The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-06 00:00:00

The Assault on Ladies in a Railway Carriage

Then,noEnglish Government, however well inclined, can
resist the intrusion of Western ideas into its Oriental pose
sessions, with the shattering force which they exert against
all Asiatic formulas. In a very few years the Chinaman
would find that the social system he loves so well was be-
ginning to decay, to dissolve as it were in the presence of
the new ingredient, and the fierce resistance to the process
now evident in India, and which, if it did not produce the
mutinies, produced the popular favour with which the Sepoy
cause was regarded, would be repeated in China. We should
be harassed by incessant rebellions, and though they might
be suppressed, it would be at the cost of all the sympathy
between the governors and the governed, and of the possi-
bility of allowing natives to bear rule under us. Then as in
India we should close up all careers till all that the land
had of ambitious, or generous, or original, or turbulent would
be forced by the mere necessity of things into an antagonism
to the foreign intruders all the more deadly because so long
concealed. Imagine the British position when maintaining
a rule which stiflod all aspirations, except the single one for
wealth, among a half of the human race I As for educating
the people to govern themselves, it is not from conquerors
that the conquered accept their political, and still less their
moral ideas. The check on the spread of Christianity in
India, as the ablest of native converts once openly declared,
is that it comes to the people through the race at whose
hands Hindostanees are hardly willing to accept even sal-
vation. There is something in the manner of Englishmen,
perceptible sometimes even to themselves, which turns
the feeling of the races among whom they live into a kind
of respectful loathing, into a sort of sentiment with which
Englishmen regarded the Spaniards, when in the height of
their career. Men so regarded can teach nothing, and in
China as in India our rule, we fear, would produce little
except a leaden order, a material civilisation whose only
fruit would be the limitless accumulation of wealth. Since
we entered India not one idea has come forth of a native,
and the race which is tempted or coerced into abandoning
the production of ideas has lost all that gives it a hold upon
the future.
The social hostility, the habit of seizing every opportunity
against the British, which would assuredly arise in China,
would be twice as formidable as the same habit in India, be-
cause it would be in addition to it. So tremendous an ac-
quisition as this empire would triple the area, and, there-
fore, quintuple the possibilities of disturbance. Already the
fortunes of Englishmen are frightfully beyond their own
control. Already their comfort and their status, their in-
ternal taxation and external position, are alike at the mercy
of races scattered over every part of the globe ; a rising in
the Punjab or a revolt among the Maories, an invasion of
Zooloos, or an outburst among the Cingalese, a panic about
convicts in Australia, or a surge of protectionist madness
in Canada, every one of these or fifty similar events draws
from England some morsel of its resources, some expendi-
ture of its treasure and blood and energy. Doubtless such
exertions are in part recuperative, for human strength is de-
veloped rather than weakened by exercise, but it is possible
to overstep the limit, and convert the labour which the
Almighty in his mercy has made beneficial, into the toil
which involves a life of suffering and premature old age.
The conquest of China would, we believe, carry us just be-
yond
that limit. It would be, it is true, in part an Indian
conquest, tut just because it would be so, the two countries
would fall into a dangerous rapport. They are already, so
to speak, visible to each other, and the permanent tendency
would be for Chinese to move whenever we had an Indian
rising, for the Hindoos to rebel whenever we were troubled
on the Yangtse. The mere addition of territory, too, to be
defended would in the event of a great foreign war be a most
frightful burden. That contact with the Russian empire
which we so dread for India has in China occurred, and our
frontier would march with the Russian for more than 1,000
miles. The seaboard cities would grow into mighty em-
poriums—Shanghai, which in 1860 was a village, has to-day
a million and a half of people, and a trade of £30,000,000
—each of which would demand a squadron to attend it.
That squadron could only be English, and war once de-
clared, our maritime force must either be dangerously scat-
tered, or we must consent to keep up a fleet which even
our maritime population would be overstrained to sup-
ply. As to armies, our resources in men are limited, and
statesmen confess even now, that should India rebel while
we were at war the country might be overtaxed, and com-
pelled either to resort to conscription, that is to cease to be
England, or suddenly "to recall the legions to defend
Rome," leaving utter anarchy over one-half the world. All
those possibilities of evil would be tripled by the possession
of China, and add to these dangers the incessant drain upon
this little island for the able and daring and ambitious, the
classes who are to the community what nervous strength is
to the body, and our readers may perceive the risk England
would run of being over weighted. We have heard much of
late of the difficulty of keeping together empires grown too
vast—what shall keep together an empire with a third of
the earth's surface, and a half of its population ?
Finally, there are two moral questions to be considered,
one doubtful, the other certain, and loth decidedly opposed
to any immediate realised ,n of so vast a project. Is there
any proof whatever, of any sort or kind, that the Chinese
want us to rule them ? If there is not, the conquest would
be a direct violation of all the principles which we confess to
revere—as direct a one as the conquest ef any European
State. The Chinese are not savages whom we can replace
by a race doing more work in the world. They hove not
shown in their history any incapacity for surveying periodic
calamities such as the one occurring now, and which after
all, is a trifle compared to the Tartar invasion. They are
not dangerous to any neighbours, to any grand but ill-based
European system which, like a Tor rock, may stand aloft
for ever if only it be not shoved. There is no reason for
conquest save their good and ours, and we have yet to learn
that their consent has been received to their own " im-
provement." We are in India, it is true, without such con-
sent, but then also we are there. Should we conquer India
now if the work were still to be done? The consent of the
governing class matters nothing, for it is as foreign as our-
selves, and Englishmen did not consider the Austrians
justified in crushing Italy because they were invited by the
Italian foreign princes, The willingness of the Chinese to
accept new lords has still to be decided ; but the other fact
has not. We already possess in Asia a dominion inhabited
by two hundred millions of men, for whose welfare we are
responsible, and what law of God, or rule known among
men, jvatifies us in neglecting them for our new acquisi-
tions ? Nobody pretends that our work in India i s done,
that we have educated the people, or enabled them to
govern themselves, or supplied adequate justice or even
completed the work of material civilisation. In that great
empire there is scarcely a road, and not one great canal, not
a square mile of territory to which the title is perfect, not
a tribe every male of which can write and read. Districts
of two millions are left to a single magistrate, entire pro-
vinces have not a single college,throughout great kingdoms
millions of quarters of wheat and rice are destroyed in all
"good" years for want of means of transport to the external
..vorld. The people cry aloud for more courts and more edu-
cation,for the improvement of their cities which we have neg-
lected,and for the rebuilding of their crowded and inconve-
nient capitals we havc,it is true,made wealthy. Every pound
of force expended in China is half a pound substracted from
India, every merchant who prefers the broader field takes a
source of wealth from the narrower one, the able man who
goes to rule Kwangtung might have made Chittagou a gar-
den, the very judges who would make Shanghai secure for
commercial men are sighed for with bitter longing in Bee
nares and Nagpore. The Government of India needs more
railways, more roads, many canals, buildings without end,
officers without number ; whole departments of effort are ne-
cessary to progressive civilisation ; are we,who have accepter
the charge of Hindoo destinies, to give all these things to
China, to feed the people with whom we have nothing to do,
by starving the people for whom we must render an ac-
count ? All we can gain in China in developed trade, and
new influence, and fresh resources, we can also acquire in
India, which answers every fresh demand by new millions of
produce, responds to improved organization by the marvel-
lous increase of strength which alone makes the conquest
of China possible. Suppose India heartily conciliate,

William Whithead, aged 36, of Wexham Rectory, Bucks,
was brought up on remand before Mr. Knox at the Maryle-
bone Police-court yesterday, charged with indecently as-
saulting Mrs. Brices Charlotte Richardson in a carriage on
the Great Western Railway, between Langley and West
Drayton and Paddington, he being drunk at the time.
Mr. Sergeant Ballantine, instructed by Messrs, Maples,
Maples, and Teesdale, solicitors to the Great Western Rail-
way Company, prosecuted ; and Mr. Lewis, jun., appeared
on behalf of the prisoner.
Mr. Sergeant Ballantine said—Before this case is any
further gone into, it will be, perhaps, as well to say in what
position I appear in respect of this matter. I appear to
prosecute, instructed by the solicitors of the Great Western
Railway Company, the directors of which feel very strongly
upon this subject. The facts of the case were that Mrs.
Richardson and other young ladies of position and refine-
ment were travelling in one of the company's carriages,
when they were all much frightened, and Mrs. Richardson
was most indecently assaulted, by the prisoner. Mrs.
Richardson has ascertained that the prisoner has a wife,
who is most respectable, and, although she has been most
grossly insulted, still she has a very strong desire to with-
draw from the prosecution. The railway company, however,
feel that there is a duty incumbent upon them, and that
duty is to prosecute this matter to the full extremity of the
law. They feel that persons travelling upon their line must
be protected from outrage. They had, of late, become fre-
quent on several lines, and, unless put down, would, render
railway travelling unsafe. I shall call evidence before you
as regards the conduct of the prisoner towards this lady
(Mrs. Richardson), and I must say that it does seem to me
most fortunate that a Mr. Smith, a solicitor, who is now in
attendance, should have been in the same carriage. This
gentleman seems to have acted with great courage, and also
to have shown his humanity by endeavouring to put a stop
to the abominable and disgusting conduct of the prisoner.
Mr. Smith, at one time, was very much alarmed for the
safety of all persons in the carriage, for it appears that this
man produced a whistle similar to those used by guards,
and while the train was running blew it with great force.
Mr. Smith felt that if this was to be allowed to continue it
would cause destruction to the train. Ho remonstrated
with the prisoner upon the subject. The conduct of the
latter, however, did not appear to improve from this re-
monstrance, but rather the reverse, for he lifted a stick
he had with him, and flourished it about, and
knocked it violently against the compartments where
the ladies were sitting, and they had to put down
their heads to avoid being struck. Indeed, if they had been
stru:,,k very serious consequences might have ensued from
such severe blows as would have been inflicted. When the
train stopped the lady and her two friends got out and com-
plained to the guard, and he placed them in another com-
partment. I think it only right to say, on behalf of the
guard, that the lady when lodging her complaint with him
did not go fully into the details of what had occurred,
which might be accounted for from their being very inde-
cent. He (the guard) on that occasion did not feel it neces-
sary to separate the men. The company having, however,
ordered a full inquiry to be made into all the circumstances,
they are determined that, so far as they are concerned, the
public travelling upon their line shall be fully protected.
On behalf of the company I must ask that the prisoner shall
be sent for trial. I have been told that he is a person of
good position, and that his habits are very strange and un•
accountable while under the influence of liquor. If that is
correct, it is all the more reason why I should ask for the
prisoner being sent fur trial. A person of this kind, it is
clear enough, ought to be confined for the general safety
of the public; and I am quite sure that that case will be
fully go'ne into before another Court. this outrage has been
a bad one, and it must not be said that in a civilised country
like this such proceedings can be allowed. I need not re-
peat any more what has already been clearly and correctly
reported in the newspapers, but will call Mrs. Richardson,
however unfortunate it is for her and unpleasant for me.
Mr. Knox, addressing Mrs. Richardson, said that, how-
ever painful it might be for her to appear in such a case,
ho had made up his mind upon the last occasion to send the
case for trial, and that, whatever her feelings might have
been, she would have had no option of retiring from the
proceeding. This was a case of that class which must be
prosecuted, and one of those in which he felt that the public
u_ust be protected.
Sergeant Ballantine—The company have shown every
anxiety that the matter should be fully investigated, and
their solicitors feel very strongly in the matter.
Mrs. Richardi on's evidence was then read over as re-
ported upon the last occasion.
Sergeant Ballantine—When was it that he touched you ?
Mrs. Richardson—When I was getting out of the train.
Sergeant Ballantine—You say that he touched you on
the leg ; was it under or above your dress ?
Mrs. Richardson—l mean upon my person, under my
dress.

Mr. Knox—lt is very unpleasant and disagreeable to
you to have those questions put to you, but still my duty
compels me to ascertain distinctly what took place. Now,
am Ito understand that his hand was under or above your
dress ?
Mrs. Richardson—Under my clothes.
Mr. Lewis—When the prisoner got into the train how
did he get in ?
Mrs. Richardson—On his hands and knees.
Mr. Lewis—Did you observe whether the railway people
put him into the railway carriage ?
Mrs. Richardson—No, they did not.
Mr. Lewis—And you perceived he was drunk ?
Mrs. Richardson—Yes.
Mr. Lewis—Madly drunk ?
Mrs. Richardson—No, not madly drunk. He was very
drunk. I was in such a hurry to get out that I did not
know whether the train had stopped or not. The man with
the prisoner tried to unfasten the door, and it was while I
was waiting to get out th tt the prisoner committed the as-
sault. I complained to the guard, and I know nothing more.
I was placed in another compartment with the other ladies.
Fanny Richardson, the sister-in-law of last witness, and
who was in the train at the time, was recalled and had her
evidence read over.

Benjamin Denning, the guard, was then recalled and
cross-examined upon his evidence. He said—At Langley
the prisoner and the other man got into the train. The
complaint was made to me at West Drayton. The ladies
got out and met ma on the platform. I did not take care to
lock the carriage, so that no one else should not get in. The
complaint of the ladies was not sufficient for me to do so.
I did not hear the word " drunk" used to me by the ladies.
The complaint made to me by Mrs. Richardson was that
she had been insulted, and also her two friends by the men
who got in at Langley. I did not care to lock them in atter
the complaint. After I had placed the three ladies in ano-
ther compartment I went back to the carriage in which the
prisoner and the other man were. The other ladies that
were in there I did not ask to leave. There were three or
four ladies and a gentleman left in the carriage then.
Mr. Knox—Then, do I understand that you heard this
complaint, and then allowed other ladies to get in and these
men to go on?
Denning was a very heavy train on the night, and
the other passengers got into the train before the ladies got
out. They asked me to place them somewhere else, and I
did so. I then 'went and spoke to the prisoner and his cora-
painion. I said they had been grossly insulting some ladies,
and that if they did Rot desist I should take other means
to make them.
Mr. Knox—That was the substance of your evidence
before.
_ _

Sergeant Ballantine—You have been an officer in the
police, I believe, before you got a situation upon the rail-
way ?
Denning--I was four years in the metropolitan police,and
I left that co go to a private asylum, where I remained for
3 years and a half. I had good characters from both to get
into the company's service.
Mr. William Akers Smith, 90, Denbigh-street, Pimlico,
solicitor, said—l got into the train at West Drayton. The
prisoner and another roan were already in the carriage. I
did not see the ladies get out of the compartment that I
got into. When I got into the train the guard was at a
little distance up from the door, There were four ladies
who got in, and the prisoner and another man were already
there. That made six, and two gentlemen who came in
after made in all nine passengers. I sat next the door, and
the prisoner by my side.
Mr. Lewis—Pardon me, but I thought the charge that
we wore going upon was one of assaulting Mrs. Richardson.
Mr. Knox—You are quite right, Mr. Lewis. When the
case was before me last week I thought, or was given to
understand, that there was something that transpired in
another compartment of the carriage, where the ladies had
gone, but now it occurs that this of which Mr. Smith
speaks took place in the same compartment. This can be
made another charge of if the company think fit. Mr.
Smith, you must sit down, and we will go on with the first
case, Ind make yours a separate one.
George Henry Mad erell, inspector of the D division,
said,—About half-past 8 on the night of the 28th I was on
duty at the Paddington-green station when the prisoner
and another man were brought in. They were both very
drunk. Mrs. Richardson told me that the prisoner had
most grossly insulted her, and that he had made use of
most abominable language. She also said that ho had in-
decently assaulted her between Langley and West Drayton.
While she was telling me this the prisoner kept laughing at
her and shouting. Every time I asked a question, and she
was about to answer me, he burst out into a loud laugh, and
it was impossible to hear what was said. Ho treated the
matter with the greatest contempt. After I had entered
the charge I read it over to the prisoner, and he made no
reply to it further than saying it was not so, This witness
was about to explain why the other man was not in custody,
when he was stopped.
Mr, Knox—l van only any that if this case is not