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

TH. ROYAL OPERA SPECULATION.

The final examination of Mr. Benjamin Sloman, upon
the charge of perjury, took place yesterday at Bow-
street, before Mr. Henry.
Mr. Wontner, the defendant's solicitor, stated that
he now proposed to call witnesses who had been distinctly
told, both by Madame Caradori and Signor Pavesi, that
they were about to leave England. He should also ex-
amine Mr. Smith, the proprietor of Drury-lane Theatre,
to prove that they took the theatre for a period of 18
nights • and if, after this understanding, it went forth
that the theatre was to be closed on the seventh night,
owing to the refusal of Madame Caradori to sing any
longer, he thought that this fact, coupled with the pre-
vious rumours about her intended departure, justified
the inference that she intended to leave the country
immediately. Both Madame Caradori and Pavesi had
declared, in their evidence, that they never mentioned
any such intention to any one ; but if his witnesses proved
the contrary, it might also be presumed that Sloman
may have heard a similar statement made by one or other
of them in the theatre. He did not mean to say that
his client sanctioned the harsh proceeding which were
taken against Madame Caradori, nor could he be sup-
posed to have made a very acute examination of the
actual terms of the affidavit ; but looking at it with the
eye of a carpenter, and not of a lawyer, he believed it to
convey h:s impression upon the subject, and signed it as
directed—not being; perhaps fully aware of its contents,
or the consequences' which it might tend in other
hands than his own. After some further cbservations,
Mr. Wontner call.
Mr. Henry J 7--
stated that he was the mana-
ger, of the Roy. -Company, at Drury-lane, from
the 17th of April - a 25th of July, after which the
theatre was reop .r a week by the company as
a kind of commonwealth. He was constantly at the
theatre during this latter period, although not person-
ally concerned in the speculation, but from having busi-
ness to settle with Mr. Smith, the lessee. Before the re-
opening Madame Caradori and Pavesi told him, in con-
venation, that the acting committee were going to re-
open the theatre. The committee consisted of two of
the chorus, Caradori, Pavesi, Arnoldi, and Pierini ; Mr.
Oswald acting as their secretary. Witness heard
Madame Caradori complain of ill-health, and talk about
going on the Confine*. Could not exactly say when
this was, or in what language she said it, as she was in
the habit of conversing with him in English, French, and
German.
Mr. Henry—Do you mean to say you cannot remem-
ber in what language she told you that she was going on
the Continent ?
Witness—lt was most likely in German. She re-
peated the statement several times in the course of the
week. After this he was asked, repeatedly, by members
of the chorus and others, why Madame Caradori would
not sing after the 19th, and he replied that she was going
on the Continent.
Mr. Henry—Can you name any one to whom this was
said ? We must not deal in generalities in a case like
this.

Witness—l cannot call to mind any particular person.
Mr. Henry—Then you ought not to mention it at all.
Witness—Had probably mentioned it to Mr. Lewis,
the treasurer, but could not swear that he told the de-
fendant, Mr. Sloman.

Cross-examined by Mr. Lewis (who felt it his duty, he
said, to caution the witness)—When I heard of Madame
Caradori's arrest it was a surprise to me. I first heard
of Madame Caradori's arrest when I returned home on
Saturday night or rather at one in the morning. I sent
for Mr. Levy at 9 o'clock the following morning. I had
heard from the people of the house, that Madame Cara-
dori was under an impression that I was a party to her
arrest, and bad exclaimed, "Oh, Jarrett, Jarrett," on
being taken away by the sheriff's officers. I was na-
turally anxious to disabuse her mind of this impres-
sion, and I sent for Mr. Levy to go down and satisfy
her that I was not mixed up in the matter. Mr.
Levy accompanied me to the lock-up, in Cursitor-
street, Chancery-lane. When we got to the lock-
up Pavesi refused to see me in his room. I might have
spoken of the exorbitant charges in the house, but I did
not advise Caradori to secure the services of Levy. I
did not say, " Here is Mr. Levy. He has been fetched
by me, and is quite at your service." When the theatre
re-opened I suggested that a certain number of tickets
should be distributed among the performers, to dispose
of their own benefit. Madame Caradori said she had
not come there for charity, and would not be a party to
it. I will not swear that she did not say, "I will not
be a party to it, and will not have anything more to do
with the theatre." There was a meeting of the chorus,
in consequence of her refusal to keep upen the theatre
on these terms.
.Mr. Lewis—When did Madame Caradori tell you that
she was going on the Continent, owing to ill-health'?
Witness —Repeatedly ; on several occasions. No one
was present at such times, that I know of. Pavesi might
havo been.

Mr. Henry—So might any one else. Pray do not
answer questions in that way. I would not interrupt
you, if you answer the questions more carefully.
Witness—Madame Caradori told me, a week before
the re-opening of the theatre, that she should go to Paris,
Italy, or Germany. I think these were her words.
Mr. Henry—ln what language was this ?
Witness—l really cannot remember, but our conver-
sation was generally in German.
Mr. Henry—Did she fix any time for going
Witness—She mentioned Saturday night after the
theatre closed. She said she should not sing after that
night, but meant to go on the continent. It must have
been on the previous Wednesday that she said this.
(Aug. 16.)
By Mr. Wontner— What I did on the Sunday was
done wholly to serve Madame Caradori. I never sanc-
tioned the arrest, and I consider it a most disreputable
proceeding.
Mr. Henry—Was she not arrested at your door ?
Witness—Yes, but not with my sanction or know-
ledge.

Ann Pamela said that she resided in Mr. Jarrett's
family, and was dresser to Madame Caradori, and dress-
maker also. She dressed her on the last night of her
performance (the 10th of August), and when the opera
was over Madame Caradori took her to Mr. Jarrett's in
her carriage, as she was accustomed to do. On one oc-
casion, while in the dressing-room of the theatre, wit-
ness overheard Madame Caradori say to some person or
persons "Igo to Italian." She did not say " Italy."
She spoke in English, but she could not say to whom
she addressed herself, or on what night it took place.
Cross-examined—Mentioned this to Mr. Jarrett a week
after the theatre had finally closed.
M. E. T. Smith, the lessee of Drury-lane Theatre, de-
posed that after Mr. Jarrett had failed in his manage-
ment there was an interval of about three weeks. On
the previous Saturday he had advanced about 3001., to
pay salaries ; and on the Monday following, the chorus
having struck, he paid them also ; after which, as he de-
clined to go on advancing money, he insisted upon the
theatre being closed. A day or two before the closing,
Madame Caradori, and Signor Pavesi caine to him in his
room, and said, "Things cannot go on in this way any
longer—we can get no money," and they attributed the
misfortune to th compulsory absence of Mr. Jarrett,
who, from private motives, was keeping out of the way.
Madame Caradori said she would advance 251. to enable
Mr. Jarrett to attend at the theatre, and she added that
if he (Mr. Smith) would allow the theatre to re-open,
they would carry it on for the benefit of the companyt---
so as to complete the 100 nights originally advertised, of
which 18 yet remained. She said that Mr. Oswald
would be the person with whom he (witness) would have
to negotiate. Mr. Oswald came to him afterwards, and
stated the terms of the new arrangement, which was to
be a kind of commonwealth ; and the rent, &c., was
agreed upon. The conversation with Madame Caradori
and Pavesi was chiefly in French.
By Mr. Henry—There was no written agreement. I
was anxious, firstly, to get some rent ; and secondly,
that the company should keep faith with the public, if
possible, by completing the 100 nights.
Mr. Henry—Was the rent paid ?
Mr. Lewis—The landlord put his own money-taker
at the doors generally. (A laugh.)
Witness (cross-examined)—l had already paid 251.
for gas, besides some other items, which were insisted
upon ; and on another occasion Signor Pavesi advanced
41. for gas. I heard it rumoured in the theatre, on the
last Saturday, that Madame Caradori and Pavesi were
going abroad, and, in the evening, I heard it said that
they were going to be arrested. I cannot remember if
Jarrett was informant. I heard it said in the hall. I
knew nothing of the affidavit.
_ Mr. James Martin, the stage-manager, having con-
armed the evidence to the rumour,
Mr. Virentner said this closed his case for the defence.
Mr. Lewis rose to reply.
is it
ne eessavy, u are not entitled to a reply, neither
this case for
becauseanc I have made up my mind to send
trial ; therefore I decline to offer any
opinion upon it, lest should prejudice it. I will
merely express ahope that one effect of this prosecution
will be, to make persona more cautious how they swear
to affidavits, and attorneys more cautious how they use
a
such affidavits to obtain judge's order for the arrest of
previous a person upon whom noeusclaim had been made.
The defendant was then bound
Over, himself in 1001.
and two sureties in 501. each, to answer the char a at
the ensuing sessions. g

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

ROCHESTER AND CHATHAM RACES.
FRIDAY.

The RAILWAY PLATE of 30 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes
of 3 sovs each, for two•yr•olds and upwards ; optional
selling weights, &c. ; the second to save his entrance
mouey. Once round and a distance.
Mr. Land's Oxus, by Sirikol, 3 yrs, Est 121 b (601.)
(Land, jun.) 1
Mr. Sherrard's Merrythonght, 3 yrs, 6st 71b (carried
est 91b) (601.) (Sherrard, jun.) 2
Hon. F. Villiers's Socinian, 2 yrs, 4st 71b (carried 4st
91b) (601.) (Fordhard) 3
Mr. C. Formby's Lady Blanch, 5 yrs, Bst 21b (600

(Price) 4
Betting-6 to 4on Oxus, who won by three-quarters
of a length - three lengths between second and third,
and a head between third and fourth. The winner was
afterwards sold by auction to Mr. 'Williams for 70
guineas.
The WEST KENT STAKES were won in two heats by
the Hon. F. Viiliers's Nightshade, 3 yrs, bst 111 b (401.)
(Fordhara), beating Mr. C. Formby's Diminutive, 4 yrs,
6st 41b (301.) (Hammond), and two others.
The proceedings connected with Diminutive in the
first heat created much dissatisfaction. The winner was
sold to Mr. Messer for 43 guineas.
MEMBERS' PLATE of 501., added to .a
Sweepstakes of 5
sovs each ; for three-yr-olds and upwards ; optional
selling weights', &c. ; the second to save his stake.
Twice round, about two miles.
Mr. Messer's Warbler, by Don John, 4 yrs, 7st 101 b
(carried 7st 121 b) (1001.) (Hornsby) 1
Mr. Turner's Little Naughty, 5 yrs, Bst llb (1001.)
(G. E. Sharp) 2
Mr. Blanton's Jack Leeming, 6 yrs, Bst 41b (1001.)
(J. Prince) 3
The following also ran :—Sir George, Nightshade,
Lady Elegant.
Betting—Even on Jack Leeming. Won easily by
two lengths—the others beaten off.
The HUNTERS' STAKES of 3 sovs each, with 30 added,
for three-yr-olds and upwards, optional selling weights,
&c., the second to save his stake, was won in four heats
by Mr. Allen's Sandhurst, 4 yrs, list 11b, 751. (Mr.
Frederick), beating Mr. Land's Massaroni, 4 yrs, lOst
41b (carried lOst 81b) 501. (Treen), and four others.