The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-03-14 00:00:00

THE CURSE OF DRINK!

Robert Mitchell Glover, described as a person of
superior address and education, was brought up on
remand before the sitting magistrate at Bow-street
police-court, in London, on Wednesday, charged with
begging.

His story was an extraordinary one. Ile was
well conducted, and formerly held a commission as
lieutenant-colonel in the 3rd Dragoon Guards, and
afterwards served in the Turkish Contingent all
through the Crimean war. After selling his nom.
mission he led a dissipated Life, squandered his pro-
perty, and was reduced to destitution. His friends had
several times attempted to rescue him, but had given
up all hope of assisting him. He would sometimes be-
have well for a time, but would break out again, and
would shortly be found begging as before. About two
years ago a gentleman who had himself been a
drunkard, but had reformed, gave the prisoner em-
ployment on his promising to become a teetotaller. The
result of this effort was narrated by the gentleman him-
self, who was now present, and gave his name BA Mr.
Charles Wood, of North-hill, Highgate. Mr. Wood
said that a little more than two years ago the prisoner
was charged with begging at the Westminster Police.
court. He (Mr. Wood) saw the notice in the news-
papers, and took an interest in the case, having
formerly himself given way to habits of drunkenness,
by which he was almost ruined, but having reformed,
had recovered a respectable position. lie bad now a
large business as a builder, and understanding that the
prisoner was a man of education, he employed him as
a clerk and book-keeper, on the condition that he
should abstain entirely from drink. He soon found,
however, that the prisoner was utterly uselesa in that
capacity. His memory was so lad that when asked
to do two things he was sure to forget one entirely, and
would not do the other properly. On one occasion a
list of names and addresses in pencil was given him to
copy with pen and ink. He took a fortnight to do it,
and then it was all wrong. Witness found him other
employment, though even in that he was of little
use, and so neglectful that he could never be relied
upon. At that time witness had taken the prisoner to
live in the house with him, as he did not seem to be
properly cared for in lodgings. For nine months,
whatever his other deficiencies, the prisoner wholly
abstained from drink, but by that time he had found
acquaintances in the neighbourhood, and they tempted
him to drink. He gradually relapsed into his former
drunken habits, and ultimately he went away. Wit-
ness, however, did not lose sight of him, hut obtained
employment for him at a distance, and from time to
time afforded him what assistance he could under the
circumstances. It was, however, all of no use. He
was incapable of keeping any employment, as he was
incompetent to perform any -kind of business. It was
impossible to rely on anything he said—not that he
, was untruthful—there could be no doubt of his per-
feet honesty and sincerity, but his mind was so im-
paired that he could not state or remember facts cor-
rectly. Something ought to be done to place him
under proper care.
The magistrate remanded the prisoner, saying he
would consider what could be done for hitn.