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London, England, 1825-01-01 00:00:00

our power has not increased more sensibly than
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ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

[THE TIMES.]

KINGSTON, DEc. 31.
CHILD MURDER By A FATIIER.

The Romish Archbishops and Bishops of Ire-
land have circulated what they call a pastoral
charge to the people of that communion. The
intent of this production is to dissuade the, lower
order of Roman Catholics from accepting the
Bible or Testament from the hands of the Bible
Societies ; but if any should be in their posses-
sion, to deliver them up to the parish priest. It
is extremely difficult to write upon such trans-
actions, or to allude to them in the gentlest
manner, without finding ourselves on the
brink of a religious controversy, to which
we are in no wise prone, and with which
a newspaper at all events has not much bu-
siness to meddle. We may just remark, how-
ever, upon the practical and approachable part
of the subject, that the address in question from
the Popish Clergy to their flocks, appears to us
a fair characteristic Proclamation. " Pay obe-
" dience to Holy Church, good people ; " that is,
_literally, " suspect all the rest of the world,
" and stick to us. It is a shocking thing that
" any Christian should have an opinion of his
" own upon religion, or venture to employ that
" reason which is the noblest attribute of an im-
" mortal soul, in examining the foundation of
" man's title to immortality, the authority on
" which he is enjoined to hope for it, or the paths
" which lead to its attainment." This, we say,
is shrewd advice—the tendency of it being to
produce great ignorance in those who follow
it, and to perpetuate, in the hands of those who
offer it, a power always increasing and always
susceptible of abuse. We are not now saying a
single word upon the reasonableness or the po-
licy of pressing the Bible upon the half barbarous
Irish Papists. We are not going to moot a ques-
tion, or to disturb the common persuasion, that
such people, taking the whole of their condition
into the account, might not for the present be
better under the guidance of men (supposing them
to be moral men) whose commands they habi-
tually obey, than they would be, if turned over to
a clergy who would disdain any hold but upon the
reason of their auditors. It would not surprise us to
hear, from persons well qualified to judge upon
the state of Ireland, that a Romish priesthood
are more competent to the task of influencing
the peasant nature in that country, than the
ministers of a more simple, unpretending, spi-
ritual and intangible faith. What morality or
decency exists among the Irish multitude, we are
williug to consider the work of their clergy.—
We are not sure, that if shaken in their attach-
ment to the priest, we could provide, in their
destitute and debased condition, an equiva-
lent for his services, political or moral. If the
state of the island can be in other respects
improved, and physical comfort be more diffused
among the people, leisure and intellectual
activity must succeed. Then, indeed, a " pas-
toral charge," forbidding the sight of the Holy
Scriptures, will be as impotent as it is superfluous,
for a nation, prosperous and animated by exer- ,
tion, will not be shut out from knowledge ; while
a prosperous and despairing nation cannot be ex-
cited to search for it. As a piece of argument,
this Romish charge is distinguished neither
by skill nor by felicity, For instance, imme-
diately after a passage, commanding the faithful
to return religious tracts to their donors, or de-
stroy them, and to deposit Bibles and Testaments
with the priest, the charge goes on to talk of
" these pernicious books" as being " artful and
" designing enernies"—as having been pronounced
by St. Austin " books whence no good, and much
" evil can be learned"—as " artful compile-
" tions of truth and falsehood blended toge-
" ther." What ! are all these reproaches level-
led at the Bible ? for the composition,—from
what cause we know not,—is so managed, that
the above denunciations refer to it and to the
Testament, even more than the other prohibited
books. Is not this !ether overshooting the
the mark ? we would ask the reverend writers.
Again, it is said—" Such prohibition of perni-
" cious books is so consonant to right reason,
" that"—what ?—" the Pagans themselves re-
" moved them from society.% " Rome, when
" immersed in idolatry, burned books hostile to
" her institutions in the forum." And Athens
did the same. So we said not many weeks ago.
We reminded our readers, that Pagans and Ido-
laters did strive to protect themselves against
Christianity, by destroying the Bible ; but we
did not look for so frank an acknowledgment
that any Christian Church was forced to follow
this precedent of the Pagans.

William Dczohirst was indicted for the wilful murder of
Caroline Dewhirst, his infant daughter, by striking her head
against a wall, in the parish of St. Mary, Newington, on the
18th of November last.
Mr. BRODRICK, with whom was Mr. THESSIGEIt, stated
the case for the prosecution. It was conducted at the instance
of the Parish Officers, and the Learned Counsel, after giving
a summary of the facts of the case, called the following wit..
nesses :
Mrs. Adams deposed, that the prisoner, in November last,
lived in Bronti-place, East-lane, IValworth. Witness lived in
the same place. Knew the deceased, Caroline Dewhirst. She
was, at the time of her decease, 22 months old. In the even-
ing of the 18th of November, witness was fetched by Mrs.
Dewhirst to the prisoner's house. When the prisoner saw his
wife, he said, " If you don't go out, I will serve you the
same," and attempted to strike her, and ,also threatened to
strike witness. Whilst at the door, witness saw the prisoner
go backwards into the parlour, and fetch the deceased, and
go up stairs with it. It being dark, she could not see whether
the child was bruised or not. The child was not crying. Wit-
ness walked up and down Bronti-place. After making some
inquiries, she went home about eight o'clock. In the course
of the same evening the prisoner's wife came to her, about
dusk time. About twelve o'clock she came again with her
daughter Elizabeth. Between twelve and one she came a third
time, and then witness went with her to Mr. ;Swift, the sur-
geon, of East-lane. Mr. Swift then accompanied witness and
, Mrs. Dewhirst to the prisoner's house, the door of which was
open. They went into the back room on the first floor, and
witness observed the deceased lying in a corner in a perfectly
naked state. When witness saw her before, she had her short
clothes and a nightcap on. At this time she was alive, but
bruised from head to foot. When she got better of the shock
she experienced, she got some warm water for the child. She
observed splashes of blood on the floor, and on the wall near
the fire-place. There were two watchmen in the room. The
prisoner was then near the child with his coat off; his firms
crossed, looking at the child. The prisoner said the child had
fallen down stairs : when he came in, he picked it up, and
when he saw it in that state, he had done the best for it. Wit-
ness remained with the child until five o'clock' in the morning,
when she was herself so ill that she was obliged to go home.
The child died at eleven in the morning.
Cross-examined.—Witness said before the Coroner, that
when she saw the prisoner first, he was without his hat, " and
that he looked as if he was crazy," or some such words. She
also said, that when Mrs. Dewhirst entered the house, the
prisoner attempted to strike a blow at her breast. She also
said, that when Mrs. Dewhirst asked for a bonnet, he said
" No," but that she might come in. Witness then got the
bonnet and shawl from another person to disguise herself in
order to watch him, by Mrs. Dewhirst's orders. The pri-
soner appeared in a disturbed state—was in a passion. She
said before the Coroner that the prisoner looked as if some-
thing particular was the matter with him. She followed the
prisoner as far as the top of Brond-place. Witness had one of
the prisoner's children to nurse.
Susannah Adams, daughter of the last witness, said she
went to the prisoner's house about eight o'clock in the even-
ing of the 18th. Had seen the deceased well in health the
day before. She saw her at eight o'clock on the evening of
the 113th, lying on the floor in the back room, with a pillow
under her head, and a hit of carpet over her. Witness ob-
served she was awake, lying on her left side. When the
prisoner came at twelve o'clock, he said he would not come
in till his house was clear. Mrs. Dewhirst was then in the
back parlour. Witness stayed five minutes. The prisoner
went away for five minutes, returned, and again asked his wife
if his house was clear.

Mr. Samuel Poynton, a Lieutenant in the Navy, said he
was at Masons' Arms, East-lane, Walworth, in the evening,
and between six and seven the prisoner came in, and called for
a pint of porter, and remained about half an hour. The pri-
soner entered into conversation for five minutes or so. Did not
observe any thing peculiar in his manner. The conversation
appeared rational : it was concerning Mr. Fauntleroy.
John M`Laren, a watchman of Bronti-place, said he went to
the prisoner's house about half-past eleven, on the night in
question, at the request of Mrs. Dewhirst, who fitncied some-
body was in the hottie. He stopped near the house. Observed
prisoner coming out of the house, and bad him good night, but
he gave no answer. The prisoner shortly afterwards returned,
and went into his house. Witness returned to his box, and
presently Mrs. Dewhirst came for him, and he went with her
to Mrs. Adams. It was then twelve o'clock. At half-past one
Mrs. Dewhirst and himself went
.to prisoner's house. Mrs.
Dewhirst rang the bell two or three times. Heard the children
call out " father." They threw up the window, and he thought
they were throwing themselves out of the window from fear.—
They appeared frightened. Could not tell whether the prisoner
was in the house then. The children opened the garden gate.
Witness then went into the house; they heard the faint moan-
ing of a child. He then obtained a light from Mrs. Adams.—
M rs. Dewhirst and the children went with him to Adams's.—
Was absent half an hour in getting the light, and then returned
with Tring, a watchman, and Mrs. Dewhirst, to the prisoner's
house. It was then a little after two o'clock. Witness went
up stairs. Saw the prisoner lying on the floor, in the back
room, apparently asleep. Witness came down and sent Mrs.
Dewhirst up whilst he remained with Tring, at the bottom of
the stairs. Heard Mrs. Dewhirst say to the prisoner, "Oh !
Dewhirst, you have murdered the child !" As soon as she
said that, she came down and went away. Witness and Tring
then went up stairs. The prisoner sung out " Who comes
here ?" Witness answered, The watch." Ile went into
the room, and said to the prisoner, he would take him
into custody. He wondered at witness's behaviour to him.
Witness said, if it was his own brother he would do his
duty. Presently Tring pointed out a child to witness on the
floor. The prisoner said the child had tumbled down stairs.—
There was nothing the matter with it; he had done what he
could for it. He was watching it. Witness said " You have
done for it." The child appeared black and blue, and the blood
running from its mouth and nose, lying on its back naked.—
A bit of rug lay by the child. The prisoner picked it up, wiped
the child's face, and said, " There is nothing the matter with
that child." Vitness said, " You the father of children, to
say there is nothing the matter with that child ! Look at its
head, and the blood running from its mouth and nose." Wit-
ness then went for Mrs. Dewhurst, but could not find her. In
a little time afterwards Mr. Swift, the surgeon, and Mr. and
Mrs. Adams came. Tring had remained in the room. The
surgeon gave the prisoner in charge, as he appeared to be afraid
of him. When Mr. Swift came in, the prisoner asked him
what he came there for, and used very warm language towards
him. Upon which Mr. Swift gave the prisoner in charge. The
prisoner seemed unwilling to leave the room, and said to wit-
ness that he had that which would soon put him aside. The
prisoner was taken into custody, and some time afterwards was
delivered into the custody of Snow the night constable.
Thomas Tring, the other watchman, corroborated the last
witness's statement.

Mr. Swift, surgeon, gave the same evidence as before the
Coroner's jury.
Sarah Adams nursed the deceased for 15 or 16 months; had
occasion to call with the child at the prisoner's during that time.
Saw prisoner seldom, but when she did see him he was always
genteel and well-behaved. Witness lived at a distance of about
ten minutes' walk. The prisoner called once to see the child.
He was generally engaged in his business, and could not see
the child often. The prisoner kept a carpet and blanket-shop
in Blackfriats-road, where he was constantly attending.

MURDER OF A TITHE PROCTOR NEAR BLESSINOTON,
COUNTY OF WICKLOW.--On Wednesday last, William
Wallace, tithe-proctor to the Reverend Mr. Tucker, waited
on i\ir. George Hornidge, a Gentleman of high rank and
fortune, for the purpose of settling tithes. Mr. Hornidge
kept Wallace to dine with him, and, after dinner, an al-
tercation unfortunately took place, and blows ensued. In the
scuffle both the men fell, when-3lr. Hornidge stabbed Wallace,
with a small dirk, which caused his immediate death. A young
lad, a nephew of Wallace's, was present, and in trying to save
his uncle, was also wounded. A Coroner's Inquest was held on
the body of the deceased,and a verdict of wilfulinurfler was return-
ed against3lr.Hornidge,who has fled. (Dub.Even.Mail.) On this
melancholy subject the Dublin Morning Post says--." There
have been various reports in town relative to this melancholy oc-
currence : as, however, they have not reached us in an authen-
ticated form, we shall for the present forbear mentioning them.
We have heard that Mr. Hornidge has been for the last two
years in a state of mental derangement."
SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF VICE.-It
is with strong feelings of disgust we notice a Society instituted
for suck an infamous purpose, but it is a fact, that a club,
consisting of thirty or forty fellows, having a Treasurer,
President, Stewards, &c. is established to defray in com-
mon the charges which any member may incur by bastardy.
We shall at present abstain from giving further particulars,
but the parties may depend on it that if the Soeiety be not
shortly dissolved, we shall giye publicity to their names, and
call down on them that indignation and contempt which they
so justly deserve, and bring those dressed in " brief authority"
to condign punishment.---(Brighton Gazette.)

Snow, the officer, proved that between three and four o'clock
in the morning of the 18th of November, in the prisoner's pre-
sence, the watchman told witness that the prisoner had murder.
ed his child. Witness asked him how he had clone it ? He
made no answer. Witness told him he must take him up.
Witness searched him, and found a pen-knife in his pocket.
The prisoner said, " Why, you don't think I am going to make
away with myself ?" Witness replied that he did not know
what a man would not do, if he had done what they had charg-
ed him with. Before he went to the cage, desired witness to
send fbr 11r. Sibrec, who lives in Black-road, for by his
decision he would abide, because he attended the family. When
he first saw the prisoner, he had some white froth at the corner
of his mouth, as if he had been drinking, or in a violent passion,
or foaming at the mouth. When he took a button out of his
pocket, he said to witness, " You don't think I am going to
swallow the button ?"

Mr. 'Walters, the keeper of the gaol, proved that the pri-
soner had been in his custody six weeks; generally ssw him
twice a day. Has observed that the prisoner disliked con-
versing with any body ; his opinion is, that the prisoner is per-
fectly sane.

Cross-examined—His conduct has not at all varied : is of
opinion that the prisoner is now of sane mind.
This was the case for the Crown.
The prisoner said he would leave his case to the conduct of
his counsel.

ELOPEMENT.—On :Monday last an elopement
of rather an extraordinary nature took place in this town.
A Miss W—, the daughter of Henry W—, late of Ti-
verton, Devon, Esq., deceased, not twenty years of age, re-
siding with her mother at Taunton, had for some time past
been paid great attentions to by her cousin, who was like-
wise her guardian, about twenty-six years of age. From pru-
dential motives, the mother constantly objected to their union ;
but finding them determined on being married, a settlement was
talked of, but none was made. The young lady's fortune is con-
siderable. On Monday he took her off in a curricle, to pay a visit
to a relation in the neighbourhood ; on the turnpike-road lead-
ing to Bridgewater he had a chaise and four in 10aiting, into
which they got ; and it is supposed Gretna-green is the point
of their destination.—( Taunton Courier. )

symptoms of madness. The consciousness of controul will
produce a state of apparent calmness.
Several other witnesses were called, who, as Mr. Justice
BU R ItOUG IT observed, made out a clear case of insanity.
The Jury immediately acquitted the prisoner, on the ground
that he was insane at the time of the transaction in question.
The prisoner throughout the trial was in a most desponding
state, and was accommodated with a chair.

George Gregory Was indicted for feloniously killing and
slaying John Gregory, his father, by stabbing him with a knife
on the 2d of May, at St. Mary's, Newington. The Coroner's
Jury had returned " Accidental Death."
The following witnesses were called :
John Gregory, brother of the prisoner, turned 15 years, de-
posed that his father resided at No. 5, Great Dover-street,—
On the 2d of May last his father was at home in the morning.
They breakfasted about nine o'clock. The .prisoner did not
' breakfast with them. At that time the prisoner was from
home. The bread had been put away in a cupboard in the
same room. The tea-things remained on the table. The pri-
soner came home just as they had done breakfast, and began
eating his. The deceased had just been cleaning shoes, and
was standing near the window. Witness's brother, William,
asked his father for a bit more bread and butter. The deceased
said, " I'll be d—d if you shall ;if you don't know when you
have had enough, I must know for you." The prisoner then
said to William, "Do you want a bit ?" To which he said
" Yes." The prisoner then took a knife off the table,
and went to the cupboard. The deceased used generally to
cut with the knife. The knife had been sharpened that morn-
ing by the deceased on the step of the back door. It was a
common case-knife. The deceased had just gone into the
shop, and was returning into the room when the prisoner
was getting near the cupboard. The prisoner was reaching
the loaf to cut some bread, when the deceased came in, ap-
parently in a great passion. He ran towards the cupboard,
put his hand against the door to keep it shut, and with the
other hit the prisoner several blows across the back, and
knocked him down. The deceased went down side-ways; he
got up and went to the other end of the room, and hallooed
out, " the rascal has stabbed me 1" The prisoner hearing this,
laid the knife on the table, and went towards his father to assist
him, and seemed as if he could not believe it. The deceased
directly turned round, and took the broom, and was going to
strike him with the handle, but some cloths' lines hanging:
with some clothes upon rem, caught the broom, the line*
broke, and the clothes fell. At the same moment the deceased
and the table fell. A deaf sister was in the room at the same
time. His father got up immediately, went into the shop, and
sat upon a box. Witness's mother had been up stairs all this
time. As soon as she had heard what had happened, she bade'
one of them run for a surgeon. The prisoner George ran im-
mediately to the hospital, and on his return brought word that
the people at the hospital did not send out surgeons, but that
deceased must go there. Witness ran for a coach, and his
father was taken there.

Mr. Justice BURROUGH interposed, and said this evidence
accounted for the finding of the Coroner's Jury, who had rem
turned a verdict of accidental death.

Cross-examined.—The prisoner was the eldest son, and
was a g►reat favourite of the deceased. He was at a place,
but used to sleep at home, and breakfast at home on Sunday
morning.

The Other testimony was of very little importance.
Mr. Justice BURROUGH expressed his opinion, that there
was no case to convict of manslaughter • and supposing
the prisoner to be convicted, he should only fine him one
shilling.

Mr. BRODRICK pressed for a general acquittal, on account
of the stigma which a conviction might cast upon the boy's
character through life.
The Counsel for the prosecution yielded to the suggestion of
the Learned Judge, and
The Jury, under the Judge's direction, immediately found
the prisoner Not Guilty, and he was discharged.

GERMAN SPORTING.-The Emperor Francis 1.
made a hunting party in the year 1755' consisting of 23 per-
sons, three of whom were ladies ; the Princess Charlotte
of Lorraine was one, The chase lasted eighteen days, and dur-
ing that time they killed 47,950 head of game and wild deer ;
of which 19 were stags, 77 roebucks, 10 foxes, 18,243
hares, 19,545 partridges, 9,499 pheasant, 114 larks, 353 quails,
and 54 other birds. The Emperor fired 9,798 shots, and the
Princess Charlotte 9,010 ; in all, there were 116,209 shots fired.
Dutens's Memoirs.)

AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATII.—A young man of
the name of Lockstone, who lived at Tiverton, near this city,-
having some time ago, been drinking in the George public
house, requested a further supply of beer, which, as it was art
improper hour, was refused. He then left the house, declaring
with an oath that if ever he entered it again, he wished that ha'
might be struck dead ! Disregarding this oath, he again re-
paired to the house on Christmas-day ; and whilst enjoying
himself with his companions, recollected what he had before
said, but passed it over with a joke, exclaiming " never mind."
Soon afterwards, he suddenly fell down, and almost imme-
diately expired ! —(Bath Herold.)
EXTRAORDINARY FACT.—A Tien belonging to
Mr. Newport, proprietor of the Fly Carriages in tliis city, hav-
ing broken her leg, concealed herself in a corner of a loft, where
a load of straw was afterwards housed ; and after being com-
pletely covered for 16 days, upon the removal of the straw, she
came forth-perfectly recovered, and is now walking about ap-
parently uninjured by her fast !—( Bath Herald.) _

COURSE OF EXCHANGE, December 31.
Amsto dam
Ditto, at Sight
Rotterdam l2 3
' Antwerp l2 3
Haniburgli 37 0 24 1.34.
Altona
Paris,3 Day's sight
Ditto
Bourileaux, ditto
Berlin 7 5
Frank fort on the Min
Peteisburgli . 9
Vienna lO 0
Trieste lO 0
Nladrid - • . B6 Effective
Cadiz
Bilboa 3si Effective
Barcelona
ierille
Gibraltar
Leghorn
Genoa . ..... ....44i----Vettice, Ital. Liv 97
Malta
Palermo
Lisbon
Oporto
ltioJaueiro ... 4B
Bahia. .. 504
Dublin .••• 9} Cork 94 pet Cent.
BULLION.

Portugal Gold,in Coin I .0 0 0 ptr Otto
Foreign Gold, ill Bars 3 17 9
New Doubloons 0 0 0
New Dollars -0 4 10*
Silver Standard in Bars, ..

BIRTH.
The lady of Henry Winston Barron, Esq., of Belmont-house;'
Waterford, of a son and heir.

MARRIED.

On the 28th of December, at the Rev. Edwarct
Carus Wilson, A. 8., third son of William Wilson Carus Wil
son, Esq., M.P., of Casterton-hall, Westmorland, to Jane,'
only daughter of Thomas laude, Esq., of Woodlands, near
Harrogate.
On Tuesday last, the 28th u]t., at Marlborough, near Kings-
bridge, Devon, F. J. Delafosse, Esq., youngest son of the late
Rev. R. M. Delafosse, of Richmond, Surrey, to Dorothy, eldest
daughter of the late Edward T. Collins, Esq., of the same

On the 29th ult., M. Joseph, Esq., of Liverpool, to Frances,
eldest daughter of Judah Cohen, Esq., of liaekney-road.

DIED.
On the 19th ult., at Rotterdam, aged 9 years and 5 months,
Georgina Elizabeth .e.luntly, youngest daughter of Alexander
Ferrier, Esq., his Britannic Majesty's Consul for that and the
other ports of South Holland.
On the 30th ult., at Hampton, of apoplexy, William Johrz
Griffinhoofe, Esq.
On the 27th oh., in the 47th year of his age, Mr. John Gall,
surgeon, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.
On the 29th ult., aged 28, Mary, only sister of Fashani
Nairn, Esq., of Barnet's-place, Sussex.
On the 25th ult., at Ramsgate, the infant daughter of Mr.
John Smith, of Revel-end, Herts.
On the 25th ult., at Brighton, Mr. George Cooper, broker,
of Abchurch-lane, London, aged 31.

Dr. Uwins, a physician, proved, that on the 14th of March
lie visited the prisoner professionally, and again saw him on the
third or fourth day afterwards. His disorder was such that he
thought it would terminate in insanity. There was not enough
to justify him saying that he had fever: it was a derangement
of the nervous system, not attended by fever, He could not say
that his mind was then positively deranged ; but he anticipated
that insanity would be the termination of the disease. When
the nervous system is much deranged, it is very likely to pro-
duce insanity.
Cross-examined—lt is very possible that an insane person' Printed and
N
Icrublo. 2
ishleld,fojtrathned,Pbßyo4pr
B. coAasag,TlaltibteseSulf•-
might not, when under the controul of a prison, show any ,