The evening world., 1891-12-03
EARL RUSSELL ON THE STAND.
Called in His Own Defense in the
Countess's Divorce Suit.
pIot. Roberts Tells of the Plaintiff
as u Delightful Hostess.


cecdings, the general public displays more
avi,ity TO learn all the details OF this sad en-
pose OF the life OF one Of Great Britains
peers.
The feeling entert aimed for Earl Russell by
the masses was amply evidenced by his treat
ment as he left the Law Courts yesterday,
when the mob hooteI at him, and some OF the
more hot-hcaded tried to strike him. And
there is no denying the fact that the gentle
men and ladies' in the arlstocratic circle to
which the Earl belongs look with contempt
and disgust upon the noble Earl.
he usual crowd sought admission to the
courtroom his morning, and when Mr.. JUS
tice Butt TOOK his seat the COURTROOM was
dCnaely packed.
Sir Charles Russell arose and continued his
presentation OF the Case for the Earl.
Sir Charles declared that the petitioner,
Countess Russell, had not only exaggerated
such facts rs she had brought forward, but
had suppressed others which she thought
would be detrimental to her claims.
Sir Charles ridiculed the idea that Earl Rus
~ Sell had kept pistol convenient for the pul-
pose OF shooting his WIFE, The quarrel be-
tween the Earl and Countess, which occurred
at the Albcmarle Hotel at the time they came
up TO London to attend the levee, was due, not
TO the Earls compelling the Countess to act
as a valet to him, as the Countess had tcsti-
fed but to the fact that the Eall had re-
fused to allow his wife to go to the Ascot
races In the company OF man with whom he
had every ground to forbid his vile asso-
cilting.
Immediately upon the conclusion OF Sir
Charles Russcll's address lie called the 1lrot
witness Tor the defense, Prof. Roberts, the
Mathematical Master at Bath, who was IN the
habit OF staying frequently at the residence
Of Earl Russell.
Prof. Roberts entered the witness-box, and
In reply to questions put TO him by Sir
Charles Russell testified that he was friendly
with the Earl at college. He afterwards be-
came acquainted with the Scott family.
After the marriage OF the Earl and Lady
Mabel Scott he visited them at their home.
lie had sung with the Countess and had
thought her charming hostess. The wit
ness made very emphatic denial OF the ac-
tions imputed to him by the Countess In rela-
ton to the Earl.
Mr.. lnderwfck, OF counsel for the Countess,
here asked t. b. allowed to put In evidence
letters that had passed between the Earl and
Prof. Roberts to show the relations that mad
existed between them. Sir Charles Russell
said he could not see any issue requiring the
letters to be produced, bu, he nevertheless
CONSENTED to their being admitted.
Prof. Robcrts'a testimony beingtlnished, he
resumed his scat and Earl Russell was called
TO take the stand IN hts own defense.
The Earl testified that he had never heard
the slightest objection made to the presence
OF rrOi Roberts IN his house. lie Qhe wit
ness had objected to his wife going to q GER
tain iady's house, and based his objection on
the fact tha: the lady was q divorcce.
Countcss Russell was much put out, and In
the quarrel that followed witness said to
her. al you say such things you will soon
be sorry you married me-" The Countess re-
piled: "so am sorry"
The Earl declared that he had never in-
sisted that the Countess should dress him.
!. she had not requested him to allow her to
dress him he would not have let her done So.
lie was very much attached to her ard had
tried to make things pleasant for her. lie
oDJCctcl TO ner going to Ascot for the reason
that there were several persons there whom
hc d!d net wish her to meet.
lie positively denied that he had gone TO
the room Of the Countess in search OF a pistol.
warehouse and there was not a single weapon
CT hat description In the house.
With reference to the charge that when the
Countess on one occasion asked him after a
low Tor E5 he threw her half sovereign, the
Eail said It was not true. He was about to
give her the money she had asked for when
she said: 81 don't want your dirty money"
1t was not true that he made her turn out
hal frpu har ynaf
moMey she had She got co in pocket money
the same day from him.
Ihe Earl denied the Countess's statement
tha, upon the occasion when he had wiitien
q letter to his solicitor complaining about her
CXtravaglnce he had treated her In q most
brutal manner.
lie did not then shake her by the shoulders
She wanted to copy the letter, and tried to seize
Il. She did get the letter, but he caught her by
the wrists and took 1t away from her. She
then boxed his cars.
Sir Charles Russell then drew from the Earl
his version OF the bedroom incident, when the
Countess was found nude and in q faint on
the door, as testified 10 by her and her maid
The Earl said that after he and his wife
had retired he declared that he would no. &c
toLady Salisbury's owing to the refusal OF the
Countess TO go to Amberiy Cottage, the Earl's
Residence at Maidenheal, In Berkshire the
Countess got out OF bed and tainted on the
fOCr When she came TO he said: "How are
you, dar!iDgf"
She replied, Don't you dare call me dar.
ling" and then threw soap-dsh at him and
made for him with a poker. She threatened
TO throw herself out Of a window II he re.
malneI In the room with her.
The Earl declared that the statements
made by the Countess, that he left her ant
went TO Prof. RoDerts's room, were absolutely
1al,c.
once, when his wife was hysterical, he had
held her wrists to prevent her from tearing
her dressing jacket to pieces. on returning
to the Albemarle Hotel rrom the lcyee he hat
rcbuked the Countess because she hac
lunchcd with divorce who very well de-
served to te divorced.
The Earl denied the cruelty TO cats that
had been attributed to him. lie had tossed
Cat into the air playfully, but had not thrown
It against the ceiling until he had alinos