Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-30

children" =.
According to the diary Mr.. Dickens
vent on to give further details OF the
Duke of Portland, and continued:
At the fourth dukes death Mr. Druce
took the title of, the Duke Of Port
land. but still went. by the name
Of bruce among his old friends:
well. / knew him both, in France and
Switzerland sss He has to live at
Welbeck secluded, unknown and uaheard
OF. = The things he dabhled, In
while on the continent are loadstone
about his neck. He is blackmaled on all
sides by those who personally knew him,
and as you know ne lives a hunted life.
In the last entry Miss Robinson refers to
Mr.: Druce as My cavalier a term she
tioning' her benefactor. The record Is
dated September II. 1870. and runs:
Ny cavalier has arrived. He said: Now
that l am quiet l wish to say something
not in this part Of England Now that Mr..
Dickens Is dead do not think any other
person can come forward and call me
Mr.. bruce except my own people by mar
riage and those who know me on the con-
't'Welbeck is not as 1t was a few years
ago. The money spent on it is well spent
have children of my own; married be-
low rank. The name of bruce is I'M
known to the Bent.nck family.
Of Portland l live nearly always at well
beck Abbey. Some of the people who
write to me know me we'll as Thomas
bruce. AS Duke OF Portland l. am I'M
TT Is for this purpose that I use<my
utmost endeavors TO get these people
from having any conversation with me-
It is one OF. the secrets of my life. You
have my confidence and must keep 1t
as long as I live
1t will be noticed that these extracts
are dated some years after the burial
of Mr.. bruce, in Highgate cemetery
The diarist's father. was a plantation
owner in Virginia at the time of the
The family, Of Charles Dickens are
very much annoyed at the references
made to him in this diary. They assert
that they know nothing whatever of
the circumstances therein narrated. and
so far as they are aware. Charles
Dickens was never at Welbeck. despite
what Miss Robinson has to say 10 the
contrary.
A dramatic incident has happened in
connection with this diary. Until a
few days ago 1t was intrusted to a
firm of London solicitors for safe
Keeping.
extracts. and for that purpose obtained
possession of the diary. She was car
rying 1T home when she was accosted
in the street by an unknown man.
Pardon me; madam he said but
there Is a spider on your neck.
Miss Robinson hastily raised her hand
to brush, the insect away. and the next
moment she found that the polite
stranger had disappeared with her bag
containing the diary.
The claimant says that some such
attempt had been anticipated. Every
page had been carefully copied and
certified before q commissioner of oaths
and the original had been in the hands
- {~f1 In,
vouch for its authenticity.
Miss Robinson asserts that she has
been Swallowed since her arrival in
England. The theft of the diary and
occasions has led the prosecution to
the, conclusion that no common sneak
thief Is concerned in the matter.
Miss Robinson's solicitor has applied
to the home office for protection for
his client. In letter to the defend
ing solicitors he declares that he has
been able to gather information point
Ing to the instrumentality IN these
thefts of agents employed by their eli
ents in collision with the agents of the
Walden. The other thefts were:
Seven original letters of Charles
Dickens and three Of the fifth Duke of
Portland, together with another diary
stolen from Miss Robinson in February
last. during her voyage to England
from New Zealand: papers stolen on
two separate occasions from Mr.. George
Hollamby Druce's apartment; and fur
ther papers. a will and what was
known as the bruce bag, stolen from
the Office of Mr.. Farmer. the solicitor
for Mrs. Anna Maria bruce.
Caldwell Very Ill.
NEW. YORK, December 3o.-Robert c.
Caldwell. whose testimony as witness in
the so-called bruce case led to the reopen
ing Of the grave of T. c. bruce today, is
now at tho home of his daughter at New
Brighton. Staten Island. He is under 5000
bonds to answer to a charge of perjury
preferred by the British authorities in
connection with the story he told in the
London court. Caldwell was arrested when
he arrived here from Europe December n
Counsel for the British vice consul
through whom the warrant for Caldwell's
arrest was obtained, insisted that the lat
ter be held prisoner. until extradition
proceedings be completed. but. upon the
plea of Caldwelrs counsel that such de-
tention would be almost certain to result
In DEATH two physicians were appointed
by the court to make an examination as
to- the prisoners physical condition.
:. Got OF With the Loot.