The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-30 00:00:00

FANATICISM AND MURDER.

A young Count Liedekerke entered a village church
near Namur, and shot his two sisters while they were
engaged in their devotions before a crucifix. We read,
in a Brussels paper, that the only motive for this dread-
ful crime was an i sine fanaticism. The prisoner
walked all night aftfr commitVng the murder, and
boated of what he had done to a peasant whom he met
on the road. Oa being arrested he offered no resit
ante. He was taken to prison, and soon afterwards was
onfrontced sith the corps( s of his sisters, and asked it
he recognised them, and it he knew how they had been
murdered. His reply was " Yes ; I slew them for their
idolatry." He then went on to ascribe the deed to the
over-ruling will of Heaven, quoted Deuteronomy to
justify the act, and declared that if he had found his
father and mother perpetrating the sin of idolatry he
would have destroyed them without hesitation. He also
added that the elder sister was shot dead at once, but
that he had to fire twice upon the younger. The first
shot inflicted no mortal injury ; so he loaded his gun,
and fired upon her again. On further examination it
became fully evident that the prisoner was a mono-
maniac. His fixed idea was a furious zeal for the res-
toration of the Hebrew mode of worship. He called
himself a disciple of Moses, and protested against
some annuities left to his sisters as violations of
the Jewish law of primogeniture. The Eclaireur of
Namur gives the fellowing additional particulars of this
most extranrdir ary case:—" The young Count de Liede-
kerke, who we hear proceeded on foot to within a short
distance of Huy, returned home yesterday afternoon
about three o'clock, without appearing at all concerned
about what had taken place. He ordered dinner and
sat down at table, but was soon arrested by the
gendarmes, who had remained at the Chateau of
Garonsart, and was conveyed in his carriage to
the prison at Namur, where he was confined. At
a later hour he was brought back with proper
precaution from the prison to the chateau, to see the
dead bodies of his two sisters. An eye-witness of this
distressirg scene informs us that the in, rderer had a
wild and furious look, and spoke very decidedly. He
recognised the two sisters, saying, "That is Arnoldire,
and that is Hyacinthe ;" and then added, that "he had
a right to kill his sisters, because he was opposed by
them in his religious belief; end that he had read in the
Bible that it was lawful to get rid of those who stand in
the way of our salvation." We have learnt many other
particulars respecting the behaviour of the unhappy
lunatic. After going backwards and forwards twice
to Namur, he returned to the chateau and looked for
the steward, threatening to kill him, but not finding
him, he had inquired for his own sisters. Leaving the
scene of the murder, where he had remained long
enough to be seen by several witnesses, he met a pea-
sant at a little distance ; the latter saluted him, and
he coolly told him that he had just killed his two
sisters, and that he was going to do the same to the
Prince de Lannoy, his brother in-law. At that mo-
ment he was still armed with his gun, which he had just
reloaded. The only thing that he earnestly demanded
at the moment of his arrest was his Bible. It seems that
another idea had occupied his mind. lie fancied that
he had an exclusive right to the fortune of his parents,
to the prejudice of his sisters. The Prince and Princess
of Reyna-Wolberg arrived att. Garonsart yesterday
evening at eight o'clock ; the scene was terrible—the
Princess fainted as she alighted from the carriage, and
the Prince had scarcely strength to support himself.
The scene in the chateau was most distressing. The
Countess Arnoldine was 36 years of age, and the Coun-
tess Hyacinthe 29. The funeral will take place on
Wednesday.

HUNeERFORD SUSPENSION-BRIDGE STEAM-BOAT
PIER.—On Saturday, all that part of Hungerford Suspen-
sion-bridge, situate between the market termination and the
north turret was divided by an iron railing, the west side of
the bridge, on and after Easter Monday next, being to be
thrown open to the public landing or embarking in steam-
boats, free of charge. The directors of the Bridge Company
have ordered a toll-house to be placed at the north turret,
for the convenience of persons wishing to pass over to Lam-
beth.

LANCASHIRE CATHOLIC DISTRICT FUND FOR THE
RELIEF OF THE DISTRESSED IRISH.—From a statement
est published, of the receipts and disbursements in con-
nexion with this fund, perceive that the total subscrip-
tions amount to 2,397/. 13.5. 4d., and the church collections
to 2,523/. lls , making a total of 4,9211. 4s. 4d. The south
and west being the most distressed parts of Ireland, the en-
tire receipts have been transmitted to the Most Rev. Drs.
M'llale and Slattery, with a recommendation that it be dis-
tributed equally among the bishops in their respective arch-
dioceses for the relief of the distressed. In addition to the
above amount, a sum of 1,264/. 10s. has been remitted
through other channels for the relief of particular districts in
Ireland.—Liverpool Mercury.
FEVER IN CORK.—We regret to say that fever is
increasing rapidly, and becoming each day more malig
nant in its cliaractyr, and more fatal in its consequences.
Since our List, we have heard of many cases am mg the
wealthier ciasses of Hur fellow-citizi,ns, who have been
suddenly stricken down, and whose disease has assumed
the molt malignant character.—Cur/ Lxaminer.

ROBBERY AT SPROWsTON.—On Tuesday police
constables Goodchild and Elms were on dut) ut three
o'clock in the morning, at Sprowston, when they met a
man with something on his back. Immediately he
caught sight of the policemen, he threw down his
burden and ran off. Ile was pursued for three-quarters
of a mils and captured, when he proved to be George
Fisher, of Pocktliorpe. The article he had thrown
away was a pail, the property of Mr. Thomas Burrows,
of Sprowston. The prisoner was brought before S.
Bignold, Esq., and the pail being sworn to, he was fully
committed for trial.—l ()Volk Chronicle.
M►STER IN CHANCERY.—The lucrative office of
one of the Masters of the High Court of Chancery is now
vacant, Master Lynch having sent in Ilia resignation in con-
sequence of ill-health.