Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-10-18
WALES IN A DIVORCE SUIT.

was accused of intimacy with the Prince
of Wales, and as the result of which
Sr Charles secured divorce, is dead
The Mordaunt scandal was one of the
greatest in nobility under the reign of
Queen Victoria. Sir Charles was mar
rlad on December Z, 1866, to Miss Har-
riet Sarah Montcrieffe. Mordauut was
domestic disciplinariau, austere, per
emptory. scrupulous and severe. His
bride was of remarkable group OF
sisters, all famed for their remarkable
beauty, vivacity and charming person
ality, and Harriet was one OF the gay
est of them. She was in the most
select and most popular set. Queen
Victoria admired her and the Prince
of Wales was much in Lady Mordaunt's
company.
Three years after her marriage she
gave birth to daughter, the paternity
of which Sir Charles denied. In year
ne commenced suit for divorce. Queen
Victoria sent for him and begged him
for the honor Of the English nobility
not to press the suit, but he indignant
ly refused to halt in his course.
IL was declared that soon after Lady
Mordaunt was confined she confessed to
visitor (the wife of an Eng
lish clergyman) that she had brok
en- the seventh Commandment,
uot only with one person, but
18th six different individuals. Her
frien ds said she was insane when she
made t,,e confessiopj her enemies as
serted that che was merely telling th~
truth as n act Ccf penileDce for ber sins.
LADY Mordaunt was sent TO a private
ASYLUM by friends. Sir Charles named
Viscount Cole, Sir Frederick john
stone, Bart, land others" as CO.
respondents.
The Prince of Wales had maintained
a correspondence by letter with Lazy
Mordaunt, he danced with her at bali
and professed to mis- friends his edmlra'
ton of her appearance, and on Februa'
ry %, 1870, he was called to the stapd
Before his examination con menced TN
presiding Judge, Penzance, pointed ou
to the bar, as g new rule OF court, that
mo witness was bound to make to any
question an answer that would admit
that be was guilty of wrongdoing."
Here are some of the questions put
to the Prince:
"Were you acquainted with Lsdy
Mordaunt before her marriage Il
was"
son her marriage did your Royal
Highness write to her and make her
some wedding presents? ?" II did "
"We are told that she was married
at the end of 1866. In 1867 did you see
much of heI?" II did,"
.'Aud in The year 1862" 81 did also.'
Mr.. Deane: "I have only one more
question to trouble your Royal High
ness with. Has there ever been any
improper familiarity or criminal act be-
tween yourself and Lady Mordaunt?
His Royal Highness lin very firm
tone): "There has not"
An attempt was made to hush up the
case by having Lady Mordaunt declared
insane. but Sir Charles was persistent,
and on March IL, 1875, jury found
Lady MordaunJ guilty of violation OF
her marriage VOWS and divorce was
granted. Sir Charles married Miss
Mary Cholmondeley. daughter OF the
rector of Adlestrop and niece of Lord
Leigh. By his second wife he leaves a
son. born in January, 1854, who sue
ceeds to the baronetcy.
The divorced Lady Mordaunt lived
on the Continent for some years after
the divorce, but lately has resided in
! Melbourne, on an allowance OF 81 600 a
wear made over to her by her sister, the
Countess Dudley.