Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-26 00:00:00

CURIOUS CASE.

SUBLIMITY OF FORTUNE HUNTING.

In the Court of Exchequer, on Monday, before the Chief
Baron and a common jury, a very amusing action was
tried, Jones e. Waszkowski. Mr. Edwin James and Mr.
Bell, were counsel for the plaintiff ; Mr. Serjoant Thomas
appeared for the defendant. It was an action to recover
the sum of £lOO, money lent. The defendant pleaded that
he never was indebted, and a set off. •
Mr. James, in his opening speech, said: The plaintiff,
the Hon. Mary Jones, was the daughter of the late, and
sister of the present, Lord Ranelagh, and was possessed
of a fair average income, and that the defendant, styling
himself the Count de Waszkowski, and who had said that
he was the son of the celebrated Prince Wittgenstein,
occupied apartments in the same house in which the
plaintiff was then residing, namely, 74, Ebury-street. The
defendant commenced making overtures for an introduc-
tion to the plaintiff, and began the attack by loading Miss
Jones's maid with bouquets and letters, but they were
returned—the flowers unruffled, and the letters unopened.
The plaintiff, finding herself a great deal annoyed,
determined to see the defendant, and personally to request
a discontinuance of au annoyance which made her residence
in Ebury-street displeasing to her. The defendant, with
great adroitness contrived to squeeze into the interview the
sad tale of his private history. He stated that he was
the son of Prince Wittgenstein, and, owing to political
misfortunes, he wandered the earth an exile ; he had
strayed to Lyons, studied medicine there, and ultimately
received notice from the French Government to leave, and
consequently found his way to England; during his resi.
dence in this country some differences had occurred
between himself and his father, which had resulted in the
discontinuance of his allowance, that as a dernier ressort
he was compelled to support himself by giving instruction
in military tactics and languages ; he mentioned inciden-
tally that at the death of his father he should stand
possessed of estates realising £40,000 per annum. The
tale melted the gentle Desderaona ; she said, " 'Twas
'twas wandroua pitiful" and before three months
had elapsed they, the plaintiff and defendant, were en-
gaged to be married. About this time the count told the
plaintiff that his remittances were not forwarded with
that punctual regularity as heretofore, in consequence of
which he had been obliged to part with his watch and
c lain, and asked the plaintiff to lend him £lOO to redeem
it, and to put him in Hinds until his remittances arrived.
To this proposal the plaintiff good naturedly assented,
and going to her bankers, Messrs. Drummond, she obtained
the money by drawing a cheque for the amount, and
handed the proceeds over to the defendant. A. few day
attewards he gave to the plaintiff the following memoran-
dum, written on a penny receipt stamp :
I promise to pif.the Hon. Mary Jones, the 4th of November last.,
the sum of £lOO iu value received. C. Ps WA •ZKOWSZI.
Oct. 25, 1556.

Four ;or five days afterwords the*ihappy pair were to
have been united, and the plaintiff intimated her inten-
tion of going to her lawyer's to see about the settlement
of her own property.
.To this proceeding the;defendant
strongly objected, and said that where honour and
affection existed marriage settlements were not required.
Finding that the plaintiff was firm in her intention of
protecting herself, the defendant suggested that as his
pecuniary difficulties rather pressed upon him a moiety
of the property should be sealed upon him. Now, the
the defendant had pleaded a plea of set-off, and the fol.
lowing were the particulars of it :
To amount paid to Mesirs. Nichol', to lors, by plaintiff's
direction, fur defand ant's wedding equipment.. elo 0 0
To amount paid by defendant to Messrs. Davies alai
for cl athes supplied by direction and order of plaintiff
for defendant......
To cash paid by defendant for a guitar at plaintiff's request 15 10 0
Money paid by defendant to Messrs. Morley for goods sup-
plied to plaintiff by her direction .
Rent paid to landlady, 74, Ebary-strest, at plaintiff's request 10 0 0
Te amount paid to pawnbroker by defendant, at request of
plaintiff, to redeem a watch and chain, the property of
the defendant .......................... • • ..... 21 0 0
The like for a diamond ring.. . ...
Amount pa d by defendant for a wedding cake, provided
atplaintiff's order and request. . . 2 2 0
Arnonat paid for a wedding rang at plaintiff's request .... 014 0
Money paid for a phot:Tra,pn likeness of defendant, taker
by direction of plaintiff
........... 0 5 0
This (said Mr. James) is the defendant's set-off ; his
set.off against the plaintiff's .eloo—money lent. lie was
sure the jury would not ,be surprised to hear that
differences arose between the parties ; no remittances
arrived from the princely father; the fair one became
doubtful, hesitated, and finally refused to marry the
defendant.
A. witness named David was then called and examined
by Mr. Bell. He said : I live in Somerset-street, Port-
man-square. I was introduced to the defendant. He said
ho was Count' Waszkowski and the son o the Prince
Wittgenstein. He came to my office several times, and
he mentioned a loan he was about to negotiate. That
failed. He told ma that he was going to be married to the
plaintiff, and that she had a large income; there had
been some little misunderstanding, but all things had
been settled ; that his father was immensely wealthy, and
that ko was his heir. Ho said his father's income was
£40,000 per annum. One night the defendant slept at my
house. lie seemed uneasy and unsettled in his mind, and
said that a loan of £lOO would make him a happy man.
This was in Juiy. Some time afterwards he said that he
was engaged to Miss Jones, and had borrowed £lOO of
her, and, as he intended breaking off he wanted to pay
her back the money. I said, "Is she going to sue you ?"
and he said, " No, she can't she me, for I took great care
to put the affair on the wrong stamp." I was greatly
surprised at his declaration, and declined lending him any
money. Tuis was the plaintiff's case.
The defendant was then put into the box and examined
by Serjeant Thomas, and said: lam a Pole by birth. In
October, 1856, 1 lived in the same house in which the
plaintiff had apartments. I became acquainted with her
immediately. She sought an introduction to me through
the landlady's daughter. I never waylaid her with a
bouquet. I made proposals to her, and she accepted rue.
We settled the wedding-day; it was to take place on the
day the note is dated. I have never lived under the name
of " Count." Before she advanced me the £lOO she asked
nee about the state of my affairs. I said I was an exile and
lived by giving lessons is languages, and that I hadint
money to pay for our nuptials. She begged I would
accept the £lOO. She want into the bank and brought the
money out to me. She did not like the " cut" or "colour"
of my clothes, and sent me to Davies;and Son. I went
there and ordered the things. I bought all the things
mentioned in the particulars at her request. She knew I
had no mans. I was with David. He sail, " You aro
under pecuniary obligations to a lady." The traitor pro-
fessed great friendship. I then told him the whole truth.
I never said that I had cheated her by giving her a wrong
stamp, I would rather pay £l,OOO than do it, and can do
it. The plaintiff made me write on the stamp ; it was
done in joke. I did not know that the receipt required a
shilling instead of a penny stamp. I was friendly with
the plaintiff for months afterwards. I received many
letters from her. Her attorney had the management of
the settlement. I introduced Miss Fourdrinier. I had known
her in Russia. I am 26, and the plaintiff is 42 years of
age I never told David that I had borrowed £lOO, and
that I could get off it for .4'60.
Cross-examined by Mr. Edwin James : I am a professor
of science and languages. I know that Miss Fourdrinier
is in court. I have never written begging letters with
her. I have written to Lord Dudley Stuart. I do not
know that Miss Fourdrinier had written to Lord Elles-
mere. She wrote forme to Lerd Harrowby. I knew she
wrote to him. I shall not say what she wrote about—it has
nothing to do,with the case. I went to Staffordshire. I
knew Mrs. Swnfyn. I got .€3OO from her. She was the
plaintiff in " Swrifyn v. Swafyn." I was engaged to her.
I saw her three years ago.
['roe witness here became very excited, and refused to
answer the questions put to him, and appealed to the
Chief Baron.]

His lornshi-p said that the witness was obliged to
answer any question that Mr. James might think prorer
to put to him ; that the questions were put with a view of
testing his credit ; it was to ascertain whether he was
a worthy or an unworthy witness. The questions were
fair and legitimate.
Examination continued : I gat the £330 from the
family. They objected to my being married to her.
They said, " Give back the letters and go." I got £3OO
when I gave the letters back. I paid Davies and Sons
£2O on account. I owe them 412 or 445 now. I pawned
my watch and ring with Mr. Chapman. Everybody has
got his pawnbroker, and I have mine. The landlady has got
the receipt for the rent. I did away with the guitar. I
refused to say what I have done with it, and I don't mean
to tell. I bought it in Clerkenwell. The wedding cake
is still in existence.

By the Judge : The lady broke off the match.
Examination continued : Tne match was broken off
because I would not settle all the money upon her. If I
married her I wanted her :and:her money. I only asked
for half of the money 1 never said that I was the sou of
Prince Wittgenstein. I have received money from many
people. I have had money from a great many ladies. I
know a Madame Du Barry. I have not got money from
her. She took me to the Surrey Gardens. She treated
me. I know a Miss Chadwick. Shs has got money from
me. I tried to borrow £5O from her about a year ago,
She was engaged to me about four years ago. Her father
broke that off. He did not say that he had made inquiries
at the Me.ndicity Society. I once produced an almanac
to Madame Du Barry, but I never pointed out my father's
seat. She wanted to marry me. When I have done with
ono lady I take on with another.

The Chief Baron : Mr. James, there arc a great many
ladies in England, pray spare us.
Miss Fourdrinier was called, but her evidence was not
at all material. She admitted having written letters to
various noblemen, but denied having written a begging
letter.

Miss Romsey : I know that some rent was paid by the
defendant for the plaintiff, but I dont know how much.
Cross-examined : The defendant has paid his addres-
ses to me. It was soon after he came. He promised to
marry me, but I refused to have him. I told Miss
Fourdrinier that be had proposed both to me and my
sitter.

A servant girl, named Payne was called, and said that
plaintiff said to her it was silly of her mamma to bother
her so about lending the money.
Mr. Serjeant Thomas summed up his evidence.
Mr. Edwin James replied upon the whole case,
The Chief Baron very briefly left the whole question
before the jury, and they almost immediately found a
verdict for the plaintiff for the amount claimed.

THE LATE MR. JAMES COPPO6

101
Mr. Coppock was born on the tad of Septa° 0
and was a native of St )ckpart, in Cheshire. 118
oldest son of a respectable mercer in that boroos
after a good middle-class edecatioe, he served biso 0
ticeship in his father's business. In 1823 he Wig Pill p
a clerk is the establishmeat of a large sg
en haberdasher in Load. He early commenced b :
1
on his own account, employing a sma'l capital i°oll
firm in the city. In that connection, partly in e/ri''re
of the commercial disasters whici followed on °aloe
revolution of 1830, he wis unsuccessful. He lisi 0
as'i
in 1829, but, upon his failure as a mercer! e - el
abandoned trade, and resolved to adopt the P-rofe del
the law; ant in 1831, he articled himself to all,;0:0
solicitor in Farnival's lan. D ering his dee yelt'dijel
he earned his livelihood, and iadastrie isly P irsti! Itiff
avocation. Although ait admitted on the lei!' or a
e o
till 1833, he acted as as earnest voluntary Pl:e"li
first Finsbury election coatest following the it 'f',rslii
1832. At that period he first publi hel the
sags
Manual." After the seemed general eleioi 11-'o'
lasi
reformed representative system, the liberal 0
Landon, profiting by the late Sir Robert Peers
10
"register, register!" faanlal a coenter 1P4,1 if
Sooiety, with branches throughout Englani 1° ,ittl
Mr. Cappock was, by the late Mr. Satteatto
recommended as the trust fitting secretary t°ool
association, and especially as the author of the roe
Manual." Cantinuing his articles of clerkship, Math
we believe, a salary of X3OO a year as such scoop,
a residence in the society's reoeas in Cleveland-I°oto
new orcapation naturally brought him into csrou/r9 of
with all the principal liberal agents and soliet el
provincial counties and boroughs, personally or d
pondence. Three or four years afterwards, orite"eo
the society's operations, ha ly!came lessee of i[teedCleveland-row, where he first established hinesa"o'
for and parr amentary agent. His original Widelrpoc
nection with the constienencies of the Unite: Al
imm idiately censtituted Mr. Coppock's office tlvil
many election arrangements and contests, 013"„er,
professional employment in the con luct of 01,10:
turns in the H iuse of Cammons. His z 31511",,,ped
fighting political opponents with their own 'lre c''
too well remembarad to need detail. Fortunateiroi
practices and illegal acts at elections have beei
years largely diminished, partly by legislation lot
meat, and partly by the improved m..ral co cur
borough constituencies, though "Othello's °co
may not yet have entirely vanished. None I!,
the filelity of Mr. Coppock's services to 'l-0
ellen% and his word was invariably relied 013,4°
ponents in all arrangements and " complain 'ojel
desire, in this brief obituary notice, not t 0 re,;011
electioneering feuds and public inquiries ila;o4
connected with M^. Coppock's personal sorg;oo'
administrations and former whin and radical ctie
for seats in our legislature. Such bygone traOt
rather matters for future history than for Preserisott'
commenters, and the Public Press of the day 11 tte' 1
criticised the two great political parties ante 100
dividual election doings. It is en3ugh to o',o oil
Coppock entered the electioneering arena asi;oos,
partisan of the liberal party. His best friely; el
approve of all his acts, but he hid a universal f pit
ability and integrity in his representation ° 0.10
His self reliance and indomitable courage t,OO
involved him in diffietalCes, and hi often te%3l erofe:
his physical and mental powers. indeed, 0 ro'fo
over-exertion in the nunerous election o°3 il'4
the last session probably shor'ened his lifei.eirige)
as manager sometimes of four committees 9„% w",,
same day ; sometimes singly concerned for sitt`",et'
and petitioners, or acting as agent for country, `yea,r.ii'
was also in the spring and simmer of 1.13,150;
unfortunately, involved as a shareholder nou,„ lel"
rector in the Surrey Gardens,he had the addit::(ll'e
on his mind of that unfortunate speculatio, '—ef v"
abridged leisure for attention to the interest, is
and co-proprietors. Receiving last Auglisherefil
went as county courts' treasurer, and being t,`,: tbe,
public ofncial capacity, be must acutely fel'h ',
reflections he incurred in common with hid
directors, and the more so because, as he esl',:ie II",
self in a letter in our columns, he almitted ''""' t,c'
of judgment, den)ing all imputation on hi' c„rjelil•
an honest man. Certainly he was the largeEo",,rte
loser by the failure of the company. Thug 1 p
holy and mind nature gave way under sevarj its l)
An hydraulic machire cannot be worked be 103104,0
power. Perhaps the best tribute to the In 000
peculiar public man (and we do not record hiss !A
death as that of a private individual) is the 740,?
private forture he made no gain by his Breil;
busy political career. He had arranged to II 000
business. His estate wilt probably realise a svi3r,i
lboi
dente, and one really earned by his more natur 1
as a solicitor. His death willbe regretted by 11313:3; VI
friends, and his less to the " party" may 11°,..;ji11,
supplied. He was a man sui generis. sou ,ere 8'
his calling and his pleasure. Probably our ftte liel
system will never create nor need a s'
Coppock.

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iffoll
MR. SMITE O'BRIEN ON SELF-RELIANCIW♦
leCtn
ta
O'Brien made his first appearance at a publieso°oo
the Limerick Mechanics' Institute, on Wedsetbe °a IA
when he deliv red the inaugural address for 1,001,60
1858 Self-reliance. in Mr. O'Brien's vie°,%s 04?
begining of the moral revolution which ""
Ireland from a state of mere provincialigel foroA
he remarked, "of considering what we can utlothe,l°,
we are always inclined to inquire what os° ea:"
tts ?" And, by way of illustration, he obser'grtetio.alifoot„
add 'only one word more, by way of os`lef
young men of this country, for the purpose °„ grlf°:,%4Y,
to induce them to abandon the habit, whle,-,010
prevails to a great extent', of seskieg to eu,,"%eit,:elr;
under Government. This habit does not -sails
amoeg the working classes as among
ethe
and among the wealthiest ranks of societit atscl
sition of mind tends much to degrale the Cof stl,,irf,4
country and to check the natural energies iO4,:rei,i6
I am confident that it would be found, uP°olol°_,
for every appointment under gevernmeot editor!' tea
an Irishman there are at least twenty cop„Pthe c'be
if this be the case, it is manifest that., oPc)-03e4t,05,1iritli
each vacancy, at least nineteen persoll9"tlit 0; to
pointed ; and these nineteen persons are, hope,
induced to hang on, relying upon a vagoe.: theseeifl
state of expectation, instead of Wein" ce
for er et
energies to make an independent position 0000 boo
the honourable occupation of industry 0r,,,e, the efieldol
system of expectancy tends also to degrs'lie ttil°ol
our public men. It is well understood at nrepsoeereto
patronage is given only to those who areribe g„esee
an equivalent for it is support affor.!ed tt"o reef bed
of the day. How is it passible, then, disco if "eittlio
can maintain a parliamentary indepoldenbis centilti4
stantly urged to solicit situations for, to • 0000
These rema-ks do not, however, ap1e14,70 0:10'0
promotion dependent upon comPetl,„bli,ll„,tioe,go
If such a system could be universally 6Srro
upon with integrity, the acquirement o.` ettec°- ea'
government would be honourable to the a tbe nu 0
hs big O.
and even those who might fiil would lisletto be obse4t,blii
of an educational preparation, which 0.0 jet l/he 654110
to them in what aver path of life they elfibal,t-at'ea,g4
choose. But I fear that we are st'll felt 100; to. "coo
ment of a system of promotion which weforaesp
upon merit ; and I spzak not with re to lb 001
which may possibly hereafter occur, but,a Trit„„ot,,
exis-s. Few living men have mingled so Tht
different grades of society, or have seen tae lee% tfi
tudes of life ; and this experience honorp Pio 1
moral worth and intellee' ual prowess wads ifoesd
inheritance of any particular clses• be toe
I am convinced that there is of:e° to
heild
breast of an industrious mechanic 1110reneer. es,. Silo it,
thsn inhabits that of the haughtiest, rootlgnotste te),
in lordly mansions and in thatche'uiee
experience has convinced me that 0,11 roof eOO9
often to be found beneath the 100'4 geoli or ccofl
palece. Among the men that I 119 fegion' iteetS
obtained the highest success in a Pr°the arehoob 011
cis( career the greater part have Izin to their 21,11, 44
own fortunes ; have owed everytutmco to elPto lie
and perseverance. lam able there,foies oight;oo
of encouragement to the young tneeiltheta to- 01'41
me the honour to ask me to address to wheillaaferreA
assure them, as well as the claeses,ivouel,.,o 0, A
beet more propitious, that beat ble-4117.. sect '
r tee 00! ei°
and national veatnese c3n, nutlet., 0, the 10 to r 01A
deuce, be secured only by cheri°l;laTedeecl' 5e.0.11
of self reliance. We ought nee." tbiee 1"033,0rty
co-operation of these whose sYmr- .ndeav proirek
hoe -
claim. On the contrary, J• +0 might beideiltjos if
to-night how many useful
iienct.eresta 00.04 of poo
the combination of those whoset of Corvi,dertigte coDitfi
we ought to practise the habit of
but weethe 1s b 4
might be done for us by others, „.ieciple this° cb
ourselves. By acting °P.°r` rto teekBd Wit be
of Ireland have it in their Powerllle of 1111,01_,
realm whose name shall be
11. aticiu° aegis
5, A
00013' 00P•oP
Since we cannot erase from otta'n -
throughout all ages and
d degra' fiat
of dissension and sufferil2grtity may herlelit
least pray that our
record a history that shalilsteealise our foau
att")lTar.anals the p.

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