New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-05
A "CRIME AGAINST SOCIETY,"
LORD WILLIAM NEvILLs MIsDEEDs AND
THEIR PUNISHMENT-SHAKE-
sPEARIAN REVEALS.
London, February n


by the society journals than by ordinary OBJ
servers Of the tendencies Of English manners. I
find In Vanity Fair this week the following
melancholy comment upon the case: THE blow
falls heavily indeed on those few who are eft
10 make up the real English society; those who
respect birth and honor, who would gee great
name. kept untarnished clean; who look upon
the name OF gentleman as tho greatest style that
man can have The mischief that this case Will
bring about Is great. The nobility % England
has boon dishonored" No fault is found with
the sentence. which the just and logical
sequel to n peculiarly mean and contemplate
crime No stress Is laid upon the wretched plea
that the guilty lord ought 10 have been spared
a year or two Of imprisonment for the sake Of
his family and noble lineage. II Is converted IN.
deed into an argument for additional severity
OF punishment. stree his worst sim has been
against his country and Society.
This is an artificial and exaggerated vlew %
the importance Of the case. The ordinary CON-
ment which IS heard in clubs and drawing.
rooms Is that foolish and extrayagan' leader
Of a smart set has received his Just dues.
younger son of the Marquis ~ Abergavenny, he
married the daughter Of an eminent lady hon.
ored with the friendship Of the Prince ~ Wales.
He lived beyond his means and gradually ex.
hausted his resources and. being wc2k-min1ei
and reluctant to withdraw from the world 0.
fashion where he had been petted and spoiled.
no rell into the hands Of the money lenders when
be had snunndered his own and his wse's fort.
une In the course Of a few years he was black
listed by all the prominent "dscounters FOR the
aristocracy" and reduced to the extremity Of
obtaining a friends signature TO notes by dis
credltable trick. Having brought humiliation
and shame upon his fathers and his wife's fam.
lies he ended his career as A smart leader Of
fashion by pleading guilty in the criminal dock
Of the Old Bailey 10 as dshonorabe breach Of
confidence and as contemplate a swinde as
could be imagined even by Mr.. George Gissing.
the pessimistic novelist Of middle-class society.
"IfavIng got to the end OF his rope. he had
nothing more to do except 10 hang himself" 10
the verdict Of a veteran clubman. II IL the log
!cal summary Of a career OF uncxampled folly
and social extravaganza.
The black sheep among the English aristoc.
racy are known. and when they come 10 a bad
end there is neither smazement uneasinesi
among the fashionable people. The heavy moral
list Of Vanity Fair Is probably the only mar
in the West End who affects to believe that the
effects of this social tragedy are serious TO the
English nobility Lord William Neyill could
trace his descent TO the period Of the Norman
Conquest ard could boast Of the historical posi-
,ion Of tho Nevilles and the Beauchamps In the
Wars OF the Roses: but birth and traditions
have no. los. their magic in England merely De-
cause. a spendthrift with an honored name mas
acted the part OF vulgar cheat Money-end'
ers may be moro careful in examining signatures
to notes and Smartness here and there may cu'
down expenses 10 the extent OF re" gowns
or dinner parties: but otherwise the gay "or'u
will roll on unclouded by this sordid story OF
titled dshonor. The convict with MS NORMAN
pedgree Is cynically dismissed as man OF lasn-
ion who had not the money 10 enaole MN ID
keep I'D and who ought 10 have had the sshs'
10 fall out in good time without MAKING 'sr-
r,be scandal Nobody really believes that 'ns
prestige OF rank has been impaired by the star.
OF disgrace left upon single great name ms
fortunes and honor 81 social England were ho'
in the hollow Of the hand which cut holes IN q
h,ott,ngpad Tor the sake of cheating wealthy
oficer Of the Guards.
THE LACK OF usURY LAWS.
Tho truth would seem to be that the titled ard
,osb,onable classes in England have TO pay
heavily for the lack Of legislation against usury
Tbere will be n certain proportion Of idle spend
,br,fts and nc'er do wells who live beyond their
means and fall into heavy arrears Of debt ana
tho money-lenders enable them 10 live h'e'
they have become bankrupt. young ana ais
solute son Of an Earl knows that he can 'raue
upon his name and family connections long aUer
sowing his Wild oats. and that II the wors'
comes to the worst his relations VIII pay MS
debts and submit TO heavy exactions ra'ner
than have any disagreeable family exposures
The money lenders minister TO the extraVasance
and recklessness OF the gilded youth and the
smart sets. and they know almost as many se
crsts as the family solicitors. Sooner or later
settlement must be made with them and heavy
are the tolls imposed for financial assistance
Although Lord William Nevill Is CONVEX
under a five years sentence. the money-ie"ue''
demands have been fully liQuidated oy the lou"
fly at an advance upon the face va'ue Oh 'n'
notes obtained by fraudulent pracuce' i"e
trade under existing law Is n legitimate one ana
they charge whatever they Ike for 'he" SCI
vices in negotiating paper which has no merean.
tile value. They prey upon the "e@Se''
least responsible OF the noblest ho"'e' "N
smartest families in England
What is needed for the protection OF Ensnsn
society IL An anti-usury law which VIII oreaN
up the money LENDERS trade. 50 long rs no TO
.traints are imposed upon the avarice OF these
financial agents and spectators II Is easy ~.
rakes and spendthrifts 10 raise the vino anu
TO keep their place with the certainty tha' ;"
the end the account will have to be se''ieu W
mortgages upon family estates and sales Oh "s'
looms. pictures and treasures The passase
anti-usury laws would deprive the money ="
ers Of occupation. diminish the facilities TOT w
tanning ready money at short notice ana e''.
lish safeguards against extravagance ana '''
Gus living The usurers double the expense y.
no,r,cian foli,es. That is the practical sid" OF
such Incidents as the Nevil case. There Is is"
n sentimental side which the Judge apparen"s
perceived In passing sentence upon the prisoner
for his voice trembled with emotion when DC
condemned to penal servtude the COVERING w