The Express.
London, England, 1868-12-17 00:00:00

THE DIAMOND BRACELET eAsz.

MR. HAGGARD, a married man with a family. a
respectable man, and the personal friend of City
dignitaries, a diligent man, and successful in
business—indulged in a tender intimacy with Miss
MARY WILLIAMS for a period extending over
seven or eight years. Ho gave this lady furni-
ture, jewellery, money. He took a house for her,
and not unfrequently paid the rent ; he helped to
support her extravagantly, dined with her, ac-
companied her to the theatre and the opera,
and received visits from her in the City. Once the
fair partner in this interesting friendship pawned
her jewel-case for 2001., whereupon the chivalrous
Mtwara) gave her 1501. towards redeeming it,
and another 1001. to prevent her having to pledge
it again. It was hinted that in this and similar war
Mr. HAGGARD had bestowed upon Min WILLIAMS
from 4,0001. to 5,0001. during the last seven years;
and though the fascinating MARY denied this play-
fully, she added • significant rider that " ladies
" required broughams and to go to the opera ; and
" that when they got money they had a right to
" use it." Be this as it may it is cer-
tain that times changed with Mr. HAG-
GARD, and that he in his turn wanted
ready bash. Miss Williams, be it again
remembered, " had often pledged jewellery, and
" Mr. HAGGARD had paid large sums towards
" redeeming it." Emulating the example of his
friend, ho now borrowed a bracelet, which ho had
either presented the lady with or helped to provide
the money with which it was purchased. This ho
pawned, and was unable to redeem. Now
was the time for Miss WILLIAMS to show
her appreciation of past generosity ; and to
requite Mr. HA.GOARD for his lavish kindness, and
she proved herself equal to the occasion. After
clamouring for the bracelet and receiving pitiful
letters of apology and excuse, she called on the
holder and demanded it back. The result was
that Mr. HAGGARD appeared in the dock of the
Central Criminal Court, charged with obtaining
money upon false pretences. " The real prose-
" cutor was," it was stated, " Miss WILLIAMS,
" who turned round upon him now that he was in
" difficulties." Fortunately for himself, the de-
fendant was acquitted, the high character for
honesty and integrity given him by numerous
friends of high standing doubtless contributing to
this result. But the real punishment lies in
the exposure before wife and family, and the
world. Mr. HAGGARD'S errors and sufferings en-
force the old, old moral that " the way of trans-
" gressors is hard." It is not surprising, perhaps,
that Miss WILLIAMS should have acted as she did,
and all that can be said of either is that defilousunt
always follows the touching of pitch.

Tll2 GOVERNOR-GENERALBIIIP OF INDIA.—The
report that the Earl of Mayo has been recalled
from India, and that the Marquis of Salsbury has
been appointed to replace him, ia contradicted.

GRANI) DINNER AT THE JUNIOR ATIIMEUM
Cure.—A party of about 120 gentlemen sat down to
dinner last night at the Junior Athenaeum Club, in Picca-
dilly, to inaugurate the magnificent mansion which was
formerly known as " Hope House," but which they have
recently purchased, and will henceforth make their home.
The house, which stands at the corner of Piccadilly and
Down-street, strikes us se being rather westerly in point
of situation for the purposes of • club ; but it draws very
many of its members from Belgravia and Tyburn* and
it has two other clubs among It, immediate neighbours.
Though founded only about four or five yearn ago by the
conjoined efforts of its worthy and indefatigable Secre-
tary, Mr. 0. R. Wright, Mr. M. Dewsnap, Mr. James
Heywood (late M.P. for Lannuihire), Mr. G. Towline,
M.P., and Mr. J. Manes Osaka (late M.P. for Weadock),
it already counts between 400 and 500 members, and is so
rapidly approaching to its full complement that it has
been able to raise its entrance fee and its subscription too
without losing any desirable accessions. The dinner
last evening was of a very sumptuous description. The
their was filled by Mr. P. M`Lagan, M.P., and he was ably
supported by Mr. E. J. Reed, the Chief Constructor of
the Navy ; Mr. H. B. Samuelson, M.P. ; Mr. Whitwell,
M.P. • Mr. Wharton, Sir William Mitchell, Ike. "The
Health, of the Royal Family," "The Army and Navy,"
and "The Learned Professions," were each duly honoured;
and the toast of the evening, " Prosperity to the Junior
athencum Club," was drunk with great applause, WI also
was "The Health of our Absent Friends." We may add,
that in building the house, the late Yr. Hope instructed
his architect, Predemor Donaldson, to exercise his skill in
such a way t in event of the house being no longer
wanted by his as a residenos, or as a gallery, it
:iiltalgintrallabile for the purposes of a club ; and we
that the alterations, including the
erection of a maigaiissat -room at the top el the
house, by throwing See boors one, here been carried
into effect in ism Yes six end at •
oost. The eleb, It may be ered. epve7tilridni
four yam of Me edam* in man home a King-etrost,
BR Jeaseae-equom ; lot it mpeodify outgrow the tecceisic-
',nation there, end ea enterlag on Ile aim gesudese lade
I.gigg it seeker may seedy KM member&