The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-20 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

THE CHARGE OF FORGING THE COtNTESS BELLEW'S
WILL.—Mrs. Anne Casse appeared, in discharge of her
£l,OOO bail, to answer the charge of forging two signatures
to the will of the late Countess Caroline Bellew, and with
feloniously uttering the same with intent to defraud. Joseph
Verlander also appealed to answer a charge of perjury re-
specting the signatures to the same document.

Mr. Piffard prosecuted; Mr. James Lewis defended Mrs.
Casso ; and Mr. W. D. Smyth appeared for Vorlander.

Mr. Arnold drew Mr. Piffard's attention to a letter ho
had received purporting to come from a magistrate. It
was a most disgraceful proceeding on the part of some one
to attempt to poison his mind against some of the parties.
He offered no opinion on it, and handed it to Mr. Piffard to
take what steps he thought fit in the matter.
Mr. Lewis said he had had many such letters.
Mr. Piffard contended that he had a right to call Inspec-
tor Tanner to prove, not that the signatures were forged,
but that the will itself was forged. _

Mr. Arnold differed, and Mr. Tanner's evidence was
dispensed with.
Mr. Lewis asked whether the magistrate thought that
the prosocution could be sustained on the evidence
adduced. He did not wish to address the court, but only
wished to enumerate the negative testimony, which hav-
ing been done, he begged that he might be allowed to ad-
dress the court after he had called evidence, and called

Mrs. Harriett Anabella Ring—l live in Foxley-road,
Kensington, and I am the wife of David Bebbington Ring,
barrister-at-law. I knew the Countess Bellew, and had
several letters from her, I think about 30. I never saw
her write.

Mr. Piffard objected that she could speak as to the sig-
nature of the will, never having seen her write.

Mr. Lewis said she had boon examined in the Probate
Court under the same objection, but it was overruled.
Mr. Arnold, after referring to the law on the point, said
it was undoubtedly admissible ; but he would make a note
of it.
Mr. Lewis—l will get Ile of the objection.
Mr. William Grosvenor Jennings—l carry on the busi-
ness of a professional proctor with my father in Doctor's
Commons. Messrs. Couto and Johnson opposed. That
is the handwriting of Mr. Coute. (The letter stated that
this Witness was acquainted in the countess's handwriting.
Mrs. Ring re-examined—l received letters from the
countess. (Looking at the will.) I believe that signature
to be that of the Countess Bellew. Some of the countess's
letters to me are now in the court.
The letters were handed to the magistrate.
Cross-examined—l had the first letter from the countess
in February, 1863. The signatures resembles the writing.
Mr. Arnold having called Mr. Piffard's attention to
some strong resemblances in the countess's signature to
letters to the signature of the will.

Miss Emily Shee—l live at Stockloy House, Regent's.
park. lam Mr. Henry Bellew's amanuensis I went
into the countess's service on the 18th November, 18G3,
and continued till June, 1861, and then loft, an d
returned in September, same year. During the
period I was there 1 remained till the time
of her death, and she wished me to remain.
She treated her with very great affection. I was her
amanuensis. When I went back Miss Bellew had left.
They wore on bad terms, I consider, the countess and Miss
Frances Bellew. I firmly believe it is the countess's signa-
ture to the will (looking at it). After the death of the
countess, Miss Bellew directed me to write to Mr. Lewis, a
solicitor, at Hackney. That letter (produced) is the one I
wrote. (Letter read and put in as evidence.) I ought to
have known whether it was true or false. Miss Bellew
wanted mo to swear to something she said the countess
had said on her dying bed, and I refused ; she was angry.
I told the countess I had heard nothing about the division
of the household effects. I remember once going to the
countess to the door to see if Miss Belle was listening.
The countess spoke to me about her jewellery early in
1864.

Mr. Piffard objected it was not evidence.
Mr. Arnold said that evidence of that k d n behalf of
the prisoner must not be excluded. He
decided
aaeiest
Mr. Piffard, and evidence as to show this WAS
probably a
will was admissible.
The countess said that Miss F.
Bellow
she had seen
oweeariyn-a
her veils in pro-
ceedingsßrigh-
against her in regard
jewellery.
oerthenew had taken e
mother's will, and
got her mother's dross and j
Miss Bellew's waiting woman w
uegkrymaobobuyt itth.e
hTanhde caontdmsatesids
ton,
send
i
illan detwia;isigehntooreg.etic ly
She
she had made her will. assakiedd I herw would keep
skheoeupl di t
a secret,
a physician or solicitor.
and she gave mo a prayer-book, and wanted me to
vow on that book that I would keep it a secret. I swore
I would. I knew it was a prayer-book. I read it morning
and night. Miss Bellew was sent for on the 21st February,
1865 The countess then had the keys. William Bryant
brought Miss Bellow into the house unknown to anybody.
The day of the death, two hours after, Miss Bellew asked
me for the keys. She was urgent to get them. They were
in the bag at the head of the bed, in a purse, with a £5
note and other money. I gave Miss Bellew the keys. The
private letters were is a cabinet in the bed room. I gave
her two keys, and the other keys were in the wardrobe,
locked up. I was present. The countess didn't say,
" Here, dear Frances are the keys." (Letter from Miss
Bellew read.) It is not true.
Mr. Lewis—Miss Bellew swore she did, in this witness's
presence.
Witness_ continued—l was with her the whole tiTmhee.
She was incapable of saying a word to her sister.
Countess said, ccFrancis, you have never loved me—yo u

never appreciated me, but preferred that wretch to me.
I wrote it on a piece of paper and gave it to Miss Bellew
by order of the Countess three or four hours
before she died. The Countess then ordered her
to leave the house and the room. In order to hear
what she said I put my ear close to her mouth, and then
had a difficulty to hear. Miss Bellew left the room when,
ordered by the Countess. I was promised a dress at Loy
marriage by the Countess twelve months before her death,
but didn't have it. lam not married. I have a breach of
promise of marriage case on now. The Countess told me
she had lost something, and I found it. Something appa-
rently valuable was in the portfolio when I found it. 1
remember Dr. Cooper buying a consultation with the
Countess a day or two before her death.

The case was not concluded when we went to press.

TEWKESBURY ELECTION—This Day.

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STATE 01? TILE POLT,.—OsE O'CLOCK.
142
136

Leclimere
Martin

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE—This :day.

NORTHAMPTON RACES—(fms. Ws).