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    THE NEXT AMERICAN PRESIDENT. By the last...

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    Scandal In The Churches. The <2ukkn Verm...

    rntiipriTie Foreman , who had lived with Miss Lambert , in iSes-strS , when Dr . Achilli lodged there , stated Sat he attempted to take liberties with her on several occasions ; but that she avoided his advances . ^ . 9 Jaiies Vincent Harting , a solicitor , who . h * d been abroad to collect evidence , said that he had been to Viterbo , and had there communicated with the Bishop and the police authorities . The police documents had been destroyed in the revolution ; but he had obtained a declaration'from the mayor of what he knew on the subject , which , however , Lord Campbell refused to receive . He afterwards went to Rome , where he obtained a copy ot the

    iudffment of the Inquisition passed upon JJr . Achuli . The " Rev . Dr . Grant , English Roman-catholic bishop , explained the nature of the Inquisition , stating his belief that the copy of the judgment in question was authentic . The proceedings of the Court were secret , and strangers were not permitted to inspect the documents . Lord Campbell decided that he could receive the document . It was the first precedent of the kind ; but he hoped it would not be attended with the slightest danger to the Protestant religion of this country . He received it simply as evidence of the allegation in the plea . _ the attached

    The copy , which had the seal of Inquisition to it , was read ; and was in effect that , on his own confession , and after a mature examination , it had been found that Dr . Achilli had been guilty of great incontinence . The holy Inquisitors deprived him of all ecclesiastical functions for ever , and sentenced him to be sent to a certain convent for three years . The defendant ' s case was then closed . Dr . Achilli was the first witness called on behalf of the prosecution . He appeared on Wednesday , and is thus described by the Times : —

    He is a plain-featured middle-sized man , about 50 years of age , and his face is strongly Italian . His forehead is low and receding , his nose prominent , the mouth and the muscles around it full of resolution and courage . He wears a black wig , the hair of which is perfectly straight , and , being close shaved , this wig gives to his appearance a certain air of the conventicle . Yet ho retains many traces of the Roman-catholic priest , especially in his bearing , enunciation , and gestures , which have a sort of stealthy grace about them . His eyes are deep set and lustrous , and with his black hair , dark complexion , and sombre , demure aspect , leave an impression upon the mind of the observer by no means agreeable , and not readily to be from his

    forgotten . Judging of his intellectual powers , physiognomy and mode of giving evidence , one would be led to say that he was a man of considerable penetration and cleverness . The questions put to him by his own counsel he answered with great clearness , and in a cairn , unwavering , quiet manner , without any trace of strong excitement , or feelings deeply roused . Sometimes a slight contemptuous smile accompanied his denials of opposing evidence , and once or twice he even seemed to treat points merrily . His general bearing , however , was serious , without any excessive display of anxiety , or much apparent admixture of cant . Yet , at certain portions of his examination , without losing his self-possession , he became more animated . His dark sunken eyes flashed fire as he listened

    and replied to the questions put . This was particularly the case when he was cross-examieed by Sir Alexander Cockburn on the more particular points of the libel , and especially when he was confronted by the Italian women who have sworn that he debauched them : The effect produced by these meetings was quite dramatic—the poor women eveing their alleged seducer with half timid , yet steady glances ; whilo he , hia face overcome for the moment with a slight pallor , turned upon them looks that seemed to pierce through them . Dr . Achilli ' s manner in the witness-box considerably diminishes the elFect of the sanctimonious expression which his singularly-fashioned wig gives to his face . Ho is evidently a man of strong passion and uncommon nerve .

    Ho said he would prefer to give hia evidence in English , but Lord Campbell thought ho would g ivo hiu evidence best in Italian . Ho narrated the principal events of his life up to the present time ; and then gave a point-blank denial to every one of the charges made- against him . When the several women who had accused him were placed before him , ho unhesitatingly denied ovor having soon them before . With regard to Garamoni arid his wife , ho admitted that ho had lived next door , and thnfc ho had been in their house . As ho was passing the door ono night , tho wife called him in , to nuk him somo questions , as ho believes , as to whothor ho had heard any noiso in her house on tho preceding niht . Boibro she- hud time- to do

    g bo , Garamoni catno in , and behaved with great violence . Dr . Achilli had novor met tho wife in any other place , and this was tho only time ho had been in tho houso . He admitted that ho had had Coriboni and his wife in Iub sorvico ab Corfu , but ho had never committed any indecency with tho wif'o . Mr . Roynolda' houso did not overlook his , Dr . Acliilli ' H houso was tho higher of the two , and it . was only from tho uppor windows that the house of Mr . Koynolds could ho soon . Dr . Achilli hnd reproved Mr . Koynolds for hin habits of oxcoaaivo drinking , and Uuh had ho displeased him that ho left tho congregation . Dr . Achilli with Coriboni wile

    doniod having ovor dined or walked s . Ho continued to preach at tho chapol for moro than seven months , and tho congregat ion inemuwd to tho hint , The faults with which Loonini and t-Sacourea wero charged , wcro . alleged to havo boon committed / and tho accusation againBt thorn was mado ' , when Dr . Aohilli wan absent from Malta . Ho boliovod that no credit , wan to bo given to the accusation ; ho did not ; jumd BacoaroH away to stop tho investigation . Dr . Achilli doniod that ho was an infidol , or that thoro was ovor a time whon ho did not boliovo in Christianity . Ho positively denied all tho charges niadu against him , as to his conduct sinoo ho cmno to England . He said that he had boon charged before tho InquiHition with regard to his teaching , hut not with immoral conduct . Tho Inquisition was not competent to try charges of immoral conduct . Ho lmd noyor made any eoiffoseion of

    having had intercourse with . women . In explanation , the document put in , purporting to be from the archives of the Inquisition , Dr . Achilli said that he did not know of any proceeding in which the charges therein contained were brought to his notice . He had made no confession , nor had he thrown himself on their compassion . Perhaps they might hayeasked me , at the commencement , whether I Was content to stand or throw myself upon their mercy . Upon that supposition I should have answered " yes . ;" .

    and then the Chancellor of the Inquisition would naturall y have written that I threw myself upon their mercy . He said thai no judgment or sentence was pronounced against him , but that he was set at liberty under certain conditions , that he should abstain from the exercise of his ministry until he was reconciled to the Holy See . This reconciliation ^ according to the secret instructions given , consisted in that he-should ' write and publish some book in favour of the Koman-catholic Church .

    To a question from Sir A . E . Cockburri i whether he had had connexion with other women , Lord Campbell said the witness was not bound to reply , and Dr . Achilli , though as he said he " could answer ' no / . "• yet availed himself of the privilege . Sir A . E . Cockburn asked the witness how he got funds for this prosecution ? Dr . Achilli . —I hope the providence of God will provide me with funds through some friends . They do not exist as yet . I expect to get funds through some friends who I hope will have the kindness to engage for this need of

    ne . Lord Campbell . —Are we to inquire into this matter ? Sir A . E . Cockburn . —It is only to show that funds are not wanting . Lord Campbell . —As far as I can see , funds are not wanting on either side . Sir A . 35 . Cockburn read several passages from Dr . Achilli's writings , and asked him if he did not practice the mass at a time when . he . believed it to be an imposition . He replied , " That would have held good as an objection to all the reformers . I had the persuasion of the imposition in my mind , but not in my heart . I believe that conversion in man rests more in the heart than in the mind . " ¦

    Dr . Domiriico Poggi , who had been a Dominican father , and was now principal of a Protestant educational establishment at Seacombe , near Liverpool , and pertinaciously refused to say When he had become a Protestant , or to give any account of his life or actions , said that he had lived at Viterbo in 1831 and the two following years . Dr . Achilli was then universally and very highly esteemed . At Home Dr . Poggi never heard anything against him ; _ it was otherwise at viterbo , as Dr . Achilli had many enemies in that place . Several appointments that were conferred upon Dr . Achilli were marks of great distinction , and could only be conferred upon a man of high moral character .

    Dominichi Paoli , formerly a mar at Viterbo , who had been engaged to come to England by a society "to evangelize foreigners during the time of the great Exhibition , " and was now employed by Father Gavazzi as his secretary , nad lived in Viterbo from 1831 to 1837 . He knew Dr . Achilli in that place , and gave testimony as to the high estimation in which he had been held there . Mariania Crisaffi Garamoni , the tailor's wife , confirmed the statement of Dr . Achilli in main , complaining energetically of the treatment of her husband , wishing that she "had got him there , " and saying that lie had run away . She did not know who Dr . Achilli was , nor would she havo recognised him if ho had not been pointed out to her . On the occasion referred to she wished to see if Dr . Achilli had overheard a quarrel between her and a lady friend of her husband .

    The trial concluded on Thursday . For Dr . Newman , Sir Alexander Cockburn made a long speech , commenting on the evidence in order to show its credibility ; and tho Attorney-General addressed the jury on behalf of tho Crown , of course depreciating the value of the evidence . Lord Campbell then summed up in a very brief way , offering scarcely any opinion , but simply reading his notes . The following scene then ensued : — The jury then ( at about half-past eight ) retired . They did not return into court until eleven o ' clock . On their return it was asked , " Are you agreed on your verdict P " Tho Foreman . —Yes ; on the 19 th charge wo find proved . All tho rest we h ' nd not proved . ( Sensation mid partial cheering . )

    Lord Campbell . —Tho 19 th charge respects Dr . Achilli ' s being deprived of his professorship and prohibited from preaching and hearing confession . You find that to 1 ) 0 proved P Tho Foreman . —Ych , my Lord , proved . Lord Campbell . —And you find nono of tho other allegations proved ? Tho Foreman nnd Hovoral Jurors . —No , nono of tho others . ( Jloro tho peoplo in tho court , beginning to umlerabantl tho verdict , burnt out into a vigorous cheer , which no ono attempted to suppress . ) . Lord Campbell . —With regard , then , to tho plea of not guilty . Tho fir « t plea is not guilty . You soo that involves tho publication and tho question whothor it wan of a libellous nature . A Juror . —Not guilty . That ' s what wo find .

    Lord Campbell . —No , understand mo . Tho first plea is not guilty ; and that involves the question whothor it is proved that tho defendant published this alleged libel , nnd whether it ho lihollous . Do not mind tho truth of tho charges at all . Ah to this , say only

    on that do you find him guilty j and that it was of a libellous nature ? The Foreman . —Yes ,, guilty . Lord Campbell . —On that you find him guilty . There is then a verdict for the Crown on that . Then we come to the justification ; and oil the justification you find that the only part of it which is proved is the I 9 th , respecting . Dr . Achilli being deprived of his professorship , and prohibited from preaching , and from hearing confession . : ¦ A Juror . — -Yes , that is the verdict . Lord Campbell . —Wait a moment ; and let me see . That is ( after a pause ) , you find that that is true which-is alleged in the decree of the Inquisition , as fai « as that decree goes ? A Juror . —Yes ;

    Lord Campbell . —So far as that decree goes . You don't find as to the reasons for the decree , but as to the decree itself P The Foreman . —Yes , only . that . Lord Campbell , —Very well . Then you find it to be true that i > r . Achilli was suspended from tie celebration of mass , prohibited from any cure of souls , and from preaching , and from hearing confession , and from exercising his sacerdotal office in any way , according to the decree of the Inquisition . And all the rest you find not to be proved ? The Foreman . —Not to our satisfaction .

    Lord Campbell . —Very .-well . Then on the justifica tion I direct a Verdict to be entered for the Crown , on that issue as well as on the plea of not guilty ; and that special finding I , of course , will report to the Court when necessary . ( Here again a loud cheer was given by the thronged court ; . ) I now discharge you , gentlemen , from your attendance , and beg to thank you ; ( Renewed cheers . ) A Juror . —I beg your Lordship to understand that we did not consider this case as regards Protestantism aiid Catholicism . We only looked at it as a matter of fact . Lord Campbell . —Oh , I am sure you have dealt with it conscientiously .

    Another hearty cheer was now given , which the learned Judge did not for a moment attempt to check ; and thus ended one of the most memorable trials of these oiir days .

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    ' ¦ ¦¦ "¦ ¦• . ' " :: ' ; ¦ ¦ ¦¦ - ¦ " ' - 1 " ' ' ¦ ¦ ... I . i iiiii"r t - , = b ^ ==== ^———

    The Next American President. By The Last...

    THE NEXT AMERICAN PRESIDENT . By the last mail from America , we have the important intelligence that General Franklin Pierce was nominated as democratic candidate for the Presidency on the 5 th of June . The two great opponents were Cass and Buchanan , but as neither could obtain a sufficient majority at the 39 th ballot , General Pierce was proposed . Ten more ballots ensued , when he was unanimously elected . The papers publish the following notice of him : — " General Pierce , who had been residing in Boston for several days previous , was returning from a visit to Mount Auburn on Saturday afternoon , when he was informed ot his nomination . He is not a man easily disconcerted at any time ; and it is not to bo supposed that his equilibrium of mind was shaken by the announcement , unexpected as it was . He immediately hastened into tlio city , and at once closoted himself at tho Tremont House . Jle still remains there . The curious public will , of course , bo anxious to know what is going on in the closet ot a ¦ e * ™ " dato for tho Presidency , and wo havo every laudable aesire in the world to gratify so natural a wish . " General Pierce is in tho 40 th year of his age , ana during his political career has hold many offices ot trusc and honour . Ho has been speaker of tho Houso ot hcpresehtativos in tbo New Hampshiro Legislature—a memto

    ber of tho-Senate of that state—a Representative uougress—and a member of tho United States Senate , xio resigned tho latter oilico before tho expiration ol Ins terra . Mr . Polk offered him tho post of Attorney-Gonoral ot mo United States ; but he declinod tho oflice , though he sudsequontly accepted that of United States District Attorney . Ho was PrcBidont of tho Convention winch royisca tho Now Hampshire Constitution , and his titlo oi wtnoral' was won by his eorvico in the Mexican war . *« " > wo boliovo , is tho Bubatanco of Mb history . 1 « or tho niormation of those at a distance , who may not ^ 7 " " . heard much of him , wo will say , further , tha t lois " lawyer of acknowledged ability , a gentleman ot occom plished manners , and a great favourite among Jua noi b « ° " Hia nomination for the highest office in Uio gift ° J the pooplo , though it may nurpriso some folk * ., was " 1 - ¦ »

    the result of accident , but of a preconcerted Mu » v part of tho knowing ones . It waa evident from the . « " »" inity with which tho Convention adopted tho two- ^ wu rule , ' that it was nover intended to nominate , Gonwai . £ «» Thoso politicians who voted for that coritle » i ^^ " ( nftonly « to break up tho Buchanan and l > ° "K , ^ Tbo tions . l'hoy novor intended to eoloct Mr . U «« . * Buchanan mon , seeing thoir hopelessness , prono « od a coi ^ promise , and that eompronuso was 1 ( ™»!< i m * thftt Young America' accepted him , and thence it wmo * General Piorco wae Bofcctcd , Buchanan was satb jiea ^ OHmuch as Cass did not got tho n ° mmfttlon L X * , iB defled becauBO Buchanan dutypot got it ; and » £ J ? * io lighted with tho result , became those , who coinDmo " crush him , got crushed thoraaelyoB . '' ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), June 26, 1852, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_26061852/page/6/