Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-03
VOL. mo. 81.
A BIT OF ENGLISH SCANDAL.

ABIT OF ENGLISH SCANDAL
An extraordinary marriage case which is GO
ing on at Dublin is at present occupyin ing moro
attention, perhaps, among all classes in Eng
land and Ireland, than any other topic. 1t is
an old story has been before the courts In a.
mother form previously, but not accompanied
with certain details which now invest it with
uncommon interest. The story, as gathered
from the English papers, may be briefly told.
Five years ago Miss Theresa Longw0rth, scion
of an old Lancashire family, but apparently
more connected by natural ties with Ireland
and France than England, and Major Charles
Yelverton, of the Royal Artillery, crossed to-
gether in Channel steamer and fell in love.
They did not each other till more than q
year had elapsed, but afterwards met in Lon
don, in France, in Naples, in Malta, and in
the Crimea, the most ardent letters passing be-
tween them at intervals, the lady being GER
tainly not the least eager for those occasional
and out-of-theway meetings, which extended
over period OF iour years, with Irritating in
cidents sufficient to prove once more that the
course of true love never did run smooth.
During this time the lady became aware that
the man of her choice was hopelessly inyol-
we'd in debt, from which there was no chance
of extrication until he succeeded to the Earl
dom of Dromore, OF which he is now the ap-
parent and was then the remote heir. She
had f200 year, and though they might tide
over with that and his pay until better times
came. Marriage, but under bond of secre-
sy, was an understood matter between them,
and before parting in the CrImea he endeavor-
ed, Intellectually, to induce her to let the cere-
mony be performed by Greek priest in Bal
aklava.
Subsequently in Edinburgh he read over,
with her, the marriage ceremony from Scotch
prayer book, and wished to claim marital
rights; but being sincere Roman Catholic,
She refused to recognize any ceremony but
one performed by Roman Catholic priest.
Eventually they were married in q Roman
Catholic chapel, at Rostraver, near Newry, Ire
land, Major Yelverton representing himself as
ssa Catholic, but not very good one, !" in or
der to induce the priest to go through the cere-
mony. They afterwards lived as man and
wife, but the ban of secrecy being still held
over the 'lady's head, she went abroad to be
confined and by common consent they seem
afterwards to have lived apart with the same
purpose in view. The Major has since mar
ried rich widow at Edinburgh; actions
against him for bigamy have broken down;
and the present suit is to recover sum for the
maintenance of the lady whom most persons
will consider is best entitled to be called his
wife. The Major iepudiafes the liability on
the ground that he was really Protestant at
the time Roman Catholic priest married him
to Mis- Longworth, an that therefore the cere-
mony was illegal. This is in effect an admis-
travestied solemn ceremony in order that he
might debauch one who loved him and whom
he professed to love, conduct scarcely becom-
ing one who assumes to be san officer and a
gentleman
All that can be said against the lady is that
she was Of an impetuous temperament, and
perhaps too fond of receiving general atten-
tions. But these are qualities which claim
the sympathy OF Irishmen and Irishwomen,
and in Dublin she is received as heroine.
One curious contretempt appears in the very
volumnous correspondence which has been
read at the trial. In one of her letters Miss
Longworth slipped in the wedding card Of an
other admirer, naval lieutenant, and her sol
dier lover either misunderstood or wilfulIy
this into an announcement of her
own marriage, writing back that she had now
earned his ssasting gratitude, as, on reflection,
find that had placed myself in false posi-
tion with regard to you, and one OF all others
the most painful to me, viz, that had prom
ised to you to do more than could have per-
formed when the time came.'' high spirit
ed woman might have resented this remarka-
bly, free confession but Miss Longworth on
ly reproached him for supposing her capable
Of Inconsistency, became more ardent in her
expressions of attachment, and even wrote
BE you very devil, | feel 1 am fast to you,
for some good end, no doubt, in the far off fu-
ture.'' To such lengths will even virtuous
woman 8 passion go-on paper.
The scenes in court during the trial have
been peculiar. Both parties have been pres
,nt, Mrs. Yelverton being witness (the suit
IS brought by Mr.. Thelwall, a friend, TO re-
cover moneys furnished her, and therefore she
8 able to testify; technically, the case not
being her own); the father of Major Yelverton
ind the second wife also attend. On one oc-
.asion the odic force seems to have exertcd
ome OF its old force, for tho unfortunate vic
i'm of its influence, discovering the presence
If her magnetizer, tainted away, and was una
lie to proceed with her testimony until he had
eft the courtroom. The two wives thus
present at a trial whose result will determine
he Legitimacy of the marriage of each, must
urnish a strange spectacle. The struggle is
or peerage, as we'll as for an honest name,
therefore, the present Lord Avonmore attends,
o discover which of The ladies is bis daught-
law, and will hereafter belong to that
body, the British Aristocracy.
Detective Reese, of Washington, has seized
nd retains by order Of the Court, bogus and
notes on twenty seven different
anks, amounting to S260,000; also, plates,
lies, etc. The larger packages contain the
ollowing: $4,000, in counterfeits, on the
Bank of Augusta. Maine. $50 600 unsigned