The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-07-11 00:00:00

THE CASE OF MADAME RACHEL.

At the Central Criminal Court, in London, on
Tuesday, the grand jury returned a true bill against
Madame Rachel for conspiring and fraudulently ob.
taming a large sum of money from Mrs. Botradaile
by false pretences.

Serpent Pony, shortly after the bill had been found, ap-
peared in court, and said that he was instnieted, with his
learned friends Mr. Digby Seymour and Mr. Sleigh, to de-
fend the prisoner, anti he applied for postponement of the
trial to the next 5t,131011. The grounds on which he made the
application were the affidavits of Mr. Froggart, the attorney
for Madame Rachel, and his managing clerk, which were to
the effect that they had only received instructions for the
defence on the morning of June 23, that the matters to be
inquired into were of a very complicated and delicate
character, and sufficient opportunity hail not been afforded
to enable the defence to be properly prepared. The
affidavit stated that this was really the ground for the
application. and that it was not made for the purpose of
obtaining delay. and it likewise represented that the defendant
was suffering from a fearful malady which required rest,
and that if she was compelled to come to the court at the
present sessions it would occasion to her great penional pain,
awl also probably a great aggravation of the malady under
which she was labouring. A certificate to this effect, signed
by two surgeons, was put in in support of the application for
a pipdponetnent. Serjeant Parry also said that on Saturday
last sonic important Information had been obtained by the
defendant, the nature of which he could not at that time
divulge, lad it was of extreme importance as showing the
nu dives Pr the prosecution, and it was absolutely necessary
that it should be inquired into.
Mr. Montagu Williams said that he wa.s instructed strongly
to oppose the application, and he reminded the court that
when the ease was under investigation by the magistrate a
certificate of a similar character WAS put in, and on the
magistrate intimating that he should ;as no attention to it,
as the prisoner had heeu seen shortly before in the neighbour-
hood of the court, and had been to judge's chambers on the
same day, and that he would Issue a warrant, the defendant
at Ilitre came forward, and did not appear to have anything
the matter with her.

The Recorder, after reading the affidavit and
certificate, said it appeared to him that it would be
better not to force on the trial at the present session,
and he should allow it to stand over. If the present
Mill for the defendant were not willing to continue
their responsibility, she must find fresh bail, and give
twenty-four hours' notice to the solicitors for the pro-
secution. _

Serjeant Parry said this should be done, and if the
defendant could not find Lail she must, of course,
remain in prison. The only object at present was that
the trial Hbould be iinetianed in order that proper
inquiries might be made.

A WELCOME TO NAPIER AND HIS
ARMY.
(From Punch.
'Twas Old Napier of NI erchistoun first won the crown
Which a Napier has never hula wonting to wear
And Napier of Magdala now brings reniovn
To a stuck with scarce room a new honour to bear.
Let the heart of old England be vocal with thanks,
Let the joy of oh! England be uttered in cheers,
That known" distinction of races or ranks.
But of chief and of army, alike, own " nae peers..
Ne'er hall Captains or soldiers a worthier cause.
Nor themselves of that cause dint snore worthily bone;
Maintaining, not outraging, Chivalry's laws,
Till they tracked the bywna to Magdala's lair.
In all the strange hardships th,ough attach they have past,
Foes or friends had the due that to either belonged;
In march, halt, or fight, from the first to the lac!,
Not a woman was outraged, a peasant was wronged.
From the salt of the sea, and the sand of the shore,
Through the wall of the mountain a door-way they clove;
tp the torrent bed slowly but surely they Lure,
Over Alp upon Alp irresistibly strove.
If the loads were too heavy for scaling the track,
If the followers shrank Irons such marches, dismayed.
Let loads be abandoned. and followers sent back ;
The track must be sealed, and the march must be made.
On and on, up and up, ever higher and higher,
But forwards, still forwards, they Inch! ton their way :
Till the basalt of Magdala gave back their tire,
Am! the tyrant stood, faced in his fastness, at bay.
finiallrenown such a foe to his conqu'rors can bring:
With the realm, not the chief, was the battle they won
But frills holier cause never warfare did spring,
Nor gave retrospect fairer, when fighting was done.
'Twas in no doubtful quarrel, for no sordid ends,
Not to humble a rival, or will laud or fee;
But ti prove England count, not what trea,ure else spends
II the wronged she lint rights, mid the captive sets free.