Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-07-08
YHOVxnENCE.
HE ABDUCTION OF Miss TURNER.

THE ABDUCTION OF Miss TURNER.
We this week complete the statement Of Mr..
Edward Gibbon Wakefield, as published by him in
the London Courier, in relation to the abduction
of Miss Turner. The whole statement bears the
impress of vllany; and it is not probable that the
giving oft to the world will advance either his
prospects his interest. The affair is one Of an
extraordinary character, and is distinguished from
all others recorded 10 the tablets of Cupid, by its
fragrant outrage ON every kindly feeling, and by its
unnatural and unfcelinS abherrations from every
principle of gallantry.
MIR. Wakefield, since his arrest, has been released
from Lancaster Castle, and admitted TO bail, and
will in the course Of month have his trial.
We hope that Englishmeu will prove themselves
worthy of the character they assume, and award to
this vile wretch the punishment his inlamy rich
ly merits.
On our journey to Calais, and during our stay
there, my wiie's conf lcncs IN me was without IL
mt her high spirits rather increased than dimin-
s'ed; and our mutual attachment seemed as 1t was,
sincere and unbounded. At Dover she made the
acquaintance of some friends Of mine, who crossed
the Channel with us, and who will bear witness to
mutual affection. Calais, although wretched
place, was full of novelty and amusement to her.
There we passed nearly a week, like any other
newly married couple, and as if neither she nor
had any reason for anxiety. Indee', although oc-
crsionaily | could not but be anxious 10 learn in
what manner Mr.. Turner had received my bro
ther's communications, w.s so fully occupied in
teaching, dressing, care, ug, and amusing, the high
spirited and afectonate girl, whose happiness what
ever might be the conduct of her family, now con-
fha frat nj NV eYI at |
indifferent to almost every thing but the actual
enjoyment oil the moment, of which no one can I'M
agine the Intoxicating nature, who has not. by rare
good fortune been the first object of hearts legi
innate tenderness. And the revolution IN her
situation complete-converting her in one
day from a scolded or neglected, and always re-
strained schoolgirl, into the earthly idol OF pas
slonate aud romantic husband-that IT is fair to
wonder at her having under its happy influence,
preferred the nduderiAe even ofa CALAIS theatre
to the die-away songs Of Liverpool concert, the
hasty productions Of a tenth-rate mdrchande de
modes to the little coal-scuttle bonnet and scanty
pelis.e of Nlacclesfeld dress-maker, and my poor
company to that OF her governcss.
On the 18th of March, the Dover packet brought
friend for whom was waiting, aud my wiie's un-
cles. Ali the newspaper accounts of our meeting
are mere inventions. They went to the Hotel
Maurice, where, ! was told they had asked for me.
proceeded there. but not finding them, returned
10 the Hotel Quiilacq, and was then informed that
| Mr.. Robert Turner and MIR. Critchey, together
with lawyer. and several Bow-Srect Officers
were coming to arrest me on charge of abduction
and that Mrs. Turner was dangerously i'll. My car
| rage aad passports were ready, and could have
| escaped to the worlds end with my wife; but |
really wishedto meet her unces; aud even i'll had
not so wished, the accounts of Mrs. Turner'S situa-
| ton would have fixed me to the spot. ! sent to
Nessrs. Turner's and Critchley TO say that waited
| for them. When they appeared, begged for
short nversaiion with them, before they should
see their nece. My object III desiring to see them
first, was 10 tell them the whole truth, and to
treat that for her sake, they would not, she wa
now my wife, give her bad opinion of ME. They
turned deaf ear to all that could say upon that
subject, seemed oonvinced that the marriage was
null and void and urged me in of Mrs.
Turner'S most dangerous Illness and MIR. Turner'S
abect distress, to put obstacle to the return OF
their daughter to England could not hesitate for
an instant. ! led her 10 them, and left her with
them for some time. On my return, found her rs
much convinced as they were that we were not
married.
| then, seeing their misery, hastened to afford
them all the comfort in my power, by taking them
into their niece's bedroom, and assuring them tha
II was the first time had ever entered It. MIR. /.
asked one If had any objection to write what had
stated. "Not the slightest" replied, ''if you
think that it will be comfort to Mr. and Mrs. Tur-
ner :" and Immediately wrote a strong declara-
ton TO the effect Of what had just assured them.
Mr. r. Turner and Mr. Crtchley will, bear illness
that did not do this under the influence Of fear,
to obtain credit favor for myself; but that, see
ing their conviction that marriage had taken
place. and induced by their repeated assertions TO
entertain myself, doubt upon the subject did it
voluntary aud calmly, merely to give the whole
family some consolation in their distress. There
was then some desultory conversation about arrest
ing me. This knew was out of the question, but
| offered, if the lawyer would undertake that i
should be bailed to proceed Immediately TO Lon
don. He would not give me an assurance to that
effect. therefore declined returning to England
Immediately; but assured Messrs. Turner and
Critchley that would certainly appear there very
soon, and meet manfully, though submissively, the
worst consequences Of what had done. On the
same day addressed letter to Mr.. Turner, in
which eagerly sought to remove from his daugh
ter to myself all the blame that might attach to
oar marriage, and repeated, in stronger terms,
my previous declaration, under the same imrulse
that had induced me 10 make il to his brothers,
The following extract from that letter will show
the spirit in which it was written
81 am assured, Sir, by your brothers, that my
marriage is null aud void II this he the case,
shall feel the deepest regret, not on my own ac-
count, but because a separation will be put out of
my power. Ifyour daughter be not, and should ne
yer be, my wife, have, indeed, done you an ire
parable injury. In that case, should desire TO give
you some proof Of abject repentance, If any sacrl
fee my part could only lead towards removing
the evils Of which shall have been the author =