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¦J^fl6,:i|52.J:..;.;, ^ ; : ; THE IE-ABE...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Scandal In The Churches. The <2ukkn Verm...
who will he called ; but he is satisfied , that though , he is a fo reigner—I had alniost said because he is a foreijperthat impartiality which iiiyariably distinguishes a British iurvwiu be extended to him oh this occasion , and that you will join withthose to whom his -vital interests are intrusted , in the discovery of that truth upon which he will stand or fall on this his day of trial . " ' As the Attprney-General had sai 4 he should call Dr . Achilla ^ Sergeant Wilkins insisted that the Doctor should leave the court ; and , accordingl y ^ 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 ft * the defendant , 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 fifteen months before Dr . Achilli took them up . In June , 1850 , the whole account of Dr . Achilli's life was published in its details in the Ztublin Review , challenging him to an inquiry . For fifteen months he had left those charges unanswered , 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 Di \ Newman . Elena Giustini , 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 Viterbo . 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 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 , Farmi . Some short time after , she went to the convent by the desire of Dr . Achilli , and saw him in the chapel . He beckoned her into an adjoining rooni . From this point she continued— .. I consented to what took place , for I was there alone , and was obliged . ( Sensation . ) The act took / place again some time after , and was continued in the convent , and twice besides in a house in Viterbo . I spoke to him on the sin of it . * . ¦ Mr . Bramwell . —What did he say P
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 Atioi-noy-Gi-aneral . —Did he give you any presents ? Witness ( sharply ) . —He gave me a silk , handkoroliief , 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 , and he then told me " I knew you were in the hands of a rapacious wolf in sheep ' s clothing . " ( Sensation . )
The Attorney-General . —Dad you say anything to your mother ? Witness . —No ; because tho 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 P Witness ; . ( with much animation ) . —I folt I was dishonoured , therefore I went . It is very well known that a little affection springs out of such an event . I became so fond of him ' , that 1 regretted very much his going away from tho place . The Attorney-General . —Did ho give you any other presents besides tho silk handkerehiol ?
Witness . —Yes , and beautiful presents they werethroo sausages ! ( Great laughter . ) The sausages wore given at the same time as the handkerchief . ( Continued laughter . ) Ho had promised to give her an umbrella , but he had never done bo . When ro-oxamined by Mr . Bramwoll sho said;—My curnto was tho first who spoko to mo on the subject of this case . Ho sent for mo , and oskod mo if I know anything of Dr . Achilli . I answered , " Why do you ask me P " and he replied , " Nover mind . " I then said , " Never mind 1 but what for P Is it for my own good P" Ho said , " It ia for tho honour of tho Holy Mother Church—for tho honour of God . " I then said , " If you will corao to tho confessional I will tell vou ; " but ho would not . Ho said
that to tho confessional ho could not como ; but I was to Bpoak there and then without shamo . I then began to say somothing j and ho said it does not belong to mo , you must como to tho Vicar-General . Tho Ilov . Mr . Grotto , a Roman-catholic priost , of Broadway , inWorcostorshiro , was a student at tho Lyceum Collogo , Viforbo , about twonty-ono years ago , at tho time whon Dr . Achilli was a professor of Philosoph y in that collogo . His reputation at that time was very bad ; but Mr . Grotto did not know why . Dr . Achilli suddenly loft ; tho college ; ho escaped , or was not to bo found . Alftho papers of the Bishop ' s Court , and of tho polico at Vitorbo , wore burnt examinationho said
during tho last revolution . On cross- , ho had been abroad collecting ovidonco . Ho had neither given , nor offorod any money to any of tho witnossos . iNono of thorn camo to this country on his porsuaflion . Those that ho saw camo to Jiim spontaneously , he did not Book any of thorn . Ho wont alone , and put himsolf in communication with tho View-General , Caaarnicono . Sophia Maria Balisano , also a middlo-agod married woman , had lived at Naples , and bocamo aoquaintod with Dr . Achilli thoro , whon about 13 or 14 > years of ago . Sho first saw him in tho sacristy of tho Church of St . Peter , whon sho wont to make a email offering of money at tho iuuuro of ono of tho saints . Tiioro . sho mid , Dr . Aohjlli
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 P Witness ( with great contempt ) .- ^ -A bit of sweetmeat from time to time . ( Great laughter . ) The thing produced great distress in my 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 , to England . 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 Giustini in TParis , and was now living with her . They had often talked together about the business . She had not conversed with any priest since coming over .
Gaetana Principe , the mother of the last witness , confirmed her statement in the main points . The following is the substance of her testimony : —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 , " 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 deyil , if you like ; to me it matters nothing . " He caused me and my husband to be 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 lie wished to see the age of our - daughter . The commissary caused my daughter to confess everything that had happened . Neither I 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 Garamoni ' s mother-in-law . He continued almost in the following words : —As we passed the house Garamoni opened the door . He called me within , and said to me and my friend , " See , here is a Catholic priest—Achilli . " 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 lamp . I took hold of him , and said > c ; What are you doing here P" He , trembling , answered , " Me ? nothing . " I knew it was Achilli , because Garamoni called out , and a lamp was brought . Garamoni was very angry , scolding his wife , and his mother-in-law also , and even Acbilli . Garamoni called out for a constable . Achilli then was trembling , but did nothings When the light 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 he had been in prison several times ; and that he did not know Dr . Achilli in the least . Pietro Boccheciampi , a native of Cephalonia , proved that Dr . Achilli had accompanied him to Corfu . Dr . Achilli induced him to insert his name in his passport , on tho ground that the latter could not get out of Italy for want of a passport . Giovanni Patrignani , a jewellor of Corfu , had seen a man como out of tho house where Garamoni ' s wife lived , who appeared by hia stature to be Dr . Achilli . William Reynolds , who had been employed at Zanto for twenty-fivo years , and for nine years had been collector of customs ana inspector of health , was next examined . Dr . ^ Achilli had asked for his assistance in establishing a church . in tho island . Subscriptions woro raised , and the chapel was opened in 1844 . Ho narrated as follows : —Tho first
time I wont to the chapel I was struck by tho appearance of a woman of notoriously bad character , who was sitting at tho door , and acting aa doorkeeper . I knew hor by sight , and that for three years she carried on tho life of a prostitute . Her dross was different from that of others , which attracted my attention . Her husband was a chorussinger . Ho followed Dr . Achilli into tho chapel , arid acted as his clork , roading the Church of England prayors . I called upon Dr . Achilli tho first thing next morning , and told him it was exceedingly improper to koop such persons . I told him everything I know about tho woman and hor husband . To tho best of my belief he told mo ho was already aware of her provious lifo , that ho hoped sho had become a second Magdalen , and that ho considered it his duty as a clergyman to continue lu \ s protection to hor . Ho said afterwards , upon hia cross-oxamination , that Coriboni and his wifo had only officiated onco at tho
church . , Ho then doscribodcortain familiarities mpersonal intercourse which ho saw between Dr . Achilli and Album Coriboni—tho Dootor Iboing in his short sleeves and tho woman in a dross the upper part ; of which wan low and looao . His housei overlooked that of tho Doctor . Ho was obligod to havo his blinds down . On another occasion , whon Mr . " Reynolds remonstrated with Dr . Achilli Ort tho subject , tho lattor became very violont . Mr . Koyiiolda said lurthor , that . Dr . AoIuIU ' h bed had double pillown ; that ono day tho Doctor said , " Poor Albina" was going to dino with him ; and that ono night Dr . Achilli and Albina woro arm-in-arm listening to tho band . ...
On cross-oxamination , Mr . Reynolds said ho oxpootad to bo paid a pound u . day up to this tinuJ . A lottor which Mr . lloynolda acknowledged to bo bin , written to Lioutenant Stonoy on tho subjoct of this inquiry , was horo road . In thin ho said tho dofendant was disposed to bo " vory liboral . " Ho Haid afterwards , howovor , that no one had authorized him to say that tho defendant would bo liboral . Jtosina Xiavanohi , who had boon in tho servico of Mr . Reynolds , confirmed hia statoment aa to tho eightu aeon from tho windows .
The Rev . George Hadfield , a clergyman of the Church of England , now residing at W hitchurch , 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 of the College : the one , Leonini , of having committed adultery with a Maltese lady , and the other , Saceares , of hav-Achilli
ing been frequently guilty of incontinence . Dr .. 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 tho same month Dr . Achilli wrote to say that he had need of Mr . Saccares , for an important mission , and that he had left accordingly . " .. ' ¦¦ to
The Rev . Alexander Watt , formerly clerical secretary the Malta College , strongly corroborated the evidence of the preceding witness . The Earl of Shaftesbury , the chairman of tho committee of the College , confirmed tho statement in its more important points . Dr . Bonavia , who said , on his cross-examination , that he had been advised to come to England on this affair by the Vice-president of Malta College , made the following statement : — 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 tho reports against them , and he said that he had . I then asked him if he believed them , and he replied that
he did not . He used no expressions of disapproval . I asked him if lie 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 Valet ta to Leonini . Dr . Achilli asked me , in reply , if I thought it wrong . ( Sensation . ) I told him it 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 Leonini ' 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 . Cockburn . —What did he 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 our friendship . " He then left me 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 . Sho was engaged to take charge of a house in Shaftesbury-Creseent , Pimlico , which he had just taken . She went there ono morning , and Dr .-Achilli azTivod soon after . Ho was in and out of tho kitchen all day . Ho put his arm round hor waist and kissed her . The next morning ho asked her how she liked her bed , and if she wished for n . bed-fellow . Sho replied , " , thank you , sir . " Slio did not remain there above a month . Mrs . Cadogan , an aunt of the last witness , said her niece had cortjplaincd to her of Dr . Achilli ' s conduct .
Lord Campbell . —Were you not afraid to leavo your nieco there ulono P Witness . —I did not know ho lived there ; and I thought he would bo loss dangerous when Ilia wifo arrived . ( Laugliter . ) Jano Logan said sho had been in the service of Dr . Achilli about seven or eight months , in Shaftesbury-croscont . Ho began to take familiarities with her about four months after sho wont . She gave notice to leavo , but Dr . Achilli induced her to remain for four months . Her child died Boon after it was born . Sho saw Dr . Achilli , for a few minutes , a fortnight beforo hor confinement , but he gavo her nothing , and did not mention tho subject . Sho saw Achilli at her sister ' s beforo tho trial . Counsel . —Did ho way anything to you about coining hero P
Witness . —I told him that I was subpoenaed , and ho said , " I had no occasion to go . " I told him u week afterwards again , and ho said that " I Was to Hhut tho door in tho face of those who camo to subpeuna me . " My sister said , " I must tell tho truth if I wont . " I havo not spoken to him since . Sho admitted that sho had had other very intimate acquamtancoH , nnd slio could not swear who was tho father of hor child . Hor sister , Mrs . liOgan , generally confirmed hor
statement . Dr . Achilli had said to her on a recent occasion , thai ; Dr . Newman wan a vory bad man , and ho hoped to havo him Rent to prison . H « ivIho desired mo , if they camo again , to shut tho door in their facoH . I spoke to him about my sister , and said it had been a groat expense having hor to keep , and tho baby dying . He said , " You , yen , " and that was all . Ho camo again on tho Tuesday morning , and we woro Hubpojrniort , but ho mud lie thought tho Hiihpumas were of no use , and he did not think they could make uh go .
Sarah Wood , ninotoon years old , told a similar story . She had entered tho , bovvico of . Achilli from a charitable institution near Windsor . On one occasion Dr . Achilli was interrupted by a knoek at tho < loor . Ho ran down otaivH and began writing . It watt hin wife mine back for hor parasol . On another , he wan Huecemjful , against the will of Surah "Wood . All this took place in his bod-room Slio declared , she would leavo tho Horyico , but stayed fivo months after . Once he gave hor a religious book , entitled , Como to Jesus , and told her oho would bo a vory naughty girl to toll anybody what ho hud dono ,
¦J^Fl6,:I|52.J:..;.;, ^ ; : ; The Ie-Abe...
¦ J ^ fl 6 ,: i | 52 . J :.. ; . ; , ^ ; : ; THE IE-ABE R . ¦ ' . ¦ ' ¦ ^ « Gl
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), June 26, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_26061852/page/5/
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