The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-06-14 00:00:00

CURIOUS TRIAL IN RUSSIA.
The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Morning
Post writes:

A curious and interesting trial has been engaging
public attention in Moscow during the last few days.
A Madame Boulach has been accused of inducing a
young lady, Madlle. Mazourine, immensely rich, but
weak minded, to Make a gift to her of all her fortune.
The last witness in this trial was Privy Councillor
Philippow, who stated that the arrival of Madlle.
Mazourine at Rjew and the foundation of the school
in that city took place during his absence, but that the
Mayor, M. Bersenew, kept him constantly informed of
what occurred. Thus he was made aware of the in-
fluence exercised over Madlle. Mazourine by the
accused and the gift of her fortune. But what puzzled
him was the sincerity of Madlle. Mazourine's propen-
sities for monastic life. In 1876, previous to witness's
stay at Rjew, he heard in all directions that Madlle.
Mazourine was detained against her will; disgusted at
the idea that such a thing could occur the witness re-
solved to inquire into the inaction of the Public Pro-
secutor. The tribunal of Rjew, to whom he addressed
himself, replied that it doubted the criminality of the
case, and considered it impossible to take proceedings
as long as Madlle. Mazourine remained in the hands
of the accused, whose moral influence over the young
lady was all-powerful. The witness then resolvell to
discover the mystery which enveloped Madlle.
Mazourine. He was seconded by M. Samou,
Governor of Tver, and by Monsignor Savva,
Archbishop of the diocese. Communications
were addressed to the procureur of the holy
Synod, to the Secretary of State, Kakhanau, and to
Count Loris Melikoff. The witness had seen Madlle.
Mazourine for the first time in 1881, when the trial
commenced. She told him that Madame Boulach
had succeeded in convincing her that death was only
a passage to a better life, and that it was permitted
to resort to suicide to hasten this passage. The
witness reminded the jury and the court that the
present trial had a certain connection with the mental
alienation of the late Metropolitan of Kiew, who died
in 1882. This prelate had commenced by forbidding
Madlle. Mazourine to proceed to Altai as a missionary,
but after a visit from Madame Boulach he changed his
mind and bestowed his blessing on Madle. Mazourine.
It was then reported that this result had been brought
about owing to a present of 30,000 roubles which
Madame Boulach had made to the Metropolitan. The
witness remarked that he would never have alluded to
these reports if they had not been strengthened by
certain facts. The madness of the prelate com-
menced after two vis!-- received by the ffubstitute,
Ligario. The prelate first lost his sleep and then his
mind. When ill his fixed idea was that he was going
to be removed from the convent to be sent into exile.
Ile constantly asked whether the Boulach trial was
continuing its course, and showed great anxiety when
answered in the affirmative. On the death of the
prelate, and when seals were being fixed to his furni-
ture, the sum of 30,000 roubles was found in the
drawer of a prie-dieu. The result of the trial is ex-
pected with considerable curiosity and interest.

Itsrimk PITS IN WIND SixingS.-----A Georgia
i COTTC-
poudent writes us that storm pits are made n his sec-
tion about 8 feet by 10 feet and 6 feet deep, with a roof
on a level with or just above the surface of the ground,
being usually ventilated by means of pieces of stove
pipeinserted in the toof. Our correspondent says it
has been suggested that, there being sometimes ten or
twelve persons in these pits, the moist, warm air rising
through the pipes makes a good conductor of electricity,
and so would render such locations dangerous during
an electrical storm, although his own inference is that
they cannot certainly be more dangeroias than crowded
churches or railway cars, which are seldom struck by
Wentifio