The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-18 00:00:00

THE SERIOUS CHARGE A 9AINST
BARON DE FOIL.

[The following appeared in our Third ',Edition of last
evening
This afternoon the neighbourhood of Bow-street Police-
court presented a scene of the greatest excitement, in con-
sequence of its being generally known that the Baron de
Vidil would undergo a further examination on the charge
of attempted murder, preferred against him by his own
son.

The Police-court became crowded long before the com-
mencement of the proceedings. Lord Alfred Paget, M.P.,
Mr. Gaskell, M.P., and several other influential gentlemen
occupied seats on the magistrate's bench.
At three o'clock, in accordance with the arrangements
entered into on Monday last, the prisoner Louis Pons de
Vidil was placed at the bar, in charge of Smith of the de-
tective force.
He sat down in the dock, and, as on the former examina-
tion, covered his face with his hands.
Mr. Charles Pollock, instructed by Mr. Ellis, conducted
the prosecution, and Mr. Sleigh and Mr. Orridge defended
the accused.
On the first witness, Alfred John de Vidil, being called
into the witness box; in a low trembling voice, he said—l
wish to say a word or two before the proceedings com-
mence. I had hoped that, as I am labouring under a very
painful infirmity, I should not have been called upon
to give evidence. When I applied for the warrant, I did
so merely for my own protection, and did not think that
those who had the execution of it would succeed in carry-
ing it into effect. I had hoped such would have been the
case, but it is not so, and I must, therefore, remain silent.
I cannot tell what effect it may have upon me refusing to
speak, or what may be done, but I hope I shall be able to
undergo anything which may befal me for refusing to
speak. Ido not know whether I should speak falsely if I
should insinuate anything against the prisoner. I wish
also to state that those gentlemen who have moved in this
matter have done so at my request, which was made to
them solely for the protection of my own life. If the pri-
soner insists that I shall give evidence I will do so, but
before I do so I must say he has been most unfortunate.
Mr. Sleigh—lf any insinuation is made against the pri-
soner, I beg to say the witness is labouring under great
misapprehension.
Mr. Pollock—l must beg that all remarks be reserved
until the case is proceeded with in the regular way.
M. de Vidil—lt is a very painful position I am placed in.
My duty, I think, is to deline going on with the case.
Mr. Corrie—lt is, no doubt, a very painful position; but
you have a duty to perform, and all must sympathise with
you.
Mr. Sleigh—lf the witness declines to be sworn, there—
Mr. Pollock—l must object to such suggestions
being made by my learned friend, as they appear to be
made for the purpose of influencing the witness.
Mr. Corrie—l have said before that it is a painful duty,
but it must be performed. ' It is your duty to speak out,
and tell all you know.
M. de Vidil—lt is my opinion that it is the duty of a
child to undergo any punishment in order to protect a parent,
and I do not assent to the law that would compel other-
wise.

Mr. Corrie—Do you refuse to take the oath ?
M. de Vidil—l do.
Mr. Corrie—Then it is my painful duty to commit you to

prison,
Mr. Burnaby, the chief clerk—Officer, take him into
custody.
The young man was then removed from the court in
custody of one of the detective officers.
Mr. Sleigh— If it would not be inconvenient I should
like to consult with the gentleman who has instructed me
in this matter, namely, Mr. Wontner, on what has just
taken place, and with the learned gentleman who appears
for the Crown in this case.
After an absence of about a quarter of an hour the learned
gentlemen returned into court.
Mr. Sleigh—l have conferred with my learned friend
Mr. Pollock, the counsel who appears on the part of the
Crown to prosecute in this painful case. I cannot but say
the conduct of the young gentleman is both creditable
to his head and heart, and what we propose is that you, sir,
should adjourn the further hearing of this case until Fri-
day, or any other day that may be convenient to yourself.
Mr. Corrie—Friday will do for me very well.
Mr. Sleigh—l am exceedingly obliged to you, sir, for con-
senting to that part of the arrangement. I have now another
request to make, and I don't think after what has taken
place my learned friend will object to it, and that is that the
baron, who has suffered severely since he has been in prison
on this charge, may be admitted to bail. Not in any trifling
amount, but in such large and substantial terms as you,
sir, may think the importance of the case requires.
Mr. Pollock—With respect to the adjournment, I have
no objection. As to the advisability of admitting the pri-
soner to bail, after what I have seen in court, I shall not
express any opinion one way or the other, but I shall leave
it entirely in the hands of the Court to act as may be
themeht count proper.
Mr. Corrie—When Friday was fixed for further proceed-
ing with this case I did not think of the fact that, as 1 have
committed the young man to prison for seven days, he
would be discharged before that time. We had better fix
some other day.
Mr. Sleigh—Friday next, your worship, not Friday week,
is the day we fixed upon.
Mr. Corrie—l have no difficulty in complying with the
first part of your request, namely, an adjournment of the
further hearing of this case until Friday next ; but I can-
not think of taking bail for the appearance of the prisoner,
as the case at present stands.
Mr. Pollock—Then, perhaps, sir, the young man can be
liberated from custody and restored to his friends ?
Mr. Corrie—He will only be kept in custody as a matter
of law; he will be subjected to no punishment, and, there-
fore, cannot suffer much from such confinement. As the
matter now stands he will only be detained little more than
a day. I cannot suffer such a refusal as he has been guilty
of, in open court, to pass over without protest.
Mr. Pollock—Mr. Parker, his relative, is a magistrate of
the county of Middlesex, and what I have seen of this young
man's state of mind I think it would be better if he was
given over to that gentleman, with the understanding that
he should produce him in court on Friday next.
Mr, Parker—l think his health, which is at present very
delicate, would be broken down by any confinement.
Mr. Corrie—The time he will remain in custody is very
short.
Mr. Parker—l will undertake that he appears here next
Friday.
Mr, Sleigh—l think, sir, with all deference to your opi-
nion, that as Mr. Parker is a magistrate, the young gentle-
man might be safely entrusted to his care until the day he
is required to be in attendance.
Mr. Pollock—l must say, from what I have learned,
that many of the young gentleman's friends are fearful,
from the present state of his health, of the result of any im-
prisonment being inflicted on him.
Mr. Corrie—lf you think it more likely to benefit the case
that the young man should remain with his relative, Mr.
Parker, I shall make no further objection.
Mr. Pollock (addressing Mr. Parker)—Will you, sir,
take charge of the young man in your capacity as a magis-
trate of the county of Middlesex ?
Mr. Parker—Certainly,
Mr. Pollock (to Mr. Corrie)--I may mention that the
medical gentleman who attend, M. de Vidil is of opinion
that imprisoriment would be unendurable at the present
time.

Mr. Collie—What's the gentleman's name ? Is he here ?
Mr. Pollock—lt is Mr. James. He is in court.
Mr. James here came forward, and having been sworn,
Mr. Corrie said—Are you the medical man who has at-
tended M. de Vidil ? If so, do you think any confinement
in prison would be prejudicial to him in his present state of
health ?
Mr. James—l think it would be prejudicial to him.
Mr. Corrie—Prejudicial, but not dangerous ?
Mr. James—l cannot say that it would endanger his
life, but I think his liberation at the present moment is
highly important.
Mr. Corrie—Bring the young man into Court.
M. de Vidil was then brought in in the custody of the
officer.
Mr. Corrie—Having reconsidered the circumstances of the
case, I have come to the conclusion, instead of sending you
to prison for your refusal to give evidence, that you should
remain in charge of your friends until this case is further
proceeded with. During that time you will'have an oppor-
tunity of consulting with your advisers as to your present
course. You have a duty to perform to your sovereign
and society, and however painful it is you ought not to re-
fuse its fulfilment. I hope you will fully consider the
position you are placed in. You will have to give evidence,
and it is to be desired that you would do so voluntarily
rather than by compulsion.
The young man was then given over to the custody of
his friend, and the Baron, his father, was removed from
the dock.
• During the time the young man was in court he appeared
to be suffering from great agitation and nervousness. The
prisoner did not betray any great mental depression. His
request for a seat in the dock was complied with at the be-
ginning of the proceedings, and immediately he seated him-
self he covered his face with his hands to avoid the gaze of
the persons on the magistrate's bench,
and remained in
that position during the whole of the proceedings.
Towards the close of the case a letter was handed
to him,
the communication resting
on his kneesyet he read
in order to avoid the necessity of raising his

to witness
head.
The crowd remained assembled outside the court during
the whole of the time the case lasted, in order
the departure of the prisoner from the police court to the
of Detention.