The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-07

MRS. BIS LETTERS FROM EuRoPH.-Wc give
elsewhere in our columns, couple Of letters from
this lady, who has been travelling in several parts
Of Europe during the last year, and whose letters on
former occasions have been known to the readers Of
this paper One Of her letters, dated at Genoa, in
Italy, has been some time in reaching our hands
1t gives an account Of visit to the notorious Amo
rcan adventurer, the Chevalier Wiko, who has been
convicted and imprisoned there, for attempting to
abduct lady whom he wanted to marry
Our correspondent gives some rather curious and
unique accounts of Wikof and his doings, but no.
thing more than what We might have expectedfrom
such an unscrupulous diplomatic knave as he APP
pears to have always been The statement now
mentioned on good authority, in relation to the
HERALD, is probably the same that Thurlow Weed
alluded to in ono of his letters from Genoa. It
seems that there is no doubt now but Wikoff was
convicted more on account Of the impudent stories
he attempted to pass upon the public in Italy rela
tive to his diplomatic connection with Lord Palmer
ston and Louis Napoleon, than for the real offence
which be had committed in attempting to carry off
that Wikoff did circulate 'impudent stories of his
connection with those personages, and pretended to
have an intimate diplomatic connection, not only
also with the New YORK HERALD, which occupied,
as he represented to Lord Palmerson, position in
the United States somewhat similar to that Of the
London Times in England.
The tricks, assumptions, and charlatanry of Wi
kof. are something out of the common order. Every
now and then some young American vagabond,
travelling in Europe raises funds by every species
Of falsehood, or pretends to be in some way con-
~. -.
ment in some important capacity; but Wikoff ex-
ceeds all others, and has swamped himself at last,
beyond redemption Indeed, we have the best rea-
sons for believing that Wikof, before he left New
York last prepared for all these assumptions in
Europe. By the intercession of some gentlemen of
this city, We were informed that he was very anx-
ious to renew his acquaintance with us, but we pc
remptor@y declined the honor. During our recent
visit to Europe, last year, when were in Paris he
again made application through some personal
friends, for the renewal of acquaintance, which
we also declined but he still continued to throw
himself in our way, in the streets and steamboats,,
and wherever he could find us, and endeavoring by
all sorts Of ingenious and gentlemany methods to
catch acquaintance and notice. BY accident we
happened to travel with him from Hayre to South
ampton in the steamer, and on that occasion
he volunteered his Devotion and assured us, in the
most confidential way, that he going to marry
an immense fortune in London and that ne was then
engaged in some important diplomatic capacity by
Lord Palmerston.
His impotence and assumption have now received
their proper reward, aud have not the slightest
doubt but his conviction has been procured more at
the instance Of the British Consul in Genoa under
Lord Palmerson's influence, than in consequence of
the attempt to away with a young chicken Of
forty years Of age, who seemed to have acted as
silly as himself.