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

THE MORDAUNT DIVORCE CASE

The hearing of this extraordinary snit commenced
on Wednesday in last week, in the Divorce Court,
before Lord Penzance and a special jury, and was
entered as " Mordauut v. Niordauut, Cole, and John-
stone." The interest which thia remarkable case ex-
cited each day was evinced by the number of distin-
.guished pergons present, and by the crowd who
thronged the court, eager to gain admission, and the
sensation created has exceeded that of any previous
trial in the Divorce Court, which may partly be
aewrintrd for by the name of a member of the royal
family having been mentioned in connection with the
case.

Mr. Sergeant Ballantine, Dr. Spinks, Q.C., and Mr.
Inderwick, apppeared for Sir Chezlea Mordaunt, the
petitioner; Dr. Deane, Q C., Mr. Aichibsid, ant Mr.
Searle for Sir T. Moncrietfe' the guardiun ad /item of
I,mly Mordannt ; Mr. Lord and Mx. Jenne watched
the case for the co-reipondents.
Our space priclud.a us from giving more than a con-
densed retort of the evidence, the chief points of
which will be found in the following summary

The petitioner alleged the marriage on the 6th of Decem-
ber, Died, at St. John's Fpiscopal Church, Perth; cohabita-
tion at Walton-hall nil ate. Beigrave-square ; and adultery
with Viscount Cole in May, June, and July, 1005, at Cheshant-
place, and in July, 1560, and January. latU, at Walton hall ;
and adultery with Sir Frederick Johnston., in Nevem'',
and December, 1060, at Walton-hall, and in December, IS6S,
at the Alexandra Hotel, Knightsbridge ' • and d adultery ao
with some person between the 15th of June, 1,6+, rind the
28. h of February, 1869. For the respondent it was advanced
lii it, she was of unsound mind, Clint unaele tn plead. The
petitioner maintained that this was a pretence, and
the question of Insanity was therefore the first ques..
tion for the Court to decide, and tie. Deane proceeded
to address the Court on that issue lie said that
the question for the jury to determine was whether,
on tire 30th Api 11, 1Q65, the day of citation, and since,
Lady Morilaunt had been of unsound mind. The theory he
should maintain was—tirst, that Lady Mordamit was ',ally
and In fact suffering from a disorder which, whether prima.
rily or by more remote reaction, hail affected her blood, and,
probably acting through the nervous in ateni, bad deranged
her and secondly, that this complaint was existing
at the tone svhen these charges were brought against her,
and had from the 30th of April, and down to last Saturday,
the 12th of February, become worse and worse. Dr. Deane
then mentioned the facts as tiny were afterwards proved in
evidence, and upon which he relied in support of his case.
Giving her full credit for stratagem, practice, and art, by
what stratagem, he asked, could she govern the beat of her
pulse and the throb of her heart, so as to deceive all the
medical men who examined her? lip what device could she
regulate the appearance of her skin, and produce at will the
. clammy perspiration of disease? How moderate the
. temperature of the body so that the head should be hot
and the feet cold at the same moment? With what drug,
not knowin: the time when the medical 1)11211 would visit
her, could she camo her breath to emit a peculiar (odor ?
these things spoke in language which could not be misunder-
stood,

Jane Lang, who had lieen companion to Lady Morttaunt
from May to Amiuit last, thus described her mental state i—
" She could not remember recent events, even those which
had happened on the same day. She ofti n useil her fingers
in eating, and she tore her fingers with pins, which she con-
cealed about her dress. When out walking she would pick
up horse manure RIO dried mini with her bands. I found it
difficult to make her put such things down. She shewed a
total want of modesty; would go about the house with .carcely
any clothing, aunt perform the offices of nature while stand-
ing in the drawing-room or bedroom, or in hid, without ally
utensil. She had to be washed and dressed like a child.
Sometimes she would not speak for day, She wandered
about the house at night, and often came to nip bedroom. I
ordered the servants to lock their rooms, and she asked for a
hammer to break them open, as she thought Sir C. Mortlaunt
was locked up in them. She came down one night with only
stockings, slippers, an opera cloak. and muff on. I bribed
her with pennies to co quiAly to bed. She once asked the
fly man to lend her some money to pay himself. There was •
strange expression in her eyes. She took a dislike to some of
her dresses, and said that one dress was the devil. She put
one of her hats down the water-closet. She complained of
Linings about her being dirty, and of seeing black things float-
ing about. She would pick up pennies and hide them. When
I first went she would not eat, for fear of poison, and I was
obliged to feed her. She would try to control herself hefore
strangers, which made tier fliers excited afterwards. When
she thought no one was watching her she showed these symp-
buns most, tier sleep was very irregular. I saw her last
Monday at Bromley For about ten minutes she behaved
very well, but then threw herself on the floor, went on her
hands and knees, ate a piece of coal, and wandered about
the house." In cress.exannination, witness said that the
respondent never accused herself of acts of impropriety with
any one, or conveyed suchen idea.
Dorothy Frances Carriithers, who had acted as nurse to
Lady Mordaunt from May to August last, cave evidence pre-
cisely to the suede effect ; anti Jane Boddie, who had been
companion to Lady Mordaunt since last October, also gave
similar evidence.

Dr. W 0. Priestly, who had been for many years Lady
Mordaunt's medical attendant, said that, together with sir J.
Alderson and Dr. Tuke, he saw her in SIAy last end after-
wards with Dr Gull, and they agreed that she was of unsom,d
mud. and unable to manage her own affairs. tier memory
was almost annihilated.

Some discussion then ensued as to whether events prior to
the 30th April should be gone into on this issue, and his
Lordship decided that they could sot be excluded.
Dr. Priestly was then examined as to the confinement, and
a disease from which the child was said to be suff, ring, lie
stated that the child's affection ot the eyes might have resulted
either from a specific or nuts-specific form of disease on the
part of its mother, amt that the rapidity and thoroughness of
Its recovery furnished a strong presumption that it wss not
specific. The treatment for both forms would be precisely
the same.
Dr. Tube said his theory was that from about the fourth
day after her confinement the had been suffering from
puerperal insanity. Ile also said, It seemed to me in-
credible that a lay within a few weeks or months of her
confinement should have acted Si I was told she had asserted
with halt a dozen gentlemen. The ordinary delusion of
puerperal mania is of that kind. I excluded these state-
ments from consideration, thinking her on other grounds
clearly insane and I was anxious not to involve other
persons She had been under a delusion that there were
dead bodies in the room, and on my asking her about this
she said, Well, were there not dead bodies there ? "
Sir James Alderson said that after seeing Lody Mordannt
In May last, he concluded that she was of unsound mind.
lie thought he could distinguish an insane patient by the
bfrfutee she exuded. molt-accusation was Neil/ 'common Is
puerperal insanity.

- Sir -James Simpson, a physician practising at Edinburgh,
said—" i saw Lady Mordaunt at Walton on the 141 h of April
and again last Saturday, when I found her fearfully insane,
a mere wreck and ruin of the mind. She was in good
bodily health. In my opinion insanity commenced before the
confinement. He thought her statements were probably
delusions, such things being a common form of d lusion in
puerperal insanity. Indeed, 15 years ago, when he sent Dr.
Priestley to see a patient suffering from it, she exclaimed as
soon as she saw him, "There's the father of my child "
(Laughter.)
Dr. Gull, Dr Burrows, and Dr. Rusaeil Reynolds were
also of opinion that the rests; ndent was insane.
Mr. Harris, surgeon, of Worthing, agreed with the other
medical men as to the state of the respondent's mind. Mr IL
Spencer Hughes, surgeon, of Bromley. who had attended Lady
Mordaunt from August last up to that day, considered that
she had no mind; and he had no doubt of the disease being
puerperal mania.
Dr. Wood. one of the referees appointed by the court, said
that he first saw respondent on the lath September last. Ile
said, "I asked her to sing a song, and I selected a song from
a pile of mimic. She played imperfectly, but after correcting
her mistakes started fairly with the song, which was 'Stran-
gers yet.' It was manifestly applicable to her position, and
after singing the first verse she burst into tears. I pressed
her to continue, and she did so, though her tears were fall-
ing so She broke down again. On my asking what dis-
tressed her, she said, 'Oh, it's all nonsense, hysterical.' She
began again, but her feelings quite overcame her." flu
another occasion she wanted him to give her some mosey, on
which he suggested that she should draw a check, and he
would cash it. She tilled up one in the usual way, drawing
it on herself, the amount (£3O) being suggested to bee. He
asked what he should give her for it. She replied," 511-a-
-crown," and he gave her one. She stale, in reply to his
questions, that she was quite satisfied that was the value of
the check. She "revoked" at whist in a way no sane person
would have done, lie had himself sometimes revoked. [Mr.
Sergeant Ihillantine remarked, amid laughter, that he hoped
this was not an indication of insanity.) It was not possible
that she could have carried on such a system of deception
as was suggested.
Sir Thomas Moncreiffe, father of the respondent, said that
he irequently visited her. At times she !Mewed gleams of
understanding, but usually appeared imbecile. Ott the 9th
of February she appeared in the same mental state, but her
bodily health had improved.

This concluded the case tenths respondent's guardians.

Mr. sergeant Dallantine on the other side, after remarking
on the gravity and novelty of the case, and on the compassion
which could not but be felt for a lady, whether culpable or
innocent, of whom such harrowing details had been told, re-
marked that, on the other hand, there were heAvy intereds
at stake. Sir C. Mordatoit was a man of honourable name,
belonged to an honourable family, had represente I his
county in Parliament, and was looked up to with respect by
all acquainted with him ; and this inquiry was an attempt, by
precluding an investigation, to embitter his whole life, by
binding him to a woman whom he believed to be MIN( hint,
and requiring him to recognise a child which he believed not
to be his own. Ile then maiceeded to comment at length
on the evidence which had been given. Proceeding to open
his own case, the learned counsel stated that Sir C. Mordauet
was 32 or 33 years of age, Lady Mordauut at the time of the
marriage 19 or 20, and possessing great personal attractions.
Her parents quite appr,,vrel the match, the settlement was a
very liberal one, and until the,,e unhappy occurrences burst
upon him, :Tr Charles believed his wife's virtue to be un-
spotted.
Dr. Deane objected to these matters being now Introduced,
but his lordship ruled that be could not exclude evidence
which the learned counsel might think necessary to the
ques ion at issue.
Mr. Sergeant Ballantine then stated his case, the facts of
which will appear in the evidence which follows. Ile trusted
that to referehee to one gentleman (the Prince of Wales) the
joy would be able to find that there was no more than a
clandestine correspondence With regard to Lord Cole, a
co-respondent, Lend Cole would he shewn to have stayed hi
the same house with her until the very day her husband
was expected to return, and then to have left. Another piece of
very extraordinary evidence was in the handwriting of the
young holy. In her diary of 1563 was an entry as follows
"3d April—'2Bo days from the 27th Juno." That was
exactly the day on which Lord Cole had last seen her,
and it would his proved that he was on that occasion
alone e itb her until OM o'clock in the morning, and
Sir Charles did not return until the 15th of July. It
would be for the Jury to decide, when they had beard the
whole case, whether or not she had measured the time from
Lord Cole'a visit, and whether this entry could have relation
to any other person. With regard to Sir Frederick John-
stone, there wes uo doubt that she was with him in Novem-
ber, and under circumstances which tended to confirm the
truth of her statement. Another person, who was not a co-
respondent, but whose name bad been mentioned by her,
would he proved to have had full opportunity of aommitting
adultery with her. They had sopped together at an hotel In
Loudon, and the hotel bills, which were in her possession,
would he produced. Ills case was that, overcome by re-
morse, and repenting of her sin, she had told the truth to
her husband.

Elisabeth [rancor, nurse, said that when the respondent
wan confined she said, "1 want to ask one question, Is the
child dimmed ?" I said, "My lady, you most mean de-
formed." She said, "No, you know what I mean. Is it
born with the complaint?" I said, "N, I don't see any-
thing the matter with It, except that it is very tiny." She
wet to sleep. Another night shortly afterwards, she sold,
"Tills child is not Sir Charles's at all, but Lord Cole's " I
" For goodness' sake be quiet, and say no more "
She said, "It took place the last week In June. When
Sir Charles wan in Norway Lord Cole visited me, in
the very last week in June." I said, It is almost
an impossibility for you to say it was the last week In
June." She said, "I do know it is Lord Cole's." She
was then quiet for the night. Shortly afterwards the
child's eyes began to be had. A few nights later I was in
the room with her and Sir Charles. She took hold of my
hand and said, "Charlie, this child is not yours at all. I
have been very wicked and dime very wrong with more than
one person." I slipped my hand out of here and left the
, room. She told him in my presence that it was Lord Cole's
child. lie said " nonsense, nonsense." After Sir Charles
left she told me what she hail told Sir Charles. On the
morning of Saturday, the 13th, Sir Charles was with her.
They were together some time. on leaving the room Sir
Charles said to me, "Why, nurse, her ladyship tells me just
the same as before. What am Ito believe?" Another night
later she said to witness, "I can see it all quite plain now ;
I have quite made up my mind as to what I shall do. lam
going lobe poorly, or something else. Sir Charles and nay
father will make it all right, and I shall go abroad as soon
as Icon get away." Witness left on the 27th March, and
had not seen the slightest symptom of insanity,

On Friday, Mrs. Alice Cadogau. wife of the incumbent rf
Walton. de•crtbod Fev,al visits she paid to the respondent
It the tints ot her worloassieut. She thae described ose

visit "She told me she had had such an odd dream, on
which the nine told her I knew alt She coloured much,
an said, ' It's only what evert body does. I only did it two
or three times in London. I shall noon make it straight with
Charlie.' I had heard ai hat statement she had made.
Said, ' Don't be too sure: She was quite sensible, and
seemed annoyed at the 'lure's remark.
The petitioner was examined, and his evidence excited the
greatest interest —"li believed my hat•pmess to be perfect
up to the very hour when it was ruined.
.1 never denied her
anything in reason and consulted her writhes in every way,
especially as to the visits of friends arid relations. I had
heard her speak of Captain Farquhar, Lord Cole, and Sir F.
Johnstone aa friends of her own and of her family. I re-
ceived them :titer marriage into my own circle. I had
a slight acquaintance with Lord Cole and. Sir F. John.
atone Sir F. Johnstone, at the suggestion of Lady
Mordaunt, was invited to Walton. I was also aware
that the Prince of Wales had an acquaintance with
my wife. I had spokes to his Royal Ilighneas but was
never intimate with him. I was swore that he was on visiting
terms with her family. Ile never came ti my house at my
invitation. I warned my wife against continuing the ac-
quaintance with his Royal Highness for reasons which
governed my own mind. I told her I hail heard so various
quarters seglain circumstances coenected with the Prince's
character which caused me to make that remark. I did not
enter into particulars. At that time I hail seen the prince
once at nip house. I was Cl. P. for South Warwicksinre for
nine years and until the last dissolution, in 18118. I was not
aware till after my wife's cautinement that the Prince had
been a constant visitor at my house, nor that any corres-
pondence existed between them."
Mr. Seri.. ltallaatir.e : Supposing the Prince of Wales
had visite...l your wife during your absence in Parliament and
elsewhere, you were not aware of the fact?
Witness: No I knew from no flourne at that time of the
frequent visits he paid.
Lard 'ensnare: Except the one occasion when you saw
hini, were you aware that he ever ratted?
Witness ; 1 had heard he had called occasionally, but not
from Lady Mordaurit It had been mentioned to me by a
cannexion of my own family. After that I spoke to Lady
Alorditant on the subjact, and desired her not to costartic to
receive him. On the Bth of November, 1567, Lady Mordauut
went to London with her maid Jessie Clarke. I wished to
accompany her, but she said she was going to shop, and I
should be rather in her way than otherwise. At that
time Captain Farquhar had paid me several visits. I
had no notion till afterwards that she met the captain
while in Landon. She never said a word to me about it.
She returned the day after the letter wan written. On
the 15th of June, 1865, I left London for Norway. I returned
on the 15th of July. My wife received me with the utmost
affection ; she gave no sign of displeasure. I think we re-
mained at Walton till the 10th or 11111 of August, when we
went up to Scotland. I cohabited with her as usual. I first
learned that she was in the family way in the first w,-,.k of
August That excited no suspicion In my mind. We re-
turned to Walton in the beginning of September. The
November following Sir .„,F. Johnstone visited me. Pre-
viously to that icy wife .Ifoil Me why a man in his position
had not yet married. My answer was I had heart there
was a reason. She preteen me to tell her the reason. I
showed great reluctance to do no, but I ultimately told her
I had heard he had a disease, whirls he hail freipiently had,
.d that if he married it was possible such a disease nright
be conveyed to his children I think she made no remark.
She was confined prematurely at Walton. 1 saw her on the
afternoon of the following day, and the child three or f or
days afterwards. Its eyes looked closed up. She asked
whether I had had the birth inserted hi the papers. I said I
had had it inserted in The Tirnes and Morning Post She
wished it put in other papers, and hoped I had put " pre-
maturely "in the notice, which I had done. She suggested
Violet Caroline as the baby's name, the second being my
mother's name. The third day after her confinement she
sail to me " Charlie. I have deceived you ; you are not the
father of that child." I said 11.11111 g. I believed it wns an
observation nmde on account of some litters consequent oi.
confinement, and (lid not believe her. She repeated the same
expression on the following days. Nothing indicated that her
mind was affected The followiug Saturday, the oth of March,
the nurse sent for me, and I found ray wife apparently dis-
tressed. [asked her how she Was. On several occasional asked
what caused her to he distressed. She made similar statemetts,
without entering into particular. On the Bth the nurse sent
for me again. 1 waited for my wife to begin the convene-
Con. She appeared distressed, but composed. She said,
"Charlie, you are not the father of that child ; Lord Cele Is
the father of it, and I am the cause of its blindness. She
ensileot a quarter of an hour, arid then burst into tears, and
said, "Charlie, I have been very wicked; I have done very
wrong." I said, "Who with?" She eatd, "With Lord Cole,
Sir F. Johnstone, the Prince of Wales, and others, often, and
in open day." There was mailing to indicate insanity ; she
spoke as thouah suffering from remorse. I made no reply,
being much distressed. I cannot say I thorooghly believed,
even then, but my suspicions were aroused. I had a conver-
sation with Mrs. Cadogan on the 13th. and I made inquirlea
which have resulted in the suit I have instituted. Lady
Louisa came down the second thee on the 17th I communi-
cated to her what hail passed with my wife. I left again the
4th of April. I last saw nip wife about the 24th of Alarch.
1 was there many days without seeing her. I hail found falls
of the Alexandra and Palace Hotels, able a number f letters
from the Prince of Wales, with some lowers and verses in an
envelope. They were all together in a locked desk is the
sitting-room. I had obtained the key through the lady's
maid. The Prince's letters were is one etivelope with what
may be termed a valentine, nothing else being in it.

Mr Serjeant Ballantine explained that a pencil memoran-
dum in Lady Mordaunt's writing on the envelope shewed
that the envelope and valentine were received some time in
1896, and before her marriage.
Examination continued: There was also a handkerchief of
the Prince's loose in the desk. ~The handkerchief was pro
thiced.‘ Tne letters produced are the sante. (The witness
identified the letters, hint they have not yet been read.)
After finding these articles I had no communication with
my wife. After her recovery from her confinement, and
while she wee in her dressing-room, ;about the 16th, I said
that, as ninny friends had come to our house at various
times, suspicions might rest on some of those who hat, be-
haved well, and I wished her to clear them of any stain of
dishonour. I then mentioned various names, and site em-
phatically cleared them all except two. A name of a near
relation was mentioned, and she declined to answer one way
or the other as to him. I subsequently found a letter from
that gentleman She wanted me to cline to her as usual,
but I had no further intercourse with her. At the time of
these confessions she was perfectly in her right senses. (The
witness here identified three hotel bills endorsed in Lady
Mordaunt's handwriting.)
In cross-examination, he said he had heard that Lord Cole
was contlitimally engaged to Miss Franeess Moncreitte, but
that his father would n,t consent. Witness admitted a
number of lett. rs he had written to Lady luniss Moncrefffe,
(mother of the respondent, Nits Forbes, (respondent's
sister,) and Lady Kintioul The letters were written from
the 9th to the 14th of Starch. These letters speks of Lady
Mortiaunt's nervous and unsati4actory state, hut did not
r•-fer 1.0 any disclosnrea of any kind. Ile explained this by
saying: " I wrote them under the Impression that my wife
had some guilt on her mind. I believed that her statements
were not true, and I clung to that belief as long as I could,
In the hope that the ruin which threatened my home might
be averted."

By the Court In the letter of the 10th I mid her mind
wandered because she kept repeating those statements to
me. and 1.110 then believe that her mind was wandering. Lord
Newport was tame( the persons about whom I had questioned
my wife. I told her that I particularly wished her to clear
biro, and she replied, 'I will not say an)thing about him one
way or the other.' I found these letters produced; from
Lord Newport its the writing desk. I was aware that she
was on terms of great intimacy, which I thought was sanc-
tioned by their near relationship. They are first cousins."

By the Crud : I found the diary containing an entry in
Lady Slordaunt's handwriting in a travelling bag on the same
day on which I looked for the letters. It was either the
same or the next day, and after my suipicions had been
aroused and I had begun to look about for proofs."

Lord Penzance It has been Intimated to me that his
Royal Highness has received a starvena to attend as a wit-
ness on behalf of Sir Charles NI ordamit, and he has signified
his entire willingness to attend and be examined. I think it
right, Sergeant fisllantine, that you should enable me to con-
sult his Royal Highness's convenieEce by kiting him know
when his attendance is likely to be required.
Mr. Sergeant Ilallantine: I am extremely surprised that
such an intimation has been conveyed to your Lordship,
because. at my expre,s desire, a subp,eita duets lectern was
served upon his Royal Highness's solicitor, with the under-
standing that it should be taken as served upon his R..yal
Highness, so that his Royal Highness need not he troubled to
attend personally. It was necessary to serve a othpoena driers
tec-ern in order to obviate a formal difficulty which might
arise as to the proof of documents, but he has not been sup-
pmnaed to my knowledge, or by my desire.
Lord reticence: Then I was wrong in supposing that
he had been submaamed to give evidence on behalf of the
petitioner?
Mr. Sergeant Ballantine : Certainly, my Lord.
The Court then adjourned.

On Saturday Serjeant Isallantine asked his lordship if he
would allow him to read a letter which he htni addressed to
his solicitor, chewing that it was expressly his &sire that
the Prince of Wales should not be subiteriaed.
Lord Penzance said this was not necessary.
Serjesiit Ballantine: After I had heard the evidence of
Sir 'Lames Simpson on the sanity of Lady Mordaunt, I de-
sired that the medical men who had liven in attendance on
Lady Merilaunt in her coidinement should see her, and they
having done so are not in a position to contradict the evi-
dence of the former witnesses on the point. But the ques-
tion for the jury is whether she was sane at the time of the
citation, and for such thne afterwards as to be able to give
Instructions to her solicitors.

Lord Penzance : It learn. from the advice which Sir Charles
Mordaunt has received he is not in a position to prove to
the jury that she is now in a sound state of mind.

Serje-ant Eallantine: I wish to put to the jury the sub-
stantial question whether, from the 13th of April to a reason-
able time Lady Mordaunt was in a position to give In-
structions to her solicitor.

Lord Permute° said another question which would at some
time have to be raised would be as to the state of mind of
Lady Mordautit at the time of her confluenient. That, of
course, would have considerable bearing on her subsequent
state of mind.

Dr. Deane said that the admissions of Lady Mordaunt, said
to have been made in a sound state of mind, would, of course,
weigh in the other suit. It was Impossible now to obtain one
word of explanation from Lady Mordanut.
Lord Penzmce recommended the learned counsel to think
the matter over before the time for him to address his charge
to the Jury.

_
Dr. Deane said that the friends and servants of Sir Charles
Mordauut having had access to Lady Moritaunt, it antuld be
an injustice not to call there witnessen, in order that they
might be examined as to the sanity of Lady Mordaunt.

Lord Penzance said that would amount to asking that the
other side be pressed to produce witnesses to damage their
own case.

Sir Charles Mordaunt was called, and asked whether he
mentioned the name of Captain Farquhar, in the conversation
with Lady Mordaunt, as having had intanacy with her. Sir
Charles said that he had asked the question, and pressed it,
but could obtain no answer.

Jessie Clark said she was lady's maid to Lady SI ordaunt
until she left Walton-hall. Captain Farquhar visited the
hall in 1867. lie and Lady Mordaunt were very often to-
gether, and before Captain Farquhar loft she noticed some-
thing which attracted her attention.
Lord Penzance said that Lady Siordaunt had not made any
statement as to Captain Farquhar.

Sergeant Ballauthie said that the manner of Lady Mop.
daunt when questioned about Captain Farquhar would have
a material bearing on the question. Ultimately the evidence
was admitted.

Witness said she noticed something during Captain Farqu-
har's visit and on his return after a week's absence. ln Sep-
tember. from the 7th to the ech, Lady Mordannt and witness
were in London, and stayed at the Westminster Palace
Hotel. Witness saw Captain Farquhar on the landing near
the sitting-room at half-past ten at night. Dbi not see him
oime in urge out. Noticed In the morning that the room
was Inn disorderly state. On the Friday Lady Mordaunt went
out, telling witness not to sit up for her. She had not re-
turned at haL-past ten o'clock. Alter returning to Walton
on the Saturday Lady Mordaunt was taken suddenly 111, and
was ill for souse days. Witness found a letter on the toilet
table, which she read, and then placed it where she found
It, After that she strewed it to the butler, and again re-
turned it to where it was found. She saw her ladyship put
It in the fire. It was dated from the Tower on Saturday. It
said that he had arrived very tired and sleepy, and that in
the Post he had seen his name as having arrived, and had
altered it from Farqohiar to Fowler, so that Charlie would
not be suspicious When Lady Mordaunt found the letters
she seemed surprised, said that She did not think that there
were any letters about, and put them In the fire, In January
1868, and in the autumn of the sane year, Captain Farquhar
was again visiting at Walton. lie and Lady Mordaunt were
often together. While witness was in Lady alordaunt's bed-
room, Captain Farquhar came in. In the season of 1867 the
Prince of Wales came two or three times, and in 1808 more
frequently. In 1808 he usually came about four in the after-
noon. and stayed from an hour to two hours. His Royal
Highness saw Lady Mordaunt. There was no one in the
drawing room except themselves. Sir Charles was not at
home. His Royal Highness came about once a week. In
March, when Lady Mordannt was on a visit to Belgrave-
square, the Prince of Wales came to see her on Sunday
sir Charles NI ordaunt was at Walton. Lady Mordaunt
skewed me a letter of his Royal Highness's bet re she was
married. Witness had delivered several letters to Lady
Mordaunt in the same handwriting—perhaps six or seven
She received in 1068 two or three letters addressed from her
his R Val flishnesa, and had given them to the footman
jellason fo poor. During tin summer of MO Lord Colo irm In

the habit of calling in the afternoon—more frequently when
Sir Charles was out. Ile used to come two or three times a
week. Sir Charles left for Norway on the 15th of June We
went down to Walton 011 the 7111 July. In the biters,' be-
tween those dates Lord Cole was in the haidt of corning to
the house. Oa one OCC.iOn Lord Cole and another gentle-
man and lady dined with Lady Mordainit. Witness sat up
for her mail half-past twelve, and then went to bed. The
almanack produci d was in her ladyship's possession. They
went to Walton by the :4'50 tra:n They found Lord Cole on
arrival at the station. Thi• train 4lid not stop until it reached
Reacting. Ile gave witnias a ticket and went down alone
with Lady Mordaunt to Reading. where she saw him on the
platform when the train went, lie came down to Walton on
the 111th, and 5155.1 till Tuesday, the lath. Sir charles
came the next day In December 186 e, she was staying with
Lady Mordamit at the Alexandra Hotel, Knight.hridge
The Duke and Duchess of Athole stayed there until Tues-
day the 24th. Sir Frederick Johnetorie came on the Wed-
nesday. Ile left her ladyship's eittleig-room after twelve
at night. She saw her ladyship from time to time utter
her confinement until she let. Waltin on the 15th of May.
In putting away oils )4 her ladyship's ilresees soon after the
11th April she found a letter (produced) be the pocket.
About the oth April she noticed in tile paper the death of the
Countess of Bradford, and called her ladyehip's attention to
it. She expreese I sorrow, and said the family insist go Into
moerning. Her ladyship gave orders as to the mourning
and selected the proper Jewellery. Saw Lady Morilaunt and
Mrs. Forbes together in cnnversation on th ) oth of May,
Mix Forbes asked for some soda and brandy, and Lady
Merilaunt said, If you drink all that you will lei tipsy."
[This witness detailed a number of conversations intended
to prove Lady Mordaunt's memory and sanity during the
month of May, hut our space precludes us from giving a
more lengthened report.)
The evidence given by Mr. Haynes, solicitor, of Leaming-
ton (who could not attend) was reed by Mr Intlerwick. Toe
depositiens wets to the effect that witness had served the
citation, and explaiiied It to Lady Mordaunt. She seemed
to understand it perfectly. On being introduced to Lady
Moribund's room, she slightly bowed, and fixed her eyes
upon him. He was very much affected by her pitiable ap-
pearance, and having taken a chair he explained Ilk business.
on mentioning that Sir Charles had no alternative Out the
Dhoti. Court she dropped her eyes. She received the
papers, but made no answer. Mrs. Forbes came in, and she
got up, looking at her steer quite cheerfully. Lord Dudley
also came In, and he showed him she citation. When ire,.
examined, Mr. Hay nes stated, with regard to Lady Mordamit's
pitiable appearance, that her eyes were filled with tears. She
seemed very, much relieved by the presence other sister.
Henry Bird, the butler at Walton-hall, said that he had
been in the family of the Sfordaunts for nearly thirty years.
Knew Captain Farquhar, Lord Cole. and .-ir Frederick
Johnstone 89 havieg visited Walton-hall. Aceompanii d Sir
Charles and Lady Mordaunt to Scotland hi 1867. C IMAM
Farquhar was there, and was often with Lady Mordannt.
Notriwi that they were very much together subsequently in
September, at Walton-hall, in her ladyship's sitting room.
The Captain was generally alone with her, Sir Charles being
out shooting After Lady alordaunt's return from town in
November, Jessie Clark made a communication and showed
the letter. It would lie about ten days after. The letter was
in Captain Faripihar's handwriting I read the letter and
gave 11 10 Jessie Clark. It was dated from the Tower, end
said :—" Darling. I hove got home very tired. I have seen
the Morning Pot, and am glad to see they have inserted nip
name . Farmer. Had Charlie seen it as Farquhar he would
have been suspicious." Something Was said about going to
the play, He did not think Clark nmde any statement to
him as to where she found that biter, lie got a Morning
Post-9th November, 1867. "My master took in the
paper, and I put aside two rept.. On the 7th, amongst the
arrivals at the Palaee Hotel, Bnckingham-gate, is Lady
Charles Mordaunt, and, on the 9th, Captain Farmer." In
January, 1864, Captain Farquhar again visited Walton, and
stayed ten days. He diii net notice so much intimacy there,
as there were other visitors. In London, In the autumn of
1563 while Sir charles was ahoothig, witness went into the
billiard-room anti saw Lady Mordannt and Captain Farquhar
standing close together They seemed startled. and were
Just about going away from each other when witness came
away. During the seasons of 1867 and 1868. the Prince of
Wales called there—more frequently in 1868. He remembered
him coming twice in the afternoon, and staying from one to
two hours. Witness received his Royal Highness. Sir Charles
on these occasions was at the House of Commons or out
shooting. Witness received instructions not to admit any
one elno whorl the Prince came. Atter Sir Charles left for
Norway—either in the same week that he went or the week
followiug—his Royal 'Heinlein Caine to luncheon. Witness
remember.' a supper party. A lady and gentleman and
his Royal timeliness were with Lady Morelaunt. The lady
and gentleman went away, but his Royal Highness stayed
with Lady MordaunUabout twenty minntes. In the seeeen
of lee& Lord Cole used to come more frequently after Sir
Charles went to Norway, and when Sir Charles was not in
the house Oa the 27th June there was a diener party of
four. Except Lady Mordaunt and Lord Cole the rest of
the party went away. lie remained with Lady Mortiamit in
the drawing.room. Ile left about a quarter to one o'clock.
Witness knew this by hearing the door bang, and by then
seeing that Lord Cole's hat and coat were gone on the lOth
July ford Cole went down to Walton and stayed there till
Sir Charles arrived. Sir Frederick Johnstone also visited
them, and was often alone with Lady alordaunt in her
boudoir. Witness was at Walton after her ladyship's co,
thientent. Ile had conversations when her ladyship had
given him Instructions about the cerriage, etc. Until he left
with Sir Charles in April she seemed to talk very rationally.
Oa the 25th Angust he went down to Woking and saw Lady
Mordaunt. She earns down stairs Its asked her how she
was, and told lea. that Sir Charles had gone to Scotlend.
She conversed rationally. Reference was made to the death
of Mr. Arthur Smith, and her ladyship said how much he
would be mho ed. The interview lasted abut seven minutes,
and Lady Mordaunt seemed to know perfectly what she was
Baying.

Cross-examined icy Mr. Archibald I stayed at Bickley
some weeks, Lady Mordauut seemed more absent, and cos
-
versed at limes only as she used to do. Saw her about the
house at IQ or II o'clock at night. Once she came into my
bedroom In her night dress, and was bikes away again. I
ache I her next morning if she recollected when she came,
and she said, Yes, it was a mistake." I shoal I say, of
course, that if she was in her right mind she would not come
there. This happened shout the 24th or 28th of September,
I believe I thought sometimes she was "shamming," as sg,e
wandered about the Muse and through the passages and
halls. I pat the copies of the Morning Post aside in conse-
quence of what the maid told one, an d I told air. Haynes
about the papers two or three weeks before going to Scotland.
I mentioned the letter in May or June. I did not mention
the letter before lest it should compromise Clark in her
situation. I wrote to Clark about the letter before he men-
tioned it.

Re-examined by Sergeant Ballantine: I mentioned the
letter to Mr. Hay Les after receiving a reply from Clark She
was afraid that reading the letter and sliewing it to me
inight preve,.t her getting another place. I wanted to take
a copy of it, but she would not let me. It was between ten
and eleven o'clock at night when Lady kliordamit came to my
room. She was it. her ntght-drese. I was writing, and said,
"Why are you here?" She laughed, and the maid came, and
she went away. Next day, when I asked her, she seemed to
understand me perfectly. tier acts would, if she had no
motive, induce nie to think her insane, but with a motive I
should believe her shamming. I have not fully made up m
mind on that point. There were no acts of the kind done by
her ladyship while at Walton.
Adroit Brett said that In 1867 it was his duty to enter the
arrivals at the Palace Hotel On the 7th November Lady
Mordaunt arrived at the hotel The entry Is In my writing.
I made the entry "Captain Farmer." I found out after-
wards his name was Farquhar, and scratched out the first
name, and inserted Farquhar. I did not find it out before
the evening. I made the alteration the same evening that I
found it out.

Cross-examined by Dr. Deane : I believe I noticed the
right name on the portmanteau, and made the alt:ration
that ev.ming. The affidavit produced in mine. This stated
that witness could Pot say when he altered the name, or
hose be came to know of it.)
Dr. Deane How came you to know now when you made
the entry, while In June you swore it was on or übout the 7th ?