The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-03-17 00:00:00

)'ol.ll' Ile.
MAUWant r
ATTEMPT TO AMSASSINATE A PRIEST' AT THE
ALTAR!
Teallamiap Lean de Caen" a Tereilielers was Ill" Cid up
from Mary-104mm watelihoose in • coatis, and esasoisieil
before Gems* Faunas?, Km. eio a charge of attempting
to witirder the Rte. Mr. Gilbert Mathis., • Catholic Priest,
whilst atteadins the meted &Him of his (Ace, at the
Spanish Chspel, ties Sunday nssiewing hat.
The coach was followed by an insoisisse ens* who teal
kit their indignation by load hisses. On his Ileitis isrusight
Tutu the ulice, it was found itecessary to shut the doors
and windows to keep the 'populace out. Aliont o'clock
the venerable Priest was supported into the Magistrates
room by several of his Catholic friends. His hoods *MI
arias were bound up, aril he appealed very weak. The as.
amain was then brought its, are the following evidence
taken :
Mr. Mathias stated that no Saaday morning, about eight
o'clock, as he was steadies at the altar, blessing the palm, ha
heard a noise atimogst the euligrelPlli""• 11114 ow turujur
mind saw the Primitive, nitemptieg to get user the eioninu-
stun rails. He hada salted sword in his hoods mod belil it
in a position as if tooteilts witnNs, who was so frightened ho
rats away towards the sacristy, but the Pregame followed hint
so fast that he could not Shut the door. The Prisoner made
*thrust at him through the opeausg, the weapon entried his
vivaria, and rid hiss bum the wrist In the elbow. He
then seised the sword with hulls hands, but the Prisoner
drew it back, and cut all hip Augers issost dreadfully. During
the whole of this time Om congregation were panic struck,
but at tenth broke irto the sanctuary door and rescued
him.
Mr. Bartholomew Sherlock Wilkes, of Poky-place,
bookseller, stated that he was out of the congregation at Spa.
Dish Chapel. He saw the Primers walk towards the allot
with a sword in his hand ; it wartlariug a Intense part of the
service, but the Pi isomer trod so heavy.. to excite ottensiou.
The females 'crammed, sad Mr. Mathias looked ruined, and
tr seeing the Prisoner get over the communion emits rim
away towards the sacristy. The Prisoner struck at him as
be ran, but missed hit riot. Winless then tame to his assist-
' atter' and foetid the Prisoner disarmed, and Mr. Mathias
covered with blond.
Juba Crowley, an 'rids labourer, Habitue at No. 72, Bind.
i street, Grosvenor-square, saw the Prisoner anew into the
Chapel. He carried a uaked.sword in his band, gad ad-
vanced mounts the Prima, theo standing at the altar. He
made several blows at hint, which witoess obeerviug, ran to
reader assistance. On enteritis the sancinary, he saw the
Reverend theinflileediag profusely. The Prisoner bad his
hand drawn to repeat his blows, when witness seised hiss by
the throat and threw him to she. groats& The Primary cut
him in the hand and kicked hint several times, but wittiest
disarmed hien, amd assisted in takiag him to the watch-
house.
Mr. Bishop, surgeon, of No. 72, George-aired, Portman-
square, said, he attended Mr. Simkins, who had beets pre-
viously dressed by a prokssiosnd grestkissaii is the Chapel.
He exansissed him, awl found his eight anis so dreadfully
woonded, that some of the rimers were ellipsoid. All his
Amgen were tut and limerated, as if by a sharp iostrsionent.
The Prisoner, in his defence, said, that he bail beets exeunt.
menieated by the clergy, which he conceived to he spiritual
murder; and as hr could out present himself at any other
he conceived be was jastified in taking away the
Priest's life.
The Prisoner was dressed is a rough drab 'vest coat, sad
is about five feet fire inches high. The sword was peo-
dated iii the office, and is a c 000000 non dragoon sword, but
eery long. It appeared fresh ;mood, nod was sharpened
at hoils sides.
lie was remanded for a week.

LEWES. MARCH 16.

The business of our Assizes will commence at
floirslorm, before Mr. Baron Graham and Mr. Baron
Wood, this morning. at Moe o'clock, and it is
supposed. Irons the multiplicity of bosiom, that
it will occupy both Courts the greatest past of the
week.
The business at the Surrey Assizes, which com-
mence on Monday next, is likewise expected to
prove very heavy.
The first husband of Mrs. Walton, who is to
Cake her trial at the above Assize. on a charge of
bigamy, was -- Cox, Esq. brother of Mr. Cox.
the army agent, after whose death, it is alleged,
she married in the West Indies a gentleman of the
mune of Wilkins, who is still living ; upon this pre-
sumed union the ciairge of bigamy has been brought
against her, and to prove the seine, witnesses, it is
said, have been brought from the %Vest Indies.
Mr. IVolion has since become heir apparent to a
very large fortune.