The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-04-26 00:00:00

THE TICHBORNE TRIAL.

The Claimant's trial " at bar " was commenced in
the Court of Queen's Bench on Wednesday morning,
before Lord Chief Justice Cockburn, Justice Mellor,
and Justice Lush. The court was crowded with bar-
risters and persons interested in the case, while in the
galleries there were a number of ladies. The Claimant
entered the court at a quarter to ten o'clock, accom-
panied by Mr. G. Onslow, M.P., and having shaken
hands with his leading counsel, Dr. Ktnealy, seated
himself at the table usually occupied by attorneys and
solicitors. The learned judges took their plocts on the
bench at ten minutes past ten o'clock. The jury panel
was immediately called over. One gentleman was ex-
cused on the ground that he was blamed against the
Claimant, because the Doughty and Radcliffe families
were customers of his. Dr. Kenealy took exception
to one juryman who had had some dispute with the
trustees of the Tichborne Defence Fund, and had pub-
lished a placard about the Claimant.

The juryman in question said this occurred last May,
and he only had " a box" to receive subscriptions for
the Claimant.

Mr. Hawkins : You are in the wrong box now.
(Laughter.)
The Lord Chief Justice held that the objection of
Dr. Kenealy was a fair one, and the juryman was
ealltri out of the hoc.

No butler incident occurred in coonection with the
fort:nation of the jury, only one or two goitlemen not
answering to their names, but their places were easily
tilled up by others who were in attendance,

Dr. klei;ealy renewed an apilication he made some
days ago that he should be supplied with the names,
addresses, and substance of the evidence to be given by
witnesses other than those who had been called in the
previous.triaL

r-itli:it-a-Wkins said the Treasury had done all they
could in this respect, and given every information
which they could give in f aim so to their case.

Considerable argument followed, and ultimately the
Court gave its opinion that the prosecution ought to
let the defendant know what was the eubetance of any
new evidence which was to be given against him.
Mr. C. Bower then formerly opened the pleadings.
Mr. Hawkins then said The time has at length arrived
when you are called upon to decide the momentous Issues
that are raised for your consideration. Momentous indeed
they are. The defendant appears before you charged with a
crime as black and great ae justice ever raised her hand to
punish. The public interest demands alike protection to the
innocent and punishment of the guilty. It is my duty,
aided by my aide friends, representing the Attorney.
General, to defend those interests, and to lay before you the
circumstances which have led to this prosecution, the magni-
tude and the Importance of which CAL scarcely find a parallel
in (English history. They are testified to by this crowded
court, and by the sight which you witness, and your verdict
and decision are demanded by your country. In 1854 Roger
Charles Tichborue wag believed to have periahed at sea No
tidings of him were received for eleven long year.. At the
exbiratiou of that time the defendant, who wars living as a
butcher at Wagga Wazga, in New South Wales, came tor-
card and announced himself as the long lost heir to an
ancient title and about £20,000 a year. The claim was re.
sided. Proceedings were taken in Chancery, in the course
of which defendant swore that he was the Roger Charles
Tichinrue supposed to have been drowned; he decian 0 also
that he had, in July or August, 1852, while upon a visit to
Sir Edward Doughty, at Tichborne, basely seduced hie artgh-
ter, and his ow n cousin; and, it being suggeeted that the
defendant was Arthur Orton, the son of a butcher at Wap-
ping, he swore that he was not that person ; and these are
the main charges of perjury that are made against him.
Each of these statements are alleged to be false, and
by this indictment are charged as perjury wilfully com-
mitted by him. I propose to give you first au outline
of the life of Roger Charles Tichborne arid then
to give you the history of Arthur Orton from his
birth to the present time. Roger Charles Tichborne was
born in Paris on January 5, 1820, and was the elder of two
sons of James Francis 'Fichborne by Henrietta Felicit6,
natural daughter of Mr. Seymour of Knoy'e. James Fred-
erick Titchborne Succeeded to the baronetcy and the large
and entailed estates in Hampshire known aa the Tichborne
and Doughty estates, upon the death of his elder brother,
sir Edward Doughty, in 18.52 Sir Edward died, leaving no
male Issue, bats widow, who was the Oster of Lord Arundel
of Wardour, and a sister, wao was the wife of Mr. Radcliffe.
The Tichborne family seat was at Alresford, in Hampshire,
and there was another house at Poole, which was purciumeo
by Sir Edward Doughty. Sir James Tichborhe died in
1862, and was succeeded by his second son, Alfred James,
who was born in the year 1639. He clad on the 22nd
of February, 1886, leaving a widow and a posthumous
son, who was born on the following morning That son
was the present baronet, and entitled to the family estate.
Sir James who was then Mr. Tichborne, succeeded to the
estates in 1853. Up to that time he was a younger son, with
limited means, and took up his abode in Paris, and reeked
there constantly until he succeeded to the estates Both he
and Lady fichborne were Roman Catholics. and Roger wan
educated in that religion. In 1035 Roger had a tutor named
Chatillon, who will be called before you, and who will tell
you that he Instructed him, walked with him, and rode with
him, and In fact that they were on terms of the greatest
friendship. Upon one occasion M. Chatillon accompanied
Mr Tichb Arne and Roger to London. The mother remained
in Parts, for there was not a very cordial feeling between
her and the other members of the family at that time.
In 1839 Roger, accompanied by M. Chatillon, made a tour
through Brittany from June to September, and, amongst
other places, theyevisited Panure, which wise at the seaeide.
One day, after bathing, Roger Tichborne was hurt by falling
from A rock; he gels severe blow upon the temple, but it
was not sufficient to cause a wound or leave a mark. In 1840
Si. Chatillon ceased to be his tutor, but to the last year of
Roger Tichbornen life Inc remained his devoted friend, lie
was exceedingly attached to him, and never visited Paris
without being on the most friendly terms with M. Chatillon.
In the autumn of 1840 Roger was for stew weeks attending
, a school under the Bishop of Orleans. Then came the Abbe
Salts, who was a great friend of the Tichbornes, and ex-
ceedingly fond of Roger I ask you to bear this in mind;
that Rigor never did confess to the Abbe Salts. There was
afterwards a M. Courney, and after that the Count de Maude-
vide, who frequently visited Tichborne House. He dined
with him constantly, and was particularly kind and affec-
tionate towards Roger Tichborhe as a young lad. He took
Roger for walks, and played and chatted with him, and
there was a little circumstance which Roger remembered long
after he left Paris, namely, that he gave him a little gift, a
entail pin, or something of that sort, upon the occasion of his
first communion. There was ale° a Mons Moutreville, who
was a constant visitor at the house in Paris for 16 years until
18.1 c, when Roger left Paris, but he renewed his acquaintance
with him in 1853, just before Roger took his departure
for his travels in South America and dined with him.
[here was also a Mons. Charles de Brement ; his aunt, Mrs.
Nangle, his cousins, the young Master Hanle., and the
alias Naugle', young ladies who were his playmates in Paris.
But of all his friends, the one who knew him the best was
the Pere Le Fevre, who prepared hien for hie first communion,
eh, was his first confessor In Paris, and who received his
last confession before Roger finally left Paris. To the l'ere
Is Fevre he confided slender secret and a vow which he had
made, of which you will hear more hereafter. When Roger
was away from Paris he corresponded with him, and when
In Parts he never omitted to visit the Pere Is Fevre.
There was a Mona. Clause itie, who was a con fideutial eervaut
of hie father, then Mr. Tichborne and who remained with
the family during the 18 years that Roger remained In Paris.
All these.per,ons hew. a d call before them, and they mold
give the jury their otiniolis on the beim to be tri• il. From
Paris trips were made to various places, and among others to
Jersey, to wh ch place Roger was accompanied by his father
and his little brother Alfred. Roger was at that time about
five orate years of age. From Jersey he wrote a letter to his
mother, winch was of a natur to throw, as Sr as corres-
pondence can throw, a light upon the life of Roger Itch-
borne—the correspondence of Roger Tichborne from the
days of his childhood to hie last hours will throw a consider-
able light upon the life into which you are now inquiring.
The Lord Chief Justice : What is the date of the letter?
Mr. Hawkins : There is no date. It begins, "My dear

he learned counsel read the letter, which said that the
writer was sorry to hear that his mama had been so ill, and
that they would soon return to Pails, when he would have
the pleasure of seeing her again and embracing her. I hey
were all well, himself and Belle Tete and papa, and they
embraced his dear mama.]
Abe Lord Chief Justice: Is the letter written in French?
Mr. Hawkins : Ills in French, but I believe what I have
read tube a faithful and coned translation.

--iiilZird-eiii;T:iiirii;;;;iiitiaTE;lZi had copies, but
him learned brothers, Mr. Judie., Mellor and Mr. Justice
Lush, would also be glad to bare copies.
It was agreed that copies should be furnished to the
learned judges and to the defence, and that when trans-
lation. were handed to the jury they should be accompanied
by the original
Mr. Hawking : Such was the early Hie of Roger Tichborne
in Pails until his 18th year. In June, 18 5, Sir Joseph 1101-
borne, a brother of Sir James. chid, and Roger and his
father came over to England to attend the funeral of his
uncle. He made • short stay in Loudon, and visited one or
two friends of his father's At that time he was hardly able
to speak a word of English, and hie father determined to
Amid hint to Stonyhunt. an educational establishment for
Roman Catho lc gentlemen. His motioer had expressed
great •version to Roger bethg sent rite) from Nuns at
all to be educated , and in one letter tcs,his mother he
alluded to that fact. At that time he was to all intents and