Notwithstanding this evidence, Lord Mohun was acquitted of the charge of having been accessory to the murder. The only circumstance in his favour was the question whether Hall had stabbed Montford when unprepared, or whether the unfortunate man had defended himself. It was proved that his sword had been broken. Howbeit, little doubt could exist as to the culpability of Lord Mohun, in having coolly and deliberately planned the act of violence against Mrs. Bracegirdle, with a determination to rid themselves of her supposed paramour _any how_; and we cannot but marvel at his peers allowing him to escape unpunished. It was the baseness and profligacy of this man that confirmed the general belief that the Duke of Hamilton had been foully murdered by M’Carthy, Mohun’s second and friend, no doubt as worthy as his former companion Hall. William Montford was an actor of considerable merit, and was also a successful dramatic writer. He was only thirty-three years of age when he met with this untimely end. Cibber speaks of him in the following terms:—“He was tall in person, well made, fair, and of an agreeable aspect. His voice full, clear, and melodious. In tragedy, he was the most affecting lover within my memory. His addresses had a resistless recommendation, from the very tone of his voice, which gave his words such softness that, as Dryden says, Like flocks of feather’d snow, They melted as they fell! It was to be expected, that such worthless ruffians as Mohun and Hall should have been anxious to remove the rivalry of a person so likely to please Mrs. Bracegirdle, although the intimacy between her and Montford was such, as to leave those acquainted with the parties firmly convinced that no improper intercourse existed between them. From her walk in the drama, they constantly performed together, and a strict intimacy had not only arisen between them, but between Mrs. Bracegirdle and Mrs. Montford. In 1662 a meeting took place between Mr. Jermyn, nephew to the Earl of St. Alban’s, and afterwards himself Lord Jermyn, and Colonel Giles Rawlins on the one side; and Captain Thomas Howard, brother to Lord Carlisle, and a friend on the other. Mr. Jermyn was severely wounded, and his second killed. They fought in the old Pall Mall, St. James’s. Mr. Jermyn, the challenged party, was entirely ignorant of the nature of the offence he had given, nor could he induce his antagonist to inform him. Captain Howard was supposed to have worn a coat of mail under his dress.