Year: 1864

Within the past few days the circle of oul
theatrical community has been shaken from
center to circumference by rumOrs of 8
most extraordinary affair, which involves
the character and reputation of two persons
who have been very prominently before the
public during the present season at the AtE-
eneum. 1t is proper to state at the outset
that the lady who has been made conspicu-
Gus in this affair, though she came to this
city stranger, is known to be highly con-
nected in Albany, in which city she former
ly resided. During her stay here she has
borne character above suspicion and re-
friendship with many of the first families
of the city. Her genius, cultivation and
superior excellence in her profession, aside
from her personal attractions, won her hosts
of friends with the public before whom she
nightly appeared. In short, she became a
general favorite with theatre-goers, and
was held in high esteem for her many ac-
complshments and modest and lady-like
department by all to whom she was person
| ally known. She mingled i'm the best socie-
ty, where she was ever rwelcOme, and always
did and does still sustain the reputation
which first gained her admission.


The other party in this affair, Mr.. V.
Lingham, made his appearance in the city





the Atheneum, at which place, however, his
engagement terminated some two or three
weeks ago, for what reasons it is not neces-
sary here to speak. 1t seems that he soon
became desperately smitten with the charms
of the lady in question, and neglected no
opportunity TO be by her side. AS they
boarded at the same hotel, and took the
leading parts in the plays which were
nightly produced at the Atheneum, as a
matter of course they were thrown much
into each Others society. He lost no time
in pressing his suit, but, it would appear,
with very Indifferent success. Tender looks,
delicate attentions, deep-drawn sighs, and
protestations of undying attachment were
all in vain. His pants became thin about
the knees from frequent friction upon the
carpet, and his eyes became weak and wa
terry from sleepless nights and prOtracted
contemplations over the midnight "kero-
sene." But all these evidences of affection
failed of their effect. Then appeared rival
upon the scene In the person of a dashing
army officer, and the gentleman was driven
to the very verge of distraction. For some
time past his conduct has been most repre-
hensible. He is either fool by nature, or
has been made weak-minded and imbecile
by continually brooding over his rejected
love. He has omitted no opportunity to
persecute the lady, and parties who have
the means of knowing affirm, that he has
been indefatigable and shameless in the
matter. He has frequently insulted her,
and on Tuesday last brought affairs to
"a crisis. After dinner he called the lady
into the public parlor and informed her
that he wished to know once for all
whether she would marry him. She re-
peatedly declined to do so, whereat he
went into "rampage," seized her by the
throat and violently assaulted her, until
her cries for help brought in parties who
rescued her from his power. He immedi-
ately rushed down street and found a Justice
of the Peace, before whom he made affi-
davit, the contents of which are. of most
obscene and disgusting character.Gr The
man who could sit down and write such
thing with regard to any woman's charac-
ter Is a coward and beneath the contempt
of the lowest profligate who crawls upon
the earth. To have penned such words
against woman he professed to love and to
be willing to marry at any moment, should
damn him to eternal infamy. He declared
his intention to drag her down TO the low
est depths of degradation along with him
SELF The. man is, certainly desperate, 1t
were charitable to believe he lis insane.
Possibly he may tend bis strange, eventful
history by swallowing a cup ofs'cold
poison'i or stabbing himselfwith q bologna
sausage, thus making business for the coro- |
nerand another item for the morning papers.
3. On Tuesday afternoon the proprietorsl Of
the hotel where he was boarding became
satisfied that he was no gentleman, having