, 1862-08-09
Affecting Scene at an old Bailey Trial

Affecting Scene at an old Bailey Trial.
The following affecting scene recently occurred
at the Old Bailey, London, at trial for murder,
at which Lord Chief Justice Tindale presided:
Georre Hammond, portrait painter was placed
at the bar 10 he tried on an indictment found
against him by the Grand Jury, for the wilful
murder, with malice aforethought, of George
Baldwin, rope-dancer and mountebank. The
prisoner was a man of medium height, and slen-
der form. His eyes were blue and mild. His
whole bearing gave evidence of subdued sadness
and melancholy resignation. He was Al years of
age, had soft sweet voice, and his appearance
and manner bore evidence of his being of
distinguished education, in spite of the poverty of
his dress.
On being called out to plead, the prisoner ad-
mitted that he did kill Baldwin, and he deplored
the act, adding, however, that, on his soul and
conscience, he did not believe himself guilty
Thereupon jury was impanneed TO try the pris-
oner. The indictment was then read to the jury,
and the act of killing being admitted, the jury
rested their case, and the prisoner called upon
for his defense.
The prisoner then addressed himself to the
Court and Jury MY lord" said he, "my JUST
fnatnn SC to be found in recital of the facts
Three years ago lost daughter, then four years
of age the sole memorial of a beloved wife, whom
it had pleased God to recall to himself l lost
her, but l did not see her die She disappeared
she was stolen from me. She was charming
child and but her l had nobody in the world to
love me. Gentlemen, what have suffered can
not be described; you cannot comprehend it. l
had expended in advertising and ruitless searches
everything Observation-Disclosures, pictures, even
to my very clothes. All have been sold. For
three years on foot had been seeking for my child
in all the villages in the three kingdoms. As soon
as by painting portraits had succeeded in gaining
little money, returned to London to commence
my advertisements in the newspapers. At length,
on Friday, the 18th of April last, crossed the
Smithfeld cattle market In the center of the
market troupe of mountebanks were performing
their feats. Among them child was turning on
its head supported on halberd ray from the
soul of its mother must have penetrated my own,
for me to have recognized my child in that condi-
ton. 1t was my poor child Her mother would
perhaps have precpitated herself towards her and
locked herself in her arms. AS for me, vail
passed over my eyes. knew not how it was-I,
habitually gentle, even to weakness, seized him
by the throat raised him in the air, then dashed
him to the earth-then again he was dead
Afterward 1 repented what had done. At the
moment l regretted was able to kill but one"
Lord Chief Justice Tindale.-These are not
Christian sentiments. How can you expect the
Court and jury to look with favor on your de-
fense, or God to pardon you, if you cannot for
giveP
Prisoner.-I know, my lord, what will be your
judgment, and that of the jury but God has par
doned me; feel it in my heart. You know not,
knew noe then, the whole extent of the evil that
man had done. When some compassionate peo-
Pile brought me my daughter in prison, she was
no longer my child she was no longer pure and
angelic as formerly she was corrupt, body and
soul-her manner, her language, Infamous. like
those with whom she had been living. l did not
recognize her myself. Do you comprehend now
/ lldL man DHu IOUDtu me Vi lLe lONc anu SOul vi
nv child. And IL have killed him but once.
Foreman ofthe Jluy.-My lord, we have agreed
on our verdict.
Chief JltStice.-I understand you, gentlemen,
but the law must take its course. l must sum up
the case. and then you will retire to deliberate.
The Chief Justice having summed up the case,
the jury retired, and in an instant after returned
into Court with verdict of Not guilty"
On the discharge of Hammond, the sheriff
obliged to surround him with an escort. The wo-
men were determined to carry him off in triumph.
The crowd followed him all the way to his lodg
ings with deafening shouts and huzzas.
A sPUNKY secesh girl is the author of the fol-
loving cutting lines on Honest Old Abe 5"
Jeffdavis rides white horse,
Lincoln rides mule;
Jefdavis is gentleman,
And Lincoln is a fulo.
She concludes by saying that she "will be for
Jeffdavis till tincee river freezes over and then
be Tor him and scratch his name on the ice."
EDWIN BOOTH, who, with his wife and baby, is
spending a few weeks in Paris, is busily engaged