The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-08-01 00:00:00

THE STRANGE CHARGE AGAINST A

ROMISH PRIEST.

On Monday, the Rev. James Lewis Ridding was
brought before the Winchester City magistrates, on
remand, charged with assaulting and beating Mrs.
A. C. Dennis, wife of a draper in the city. Mr. God-
win prosecuted, and Mr. Woolcutt, of the South-
Eastern circuit, appeared for the defendant. Mrs.
Dennis, who has been under medical care since the
night in question, confirmed the statement already
made as to the prisoner suddenly dealing her two
violent blows on the head with some heavy instru-
ment as he was descending the stairs behind her.
Rushing to the door she met one of her assistants
coming in, and the defendant immediately expressed
his sorrow for what he had done, saying he had
made a great mistake. Witness said that after he
struck her his look was hideous. Accused's counsel
now at once admitted the assault, repeated his
client's expression of sorrow, and declared his in-
ability to account for his conduct, attributing
it to a sudden uncontrollable frenzy, the re-
sult of a sunstroke he had formerly suffered
from. Among the witnesses to character, was Mon-
signor Goddard, who said he had been 15 years at
Chiselhurst, and that the accused came to his home.on
the Saturday after the date mentioned in a state of
the utmost cerebral excitement, and accused himself
of having done some terrible deed. Witness did not
believe him, and made him go to bed, where he re-
mained till the next evening. Defendant persisting in
his statement witness went with him to Scotland-
yard where he surrendered himself. Witness said he
had known defendant 20 years, and gave him a most
irreproachable character. It was shown that a sum
of nearly £4O was found upon the accused when he
gave himself up, and that his surrender was before
the issue of the warrant. His first inquiry when handed
over to the Winchester police was as to the state of
Mrs. Dennis. He repeatedly reproached himself for
having assaulted a defenceless woman, and said he
did not know what could have actuated him. The
learned counsel on defendant's behalf offered to pay
any fine or any sum by way of compensation the
Bench should think proper to impose. The justices
considered it too serious a case to deal with, and cora-
mitted the defendant for trial at the assizes, refusing
, bail.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM LIBRARY.
During the last financial year (1884-5) the number
of volumes which have been consulted in the reading
room of the British Museum amounts to 1,100,450.
The number of readers during the year has been
154,729. No less than 31,747 volumes and pamphlets
have been added to the library in the course of the
year, of which 3376 were presented, and 10,127
received in pursuance of the law of English copyright,
1486 received under the international copyright
treaties, and 5835 acquired by purchase. Two thousand
eight hundred and ninety parcels of newspapers have
also been received, and the number of volumes bound
is 21,621, • , ,

A couple of wild girls have been arrested in-Oinein-
nati for indulging in the amusement of 'breaking
their neighbours' windows. They no doubt thought
with Pope—" woman's part to ease man _of his
panes.', _ _