet . I expect to get funds through some friends who I hope will have the kindness to engage for this need of
- Lord Campbell . —Are we to inquire into this matter ? Sir A . E . Cockburn . —It is only to show that funds are not wanting . Lord Campbell .-r—As far as I can . see , funds are not wanting on either side . Sir A . E . Cockburn read several passages from Dr . Achilli ' s writings , and asked him if he did not Practice the mass at a time "when he believed it to be an imposition ' . Ho replied , " That would have held good as an objection to all the reformers . I had the persuasion of the imposition in my ' . mind ,- but not in my heart . I believe that conversion in man rests more in the heart than in the
mind . Dr . Dominieo Poggi , who had been a Dominican father , and was now principal of a Protestant educational establishment at Seacombe , near Liverpool , and pertinaciously refused to say when he had become a Protestant , or to give- any account of his life or actions , said that he had lived at Viterbo hi 1831 and the two following years . Dr . Achilli was then universally and very highl y esteemed . At Home Dr . Pojjffi never heard anything against him ; it
was otherwise at Viterbo , as Dr . Achilh had many enemies in that place . Several appointments that were conferred upon Dr . Achilli were marks of great distinction ,, and could only be conferred upon a man of high moral character . , ' ¦ '" . Dominichi Paoli , formerly a friar at Viterbo , who had been engaged to come to Eng land by a society " to evangelize foreigners during the time of the great Exhibition , " and was now employed by [ Father G avazzi as Ins secretary , nnd lived in Viterbo from 1881 to 1837 . He know Dr . Achilli in that pl a ce , and gave testimony as to the high estimation in which he had been held there .
Mariania Crisaffi Garamoni , tho tailor ' s wife , confirmed the statement of Dr . Achilli in main , complaining energetically of tho treatment of her husband , wishing that she " had got him there , " and saying that ho had run away . She did not know who Dr . Achilh was , nor would she have recognised him if ho had not been pointed out to her . On tho occasion referred to she wished to see if Dr . Achilli had overheard a quarrel between her and a lady friend of her husband .
The trial concluded on Thursday . For Dr . Newman , Sir Alexander Cockburn made a long speech , commenting on . tho evidcuco in order to show its credibility ; and the Attorney-General addressed the jury on behalf of tho Crown , of course depreciating the value of the evidence . Lord Campbell then summed up in a very brief way , offering scarcely any opinion , but simply reading his notes . The following scene then ensued : —
The jury then ( at about half-past eight ) retired . They did not icturn into court until eleven o ' clock . On their return it was asked , " Are you agreed on your verdict ?" Tho Foreman . —Yes ; on tho 19 th charge wo find proved . All tho rest wo find not proved . ( Sensation and partial cheering . ) Lord Campbell . —Tho 19 th charge respects Dr . Achilli's being deprived of his professorship and prohibited from preaching nnd hearing confession . You find that to bo proved P Tho Foreman . —Yoh , my Lord , proved . Lord Campbell . —And you find none of tho other allegations proved P
Tho Jb orcuian nnd oovcrnl Jurovn . —No , none of tho others . . ( Hero tho people in tho court , beginning to un ( lerntand tho verdict , burnt out into a vigorous cheer , which no ono attempted to suppress . ) Lord Campbell . —With regard , then , to tho plea ot not guilty . Tho first plea is not guilty . You ece that involves tho publication and tho question whether it was of * a lihelloiiH nature A Juror . —Not guilty . That ' s what wo find .
I . sm */ I I ' rt iyii \ iia 11 n ? f *\ iiYi MAitutnvt si « l- > <« fni . _ & .. nJ . Lord Campbcll .-r-No , understand inc . Tho first plea is not guilty ; and that involves tho question whether it is proved that tho . defendant published thw alleged libel , and whethor it bo libellous . Do not mind tho truth of tho chargos at nil . Ab to thh \ enV' only
on that do you find him guilty ; and that it ; was of a libellous nature P The Foreman . ^ -Ycg > guilty . Lord Campbell ,--On that you . . find ' .. hub guilty . There is then a verdict for , the Crown on that . Then we come to the justification ; and ,, on :. ; , the justification you find that the only part of' . it which is proved is the 19 th , respecting Dr . Achilli being deprived ofhisprofessorship , and prohibited from . preaching ,. ' and from hearing confession . . " A Juror . —^ Yes , that is the verdict . Lord Campbell . Tr-Wait , » moment > arid let me see . That is ( after a pause )* you -find that that , is true which is alleged in the decree of the Inquisition , as far as that decree goes ? A Juror . —Yes .
Lord Campbell . — -So far as that decree goes . You don't find as to the reasons for the decree , but as to the decree . itself ? The Foreman . —Yes , only that . Lord Campbell . — -Very well . Then you find it to be true that Dr . Achilli was suspended from the celebration of mass , prohibited from any cure of soulsj and from preaching , and from hearing confession , and from exercising his sacerdotal office in any way , according to the decree of the Inquisition . And all the rest you find not to be proved ? The Foreman . —Not to our satisfaction .
Lord Campbell . — -Very well . Then on the justification I direct a verdict to be entered , for the Croran , on that issue as well as oh the plea of not guilty ; and that special finding I , of course , will report to the Court when necessary . ( Here again a loud cheer was given by the thronged court . ) I now discharge you , gentlemen , from your attendance , and beg to thank you . ( Eenewed cheers . ) A Juror .- —I beg your Lordship to understand that we did not consider this ease as regards Protestantism and Catholicism . We only looked at it as a matter of fact . Lord Campbell . —Oh , I am sure you have dealt with it conscientiously *
Another hearty cheer was now given , which the learned Jndge did not for a moment attempt to check ; and thus ended one of the most memorable trials of these our days . '
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THE NF 4 T AMERICAN PRESIDENT . By the List mail from America , we have the important intelligence that General Franklin Pierce was nominated as democratic candidate for the Presidency on the 5 th of June . The two great opponents were Cass and Buchanan , but as neither could obtain a sufficient majority at the 39 th ballot , General Pierce was proposed . Ten more ballots ensued , when he was unanimously elected . The papers publish the following notice of him ; - —
" General Pierce , who had been residing mBoston for several days previous , was returning from a visit to Mount Auburn on Saturday afternoon , when he w as informed ot his nomination . He is not a man easily disconcerted at anytime ; and it is not to bo supposed that his equilibrium of mind wa 8 shaken by the announcement , unexpected as it was . Ho immediately hastened into tho city , and at once closeted himself at tho Tromont House . Jio still remains there . The ourious public will , of course , bo anxious to know what is going on in the closet of a candidate for the Presidency , and wo have every laudable desire in tho world to gratify bo natural a wish .
^ SI i ~ l 1 Tii !„ 1 ^ ± \ . A { H-1 * -. van * . r \ p Vll « ftfTA . 1 U 1 U " General Pierco is in tho 4 Gth year of his ngcyona during Ins political career has held many oflices ot trust and honour . Ho has been speaker of tho Houso of Ke-Er esentatives in the Now Hampshire Legislature—a momor of the Senate of that state—a BoprcBontativo to Congress—nnd a member of tho United Statos Senate . . ho rosigned the latter oflice before the expiration of his term-Mr . Polk offered him the post of Attorney-General ol tJio United States ; but he declined the oflico , ( hough he sub-District Attor
Boquently accepted that of United Stated - ney . Ho was President of tho Convention which royiseu tho Now Hampshire Constitution , and his title ot Wnoral' wns won by his sorvico in the Mexican war . xw wo believe , is tho substanco of his history , lor the inlorination of thoso at a distance , who may not have ix » oro heard much of him , wo will say , further , that ho » a lawyer of acknowledged ability , a gentleman ot accon - pliahed manners , and a , great favourito among hia
noigiir " His nomination for tho hig hest office in the gift of tho people , though it may surprise somo Jolfefl , m >* tho result of accident , but of a preconcerted plan on Uw part of tho knowing ones . It wns evident from tho unnui mity with which tho Convention adopted tho two- | Mi < ' » ru ! 6 , ' that it was novor intended to nominate G ^^' yr "' Those politicians . who voted for that gontloman dii _ so only to break up tlio Buchanan and Doug las . oombujj tions . They novor intended to select Mr . UasB . *» _ Buchanan men , eooing their hopelossnoBS , proposed ft co » promiao , and that compromwo was J ™* " ^™* tbftt ' Young America' accoptocl him , and thonce » fcc « m ° n . Gonoral Piorco woe selected . Buchanan wob ButiBjiea , » asmuoh us Cnss did not got the nomination : La 8 B *" . " * ' fied booaueo Buohanan did not get it ; and » ou # V lighted with tho wdult , bticttuad those who combinou Cftrftt'lunVgoti Wufiliod thdmflolv ^ . "
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602 THE BlADEIt p
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Leader (1850-1860), June 26, 1852, page 602, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1941/page/6/
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