"There may be cases of insanity, in which medical evidence as to _physical_ symptoms is of the utmost consequence. But as to _moral insanity_, I, for my own part, cannot admit that medical men have at all more means of forming an opinion, in such a case, than are possessed by gentlemen accustomed to the affairs of life, and bringing to the subject a wide experience." "The mere fact of the prisoner's going into the park, and raising his hand against the Queen, is not to be taken as a proof of insanity--particularly if we suppose that he is naturally reckless of consequences. It is a mark, doubtless, of a mind devoid of right judgment and of right feeling; but it would be a most dangerous maxim, that the mere enormity of a crime should secure the prisoner's acquittal, by being taken to establish his _insanity_. Acts of wanton and dangerous mischief are often committed by persons who _suppose_ that they have an adequate motive; but they are sometimes done by those who have no adequate motive, and on whom they can confer no advantage. A man may be charged with slaying his father, his child, or his innocent wife, to whom he is bound to afford protection and kindness; and it is most extravagant to say that this man cannot be found guilty, because of the enormity of his crime!" The jury, thus charged with the principles of a humane and sound jurisprudence, retired, and after three quarters of an hour's absence returned with this special verdict: "We find the prisoner, Edward Oxford, guilty of discharging the contents of two pistols; but whether or not they were loaded with ball has not been satisfactorily proved to us--_he being of unsound mind at the time_." In other words, "We find that he did not fire a pistol loaded with ball because he was not of sound mind!" They were sent back, with a mild intimation that they had not sufficiently applied their minds to the true question--viz., Did the prisoner, ay or no, fire a pistol _loaded with ball_ at the Queen? The foreman, "We cannot decide the point, because there is no satisfactory evidence produced before us, to show that the pistols were loaded with bullets." They retired, to return with a verdict of "'Guilty,' or 'Not Guilty,' on the evidence." After an hour's absence they finally brought back their verdict, "Guilty, he being at the time insane!" _Lord Denman._--"Do you acquit the prisoner, on the ground of insanity?" _Foreman of the Jury._--"Yes, my Lord; that is our intention." _Lord Denman._--"Then the verdict will stand thus: 'Not Guilty, on the ground of insanity.' The prisoner will be confined in strict custody, as a matter of course." "The prisoner," says Mr Townsend,[20] "walked briskly from the bar, apparently glad that the tedious trial was over."