Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-01
A Sanitary Lesson.

The English aristocracy have been lately
taught q most wholesome lesson and the
best part Of il is that its most instructive
portion came from the hand Of Queen Vic
toria. which shows her TO be possessed of
stemer qualities than had ever before been
conceded to her. The occasion was the late
trial Of Colonel Valentine Baker, for the
brutal outrage which he attempted to com
nit upon a Miss Dickinson. while locked
alone with her in railway compartment,
after the English fashion whereby the lady
was caused TO endanger her life in order to
escape his brutal purpose. The trial at
tracied great attention aud aroused public
feeling to such an extent that his counsel
feared to use unusual eXertions in his be-
half, aud the authorities did not dare to
tempt the vengeance Of the populace 10y per-
hitting him to wholly escape punishment,
although his sentence is very light in com
parison to his olfence--it being imprison-
ment for twelve months.
Colonel Bakers position was a very bril-
liant one 10 his profession, and very good
one in society. lie is the brother Of Sir
Samuel Baker, and one Of the mostintimate
friend. of the Prince Of Wales As O mill
tary officer he had acquired distinction, as
one who had made the study of war scien-
tifc. and during the Crimean campaigns
and at the Cape, lac gave evidence of courage
and bravery ass commander as well as a sol
der. As Colonel Of the Tenth llussars-
the Prince Of Wales regiment-he had
studied cavalry tactics, and having ntermar-
ried with family Of rank and position, was
to accompany the Prince Of Wales ON his
/ Indian tour, aud it was thought could not
be convicted, and that his royal patron
would use personal efforts to prevent the
case from coming to trial. Bat all efforts
which were brought to bear upon the friends
/ of Miss Dickinson 10 compromise were in
dignantly spurned, aud the best people of the
British capital rendered her and her family
their sympathy and aid.
But the most interesting and significant
fact in the case is the dismissal of Col.
Baker in disgrace from the army and that it
was solely the work of the Queen. The
most strenuous efforts had been made to
spare him the ignominy aud the pecuniary
loss attendant upon a dismissal from the
regular army At the war office these eff
forts had succeeded Col. Bakers resigna-
ton had been accepted, and the papers had
been sent to The queen for her signature.
The Duke Of Cambridge her cousin, was the
Colonel's patron; the Prince Of Wales his in
innate friend; the authorities were anxious
to save one Of the greatest cavalry officers
from utter ruin. But the queens whole
womauhood was up in arms, and she de-
clared that Col Baker should bear the dis
grace lac had earned And so he was dis
missed in disgrace from the army. Thus
his career is ended and the friends who
wrongiully but bravely stood by him in the
trial, can never aid him to regain the good
name he has lost.
After the verdict and sentence had been
rendered it was dcemed-hazardous to allow
the prisoner to be seen by the inccnsed crowd,
aud he remained in the court room until az
ter dark when q close carriage was stationed
at the front entrance, where the people
awaited his coming and he was taken out
of rear entrance into cab, and carried to
Jail Miss Dickinson was loudly cheered a,
she entered her carriage her heroic conduct
having attracted the sympathy of the British
people, and aroused them to the dangers t.
which their mothers, sisters, wives anC
daughters must be exposed, unless publ,
demonstrations are made, giving convincing
proof that the time has passed when thos'
high in official position can, with impunity
commit similar outrages to those of Colone
= Baker.