A full and authentic report of the trial of Jonathan Martin at the Castle of York, on Tuesday, March 31, 1829, for setting fire to York Minister; with an account of the life of the lunatic. The destruction of the choir of York Cathedral, on the second of February, 1829; the flight and apprehension of the incendiary; his examination and commitment to York city gaol; the proceedings at public meetings held at York, in consequence of the fire; embellished with a striking likeness of Martin and a ground plan of the minister.

Date:: 1829

Credit: A full and authentic report of the trial of Jonathan Martin at the Castle of York, on Tuesday, March 31, 1829, for setting fire to York Minister; with an account of the life of the lunatic. The destruction of the choir of York Cathedral, on the second of February, 1829; the flight and apprehension of the incendiary; his examination and commitment to York city gaol; the proceedings at public meetings held at York, in consequence of the fire; embellished with a striking likeness of Martin and a ground plan of the minister. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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former occasion. We must do justice to that gentleman's desire to ac- commodate all parties as far as the limited room of the Court will allow: and for his attention on this, and on all former occasions, to accommo- date those gentlemen who attend for the public press, he certainly de- serves the warmest acknowledgments. The Grand Jury box was reserved for ladies sent by the High Sheriff: the small gallery was also reserved for ladies. The large gallery was filled with well dressed ladies and gentlemen; and the body of the Court was crowded to excess, after the doors were opened. The Grand Jury room was appropriated for the reception of the wit- nesses on both sides, who were very numerous. At half-past eight, Jonathan was again brought in, and placed in the dock. His appearance was not in the least altered ; and he appeared as unconcerned as any person in court. He was decently dressed in a blue coat and trowsers, and black silk waistcoat. He carried his great coat over his arm—which he laid down by his side. At 9 o'clock Mr. Baron Hullock arrived: and on the doors being open- ed the bustle and confusion of Monday was renewed: and Jonathan jump- ed up in the dock with great eagerness, to see the crowd. He was imme- diately ordered down ; when he folded his arms, and paced the dock with great rapidity,—laughing, and apparently enjoying the contusion. A few minutes after he was placed at the bar; and the indictment having been again read over to him, the following gentlemen were sworn on the jury:— John North, Drypool. Merchant's Clerk, Foreman James Carr, Drypool, Seedsman John Binsley, 11 arrogate, Gentleman William Earle, Uckerby, Farmer Richard Fcss, Hufldersfield, Spirit Mer- chant Benjamin Haworth, Rowlston, Gent. Matthew Jefferson, Stanford), Millet John Kearton, Muker, Yeo nan John Knaggs, Sherburn, I m:keeper Edward Squire, Romanby, Gentleman Joseph Taylor, Cottingham, Gentleman ChristopherWard, Northowrani, Mikster Mr. Strickland said, gentlemen of the jury, the prisoner is charged with having unlawfully, maliciously, {Martin,— not maliciously, my Lord,) and wilfully set fire to the Cathedral Church of York; and you are to try, whether he is guilty or not guilty of that offence. Mr. Alderson addressed the Jury nearly as follows :—You have heard al- ready, from the indictment and opening of my learned friend, the nature of the charge which is now made against the unfortunate prisoner at the bar—that of having, by his own hand, set fire to the Cathedral of this city, and reduced that splendid pile to a mass of ruins. The second point you will have to consider, and the most important, will be, whether if the prisoner is the individual who committed the offence, what state of mind he was in at the time of the transac- tion. With respect to one part of this inquiry, it will be necessary to enter in- to some details. That you may understand it the better, I will state what I consider the law laid down upon the question of insanity, so as to affect the prisoner with the consequences of guilt. I apprehend, that in order to make him dispunishable by law, for a criminal offence, you must be satisfied, that at the time the offence was committed he was incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong. However he may have, on former occasions, been afflicted even with insanity, still, if at the time the offence was committed, he was ca- pable of making the distinction I have mentioned, of knowing the consequences, —of knowing he was doing a wrong act, he is accountable for his conduct. [Here, owing to the pressure in the body of the court, great confusion arose, and the learned Counsel was unable to proceed. Some time elapsed before order and silence could be restored.] Mr. Alderson continued—I was stating what I conceived to be the law upon this subject, and the important question which will be submitted to your

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