The Sun.
London, England, 1832-06-20 00:00:00

ATROCIOUS ASSAULT UPON HIS

MAJESTY.

Yesterday was the first day of Ascot Heath Races, and
it will be memorable from a most atrocious assault which
was committed upon the person of his Majesty, while
standing at the window of the Grand Stand, in the pre-
sence of her Majesty, and a brilliant assemblage of friends
and guests, by whom their Majesties were attended. The
circumstances of this revolting act we shall hereafter de-
scribe, but shall premise by stating, that from the favour-
able state of the weather, and the promise of excellent
sport, the assemblage of rank and fashion on the course,
although not equal in point of numbers to what we have
witnessed in former years, was still highly respectable, and
distinguished by a long list of persons of the first conse-
quence, whose equipages, in approaching the scene of
attraction, and whose personal appearance subsequently on
the promenade, presented a most imposing and gratifying
coup d'esil. It was generally known that their Majesties
would be present ; and as it is usual for the Royal party
to reach the course by one o'clock, all seemed desirous of
imitating their punctuality, as well as of witnessing and
doing honour to their arrival. To this feeling may be
ascribed a display of beauty and fashion among the pedes-
trian throng, greater than we have been wont to notice at
so early a period of the day.
The arrangements of the course were similar to those
observable on all former occasion—and, under the direc-
tion of the Earl of Lichfield, the Master of the King's
stag-hounds, and the yeomen prickers, the most perfect
order and regularity were maintained. The only novelty
which we remarked was the presence, for the first time, of
a military band, which was stationed close to the Grand
Stand, and which continued to play popular pieces
throughout the day—thus filling up most agreeably those
periods between the races which were heretofore uninte-
resting and often wearisome.
Wiih a view to the preservation of the peace in the
immediate vicinity of the Royal Stand, there was, as is
customary, a strong muster of the principal Bow-street
officers, including the venerable Townsend, Sayers, Ellis,
Taunton, Ruthven, Ledbeater, Gardner, and others, under
the direction of Mr. Roe, the Chief Magistrate of Bow-
street, and a strong detachment of the horse patrol dis-
mounted, under the command of Mr. Day. There were
also some county Magistrates and local constables on the
spot.
Shortly before one o'clock, the Earl of Lichfield, in the
costume of his office, set out from the Stewards' Stand,
accompanied by a large body of Yeomen pricker., in their
scarlet liveries, to meet their Majesties, whose splendid
cortege was soon seen advancing up the centre of the
Course. The Earl of Lichfield, on meeting it, took the
lead of the Royal cavalcade, and was closely followed, first,
by a body of Yeomen prickers, anti then by his Majesty's
led horses. Next came the carriage of their Majesties, an
open landau, in which were the King and Queen, the
Duchess of Richmond, and the Countess Brownlow. Six
other Royal carriages followed, in which were the Duke
of Richmond, the Duke of Dorset, Lord Albemarle, Earl
and Countess of Errol, Sir Philip and Lady Sydney, Lady
Lichfield, Lady Falkland, Lord Brownlow, Sir J. Rennett,
Colonel and Mrs. Clitheroe, Miss Boyle, Miss Wilson, and
lastly, in a phaeton, Lord Frederick Fitzclarence and Lady
Fitzclarence. Another body of Yeomen prickers brought
up the rear. The utmost anxiety seemed to pervade the
assembled multitude, who formed one avenue from the
betting-stand to the top of the hill in front of the Stewards'
Stand, on the approach of their Majesties, and the moment
the Royal carriages came within observation, all bats were
off, and a respectful and spontaneous expression of satisfac-
tion burst from all quarters; there were repeated cheers,
and if not so enthusiastic as may have been witnessed
on similar assemblages before, they were apparently sin-
cere, and were certainly unmixed by any indication of
feeling which could give pun to the most fastidious advo-
cates of Court etiquette. Their Majesties, we were happy
to observe, looked extremely well, and were evilently
much pleased by the flattering and affectionate manner in
which they were received, repeatedly smiling and bowing
as they passed along. On reaching the Grand Stand, the
cavalcade made the usual circuit to the back entrance, and
in a few minutes the King and Queen, with their attend-
ants, appeared at the front window of the Stand, and
were again greeted with loud cheers. The bell now rang
for the commencement of the sports ; the course was
cleared, and the most respectable part of the throng re-
tired to their carriages and to the different stands, which
were completely filled with elegantly dressed females. The
first race, it will be seen in our accounts of the " busi-
ness of the day, was a match. To this the Royal party
was particularly attentive, and at the moment of its con-
clusion were standing in conversation at the centre window
which was thrown up, when the utmost consternation was
created by a

MOST WANTON ASSAULT UPON 1115

MAJESTY.

A ruffian, in the garb of a sailor, of most wreched ap-
pearance, with a wooden leg, suddenly flung a large flint
stone directly at the King ; his aim was as accurate as the
effect of the blow was severe ; the stone struck our vene-
rable Sovereign on the forehead, just above the rim of his
hat, which was fortunately on his head at the time. The
sound was so loud that the moment the stone reached its
destination, it was distinctly heard throughout the room.
The King was either stunned, or so much astonished at
the moment, as to fall back two or three pace, and ex-
claimed, My God !!
I am hit !" At this instant the
same ruffian threw another stone, which struck the wood-
work of the window, and fell to the ground. Lord Fre-
derick Fitzclarence was close to his Royal Parent, and,
taking him by the hand, led him to a chair, inquiring
with the ,utmost agitation if he were injured ? The
Queen, Lady Errol, and all in the room, were equally
alarmed and horror-struck. Happily his Majesty soon
relieved their anxiety, and taking off his hat, and placing
his hand on the spot where the blow had fallen declared
with a smile that he was unhurt! Providentially his Majesty's
hat preserved him from consequences which might otherwise
have been most serious. The first moment of surprise
and alarm being over, his Majesty received the affectionate
congratulations of the Queen and those by whom he was
surrounded, while the Countess of Errol (his daughter)
burst into an agony of tears, and could with difficulty be
persuaded that there was no further danger to be appre-
hended. While this painful scene was exhibited in the
Royal Stand, the attention of the populace was directed
to what was going on beneath. The ruffian had scarcely
thrown the stones (which was the work of a moment)
when he was seized by a gentleman, who afterwards
prov
at
proved to
WbeinCdaztra,inanSamibtyh,
aonfottilineer Royal Navy, resi-
dentnaamedTurner, who had been a witness to the transaction. The
Bow-street officers, who were on the spot, rushed to their
assistance, and Taunton and Gardiner conducted the now
pissive prisoner to the Magistrates' room, under the Stand,
contiguous to that of the King, where he was detained in
proper custody till the subsequent examination.
The intelligence of the painful occurrence spread in all
directions, and a dense crowd was soon collected in front
of the Royal Stand, all anxiously inquiring into the state
of the King, and asking information respecting the outrage
which had been committed. In the midst of this con-
fusion, and in little more than three minutes after the oc
currence, the King rose from his chair and presented

himself at the Itinclow: The moment it ing gem hi
Majesty was unhurt, a simultaneous shout of joy burst
born all quarters, which was repeated when the Queen
and Lord Frederick Fitzclarence also presented themselves
at the window. Three distinct cheers were then given
with such enthusiasm that the feelings of the populace
could not be mistaken; there was a heartiness and since-
rity in their expression which left no doubt of the horror
and indignation with which they viewed the dastardly at"
t ,ck which had been made, although they were as yet
but imperfectly acquainted with its nature or extent.
Similar sentiments pervaded all classes, and repeadedly,
during the remainder of the day, the like demonstratioas
of loyalty and attachment to the King's peason were want-
rested whenever he exhibited himself at the window. On
the first burst of these natural and loyal sensations the
King was deeply affected, and could scarce refrain from
shedding tears, while most of the female group by whom
he was surrounded could not suppress that testimony of
their participation in the joy of his subjects.

EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONER.
On the public mind being pacified, Mr. Elliott,
Magistrate, of Reading, assisted by Mr. Roe, the Chief
Magistrate, proceeded to take examinations against the
prisoner, who stood in the corner of the room apparently
but little affected by his situation. His appearance, as we
before stated, was most wretched, and similar to that of
those wandering mendicants, who, in the tattered garbs of
sailors, are constantly imposing on the credulity of the
public. He had a wooden leg of the most rude construc-
tion ; and in answer to the numerous questions .svhich
were put to him, said his name was Dennis Collins, that
he was a native of Cork, and had been long in his
Majesty's service. He had originally served in the
Kangaroo, and lost his leg on board the Atalanta. Ile
had been admitted a pensioner to Greenwich Hospital,
where he had remained eighteen months ; but sis
months back had misconducted himself towards his
ward's-man, and had been turned out. From that
period, which was in December, he had been with-
out pension or means of support. He petitioned the
Lords of the Admiralty for redress, but in vain ;
he then, on the 19th of April last, petitioned tbs
King. This petition he took to Whitehall, and he had
reason to believe it had reached the King at Windsor,
for it was seat back to the Lords of the Admiralty, gni
he was again informed, through their Secretary, that his
claims could not be recognized ; he then became desperate,
he had no means of support, and as he said, " he might
as well be shot or hanged as remain in such a state." In
this feeling it was he came to Ascot, determined to be re-
venged on the King. He admitted he threw the stone
which struck his Majesty, as well as the one which fol'
lowed. He had no accomplices, and acted entirely from
his own feelings, and without the suggestion or dictation
of any person. He then produced his papers, to shot;
thet his story was well founded ; and on being reasons°
with en the atrocity of his conduct, he said he was sorrl
for it. His manner was perfectly collected and rational'
and be was recognised by some of the Bow-street office
as having been before the Magistrates of that establish'
ment for some former misconduct. On examining hif,
head, there was a mark of a wound, which we collect&
from him had been inflicted by a fall. He was not
toxicated, but he admitted that he had been drinking bee,
which he purchased with a shilling which bad been give°,
to him by a gentleman that morning. He had walk&
down from London, and bad slept in a shed in the neigh'
bourhood Windsor the preceding night. This was the
substance of his own statement.

The following evidence was then taken on oath, by 10
Burnaby, the Clerk of the Magistrates:--
Captain George Smith, of the Royal Navy, being
Windsor, deposed that he was that day standing in {root
of the Royal Stand, on Ascot Heath ; he saw his Majegtl
standing at the window, and saw the prisoner threw °
atone at his Majesty, which struck his Majesty on the
head ; his Majesty reeled back—put his hand to his bead:
and made some exclamation which he did not hear
_L "'
the same instant the prisoner threw a second stone. Vii!
ness immediately seized the prisoner, who made some o'r
nervation be did not distinctly understand.
Mr. Benjamin Turner, of No. 5, Waterloo-terrace'
Bethnal-green, deposed, that he was also standing is foal
of the Royal Stand, and saw the prisoner fling two stonee'
the first of which struck his Majesty on the head, the
other fell to the ground. He saw his Majesty reel bid'
wards, and at the same instant he saw the last witness sei°,
the prisoner, who made no resistance, but admitted ti°
he had thrown the stones.
tfa
Lord Frederick Fitzclarence was next examined.
produced a large flint stone with jagged edges; he 17
that day standing next to his Majesty, on the Royal Stele'
and was suddenly alarmed by hearing the sound prodliew4
by a stone striking his Majesty on the head. His
jesty exc!aimed, " Oh, God! lam hit !" Witness IS,
the stone fall on the floor; and it was immediately afte''
wards picked up, and handed to him by Lord Brownlocr:,
Lord Brownlow deposed that he likewise was in P
Royal Stand. He saw his Majesty struck by the at°,',l;
produced, which he picked up, and handed it to the `j
witness.
Several other witnesses, including one of the band, W.A
picked up the stone that fell from the window, and 1P;
bitter, who picked up
.a stone at the foot of the prig°c
also tendered their evidence; but Mr. Elliott was of o,e,
nion that there was evidence sufficient of the fact to c°l:',
mit the prisoner for further examination; and the to
nesses having signed their depositions, a mettimus
made out, committing the prisoner to Reading Gaol,
an understanding that he should be brought up again,,„"
a second examination, on Tuesday next, at the Petty
sions of Workinghatn, in the county of Bucks, on
day the witnesses were desired again to attend. fIJ
Some of the county officers were then called in ;
.;111
the prisoner having been consigned to their custody, be
taken, in a post chaise, to his destination. tbl
The Magistrates did not seem to have agreed upon ,o,
character of the crime of the prisoner; but the general;
pression was, that it amounted to High Treason.
ofite
There is no doubt, from the spirit which the pl.'s!)
displayed, and the hostility which he expressed, that
he been able to procure a more deadly weapon than
stone which he used, he would have had no hesitations
using it towards the Royal person. That he had not,'
means, and that his abominable intentions were not

seriously carried into effect, must be a source of cone'
lation thrnughout the country.
_A 1
It was six o'clock before their Majesties goittruci
Grand Stand on their return to Windsor Gastle, ,tlO
their passage down the course the cheers of the err 4
were enthusiastic. All classes seemed to unite in testi:
their attachment to the Royal Person, as well as tbe'',
at his escape from the danger of his cowardly
1
and tresc
roue assailant. . ;

Besides the illustrious and distinguished individus',l
mediately embraced in his Majesty's suite, who were
sent on the occasion, we noticed the following :--••$1
Duke of Portland, Duke of Rutland, Marquess 0' 0/
ter, Marquess and Marchioness of Clanricarde, Alattott,
and Marchioness of Tavistock, Earl Wilton, Earl al
terfield, Earl Jersey, Lord Villiers, Earl of Uxbridge' 0'
of March, Lord Castlereagh, Earl and Countees of Sea 0
ampton, Marquess of Sligo, Lord R. Grosvenor, L'fi,of'
Manners, Count Matuscheviiz, Lord G. Bentinck)
John Fitzroy, Lord Ranelagh, Colonel and LAY fp
Peel, Marquess of Graham, Lord W. Paulett,
Sloane, Sir G. and Lady Heathcote, Hon. Colonel -Joe
Sir S. Graham, Mr. M. Stanley, Mr. S. Stanley, rr,
nHoorn;
Hon.
Craven,
on.ctainl-oRIon. u.,E P
Sir
irLeterwe, e.
y.HoGlynG,esnierrali
F. Stanhope, Lord Lowther, Captain Hall, Mr. l'lf°
Mr. Hawker, Captain Byng, Mr. Greville, Mr. IrbY;iiil,
Payne, Colonel Crosby, Colonel Russell, Mr. F. '#P
ColonelTh
e Udny,ceurse Mr.
was S ti
no n eehwxecelelre,n
excellent order,
S.
der, Weworitillegypot;d,
great exertions of Mr. Jenner in rolling and bush
rowing it.

SPORTS OF THE DAY. tP4II
We shall now proceed to notice the sports of t,",,t`
the interest of which was so much diininished.
painful transaction which we above so fully descriter'
fore going into details, 'we should premise, that t,..h.ceb 1"d
novelty of the Meeting is the Eclipse Hoof, wt'iii-31101,1
Majesty has presented to the Jockey Club as a C'",
prize, with the annual addition of 200 sovereigid,
vided two horses start for it. The hoof is set
tghe
great value and beautiful workmanship, and has ibel:if
lowing inscription :—" This piece of plate, wit' 04
of Eclipse, was presented by his most gracious 05>
William the Fourth to the Jockey Club, 51*, 0 tie'
His Majesty's object was, doubtless, to encourageLc,
national amusement ; but it is the opinion of titu-heysj
are most competent to speak on the subject, that
strictions by which the gift isaccompan ied are ill cs'o,st
to effect that end. They say, and with reason,
flop i 4
promote a national sport the prize ought to be " trtocol,l
and not confined to any body of men, however ari'ir of 1,
or influential ; that by the present conditions, o°,llh° e
most respectable Noblemen and gentlemen, J0r..,),
breeders of race-horses, and not members of the ,ifeoif
Club, are shut out ; that the Ascot Cup has Ithat'ij
the impolicy of these invidious distinctions ; ;t oool,'
insure' the popularity of this magnificent pricewo • eotil;4
at once to be thrown open to all challengers. .7 ensl faro
at Jo
concur in these objections, which derive
from the fact, that the Challenge Cup at Nevir°3in
not. on the average produce more than one race. et.
eight years; moreover, the entry for the hoof Su

waned to three herscproof enough of itself, If such
Were wanting. We hope to see this altered.
The running yesterday was plentiful enough to satisfy
the warmest admirer of these pastimes. Eleven races
Were in the list, and nearly all of them came off.
It is expected that their Majesties will again attend the
Heath this day, to-morrow, and Friday ; but to-morrow
being what is termed the " Grand Day," it is expected
the assemblage will be of the most magnificent description.
The following is a correct statement of the result of
yesterday's races :

Match, 50 sous. h. ft. Three quarters of a mile.
Mr. Gardner's Ida
Mr. W. Day's b. c. by Brother to Interpreter
The winner the favourite, won easy.
The Oatlands Stakes of 30 SOVP. each. Two miles
and a half.
Mr. W. Chifney's Rowton, 6 yrs (S. Chifney)
Mr. Payne's Paddy, 4 yrs
Mr. Wagstaff's Sadler, 4 yrs 3

The following also started :
Lord Tavistock's Gondolier, 5 yrs ; Lord Exeter's
Varna, 6 yrs; Mr. Rush's Guildford, 6 yrs; Mr. Gard-
ner's Leander, 4 yrs ; Lord Orford's Naiad, 4 yrs ; Sir G.
Heathcote's Shirine, 4 yrs; and Sir M. Wood's Lucetta,
6 yrs. Two others declared forfeit, and paid 10 sovs. each.
Betting-3 to 1 agst Rowton (taken); 3to 1 agst
Sadler ; 4 to 1 agst Paddy ; 7 to 1 agst Lucetta ; and 9 to 1
agst Gondolier. Paddy and Guildford made play at
starting, neither having any positive lead for the first half
mile; Paddy then went ahead, Shirine lying third to
them. Rowton was last, where be continued for more
than half the distance, after which he began to creep up ;
at the two-year-old post the horses began to change places.
Shirine fell off, and was immediately followed by Guilford,
Lucetta, and Leander cutting it immediately after. Sadler
went up to Paddy's quarters at the distance, keeping at
the inside; he was followed directly after by Rowton, who
waited till about twenty strides from the finish, and then
be went by Paddy, defeating him dem ly by three-quarters
of a length. Gondolier was fourth : the pace was good.
Produce Stakes of 100 goys. each, h. ft. For three year
old colts, Set. 71b.; fillies, Sat. 31b. Old Mile. Nine subs.
Lord Orford's f. by Muley (Conelly)
Lord Jersey's 1. by Partisan
Mr. Stonehewer's f. by Partisan
7t04 on Filagree ; and 2 to 1 agst Emma. Won in a
canter by two lengths.
Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, b. ft., for 3-yr olds.
Five subscribers.
Lord Lowther's Lazarono walked over.

----- -
Filly Class of the Produce Sweepstakes of 100 soya. each,
h. ft. Three subsribers.
Mr. Houldsworth's Corset walked over.

Ms Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas. Four miles.
Mr. Watson's Conscript (Pavia)
Mr. Munro's Crispin, 4 yrs
Sir M. Wood's Lucetta, 6 yrs 3
Mr. Payee's Paddy, 4 yrs 4

7 to 4 agst Lucetta, 2 to 1 agst Paddy, and 4 to 1 agst
the winner. Crispin made the running at a great pace,
till within a distance of the finish, when Conscript came
out and won easy by two lengths.
Colt Class of the Produce Stakes of 100 sove. each, li. ft.

Old mile. Four subscribers.
Lord Exeter's Spencer (Conelly)
Duke of Richmond's Casador
Won easy by a length and a half.-2 to lon Spencer.

Post Match, 100 sous , h. ft.—Half-a-mile.
Mr. Gardner's Cinderella (Pavia)
Mr. Vansittart's Violante
b to 2 on Cinderella, who won by five lengths.
Match, 50 sovv. Old mile. Bst. '7lb. each.
Mr. Day's Giantess, late L'Amitti (C. Day) 1
Mr. Martin's c. by Waterloo
3 to 1 on Giantess, who won in a canter.
Match, 50 ROW, h. ft.
Mr. Gardner's King William received from Colonel Cosby's
Adam Brock.

Match, 100 KOYS., h. ft.
Mr. Crouch's f. by Zealot received from Mr. Young's f.
(dead), by Middleton.

NEWCASTLE RACES, JUNE 18.
A Produce Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for the
produce of mares covered in 1828 ; colts, Bst. 41b. ;
fillies Set. Two miles.
Mr. Gilmour's b. c. Vyvyan (R. Johnson) 1
Mr. Riddell's ch. c. Favori
Mr. Stephenson's b. f. Variella
The Tyro Stakes of 25 sous. each for 2-yr. old colts, Bst.
41b. ; fillies, Bst. Two year old course. Three quar-
ters of a mile.
Mr. Stephenson's br. c. by 131acklock (T. Lye) 1
Mr. Tarleton's ch. f. by Grey Walton
Mr. Orde's ch. c. The Dancing Master
Mr. Attwood's b. c. by Tinker ... 4
Renewal of the Gosforth Stakes of 25 sovs. each, 10 ft.,
for horses, &c., of all ages. Two miles.
Lord Cleveland's b. in. Maria, 5 yrs., (T. Lye) walked over.