The _Herald’s_ fulminations, and the political pressure brought to bear upon Branch by his prosecutors must inevitably have the effect of exciting a warm public sympathy for their object. Such, indeed, is the manner in which the infliction of the full penalty of the statute is regarded in this case, that the prosecutors themselves will be forced to step in as petitioners for a pardon, or incur no little odium in the business. Besides, what is very sensibly remarked by the _Tribune_, as to the foundation of Branch’s charges, it might be added that the public have no means of judging whether those charges are well founded or not. By a course of proceedings altogether extraordinary on the part of the prosecution, the apparent real evidence in the case was completely excluded, and Branch convicted solely upon the oaths of his prosecutors, without an actual investigation of the presumed issue on which the libel originated. The public are largely exercised on the matter, and inquiry is particularly active as to who the “Matron” really is? Why she was not put upon the stand, and what she could have to say for herself? How would her previous character have justified her taking the stand as a witness, or of holding the position she has occupied under the chief magistrate? These points are matters of curious comment among the people, necessarily provoked by the seemingly harsh and rough-shod procedure in the case. It is to be regretted the matter was not fully cleared up by the production of the entire evidence. HOW BRANCH CONFRONTS HIS FATE.—The renowned tamer of alligators—I may as well add, _en passant_—was duly surrendered to Warden Finch on Thursday, having been escorted hither to his prison by a little host of friends, whose temper indicated no disposition to desert him. Sympathy is strongly in his favor, on the ground, of course, that, whatever may be thought of his offence, his treatment at the hands of the officials and lawyers, has been such as only a weak and comparatively friendless man like him would meet. You will soon see his prosecutors forced to sue for his deliverance, just as eagerly as they have pressed for his imprisonment.