Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-05
BEAUTY In DISTRESS.
Countess Russell Loses Her
Suit for Separation.
The Court Also Mulcted Her for
Costs of Action.
Friends of the Earl Cheered the
Jury's Verdict Lustily.
Professor Roberts Cleared of the Impu-
tatiOn of Disgraceful Conduct in
Connection With Earl
Russell.
Associated Press Dispatches.

LONDON, Dec. 4.-The developments
in the Russell case Wednesday, whetted
the appetites of the scandal-lovers OF
London, and the court was crowded
again today. The proceedings today
were enivened by tilt between coun-
sci 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 that it
ought to have been put into definite
shape as criminal charge, or charge
of gross indeeency.
The earl's redirect examination was
resumed this morning. He said until
the Williams girl incident was brought
out in court the story of his connection
with her was not known at Teddington
where she lived, except by members of
her family. She is still living at Ted
dington and no public reproach had at
tached to her. This closed the earl's
testimony.
Sheppard, the earl's footman, testi-
fed that he never saw the countess cry
ing. The earl always treated her as a
gentleman SDOulU DIS WIG.
SirrCharles Russell then summed up
for the defense. He said the case
should never have been brought to
court, supported as 1t was by many
cases of grossly untrue evidence.
Sir Edward Clarke's address was
characterized by the great emphasis
he laid upon the telling points in the
evidence for the petition. He declared,
however, that the evidence submitted
would have no effect upon the reputa-
ton of Professor Roberts. The object
of Countess Russell in raising the action
was not to obtain money. Her chief
reason was that she wished to relieve
herself OF the obligation of living with
a man whose treatment of her had led
to their separation.
Referring to the entries in the earl s
diary, Sir Edward said they were in
favor of the countess. The earl admit
ted himself to be in the wrong.
Sir Edward said he was glad that Earl
Russell had had an opportunity to deny
the imputations connecting him in dis
graceful way with Professor Roberts. 1t
had been made quite clear by the evil
dence of himself and Professor Roberts
that there was no ground for sugges- |
ton of improper relations between them.
Sir Edward mentioned that Sir Charles
Russell was responsible for bringing the |
story out. The countess had desired |
that it be not mentioned. 1t was
only when she was pressed by ques-
tions put to her by Sir Charles
Russell, on her cross-examination, that
he connected certain incidents with sto-
ries she had heard from members of the
earl's family and wrongly construed |
them.
Justice Butt then summed up the evi-
dence, occupying an hour and quarter.
He stated that he did not agree with Sir
Charles Russell that the suit was only
instituted with the object of obtaining
an allowance. The case was then given
to the jury, who returned a verdict in
favor OF Earl Russell. When the result
was announced the earl's friends in the
court room sprang to their feet and
cheered heartily.
The verdict was not only for the earl,
but the countess was condemned to pay
the costs of the action. which are very
heavy.