ATTEMPTS ON THE QUEEN'S LIFE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VX, Issue 7102, 26 January 1901, Page 4

ATTEMPTS ON THE QUEEN'S LIFE.

Several times dating her Majesty's career attempts were made on her life, but in most cases a mere mad love of notoriety or downright insanity prompted the attack. The first attempt was in June, 1840, when feeling was strong against the Ministry in power, and much anxiety was felt regarding the state of the nation. On the evening of June 18th, whilst the Queen was driving out with Prince Albert, a man leaning up against the Park railings suddenly pulled out a pistol and shot at Her Majesty. The first shot missed. The would-be assassin, a lad named Edward Oxford, was treated as a madman, and sent to Bedlam. He subsequently deolared that his attack on the Queen was done out of sheer vanity and love of notoriety. On May 30th, 1842, the Queen was fired at for the second time. The Royal pair were returning from a drive, and had nearly reached the gcene of Oxford's attempt two years previously, when a little swarthy, ill-looking rascal fired at the Queen a shot which went harmlessly by. The assailant, John Francis, was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life, in accordance with Her Majesty's desire. On Sunday, July 3rd, the Queen was again in danger, a hunchback named Bean attempting to shoot her, but the pistol missed fire. After a fortnight's liberty Bean was caught and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. On May 19th, 1849, an Irishman named Hamilton attempted to Bhoot Her Majesty as she was driving up Constitution Hill, but failed in his attempt. Hamilton was sentenced to seven years' transportation. In February, 1872, when about to alight from her carriage, a youth named Arthur O'Connor rushed at the Quaen with a paper in one hand and a pistol in the other. The Queen's attendant, John Brown, seized tha lad, who was found to be not in his right mind, He was an Irish boy, and had brooded over his country's wrongs till his brain had turned. John Brown received a gold medal and an annuity of £25. The last of these attacks took place in 1882 at Royal Windsor. The Queen, accompanied by the Princess Beatrice, was entering her carriage at Windsor station when she was fired at by a man named Roderick McLean, who was at once arrested. The prisoner, who had formerly been respectable, but had recently fallen into want, was tried for high treason, and, being found guilty, he was, on the ground of insanity, ordered to be imprisoned during her Majesty's pleasure.