Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

15 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

DENBIGH.

RUTHIN.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

RUTHIN. THE Alleyne family gave a capital entertainment on Monday evening, which was fairly patronised. BATHAFERN CHAPEL.—On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, the annual preaching meetings were held at Bathaiern Wesleyan Chapel. The congregations were large. The special preachers were—The Revs. Isaac Jones, Conway; Evan Evans, Dolgelley; D. O. Jones, Caerwys and J. Cadven Davies. FORTHCOMING ELECTION.—The candidates spoken of, in addition to the retiring members, include— Messrs. Osbert Edwards, solicitor; J. Jones, Cae- groes John Simon, Castle-street; Morris Edwards, Harp Inn; and J. Jones, Ruthin Mills. Either Dr. W. D. Jones or Mr. R. P. Davies will be the future Mayor. ENTERTAINMENT.—The first of the winter series of popular entertainments took on Tuesday even- ing last, at the Assembly Rooms. The room was crowded to excess, the prices of admission being only 6d. and 3d. The committee are to be congratulated upon the selection made by them for the first meet- ing, as the future ones generally, depend upon its success. The Ruthin Glee and Madrigal Society, under the leadership of Mr. R. Lloyd, rendered with much taste three glees. Mr. W. P. Owen, by singing the Maid of Athens," and also Mr. John Edwards, Bugcilas yWyddfa,"were deservedly ap- plauded. Mr. J. Edwards and Mr: T. Roberts also sang "Larboard Watch" with much credit. Mr. Owens, of Conway, gave two excellent Welsh re- citations. The characteristic song by Mr. Parry, of Rhyl, as a Frenchman," was well sustained. Mr. McFarlane sang Jack's Yarn." But the events of the evening were the Italian dance and the Amateur Minstrel Company. In the former Mr. Hornsby, of the North and South Wales Bank, attired in imitation Italian dress, with two sons of Mr. William Cole and Master Owen, drew down the house by their representations. The Minstrel Com- pany, consisting of Messrs. Mostyn (leader), Good- win (bones), Parry, Douglas, G. Roberts, Bolton, Humphreys, H. Williams, and J. Morris, acquitted themselveo beyond expectation, and deserve great praise for their assistance. Their programme con- sisted of sentimental and comic songs, ending with a ghost illusion, causing roars of laughter; the grand finale being the stump speech of the inimit- able Lemuel Mostyn, in full plantation outrig. The excitement caused throughout was very evident, and every one left the hall in the best of humour. Mr. Huat gave the gratuitous use of a piano. The proceeds of the entertainment are to be handed over to the Reading Room Institution. The Football Club have arranged the next programme. Mr. Alun Lloyd, who undertook the duties of stage con- ductor, caused some fun with his Topical song." COUNTY MAGISTRATES' COURT. MONDAY.—Before Messrs. R. G. Johnson, James Goodrich, and J. F. Jesse. SCHOOL BOARD CASES. The following persons were summoned by the Ruthin School Board, represented by the Clerk (Mr. Ezra. Roberts), for neglecting to send their children to school:—Thomas Davies and James Owen, Well-street, fined 5s. including costs; Edward Edwards, Crispin Yard, fined 3s. and orders made on the following :— Peter Roberts, labourer, Llanrhydd Catherine Roberts, Well-street; Beri Roberts, tailor; Michael Hussen, hawker; loan Williams, labourer; Robert Thomas, shoemaker; Hannah Edwards, Mwrog-street; Ann Mathers, Mwrog-street; and Maria Jones, Mill-street. BEGGING. P.C. Williams brought up in custody Thomas Corley, a tramp, on a charge of begging, and he was sent to gaol for seven days. HIGHWAY OFFENCE. Joshua Salisbury, Felinymoch, Gyffylliog, was charged by P.C. Williams with allowing his donkey to stray, and fined Is. and 7s. costs. An affiliation case of no interest closed the proceed- inga. LIBELLING MRS. CORNWALLIS WEST, AND MRS. LAN GTRY. On Saturday, Mr. Adolphus Rosenberg, the pub- lisher of Town Talk, was taken into custody by William Flewster and Henry Taylor, detectives, and brought to the Guildhall Police Court, London, charged "for that he the said accused, on the 8th day of October inst., and on divers other days, in the said city, unlawfully and maliciously did publish a certain defamatory libel of and concerning one William Cornwallis West and Mary West, contrary to the statute." Mr. Edward Dilland Lewis (of Old Bond-street) said I have the honour to prosecute the defendant for a defamatory libel, than which one more devoid of truth or more false has never been the subject of investiga- tion, even in a court of criminal justice. The prose- cutor is Mr. Cornwallis West, who resides at No. 40, Eaton-place, and Ruthin Castle, Denbigh, of which county he is Lord-Lieutenant. He is married to a lady whose blameless life it would have been hoped would have saved her from the attack which to describe as infamous and cowardly would be, to my mind to use language of the grossest flattery. The de- fendant is the publisher of the paper known as Toicn Talk, and here it is at least unnecessary that I should say one word to describe the character of the publication, which has obtained of itself already an evil reputation. That renders it unnecessary that I should say anything to inform your mind as to the nature of the publication. Whether the defendant is anything more than the publisher— whether he is, in fact, the proprietor as well—it is unnecessary for us to discuss at the present moment, but from this place I desire to say publicly that as to every single person who is engaged in the preparation—in the printing, in the publication, or in the dissemination of this paper—it is our intention to proceed against with all the rigour of the law. I will now proceed to read to you the libel which forms the subject matter of this prosecution, and I will only premise this, that as to every single statement, or article of statement, which is contained in the lengthy article I am going to read to you, that it is from begin- ing to end an infamous lie. There is not only not a particle of truth in it, but there is not the semblance or the shadow of a fact of any kind upon which this mon- strous superstructure of lies has been built up. The article is headed "Mrs. Cornwallis at Home," and the writer proceeds :— It is an undoubted fact that the most aristocratic portion of English society has done more towards making- our British bigher classes a by-"crJ for scandal and scoffing than an the efforti of Dümagognes and Republicans put together. To think that a lady of exalted position should find it worth her while to be photogrllphed f. r sale is a disgrace to the upper ten thousand, and I trust that the rumour is true 'her most gracious Majesty has issued an express wish that this traffic in the likenesses of photographic beauties shall be discontinued. It certltinIy does not make foreign countrie and critics think much of ollr Lord Lieutenant of Denbigh that, for the sake of gratifying his wife's stupid vanity, and realising a few pounds pcr annum, he allows that lady's photograph to be exposed for sale at a price ranging from one penny to two shillings and sixpence. Mr. Cornwallis West is a dignitary who ought certainly to uphold his position as a Lord-I.ieutenant. and he does not do so when he allows Mrs. West, the bone of his bore and the flesh of his flesh, to make the public exhibition of herself that is daily seen in our fashionable sho;> windows. When an official of high rank permits his wife to display her charms side by side with the portraitures of halt-naked actresses, and entirely naked Zulu women, he can have but little respect for himself, for her, or for his position. Mrs. West lives in the neighbourhood of Eaton-square, in the region known as Pimlico. At the back of the house is a yard, and in this yard are four corners, and in each corner is a photographic studio in addition to this there is a glasshouse on the roof, mid fifteen dark rooms on the various landings. It is almost impossible to conceive the labour gone through by Mrs. West in the course of a day. About seven o'clock she takes her breakfast, and after reading- Town lalk and the Denbigh Daily, sent her by Mr. W.. she proceeds to her extensive wardrobe, and attires herself ready for the first photographic artist who happens to call. Jaae-that is the name of her lady's maid—has strict orders to state that she is not at home to any one except Fradelle and .Marshall, or the Stereo- scopic Company's young man. When either of these parties arrive they are taken into the front parlour, treated to a glass of something short, and conducted afterwards into one or another of the photographic studios. Sometimes each of all five of these rooms contains an operator at the same time, and Mrs West rmhes from one to the other in various costumes with a rapidity that is something marvellous. Her changes of costume are so quickly manipulated that any quick-change artist is completely out of the bunt in blue satin, now in red, now in green, and nextly in white-she seems to be a kind of human feminine chameleon. Some- times she is taken with a grin, occasionally witl1 a leer; at times with a devotional aspect, and at other times quite Having been taken about fifteen times in as many new positions, the photographers are dismissed for a time, and Mrs. West rests ¡¡fterher laborious exertions, and having partaken of a light luncheon of hard-boiled eggs, she dresses herself, and the brougham or victoria (according to the state of the weather) is brougbt round to the door, and she drives round to tbe various shops to collect her commission on the cartes de visite and the cabinets that have been sold during the previous day. I do not vouch for the truth of the state- ment, but I am informed that this little commission amounts to thousands yearly, and the joke of the whole thing is that these pictures are purchased principally by cads, who show the likenesses about to their friends, and oftentimes boast that they were given to them by Mrs. West herself, and I cannot say that I in any way pity the lady, for she lays herself open to this sort of imult. A woman must have come, indeed, to a low estimate of her womanhaod when her vanity permits her to do this sort of thing. If Mrs. Cornwallis West had done any one act to make herself known; if she were a her@ine, or even a murderess, there would be some excuse in this traffic. When actresses get themselves taken it is excusable; when are sold from the windows of our fashionable shops, it is understood that they are as shameless as they are good-looking but when a woman of position, such as Mrs. West, classes herself with the latter. she has only herself to blame if the casual purchaser considers her to be in the same street.' After having received her commission, she returns home, again to assume fresh positions, put on other costumes, and be taken backwards. full face, and in profile. One of Mrs. W.'s greatest troubles is the fact that she is so out-photoed by Mrs. Laugtry; amI the knowledge that Mrs. L. has been illustrated by George Purkess in the Police News has excited M rs. West to the very greatest extent. I have heard that George has been offered an enormous sum by Mrs. W. to enshrine her likeness among his roll of famous men and women, but I am afraid that he has been bribed by the other photographic professional beauty to give her the monopoly of appearing in his charming paper. I dare say that all of my readers have heard the following quotation from the works of an unknown poet What is your fortune, my pretty maid ? My face is my fortune, sir, he said. This was evidently written in a prophetic vein, and the author must have had the Wests and tbe Langtrys in his eye. I am particularly requested to state that Mrs. West is not in any way related to Billy West, the stump orator. His wife's name i Emma, not Cornwallis. Mrs. CornwaWs West has a quantity of pets, all of which are appropriately named after the various articles used in the trade in which she has em- barked. For instance, her collie dog is named Collieodion, her cat is called Iodide of Potassium, whilst the parrot is known as Camera Poll. The lady is so far devoted to the photographic art that after dinner she retires to her chamber and has a silver bath preparatory to proceeding to the opera, or one of the aristocratic gatherings at which she is the reigning belle. Returning home late at night, she i met by one of the young men from Mr. MayaU's, and is taken in evening costume, by magnesium light, after which she retires to rest. Mr. Lewis resumed—It now only remains for me to say that Mr. Cornwallis West having become aware of this libellous publication, his first, and not altogether un- natural, impulse was to proceed at once to the office of the paper, and their to adminster condign chastisement upon the author; but he remembered that there was obedience due to him from the law, and that there was respect due to himself and his position. More prudent counsels prevailed, and he determined to drag this man before a court of justice, and to treat him in the only manner in which such a being should be treated—as a criminal. That course having been determined upon, a person will be called before you as a witness, to prove that he proceeded to the office of Town Talk and there purchased a copy of the paper. He saw the defendant, and the defendant then admitted that he was the pub- lisher of the paper, and he rubbed his hands in exultation, and said that he hoped an action for libel or half-a-dozen actions for libel would arise. And, I take it, that the one hope of these people is that actions for libel may be brought against them, and that thereby the circulation of their paper may be increased. But I am certain of this, that when it is shown, as it will be shown, in respect of every statement—no matter against whom—that has appeared in this paper, and that has led to copies being sold; when it is shown that as to every statement and as to every person men- tioned that the statements are foul, filthy lies, and that those are induced to buy are deluded—and inten- tionally deluded—I feel quite sure that a wave of public indignation will wash down together the people and the paper. And I hope the outcome of these proceedings will be that when, in addition, it is known that for each of these separate libels a punishment of two years' imprisonment with hard labour may be visited upon these people, I hope that once and for all, in our gene- ration at least, papers of this description may be put down, and never again rear themselves. It is almost impossible to exaggerate^ the pernicious influence of prints of this kind, and it is difficult to appreciate the amount of injury they do, not only to private character but in a public aspect. And, indeed, when one remem- bers that no rank or station of life, no uprightness of heart, no chastity of life, no prudence of conduct, can avail to protect either sex against the mendacious scurrility of these ribald rags and when it is further remembered that the sole and all-devouring motives of the defendant, and those associated with him in the conduct of this paper, is the greed of gain, I dare affirm of the defendant, and of those associated with him, that his conduct is blackened with every aggravation that can render it odious, and it is unretrieved by any circumstances of palliation that can retrieve it from the abhorrence of every right-minded person in the land. Mr. Cornwallis West was then called, examined by Mr. Lewis, and deposed as follows :—I reside at No. 49, Eaton-place, and Ruthin Castle, Denbigh. I am lord-lieutenant of that county. On Wednesday of the j present week I purchased in Fleet-street a copy of Town Talk, issued on the 4th of October. It appears I to be printed and published by A. Rosenberg at No. 4, Ludgate Circus-buildings. I have heard the article read in court entitled Mrs. Cornwallis West at Home," < Mid I have read it. The Mrs Cornwallis West there. referred to is my wife. From beginning to end there is not a statement in the article which is true, except that I live at Eaton-place, and am lord-lieutenant of the county. So far from allowing my wife's photograph to be exhibited in the shop windows, I and my solicitor have taken every step to prevent that being done. No statement in reference to the interior or other parts of the house in that article contains a particle of truth. Mrs. West is at present at Ruthin Castle. Mr. Lewis Then every statement made but those just excepted is untrue ? Mr. West: Yes. Mr. Lewis So far from there being a photographic apparatus in your place, is it not a fact that nothing of the kind exists ? Mr. West: Yes. Mr. Beard (who represented Rosenberg): I have no question to ask the witness. Mr. Lewis Then I have only to ask for a remand. The remand was granted. Mr. Montague Williams then proceeded with a second charge against the defendant—that of publishing libels upon Mrs. Langtry. Mr. Langtry, upon being examined by Mr. M. Williams, said I reside at No. 17, Norfolk-street, Park-lane. I have heard you read the articles, and I have read them, and there is not a single word of truth in them. The articles appeared on Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27, and Oct. 4. It is not true that I have filed a petition in the Divorce Court for a divorce from my wife. There is not the slightest foundation for the statement. I am now living at home with my wife. Mr. Williams then asked for a remand. Mr. Beard, on behalf of the defendant, said I shall not object to that. Mr. Beard.—The defendant regrets exceedingly that he should have been misled by information given him by anyone. I may add that what has been said here so surprises him that he is prepared, and will in due course give the name of the writer, as that is the man who should be reached. The defendant was remanded until Wednesday, the magistrate offering to accept bail in two sureties of £500 in each case and himself in £1,000. At the Guildhall police court, on Tuesday, an application was made to admit the defendant to bail in two securities of £500 each. The matter stood over and on the following day the application was set down for renewal when Mr. Beard stated that one of the sureties would not justify, and he therefore could not make the application. The defendant was consequently removed in custody. On Wednesday, before Mr. Alderman Staples, Adolphus Rosenberg was again brought up on the charge. Mr. Watkin Williams, M.P., instructed by Mr. Edward Dillon Lewis, appeared for the prosecution; Mr. Beard for the defendant; and Mr. Wontner for the printers of the paper. There was a very large attendance in court, and great interest was manifested in the prosecution. Alderman Sir T. Dakin occupied a seat on the Bench. Mr. Watkin Williams said he appeared on behalf of Mr. Cornwallis West, and he desired to state that it was proposed on this occasion to complete shortly the case against Rosenberg. Two summonses would follow agamst other persons—one against a person named Head and the other against a person named Mark, as the printers of the publication. William Wilfrid Head and Henry Robert Mark were then called, and answered to their names. They took up their positions in front of the bar. Mr. Watkin Williams said that he had only been instructed that morning, but he was informed that Messrs. Head and Mark were highly respectable printers. If, however, they would lend their offices for the printing of such papers as these, they must put up with the consequences. If they would examine what they printed before they did it, such filth would be crushed in the inception. Mr. Beard asked that he might be permitted to ask Mr. West one question. Permission was given, and Mr. West, in reply, said that since the remand the defendant's solicitor had furnished the name and address of the writer of the article. By Mr. Watkin Williams.—He had received a name and address on a piece of paper, but no further infor- mation was given as to whether he was the writer of the articl The depositions having been read over and signed Mr. Watkin Williams said that on that evidence he would ask for the committal of the prisoner and two defendants for trial for wilfully and maliciously printing and publishing the libel, knowing it to be false. Mr. Beard, on behalf of Rosenburg, said that he denied that his client knew that the libel was false, and now he greatly regretted that it had appeared in that publication. Mr. Wontner, on behalf of Messrs, Head and Mark, said that legally they had no defence to the charge, but they were highly honourable men, and had been in business for many years. They confined their attention to the counting-house, and knew nothing of what was contained in the paper. When they saw by the news- papers what sort of publication it was, they at once gave M1. Rosenburg notice that they would not print it any more, and the last number was printed by somebody else. They deeply regretted that such a vile libel should have come out of their office. They quite con- curred in the opinion that it was most abominable that the fair fame of two highly honourable ladies should have been aspersed in so foul a manner. The prisoner Rosenberg reserved his defence. Mr. Head said he apologized most humbly to the ladies and gentlemen who had been libelled, and ex- plained that, although they printed the paper, Rosen- berg had the entire control over it. Mr. Head added that he had never read a number of it, and knew nothing about any libel until last Sunday morning he heard that Rosenberg was in custody fur libel. They had severed their connexion with the paper, and would never print it again. Mr. Mark was absent for six weeks before the paper was printed. Mr. Mark made a similar statement and endorsed all that his partner had said. They were then committed for trial. Rosenberg being admitted to bail in two sureties in £300 and him- self in £1,000, and the two defendants in their own recognizances in £1,000 each. Messrs. Head and Mark then entered into their recognizances and left the court. Mr. Beard said that the prisoner had not been able to find the required sureties, and he now applied that one surety should be taken in the double amount. One surety had for some reason retired from his proposal, but the other was willing to take the double responsi- bility on himself and was well able to justify for the amount. Mr. E. D. Lewis said he must strenuously oppose the application there were others concerned in this who would gladly pay all the bail to get the prisoner out of the way. Mr. Beard, in support of his application, put in a medical certificate as to the state of the prisoner's health. Alderman Staples said he would reserve the questions until the other case was heard. In regard to the charged preferred by Mr. and Mrs. Langtry, Mr. Montagu Williams said he proposed to proceed against Rosenberg alone. The evidence given by Mr. Langtry, having been read over and signed, formal evidence was given of the purchase of the papers at the defendant's offices, and the libels were again read. The prisoner, having been cautioned in this case, said I tender my sinoerest apologies to Mr. Langtry. The statements I learned for the first time last Satur- day were false, and I sincerely regret their publication. The whole information upon which these paragraphs were based was given me by the person whose name I have given to Mr. West. He refused to write them himself because, he said. You don't want your printers to know where you get your information.' When I asked him what remuneration I was to give him for what I then considered to be valuable infor- mation, he said, Wait until I bring you the rest.' By the rest he meant the shorthand notes of the application to Sir James Hannen to have the case heard in camera, and a copy of the petition. To make all things sure, I employed a private detective to go to Somerset-house. He reported to me that there was no doubt that the petition was on the file, but that the paragraph in Town Talk had 'settled it,' and he would not be able to get at it. That private detective is now in court. I have been deceived from beginning to end by the man whose name I have given to Mr. West. I again apologise to Mr. and Mrs. Langtry for the publi- cation of the statements." The prisoner was then committed for trial. Mr. M. Williams said that with regard to bail, this was a more serious case than the other, because it imputed adultery to a lady of position and honour, and implicated some of the highest persons in the land. Therefore he hoped that no alteration would be made either in the number or amount of the bail. Alderman Staples said that he should not reduce the bail, but counsel might go to a Judge at chambers. Mr. Beard asked that the bail might be two in £500, or four in £250 each, in each of the cases. Alderman Staples acceded to the request, but required 24 hours' notice.

BRYMBO AND BBOTJGHTOH.I

.CAERWYS.

CEFN AND RHOSYMEDRE.

CHESTER.

CORWEN.

HOLYWELL.

LLANASA.

LLANGEDWYN.

MOLD.I

OSWESTRY.

RUABON.(

IRHYL

ST. ASAPH.