The Sun. — 1868-08-18 (London, England)

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.  THE LITTLE FRENCHMAN AND THE LODGING HOUSE KEEPER.—SINGULAR CASE.--Frederick Forbac, a Frenchman, of diminutive stature, was charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt on a warrant with using threatening language towarde Mrs. Harriet Finch,lodging-house keeper, of No. 25, Duke-street, St. James's.  Mr. Edward James, of Great Marlborough-street, appeared for the complainant, and said the prisoner was charged with using threats towards Mrs. Finch. A summons had been taken out against the prisoner by Mrs. Finch, and it was fixed for hearing on Thursday next, and one would have thought that on the receipt of that the prisoner would have remained quiet, but instead of doing so he went to the complainant's house on Saturday night and again threatened her, and she had therefore been obliged to obtain the present warrant, and apply for his worship's protection, feeling that she went in danger of the prisoner.  Mrs. Finch said that the prisoner, who was a teacher of languages, formerly lived in her house, but she was compelled to give him notice to quit in consequence of his making' improper overtures to her, her husband being absent at the time, and ever since he had been in the habit of sending her anonymous letters.  Mr. Lewis handed Mr. Tyrwhitt one of the letters, which were written in a rhapsodical, half amatory, and half obscene style for his perusal. Mrs. Finch said that in consequence of the annoyance she received she applied on Thursday for a summons at that court, and on Saturday last the prisoner—who had called several times in her absence during the day—came about 6 o'clock in the evening, when she told him to go away quietly. Instead of doing so the prisoner set to abusing her, called her a murderer, and caused about 100 persons to collect round the house. The prisoner also threatened to ruin her and her character, and to kill her. The prisoner said he had left her house, had callel about forty times, and every timo she sent for a constable he walked away. She went in fear of the prisoner.  Police-constable Henry Dawson, 12 C R, said that on apprehending the prisoner and telling llina the charge, he said it was all a lie,, awl he afterwards said that he would expose Mrs. Finch, as he knew all her secrets. That morning the prisoner gave him a letter, and wished him to hand it to Mrs. Finch.  Mr. Lewis said the letter substantially retracted all the charges the prisoner had made against Mrs. Finch.  The letter was as follows :—" I hereby declare, in the presence of witnesses, that all what I have said on the 15th instant, and before, c meerning Mrs. Finch, was said in a state of intoxication, and hereby declare that all that was false ; and I furthermore declare that I am very sorry for having used such expressions. Fredk. Forbac, 14, Ryderstreet."  The prisoner made a long statement in answer to' the charge, but although the prisoner described himself as " a teacher of languages," it was perfectly unintelligible.  Mr. Tyrwhitt said the prisoner had tried to do all the mischief he could to the complainant, and when taken up for it began to flinch and withdraw his charges against her. The prisoner was one of those mischievous fellows who haunted London and called themselves " teachers of languages." The prisoner would have to find two sureties in £2O each for six months.  On being taken to the cells the prisoner pretended to faint, and afterwards set to howling hideously.