The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-16 00:00:00

THE CASE OF TILE CAGLIARI.

A letter dated Salerno, Fob. 9, says :—Since
Wednesday last the trial of the Sapri prisoners at
Salerno has made no progress, in consequence of
the determined refusal of Watt to attend. This
fact, taken together with all his antecedents led
to the presumption that his mind was affected,
and,
as I have already told you, a commission of medical
men was formed to visit and examine him. On
Sunday night the commission, assisted by Mr.
Roskilly, of Naples, paid Watt a third visit, and
yesterday morning they gave in their report to the
Court almost in these words :—" We find-1.
That on his arrival in this prison the accused
attempted to cut his throat. 2. That he has exhi-
bited various signs of mental aberration, such as
distrust, suspicion, and fear of his best friends.
3. On long and accurate inquiry among his fellow-
prisoners, we hear that he is altogether a changed
man from what he was. _ 4. We are of opinion
th

at he should be confided in qualchs- luogo
apposito,' and that some medical men devoted to
the study of mental diseases should examine him,
and report the result of their investigations as to
whether his aberration is feigned or real,"
The President was of opinion that the simple
inhispositviomnprteofmuzoinf
l aber-
gmentato appear in
ration.
court vas fwa man in
strongest

waSsia•no L •
..._____
wished e
to counsel
know for
whether the prisoner,\vatt•
unfortunate state ; ho was answered
always
ar t
he
i ten u
thisr i
had a ,
lucid intervals. "Then, I entreat the justice
and the humanity of the Courtnot to put the
stamp of insanity on the man, and thus ruin his
prospects for life. Let him be kept under medical
inspection, and in the meantime let the trial of the
others go on. Watt may be represented by any
person whom the Court may appoint, and we have
precedents for it during this week even, when seve-
ral Neapolitans who were ill were represented by
their counsel. Articles 223, 224, 225 permit the
absence of a prisoner who it is likely may disturb
the order of the Court without rendering it neces-
sary to suspend the proceedings." The Procureur.
General was anxious to reconcile humanity with
justice ; he did not think, however, that the trial
could be allowed to proceed without a positive
decision having been come to as to the state of
Watt's mind. The Court then withdrew, and
shortly returned and pronounced as follows :
"The Court suspends all further proceedings unti
such time as certain phreiiologi shall have decided
on the state of Watt's mind—whether his aberra-
tion is feigned or real. The phrendogi shall belie-
leeted by the President of the Grand Criminal
Court of Naples, under whose, jurisdiction is the
establishment for the insane at Averts."
._ti-otiona
With regard to the place where the laves :jawed
( were hereafter to be conductedlVlr.R•aktrit, how,
the British Infirmary at Naples. TYI- P
ever, will be decided by thephrenalor• Fr,. 9.
AFTAB POSfor
to be true, is circu-
btaliver been received. by the
Sardinian Charge d
latAedrtehpaotrtd, ewaPhsicth°h;lekaires directing him to insist
aapture was illegal.
the !mi./Ilion of the crew, on the ground that the
on the immediate restitution of the Cagliari and
it is further said that the demand made has been
refused, and the refusal despatched to Kum..