New-York tribune., 1901-07-19
A PICTURESQUE SPECTACLE.

Scarlet robes and golden sheen impaired the
needed element Of color II was a brilliant spec
tacle which shall not forget for a long time.
i had expected TO be amused by the grotesque-
ness OF the trial patterned after Lord Cardigan's
case but somehow 1 was impressed with the
dignity and statellness of the scene. All the
eminent figures of the peerage were present, and
the contrasting effects of scarlet and black were
highly picturesque.
The trial opened with much dull rectative in
melancholy cadence. Many documents procla-
nations and commissions We're read and many
obeisances were made to the throne by the
clerks and officials. Finally Earl Russell, who
had been standing in a gray frock coat near
the bar, and occasionally glancing at his sec
end wife's picture hat. summoned by the
gentleman usher in the full uniform of British
general 10 a seat within the inclosure. II was
officially known as a stool, but In reality was
IN ordinary chair. The three low obeisances
required of him were real. and he was in such
hot haste to make them that he was ahead of
time and had to repeat them. He remained mo-
uonless while the Lord Chancellor sternly Gr
raigned him for bigamy.
Il was promising opening. but the lawyers
spoiled il by their dreary peadings in low voices
which from my own seat in the centre Of the
gallery / could only family hear. 1t was a
long argument droned out for over an hour On
the technical point that the offence of bigamy.
being committed beyond the Kings dominions.
could not be brought within the cognizance OF
the House Of Lords The Lord Chancellor in
terposed an inaudibIe remark once IN a while,
and finally overruled abruptly the objection,
being sustained by the row of law lords on the
woosacks
LORD RUSsELL'S PLEA FOR MERCY.
The peeresses had been moving steadily tow
ard the Norman porch, overcome with WEAKNESS
and the sweltering heat, and the hall was half
empty when the dramatic ending came. and
Ear Russell without changing color or be-
iraying a trace of nervousness, withdrew his
plea OF not guilty and threw himself on the
mercy Of the court
There a sudden movement OF surprise
throughout the gallery, and the solid rows OF
peers sweltering in their magnificent robes
seemed greatly relieved when Mr.. Robson made
long but inaudibe speech for mitigation or
Punishment, and Lord Russell himself followed
with clear and really eloquent address,
which helped him TO command the sympathy OF
'he spectators. His voice was melodious. his
Oearing manly and dignified. and there was
'onch OF pathos in his pleading which moved
'aose who had been most antagonistic to him.
me lords fled out for their verdict, LORD
roberts being among the earliest. and after
mort interval returned with stately pomp. The
''o Chancellor announced with a gentle voice
ssefoiet Of three months Imprisonment at Hol-
0"sy Prison. The Lord Chancellor, after re-
sea'eo Efforts, succeeded In breaking across his
Aee The stout ash wand, In token that the
'ssa commission at an end. Lord Russell
80 Joined by his second wife In her picture
and the quaint medieval ceremony was
cassd
NO CHANCE FOR DEFENCE.
estmony was heard. although twenty wit
-" mac gathered In the centre OF the gal
~xDectng TO be heard. Judge Curler was
.so OF remarkable opportunity of in
,ung the House OF Lords and the pecresses
h- the fine points OF Nevada divorce
o,.. INC case had been worked ND thor
h.s oy william Brown the solicitor, who
'en America, that the defence could only
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