EVIDENCE OF CRIM. CON,

[From the Morning Chronicle, July 27.]

[ MR. EDITOR,

I

DO not allude so much to the last as to some former trials on the unhappy subject of crim. con. when I say that the law of evidence in this cases appears to be growing every day more perplexing. Ingenuity seems to be at work to establish a new species of proofs, which, whether good or bad as to the main purpose, at least, appear to be borrowed from classical authority:

"Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem,

Quam quæ sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus.”

In a trial for murder, about two years ago, a model of the house in which the crime was perpetrated, was produced in court, and had a considerable effect in establishing the guilt of the accused. And such have been the questions put of late to witnesses of gallantry, in order to bring the matter under the eye of the Jury, that I would propose that a model of the scene of action should be exhibited, with small figures of the parties, and of the witnesses, somewhat in the manner of the Ombres Chinoises, with which the public was amused some years ago. This would serve to enlighten the minds of the Jury in the proportions and situations of stair-cases, and the various motions of doors, from the gentle opening or the careless a-jar, to the hasty slap-to and the subsequent bolting. Eminent locksmiths might also be examined on the important subject of key-holes, wards, pins, and bolts. The gentlemen of Bow Street are usually sent for in a case of house-breaking, because their skill enables them to discover what degree of force and what length of time were necessary to break open a particular door or window-shutter. Can it be less necessary, in the case

of

af a matrimonial felony, to examine, upon mechanical principles, the difficulties or facilities which accom panied the offence?

Instead of asking a witness where he stood, and whether he could see what was passing from his station, let a perfect model of the house be exhibited, and let every one of the witnesses swear to their favourite crack or crevice; while the learned Counsel, aided by the opinion of some eminent opticians, des cant upon spring-blinds and eyelet-holes, and other vehicles of daylight and human frailty. Let them measure the quantity of light reflected from the angles of incidence; and instead of indistinct and confused appeals to looking-glasses, exhibit to the Jury an exact diagram of the case, which they may demonstrate as plainly as one of the propositions of Euclid. Perhaps, too, it might not be amiss to examine whether the witnesses are duly qualified by nature to give evidence in these cases, and to determine whether a convex or a concave eye be most convenient for the detection of crim. con.: what advantages person of long sight has over one that is shortsighted in discovering the dishonour of a master; and whether, in case of a defect of proof, a pair of spectacles may not be considered as tantamount to two witnesses?

I merely throw out these desultory hints, Mr. Editor, because I perceive that the conductors of crim. con. trials seem inclined to combine a much greater number of minute particulars than they used to do, in order to make out a species of constructive cuckoldom, where direct proof is wanting. The public still want to have light thrown upon this important subject. All our old causes of jealousy are done away; and, no grounds of suspicion remaining, but what depend on the position of our furniture, a prudent man will avoid paying a morning visit, until he knows, with mathe mmatical

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matical precision, where a sofa may be innocently placed, and how far the blinds may be lowered with impunity. I am, Sir, yours,

PETER PRY.

1

MODELS FOR CRIM. CON.

MR. EDITOR,

[From the same, Aug. 2.]

HE Winchester affair so completely proves the excellence of the plan I proposed last week, that I hope you will allow me to congratulate myself on the invention. It is obvious, that all the confused evidence about No. 2, and No. 3, and No. 4, at the Inn, might have been avoided by an accurate model of Boniface's premises. I hope, therefore, that in future and, I dare say, there will soon be another opportunity-the Plaintiff will avail himself of this hint.

Mr. Garrow has laid down certain doctrines which I could wish to say a little about; but a newspaper is, perhaps, an improper vehicle for discussion. All í shall at present, therefore, advance in opposition to the opinion of the Learned Counsellor, and which I do with the utmost deference to his superior talents and judgment, is, to refer to a very ancient authority, in which the following position is laid down, viz. "That stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."

WE

I am, Sir, yours,

MORE ABOUT IT.

[From the same, Aug. 6.]

PETER PRY.

E foretold that the Boringdon affair would last no longer than till the names were written at full length, and all prudential blanks were filled up. Another crim. con. has succeeded, somewhat late in

the

the season indeed, and, like a vote of credit, smuggled through, after the country gentlemen have taken leave; but still a seasonable supply, and likely to last as long as it shall be convenient to confine ourselves to the initials, the sister of a noble L--d, and the keeper of an Inn in Hampshire, with his w-ters, cham-r-maids, and post-lions.

1

All good people hold up their hands, and elevate their eyes, in pious wonder at the wickedness of the age; but the age has been so often wicked in our remembrance, that there seems to be room for every emotion but that of surprise.

Legislators, who are ex officio the most virtuous men in the world, meditate on the increase of crim. eon. and study to investigate the causes, that, causes being removed, effects may follow. Moral people, who are ever ready to aid our senators on such occa sions, attribute every thing to the facilities of meeting, and the increased number of places of assignation. But it is difficult to weave meetings and assignations into laws, for really the sexes may meet, that is to say, it is physically possible they may meet, very harmlessly. Whether it is probable they do so, is another question, and might furnish employment to the St. Alban's Parliament *, when they have don with their present hacknied subject.

As to places of assignation, we can remember some very notorious ones. Above-forty years ago, the ladies invented what they called a coterie: all the world cried fie upon this as a place of assignation. But the ladies were extremely circumspect, for no male was admitted without being ballotted for-what the qualifications were, we shall not specify.

Then came Mrs. Cornelly's, and the dear delights of her magic mansion in Soho Square. This lady was a good puff in her time; but in her puffs she

talked so much of shady alcoves and superb sofas, that every body was sure this was neither better nor worse than a place of assignation; and true it is, that in her days the gentlemen of Doctors Commons had no reason to complain of want of business.

But it is vain to provide for the wants of persons of fashion, They are never satisfied but while moving from place to place; and, tired of Mrs. Cornelly's charming varieties, they determined to build a house of their own, so large as to hold every body, and so seleet as to admit nobody but themselves. Up rose the Pantheon! and the censorious world immediately dubbed it a place of assignation; and it has been conjectured, that it was the cause why some couples met with great satisfaction, and others parted in deep dudgeon. But the Pantheon had but a short reign; and for many years, routs, however imperfectly, supplied its place; and masquerades, rather more completely, afforded those facilities which are requisite to the production of genuine crim. con.

Of late we have had Ladies' Concerts and the Argyll Street Institution; but these are conducted upon principles so rigidly select, and so circumspectly virtuous, as to escape all the suspicions of former cenBorious days.

But what has all this to do with Lord S and Mrs. P? Why, NOTHING AT ALL !

IT

THE NINE DAYS' WONDER.

[From the sanie.]

T is surprising, say some, how soon the late intrigue in high life has gone off-how little it has done to feed conjecture, or furnish conversation-a Nine Days' Wonder! But do these wonderers recollect, that it would be most preposterous, and contrary to all eti

quette,