The Express. — 1851-11-27 (London, England)

ISIS. Prisoner is a catholic. Protestants:kire admitted. lice hair had not been cut off there. I have nothing to do with that part. Cron-examined—We have no other than catholic worship within the convent, and all who are in there have to attood. Mrs. Maria Gibson, of Upper Seymour-street, a widow, said that she met prisoner at the catholic chapel In Uppe, Ramontan•strect, Clerkenwell. That was in February Wt. She was wretchedly destitute, and witness took her home to live with her, and kept her for some time. She was suffering from a scrofulous disease and weakness. After keeping her some time, witness not liking her ways, prisoner left her, and she next saw her in July. She was at her door step in a dreadful state of illness and want. All her hair bad been cut off, which she said had been done at the workhouse when she had the fever.  Witness took her to the Erie Hospital, Gray's.inn-lane, and then she went to the Charing-crow Hospital, from whence the discharged herself, and witness saw nothing more of her until she was in custody on this charge. By Mr. Iluddlestone-1 do not think her mind was affected, but she seemed dreadfully depressed at her poverty, when I first saw her. I thought she would commit suicide. She is very much to be pitied. She has nut a friend, and her sufferings are very great. Sister Ellen, another nun, habited the same u Sister Joseph, deposed to letting the prisoner out of the convent on the morning of the 16th October. Mr. Charles Ilibteml, overseer of St. Pancras, proved the prisoner to have been admitted to the house on the 7th of March last ; she left on the 11th of July. Mr. Waldegrave, the parish surgeon, said her hair was eat by his direction, being suffering from fever. She was quite unconscious at the time. She suffered from scrofulous swellings in the abdomen, and was in a very bad state. Julia Smith, nsrse at the workhouse, said that she supported her in bed whilst her hair was cut off, which au done by the barber. It further appeared that on the 11th of August she went to the Free Hospital, Liray'rinii-lane, which she left of her own accord on the 29th of August, and on the following day went to the Charing-cross Hospital, where she was at once taken in, her case being deemed so urgent. She left there on the 30th of September against the wishes of the medical authorities.  The Hey. Mr. Connelly, of the Catholic Church, Moorgelds, said that on the afternoon of the 6th of October his attention was called to prisoner, who was in the body of the church. She seemed very ill and distressed, and in answer to his questions said she had never been in any place of worship ; that she had been an orphan from two years of age ; that she was a prostitute, and had been from 13 years of age, a life she wished to leave, and added that she was then residing at a brothel in Half Moon-street. She seeming sincerely penitent, he gave her some money to get a lodging, and nut knowing that she bad been at the Hammersmith convent, communicated with the superior, and gave her the letter that procured her the admission. The key. Mr. Long, another priist, said he had known her from childhood, and had got her into St. Patrick's School. She was brought up as a catholic. Upon leaving there she went to a situation, which she loft. He ultimately got her into the Good Slieplienl convent. That was in 1848.  After some further evidence, lir. liuddlestoue addressed the jury for the defence, and in a very eloquent speech dwelt at great length upon the wretched condition of the prisoner, whose statement, he contended, had not been made with any wilfully corrupt intent, but nutlet the italuenee of great mental all well u bodily suffering; and concluded by saying that he felt sure that after what had transpired, not the slightest stain could be attached to the lathes of this most humane and benevolent institution.  The jury, atter a few minutes' deliberation, Acquitted her.  Mr. Bodkin requested the Common Serjeeat to ask on what ground. The Common Serjesat said he could not do that. Mr. Bodkin wished to know it they thought her insane ? Senna' of the jury said " No." The case seemed to excite great interest.