Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-24
POOR HENRIETTA.
Iscideuts in the Chequered Career Of
Mrs. Pigeon, Better Known as
Mrs. Labouchere.
Extraordinary Developments Brought
Ont by Her Recent Divorce Suit
at Richmond, Va.


spondent of the Times writes: The legal revela-
tions recently made in America through Rich
mond correspondents justify the publication
of few items that are within my knowledge
in reference to the extraordinary divorce
suit which Mrs. Labouchere, otherwise Mrs.
Pigeon, has instituted in America. Miss
Henrietta Hodson, as girl, was a member Of
the stock company of the old Theater Royal
at Bristol. She played chiefly in burlesque,
and was the cleverest aladdin" in II. ]. By
rou's piece remember 10 nave seen. Miss
Marie Wilton Mrs. Bsncroft) was the orig
inal, l believe, on its production at the Strand
Theater, London. Miss Hodson is the daugh.
ter Of professional parents OF the highest re-
spectability, and during her association with
the Bristol Company she must have seen the
first efforts of the Terrys. the Reynolds, and
Mrs. Kendall (then Madse Robertsen), who
all began their artistic careers in the famous
Western city. Miss Hodson wss petite, pretty,
exceedingly graceful as a dancer, and sang
burlesque dilties with much taste and charm
Of manner. 1t is known that che might have
made a most advantageous match had she
desired to marry, but the Bristolian idea was
that she preferred the stage and Independ-
| ence. The city was, therefore, not a
little surprised when she elected 10
accept The matrimonial proposals of
Mr.. Pigeon, a lawyer and widower
with several children. Indeed, her more
faithful admirers were scsndalized at the
lady's want OF taste. By and by there were
rumors of something even worse than "in-
compatibility Of Temperament" disturbing
the relationship OF the newly Unmarried couple.
Ii was said that Mr.. Pigeon had actually
beaten shat pretty little wife of his" A
woman of spirit, Mrs. Pigeon (who had on
her marriage retired from the stage) deter
| mined TO resume her professional engage
ments, and she went TO London. Some peo-
| pie said this step was rendered necessary Oh
| financial grounds. After a short residence
in London Mrs Pigeons name bee me 1850
ciatsd with that OF Mr.. Libouchere,
rich banker and a gentleman OF dis
tinguished family connections. An sppli-
| cation for divorce made 10y Mrs.
Pigeon. 1t was rssisied by her husband and
did moi succeed; but il was understood that
formal agreement of separation was made
between the discontinued wife and husband,
whereby the latter received the solatium Of
an annual allowance. Mrs. Pigeon lived
with Mr.. Labouehere, and those who knew
her story sympstbiZed with her and justified
her conduct. She became gradually known
as Mrs. LAbouchere, and two tr three years
ago i; was reported that Pigeon had died and
his widow had indeed become Mrs. Labou-
chere IN the full acceptance of the law.
According 10 the statement made at Rich
mond, the marriage was true, though il is
not certain whether, according to the strict
letter OF the law, The parties have not ccm-
mitted bigamy. The question as to Miss
Hodson's real position was considered to be
sci at rest year or Two since BY her sp.
pearance in trifiIng lawsuit in a local
court. The question at Issue was one con-
corning the responsibility of Mrs. Labou-
chere tor small deb. contracted through a
certain "isundry company Qimiied)," which
she had started, (somewhst after the manner
OF the New York Dress Association Com
pany), but 1t was generally thought that the
incident was merely arranged for the pur-
| pose of making known that Miss Hodson
was in reality Mr.. Lsbouchere's wife. She
was called into she witness-box and sworn as
Henrietta Lsbouchere. The circumstance
was much commented upon in general So
ciety, and the lady received cards from one
or two families which had not previously
recognized her. At Bristol, however,
| l happen 10 know that The death OF Pigeon
was Questioned, and now it seems tina! the
lady herself is in doubt upon this point, and
suggests that possibly the man has commit
ted some crime on account of which he has
disappeared from England. He was never
| propose ssiDg gentleman either in appear
ance or manners. Above the average hight,
he had red hair and whiskers. His position
was that of a third or fourth.rste solicitor,
and be held commission in the Bristol VOL
unteer Corps. His father was an old pracii-
toner in the local police and county courts,
and was much respected. The news of Mrs
Labouchere's proceedings at Richmond will
fall "like bombshell" in professional soci-
ETY., and the inference will be that to be
companion to Mrs. Langtry was not the
| chief cause of her visit to the United States
Slnna Ms T.ah0uohara al 10
submit her domestic story to the criticism of
| the public, it is only Just to her 10 say that
beyond the above incidents no item of re-
proach can be offered against her character.
| She married unwisely, was ill-treated and
| fouEd peace outside miserable home. No
man could be a more devoted h1sbaud th an
Lsboucbere, and they live the hsppiest of
lives. Labouehere is regarded by many
| people as acynical, hsrd-hearted, devil-may-
care individual; and it must be confessed
that he poses somewhat as a msanihrope.
Underneath his "waistcoat of STEEL" how
| ever, venture to think there beats a kindly
heart. He has suffered and de6ed GER
tain social disabilities on account of his
wife with perfect sang froid and without
word OF reprosch or apparent annoyance
When he contested Nottingham for a seat in
Parliament, his opponents "lst off" flight
OF pigeons in the midst OF his hastings
speech. During Mrs. Labouchere's tutelsge
| Of Mrs. Langtry, both he and she received
many insulting anonymous letters rejecting
upon their relationship; and il ia easy 10 zee
how much both have suffered in social credit
Tor their defiance OF society laws. Mr. La
bouchere long ago made handsome settle
mems upon the partner OF bis home, and
they have had the honor of receiving
many distinguished guests at Pope's
villa, and also at Qaeen Anne's
Gate. The Prince of Wales has fire.
quently dined there, and on a summer Sun
day afternoon, calling at the beautiful La
bouchere residence on the Thames, you
| might rely upon meeting there many eminent
persons, ladies aud gentlemen, associated
with politics, literature and the arts La
bouchere comes of an sristocratic family, and
if he had chosen he might have made a very
influential position in diplomacy, for which
ne has special qualifications. Before he was
elected to a seat in the House OF Commons
for Northampton, he had been frequently
defeated IN parliamentary contests. His
championship OF the extreme wing of the
Radical party and bis friendship with the
Prince OF Wales are anomalous positions; bu.
roy ally allows a wide 10 srgin in the matter
Of polItic-, IN reference 10. which German
diplomalist said last night: "E1glsnd and
America are indeed the only periectly free
countries in the world. In Germany il would
be utterly impossible for a man who had
spoken sgainst the dynasty TO become a min
lister under any circumstances; and here Is
Dixie, who few years since was not only an
advocate OF republicanism, but personal
opponent OF the reigning family, kissing the
Queens hand as one Of her CAbinet minis
ters." This German is not the only person
who comments upon the advancement OF
Sir Charles Dixie, who leo mixed are we
getting in political affsirs) is enthusiastically
Endorsed by the Standard Some people ques-
tion the sincerity OF Labouchere's political
faith, and many regret that he has not de-
voted his undoubied talents 10 a higher form
Of journalistic literature than Iyrth, though
il cannot be denied that tine journal hss rem
dertd great public service 10 the financial
world. Some OF the most notable expcsitions
OF city affairs have appear ed in IirA.
SHAT wonderful catholicou known as
Mrs. Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com
pound has given the lady a worldwide repu-
tation for doing good. 1t is like living
spring to the vital constitution. Her Blood
Porlher will do mare TO clesse the channels
of the circulation and purify the life Of the
body than all the sznitsry devices Of the
Board OF Health