The Sun. — 1845-09-05 (London, England)

DEALINGS WITH THE DEVIL.  One of those absurd cases arising out of pretended dealings with the Devil became the subject of a trial, three days ago, before the Tribunal of Correctional Police at Beauvais (Oise), which was unusually interesting, from a priest being involved as an accomplice in the fraud. The following is a summary of the facts as they came out at the hearing:—Naguet, a shepherd, in the service of a farmer named Luce, in the neighbourhood of Beauvais, offered his master to show him the Devil, and compel him to double any sum of money he would bring into the conjuration. Luce, half believing and half doubting, consulted the Abbe Mouchet, who was the curate of a chapel of ease at Boutincourt, who told him that it was possible, and agreed to join him in the spell, which was commenced by this worthy son of the Church with reading for nine successive nights a species of in cantation out of a red book. The curate sent his servant to buy a goat's kid, which was slain, its skin being formed into a magic circle, and its blood used to sign a compact with Satan, which the curate had written on a skin of parchment. The Abbe also had two wax tapers melted by two young girls, and with the wax and a stone which he called etnatille he drew a wider circle, and, Owing himself at the centre, called up Lucifer from the vasty deep. But, as Lucifer refused to come, Naguet exclaimed, " Bah! you manage this badly ; I must apply to an associate who knows better how to proceed. This associate, whose name was Bigny, came. The nine incantations were repeate I by him, and when they were finished it was agreed that they should all meet at a place called the Croix Blanche, at midnight, each bringing a sum of money, and, having deposited it in the earth, they were again to invoke the Devil. At the appointed time they met, Luce bringing a bag containing 1,500 E, the curate another, in which he said were 450 f., and Naguet a pocket-handerchief, in which he said there were 600 f., but in which, according to a dechAra' tion made by Bigny, there were no more than 10f. in copper money. Bigny was to be the receiver, an the Abbe." to be the depositor ; but Bigny insisted that each should come separately to the spot and deliver his deposit. Naguet came first, and gave his handkerchief to Bigny, who handed it to the curate. Luce came next with his 1,500 E, and delivered the bag to Bigny, who on receiving it whispered to him mysteriously, " Go back again, but on no account look behind you, for if you do the Devil will be enraged, seize you, and tear you to pieces." Luce went away trembling in every limb with terror. Days passed away, and Luce heard nothing more of his money. On applying to Naguet, he was told that, to induce the Devil to bring back the money, not only a second incantation must be made, but double the sums must be broug ht. This, together with anintimation which he received that Naguet and Bigny had been boasting that they had taken him in, induced Luce to lay an information before the magistrate. The Abbe contrived to make his escape, but the two other rogues were arrested. The Abbe was therefore condemned by default to five years' imprisonment ; Bigny, who had before been in the hands of justice, to the same punishment ; and Naguet to imprisonment for two years.— Galignani.  SUICIDE OF A DRUNKAlLD.—Yesterday Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Portobello, Turville• street, Bethnalgreen, on the body of Robert Wakeman, aged thirty-seven, a porter. It appeared from the evidence of deceased's wife that he was an habitual drunkard, and that he had been intoxicated from Tuesday week to last Tuesday, the day of his suicide. He had frequently threatened to destroy his wife and children, and she had often found his razor beneath the bedclothes. He had latterly purchased a new shoemaker's knife, found since his death. On Tuesday, in the absence of his wife, he hanged himself from the handrail of the stairs. It was proved that deceased laboured under delirium tremens, and that he destroyed life during an attack of it. Verdict—" Temporary insanity." DISCOVERY or A QuicKsiLvEn MlNE.—There are at the present time but two quicksilver mines of any importance now in operation—the one, Almad n, in Spain, and the other, Idria, in Austria ; and both are monopolises' by U. Rothschild. We now learn from Tuscany, that a very rich and extensive mine of this important metal has been discovered at Ripa, near Pietra Santra. The mercury, although combined with sulphur, is very abundant. 'three horizontal galleries have already been pierced in the side of the mountain in which the vein is situate, and all three have arrived at an excellent vein of mercury. The mineral produced )ields, according to analysis, 20 per cent. of the purest quicksilver. It believed that, itr a short period, no less than '2OO workmen will be employed, and that at least 100 or 1201bs. of metal per day will be raifen.— Commerce.  -