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defence. They shewed the greatest impatience during the Attorney-General's speech, and made several attempts to interrupt the Judge's charge; and at last, when it came to their own turn to take the business in hand, they exclaimed unanimously, without a quarter of a minute's consultation or deliberation, that they found for the defendant.
The case presented altogether a combination of ridiculous driftless futility, with atrocious and incredible perjury, which cannot, I think, be paralleled (in their combination) in the annals of criminal jurisprudence."
The printed law reports of the day give the result thus: —
The Learned Judge summed up at considerable length, and the Jury having turned round, in a moment the Foreman said—"My Lord, we are all agreed—we find for the Defendant."
There was a loud and general burst of applause at the announcement of the verdict, which was instantly checked by the court.
The news was communicated outside, and was followed by loud and general cheering from the anxious crowds assembled.
And in another paper:—
The Learned Judge summed up at some length.
The Jury having turned round, and conferred a few seconds,—the Foreman said,—"My Lord, we are agreed, it is my duty to say that our verdict is for the Defendant."
The announcement was received with loud bursts of applause; an expression of feeling which was promptly re-echoed by shouts from the mob without the doors. The tumult having been partially suppressed, the Lord Chief Justice said "he was surprised to hear a verdict received in a court of justice in so disgraceful a manner."
The court was then cleared.
That impression availed—for Lord Melbourne. For him, the ordeal was happily and triumphantly over; the sympathy of friends, the enthusiasm of the public, greeted his acquittal from the false charge which was to wreck him. He continued Minister to the King, and the dawn of another reign saw him confirmed in his position, with the added distinction of seeming almost the guide and guardian of the youthful Sovereign who was to receive from him her first initiation into the cares and tasks of government.
