The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-02 00:00:00

ATTACK ON BARON BUDBERG.

Ti-,e following letter gives details of the attack on th 3
Itussian Ambassador while on his journey to France :
" I had taken the train at Cologne to proceed to Paris.
' When we reached Verviers the passengers got out, and I
went with a friend to breakfast in the refreshment-room.
A gentleman took his seat at the table next to ours, and
I recognised him to be Baron de Budberg, who was
returning from St. Petersburg. While I was mentioning
this to my companion, a man of distinguished appearance,
and whose features were not unknown to me, approached
the ambassador, addressing him in French, with a
' Good morning, baron.' The latter looked up, and with
an accent of surprise replied, also in French, Ah ! You
here !' The other then spoke, but in Russian, and in a
very animated tone. The baron said a few words
in the same language, evidently for the purpose of calming
the gentleman ; but the latter resumed with increased
vehemence, and at last struck the ambassador a blow with
his closed hand and attempted to draw a cane-sword. My
friend rushed on him and took the weapon away. The
stranger then drew a revolver from his pocket and took
aim at' Baron de Budberg, who stepped back, calling out,
Arrest him, he is mad !' One of the attendants rushed
forward, and seizing the assailant by the arm, forced the
pistol from his grasp. This scene naturally caused
great emotion in the room. The police were sent for
and the stranger taken into custody. He turned out
to be Baron de Meyendorff, son of the well-known
Russian diplomatist, and subject to fits of mental
alienation, at which times he seeks quarrels with
the most inoffensive persons. A short time back
at Paris, in an access of this nature, he insulted and
challenged a French gentleman, M. de P—. A duel
was arranged, but friends interposed, in consideration of
the mental condition of the baron. The Frenchman went
to the Russian Ambassador and asked, as a vindication of
his honour, for a letter attesting the insanity of his oppo-
nent. The document was drawn up and delivered. Since
that occurrence M. de Meyendorff has meditated vengeance
against the ambassador. Knowing that he was daily ex-
pected to return to Paris, this insane gentleman went to
Bologne, whence he proceeded every morning to Venters
in order to intercept the ambassador and accomplish his
object. Aft the request of Baron de Budberg, the unfor
tunate gentleman has been detained at Verviers under
strict surveillance, but with such consideration as the
state of his health and the position of his family demand.
His relatives have been communicated with by tele-
graph."

Edward Fifield, a Sussex labourer, was charged a
few days since before the Chichester bench with poaching
on the estate of Sir J. C. Jervoise, Dart., M.P.,
and on land in the occupation of Mr. A. H. Hall.
The man was undoubtedly guilty, two pheasants
having been found in his possession, and the chairman,
(Mr. H. W. Freeland) sentenced him to imprisonment with
hard labour for three months for the first offence, to further
imprisonment with hard labour for three months for the
second offence, and at the expiration of this term of six
months to find two securities in £5 each for his good
behaviour for a year, with the alternative, if he could not
obtain the said securities, of undergoing a third term ot
*n
.3,19,14' ippribonment E 44 hard labour