The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-06-25 00:00:00

"MEN IN WOMEN'S ATTIRE.
"To the &Moe of The 7'imes.

"Sir,—ln the extraordinary position in which I find my-
self placed, and from the peculiar course adopted by the
Crown in this matter, I feel justified lu asking for the in-
sertion of this letter in your journal.

I am now, as I hitherto have been, anxious to give the
most unequivocal denial to the accusations which have been
made Roulet me; and I most earnestly beg the public to
suspend its judgment until the full Investigation of a public
trial has cleared away and explained the circumstances of
suspicion alleged against use.
I pledge myself to surrender on the trial at the Centre
Criminal Court on the day appointed, as I am desirous of
courting the fullest possible inquiry, being conscious that
the greater the light which can be thrown on this unfortu-
nate case the clearer will be lily exculpation.
„ _

. •
" I am now, and have beta for some time past, prostrate
on a bed of sickness, or I would before this have surrendered
to the warrant and submitted myself to the authority of the
Court.

--.71-have instructed my solicitor to retain the services of
counsel to represent me on my trial, when I shall clearly
and honestly show that nothing can ba laid to my charge
other than the foolish continuance of the impersonation of
theatrical characters, which arose from a simple frolic in
which I permitto,i ni)self to become an actor.

It would ill become me to animadvert upon the course
the prosecution has deemed 11l to pursue in silencing, by in-
cluding In the indictments those who enlist other wise throw
light upon the case ; that I leave to my counsel and advisers
on the titling OCC&Ri011, and to the common sense of the com-
munity, whose calmer judgment cannot possibly exert itself
until the mists if prejudice, naturally excited by the
enormity of the offence charged against me, shall have been
dispelled by the full light of a free and impartial trial. I am,
Sir, your obedient servant,
"June, 1870."

The Daily Telegraph thus c,ommenta upon the death
of Lord Arthur Clinton :
In ordinary cases the mere announcement of the event
would have been all that was required of the journalist ; for
there was nothing specidly notable in his Lordship's career,
and it is expressing only the hare truth to say, that what
little was known reit •cted on him no credit whatever. The
son of an eminent nobleman, whose closing years were em-
bittered by an overwhelming domestic sorrow, he never, it
is to be feared, enj eyed the benefit of that tender but vigi
lant control which might have guarded him against in-
fluences vicious in their Immediate effects, and as de-
structive of refinement as of self-respect. Thus he might
have disappeared from the cats! lane of fast young
men about town, without exciting any particular no-
tice, save that of the tradesmen who were his credi-
tors, or of the weak and wicked ass,clates who eeern
never to have deserted hint not recent events in connec-
tion with a trial which is about to take place have given a
deeper and more shocking interest to the fate of the un-
fortunate nobleman Is is known that he was charged
with complicity in a long serina of offences, and that a
warrant had Leen issued for his apprehension. We are
inforaned in the dreaments which we printed yesterday that
the sole reason why he escaped arrest was his illness : that,
so far from seekioa to evade justice, he was anxious to
surrender; and that to the last he persisted in a solemn
denial of the serious charge made, pleading guilty to
nothing more heinous than indulgence in a very silly
frolic. 0:1 these averments we do not propose to offer
a single word of comment—for the approaching trial
will probably decide all the facts connected with the
miserable stoiy. Meanwhile we cannot hut look with Mi.
news, not unmixed vrith pity, en the last moments of a foolish
I lad, whose misguided can-er has indicted a new stain on the
escutzheon of a house, distingMshed in the bust generation
by one who must be ranked among the most Intelligent,
honest, and sincere in the roll of English etateenaen There
are some, however, still liai.ir, who are associated with the
young prodigal by name and 1 amily—although themselves
honourable and respected—who certainly deserve a word of
sympathy Whilst death seals up the sad and wasted career
of bird Arthur Clinton, the painful nature of their p sllica
earns a general tribute of regard..