The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-23 00:00:00

t

THE SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST

BARON DE JrIDIL.

[The following appeared in our Third Edition of last
evening :---]

130 W-STREET.
‘The'approaches to the court tb-clay- presented the same
crowded appearance' as they have ddne on both occasions,
when the Baron de Vidil has been placed at the bar.
At- three o'clock the accused was again placed at the
bar in charge of Inspector Whicherend SergeitCtt William-,
son of the detective force.
The first witness called was

John Evans, WhO said—i am an engineer, and reside at
the Railway Staticon,,Twickenhain, I recellect`tbe 28th of
June last. I went in the evening to ttto Due d'Aumak's
to see a friend. He was not at home. I returned to the
high road, and while I was Standing near the gate I saw
that young man [pointing to M. de Vail, who was sitting
at the attorneys' table] with his bat off, and his face covered
with blood. He crouched down between me and an old
woman, and said something. While this was going on a
saddle horse came up without a rider. A man then came
uP--the prisoner at the bar. He appeared very much agi-
tated, and said," What's the matter ; what's the matter,"
and made an attempt to jump overthe pailings, but slipped
at the' first attempt, he succeeded at the second ; but in
getting over he got his hand on ono of the iron hooks at the
top of the gate. I then saw him get river another set of
rails, and then he disappeared amongst some shrubbery. I
noticed the elder man had what appeared a whip handle in
his hand. I took the young man to the Swan publichouse
at Twickenham. Before we got to the gate the prisoner
cameup and assisted us to take the young man to the inn.
While I was leading the young man I asked how the matter
had happened. He said his horse had plunged and threw
him against a wall. Doctors had to be sent for.

Julia Fizgibbon—l reside at Brentford. On the 28th
of last month I recollect being near the Duc d'Aamays.
I can't recollect the young man's features, as he was covered
with blood. Mr. Evans, the last witness, was there. There
was another gentleman there, but I should not know him.
I picked up two pair of ewes and a riding-whip, which
I took to the Swan public-house and gave them to tho
landlady.

John Tanner—l reside at Twickenham. I keep the
Black Dog public-house. Irecollect the 28th of June. On.
that occasionl was in the road near Orleans House. I
noticed two gentlemen riding together. I watched therm
for some time. They were near the Swan public-house.
I was in the road going towards the ferry. When I ar-
rived there I heard some one • say, "There's two of the
duke's horses loose." I looked round, and then saw the two
horses the gentlemen were riding when I first saw them. I
saw the young gentleman bleeding from a wound in his
forehead. I went towards him and asked him' what had
happened. The elder man (the prisoner) said he had had
an accident and knocked his head against a wall. I asked
prisoner what he was going to do, and he replied, " Take-
him to the nearest public-house."
John Everett—l am private watchman to the Duc
d'Aumale. I recollect the evening of the 28th-of June.
I was sitting outside the Swan public-house at Twicken-
ham. I noticed two gentlemen on horseback. They were
going towards the duke's house. In• about four or five
minutes I saw the horses return down the lane without
riders. I took hold of the bridles, and they were as quiet
as lambs. There was blood on the saddle and on the mane
of the smaller, horse of the two. I afterwards saw the
young gentleman with Mr. Evans. The blood
was running , down his face. The prisoner came
-up in a few minutes, and I asked him how it had hap
puled. He said the young man was standing up in his
stirrups in the saddle, and the horse shied and he struck his
head against the wall. I asked him about a dcctor, but he
made no reply.

Dr. Alfred Clark—l am a surgeon residing at Twicken-
ham. I recollect on the 28th Jima being called to attend a
young gentleman who was at the Swan public-house. I ex-
amined his head. There had been profuse bleeding, but
little when I was there. It was all over his shirt and
clothes. He said he was in great pain. I ordered him a
little brandy and water. His face having been washed, I
examined and found a starred wound on the forehead ; the
skin was cut to the bone. I dressed the wound and
then procotded to examine the other part of the head. On
the left side—at the back and towards the upper part of
the head—l found another wound precisely similar to
the one on, the forehead. There were no scratches about
the face, and no other wounds of any description about him.
I asked how the matter had happened—if the horses had
run away, but he replied " Wo." I then asked him if he
had fallen. He said "Not" I then asked if the horses
shied, snd ho said " Yes, he thought that was it, and that
he was thrown from his bores against the wall." After I had
dressed the wound, I felt the young man's pnlse; and asked
how he was, and whether there was anything else I could
do for him. The prisoner was present no to this time. The
young man tcok my hand and said

Mr. Sleigh objected to the conversation, as it was not in
evidence that the prisoner was present.
_ _

. -
Mr. Clark proceeded—l perfectly recollect that on one
occasion the prisoner was present, because I asked him to
get some brandy for the young man ; while he was absent I
took the opportunity of asking him some questions, and ho
replied—.

Mr. Sleigh again objected to the evidence.
Witness—Well; in consequence of what the young man
said to me I sent the wounded man back to London in th©
care of my assistant.

Mr. Corrie—How do you think the woun ,ds were caused ?
Witness—lf there had been but one wound, I should
have thought it might have been occasiemed by a fall, but
as there was another of precisely the same description at the
upper part and back of the head, I felt that that could not
be the cause. I should think tl..at the injuries could have
been inflicted with the knob of a riding-whip. There
would have been some scratches about the face if the in-
juries had been caused by a fall.

Mr. Parker—l reside. at Ware, Hertfordshire. lam a
magistrate for Middlesex. The prisoner and myself mar-
ried two sisters. i know the state of the family of the pri-
soner. He has but one son, M2de Vidil. The young man.
has a considerable fortune in money. I have corresponded
with the prisoner, and am familiar with his handwriting.
The letter handed me is in his handwriting. It was here
put in and read. It was a communication from the, prisoner
making inquiries relative to his son, who, he stated, had
disappeared from his lodging, suffering from an injury ho
received from the rearing of his horse. It dated from the
Clarendon, and bore date the 29th June.
M. de Vidil was then sworn.
Mr. Corrie—Do you still persist in pour determination
not to give evidence in this case ?
M. de Vidil—l de.

Sergeant Williamson—l took the prisoner into custody
on his arrival in England. He came to London accompanied
by two French officers.

Inspector Thornton produce ~ the hat M. de Vidil wore
on the day of the occurrence, in which there was a deep
indentation in front.
Inspector Thornton—That is the case.
Mr. Sleigh—l am at a loss to understand what is the
exact charge against my client.
Mr. Corrie—lt has not been varied in the least.
Mr. Sleigh—l hardly know whether you think there is
any evidence against the prisoner.
Mr. Corrie—yes, I do.
Mr. Sleigh—lf you intend sending the prisoner for trial,
I shall not take up your time by any observations, but re-
serve them for another occasion. I have, however, to apply
that as you intend to commit the prisoner you will accept
substantial bail for his appearance.
Mr.Corrie—Having determined to commit the prisoner for
trial, I have now to consider your application relative to bail.
From the peculiar nature of the case, and the position of the
parties, I cannot but think it would be =advisable to accept
bail, because persons with amply means in. oa?
like the present would be willing to make any socnflef in
money to evade the law. I shall therefore not take, bail.
If you are not satisfied with my decision, a judge 0-twuy°
sits in town, and you can make application to him;•
ate
The prisoner was then fully committed to N
trial, and the whole of the witnesses were
bound over to
g for
seemed greatly
appear in the usual manner. The prisoner
-
affected and astonished at the result of the investigation.

THE IRREMOVABLE POOR BILL.—The Irretnov.,
able Poor Bill is among the Lords' orders far to-day, and.
we hear that it is to meet with opposition. We trust, how-
ever, that this opposition will not be of such a nature as to
cause the loss of th
valuable measure. It is one of the
instituted for 13 years Past. It has re-
iscriheisefthasethhieavveembels of the session. It is bass upon inqui-
ries
ceived the unequivocal support of the Ho
ipsasasbediniwt bhyiemhalsor(imtieesofofhsuernllaonmitylestso tthhane 11.;:00e.r o
Moreover,af
nCdoofmmmoen rise;
who have expended upon it a great deal of labour, and have
osuelddebliehesroarrtyelyteasieseeuassmedeasert rsicdare einfullayscumon--
justice to tho ratepayers. We are sure that the country
msgenidaer:rreamdliaaYnnwnder by a scanty House of Peers.--Times.
COVENANTED SERVANTS.—On the motion of Mr.
H. Seymour, there has been laid before Pal-Himont a copy
of the covenants entered into by members of the East India
Civil. Service. In addition to general covens oats for fidelity,
obedience to orders, and accounting, the o ovenanted ser-
vants bind themselves to deliver to. the Government, on de-
mand, all their books and papers containd ng an entry or
memorandum touching G overnment busine: if 3, notwithstand •
ing that there may be private entries therefin ; they are not
to divulge any matter relating to the Go irernment which
ought to be kept secret ; they are not tx) accept presents
from persons with whom in the course of •their official duty
they have any dealings or transactions ; ey are not to trade
contrary to any lawful regulations ; if du aged with wrong-
doing towards persons who are not EuriaTean .born subject
of her Majesty, they are to submit to the decision of the
Secretary of State in Council, or of the. Governor in council
of the presidency, if these see fit to jute rfere ; they are not
to return to Europe or quit their presii lency without leave
in writing, and previously to removal as re to pay any debts
they owe to persons not European-born subjects of the
Crown ; no settlement of their accounts is to be deemed
conclusive against the Government of Ind is unless it be
made by the Secretary of State in council ; ar id, lastly, they
are toaubscribe to the civil hind and the aq auity Auld.