The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-05
LADY RUSSELL LOSES.
The Crowd Cheers Verdict and
Congratulates the Earl.
HER FAMILY IS FREE AND EASY.
The Public Has No Sympathy With Her
Belle Billion, the Countsss Clan.
earty, to Enter Society.

LONDON, Deo A-Ths developments In the
Russell case on Wednesday had whsttsd the
appetites of the scandal lovers of London, and
the court was crowded again today. The pro-
ceedings today ended by tils between counsel
in regard to the Roberts incident During the
argument the presiding justice said he intended
TO get at the root Of this matter He declared
IL ought to have been put into definite shape a
. criminal charge, or charge of gross indie
csncy.
The earl's redirect examination was resumed
this morning. he said that until the Williams
girl incident was brought out in court the story
OF his connection with her was not known at
Tiddington, where she lived, except by the
members Of her family. She Is still living at
Tiddington, and NO public reproach had at.
taehed to her. This closed the earls testimony.
Shepard, the carts footman, testified that he
never saw the countess crying. The earl had
always treated her a. q gentleman should treat
his wife.
Sir Charles Russell then summed up for the
defense. He said the case should never have
been brought TO court supported, az IL was, by
many cases of grossly untrue evidence.
Sir Edward CIarke's address was character
lied By great emphasis. He laid great stress
upon the telling points in the evidence for petit
toner. He declared, however. that the evil
dence submitted would have no effect upon the
reputation of Professor Roberts. The object Of
Countess Russell in raising the action was not
to obtain money. Her chief reason was that she
wishes to relieve herself of the obligation of lv-
Ing with a man whose treatment had led to
their separation Referring to the entries in the
earfs diary Sir Edward said they were in favor
OF the countess. The earl admitted himself to
be In the wrong. Sir Edward said he was glad
Earl Russell had an opportunity to deny the
imputations connecting him in a disgracsful
way with Professor Roberts. 1t had been
m MI nj hx 10 .AfE
and Professor Roberts that there was
no ground for the suggestion OF improper
relations between them Sir Edward main
tanned that Sir Charles Russell was responsible
Tor bringing the story out. The countess had
desired it not TO be mentioned. 1t was only
when she was pressed By questions put to her
by Sir Charles Russell in her cross-examination,
that he was connected with certain incidents
and stories she had heard from the men,
bers OF the earrs family, and wrongly construed
them.
Justice Butt then summed up the evidence,
occupying an hour and q quarter. He stated
that he did not agree with Sir Charles Russell
that the suit was only instituted with the OBJ
ject of obtaining an allowance. The case was
then given to the jury, who returned verdict
in favor OF Earl Russell. When the result was
announced the earl's friends in the courtroom
spraag to their feet and cheered heartily. The
countess Will be compelled to pay the heavy
costs of the suit.
The cheers with which the verdict in the Rus
sell case was received inside and outside the
court were due to . reyulsion of public feeling
against the cou ntess a. unjustly trying to brand
Earl Russell and Professor Roberts. A number
OF college ehums of the earl crowded around
and congratulated him and Professor Roberts
There was general impression during the trial
that the countess, though OF charming appear
ance, was difficult to get along with as q wife
Her family history explains her tendencies to
freedom of lie and language. Her father, Sir
Claude Scott, the spendthrift son of Banker
Scott, had q liaison with the wife of Lord Albert
Clinton, uncle OF the Duke of Newcastle. Sir
Claude willed all he possessed to Lady Clinton,
but Lady Scott successfully opposed the will
The next time the family figured in court was
in the notorious case Ia which Lena, the eldest
daughter. obtained snnulnent of her marriage
with Sebright. Lena has since married Dick
Russell, who 10 no relative of the earl. Both
Lena and Dick supported the countess In the
suit for separation. The mother was opposed
to the suit on account of the revelations that
would be made in court. The Dowager Count
ess Russell is deeply chsgrined over the pro-
ceedings, and tried to induce the countess to
take private settlement.