The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-06-09
ROYALTY HEARS DEMOCRATIC TRUTH.
n Cumming Must co, SO Also
Should the Field Marshal.
Sir Edward CIarke's Plain Words to
Albert Edward.
References to the Future King which
Shocked EngIIsmen.

DEOuBub ny OlE Wm' dOTuOn cumming
against Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Wilson, Mr.
and Mrs. Lycett Green and Mr.. Levett, for
damages on account Of alleged slanderous
statements made by them in regard to bacca-
rat playing at Tranby Croft. near Doncaster,
in September last, was resumed to-day
Sir Charles Russell upon the opening Of the
court resumed his address for the defence.
interrupted on Friday last by the adjourn
ment of the Court of Queens Bench until to
day. He commenced by calling attention to
Sir VIM. Gordon Cummings method Of play
ing baccarat, saying: IF what Mr.. Arthur
Stanley Wilson has sworn to took place 1t
excluded all that class of suggestion, of
which no trace appeared in the correspond
Gen. Owen Williams and Lord Coventry, to
the effect that the accusation arose from
misunderstanding Of the plaintiffs
sSsp sgstsm de Of trOs play The kRGS evidence toT
the defence had given variety OF detail
which pointed out the truth rather than
parrot-like repetition of the alleged events"
Sir Charles then dwelt at length upon the
testimony of Mr.. Berkeley Levett. He
showed that M. Levett was anxious to be
able TO shield or be Of service to the plaintiff
for the sake of their past friendship, aud for
the sake Of the regiment to which both be-
longed, but, said Sir Charles, who had the
manliness to declare to Sir William Gordon
Cumming that he could not refuse to believe
his own eyes," Sir Charles then endeavored
to discount the arraignment of the Wilson
family and other members Of the lranby
Croft baccarat party, which. he anticipated,
for the plaintiff which the solicitor general,
Sir Edward Clarke, would make for the 9th
er side, concluding with the remark that he
confidently left the defendants case In the
hands of the jury, being fully aware that the
latter would do their duty and by their YER
dict uphold the evidence which had been
given In their behalf.
Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for the
plaintiff, then began his plea. He COM
menced by saying that 1t had been the "com-
mon talk" that the Prince of Wales's con-
tinual presence In court during the trial Of
this suit had been for the purpose of re-
straining the tongues of the lawyers engaged
in the case from commenting upon the
Prince of Wales's connection with 1t. This
-Samark caused a sensation, but 1t was moth
irg to what followed further utterances Of
counsel for the plainIil U9nns'ppuiins, 9n plins ns s
intimated that the presence OF sne I1.ss-eE
wales In court would not prevent him from
making any comment necessary, say ing that
he had a painful duty to perform, and that
he intended to perform 1t honestly and fair
ly. His opponents. he continued, had al
ways been careful to allqde to him as the
l am proud of that title, l must
remind the jury that | appear in
this case simply as an English bar
rister, and ara obliged to disregard friend
ships andjeven my own interests and COM
the highest in the land" Sir Edward. as he
uttered these last words, turned sQuarely
around until he faced the Prince OF Wales,
upon whom every eye in court was then fixed,
and who nerv0usly crossed his legs; while
4al- IL 49, lsnAw
considered to be the audacity of the Solicitor
General. Continuing. the Solicitor General
remarked that Sir Charles Russell, for the
defendants, had said that "even IL the jury
found for the plaintiff and disregarded the
document the latter had signed at Tranby
the matter up and Sir William Gordon Cum
ming's name would be stricken from the army
list" II wish to say in unmistakable terms"
SAID Sir Edward Clarke rabsiFpgg ths hs conSt ySee
that 1t would be impossible for the authori-
ties to do any such thing and to leave on that
list the names OF Field Marshal the Prince
of Wales and Gen. Owen Williams"
This statement caused by fer the greatest
sensation of the entire trial. A hushed MUIR
muir of astonishment, not unmixed with dis
may and irritation. swept through the court
room. One must thoroughly understand the
almost religious worship of royalty which
prevails throughout Great Britain to clearly
understand the full meaning, the crushing
significance OF the solicitor generals words,
aimed directly at the heir apparent. 1t was
as If thunder clap had suddenly shaken
the building. and as If a flash of lightning
had Unexpectedly revealed the Prince of
Wales In colors totally unexpected. those Of
a common mortal, subject to the laws of Eng
land, and, according to the solicitor generals
intimation, possible violater of the militia
ry regulations to the extent that his name
was liable to be struck from the army list.
Amidst this storm the Prince Of Wales sat
on the bench TO the left of the Lord Chief
Justice, immoyable. not muscle of his face
apparently twitching, leaning his head upon
his arm and endeavOring to appear totally
unconcerned.
When the court adjourned for luncheon
the Prince Of Wales hurredly left his seat
on the bench, and, contrary to his usual hab-
Its Of peliteness completely disregarded the
were seated In his immediate vicinity.