The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-07 00:00:00

THE DRAMATIC DILEMMA.

The investigation of the charge of perjury, preferred
by Madame Caradori against Mr. Benjamin Sloman, late
carpenter and machinist at Drury-lane Theatre, was re-
sumed yesterday, before Mr. Henry, at Bow-street
Police-court. The court was densely crowded.
Mr. Lewis conducted the prosecution, as before ; but
Mr. Wontner now attended for the defendant, in lieu of
his former legal adviser.
George Classin said, he had been hall-porter of
Drury-lane Theatre a great many years, and during
that time had seen the establishment in the posses-
sion of several German, French, and Italian compa-
nies. Mr. Sloman, the defendant, had acted for each
of them as head carpenter and machinist, but had
never been able to speak the language of either. Wit-
ness had repeatedly interpreted French and German
to him, in order that he might understand the direc-

tions given.
Gustano Trialzi, professor of languages, Greek-street,
Soho, proved that he had interpreted the Italian lan-
guage for Sloman on similar occasions.
Mr. Lewis—That is the case for the prosecution.
Mr. Henry would be happy to hear defendant's wit-
nesses.
Mr. Wontner then called
Mr. Oswald, Who stated that his real name was Ed-
ward Seager, but he generally signed himself " Seager
Oswald." He resided at 6, Alfred-place, Bedford-square,
and followed no profession— was a gentleman. Had
known Madame Caradori since May last ; and had
acted as private secretary to the opera company, of
which she was one, but never as secretary to her indi-
vidually. Maddme Caradori, Signor Pavesi, Signor
Arnoldi, and Signor Pierrini, were the principal mem-
bers of the company. Mr. Jarrett had a company there

also, but their performances were not resumed at the re,
opening of the theatre on the 12th of August. Witness
had some conversation with Madame Caradori shortly
before the re-opening, but never received any directions
from her about the theatre. He acted principally for
Mr. Jarrett, who was prevented coming to the theatre.
Was present when an agreement was come to respect.
ing the re-opening. Madame Caradori, Pavesi,
Arnoldi, Jarrett, and Pierrini, were in the room
at the time. It was decided that the orchestra and
chorus of the two companies should join together, and
be paid two-thirds of their salaries, after incidental
expenses ; the principals to take one-third of their
salaries subsequently, if the treasury permitted. This
was agreed to in a general conversation. Witness en-
gaged Sloman without special authority from any one,
but, as a matter of course, his services were indispen-
sable. It was agreed that Sloman's charges should not
exceed 231. or 241. if certain operas were played ; and
he was to be paid on Saturday night (the 19th) for his
week's services. Witness did not think that lid ever
mentioned Sloman's name to Madame Caradori, although
he may have told her that the carpenter's charges were
' to be less than they were under Jarrett's management.
Sloman was on the stage all the week, attending to his
duties, and Madame Caradori may have seen him there.
Sloman was not paid anything at the end of the week.
The gas, printing, and other incidental expenses were paid
out of the treasury. I received 1/. from Signor Pavesi to
pay for something—l cannot say what. It might have
been for advertisements and:printing. It was something
connected with the theatre. Madame Caradori never
gave me any money to pay for anything. I have heard
her speak English. She once gave me some instruc-
tions in French as to the best way of opening the
theatre, so as to make it answer. (A laugh.) She was
talking the matter over with me ; but I considered that
I was to act upon her instructions. The conversations
were not with Madame Caradori alone, but with the
general company. I dined with Pavesi at Madame
Caradori's during the week, and heard the former say
that he had no engagement in England, and should be
obliged to go to Milan to get one. Madame Caradori said
nothing about going abroad ; but she said her health
would rot permit her to continue singing.
Cross-examined by Mr. Lewis—l mentioned this con-
versation to several people about the theatre, but I could
not name any one in particular. I never told Sloman
what Pavesi had said at any time. I had no motive for
mentioning the after-dinner conversation—it was quite
accidental. I understood Pavesi to say that he was
going to Milan immediately. He spoke in French. Slo-
man delivered his claim to me to be signed. I will not
swear that I ever saw Sloman's bill. I cannot remem-
ber it ; but a great many bills were left in my room to
be signed on the Saturday, and I signed them between
three and four o'clock. I may have signed one or two
bills in the morning. I cannot speak of any particular
bill.
Mr. Henry—You can give defendant notice to pro-
duce the bill, and then it will speak for itself.
Witness—Sloman's was not a continuation of Jarrett's
engagement. It was a fresh one made by me. The bills
were made out to the directors generally, and some were
rhade out to me.
Mr. Lewis—Now was not the 11; you speak of, as
having been paid by Pavesi, given to you to pay some
tailors
Witness—Oh yes, certainly. I remember now that
' it was to satisfy a tailor who was clamorous. (A laugh.)
Madame Caradori advanced no money. She made pre-
sents to several of the performers who were unfortunate
—at least they told me so, but that was privately. All
the expenses of the theatre, such as rent, gas, &c., had
to be paid before any division took place among the per-
formers. I believe there was not a balance on Saturday
night iu favour of the company.
Mr. Henry—What time did you sign Sloman's bill ?
Witness—lt must have been about three o'clock on
Saturday afternoon if it was among the other bills.
By Mr. Wontner—l considered the directors to be
the principal performers. I never told anybody that
either Madame Caradori or Signor Pavesi intended to
go abroad. I heard it rumoured in the theatre.
By Mr. Henry—Nothing was settled as to who should
be the directors during the week in question.
Joseph Lewis, 16, Moor-street, Soho, deposed that he
was the treasurer of Drury-lane Theatre,
.from the 12th
to the 19th August (the last week). On one occasion he
was summoned to the directors' room, and saw
Madame Caradori there. She said in English, " Where
are your accounts ?" He replied, " I have already
submitted my accounts to Mr. Jarrett." She then said
"Mr. Jarrett has nothing whatever to do with it. You
must show your accounts every morning to our secre-
tary, Mr. Oswald." 'Witness ha,l heard it reported
that Madame Caradori and Signor Pavesi were going to
leave England.
Mr. Henry—The words sworn to in the affidavit of
the defendant are—not that he had heard it rumoured,
but that Madame Caradori and Signor Pavesi (who
cannot speak English) informed him personally of their
intention to leave England.
Witness—Neither Madame Caradori nor Pavesi ever
spoke to me upon the subject of their leaving England.
Mr. Lewis—Are you aware that in the morning of
that day, long before Sloman's bill was presented to you
for payment, a judge's order had been obtained for the
arrest of Madame Caradori ?
Witness—l knew nothing about the arrest.
At this stage of the proceedings the case was again ad-
journed, on the application of Mr. Wontner, and sum-
monses were granted for additional witnesses.