The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-08
High Life In England-Nobility and GAM
bllOg-The Case or Lord Maidstone.

FROM the Loudon Herald, Dec. =
In the Court OF Exchequer, on Wednesday, this case
Mr.. Humfry stated that the plaintiff his eli mt
was the widow and executrix of the late William Crock.
ford proprietor Of the club in ST. Jamess street known
Crockfords Club and this action was brough hit
the noble defendant to f2i, being guneas
for entrance fee and ten guneas for years
ton 10 the club and further of Els for various
dinners, wines, and other refreshments, provided for
Lord Maidstone and upon his order. The defendant had
paid into court the Of SGT LIS Cd in respect of
the last part OF the com and denied that ho had owed
any furthsr sum and he also pleaded defence that
the house kept by the late Mr. Crockford was"a com
mon gaming house, in which the said William Crockford
did procure divers idle and evdsposed persons con-
fS was the p dseno svf ho aoo
PENDANT had put upon the record, and he (vr Humfy)
was sorry TO find English nobleman descending
pary and miserable an answer to action OF this do
scripion As the case proceeded the jury would find
that Lord Maidstone was constant visiter at the club
during the year 1874 the last year in which continued
under Mr.. Crockfords management The defendant
ate drank-did every thing but pay he not only dned
be sent to the house Of lady living under his protection
in Bolton street. Piccsdilly. 1t possible the sum
paid into court was intended to meet this part Of the
for the many dinners snd claret cups sent to the
house in question exceeded the sum paid into
Conduct Of Lord Msidsone and the dsen Sn ns
up by. him In this action, the learned counsel
concluded Slu BY observing that the greatest AMI
Cleveland, Rutland, and Richmond, Prince Leven and
Others who were members OF tho club, would probably
be surprised to find themselves classed by Lord Maid
stone with divers idle and eviLdisposed persons" II
was quito true there was play at Crsckord at other
clubs where noblemen and gentlemen coDgregsed but
no house Of the kind was respectfully con
Quoted and the jury would agree with him that the de-
fence was mean and poltry and OF which, IL the de-
PENDANT was lot ashamed all his relatives must be- The
frst witness called was William Simmonds who was
the hall porter at Gro skords Club lie proved that the
defendant was elected a member, and frequened the
club very constantly during the 1910 The defend
ant dined many times. The club pricos were los. for
dinner, dessert. coffee and Liquors -Crossexa mined
There play in the afternoon and also nigh, after
supper which served at twelve o'clock Had never
heard MIR. Crockford any one else say Lord Maid
stone had lost 600 900 at the club Lord de RIOS Lord
iesteifeld and Col Arson members OF the club
Upon the conclusion of the witnesses examination
the Lord Chief Baron Dterposed. and stated that he
adjourn the further hearing oil the the follow
ing dey, whom the following witnesses called -
j. Lawrence, cearman and butler at Crocktords club
proved th Lord Maidstone dined at least forty times
there during the year 1910, and frequently efer it
ceased to be managed by the late Mr. Crockford. The
bills when paid wore destroyed, but were kept
vouchers when not discharged One Gabriel super
ntendent and received the money in the coffee rosm
No charge was made for supper according TO the
used ut supper. John Hunt deposed that he took
dinners to No. Is, Bolton street, Piccadily, when
ployed az porter at Crockfords two other poers did
likewise they all received shilling each from Lord
Maidstone, and whenever his lordshp did no, pay them,
that sum was put down in his bill The lady in Bolton
street to whom the dinners sen. gave the porters
i've shillings each Christmas box. daughter y w
evit ence end proved the defendants handwriting, in
which several orders for wine Tho dinners sent
to BofonsIeet were taken in by female servsDt J.
Osborne cclarmen proved that he had taken dozen OF
sherry on one occasion and six dozen auoher from
King street, where the late Mr. Crockford had private
pl acc OF business as wine merchant TO No 10 bolton.
street. Piccsdy. II was deliverei there. Ny Lennon
plaintiffs attorney, and also attorney TO the late m rock
lord stated that the debt for which the present action
was brought any other debt due 70 the late r Crock
ford had not been purchased by witness Cross examin
ed The only arrangement made between the plaintiff
and witness that he should receive his costs ten
per cent commission all debts recovered Mr. James,
who with Mr. Jones) addressed the jury al length
or the defendant, and complained OF the unmerited
obloquy and nvectve attempted to be cast upon his eli
snt bscause he thought proper defend the present
on upon the grounds stated the record lie contend
81 that the defendant insesd OF feeling in the least do
gree ashamed was entitled TO praise Tor the manlness
and the courage with which he had resisted a claim
made ON behalf Of the the Of house into which
numbers OF young, inexperienced, aud honorable
were nvcgled for the purpose OF eecing their desruc
lion. MIR. Humiry, who had opened the on behalf
Of the plaintiff instructed TO state that Lord Msid
stone had walked oil wheDever he and pockotcd hi.
winnings, although whenever no lost, he gave cheques
which we're always dishonored- THE slight.
est foundation for such chnrge-and Mr. Humiry did
not attempt to sustain by the least title OF evdence
The reason because IL untrue in every pariic.
nlar and could not be sustained Lord Maidstone un.
fortunately did play at this club and lost of money
v hieh he r James) would scarcely venture TO name
Many Of the members of the club were undoubtedly OF
he highest station and respcctability, but there were
many others Of very different character Whist ives
there every afternoon at o'clock and
Dos notorious foe fhei he late Msrguis Of Hsrford
cen 800 900 at CroekJord'f. Ha,ard and rhisf
played there Utmost toifhou, csssston and large
csrs won and lost How then could any doubt tnat
such an establishment what the record described
% be, coma on gaming house by one oirthe rules,
- good cold supper could be provided vas TO be on
me table al Ia o'clock night during the sitting of
parliament The vands TO be oil the best desert s'ion
aud tae fruits the choicest the season could aod Yet
30 charge made. Could any thing look liz
iecoy regular gaming housc-than whist in the alter
uoonhszsa at n,ghta good supper, with the beat Of
gratis AZ to he claim for the entrance and sub
crpuen fees they were never meant TO be paid by those
who played these charges merely supposed 10 be
made for the purpose Of defeating the vigilance OF tho
,oce end give the eoblishmenthe appearance OF an Or
aary club Any OF the membera VIII nsed N r.rolu ss