The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-24 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

(THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. Payne and other Justices.)
THE CASE OF AUGUSTA MITCHELL AGAIIL-THE JUDGE'S

The learned Judge, in reference to this came, said—l
wish to lay before she court • letter which I received last
evening from the Home-office. But • few words win be
required to show how it came to be written. As soon as I
found the peculiar view taken by some of the papers
of the case of Anne Mitchell I immediately
forwarded to the Home Secretary • verbatim
copy of the evidence taken at the time of the
trial and requested him to do me the favour to institute
any inquiry which might suggest itself to him, without
any regard to my opinion on the subject. Owing to his
absence at Balmoral some little time elapsed, and before I
had received any answer a juryman communicated to me
an offer made by Mr. Thomas, the Secretary of the London
Preventive and Reformatory Institution, to take her under
their care for the purpose of reforming her. It was ao-
companied by • request that I would forward it to the
Home-office. This I gladly did, for, however I may differ
with others with respect to the propriety of the
sentence at the time when it wee pared, there
can be no difference of opinion with respect to
the desirableness of placing her under good influence.
I therefore testified to my knowledge of the respectability
of the person who made the offer, and of the fitness of the
society to accomplish its object. This led to the letter
which lam about to read. Those who hear it will judge
whether in the ordinary acceptation of the word Mr.
Secretary Hardy can be said to have revoked the sentence.
The letter was then read by the judge, and was as
follows :

"Immediate.

" Whitehall, Sept. 23, 1867.

"Sir,—ln reply to your letter of the 21st inst. I am
directed by Mr. Secretary Hardy to acquaint you that he
proposes advising her Majesty to grant Augusta Anne
Mitchell a pardon upon condition of her being received
into the London Female Preventive and Reformatory
Institution, and of her remaining therein and being sub-
ject to all the rules and regulations thereof until duly
discharged therefrom. Her one month's preliminary im-
prisonment will date from the day on which the sentence
Was passed, and she will therefore be removed to the Re-
formatory on the 2nd October next.—l am, sir, your
obedient servant,

" ADOLPHUS F. 0. LIDDIELL.

" To J. Payne, Esq., Waitill",
The judge, in continuation, said to that letter he had
sent a reply in the following terms :
" Sir,—l have to acknowlege the receipt of your letter
on the subject of the release of Augusta Anne Mitchell ;
and to thank Mr. Secretes? Hardy for the judicious ar-
rangement by which he proposes to make her admission to
the institution available for her reformation, and not de-
pendent upon the suggestions of others or any change of
purpose in horselL—l hays the honour to be, ke.
"J. PAIN&
" To the Hon. Adolphus F. 0. Liddell, lke."

The Judge, in maeleziew, mid :
It may perhaps be desirable to let it be blown at tin
first opportunity I hem, that it is my firm convict ion th 4
however immorally the prosecutor setel, there was n•
pretence upon the evidases for believing that be bag
seduced the prisoner.
This ended the matter.

(Before Mr. Payne.)
• SCOTCH FOAM or TAKING THS OATH.
Thomas Dearlove, 35, described as a tailor, was indicted
for stealing a watch, the property of Charles Hunt, at the
Farringdonertreet station of the Metropolitan Railway,
Mr. Brindley prosecuted ; Mr. Pater defended the
prisoner.
When the prosecutor MS called into the box, and the
Testament presented to him by the officer of the court, he
objected to be sworn upon it.
Mr. Payne wanted to know what objection he had to he

Mr. Hurst said he did not object to be sworn ; but he
Sleeted to be sworn on the book.
Mr. Payne—What are you ?
K. Hurst—l am an Irishman, and a Scotch presky.
rise

Dir.Payne—Then in what way do you want to be worn?
Mr. Hunt—l want to be sworn by holding up my right
hand, and the book lying before me. That u our custom
in Ireland.

After some farther discussion the witness then raised
his right hand to its utmost extent, the Testament lying in
the box open before him, and the oath was administered
in the usual way, with the exception of holding and after-
wards kissing the book.
The jury returned a verdict of Gall* against tha

A previous conviction was proved against him.
Mr. George Lookyer, sessions °Meer, proved other me.
viaticum against the prisoner.
Mr. Payne sentenced him to be kept in penal servitude
for seven years.