The G niteau trial ended on the 26th inst., in
a verdict of guilty. The case was one of the simplest character, nobody questioning the fact of murder, and the only dispute being as to the prisoner's sanity ; but it has occupied the Court and the columns of the newspapers some fifty days. It proceeded to the end in the old fashion, Guitean being allowed to read three columns of turgid rubbish, which he had previously sent to all newspapers, Mr. Scoville, for the defence, speaking for five days, and Mr. Porter, for the prosecution, for three. None of the three had truything to say requiring half an hour. The Judge's summing-up, which only took an hour and a half, is accounted a miracle of brevity. Our own Tichborne case was nearly as wearisome, and it would really appear as if the English-speaking peoples had a certain enjoyment of protracted tedium, if only the tedium was in regular form. That must be the truth, or certain ceremonial festivities would be impossible, and tired humanity would be allowed by etiquette to walk out of church before the sermon was finished. Guiteau has still a right of appeal, and it is believed that all the formalities cannot be completed before July.
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