Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-08-05
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A Case in Point.
THE PUBLICATION OF PRIVATE CoNvER-
sATIoN.
Mr.. fRoUDE's LESSON IN GOOD MANNERS.

The man who publicly reports private
conversation, takes great risks. His memory
ma, be tricky he may have misunderstood
bis unwary companion; be cannot relate the
circumstances of the conversation, or supply
the unspoken commentary of lip and eve if
he has malicious motive, he is probably
liar in any case, he is guilty of breach OF
good faith. Mr.. Froude, the English his
,orian. has Just illustrated anew the follv of
performance Of this kind His victim, Mr..
Hubert de Castella sends from Australia the
following mild remonsttance, which he has
taken the precaution to publish in the sydney
Morning Herald
TO J. A. fRouDE, Esq, 5 Onslow Gardens,
London:
Ny Dear Sir--It is with conflicting feel
ings and With regret. that after the kindly
memories in your book ''0ceana" | write TO
disclalm the personal career which you at
tribute to me.
Speaking of me, YOU say Al sat next to
our host, and | have rarely met a more
amusing companion. He had been in the
French Army under Louis Philippe. He
had been detective officer, and knew for
one thing the secret circumstances Of the
murder Of the Duchesse dc Praslin. He had
fought in the streets in February. 1913. He
had served after that revolution in
Cau.sidere's famous police, and had
again been in the great battles Of June
in the same YEAR
Alas sitting by your side warmed by your
delightful way of telling Of men and events,
and By the listening ear you lent 10 m, re-
miniscences. | chatied away with YOU Of an
epoch fertile IN incidents told you how,
being in lsis an art student in PARIS | had
vItnessed-as a spectator the revolution ut
February, and had been brought by c,rcum-
stances into contact with men conspicuous IN
those days. mentioned having joined ai-
terwards French cavalry regiment and
narrated 10 YOU some interesting and unpub-
ilshed facts relative TO subsequent times.
But little anticipated that, from imperfect
recollection of anecdotes told TO YOU at ny
dinner table, you would build up iof me and
publish, a career which would belle my
opinions and my sympathies, past and
present. as well as those of my family and
friends.
Ever since read your statements have
beer. haunted by them. have not been
detective officer | have had nothing 10 do
with the French police. did not fight in
the streets in February, lSiS; ! did not
serve in Caussidere', horde Was not IN
the great battle, Of June in the same year
did not relate u YOU a single Circumstance
upon which YOU could reasonably establish
THE antecedents YOU have assigned 10
me.
As TO the particular incident you ailute to,
namely. the murder OF the Duchessp de-
Pra,iin. | simply reported to yuu rumors
current formerly in The FaubourS -.
German, not chronicles Of the detective
office.
Permit me now 70 complain of another
assumption. which caused me equal grief
You say that my wife, "a sydney lady
moderately rich, would have hrcu very rtrh
II she had pleased her friends better h the
choice Of husband" This. imagine.
even II there was any truth in il. would have
been better lph unssid. As II il without
foundation. i Is worse than an error Of
taste
.fier Your other kind references ,o ME
and mine and my pleasant remembrance of
Your visit. have long hes!tate4 a. to what
course should follow. Ny own inclination
would have been to ask ,oa, by private itt-
ter only, for a ratification Of ,he statements
% which | have objected but my friends
have represented to me that. these have
been 40 extensively circulated in the colonies.
aud must have been read IN England bl
visitors ID Australia. many Of whom haSc
been, like youy.rif. NY guests Al =. iiabert's
!: was my duty 20 myself and % my tAmlg,
that | should publicly contradict them.
In consequence am sending cop.cs ofihis
letter 70 the press. and trust that consider
ing the great distance which debars me from
consulting with you as 10 he mean, of re
dress, you will ADM, the justice of the step
take even more. that you will assist me
III having II carried out.
With this sincere hope, remain, my dear
sir. your. truly. HUBERT DR CA~TELLA.
s., liuberts. Victoria, May :. 1886.