Star.
London, England, 1828-09-03 00:00:00

PRO* Tifg_goNslll3lll°PilLs

PARIS, Aim 30.
We have received the following Ipttyr from Vienna,
dated the 20th Of Ausyst, rkFh we insert Verbatim;
and "hid laments in a new point if view the Turce.
Roiling affairs, and the return of the Emperor Nicholas
to thie•sa:

"The news of the arrival of the Emperor Nicholas at
Ode;sa, is; for the Cabipet of Prince Metternich, a kind
of 28th ffuUetin, on which the Philo-T'ufkisti felons] the
greatesebopes. SioCks have risen On Flithge. Tfie
armaments of Aistria are continued with the utmost
activity i the belief gained ground chit the idea enter-
tained was that pf tilting part in'a great political catas-
trophe. and the effervescence produced so many
robinurs that Madame Titischef' bei decided upon
settin-ofifOr Odessa, in' older 'to iiroid the circles Of
g m
enpf. sense, who are attentive to every thing that
ps”res. tbink,thit the partiiani of the Tut aidi system
!nay !hive cause torepent oitheir mehmhvies, fir those
which appear Certain. The Eritperor Nicholas
after having :l?rought a considerable tor* around
Schomla, in order fo keep the Turks in check these, who
, will speedily disperse on account Oran ilia of ptovi.,

'At these assizes, Marie-Cecile Lepage, aged twenty-
one years, was charged with
.attempting to poison with
arsenic the child of her master, M. Leiasseur. This
ease excited considerable interest, as there Were' Many
.eircumst inces Which seertiettolsidicate in the prisoner
a hard)* timatiltaailfa itle. poisoning of children of
der age, at different places where she-lived as a bet-
ant. The prisoner when at the bar replied reluctantly
bet-
ant.
the questions which were put to her; she was of sliest
ped thick stature, with downcast eyes, and face highly
coloured. • .: .
Madame Levasseur, the wife of the prosecutor, de-
d to her general satisfaction with the services of the
ceased; but added, that on one occasion. some soup
ch had been prepared for her child having caused 7hiit-
itevomit,, she said, speaking of her servant. " That
reteli. wished to make my child vomit—we will now
whether the Will not do the same; she then put
Me of the toup.of the child into that of the servant,
ho was itimelliately attacked In a siesil.r way: It
koraoo.*ai three 'are iefores if. Levasseur had
oti
ght seize 'aitenic for the destructiodoerats, and that
e had the inconceivable imprudence to leave Upon a
Oielitheyaper in whirl* it was contained.
'hi prisoner did not deny 'hiving put some of the
powder into the soup, but.deelared that -she had done
it under the belief that it was white salt.
. To this, however, Madame Levasseur replied to the
Court, that thernever used white salt in' the kitcben,
Ind that lkwu not the place of the servant to pet' hilt '
unto the sonti, which she ilWityi did herself.
The Presideni (eddreising the accused)—You have
aid thakthe sister in law of your master, and sabot..
said that,the sister in law of your master, and subse.
q
uently your master himself, advised yowl° commit this
ctime.•
Prisoner—l never said that.
M. Nibrone, a Surgeon, after deposing to the means
adopted to restore the child, added,'that the prisoner.
bad confessed to him the adminittering the poison.'db-
:serving, however, that' it wait bet tidiness; and not the
~ .. . . .
,child, she wished to destroy. ~
M. Levakseui swore to her having declared, in his
,preience; 'that' shit had received tbe :poison from his
;brother's wife.
bia4anie Demianney, with whom the prisoner once
lived as servant, stated, that on one occasion she asked
the witness whether arsenic, which bad been lying by
for some time, still retained its efficacy ? This witness
added, that while the prisoner lived with her, her chit-
dreif were more than once attacked pith violent and

dangerous' ?Whitings.
'The Priioneri on hearing this evidence, manifested
considerable emotion,' then tainted, and fill to the
grcitind ; when she bad reccoirered. the President re-
sumed the proceedings, but was interrupted by a noise
on the bench where the gensdarmes were :Wow.- It
appeared that a respectable old Gentleman had 'wished
to seat himself in one corner, when a gensdirme,•with
great rudehesi acidteutedity; took him by the arm, and
desired huh tb nrithdraei. 'On the old Gentleman's re-
nionsteatfilg, the gensdarme became more violent, turned
him round forcibly, and 'esclaiined, " I arrest you."—
The President here interleied, and said, " Gensdarmes,
take out that person."
One the advocates then rose from the bar, and
said, " This Gentleman has committettno crime by sit.
ting on the bench with the gerisdatmes. • 1 hive the
hOnour to know him. Ile was furrnetly an advocate
in the Parliament of Paris; hells eighty years of age,
and his grey hairs are entitled to reverence."
The President—He is not in the coutonre of his pro-
fession, and is in one of the reserved places; therefore,
gensdarrneF, Wen 'him out. ' ' • '
Thi:Old Gentleman then said, " I have one of your
own cards authorising me to sit in one of the reserved
place.; I have been fifty-six years an advocate, and
never yet failed in respect to the Bench." Notwith-
standing this appeal, the President insisted on his being
turnectout. tit the old Gentleman moving to obey
the oesferrthe entitle Bar, with the exception of the pri.
,often'. Counsel, rnie'and indignantly quitted the Court.
The prisoner'. Counsel observed aloud, " I would follow
your esample,.Gentlemen, if my duty did not retain me
here."

The trill was then resumed, but the evidence against
the 'pit:pun not being considered sufficient by the Jury,
they acgaitteditee, aad'she was immediately set at
liberty.

CORRECTIONAL TRIBUNAL LW, NA BROWNE.
4,—.0.--
Mc L.— was charged bet .se this kilning with beat-
ing and others. ire ill using hes vise. It appeared from
the evidence that M. L-i-a--, with bed been separated •
tut some years (ruin bis wile, nn acedutst of her tra-
'proper conduct, had suddenly coaceived-the idea of
iesumine his nserital.rights, and theietore proceeded to
ibe house where the ',sided. On knocking at the door,
however, he was itiforesed by the lads that .he would
not receive him. He in to entreat "or admittance,
and when he found that entreaty had no.effeet, he pro.
carded to ?Schnook—a Open the dOnr." said he, 0 or. I
till break it dower-801 cannot," said she, " for I
hive lost the lief." Theo entreaty was Ord again.
•• I know ynu are nut alone, but Never mind, admit me,
and I will forgive ell" Still.was the LadyinflAtibler.
The Greotlemao then goes to fetch a lad ler, and places,
it against the window, the shatters of which wereclositil.
"ritetady tuns up 514 its—the bushand as i.n the lad-
der, ten stet horn tboground, k• pocking at the shutters
—when suddenly they are openers from the onside—..
sway goes the lidder and husband into the .trees,. and
(Jowls stairs goes :he Lady, to latigh with 1 er pat 4mM),
-i Olt diseornfitore of fier-frusttand.- sTlie pion 'Gentle.
man Waepictedup without mode damage; and oaths
Waning day, meeting trith his wife in the Welty Ittld!
remembering with indignation the attar or the piece&
ing nigt•t, he bestowed upon her first 'abuse, and then
a emeglaiss. sound mental conection:' • lur this be
stood at the bar of the Teitional, to -.newer the charge
Of his frail= rib,:who appeartid bes:igened -nut, full of
spirits, a marked contrast to her unhappy husband. The
depravity of the accuser, the
.degradation ei the as
cured, were calculated to produce a painful impression
upon the Court, tut the strange demeanour And lan.
gdage of one of the witnesses for the defence prevented
any other feeling than mirth and risibility. This
was a M. Rouviere, an elderly Gentleman, with one
band reclining upon his hip. the other encoded *cross .
his back. Wnen called into the presence of the Court,
ha. 'deemed with a steady pace and satisfied air, flied*
a 'gracious bow, then raising his bead, said, with' the'
familiargnod humour of an old acquaintance, 0 Good a
morning, Geotleinens" . .
The President—You swear ta speak the Leib, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth:
Witness With great pleasure; Mr. President. Gen-
tlemen, one evening. about midnight, I was occupied
in sleeping (j dais occapeo otitis) wheat I heard bond •
cries in the street. It was M. L—., who was in alga.
aMs with an individual I piesentei: myself at my
;window, and beard this individual say to L--, "Coat
iiith me. if you dare; but you are too n.uch of a coward."
1 cried to L-- to jump in upon the individual, bet•bs •
said, " I am without arms, and be has' befoul mitten
pistols." I thee closed my window, and roomed my
occupation of sleepieqc.
All the evidence being beard, the President rose. and
thus addressed the prosecutria and defendant:—" Young
pat tied people, your age gives you still ground for hope.
.I.tettaU thee has past, and tbosk only ot lrte future r
and you (addi gluing himself to the wife), forget not that
there is no error, however vent, which is not to be
atoned tor by repentance, and that it is never too late
ko regain the esteem of the public. When your daughter
wives at an 'age to compare your esaiiipfe with the
lessons of vet tuesshich you may• have gigot bet. nosy•
r conduct have been such, that memo in you only
virtuous mother, she may not suspect foe of ever
wing been a guilty wife."
E
' Built was the address of the Judge, and willingly
Id be have made op matters bete, en the partibeo
toe is raw,omid be who violates it must look out fee
piiishenerit-a-so was it hare. The Counsel for. the
',accused pleaded hard io mitigation, and in truth a ten-
het tumble was no slight gi mind of irritation, but then
the husband had provoked bus dishonour and his fall,
And deserved farther chastisement. McCown, there:
fore, condemned M. L---. to pay the mists o€ the pro..
needing, and 16 francs fine.: and marked its horror of
Marital correction by adding. to the pecuniary part of
ibis penalty one mouth's close imprisonment.—Gasette
ides Tribune's.
ROYAL COURT AT PARIS. •
M. Berard, Director of the Theatre of• Novelties, en-
gaged Mademoiselle Vigne, to perform the amorous
parts of every specjes. ior half the year 1827, at a salary
of 1,800 fi amt. She performed for a 'petted of two
months;Ot the end of which time M. Berard pretended
that. she had not paid sufficient attention to the per-
formances, and that she must make hunshie subssiesies
to him before he would permit her to perform again.
Mademoiselle Vigne stated that she bad fulfilled her
engagement, and would make no apologies; he, in con-
sequence, selused to let her perform; and she brought
an action fot the recovery of her salary. and M. &need
was ordered to pay 1,650 francs and costs. On his
appealing to this Court, the sentence of the lower Conn
was confirmed.
Some Sundays ago , Mr.PPacker Gal, an English
Gentleman, was going to Vsncennes in actinide, having
a Lady with him, and a livery-servant behind., Oa• the
road the driver of one of the,petty public conveyances
whipped the horse of the curricle, which darted aside
andran among a party of workmen in one bf the side
alleys. Two of these nice were killed, and eivothers
seriously hurt. The driver. who was the author of the
disaster, escaped in the confusion. Mr. Gill having left
Paris, was condemned by default to three months' im-
prisonment, a fine of 100 francs, and to pay 6,000
francs as an indemnity to the families of the victims. He
immediately returned to appeal against this condemns.
Won, and the Court, in quashing the sentence, set teeth
distinctly That there had been. neither imprudence oar
tinsk id illness nu the part of Mr. Goll.—Gartgaesta Maas.
A letter from Marseilles says, that more vessels are
being freighted on account of the Governinent ; and,
though there are now very few in harbour, the freest.
are taken at the same rate as the others. The proprietors
of oansporm contracted to have their vessels ready .to
sail by the 26th, and it was thought that the third con•
way would sail limn Toulon, for the Matra, on the Ist
of September. The English vessels, which are as.
peeled, would arrive in a few days, if courtier-order,
were not given. •
NEwCAsTLZ. Sarr. 4.—Sunday and yesterday the
weather looked very dull, and seemed to threaten rain.
There was, indeed, a trifling fall, but nothing to do
any injury to the harvest. Within the last few days; a
great deal of both wheat and oats has been cut. Wheat
in this neighbourhood, as far as we nit judge, appears
to be about au average crop io sparsity, mod vary fatal
1 quality. . .

THE EVENING

ik.:C" *N. ...140.NPOI* *1 * %
VPI4I4II.96AVISEVTI44BER 3, 1828.

PItICE OF STOCKS AT FOUR O'CLOCK. •
Bask Stock 2141 151 lndia Bonds 108.7
3 per Cent. Red. 881 1 Smith Sea Stock
3 per Ct. Cons. 871 1 1 Old Annuities 881 1
fit per Cent. 961 71 New Ditto
31 per Cent. 1ted.971 1 41000 Ruben. Ms 76 4 5
4 per Ct. New,lo2l 1 4500 Ditto 76 4 5
4 per Cent 1824, 106 51 6 .1100 and 4200 Ditto 75 6
Long Ann. 201 1.111 Advertised 74 S
India Stock 242 Consols for Acct. 871
FORRIQN FUNDS. TWO O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bds. spCt. 621 Portog.B4s.Sp C. 54
Imonihsan floods, 6 per Ct. Do Acct. 531
D0.800d5,1814, Ross.Bds.lB22, 5 perCt.943ll
Do. Acc.24l i Spanish Ms Sp Ct. 111 11
D toil& Ns. 3 p Ct. 631 DoAcct 111
Greek 8d0,16115, 5 p Ct. 181 Span. Ms. 1823, 5p.C. 71 1
Mex. 8d5,1815,6p Ct. 401 Fr. Rentes.s p C.lOBl tsc 107150
Do Acct. 40 391 Exchange 25150 c
BRITISH AND FOREIGN SHARKS, TWO O'CLOCK.
sweat. rAID.
Aiiglo Mexican 100 95 25 •
Weans 300 • 290 440 430
Brazilian 3S so 68 69
Ditto National 25 5 71 7
Real del Monte 400 400 2721 280
United Mexican 40 se 20
Alliance British and Foreign 100 10 el 1 e

There is one circumstance peculiar to the present
contest between Russia and Turkey, which should be
constantly borne in mind, when we would endeavour
to form any thing like a correct notion of events that
have taken place. It is, that we derive all our infor-
mation from one side only. We have no Turkish news-
papers, with dispatches, bulletins, and letters, from the
seat of war—no Turkish Gazette, with official intelli-
gence—no Turkidi politicians, in the character of edi-
tors, pamphleteers, and correspondents, to give their
version of occurrences, or their opinions upon facts.—
With the exception of such information as the diplo•
antic agents of the different European Monarchs, who
are at the Russian head quarters, may transmit to
their respective Governments, and which the latter
make publrc'or not, as circumstances may require,
we are dependent solely upon the Russians them-
selves, who will, of course,• admit as little as pos-
sible to their own disadvantage. We must fix our at-
tention therefore, upon wbat they do, rather than upon
what they say they have done, and judge by their 'Mina',
progress, not by their confident anticipations, as to the
real nature of the difficulties they have to oppose. It is
not here as in other distant campaigns, where the truth

is to be sifted one by a diligentmail-cautions coaspari•
son of opposing statements; we must extract it, as
a skilful Counsel does from krtluctant WitOM, by an
ingenious cross.examination.

It appears by recent accounts from Lisbon that Don
Minuet. has graciously signified his intention of marry-
ing his niece, Donna MARIA DI Gum* (the betrothed
Princess is in her tenth year!) and of surrendering to
his brother Don PSDB° all the Colonies which he can-
not keep for himself ; and these magnanimous conces-
sions, it is said, are both " wise and politic," as they
will " remove in a great measure," it is a4ded, " all
objections that may now be urged against his claim to
the Sovereignty of Portugal." This is a compendious
way of settiinr the question. Suppose a man were to say
to his brother, "George, I base 'a fine estate, you know,
in Worcestershiie, besides the one on which I reside in
Derbyshire; rii give yqu the former, ►ut upon these con•
ditions, first, that you continue all the tenants in the pos-
session of their present leases ; secondly, that you marry
my daughter when she is of proper age; and thirdly, that
till then, you are to consider yourself as my steward or"
factor, only administering the .pinperty on my behalf
and in ply name."—George subscribes to these con-
ditions, and confirms his acceptance of them by a
solemn oath taken in the presence of respectable
witnesses. But the moment he is put in possession,
he cancels all the leases, ejects those tenants who
will not take fresh ones upon his own terms, and
takes the whole estate info his own hands. Some half-
doses refractory tenan.s refuse to acknowledgehini at
their landlord; and after a time he says to his brother,
make you a present of these, and I'll malty your
daughter; but ra keep the estate, and persist in the,
new leases." Nov, ;this might be 44 vi6e and politic"
enough on the past of George, but we hardly thick his
brother would replyµ it removed in a great measure all
objections that could be urged against his claim to the
estate." A bargain, -consisting of three conditions, is
not exactly fulfilled when only oat of the conditions is
executed.

We have, during the last week, devoted a consider-
able portion of our columns to a subject which more
than any other, perhaps, comes home to " men's busi-
ness and bosoms." We_ allude to the Report of the
Committee of the House of Commons appoiptl-d to
inquire into the manner of obtaining subjects .for dis-
section in the Sthodls of Anatomy, &c.
This is one of those questions which sets man at war
with himself; uhich brings into direct conflict the
calmer energy of reason with the natural affections
and sympathiei of the heart. It is as if be were called
upon to decide a point evidently to his own personal
advantage, but at the expense of all I e holds most dear
with regard to others. Who is there that does not ac-
knowledge the thousand teuder and sadly pleasing sen-
timents which are associated with the grave? We look
forward—and it is " the bourne from whence no tra-
veller returns ;" it is our resting place when 1 fe's
fitful dream is over—it is the asylum if the broken-
hearted—the refuge of the care-worn mind—where
the weary are at rest, and the wicked cease from.
troubling. We look back—and it is the mausoleum
of our kindred—the sacred depository of t lose we
have loved, because we knew them—parent, wife, chil-
dreoriends--or of those we have been taught to venerate
man ancestry of mony generations. Even the savage
clings to Ins native wads and wilds, and will not leave.

them, became he cannot say to the bones of his fathers,
• 's
arise and go with me. / •
For evet honodred'be these feelings t We would not,
if we could, weaken their inflame*, or violate their
sanctity. But, shrouded in silence and in mystery—
guarding, in every possible way, against discoveries
Oat must produce a shoek whenever they occur—and
consoling ourselves with the reflection that " ignorance
is bliss," we mould. for indeed we must, provide the meani
of diminishing the amount of human suffer i ng.We should
condemn, as the dictates of a morbid sensibility, any rea-
soning that went to deny the necessity or prop' iety of ena-
bling anatomical science to attain it utmost reach of per-
fection. It is too true that the greater part of our morel
duties exact from loin the performance of them saerifices
of greater or less Magnitude. Virtue would lose its name
and quality were it otherwise; and our existence in this
world its highest claim to beatitude in the next, that of
being a state of probation. If then our duty towards
the living can be fulfilled only by a wrongs done towards
the dead (a wrong, be it remembeied, • whijzkine feel,
not they) the sacrifice is one which site are bound to
make. All that can justly be required of us, is that we
do this wrong as gently, as considerately, at delicately,
as ire can. The manner of it is vAirit* shOuld gone
occupy our thoughts ; for the doing of it is beyond argu.
ment. We shall resume this subject; and tend our aid,
feeble as it may be, towards practically suggesting
several modes by which we think the desired end may
be attained.

Last night we received the Paris Papers dated Mon-
day. They contain intelligence from Lisbon to the 17th
ult. which contradicts a rumour that prevailed there of
the intended departure of tile Spanish Legation; on the
contrary it is stated, that at no former period did a
greater intimacy subsist between the two Courts than
at the, present moment. Don Mtotraz has issued a
decree, by which be confiscates for the use of his Tree-
swy, not only the property of those who lately opposed
bills in arms, but of those who have emigrated witbeut
his leave.—There are some speculations in these Papers
on the war between the Russians and Turks, which must
be received with extreme caution.

The Messager des Chatabres contradicts in positive
terms the report of a French naval force having
„taken
possession of Minorca. The explanation given is,
that it •is to Port Mahon the ships employed in the
blockade of Algiers constantly resort to revictual ; but
that they never remain there for any length of time.

CITY. Twrims O'CLO.CX.
Up to the present boar there is a complete.stagnatlon. both from
want of intelligence and sp‘ealation In the Bdtish tparket, stiU we
are not idle in reproves, and it is said tbat tie Russians have made
an attempt to storm Varna, in' which tbiy did not succeed, and
lost

five thousand men, with a great quantity of artillery ; but at
present we cannot trate the above information• to any atitbentic
source.—The Consols market opened *if rooniing at $7l for the
Account. since which. they have receded •7j not a fea-
ture worth the least observation.
•• 11 •
• CITY, HALF-PAST.ONE O'CLOCK.
The Cush! market has coati:Ned the wficik or the nioining at
174 for the Account, aketnately buyers aid ' where, with little or
nothing doing. Up to the present timewe have no halite infor-
mation from the East, or any other quarter, therefore the report
in the early part of the' morning, of an attempt oflhe Waists tra
yarns, cannot be credited:
The attentionlf the public la now'tewards Odessa, 'ar it is ex-
pected some important events are going forward la the above dip
In the Foreign Market scarce any thing doing. '
•

- .

The Duke of CLARZNCI• came. to town yesterday
i from his seat in Busby Park. - His Royal Highness re-
ceived
iili r
visits at the Admiralty from the Princess AUGUSTA and the
Princess Soma. The Duke transacted official tautness during
the day, and left town about half-past four O'clock, en his return
to Bushy.
1112 Princess AUGUSTA left tuwn yesterday after-
noon, for her residence at Frogenoce. •
The Duke and Prince Gamma of CUMBIRLAItD at.
rived at the Duke's Palace at Schonkaasen, near Berlin, on the.
24th ult Their Royal Highnesses were, at the period of their ar-
rival, iu very excellent had&
Dispatches, dated the 7th of July, were yesterday re-
ceived at the Colutdal Office from Major-General &mace, at the
Cape of GOod Hope. . •
The Austrian and French Ambassadors and the Pros-
sin Minister had interviews with the Earl of Amman
day, at the Foreign Office, liosvnitts.street. The ArcliMshop of
Canntaamtv also visited the Noble Earl yesterday.
The American Chargé d'Affaires transetted busi-
ness yesterday at the Oilice of the Secretary of State for Foreign
• 4ffairs.

MR. AUSTIN.—The Directors of Greenwich Hospi-
tal have been 'actively engaged in investigating the alleged defalca-
tions in the accounts of the late Deputy ,Treasuter, whow,emmi-
nation is appointed to take place at Greenwich this day.
In Petu heavy -dews fall at night, and .the weather
is hazy for weeks together. It once happened that ; •essel bound
to Europe met a cruiser, and hailed to ask If the latter had any
commands? 44 Remember us to the San when you ere him," was
the seisms.

• The King of Filmier has pretested to the King of
GaZAT %MAUI 34 lbw orange trees, destined to elltoinenl•lhe
Royal Garden ,at Windsor. They have been forwarded by the
Seine to Havre, where they are to be shipped op. board the brig
Hope, for London—Golignesu's Mesunger.. :• -
While we are coinplainiiig of ram ta
1.6 Is country,
1t
letters from Tindal of the 115th Auguit Snail I-o tbeinten;
dant. Mr. Rae, has caused 1,200 quintal.[ cons to be ground b'y'
the aid of a steam engine. The drought ls suck in the South, tisit
aU the water courses are dried up.
• Dusr..—A meeting took place at seven o'clock on
Tuesday evening is the Meal; Putt, between Mr.,Amant end
Mr. Vas. Nam, of Liscaltill, both of the county Tipperarr :after
a discharge of a case of pistols the parties were arced from the
ground (lireconciled) by the Interfere.oce ef Captain Limns, with
the Pelice.—Daks Earning Pisa

LORD Pi.usßgTT.—On WedRODIRT, while his Lord-
ship was engaged bearing a motion in the Commission Court, be
was interrupted by the drums of the military outside, and told the
Learned Counsel who was addressing hint that he could not hear
him for the seise. Mr. frosnam observed that it was the Newgate
guard they were relieving. Lord Pius sess: they may be relieving
them, but they are distressing us.

CHIA? TRAVIILLING.—The competition between
coaches wig& have lately been running between Blackburn and
fokiptea, and Giber parte of Yorkshire, is new as great, that we
yesterday observed a label upon the. Hatt-tonvard comb, inti-
mating that the public might p frts and that the proprietors
would fen aWiged by an acceptance of the liberal invitatu-
burn Heil.

Tht- harvest for the list ten days in Lincolnshire has
been proceeding rapidly, and notwithstanding al/ tke untoward re-
ports, corn has experienced very little injury, and wiU he a fair
Average crop. We are happy to add, that king wool has been a
good deal to request, and as. and s4s. per todd are current prices
for lair parcels. This circumstances, in crinjoitction With the ex-
pected excess of winter keep, hew opined to ike farmer a fax More
cbseriag pooped than was held out to him a few weeks ago,