17 AUGUST 1839, Page 7

At the Bridgwater Assizes, on Tuesday, Charles Wakely pleaded guilty

to the charge of murdering his fellowservant, Eliza. Pain ; and was sentenced to death by Justice Coleridge, who was exceedingly affected by the performance of his ditty. The motive dues not appear, but the murder was of an aggravated character ; the poor girl's throat having been cut and her face dreat lfu I y mangled. In a case of perjury- tried at the Devonshire Assizes, the Jury, after some deliberation, returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. The Judge—" On what grounds ?" Foreman—" Because it Is an aggravated ease."—Sherhorne Journal, In the Lancaster Insolvent Debtors Court, on :11-ondey, George Con- nerd was brought up to take the oath required by law before his re- lease. Connard, who is a man of good moral character, professes to le? an Owenite, and not to believe in a future slate of punishment. Mr. Reynolds, the Commissioner, had refused to allow him to lie sworn on a previous day, on account of his religious opinions ; and when he was brought up on Monday, asked if he had any thing to say then ? Con- nard replied-

." The starving condition of my family, the unhappitiess of any wife, and the

misery I have experienced in gaol, eenvinres me that the denial of belief in a fu- ture state of punishment places me in a very dangerous position. It has caused some doubt to arise in my mind; so that, in consequence of that doubt, I would rather yield to the safer side of the question, in order, if' possible to ob. tain the benefit of the laws of my country, which 1 have never yet received. 1 was not aware that my belief or my religious opinions would b questioned in

That won't do."

The Commissioner went on to read an extract from Coolie's Practice of the Insolvent Court, new edition, showing that the oath of a man who did not be- lieve in adduce state could not be received. The statement just made by the insolvent he considered an evasion.

The insolvent said he had nothing to add to his statement. The C'onnnissioner wished lie could liberate the insolvent, Scut he should contaminate the others; and more than once warned cant: tip against listening to the impiety of C(mnard.

Order tbr homing dismissed.

The Lancaster Goortlion, which supplies the report, has some just remarks on this proceeding- " The Legislature professes to punish no man for his religious opinions, and theoretically it proclaims that man is accountable to God alone tint the eeereise of his understanding in :natters of faith. Ilene however, is a iiractical in- stance of punishment for religious belief—a sentence of perpetual imprison- ment passed against 'e member of society, because he avows that he cannot be- lieve in a state of future punishment. In eases of this sort few thimrs are clearer than that the party avowing such obnoxious opinions must have ,oine

respect for his word, and some regard fin' truth, or other:: it would be cosy

to purchase his freedoin by denying- and disguising hi, opinions on a future•state. It must be a bad law that either finds such men as Irtataard liars and hyporrites, or leaves them so. Such a law is objectionable oil the broad ground, that it hold, out a premium upon the profession of a particular belief, ;tad is pro mein a treason against truth. A hollow contbrinity alone is purchased, and the price paid for it is freedom of inquiry, which it discourages."