The National Register.
London, England, 1813-08-01 00:00:00

TnL iINI V. VF.ft

This was an indictment, charging the defendant, Harry Verelst, with
the crime of perjury, In certiin answeYs given in by him wan allegation
lied by his wife Elizabeth Veretst, in a suit brought by him against her,
in the Consistorial Court, Ductors'a Commons, to have her divorced, on
the grounds of adultery.
Mr. Searlett, (or the prosecutitmottated the circumstances of the case
at considerable length. It appeared that Mr. Vetelst had obtained a
verdict in the Court of King's Bench, Westminster, against Major
Staple, for Criminal Conversation with his wife. In consequence of
this, proceedings were instituted in Doctors' Commons to obtain a di-
vorce. Hereupon several allegations were offrred to him in the shape
of questions, respectiag his haying had an adulterous intercourse with a
woman of the name of Eleanor Gray : his hasiug used means to pre-
vent ti woman of the name of George. a material wnaess, from appear-
ing against him on the irial fur Crimiaal Conversation ; and several
other allegations of a similar nature, some of which he had contradicted,
sad to others he had declined giving any answer. This prosecution was
instituted against him for alleged perjuries iii his answers and aliega,
thins in the Consistorial Courts--Mr. Scarlett having stand the case,
proceeded to produce his proofs, amid it appearing that the allailged per-
juries were sworn before Dr. l'ear.on, one of the Surrogates of the Con-
aistorial Court, the Learned Counsel was proceeding to examine that
Gentleman, when Mr. Park submitted that tile instrument of Dr. Pear-
son's apprietment to the office of Suiropae °light to be produced, to
abow his legal appointment. before could ire examine d.—Lord El
lenborough coinciding in this opinion, the official document was pro.
duced. On its being read, Mr. Park submitted that it wz.s irregular.
By the Canon of-the Civil Law, it was. provided that the Surrogate
should be sworn before the Registrar, his Deploy, or a Notary Public.
The present instrument purported to be sown before a Notary Public,
but eo naiad was inaerted, a blank being kit 14 that purpose, bet never
haviiez been filled up. Ile therefore cant( nded, that the provisions of
the Cal en nut having been complied with, the appointment of Dr.
Pearson was not regular, he was not competent to administer an oath as
• Surrogate, and thercroie nu perjury could be committed iu an oath
taken before him.

Lord Ellenborough held the objection to be fatal, end the defendQnt
was acquitted.

SHOCKING MURDER.

On Monday morning, about two o'clock, a shocking murder wits
committed 011 the Lodz of a poor labouring two) in a field, between
Lucas-street and the I. oundling Hospital. It was supposed the de-
ceased had been attacked by some villains, and making a esistance,
they resolved to murder him; which !torrid deed being perpetrated,
they threw the body into * Itravel-pit near the place where the
murder was committed. The body was discovered about four
o'clock, by two labourers. The head of the deceased was much la-
cerated, and marks were fottoslon parts of it supposed to be done
by an iron crow or same tech instrument. The precise spot
fs
on which this barbs* . • act was committed was literally co-
vered with the brains( - a unfortunate man. The body when
'ill warm bu lit :was quite extinct. The body was soon
fricadsof ho used state, that he was an Irishman,
shortly to proiseed to his own country •,_ and in order
*swam of his journey, he bad been for some tiute

found was stil
owned. l'he
and intended
to tlefray the