Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-03
A BOGUS LORD.
NeyV York Fashionable Society
again Aghast---The Great Lord
Hubert Leroy AinsIey a Common
Blackleg---HOw Dress Made the
Man IA Fashionable Belle the
Victim of a Confidence Man.

Hubert Leroy AinsIey a COmmO
t BIackEeg---HoW Dress Made IN
victim of a Confidence Man.
From the New York Sun, Oct. Is
, The short and mysterious career of th
individual calling himself Lord Huber
Leroy S. Ainsley has considerably agits
ted our uptown fashionables, and sine
J his sudden and unexpected departure man,
inquiries have been made regarding hi
position, pedigree, title and means. Thes
inquiries, it is evident, should have beer
made when his 'lordshipn first appeared
In metropolitan society, and before he wa!
received so eagerly and entertained Sc
sumptuously as he was by many of oul
best families. His advent and exodu.
have, however, taught them lesson from
which they ought to profit, and have once
more proved the shallowness of what is
called ''Our best society,""
We first made the acquaintance OF
Lord" Ainsley in July last, at Newport.
where he was at that time quite promi-
ment, but strange to say, was registered
on the books as simply '.NIr. H. LEROY,
London, England" He dressed exceed
lngly ''nobby," drove splendid turnout,
paid his bills honestly, danced, fiirted and
enjoyed himself generally among the fair
sex, and was regarded by matchmaking
mammas to be the most eligible man IT
had ever been their good fortune to meet.
While at Newport he CHANGED to fall in
with the beautiful Miss Martin, of Staten
Island, with whom he at once fell
desperately in love. Strange to say, his
love appeared to be returned; but the
mother of the young lady evidently looked
with dlstrust upon the modern Romeo.
and did all in her power to break up the
sudden attachment and prevent the meet
lngs OF the lovers. The efforts of Mrs.
Martin were unfortunately not successful,
and when Mr.. II. Leroy left Newport he
was congratulated upon securing such a
charming fancee as Miss Martin. Suisse
quent to this, at one of the hops of Union
Hall, Saratoga, we were shown "Lord
Ainsley," whom we at once recognized as
Mr.. ii. Leroy. For two days he made
himself conspicuous at the different ho-
tells, spent great deal of money, and in
variably paid his bills, which, considering
the facts now known, is remarkable.
From the Springs he came to New
York, and at once commenced to entertain
in such an unusual syle of elegance and
liberality as to excite the attention of |
society and make himself quite !
famous. In little while the sensation he |
evidently desired to make was created, and |
he was for month the great social lion in
this city. He was deluged with invita-
tons to dine, and his society was cOurted |
on all occasions Possessing fine educa-
ton, and being evidently familiar with /
good society, Lord Ainsley soon made a
good and strong impression upon his /
friends, who followed him from pillar to
post. No one stopped to ask who be was,
what was his position and standing. Oh,
no he had money and was a lord, and
that was enough for New York tOadies.
Soon the news of his engagement was
in social circles, and his friend,
Capt. Oliver, of Twenty-third street,
thought it was necessary that a deje1iner
should be given to the happy man in order
10 announce the fact to the public The
affair duly came off, and full account of
t was published in the Sun.
Soon after this entertainment, Lord
Ainsley suddenly left for Canada, and it
vas given out that he had gone to visit his
'Old friend, Prince Arthur" We have
iince ascertained that the prince entirely
epudiates the lord, and processes ignOr-
lnce of having ever seen him, but thinks
he has heard of Ainsley in London. IN
lOubtedly he has, for the latter, in 1867, |
was conspicuous, and frequently figured
N some rather disreputable affairs. Upon
Lhe return of Lord Ainsley from his
'jOlly Canadian trip, a second dejealner
was given at Capt. divers residence,
Lord Ainsley this time officiating as host
The extensiveness and elegance of the
formed a new topic of con-
7ersatiOn in society, and the high-sOund-
ng name of the liberal host was on
tongue.
Meanwhile, the mother of the fdRcee |
had hastily dispatched to London to an in
innate friend to ascertain all he could of
Ainsley, his family, reputation, and TO
eek for a confirmation of the elaborate
ales he had told of his house at the West
md, coach and four, servants and position.
The friend arrived safely in London, and
Il once started on his errand. The result
IAN be told in a few words. 1t was
earned, on the best and most trustworthy
authority, that the lordwas no lord at all;
hat he was a gambler, a frequenter of
Ow places, and, in word, an adventureT.
lie is not known at all in London fashion
lble circles, and if he ever was, is now
His mother, who died a
few years ago, was a second-rate actress
n a Berlin theater, and his father at
present is engaged in the livery stable
business in the lowest part of the city of
London. Ainsley's right name is RadfOrd,
md as a valet to a wealthy French gentle
nan in Paris acquired his education-an
,ducstiOn which has so assisted him in
,alming himself upon the too credulOus
American people. Upon gaining this in
diligence, which she had anticipated, Mrs.
Martin at once forbade Ainsley ever enter
NC her house again, and annulled the en-
yagenlent between him and her daughter.
The scene Is described as having been
very stormy, during which the discarded
Romeo exhibited the utmost GOODNESS.
Ainsley contrived, however, to meet the
rOung lady at various times and places,
Who had not ceased to love him, nOtwith-
standing the astonishing disclosures that
lad come to light, stamping him as an i'm
lostOr, and the wedding day was decided
IpOn. 1t was agreed that the marriage
should be clandestine. Cards were issued,
md all the preparations made, and
TpOn Miss Martin expressing her deter
ninatiOn to wed ''her dear Hubert" in
ipite of everything and everybody, the
foolish girl was discarded by her mother
md relations, with the exception of an
lunt, at whose house uptown the marri-
lge was sOlomnized The wedding Oc-
cured, and was followed by an English
wedding breakfast, of which all the as
3embled company partook. Several res
Dectable New Workers were present at the
ceremony, who at that time, did not know
he character of their hOst-Dick Rad
ford.
Little remains to be said, and we refrain
from all remarks and comments. 1t was
m unfortunate affair, and has brought
sorrow and disgrace upon an estimable
md highly respectable family. Mr.. and
Mrs Richard RadfOrd are now in Phila-
lelphia, and win probably never return to
New York society.
THE experiment of another negro post
master is being tried at Manchester,
Va, near Richmond. Cunningham is the
man plantation name.