The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-02-26 00:00:00

Mr. Orford was then cr4,m-exarnined, after which,

Dr. Jones was called, who said I saw Lady Mordaunt.
Had experience in puerperal mania. When trot be saw
Lady Mordaunt, on the 10th of March, she was not suffering
front that disease. Saw her on the 11th, 12,..h, and 20th, and
she was not then suffering from puerperal mania. Went into
the sickroom on the 10th, and did not find her suffering from
fever He questioned her, and she made no reply. Found
she had taken no Co .d lately. There was neither puerperal
mania or puerperal fever. On the second occasion he
thought the's) was a hysterical condition dependant upon
mental motion, which would account for her silence. There
was &tacit and reticent condition, which could he accounted
for if there was anything on her mind, and from what he
afterwards heard he thought there was something on her
mind There were no signs of insanity. She use capable of
understanding what was said to her, and intelligent in her
replies. 1 saw her on various other occasions, and when
conversing sometimes she made no replies. On April 23 I
found her mind perfectly sane. She asked me my address,
and I said "Leamington." Lady Mordaunt asked me to
write it down. She spoke of Sir Charles ang burst into tears.
'Witness related the other conversation doting toe other
visits to Loly NiorOaunt. The impression conveyed to his
mind was that she Wes genes ally unquestionably sane. All
these peculiarities spoken of were prod uceri ha a weight upon
her mind tinder a pressure of circumstance&
Dr. Tyler Smith, physician, sal I Puerperal mania is a
disease perfectly well known. Believed there was no pier.
peral manta following Lady Siordaunt's confloement. Wit-
ness described the symptoms of and the results tubing from
lid, disease, and said puerperal mania was a madness caused
by and following confinement It is a very intractable
malady, lasting a year or two. Front the descritdion I have
heard from Mr. Orford and Mr. Jones,! should have no queie
thin as to their being right as to the aMence of insanity at
the thee they speak of. I saw Lady M.ordaunt in Decetuiter,
and formed the opinion that there was nothing in her state
which could uot be feigned. I considered harm. very bad
state of health.
. . _ _

-roes examined by Dr. Draae. It was a phase of puerperal
mania either to be taciturn or excited. It is a common
syinptom of the patient to make self accusations.
This evidence closed the case for the petitioner.
Dr. Deane called his Royal Highness the Prince of \Vales.
Lord Penzance pointed out that his Royal Highness was
not bound or required by law to submit to any examination.
The Prince of \Vales salt I have been for some years ac-
quainted with the Moncrieff family. I was acquainted with
Lady Mordaunt before her marriage. I made her a marriage
present She has visited at Marlborough House, and went
to the theatre with the Princess and myself at the end of
1867 and during 1868. I raw much of Lady Mordaunt. Was
acquainted with Sir Chocks Mordaunt Have frequently
met him (Sir Charles Mordaunt) with his wife. In 1868 there
was a pigeon match at litalinghatu, and 1 and Sir Charles
were captains for each county. Lady alordautit was there
ant scored for both sides. At that snatch I spoke to Lady
Mordaunt In the presence of her husband. I occasionally
use Hansom cabs.

Dr. Deane Has there been any improper familiarity or
criminal act between you and Lady Mordamit?
The Prince of Wales: There has not ,applausel.
Sir Frederick Johnstone was called, and told by the judge
that he was not obliged to give evidence. Ile said, in
answer to Dr. Deane: I have known Lady Mordaunt from a
child. I have visited Walton, and kept my horses in the
village during the hooting season. In December 7808, I
dined at the Alexandra Hotel alone with Lady Mordaunt.
Mr. Forbes told me the day before she was there. I called
and stayed to dinner. I left at it,,out twelve o'clock, Was
In the sitting-room during the time.
Dr Deane: From first to last has there been any improper
familiarity or criminal act between you and Lady Mor.
daunt?

Witness : Certainly not.
Dr. Deane It has been said that you suffered severely
from a divase. Is that true or not
Witness A more unfounded statement was never made
by one man of another behind his back it Is utterly untrue.
Cross examined by Mr. Serjeant I was not
suffering from diiiease when I visited Lady Mor aunt at the
Palace lintel, nor for many years previously. I went to dine
with Lady Mordaunt at her invitation. Never told her hus-
band any thing about it. Lady Mordaunt wee quite alone
with me during the evening. I had no bu.iness transa,-Aions
with her. lam no family connection of Lady Morduntit's.
This concluded the evidence.
Dr. Deane said there was a point with regard to the case.
Certain letters from the Prince of Wales, to which he de-
sired to call attention, had never been read. His lordship
was aware, however, that they had appeared in the papers.
Serjeant Ballantine : A most Improper proceeding, and
one which lam totally unable to account for.
Lord Penzance: A most improper proceeding.
Serjeant Ballantine: It was not my intention to have read
the letters, and I do not know hoc, they came in the papers.
Lord Pen. ince The letters were deposited in the court,
and they could not have proceeded from the officers of the
court. There has been a very great impropriety, and I very
much doubt whether the court ought not to have taken
notice of it as a contempt of court.
The letters were then formally read, and the Willi
adjourned.