The Express.
London, England, 1861-07-18 00:00:00

THE CHARGE AGAINST BARON LE VIDIL.

Yesterday afternoon the neighbourhood of Bow-
street Police-court presented a scene of the greatest ex-
citement, in consequence of its being generally known that
the Baron de Vidil would undergo a further examination
on the charge of attempted murder preferred against him
by his own son.
The police-court became crowded long before the com-
mencement of the proceedings. Lord Alfred Paget, M.P.,
Mr. GsakeU, M.P., and several other influential gentlemen
occupied seats on theningletrate's bench.
At three o'clock, in accordance with the vnngementa
entered into on Monday last, the prisoner, Louis Pons de
Vidil, was placedat the bar in charge of Smith, of the de-
tective force. He sat down in the dock, and, as on his
(comer examination, covered his face with his hands.
Mr. Charles Pollock, instructed by Mr. Ellia, conducted
the prosecution ; and Mr. Sleigh and Mr. Orridge defended
the accused.

On the first witness, Alfred John de Vidil, being called
into the witness box, in a low trembling voice he said—l
wish to say a word or two before the proceedings com-
mence. lam placed in a very painful position. When I
applied for the warrant, I did so merely for my own pro-
tection, and did not think that those who had the execu-
don of it would succeed in carrying it into effect. I had
hoped such would have been the case, but it is not so, and
I mud, therefore, remain silent. I cannot tell what effect
it may have upon me refusing to speak, or what may be
dome, but I hope I shall be able to undergo anything which
may befal me for refusing to speak. I wish also to state
that those gentlemen who have moved in this matter have
done so at my request, which was made to them solely
for the protection of my own life.
Mr. Sleigh—lf an insinuation is made against the pri-
lifter I beg to say the witness islabouring under peat mis-
apprehension.
Mr. Pollock—l must beg that all remarks be reserved
until the case is prooseded with in the regular way.
M. de Vidil—lt Is • very painful position I am Owed in.
My dut , I think, is to decline going on with the case.
Mr. It w no doubt, a very painful position ; but
you have a duty to perform, and all must sympathise with
you..
Mr. Sleigh-1f the witness declines to be sworn, there—
Mr. Pollock—l must object to such suggestions being
made by my learned friend, as they appear to be made for
theirolinfinencing the witness.
. I have said before that it is a painful duty,
but it must be performed. It is your duty to speak out,
and toll all you know.
M. de Vidil—lt is my opinion that it is the duty of a
child to undergo any punishment in order to protect • pa-
rent, and Ido not assent to the law that would compel
otherwise.

Ur. Corrle—Do you refuse to take the oath?
Y. de Vidil—l do.
Mr. Cowie—Then it is my painful duty to commit you to
prison.
Mr. Burnaby, the chief clerk—Officer, take him into
melody. . .

The young man was then removed from the court in cus-
tody of one of the detective officena

Mr. Sleigh—lf it would ialTanConvenient I should like
to commit with the gentleman who has instructed me in
this matter, namely, Mr. Wontner, on what has just taken
place, and with the learned gentleman who appears for the
mown in this case. -

After an absence of about a quarter of an hour the learned
putlemen returned into court.
Ifr. Sleigh—l have conferred with my learned friend Mr.
Pollock, the counsel who appears on the part of the crown
to prosecute in this painful case. I cannot but say the
conduct of the young gentleman is both creditable to his
bead and heart, and what we propose is that you, sir,
should adjourn the further hearing of this case until
Friday, or any other day that may be convenient to your-
self.

Mr. Cowie—Friday will do for me very well.
Mr. Sleigh—l am exceedingly obliged to you, air, for con-
senting to that part 01 the arrangement. I have now ano-
ther request to make. and I don't think after what bas
takes pleas my learned Steed will object to it, and that I.
that the heron, who has suffered severely since he has been
I in Prison on this chargei may be admitted to bail, not in
any trifling amount, but n such large and substantial terms
Es you, sir, may think the importance of the came requires.
Mr Pollock—With respect to the adjournment, I have
no objection. As to the advisability of admitting the pri-
soner to bail, after what I have seen in court, I shall not
express any opinion one way or the other, but I shall leave
it entirely in the hands of the court to act as may be thought
most proper.
Mr. Coale—When Friday wsa fixed for farther proceed-
ing with this case I did not think of the fact that, as I
committed the young man to prison for seven days, he
would be discharged before that time. We had better flu
some other day.
Mr. Sleigh—Friday next, your worship, not Friday week,
is the day we fixed upon.
Mr. Corris—l have no difficulty in complying with the
Ant part of your request, namely, an adjournment of the
further hewing of this ease until Friday next; but I cannot
think of taking bail for the appearance of the prisoner, as
themes at present stands.
Mr. Pollock—Then, perhaps, sir, the young man can be
liberated from custody and restored to his friends?
Mr. Cowie—He will only be kept in custody as a matter
at law ; he will be subjected to no punishment, and, therefore,
cannot suffer much from such confinement. As the matter
now stands he will only be detained little more than a day.
I cannot suffer such • refusalaa be has been guilty of, in
open court, to pass over without protest.
Mr. Pollock—Mr. Parker, his relative, isa magistrate of the
county of Middlesex, and from what I have mend this young
man's state of mind, I think it would be better if he was
given over to that gentleman, with the understanding that
he should produce him in court on Friday next.
Mr. Parker—l think his health, which is at present very
delicate, would be broken down by any confinement.
Mr. Conic—The time be will remain in custody is very
short.

Mr. Parker—l will undertake that he appears here next
Friday.
Mr. Sleigh—l think, sir with all deference to your opi-
nion, that, as Mr. Parker is a magistrate, the young ••entle-
man might be safely entrusted to his care until the day he
required to be in attendance.
Mr. Pollock—l must say, from what I have learned, that
many of the young gentleman's friends are fearful, from the
present state of his health, of the result of any imprison-
ment being inflicted on him.
Mr. Corrie—lf you think it more likely to benefit the case
that the young man should remain with his relative, Mr.
Parker I shall make no further objection.
Mr. Pollock (addressing Mr. Parker)—Will you, sir, take
charge of the young man in your capacity as a magistrate
of the county of Middlesex?
Mr. Parker—Certainly.

Mr. Pollock (tOll;7borrie)—l may mention that the
medial gentleman who attends M. de Vidil is of opinion
that imprisonment would be unendurable at the present
time.

Mr. Corrie—What's the gentleman's name? Is he hero?
Mr. Pollock—lt is Mr. James. He is in court.

.
Mr. James here came forward, and haring been sworn,
Mr. Cowie said—Are you the medical scan who has at-
tended M. de Vidil ? If so, do you think any confinement
in prison would be prejudicial to him in his present state of
health!

Yr. James—l think it would be prejudicial to him.
OotTie—Prejudicial, but not dangerous.
Mr. James—l cannot say that it would endanger his life,
bat I think his liberation at the present moment is highly
important.
Cowie—Bring the young man into court.
M. de Vidil was then brought in in the custody of the
officer.

Xr.Corrie—Having reconsidered the circumstances of the
ems, I have come to the conclusion, indeed of sending you
to prison for your refusal to give evidence, that you should
remain in charge of your friends until this case is further
with. During that time you will have an oppor-
=dea
of consulting with your sdvisers as to your present
cam. You have a duty to perform to your Sovereige
and society, and however painful it is you ought not to re-
fuse its fulfilment. I hope_ you will fully consider the
position you are placed in. Yon will bays to give evidence,