Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-06
SINGULAR NARRATIVE.
Americans "A brOad-TE,e Affair of Gl,evaiier
WycoG-"Escid stroke fora Wife,
Editorial Correspondence of tho Even'g Journal


Editorial Correspondence of tbs Eveng Journal
GENOA, Tuesday, Jan. 81, 1852.
This being the scence of MIR. Henry Wy
coff's attempt to enforce his marriage with
lady of large fortune, and the place of his inn
prisonment, | took occasion to inquire into the
facts. They strike me as quite curious, so much
SO indeed as to be worth repeating, especially
as the parties are of our own country. The his
tory altogether is full of romance, (the romance
of TRUTH but shall give only simple narrative.
"Chevalier Wycotf," as he is called, is
Pniladelphian, well educated, with fine per-
son and attractive manners, who has been fgur-
ing in politics and literature, fashion and trolic,
for nearly twenty years, and is pretty well
known in Europe and America. He accom-
panied Fanny Elssler to America as her friend
and manager. He was, and some say is, veal
thy, but extremely penurious. He sent for tho
American Consul after his arrest, and demand
ed to be exempted from the ordinary process of
law, on the ground that he was employed by
Lord Palmerston to promote, by correspondence,
&C., friendly relations between England and
America. But the Sandman authorities would
not listen to this demand, and he was finally in
duced to employ counsel. He was committed
to prison for criminal offence, but an effort is
making with a probability of success, to get his
case on to the civil calendar. This would neat
ly mitigate his punishment.
The lady is Miss Mary Gamble, daughter of
John Gamble, Esq, and neice of Col Gamble,
OF Philadelphia. She came, when child, to
England, where she was adopted and educated
by her uncle, Mr.. Dunlop, a gentleman of for
tune. In person she is small and delicate: in
mind and manners, cultivated and accomplished;
in conversation, spirited and attractive; in tenn
permanent, excitabe, but coniding and affection
ate. How, it may be asked, do you know all this!
1t Is the result of observation during an inter
view OF four hours to day, when Miss g., with
the utmost frankness, gave free revelation
OF the origin, progress and results other acquain-
lance with the sChevalier.'' And as the whole
matter Is, IN a few days, to become iudicially
public, have her permission to give the facts to
such as feel an interest in them.
MIR. Wycoff came to London seventeen wears
ago with letters of introduction from Miss Gam
ble's relatives, to her Uncle, who, together with
her Aunt, received him very kindly. He
was much at Mr.. Dunlops House, and the
family grew quite fond of him; so much so, that
tor three OF four years, in Town and Country,
and in travelling, he was frequently an inmate
of the Family. During this time, being nearly
of the same age, Mr.. w. and Miss G. were
much together and always friends only
friends, no thought Or dream of love entering the
hearts or heads of either.
MIR. Wycoff went for a year or more on the
Continent and from thence with ElssIer to
America. When he returned to England,
though the acquaintance was renewed, there
was no renewal of former relations and for six
or eight years Miss G. saw nothing and heard
little of Mr.. W. In the interval her Uncle and
Aunt died, providing handsomely for her, but
leaving the bulk of their fortune to an onLu child
The Cousin of Miss G. was of infrm health, and
with this Cousin she lived in seclusion, sooth-
ing his sufferingsand softening his pillow, until
about year since he died. From this Cousin
Miss Gamble inherited a large fortune.
And four days after this death Mr.. Wycoff.
who was in Paris when it occurred, appeared in
London. He announced his arrival to Miss G.
in very appropriate letter Of coincidence. as
king permission, if her health and spirits would
allow of it, to call. That permission was
readily given. Mr.. w. called, expressed warm
sympathies awakened affecting recollections of
dear friends now more. He called again.
and again; butalways as the friend of other DAYS.
He finally, expressing solicitude for Miss iYs
health, recommended change of air and scene.
This accorded with the advice of other friends.
Deciding to pass few weeks at watering place.
Miss Il. invited twotemae friends, the lady and
daughter OF Mr.. Leslie the artist, to accompa
ny her. She left LoAdon without any suspicion
that either herpurse orperson had taken Mr..
W. captive. But three days after they were es-
tablished in their hotel, that gentleman arrived
himself, as dinner was ordered to Mrs. Leslie.
with whom he was acquainted. He was asked
to dinner and passed the evening agreeably with
the ladies', next day he walked with them, ex-
pressing regret that his public duties would soon
| call him away. Again he dined with them.
and afterwards by invitation of Mrs. L., mad n
seat at their table. Ten days glided pleasantly
away, when for three or four days he occupied
much ofhis time in writing what he spoke of
as an important letter. One evening hayine
spoken of his intended departure the nextmorn-
ng he said, as the ladies We're about to retire.
"Miss Gamble, will you do me the favor to read
this Letter? 1t contains history of my past life,
OF my present position, and has reference to nv
future hopes. need advice, and ask it of the
daughter of my best friends" Then for the
first time, a thought Of Mr.. WIS intentions
crossed her mind. She said, in reply .Pray ex-
cuse me. | am untitled by habit and too little
acquainted with business to give advice" But
Mr.. W.persisted, urging their early acquain-
tance &C., and she took the letter.
This letter was addressed to Mrs. Gront. of
London, a lady OF position whose acquaintance
Miss Il. had made through W., and of whom
he was always speaking with high admiration.
The letter, after giving history ofhs pursuits.
objects and aspirations, stated that having ex-
hausted all enjoyments of travel, general socie-
ty and fashionable life, his spirit required re-
pose, and he had been long seeking and had
finally found an object worthy of his affections;
that this object, though sufficiently attractive in
person, was most valued for her high intellectu-
al qualities, the charms of conversation, the pu-
rity ofheart, joined with all the domestic graces
which make happy home circles; concluding
with an avowal that he had determined to Of |
fer his hand and heart to Miss Gamble, and So
Letting Mrs. Groat's good offices in his behalf,
Early the next morning Miss Gamble wrote
brief but explicit rejection of this Offer which
she read to her friend, Mrs. Leslie That la
day urged, first that Miss G. should reflect up-
on the subject for day or two, and next, that
she should at least gild the bitter pill she was
administering. But Miss G. desired to blast
the flower in its bud, and sent the reply as she |
had written it,