Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-19
A REMARKABLE STORY OF GARRICE

A REMARKABLE STORY OF GARRICk.
Paris correspondent of the Boston Travel
Ter writes as follows:
The date Of this letter is enough to let you
know that Paris is abandoned by the few thou
sand people called = every body" All the best
writers Of the press have flown with them. The
charming II. Eugene Guinot sends US weekly
letters from one another of the charming
villages in the vicinity of Paris. In a letter
from the Forest Of BOndy he tells the following
singular story, in exhibition Of the wonderful
powers of Garrck:
The celebrated English actor Garrick, made
a trip 10 Paris in l757, when he was st the
height of his talents and fame. He did not as
many of our artists do now, make the excur-
sion Tor the purpose of speculation he did not
come to Paris to perform and make money
lie Travelled for amusement, a mere tourist
anxious to visit o beautiful country which he
might partly claim for his own. The family of
the English actor was of French origin they
fed the country upon the revocation Of the
edct of Nantes. In the mail coach which bore
him from London to Dover, GarTick found for
fellow traveller Sir George Lewis, a gentleman
he had met several times before in company
and had known for a constant freuuenter at
Drury Lano Theatre. They took advantage of
this casual encounter to improve their acquain-
tance; each was delighted with the other. At
ter crossing the channel together, they cams to
separated. Tho actor went to the house of the
frisnds who were expecting him, and Sir George
Lewis took up hi, lodgings in one of thOse
splendid furnished houses of the QUARTER de la
ChsUssee dAntin, which then began to be a
very fashionable quarter Of the town. The
two travelling companions had promised to see
great deal Of each other during their stay in
Paris, but the very different life each of them
led rendered ID impossible for them to execute
their resolutions. Sir George Lewis was a
man between forty-fve and fifty years old. with
very singular face, whose irregular and prom
inent features made his physiognOmy most &C.
centric aud expressive.
Daring the whole journey Garrick had ad-
mired that countenance, thinking what an ef-
tect II would produce on the stage. Despite his
age-which should have cooled the ardor of his
character, and have engaged him to abandon
the follles of yOuth-Sir George Lewis lived in
the midst of dissipation and pleasure He had
come to Pari, to amusc himself by gaiIy spend
ing large legacy, Unexpectedly bequeathed
TO him. lie was passiOnately fond of gaming,
and the satisfaction of this passion led him into
very mixed company, rs indeed are all COM
panIes where gambling is indulged, since these
men are valued by the sum Of money they are
able or willing to stake on the cards-a test
which allows many sharpers to slip in. The
actor lived in a very different sort Of society,
and during the four months Of their stay in
Paris the two travelling companions scarcely
met above two or three times. Just as he was
about leaving for London, Garrick called upose
Cir George Lewis, to bid him good bye and in
qulre if he had any commands for London. To
his horror he was informed that the unhappy
gentleman had been assasSinated the previous
evening. HIS body had been found that very
morning in the Forest of Bondy, covered with
wounds, and lying bathed in blood.
Deeply touched, Garrick eJerted himself to
ascertain as much as possible of the details of
this deplorable event. He found that Sir George
Lewis had been one of a party of pleasure to
visit chateau in the environs of BOndy, where
large company Of spOrtsmen and gamblers
were assembled. He intended to remain there
some days. The first evening of his visit he
won large sum Of money at the gaming table
In the afternoon of the second day he received
a note from Paris, engaging him to gallant
rendezvous, and Immediately on receipt of is,
he sade adieu TO the company. They tried to
retain him, less out Of politeness, perhaps, than
the desire of winning back the money he had
taken from them. and this desire was so yshe-
ment as to carry them to the resolution of dis
mounting his carriage. But Sir George Lewis
was a man of will, and he determined to return
10 Paris on horseback. He leaped on his horse
and gallOped away. Further than this Garrick
could learn nothing. The police were inclined
to believe the catastrophe one of the usual ad-
ventures then frequent in the forest If Bondy
utGaTrick pointed out to them that Sir George
Lewis pistols were found loaded and in his
holsters, and that while his purse had been
taken from him, his gold watch, gold snuff box,
and diamond ring were found untouched, from
which he concluded, firstly, that Sir George
Lewis had not been attacked by banditti, but
by some acquaintance, who poridOusly took
him of his guard aud secondly, that the per-
sonal property lay untouched merely because
the T0bber was afraid Of compromising himself
Therefore the assasSln was an acquaintance of
Fir George Lewis. and moved in the social cir
afa to bfah fhaG kaf..
assembled at the chateau was then secretly
scanned by GaTrick and the police, and sus-
plclOn alightcd upon an Italian ca alled the Chev-
alier Gaetan. This Italian was proved to have
quilted the chateau shortly aftor Sur George
Lewis, and despite his explanations, he was ar
rested; but no direct evidence could be brought
against him, and the noble proprietor of the
chateau, who was naturally very anxious that
no such cloud "a crime should rest upon his
friends, used every exertiOn to procure the
liberation Of the Italian
At the moment Garrick intervened He
begged the police to allow him to make an ex-
pertinent which he declared was decisive Gar
rick, a. every body knows, was famous for his
play Of his feature ne could assume whatever
cOuntenance he pleased Sir George Lewis had
his portrait taken by EatOur, and Garrick went
10 LstOurs studio TO study the portrait and
" make up himself The police fetched the
Italian from the Jail and carried him. well Co.
corted. 10 Sir Lewis rooms. Uneasy and per-
plexed at this move for he had been a yisiter
at Sir George Lewiss house,) he questioned
the police agents what they were going to do
with him. No reply was made to his inquiries
until they reached the de,eased's house, when
the chief Of the police said Sir George Lewis
is not dead. lie accuses you Of attempting to
assassinate him. am going to confront you
both" The Italian trenbIed, he could scarce
ly speak, his confidence all forsOok him. He
was carried into the room where Garrack stood;
the great actor represented Sir George Lewis
10 the life he had his face, features, express
sion, gesture and it was in the very tone Of
the deceased knight Garrick exclaimed =. You
wretch, you assassin DO you dare deny your
crime before me >'' The Italian was thunder
struck, and falling upon his knees. confessed
his crime and prayed for mercy. lie wa. hung
NATIONAL Nations are char