The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1864-07-30 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

PLAIN "MONSIEUR" IN TROUBLE.  At the Middlesex Sessions Charles Camille, Count de La. valette, was charged with obtaining 221. by false pretences, smile the second count with attempting to obtain 301. by false pretences from Mr. Claridge, jun. It appeared that on Thursday, the 30th of June, the prisoner came to Claridge's Hotel, in Brooke-street, London, and gave the name of Comte de Lavalette. He borrowed 22/. on that day of Mr. Claridge, jun., and on the day following he requested a further loan if 30/. by a letter, in which he subscribed himself Hue de Lavalette. Mr. Claridge asked for an explanation of the change of title from "Comte" to "Due," and he said it did not matter.. His boxes were then searched, and were found to contain only a small quantity of dirty linen. When given into custody he begged to be spared, and offered to give up all the money which he had left, about 4/., and some trinkets. lie said he had been in the French navy, and had been employed in Cambodia to train the army in the French manner; that on his return to France he was countenanced by M. de Morny ; and that he would have been made consul at Cambodia but for the objection of the sovereign State of Siam. lie further said that he had been iu Spain, and coming to England thought it necessary to lodge in a good part of the town. Ile also said there was a lady in Paris who would pay his debts, and he gave a telegram to be sent to her immediately. Inquiries were made and it seemed that tin lady in Paris hod been grossly deceived, and that the prisoner did not belong to the French nobility. Ile said lie knew Colonel Foley and Colonel Schmidt, but afterwards admitted that he was not known to them, and that he was a plain" Monsieur." The jury found him guilty on the second count, for attempting to get the 301., and the Assistant-Judge sentenced him to be imprisoned and kept at hard labour for nine calendar months.  A LADY'S PROPOSITION TO STAND ON HER HEAD! At Maryleborne police court, London, Anne Wieldon was charged, on remand, under the following °Wenn:stances : About five weeks ago the prisoner was apprehended on the bank of a null-stream at Greenwich on the charge of having contemplated suicide. Her statement then was that she had been a lady's-maid in the country, and for about eight years had been keeping company with a young man named Schiers ; and he induced her to come to London for the purpose of marriage, and upon his getting her to that place he robbed her of4l Ale poseeesed in clothes, as well as 17/. 10e. in money, and then deserted her. So acutely had she felt this that she was determined to commit suicide, and would have done so had she not been prevented. After she was remanded it was ascertained that she was "wanted" for a robbery in the neighbourhood of the Hampstead-road. On her again being brought up she was remanded to this court. Since then she had not been able to leave the House of Detention through a very serious attack of delirium tremens. Mary Shaw, residing in the Hampstealroad, said that she was a widow. The prisoner was brought to her to board and lodge. She was brought by a person from the Samaritan Hospital, and they were to pay all expen-es for her. After she had been with her for about three weeks she absconded, taking with her is black silk jacket and two sovereigns. The proseeutrix did not again see her till she was in custody at Greenwich. Joseph Day, a gasfitter, said he knew Mrs. Shaw. He wae in her house live weeks ago. Mrs. Shaw left the room, leaving him in company of the prisoner. She said that the Prince of Wales had visited her in the hospital, aud that he gave her a sovereign. She unlocked a little box, and held up a sovereign in her left hand, and then another, which she said was given to her either by Mr. Adams or Mrs. Adams, but he could not he sure which. Another half sovereign she held tie she said had been given to herby a doctor. Mr. Yardley (the magistrate) inquired if anything was known of the prisoner. A Police.conetable said she had been tried twice in Derby for uttering, and once at York for bigamy. Mr. Yardly (to prisoner).—Do you plead guilty or not guilty. Prieoner.—l am guilty. I'd have it settled here. I did take the money. Mr. Yardley sentenced her to six months' hard lab ,ur. The prisoner impudently turned round, and said. "I can stand on my head for the six months. Three , cheers for you, my fine fellow."