THE EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONER.
The ruffian had scarcely thrown the stone, when he was seized by a gentleman, who proved to be Captain Smith, of the Royal Navy, and by another gentleman, named Turner, who had been witnesses to the transaction. The Bow Street officers, who were on the spot, rushed to their assistance ; and Taunton and Gardiner conducted the prisoner to the Magistrates' room, under the Stand, contiguous to that of the King; where he was detained till the subsequent examination.
As soon as the confusion and alarm had subsided, the Magistrates, Mr. Elliott of Reading and Mr. Roe of Bow Street, proceeded to take the necessary examinations previous to committal. The prisoner stood in the corner of the room apparently but little affected by his situation. His appearance was wretched : he wore the tattered garb of a sailor, and was propped on a wooden leg of the most rude construction. In answer to the questions put to him, he said his name was Dennis Collins, that he was a native of Cork, and had been long in his Majesty's service. He had originally served in the Kangaroo, and lost his leg by an accident, on board the Atalanta. He had been admitted a pensioner of Greenwich Hospital, where he had remained eighteen months : six months back, he had miscondueted himself towards his ward's-man, and bad been turned out. From that period he had been without pension or means of support. He peti- tioned the Lords of the Admiralty for redress, but in vain; on the 19th of April last, lie petitioned the King. This petition he took to Whitehall ; and he had reason to believe it had reached the King at Windsor, for it was sent back to the Lords of the Admiralty, and he was again informed, through their Secretary, that his claims could not be recognized. He then became desperate ; be had no means of sup- port ; and he said " he might as well be shot or hanged as remain in such a state." In this feeling it was he came to Ascot, determined to be revenged on the King. He admitted he threw the stone which
struck his Majesty. Ile said he had no accomplices, and acted entirely from his own feelings, and without the suggestion or dictation of any
person. Ile then produced his papers, to show that his story was well founded; and on being reasoned with on the atrocity of his conduct, he said he was sorry for it. His moaner was perfectly collected and
rational. On exam :Ling his head, there was a mark of a wound, which was said to have liven inflicted by a fail, lie wits not intoxicated, but he admitted he Led been drinking beer. lie had walked down from Loudon, and had slept in a :led in the nelgtheurhood of Windsor the preeeding 'debt.
The following evidence was then taken— Captain George Smith, 11.N., deposed, that AVIlila he was filet day standing- in front of the Royal Stand, on Ascot Heath, be erW iiis Ma- jesty at the windew, and saw the prisomr him. a. a store at his INIajesty, which struck his :Majesty On the head : his 'Majesty reel.'d back, put his bend to his heed, ited made some exclamation which he did not hear; et the same instant the prisoner threw a second stone. He im- mediately seized the prisoner.
Mr. Benjamin Turner, of 5, Waterloo Tetritee, &theta Green, de- posed that lie was also standing in front of the Royal Stand, alai saw the prisoner fling- two stones, the first or Avb:ch struck his Ma:esty on the head, the other fell to the pound. Ile saw his Mejesty reel back- wards.
Lord Frederick Fitzelarence preduced a laree flint stone, with jaeged edges. Ile was standieg next to his Mejesty, an the Royal Stand, and us stuldenly.alarined by hearing the sound produced by a stone striking his Majesty tut the head. His Majesty exclaimed, " Oh, God, I am hit!" Witness saw the stone fall on the floor ; and it was immediately afterwards picked up and handed to hint by Lord Brownlow.
Lord Brownlow saw his Majesty struck by the stone produced, which be picked up. Several other witnesses, including one of the band, who picked up the stone that fell from the window, and Ledbitter, who picked up a, stone at the foot of the prisoner,. also tendered their evidence ; bet Mr. Elliott was of opinion that thire was already evidence sufreient of the fact to commit .the prisoner for further eoamination ; and the witnesses
having signed, their depositions, a tali/belts was made out, committing the prisoner to Reading Gaol, with an understiondirg that he should be brought up again, for a second examination on Tuesday, at the Petty Sessions of Wokingham, in the county of Bucks.
Some of the county officers were then caned ; and the prisoner having been consigned to their custody, he was taken, in a post-chaise, to his destination.
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