THE MELBOURNE CLERICAL SCANDAL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 409, 21 November 1868, Page 6

THE MELBOURNE CLERICAL SCANDAL.

The Taylor scandal in Melbourne has assumed proportions which threaten to make the affair disgraceful to all parties concerned. 'Thepress is filled with letters on the subject, in which character is often most ruthlessly assailed. Mr James "Wisewould, solicitor, of Collins Street, writes a long letter to the Argus, setting forth the result of enquiries into the matter made by him on behalf of the friends of the lady implicated. He failed to get any informaton of any kind from Mr Taylor or the deacons of the Church. The lady has made a statutory declaration denying that she had ever had any adulterous intercourse with Mr Taylor whatever. The adjourned meeting of the members of the Church was held on the 27th ult. The committee appointed to inquire into the matter reported, that a personal in-

terview with the lady implicated had been refused. The husband, who was present, said, that as no charge had been made specifically in writing, the interview sought for had been refused. It was then resolved to send to the lady in question a statement of the charges in existence against lier. A correspondent who signs himself " Another Lover of Justice," gives the following facts :—" The husband of the party pointed at, is himself responsible for the publication of the first charge made against Mr Taylor, but which has assumed the grave form through Mr Taylor's own admissions, which were wrung from him, and not volunteered. The husband informed several gentlemen, between the 7th and 11th September, that on Sunday afternoon, the 6th September, his wife (believing she was dangerous.y ill) had informed him that Mr Taylor, some years ago, in bis vestry, attempted to seduce her. He was unsuccessful, but bound her under a solemn pledge of secrecy. On subsequent occasions he had acted in a grossly indecent manner, both to her and other married women, whom she named ; that a letter written by him to one of them (which is in existence) was of such a character as to stamp the man as a villain. On Mr Taylor being sent for, he denied it, and repeated his denial, but admitted the truth when brought face to face with her who had made the charge, but threatened suicide in the event of their refusing for giveness, and promising secrecy. They forgave him, and to show their forgiveness was sincere, went to hear him preach that night a powerful sermon on the folly of erecting a residence on sand in lieu of rock—a fitting subject, cynics may say, under the circumstances, and which, all hope, was personally applied." Other correspondents' letters are couched in such language that it will not be surprising if the matter is taken into a court of law.