The Sun. — 1867-10-03 (London, England)

FENIAN OUTRAGE.  - MANCHESTER, Wednesday. Another " scene in court " opened the proceedings this morning before Mr. Fowler, the stipendiary magistrate, and a full bench. Going back a little, as is necessary in taking up the thread of the examination each day, it may be allowable here to observe that the close of the case for the prosecution, yesterday evening, was an event which many persons bailed with inexpressible pleasure, if for nothing else than the relief it brought to the endurance of all who had so long been compelled to listen to the cross-examination of witnesses by the learned gentlemen engaged for the defence. That Mr. Roberts, in opposition to an opinion from the bench, that a certain witness had given his evidence properly and fairly, should declare the sworn testimony of that witness to be " a lie ;" that the same attorney, having provoked a pretty general expression of mild disapproval from a crowded court, should call the assembly who had hissed him a " swell-mob," " members of the Long firm," and so forth, telling them that they ought to be in Belle Vue Gaol ; and that he should have sought to discredit every simple statement of fact relating to the charge of riot and murder by dragging from the unfortunate witness a confession that, on the whole, he rather disliked Fenianism than otherwise, was certainly not much more than might reasonably have been expected from the "Pitmen's Attorney-General." But it is not often that Mr. Roberts has a chance of protracting his peculiar course of advocacy, or, so to speak, attorney-generalship, over many days ; and, however philosophically prepared his hearers might have been to " grin and bear it," even unto the end, impatience was almost unavoidable before the much-desired consummation could arrive. In that impatience, the long-suffering magistrate of the court, Mr. Robinson Fowler, pardonably joined, when, expostulating yesterday with Mr. Roberts, he said " I have endeavoured to keep myself free from expressing any opinion, but it is very difficult." Taking heart of grace from the tone of their legal defenders, the men in the dock have assumed a boldly defiant manner, and have not been sparing of their taunts, whether levelled at the benen, the prosecuting counsel, the witnesses, or the police. Poor Allen's dejected look has given place at times to a desperate rallying of his powers, when, goaded by the calm and distinct evidence of witness after witness against him, he has turned like a hunted creature at bay. It is impossible to avoid a strong feeling of pity for the youth, whatever degree of guilt may ultimately be brought home to him. In prison he maintained a show not merely of fortitude but of confidence, declaring that he has no doubt as to the result. Yesterday he expressed a positive conviction that by next Friday night be will be in Dublin. Whether his insane hope is founded on the idea of a free dismissal, or on the yet wilder dream of a rescue, his language does not precisely indicate. To one of the officials having charge of him he has spoken sometimes with a gentleness opposed to his customary manner, of his father, who, strange to say, is governor of a gaol in the county of Cork. Young Allen has shown himself to be by no means devoid of natural affection in the anxious inquiries he has made with a view to assure himself that his own position of shame and peril will not injure his father by depriving him of his appointment. Last night, as I telegraphed at twelve o'clock, three prisoners were brought handcuffed from Liverpool. The Manchester police should know their business, having bad a sharp lesson lately ; and I will not pretend to say that they acted imprudently in marching their captives through the streets without a guard from the railway terminus