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    who ¦ will be called ; but he is satisfied , tjbat though he is a foreigner—I had almost said because he ; is a foreignerthat impartiality which invariably distinguishes a British jury will be extended to him on this occasion ,, and that you will join . with , those to whdin his vital interests are Intrusted , in the discovery of that truth upon which he will stand or faU on this his day of trial . " As the Attorney-General had said he should call Dr . Achilli , Mi * Sergeant Wilkins insisted that the Doctor should leave the court ; and , accordingly , after some opposition from a juryman , Lord Campbell decided that

    Achilli must leave . Proof of the libel was then given . Sir A . E . Cockburn , in addressing the jury for the de fendant , called their attention to the fact , that the charges contained in the libel had not been made in the first instance by Dr . Newman , but that every one of them had been published with more particularity for filteen months before Dr . Achilli took them up . In June , 1850 , the whole account 6 f Dr . Achilli ' s life was published in its details in the Dublin Review , challenging him to ah inquiry . For fifteen months he had left those charges nnanswered , and almost unnoticed .

    Sir Alexander Cockburn then sketched in detail the life of Dr . Achilli , interweaving the charges advanced in the libel . He then called the witnesses for Dr . Newman . Elena GHustini , a middle-aged married woman , gave her evidence in Italian , in a clear and -unhesitating manner . Her maiden name was Elena Valente ; she had lived all her life at Yiterbo . She had been for a short ; time , about twenty-three years ago , being then

    of the age of seventeen or eighteen , in the service of Signora Gentili , with whom Dr . Achilli was acquainted , and during 1 that period Dr . Achilli had endeavoured to seduce her . Of this she did not inform her mistress , but told it in confession to a priest named Farihi . Some short time after , she went to the convent by the desire of Drs . Achilli , and saw , him in the chapel . - He beckoned her into an adjoining room . From this point she continued —•

    I consented to what took place , for I was there alpne , and was obliged . ( Sensation . ) The act took place again some time after , and was continued in tke convent , and twice besides in . a house in Vitei'bo . I spoke to him on the sin of it . - Mr . Bramwell . —What did he say ? "Witness—That there was no sin . I told him that it was a hellish matter , but he said , not at all ; otherwise hell would be quite full . ( Loud laughter . ) The . Attbrwey-Gener ^ l . — -Pid he give ypu any presents ? Witness ( sharply ) .- —He gave me a silk han . dkercb . ifif , which was older than himself . ( Great laughter . ) I went home , and the next day went to confession to the same confessor to whom I confessed before . I began to cry , aud he then told me " I knew you were in the hands of a rapacious wolf in sheep ' s clothing . " ( Sensation . ) The Attorney-General . —Bid you say anything to your mother ?

    Witness . —No ; because the confessor prohibited me from saying anything to anybody , on account of Achilli being an ecclesiastic . ( Sensation . ) The Attorney-General . How came you to go to him again after this treatment ? Witness ' . ( with much animation ) . —I felt I was dishonoured , therefore I went . It is very well known that a little affectiqn springs out of such an evont . I became so fond of him , that I regretted very much his going away from the place . The Attorney-General . —Did ho give you any other presents besides the silk handkerchief ? Witness . —Yes , and beautiful presents thoy worethree sausaerea ! ( Great laufflitor . ) The sausages were

    given at the same time as the handkerchief . ( Continued laughter . ) Ho had promised to g ive hor on umbrella , but ho had nevor done so . When ro-oxainihed by Mr . Bramwoll she said;—My curate was the first who spoke to mo on the s ubject of this case . Ho sent for mo , and asked mo if I know anything of Dr . Achilli . I answered , " Why do you ask mo P " and he replied , " Novor mind . " I then said , « Nevor mind ! but what for P Is it for my own good P" Ho eaid , " It is for the honour of the Holy Mother Church—for the honour of God . " I then said , "If you will como to the confessional I will toll you ; " but ho would not . Ho said that to tho confessional he could not como ; but I was to speak there and then without shame . I then bogftn to

    say something ; and ho said it doeB not belong to mo , you must como to the Vicar-Goneral . Tho Rov . Mr . Grotto , a Roman-catholic priest , of Broadway , in Worcestershire , was a student at thoXycoum Oollogo , Vitorbo , about twonty-ono years ago , at tlio time when Dr . AchiJli was a professor of Philosoph y in that college . His reputation at that time was vory bad ; but Mr . Grotto did not know why . Dr . Achilli auddonly loft the college ; ho escaped , or was not to bo found . All tho papers of the Bishop ' s Court , and of tho polico at Vitorbo , wore burnt during tho last revolution . On cross-examination , ho Baid

    ho had boon abroad collecting evidence Ho had noithor given nor offered any money to any of tho witnesses . None of thorn camo to this country on his persuasion . Thoso that ho saw oamo to him spontaneously , ho did not nook any of thorn . Ho wont alono , and put himself mi communication with tho Vicar-Gonoral , Casarnicono . Sophia Maria Balisano , also a middlo-agod marriod woman , had lived at Naples , and booamb acquainted with Dr . Achilll there , whou about' 13 or 14 . years of ago . Bho first saw him in tho sacristy of tho Church of St . rotor , whon she wont to mako a umftH offering of i mo » eyi a * < tha ilUXlgO of OftO Of tho BOitttK ., ., miwaOi ^ iflftttlfciPlUidMMIU

    had overpowered her ; and When she remonstrated with him , he said it was rather a good than an evil : Mr . Baddeley *—Did he make you any presents ? Witness ( with great contempt ) . —A bit of sweetmeat from time to time . ( Great laughter . ) The thing produced great distress in riiy family , and my father died from illness arising out of it . On cross-examination she said , that a Dominican Father , named Scrouli , had induced her to come toEngland . She had been provided with everything that ' she had had in coming to this country , but she had received no money . She had been in England about two months . She met the witness Giustmi in / Paris ) and was now living with her . They had often talked together about the business . She had : riot conversed , with any priest since coming over . of

    Gaetana Principe ^ mother witness , confirmed her statement in the main points . The following is the substance of her testimony r ^—Up to that time she had always conducted herself well . I saw . Dr . Achilli about this matter . He was in a procession . I and my husband took him aside and called , him into a house , and told him the affair . He was angry . He said it was not he . He said i " Observe carefully , I am a priest . " On hearing this matter , he said he had nothing to do with it . He then said , " Go to the devil , if you like ; to me it matters nothing . " He caused me and my husband to bo called before the commissary of police , and we both of us went . That was a few days after . Dr . Achilli was not present before the police when we appeared . Dr . Achilli stated to

    the police that a low poor family had calumniated him , and the police sent to know * The commissary told us to take our daughter before him . We did so , because he wished to see the age of our daughter . The commissary caused my daughter to confess everything that had happened . Neither ! nor my husband was punished by the police . Antonio Russo , a carpenter , resident at Corfu , said that he knew Garamoni , a tailor of that place . One night in November , 1844 , he was walking with Marino Venice past the house of Garamorii ' s mother-in-law . He continued almost in the following words : —As we passed the house Garamoni opened the door . He called me withiny arid said feme and my friend , " See , here is a Catholic priest—Achilli . " I saw Achilli on the stairs , near the apartment

    of the wife of Garamoni . This was about 11 or half-past 11 at night ; I don't exactly remember . It was dark , without a limp . I took holdof him , and said , " What are you doing here ? " He , trembling , answered , " Me ? nothing . " : I knew it was Achilli , because Garamoni called out , ana a lamp was brought . Garamoni was very angry , scolding his wife , and his mother-in-law also , and even Achilli . Garamoni called out for a constable , Achilli then was trembling , but did nothing . When the lig ht was brought , the police not being there , Achilli slipped through and escaped . He went away like a horse . ( Laughter ); I and Venice Were afterwards called before the Court , about eight or nine days after . Depositions were taken before the tribunal . I and Venice were called and examined

    before the tribunal . On cross-examination , this witness seemed to admit that ho had been in prison several times ; and that ho did not know'Dr . Achim in the least . Pietro Boccheciampi , a native of Cephalonia , proved thai Dr . Achilli had accompanied him to Corfu . Dr . Achilli induced nim to insert his name in his passport , on the ground that the latter could not get out of Italy for want of a passport . Giovanni Patrignani , a jeweller of Corfu , had seen a man come out of tho house where Garamoni ' s wife lived , who appeared by his stature to bo Dr . Achilli . William Reynolds , who had been employed at Zanto for twenty-five years , and for nine years had been collector of customs and inspector of health , was next examined . Dr . Achilli had a sked for his assistance in establishing a church in tho island . Subscriptions were raised , and tho chapel was ooened in 1844 . He narrated as follows : —Tho first

    time I went to tho chapel I w as struck by tho appearance Of a woman of notoriously bad character , who was sitting at the door , and acting as doorkeeper . I knew hor by sight , and that for throe years she carried on tho life of a prostitute . Hor dress was difforont from that of others , which attracted my attention . Her husband was a chorussinger . Ho followed Dr . Achilli into tho chapel , and acted as his clork , reading tho Church of England prayora . I called upon Dr . AcKilli tho first thing next morning , and told him it was exceedingly improper to keep such persons . I told him ovorything I know about tho woman and hor husband . To the best of my belief ho told mo ho wan already awaro of hor previous life , that ho hopod sho had become a second Magdalon , and that ho considered it Ins duty as a clergyman to continue his protection to hor . Ho said afterwards , upon his cross-examination , that Coriboni and his wife had only odiciatod onco at tho

    church . ... , . , Hb'thoh described certain familiarities in personal inter - courso which ho saw between Dr . Achilli and Albina Ooriboni—tho Doctor being in his short sleeves and tho woman in a dross the upper part of which was low and loose . His house overlooked that of tho Doctor . Ho was obliged to have his blinds down . On another occasion , whon Mr . Reynolds remonstrated with Dr . Achilli on the subject ; , tho lattor boeamo voi-y violent . Mr . Boynolds said further , that Dr . Aohilli ' s bod had doublo pillows ; that ono day tho Doctor said , " Poor Albina" was going to dine with him ; and that ono night Dr . Achilli und Albina wore arm-in-arm listening tp tho band

    . . . . On cross-oxamination , Mr . Reynolds said ho oxpootod to bo paid a pound a day up to thin time . A letter which Mr . Reynolds acknowledged to bo hia , written to Lioutonant Stoney on the subject of this inquiry , was horo road . In this ho said tho defendant was disposed to bo " vory liberal . " Ho said afterwards , Kowovor , that no ono had authorized him to Bay that tho defendant would bo liberal . Rosina Lavanohi . who had boon in tho sorvico of Mr . I Boynolds , confirmed his etatoinont as to tho eights soon rjtaatfeowjndow * ' ; 1 / 1 - ' ' " ' "' ' ' "" " ' "''

    The Rev . George Hadfield , a clergyman of the Church of England , now residing at Whitchurch , Hants , was appointed Principal of St . Julian ' s Protestant College at Malta , in 1846 . He stated that Dr . Achilli was appointed Italian Theological teacher , and took up his appointment on the 11 th of December , 1847 . Before his arrival a person named Crozzi had accused two priests , members o the College : the one , Leonini , of having committed adultery with a Maltese lady , and the other , Saccares , of having been , frequently guilty of incontinence . Dr . Achilh had lived with these men in Malta in the early part of the same year . A communication was made with the committee in London , and an inquiry was > instituted . The Rev . Mr . Hadfield obtained a statement from Dr . Bonavia

    in writing , and sent them to Dr . Achilli . This took place on the 10 th of February . On the 19 th of the same month 3 ) r . Achilli wrote to say that he had need of Mr ; Saccares , for an important mission , and that he had left accordingly . The Rev . Alexander Watt , formerly clerical secretary to the Malta College , strongly corroborated the evidence of the preceding witness . The Earl of Shaftesbiiry , the chairman of the committee of the College , confirmed the statement in its more important points . Dr . Bonavia , who said , on his cross-examination , that lie had been advised to come to England on this affair by the Vice-president of Malta College , made the following

    statements—Dr . Bonavia said—I was Latin and Italian teacher at the College in Malta for the last three years , and had a conversation with Dr . Achilli as to the charges of immorality against the two ex ^ priests . I asked him . if he had heard the reports against them , and he said that he had . I then asked him if lie believed them , and he replied that he did not . He used no expressions of disapproval . I asked him if he thought it judicious to permit those visits which took place at the mission-house at St . Julian ' s College . I explained that I referred to the visits . of a married lady from Valetta to Leonini . Dr . Achilli asked me , in told bun it

    reply , if I thought it wrong . ( Sensation . ) I was not judicious , in consequence of the reports circulated in town , because such visits would strengthen them , and more especially as they were paid in Leqnini ' s own room . Then Dr . Achilli asked me who told me that it was so . I replied that I was not authorized to mention names , but that the visits referred to were-wrong , and would lead to bad results . Dr . Achilli then got up from his chair in a passion , and said , '' You are too scrupulous , because you are married . If you were a bachelor perhaps you would do worse than Leonini . " ( Sensation . ) Sir A . Gockburn . —What did ke say then ?

    Witness . —• " It would be better for you to mind yourself , and not to meddle with our affairs , if you wish to continue in ouu friendship . " Ho then left mo alone in the room , and-went to join his companions , who were playing cards . ( Sensation . )/ Harriet Harris stated that in 1850 she had been hired by Dr . Achilli . She was engaged to take charge of a house in Shaftesbury-crescent , Piinlico , which he had just taken . Sho went there one morning , and Di \ Achilli arrived soon after . He was in and out of the kitchen all day . He put his arm round her waist and kissed her . The next morning he asked her how sho liked her bed , and if sho wished for a bed-fellow . She replied , " No , thank you , sir . " She did not remain there above a month . Mrs . Cadogan , an aunt of tho last witness , said her niece had complained to her of Dr . Acbilli ' s conduct . Lord Campbell . —Were you not afraid to leavo your niece thero alono ?

    Witness . —I did not know ho lived there ; and I thought ho would bo loss dangerous whon hia wife arrived . ( Laughter . ) . Jano Logan said sho had been in tho service of Dr . Achilli about soven or oight months , in Shaftesbury-croscont . He began to take familiarities with her about four montlis after sho wont . She gavo notice to leavo , but Dr . Achilli induced her to remain for ibur months . Her child died soon after it was born . Sho saw Dr . Achilli , for a fow minutes , a fortnight before hor confinement , but ho gavo hor nothing , ana did not mention the subject . Sho saw Achilli at hor sinter ' s boforo the trial . Counsel . —Did ho say anything to you about coming hero P

    Witnoss . — I told him that I was subpoenaed , and ho said , " I had no occasion to go . " I told him a wook afterwards again , and ho said that " I . was to shut tho door in tho face of those who caino to subpama mo . " My sister said , " I must toll tho truth if I wont . " I havo not spoken to him sinco . She admitted that she had had other vory intimate acquaintances , and sho could not swear who waa tho father of hor child . Hor sinter , Mrs . Logan , gonomlly confirmed her

    statement . Dr . Aclnlli huil said to her on a recont occamon , that Dr . Newman wiih a vory bad man , and ho hoped to havo him sent to prirton . Ho alno dusirud mo , if thoy canio again , to shut tho door in thoir faces . I spoke to him about my niatw , and said it had boon a groat oxponso having her to koop , and tho baby dying . lie said , " Yes , yos , " and that waa all . Ho camo again on tho Tuesday iuorning , and wo wore Hubpccnaod , but ho said I"' thought tho Hubpfimua were of no use , and ho . did not think thoy could mako us go .

    Sarah Wood , nineteen years old , told a similar story . Sho hud ontorod tho serv ' ico of Aclj illi from a charitable institution ijoar Windsor . On ono occasion Dr . Aohilli was interrupted by a knock at tho door . Uo ran down stairs and began writing . It was Iuh wife came back for hor parasol . On anothor , ho was successful , uguinuli tho will of Saruh Wood . All this took place in his bod-room . Sho declared oho would loavo tho sorvico , but stayod ilvA ntontliH after . Onco ho gavo her a religioub bo 6 k > entitled * Coma to Jeaua , and told her pho would be a very naughty girl to toll anybody whwt ho had uouo . 11 , i . ,. t

    Untitled Article

    June 26 y 1 S 52 . J THE LEAD El . 601 ¦¦••¦• | - ' ' ¦¦ '¦ ¦ i j ; i ¦¦> ¦ ' ¦ m * l —^ r * - * f l ' - __ l i' - " ii n ¦ ' | ¦ '¦ . ¦ , ' . '¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ . _ ¦ . - _ ¦ '¦ ai . i i in [ - - i tt ¦ - •• • "' ' —¦¦¦ ' —

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), June 26, 1852, page 601, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1941/page/5/