, 1874-02-11

but he little anticipated that those questions
would be invested with the enormous gravity
and Importance which now characterised them.
Instead of q simple Investigation involving the
guilt or innocence of the Defendant of the crime
of perjury, the accused had become the accuser,
and attacked the character, the truth, and the
honesty ofmany persons whose lives had hither-
to passed without reproach. The Defendant,
through his counsel, had not hesitated to charge
the Government of this country and the respon-
sible officers of the Crown with a scandalous
and shameful abuse Of their power, and with
lending their aid and the public purse to a
wicked and profigate prosecution. This trial
was ordered by the late lamented Lord Chief
Justice Bowl, and promoted by the Crown with
no other object than that Of arriving, by the
imperial verdict Of a jury, at a conclusion
whether the Defendant bad not forsworn him
self; and Of indicating the s~canctity of an oath,
without which the law itself would be power
less, and the lives, liberties, and property Of the
people would be insecure. The learned counsel
then gave a brief resume of the circumstances
which gave rise to the action of ejectment in
the Court Of Common Pleas, in which the De-
PENDANT committed the alleged p%erjuries. He
would not take up their time with discussing
any of these, except the three main subjects of
the Indictment, which alleged that the Defend
ant had falsely sworn that he was Roger
Charles Tichborne; that he seduced his cou-
sin and that be was not Orion. It would be
most convenient to deal with the last first, be-
cause if they we're satisfied that the Defendant
was Orion that would dispose of the other
charges. He tEan rapidly traced the life of
Arthur Orion, and the evidence of the witness
ses one after the other was rapidly disposed of.
He contended that so far from assisting the
Defendant, bis witnesses had done nothing for
him, but, on the contrary, greatly strengthened
the case for the Grown. The learned counsel
spoke with great severity, and with a passing
hit at Mr.. Whalley as to the conduct of the de-
fence with reference to the testimony of a man
named James. Luie's tale had been taken down
at Poets Corner as early as July Z, and in that
tale he said he had seen James at Ballarat,
when, after landing Roger Tichborne at Mel
bourne, he and four of the sailors of the o.
prev went to "the diggings." But seven weeks
after July 7, James was put into the box, and
he was never asked a question as to seeing the
sailors Of the Osprey and Luie at BaHarat.
Mr.. Hawkins therefore drew the conclusion
that both the witnesses were from the first dis
believed by those who conducted the defence.
On January l6, Mr.. Hawkins resumed his
analysis of tho Australian witnesses, which
having concluded, he said he should not deal
with the handwriting, for the jury would have
an opportunity of judging Of that for themselves,
as we'll as comparing it with the handwriting
at Fosters, but there were just two or three
entries only 10 that pocket-book that he need
mention. Certainly the man who wrote in it
had been to Melapilla, because there was the
name in the book. Who but Arthur Orion
could have written not only the name but the
address of Mary Ann Loder? And what did
they think of the entry of the arrival of Roger
Tichborne at Hobart Town? For the purpose
of ascertaining bis claim the Defendant left
Sydney accompanied by Boyle. But before
parting with Gibbes and his Australian friends,
The Defendant told them, having purchased the
Metropolitan Hotel, that he intended, after
having got the estates, to come out again and
set up the largest butchering establishment in
Wagga-Wag If they had to consider whether
this was like Roger Tichborne or Arthur Orion,
which would they say They left Sydney on
board the RakaAia, and arrived at Panama.
There was little ON the voyage prior to en-
barking on board the cecilia on his voyage for
London. Gu board that vessel the Defendant
met Mr.. VIM. Henry Stevens. During the
voyage Mr.. Stevens handed the Defendant his
card, and on the morning of December IS,
1866, the Celia arrived in the river, and off
Grayesend. They then took on board a pilot,
xw;th whom the Defendant held a short but q