Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's ReignAshton, John
History
Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's Reign
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
BOW STREET.—Shortly after the opening of the court yesterday morning,
and before any of the night charges had been disposed of, Prince
Louis Napoleon and Le Comte Leon, who is said to be the son of
Bonaparte, to whom he hears a striking resemblance, were brought
before Mr. Jardine, charged by Nicholas Pearce, inspector of the A
division, with having met at Wimbledon Common, and attempted to
commit a breach of the peace, by fighting a duel with swords and
pistols.
Lieut.-Col. Jeremiah Ratcliffe, 6th Dragoons, as second to the last
defendant, and Col. Charles Parquin, second to the Prince, together
with Count D’Orsay, and a servant, named Mertial Kien, with aiding
and assisting the principals in the intended combat.
Previous to the evidence being taken, two brace of pistols, with
powder flasks, and a pair of rapiers, were laid on the table for the
inspection of the magistrate.
Inspector Pearce, being sworn, said, about 2 o’clock this morning he
received information from Superintendent Baker, that certain parties
had an intention of meeting in a hostile manner on Wimbledon Common,
some of whom were to start from Fenton’s Hotel and the others from
Carlton Gardens; in consequence of which I went into St. James’s
Street, where I saw a post-chaise drive up to the door of the hotel,
about 7 o’clock, but I could not ascertain if any person had got into
it. After delaying a short time, it moved slowly on in the direction
of Piccadilly, followed by Col. Ratcliffe, and stopped again at
Tattersall’s, where another person followed towards Hyde Park Corner.
The chaise was then driven westward, and I followed it on horseback;
but, previous to arriving at Hyde Park Corner, the defendant
Ratcliffe passed, on horseback, in Piccadilly.
Mr. Jardine: What hour might it be then?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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