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(Mr. Clifford here stated that there were some four or five witnesses
whom he wished to introduce, to show that there was a person in
Boston, at the time of Dr. Parkman's disappearance; who bore a
strong resemblance to Dr. Parkman, in form, gait and manner; and
that so strong, that he was approached and spoken to by persons who
knew Dr. Parkman ; and he cited a case where such testimony was
introduced.
Judge Merrick objected to such testimony, and thought it was en-
tirely inadmissible, and contrary to the universal practice of the
Courts, in questions of identity.]
Mr. Clifford. Suppose that there was an individual who had
certain great peculiarities, and that he was met by persons who did
not speak to him, but taken by them for a person whom he resembled,
and that this person was met by others, who, on account of this re-
semblance, spoke to him, - might not these last persons be introduced
in a case of this kind ?
Chief Justice Shaw. If the person was here, there would, perhaps, be no
objection to his introduction, and the Jury might then draw opinions for
themselves; but the testimony in the present case is held to be inad-
missible, as of a too remote and unsatisfactory nature.
The Jury were here allowed a few minutes recess.]
EORGE W. FIFIELD, sworn. -I keep toll-house on Cragie's
Bridge. I remember about the time the clock was put up on
the Court House at East Cambridge. It was put up last fall.
It has not kept very good time. It frequently stops, and does not
agree with other clocks. I can see from the bridge the Lowell R. R.
clock, and have an opportunity to compare the Court House clock
with others. It is a very inaccurate timepiece, according to my
experience.
Cross-examined. I can't say the day it was put up. I have some-
times noticed half an hour difference, and at other times a quarter
of an hour difference. It is sometimes faster, and sometimes slower,
than the railroad time.
SAMUEL D. FULLER, sworn.-I am toll-keeper on Cambridge Bridge,
and have occasion to notice the clock on East Cambridge Court
House. It has stopped very frequently ; and sometimes I have
noticed that it would be five or twenty minutes out of the way; and
sometimes it would stop entirely, in a storm.
[Mr. Clifford then informed the Court that the Government would
rest their case here.]
CLOSING ARGUMENT OF HON. PUNY MERRICK.
May it please the Court and Gentlemen of the Jury
I need not say to you, Gentlemen, with what feeling of embarrass-
ment I rise to address you, at the close of this protracted investigation.
I cannot be more sensible than you are, of the difficulty to be encoun-
tered in the examination of so much testimony, or of the interest there
is that all this testimony shall be rightly understood, and the conse-
quences which properly ensue from it be rightly deduced. A case,
Gentlemen, is presented to you, transcending in public interest any
that has heretofore occupied the attention of our judicial tribunals. A
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