Palace and Hovel; Or, Phases of London LifeKirwan, Daniel Joseph
History
Palace and Hovel; Or, Phases of London Life
Kirwan, Daniel Joseph
London (England) -- Description and travel; London (England) -- Social life and customs
Frederick Johnson testified:--I was formerly footman to Sir C.
Mordaunt. While Captain Farquhar was staying at Walton, in the autumn
of 1867, I took a note, I believe, from Mrs. Cadogan, into Lady
Mordaunt's sitting-room. The captain was there. They had carving tools
before them. The rest of the party were out shooting. I did not knock
before entering. Lady Mordaunt told me I ought not to come in without
knocking. She had not told me so before. I went with Lady Mordaunt,
in the spring of 1868, to the Alhambra. Captain Farquhar was there.
Lady Kinnoul (with whom Lady Mordaunt was staying) went, too, in her
own carriage, and Lady Mordaunt in a hired one. Lady Mordaunt left
about twelve. The Captain rode part of the way home with her. I have
posted three or four letters from Lady Mordaunt to him, and have also
delivered a letter to him. The Prince of Wales called once in 1867; I
did not see him at the house again. He also called on Lady Mordaunt
while she was staying with Lady Kinnoul. I have taken letters from her
Ladyship addressed to the Prince; some I took to Marlborough House,
and others I posted.
Cross-examined.--Letters were given me by her Ladyship, her maid, and
the butler. I posted a great many. The Prince called at Lady Kinnoul's
to see Lady Mordaunt just after she had got better. She had been
confined to her room.
Re-examined.--I took two or three letters to Marlborough House; two I
am positive, and I think I posted three to the Prince of Wales within
three days.
The strongest testimony against Lady Mordaunt was given by Miss
Jessie Clark, lady's maid to the wretched woman. It was full and
comprehensive, and I give it here from the official report, cooked up
by the Prince of Wales' friends, with extenuating notes, which I omit.
[Sidenote: THE PRINCE OF WALES CALLS OFTEN.]
Jessie Clarke was then called, and deposed,--I was lady's-maid to Lady
Mordaunt from her marriage till she left Walton. In the autumn of 1867
Captain Farquhar came on a visit, and stayed about a week. He and Lady
Mordaunt were very much together.
In November, 1867, Lady Mordaunt went up to London, and I accompanied
her. We stayed at the Palace Hotel, Buckingham Gate, and remained two
nights. We arrived at the hotel about 5 p.m., and about half-past ten
I saw Captain Farquhar on the landing outside the sitting-room with
Lady Mordaunt. The bed-room was a short distance off. I did not see
him come or leave. Her ladyship went to bed about a quarter to eleven,
and I called her the next morning at half-past eight. I had arranged
the bed-room for her. In the morning I noticed that the books had
been moved, though her ladyship never used to move anything that I
arranged. The next day she was out the greater part of the day, and
went out again about six. She had not returned about ten, when I went
to bed, and she told me not to sit up, as she would not want me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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