The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-10

break off the match, and rumor designates as MS
chief tormentor the Duke Of Richmond. This
gentleman, protesting against the marriage OF a
prospective earl to u woman who, though Vlrtu-
Gus, was held to be beneath him in rank, reminds
one very much of Satan reprOving sin. Those
familiar with the history of Charles III. from
whom the Bichmonds received their title and
estates, conferred under the most disgraccful
circumstances, will know at once what is meant,
and a word to the wise will be sufficient.
The opposition of the intended bridegroom's
father was more natural and justifiable. Being
a strictly religious man, the most devout, per
haps, of all the English peers, constantly in de-
mand as chairman of all the great church meet
iugs, he would, of course, base his chief objec-
ton to the match on the ground Of his consclen-
hous scruples against the stage. In reporting
Earl Cairns as having said that he looked upon
altheatrical people as so much dirt, Lord Gar
moyle has probably been guilty of a gross eXag-
g~eration. But it is an open secret that this gen
tleman does not patronize the playhouse, and
that he believes the theater to be eXerting a
baneful influence. For the father, consequent
ly, some allowance can be made. Many, indeed,
will feel real sympathy for him. But nothing
can justify the interference of other peers, nor
can anything extenuate the base conduct OF the
recreant lover. Those even who share the feel
ings of Earl Cairns toward the stage must still
admit that to make a plaything of a virtuOus
girl, and then heartlessly cast her off simply be-
cause she belongs to the theatrical profession,
is an act which deserves at once the severest
reprobation and the very heaviest penalties. If
anything could add to the ignominy
of Lord Garmoyle's course, it would be
the pusillanimous letter he wrote break
ing off the engagement, in which,
it is said, he expressed regret at
having to part with his 'tblue-eyed darling and
wound up by asking her to name her solicitor.
In dealing with defendants in cases of this kind,
English juries are proverbially severe, and it is
expected thai in this instance they will be un-
usually severe. Miss Fortescue, however, will
hardly get all she asks. But she need not re-
pine over her financial prospects, for to great
personal beauty she now adds a world wide noto-
riety, not at all discreditable to her, and, though
she is not an actress of the first rank, her serv-
ices are already in great demand by enterprising
managers, and it may be safely predicted that
when she returns to the stage she Will not only
receive an ovation but will reap a golden har-
vest.
1t must not be thought that the attitude of
Earl Cairns, as set forth above, represents the
feelings toward the stage of the generality of
church people over here. His case is quite an
exception, for most of the members of that body
go to the play with as few scruples as they go to
their prayers, and there are no end of theater-
goers even amongst the clergy. 1t is not long
since Canon Shuttleworth followed Mr.. Harris.
of Drury Lane, in delivering an address from
the stage of that theater, just before the final act
in 'Cinderella,n and in to-day's paper the indie
fatigable manager of that house announces Il
special matinee for the families of poor curates,
inviting not only these but all other i~mpecunious
ministers to bring their households to the per-
Torrance free of charge. This will seem like
something of a novelty to Americans, and the
s~trangest thing aboutit is that Mr.. Harris claims
to have taken this course in response to appeals
made to him by the clergy themselves. Many,
doubtless, will think, with the writer, that this
is carrying the clergyman's free pass business q
little too far.
The old Blandford- Aylesford scandal is up in
the courts again. This case has been a running
sore of corruption for several years. 1t first
broke out when Lady Aylesford and Blandford
NOW the Duke of Marlborough eloped together.
Later on came the sickening details of the
Warehouses of Blandfords successful divorce
suit. Other developments have been the separa-
ton of Lord and Lady Aylesford neither being
able to get g divorced, and the passage of a bill
through the House of Lords to prevent her lady
ships ~illegitimate son from succeeding to her
husbands title. 1t is said that when Blandford
tired of his mistress he settled matters with a
pension of So. 800 a year, and the Earl of Ayles-
ford got rid of her at the same price. This, with
her private fortune, has enabled the frail lady to
get along tolerably well. But her husband, it
appears, has recently stopped payment. This
last freak forms the ground of the lawsuit which
commenced on Tuesday, Lady Aylesford suing,
through her trustee, for the arrears. The de-
Tense is that one of the conditions of the settle
ment was that the Countess should in no way
modest" the Earl by her subsequent conduct,
and that this condition has been broken. the
lady having, it is alleged, committed adultery
with persons known and unknown" 1t is fur
ther alleged that her child. which she admits to
be the son of the Duke of Marlborough, is habit
ually called by the name of Lord Guernsey, a
name which is the exclusive property of the
prospective Earl of Aylesford. These circum-
stances, it is commended, constitute legal ''moles-
tation, " and render void the Earls arrangement
for her support. Upon the question of whether
simple adultery can be considered 'molestation"
the judge has already ruled in the negative. But
upon the peculiarly aggravating circumstances
of the case he reserves judgment to an adjourned
Countess and the amorous Duke will be called to
testify. H. t.