Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-12
A D~IsORDERLY LORD.
An Earl FIhed in a London Police Court
for Assault.

don, en- Monday afternoon. January
~, two summonses for assault against
Lord Aylesford, taken out at the in
stance Of Christopher Richards, an at
tendant, and Mr.. Campbell, the assist
ant treasurer at the Royal Italian
Opera House, Coyent Garden, we're
set down for hearing. Mr.. Vaughan
was the presiding magistrate. Mr..
Abrams appeared for the prosecution /:
Mr.. U. Lewis, jr., for the defense
Lord Aylesford occupied a seat at the
solicitors table. Mr.. Abrams. In
opening the case for the prosecution,
said the assaults complained of were
separate assaults. The complainant.
Richards, was employed By Messrs.
Gatti at the Coyent Garden Theater
as a ticket collector at the private
boxes. On the night in question.
about $3.50, the defendant went TO the
entrance leading to the private boxes
and asked for No. 81. Richards re-
quested him TO produce his ticket for
his box his lordship made no reply.
but again asked to be shown
to the box. Richards again re-
fused, and the defendant appeared
much excited because the complainant
would not allow him to pass. AT
that time Mr. Campbell, who is en-
ployed in the treasury, came up. and
the defendant was about TO pass Rich
ards, who told him he would not allow
him to go TO the box without pro
ducing his ticket. At that time
neither Of the complainants knew that
the defendant was the Earl of Aylcs.
ford. Mr.. Campbell then stood by
The side Of Richards to prevent dc.
lendant passing, and he pushed Alr.
Campbell, who fell on the staircase.
lie then asked, Do you know who |
am = Richards replied in the mega
tive, and his lordship replied. II am
Lord Aylesford," His lordship asked
for the manager, and when he was told
that it was Mr.. GATH, he said he
should report Richards, who rcplied
am not aware you have any reason
to report me. At that time some one
called up the stairs that the gentle.
man had come for box No. 30. and two
gentlemen then appeared. Lord Ayles-
ford, addressing them, said +" These
scoundrels have insulted me, and
would not allow me to pass to NV
box" The complainant Richards
SAID am not aware that ! have
lnsulted you, or used any insult.
ing language" When within a
yard Of the complainant Richards,
Lord Aylesford said: "You are
a coward, and have not the pluck to
talk to a gentleman" The defend
ant had a formidable stick I'm his
hand, and as he was moving 10 his
box he struck Richards on the head.
and his hat would exhibit the yio-
lence Of the blow. After placing the
evidence before his worship he should
ask that his lordship be convicted for
the assaults. Christopher Richards.
one Of thS oomplainants. gave evil
dence corroborating Mr.. Abrams
statement Of the circumstances and.
other witnesses having been heard,
Mr. Vaughan said that there might
have been some little %exagperation in
the case, bat Lord Aylesford did not
preserve his temper. Il was a very
fortunate thing that the blow did not
take effect on the head, as the con,
sequences must have been such that
the Justice of the Ease could not have
been met BY fpS. II II had taken
effect on the head the case must have
gone 10 the sessions for trial. Under
the circumstances Lord Aylesford
would be aped ca IN each case.