Norwich bulletin., 1922-01-31
Famous Trials
PETER DE La FONTAINE,

A most picturesque character was Pc
ter de la Fontaine, a young Frenchman
of noble parantage, who served with dis
tinction at the siege of Phillipsburgh,
under the Duke of Berwick, a son of
James II. When the campaign, was over
Fontaine went to Paris, where a gentle
man invited him to spend some time at
his country seat. Here he fell in love
with the daughter of his host and they
eloped and lived for time at Rouen.
Upon their return to Paris the young
lady retired, as a lodger, into con-
vent, but the husband appearing in
public, some officers seeing him In
coffee house. told him they had the
kings warrant for apprehending him,
upon his sword, tried to make his es-
cape, but was seized and lodged in pris-
on.
On this Fontafne wrote to the young
lady informing her that he was obliged
to go into the country on urgent bust
ness, but would soon return. Being
brought to- trial for running away with
an heiress, he would have been capital-
ly convicted, agreeably to the then law
of France, but the young lady volun-
tari1y swore that she went off with
him by her own consent. She thus OBJ
tanned his acquittal. She soon after
died. De Ia Fontaine then entered the
army and behaved with such bravery
that he was commissioned a lieutenant
| of Grenadiers.
Then came to him the greatest ro-
nance of his life. A young lady of
| Stra ssburg became enamored of him. and
| dressing in mems clothes she Joined his
regiment Regarding this circumstance
Fontaine was compelled to fight a duel,
| in which he was seriously wounded. The
young lady died of smallpox and tbs De-
reaved lover left France In vessel
bound for Martinfco. The ship being
taken by Turkish corsair, was brought
into Constantinople, where Fontaine was
| confined in a dungeon.
While thus confined he was visited
by another prisoner, who had more lib
erty than himself and who advised hin
as the French consul then was absent
to make direct appeal to the Grand
| Vizer, and he did so and that ruler was
so impressed with him that he not onl,
released him, but gave him bag Of
gold.
Peter departed from Constantinopl.
for Surfnam, where he passed the mex
five years, and where he met a widow
of rank Of whom he determined IL pos
sfble. to make a conquest Other Of
ficers having addressed the same lady
Foutaine was occasionally involved II
difficulties on her account. In' an alter
cation with an officer he cut off his ear
and for this was seized and tried b,
a court martial. but was acquitted ant
returned TO Europe
Having arrived in London he took III
elegant lodgings and made 7ufbe
, of snowy acauaintances Among then
was Venetian, Zannier by name. VIII
had to quit his own country on accoun
of his irregularities. 1t was to him tina
Fontaine eventually was to attribute hi
, downfall.
Zsnnier Induced De Ia Fontaine t
go to tavern, where they met wit
I woman whom the latter had for
merly known and man who wa
dressed In black. While De La Fon
tame was coversing with the woman, tn
stra niger (who afterward appeared to b
| Fleet Street personl read the maria g
! ceremony from a book which he held /
his hand and the next week De Ia Fon
taine was apprehended on a charge O
bigamy and committed for trial at tn
4 Old Bailey
Zannier visited him IN Newgate an
proposed for a sum of monev to Pre-
cure his acquittal. De Ia Fontaine wa
so enraged at this perf1dy that he o
the instant beat Zannier with sue
n severity that the turnkey was ohlige
s to interpose to prevent murder. I
!; revenge for this Zannier laid an irfcl
3. nation on oath against De la For
n tame for forgery, in initiating tn
: handwriting of gentleman named Per
i dy, in consequence Of which he wa
= brought to trial and capitally- convicte