The Express.
London, England, 1852-06-23 00:00:00

THE ACHILLI TRIAL

COURT OF =En RENCll.—(Tnis D.ty.)

EXAMINATION OF Dlt. ACIIILI.I.
Upon the opening of the court, the case for the plaintiff
was proceeded with.
De. Achilli was placed in the witness box, and examined
by Sir F. Tbesiger—Would prefer giving evidence in Eng-
lish, but felt that he was too ignorant of the language to do
so. Is 49 years old, and was born at Viterbo. Was edu-
cated in the Roman catholic faith, in the college of the
Jesuits at Viterbo. Entered too the Dominican convent in
Viterbo as a novice in the year 18111, he being then 16 years
old. Was in that convent a little more than a year. After that
period became a prutessi ii monk of the Dominican order.
Went then to Lucca to pursue his studies. In 1821 entered
into priest's orders. Was then under canonical age, but
obtained a dispenutiun tram the Pope, at the solicitation of
the Duke tat Lucca. In the same year went to the vitt ge of
Minerva, at Rome, to pursue his studies. In: he early art
of 1827 was sent to Canranica to preach the Lint
sermons in the province of Vitt rho. Ile con-
tinued there down to 1833. On Bth October, 1832,
was appointed Mr the master of the !sacred palace to
be his curate. This appointment also conferred on him the
presidentship of the censors of the press. In 1833 received
unlimited authority from Cardinal Vclgi to confess persons
of both sears in the province. In the same year was ap-
pointed prefect of studies and head professor at the College
of Minerva, at Rome. At the end of that year left Viterbo
for • visitation with the provincial of his order. Was ab-
sent till 1834, when be returned with his provincial, and
resided at his convent. In 1b27 was appointed confessor
to the Governor of V,'srbo, and was so down to 1833.
When he left Viterha he was appointed to the
visitation of Napi, and in 1835 received his patent to
preach Lent service at the cathedral church in Caput. In
the mouth sat June, 1b34, went to Moue, where he stayed
but a month, and, while there, was confessor to Louisa
B.tmbor, Duchess of Sixony. In 1837, was ale tf. pointedp
prior of St. Pietro, Naples. In 1839, he completed his
secularisation. Went to Rome in 1841. In the spring of
1812 was imprisoned in the prison of the Inquisition, where
be remained tar three months. After liberation
went to Ancona, and from there to Corfu. Ile left there
by having his name placed in the purport of another
traveller. Went to Zanti, and then to Malta, from whence
he came to England in 1847. Was appointed to a professor-
ship in the protestant college at Malts. %Vint there to dis-
charge his duties, and retuned in 1648, after which he left
England for Rome, where he married a Miss Ely, as Eng-
lish lady, on the 21th June, IbPJ. Shortly after his mar-
riage he was placed in the prison of the inquisition.
Sir A. Cockburn had to object to the Attorney-General
looking at the jury in a theatrical manner when the
impute:on was mentioned.
Sir F. Thesigt r declared, on his honour, that he was not
aware of his having done so.
Mr. Badeley—Gb yes, constantly.
Sir F. Thesiger-1 on are very observant, indeed.
Esainlnatioa resumed—lle escaped from the prison of the
Inquisition upon the pretext of being wanted as • witness
in a political trial. It. Myer knew a woman named Eleanor
Va!entii. There were two families of the name of Gentili
at Viterbo in 1831. Neither of the families lived in the '
country near Viterbo. In the month, of October in that
year he had, as was his custom, spent a month among see:,
rai of his Iriends in the country; but he could not have
spent any time with the Gentili family, as they had no house
in the country. Never walked out with any woman at
that time.

klie;c4 Valcntii was here brought into court and con-
fronted with the witneu.

Examination continued—l have never seen this womanin
my life before this moment. I have Lever had connexion
with her in the convent at Viterbo, nor anywhere else.
How could I, when I never eaw her before this minute. I
I never gave any one any sausages, because I had none to
give. I might have given an old handkerchief to some
poor woman, but I have no recollection of it. I do
know • female of the name of Rosa de Alesandris, but she
is a nun. I could not have had conapaion with her, because
she was shut up in a convent. She is as old as myself, and
is my relation. Ido not know any one else of that name
bat this nun. I was never charged with having debauched
one Rom de Alexandria, and I never gave any hush money
to any person on such • charge. In 1835 I was not at
Viterbo; I was at Capua in the Lent of NM, preaching
morning and evening, and resided in the house of the car-
dinal archbishop, and under his eyes. I bad no connection
with any woman in that year.
The witness was still under examination when we went
to rm.