The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-07-31 00:00:00

THE WICKLOW PEERAGE.

Mrs. Howard's autobiography occupied the law lords
forming the Committee for Priiileges, who are
invi stigating the Wicklow peerage case, nearly the
whole of Tuesday.
Mrs. Howard told their lordships that she became a gover-
ness early in life, and that she first met Mr. William George
Howard in the Exhibition year, 1862, having been introduced
to hint by Mr. Bandenave, who was an old friend of his anti
et her aunt. Mr, Iloward wrote two letters to her mother,
begging her to use her influence to persuade her daughter to
accept hint, promising to cherish her and make her a happy
wife, mid stating that her jointure out of the family estates
on the death of the then earl would be over £l,OOO per annum.
She refused Iris offer twice, but she accepted him the thud
time. She eventually accepted him on his promising to lead
a steady life. They were married on the 25th of February,
1863, at Kensington Church, and they then went to live at
the Burlington lintel, where they remained tor a few weeks.
Tlieuce they went to Ireland, on account of certain lawsuits
which Mr flossed had instituted in that country. she
returned to liolyhead in compaiu with her husband, au then
she proceeded to Longley under the protection of Mr. Bantle-
nave, in whose care her husband had placed her, to her
mothet's at Looetey, in Gloucestershire. CM her husband's
return they went to 27, Burton-street, Edon-square, where
they remained for some time, tier ituslund again left her to
go to Deland, but returned in January, 1861, when she was
ritli)ing at 32, Burtoiestreet ; and a secret interview was held
between them lathe diningroim at No. 27. her husband
alleged as a reason for this secrecy in their communications
that he was in considerable pecuniary difficulties, arid that
he was afraid of his creditors Oa the 16th of May, 1864, her
child was born. She had started logo to Ireland by the mail
train to find her husband, soil endeavour to wean him Dorn
his bad associates, but on arriving at the station she found
herself suddenly taken ill, and she was obliged to return to
27, Burton-street. Mr. Itt or was sent for a doctor, hut he-
ro he could return the child was Morn. Mrs. Bloor and
Miss Rosa Day were present. She herself was so weak and ill
that she did not know what occurred. She had no idea
that 'bewail about to be commed, as she did not expect that
event to occur for two months more.
Mrs. Howard was severely cross-examined by Sir 2. B.
Karslake about Mr. Bandeimve and her relations with that
gentleman. She had understood, she said, that lie was a
foreign gentleman of good family, and that he lived upon
his private means. She denied every suggestion of her having
hi en on terms of intimacy with Mr. wandenave during her
husband's life, but admitted that she had sometimes oined
with him since she hail been a widow. Asked what her boy's
name was, she said he never had a name, never having been
baptized. Neither had he been vaccinated, and he had
never been attended by a doctor. Sirs. Howard admitted
also that before her husband's death she had several times
applied at an institution in Ilarley-street for a situation as
governess ; her object being to frighten her husband into
giving up his had associates and living with her again.
Some witnesses were called who said the little boy
very much resembled the late Mr. Howard.
Mr. Bandenave was called, but could not be found.
Their lordships expressed much displeasure at Ms clia,
appearance, but eventually adjourned the case, giving
Mrs. Howard to understated that her case would not
oppor- be considered completed without Mr. Bandenave's
r-seekers evidence.