One of the oddest stories reaches us from Sydney. A
man named Dean, skipper of a ferry-boat, was accused of poisoning his wife. Under a " strong " charge from the Judge, the jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to death. The journalists and the populace did not approve; the case was retried by a Commission of experts appointed by the Ministry, and Dean received a free pardon. Shortly after, a Member of the Legislative Council stated in his place that Dean's attorney, one Meagher, had mentioned that Dean had con- fessed his guilt to him, and Dean and Meagher were put on their trial for a conspiracy to defeat the ends of justice by perjury. Meagher thereupon admitted that he had become aware of Dean's guilt, and had deceived his own partner and the Commission ; and finally, Dean confessed the attempt to poison his wife. Meagher, having taken a false oath, will, it is supposed, be punished, and possibly Dean also, but the latter having been tried and released, may get off scot-free. Much talk is therefore indulged in as to Meagher's con- science, and the privileges of lawyers ; but the true lesson of the business is apparently missed. Of all conceivable tribunals, the mob is the worst. It has no idea whatever of evidence, and no wish whatever that the law should be obeyed instead of a molluscons sentiment which, if the accused is ugly, is as often for a sentence as for an acquittal. Better a cadi on the judgment-seat than a multitude of men in the street.
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