Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-04
THE BACCARAT TRIAL
EFFECT or THE TESTIMONY ON eRI-
TISH PUBLIC OPINION
Ladies on the Bench with the Presiding
Justice-The Alleged Cheat.
Ing Described.
tBy Anslo-American cable to tho Dispatch,

tiy Anglo-American cable TO tho Dispatch.l
LONDON, Enc, June 8.-There was no
abatement to-day of the interest in the
baccarat scandal trial, and to all appear
ances the same crowd of fashionable peo-
pie, ladies still predominstng. was found
inside the court. and the lunch-baskets
and pocket-hasks were out in. If anything,
stronger force than ever. II is too early
to sum up the effect of the testimony
already taken upon the mind of the British
public. 1t is safe TO say, however, that
both the plaintiff and the defendants in
tne libel suit, TO say nothing Of the Prince OF
Wales, have not shown up IN very bright colors.
Even the Prince of Wales's best friends are said
70 admit unwillingly that the testimony he gave
yesterday was far from being Of a nature TO re-
nect credit upon the future King OF England and
Emperor OF Indie.
NEW THING IN BRITISH TRIALS.
Lady Coleridgs, the wife OF the Lord Chief
Justice Of England, who presides OF the trial,
occupied seat on the bench 10 the right Of Lord
COleridge In company with Lady Clarke and
Lady Russell The Countess OF Marlborough,
Lady Esther. and the reigning beauty Of England,
Lady Brooke, sat Immediately behind Lady Cole
ridge and her party. This presence Of fashion
able ladies on and about the bench, with the
presiding judges wife and Lord Chief Justice Of
England, IL novelty In British trials which does
not find favor with some of the old, dignified
"big-wigs."
WALES ARRIVES.
The court was crowded long before the official
opening hour III A. NJ The Prince Of Wales
was the last OF the interested parties 70 appear,
ana as soon as he had settled himself in his
chair, Sir Charles RUSSELL leading counsel for the
defendants, began his address on behalf Of his
clients.l
MELANCHOLY BUSINESS"
Sir Charles said that his clients had BEEN much
against their wishes, compelled 10 take the
course which they had adopted. There were
nine persons concerned In this melancholy
business, all OF whom have known the plaintiff
Tor many years" The plaintiff admitted. he said,
that his accusers were acting conscentiously In
this matter and the Jury would find IL mpOs-
sible 10 believe that those persons we're mis-
taken In regard TO the character OF tho plaintiffs
conduct on the nights Of the Sth and 9th OF Sep
tember, 1890. The plaintiff had admitted that
they were all persons Of honor and honesty, and
having made the charges they adhered 20 them,
and the plaintiff had not asked to be confronted
with either of his accusers.
DISTRESSING STORY.
The plaintiffs conduct at no stage Of this dis
tresslng story has been the conduct Of an limo
cent and honorable man. No innocent and
honora BILE man would have lain quiet under the
charges made against tho plaintiff or signed the
confession which the plaintiff signed.
THAT INNOCENT LITTLE CARD-PARTY.
Mr.. Russell dilated upon the innocent charac-
ter Of the Tranby-Croft card-party and the mild
character OF the baccarat games played there In
September last, saying: "Ono Of the satisfac-
tory results Of this case has been tho dissipation
Of the absurd and prepOsterOus notions which
have been formed in regard 20 the occurrences at
Tranby Croft"
INTERESTING EXHIBITS.
At the request Of Sir Charles models Of the
Thlsi-tables used each night at Tranby Croft IN
september for playing bAccarat Din default Of
regular baccarat-tables), with the position Of the
players especially marked upon thern, were pro-
duced. Mr.. Russell also caused the Jury 70 be
shown photographs OF the rooms at Tranby
Croft, whore tho now historical games OF bacca-
rat were played The iurymen examined these
exhibits with great deal Of care and asked
great many questions about the game.
THE ALLEGED CHEATING.
Arthur Stanley Wilson, son OF the owner Of
Tranby Croft, was tho first witness for the de-
fence. Mr.. Wilson testified that on the first
night OF the Daccarat-playing at Iranby Croft,
September Sth, he saw red counter represent
ing five pounds on n piece OF paper in 'front.' OF
Cumming. When the latters tableaux won Sir
William had his hands in front OF him and he
also had another fiye-pound counter in the palm
of his right hand. The Baronet, according 20
this wtness, then looked at Sir Edward Somer-
sets hand and seeing that he held a natural and
n court-card he (Sr Miuiam) at once dropped
the lye-pound counter from his right hand and
was paid on both Of the counters he had thus
placed on the table.
THE OFFENCE REPEATRD.
Wilson said that he saw the same thing repeat-
ed by Cumming the same evening, and that he
then told Mr.. Berkeley Levett that tho Baronet
was cheating at cards.
Wilson and Levctt both watched and saw Cum
ming repeat what has been described on the
same night and the following one.
Mhen the disclosures were made the Prince OF
Wales questioned the witness, Leyett, and Green
In regard TO what they had seen Of wrong ma
ture during the baccarat-playing, and Mr.. Green
asked 10 be confronted by the plantiff.
Replying TO further questions Mr Wilson said
that from the time he (the witness) had signed
the precise until the action for damages brought
against the defendants was commenced he had
never said a word TO anybody In connection with
the affair known as the "baccarat scandal"
LAH-DE.DAH YOUNG MAN.
Upon cross-examination the witness said that
he had no occupation, and that he had been at
Cambridge University for year; but" he
added, "my father thought 1t only a waste OF
time my staying there" Roars Of laughter at
Mr. Wilson's expense followed this admission.
Wilson IL a young man of twenty-five, confident,
self-sntisled, and self-pOssessed in manner, and
dressed In the height Of fashion.
Mr.. Wilson said that baccarat was played NJ
Tranby Croft in 1889, "but father objected to II,
and il was not played there again until upon the
occasion OF tho Prince Of Wales's visit in Septem-
Der, 1890"