5.—A reminiscence of the old convict days was forthcoming in a case tried before Lord Chief Baron Pollock at the Norfolk Assizes. Cornelius Bradnum, a fruit dealer, was indicted for being feloniously and unlawfully at large at Heckingham on February 6th, 1865, “he having been transported for the term of his natural life, in pursuance of a certain judgment against him at the Norfolk Assizes on July 21st, 1847, on an indictment for burglary.” The prisoner, in his defence, made a remarkable statement, to the effect that in consequence of his having given information of an intended mutiny of the convicts at Gibraltar, his sentence was mitigated to fifteen years. From Gibraltar he was sent to Swan River, Western Australia, where the Governor gave him his ticket of leave, and after “serving his ticket” he received a free pardon. He then went to Callao, in Peru. One evening, when standing on the Mole, he was kidnapped, put upon an American ship, and brutally ill-used and crippled. Sixty-five dollars had been paid for him, but as he was useless he was put ashore at Hamburgh, whence, after remaining some time in hospital, he came to England. Unfortunately, he had left at Callao the document conveying to him his free pardon. The prosecution denied that a free pardon had been granted. His lordship said it was for the prosecution to show that the prisoner’s statement was untrue, after using that statement against him as evidence. The statement must be taken as true until it was contradicted. It had not been contradicted, and, he added, turning to the jury, “It is for you to say whether you believe it or not. I must say I don’t see why you should not believe it, and why he is not entitled to a verdict of not guilty.” The jury acquitted the prisoner.