CRIME AND MYSTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 14, 17 January 1925, Page 19

CRIME AND MYSTERY.

BLOTS ON THE 'SCUTCHEON

CASE OF LORD TEYNHAM.

(By HORACE WYNDHAM.)

There have been disquieting rumours, before today on the subject of "trafflckIng' In honours and Government appoint ' monts. While most of these rumours are I false, some oC „ leni hnve r ,. rtaln|y rested ; on a substantial foundation. The fact! Is. when the cynic declared "every man l has his price," be was not far wrong. Human nature changes very little through the ages. There are always ambitious snobs; ami there are always shady gobetweons ready (for a "consideration") to servo them. !

It was through his connection with such a case that a former Lord Teynham once fo„„d himself called upon to answer a serious charge against his personal honour 11" disentangled himself from it, certainly Rtlll, a good deal of mud adhered to him In Hie process. l-' or this he had only himself 10 thank.

The case, which began In the Court of King's Bench on May 11, i 83 3, before tlle I-ord Chief Justlc (Sir Thomas lienman) ami a special jury, was entered as "The King v. lionlan and Another." The "another" was Lord Teynham, whose identity was, following the ilunkeylsh custom of the period, thus masked. As for his companion, Donlan, he can best bo described as an Individual who "lived by his wits." At any rate, be was a person of no particular consequence.

According to tbe indictment, the charge against the pair was that of "conspiring together to procure n sum of £1-100 fromone Dldlmus Langford. a tailor."

There are tailors nnd tailors. This one was not exactly at the top c,r the sartorial tree. Ills business promises were not in Savlle Row, nor did bo draw his clientele from Mayfair. As a matter of fact, he had a small shop in Stepney, and his customers were gathered from that anything but ultra-fnshlonnble district. None the less, he had—egged on, it appears, by Mrs. Dldlmus—ambitions beyond his surroundings. To cut coats and trousers for the beau monde of Stepney was all very well. He preferred, however, to cut a dash among tho aristocracy of the West End. It was this little weakness that was to bring him into such unwelcome notoriety and deplete his bank balance.

Sir James Scarlett (afterwards Lord Ablnger) conducted the prosecution; and Frederick Tbesiger (who began his career as a midshipman in the Navy, and finished It on the Bench ns Lord Chelmsford) was briefed for Lord Teynham. As for Donlan, the real villain of the piece, he was his own advocate. If he did not have "a fool for his client," he jcertalnly had a first-class rogue.

The case attracted an immense amount of public Interest, not only because of the rank of the principal defendant, but also because the Duke of Wellington had-been subpoenaed as a witness. Humour, too, was busy with tho names of Lord Ellenborough nnd Sir William Brabazon. Hence, "revelations" were expected by tbe eager crowd that filled the Court and battled for scats. They wore certainly supplied. In his opening address Sir James Scarlett had .1 curious slory to put to the Jury. About several portions of It there were touches that have had their parallels in our own day. The Stepney Snip (but this was not what he called him), explained Sir Jnnu-s, happened nt the period when he first encountered the accused, to possess a certain amount of money. It was no great amount, being merely a matter of £3000 or so. Still, to tho defendant, Donlan, who had no money at all, lt was a substantial sum; and he set his wits to work to transfer the cash from tho pockets of Its lawful owner to thoso of himself. A variety of circumstances fnvoured him in the accomplishment of this nefarious design. " Telling the Tale." The prosecutor, it appeared, was tired of tailoring- He had social ambitions. aDd was anxious to secure a Government appointment, as this would give him a standing in the circles in which he moved. Donlan, whose acquaintance be lhad made through a third party (a mysterioUß Individual called Whitei represented himself as a person of vnst influence, and thus in a position to do what was wanted. According to his account, indeed, the Cabinet and tho Treasury never appointed anybody without consulting him beforehand: and his recommendation was the sure nnd certain passport to a wellsalaried and dignified post. The trusting Langford swallowed tnis. and much more to'the same effect, and pressed tbe helpful Donlan to exert his alleged Interest. Tho latter was perfectly agreeable. There was, however, he declared, just a little formality to be compiled with first. To show his complete fitness to fill a rcnlly responsible appointment, lt would be necessary for the candidate to prove his financial standing Inputting up a sum of £1100. This was an Invariable rule, and the First Lord of tho Treasury was most particular about its observance. However, the Duke of Wellington, who occupied this position, was. Sir. Donlan declared, a personal friend ot his. Also lie was reasonable. Accordingly, if the aspirant could not pay the full amount at ouce, his Grace would be prepared to accept it in instalments.

An Ingenious tale this, nnd suspiciously resembling what would now bo called the "confidence trick." Yet, Dldimus Longford "fell for it" without a moment's hesitation, and handed over £ISO on the spot. A week later he returned, bringing with him bank notes to make up the first instalment of £700.

It was Just after this that Lorn Teynham, who had hitherto kept discreetly in tho background, made his initial appearance on the scene. Donlan explained tuat It was necessary to have his Lordship's help, and undertook to effect an introduction.

Most of the tailoring fraternity are sharp enough. This member of it, however, seems to have been n lineal descendant of Simple Simon. Never was such an Innocent. Whatever the imaginative Donian told him, he accepted as gospel. Immensely impressed, accordingly, nt the prospect of thus meeting a peer of tne realm, the trusting fellow hurried off post haste to Brook Street, where Lord Teynham was then living. The mysterious Mr. White accompanied him, and it vra» he who really brought them together.

Snip found the interview to answer his fondest expectations. "His Lordship," he told tho grinning Court, "was most affable," and promised to secure him a clerkship in the Treasury at a commencing salary of £200 per annum. This was not much, perhaps. Still, it was a start up the ladder, and would, no doubt, lead to better things. A-nyway, Dldlmus Langford walked back to fcla Stepney shop, treading on air. In imagination he 6aw himself, first In Parllai

HOW AN IMPECUNIOUS PEER - rum RAISED THE WIND."

»«t. then in the Cabinet, and eventually at Court. "Rise, Sir Dldlmus," too, perhaps. Why not? Stranger things had happened.

Hut, alas for these airy fancies! There was soon to be a sad awakening.

A few days after the momentous interview, I lonian reappeared with a letter from

1.-ord Teynham, declaring that he was favourably impressed with his friend's abilities, and was "proceeding in the matter they both had at heart." So far, so good. The letter, however, went on to hint that the noble sender was for the moment Just a tillle embarrassed. Not to put too line a point upon it. he badly wanted a couple of hundred pounds. Some little trouble with the sheriff's oHieers, it seemed. The sort of thing that might happen to anybody, especially to men of the world like themselves. Doubts of Didimlus. Pidimus I.angford had a large stock of patience. Still, lt was not an inexhaustible one. Hence, when several months elapsed, and no Government appointment materialised, he began to get anxious. Also, he begun to ask awkward questions. Doulan, however, was a pastmaster in staving off inconvenient inquiries, and could always tlnd an excuse for the delay. When Inquiries became too pressing, he would flourish his trump card, a letter from Lord Teynham. One of these missives declared : "I have just seen my noble friend at the Treasury, aud he will shortly be able to

As the "noble friend" was said to he the Duke of Wellington himself, this assurance kept (he other quiet for some time. It

might have done so indefinitely had he not chanced one day to mention the subject to a business acquaintance. This person rather upset him by his criticisms. What, how-

ever, was worse, these criticisms awakened an uncomfortable suspicion In his own breast. The result was, he told Donlan that he would see Lord Teynham nnd insist on either getting an appointment nt once or having his money returned. An ultimatum, in fact. Donlan blustered, but, finding this of no avail, made the best of a, bad Job, and arranged another interview. This occurred in Brook Street, whero ijord Teynham apologised handsomely, aud gave his word that the Duke had promised to put the matter through nt once.

On this definite understanding, Langford's spirits rose, and ho returned to the bosom of his family. But the annoying delays continued. Also the letters of excuses. Then, just aB he was on the point of delivering n second ultimatum, Donlan reappeared, and told him to report to the Treasury In a fortnight. Before the fortnight elapsed, however, a fresh condition was sprung on him. This was that he must swear an affidavit that he had not paid any money for tho appointment.

While Dldlmus Langford was n fool, he was not a rogue. Consequently he declined to make any such affidavit. Thereupon nonlan, being (no doubt from practice) a person of resource!, ndvanred an alternative suggestion. This was that tho candidate should put up another £700, and that the amount should be registered as a temporary loan to Lord Teynham. who would give him a bond in return. Dldlmus agreed, nnd went off to meet the aristocratic borrower at Donlan's house.

On arriving there, with tho money in his pocket nnd hope in his heart, he experienced another disappointment. Mrs. Donlan produced refreshments (principally liquid), but neither she nor her husband produced Lord Teynham. Still, after a long Interval, he did appear. Announcing that he had a private matter to discuss, the tailorfinancier was requested to wait in another room. After waiting there for an hour, he wns Joined by Donlan, who said that, "as It would be contrary to etiquette for a nobleman of Lord Teynham's exalted position to receive money from a person of Mr. Langford's humble calling," he, Donlan, must hand it to him. "It wns then," observed the witness naively, "that I first began to suspect something was wrong." "High time, too !" "What happened next?" demanded counsel. "His Lordship told mc that the situation was ready, and that I was to be called In n fortnight. He said that his accepting the money in that way was to let mc take the oath ; and that It was his Intention to drive mo to tho Treasury in Ills carriage, and to introduce mc there to a position good enough for his own son." The cash was handed over, and the bond duly signed by tbe recipient and witnessed by the accommodating Donlan. Tho trusting Didlmus Wns delighted. All his suspicions were lulled. To seal the bargain, lie stopped to dinner with his friends, who "induced him to take several glasses of wine and brandy and wafer." Then, to put a finishing touch to the evening, Donlan took him off tn the Royal box (or what he said was the Royal box) nt Drnry Lane.

Dining with a lord, and afterwards sitting in the Royal box at the theatre. This really was high life! If only his Stepney customers had been there to witness his triumphs, the cup of Didiinus Langford would have been filled to the brim.

The bond wns signed in ,7uno, IS2S. Langford saw no more of "my friend. Lord Toynham." for some months, but he saw a good deal of Donlan. At last he summoned up sufficient courage to demand an explanation of him. The plausible Donlan had one cut and dried. This was that all new members of the Civil Service were required to begin their official cureers by taking six weeks' leave of absence, and to spend this period in improving their handwriting. When the six weeks had elapsed, this Simple Simon was instructed to take another, on the grounds that his penmanship has not yet reached the necessary standard. He also managed to get a second interview with Lord Teynham, "who told him not to worry, as his salary was being credited to him." He was further informed that when he did begin work at the Treasury, the hours would be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but that the duties he would be called upon to discharge there were "not exactly defined."

Easy hours, unlimited leave of absence, nnd salary going on all the time. It seemed an ideal career. The only drawback about lt wns the difficulty of making a start. At any rate, the Treasury heads appeared in so little hurry to have the services of their new recruit that they neglected to tell him when to present himself. Nor, for that matter, did they even answer his letters when he wrote to them on the subject.

To keep him quiet, Donlan, acting presumably on behalf of his principal, Lord Teynham, from time to itlme (but generally In arrear) paid Interest on the bond. He also suggested that he should employ his leisure with profit hy accepting from himself a cub-contract to make' soldier*' trousers. Ut seemed en odd occupation tor

a. Government oSolal. Still, Dldlmus Langford was, after all, a tailor at heart; and ho took up tho work without demur. He spent sixteen months on lt, and received nothing In the way of payment. This experience, coming on top of the continued silence ot Whitehall, proved the last straw. He had parted with £1400 In 0823. It was norr 1832. This made him peevish. It also made him write to Donlan, declaring his Intention of putting the matter in tne hands of a solicitor. tie had cot seen him since; he had received no Government appointment; he had devoted nearly a year and a-half to making soldiers' trousers for nothing; and, finally, the Interest on tae bond was several quarters in arrear.

•Regarded from any standpoint, a sad chapter of misfortune.

The prosecution called the Duke of Wellington. Ills Orace, who occupied a seat on the Bench beside the Judge, gave his evidence with soldierly brevity: —

"I know Lord Toynham. I was First Lord of irhe Treasury at the time of the date of those letters. Lord Teynham made no application to mc for a situation for a person of the name -of Dldlmus Landlord. I did, however, receive several letters of application from Lord Teynham for situations, fine was for his son. or nephew, I forgot which. I declined acceding to any of ithcm. 1 also received another application from Lord Toynham, requesting mc to solicit 1113 Majesty to create a gentleman of the name of Tris a haronet. This application I also declined."

The Lord Chief Justice summed up the evidence. Dldlmus Langford, he observed, was "cither 0 very silly man or else a most perjured man." As to which It was, he left it for the jury to decide. They did not have much difficulty In doing so, and, after n brief consultation brought in a verdict of guilty against both Lord Teynham and his co-defendant.

Under ordinary circumstances, Judgment wouhi -have boon pronounced there and then. For some reason, however, that is not very clear—except, perhaps, that Lord Teynham had a "pull"—such Judgment was deferred. New Trial Ordered. « Profiting by the delay, defendants' counsel made the next move, and applied for a new trial. The arguments in support of the motion wore advanced by Mr. Bollock, who now appeared for Lord Teynham. Ills case was thait Dldlmus Langford was a liar as well as a fool, and that a number of letters sworn to be in the handwriting of his client had really been written by himself. "It was perfectly true," he said, "that Lord Teynham had written two letters promising to assist Langford to secure a situation, but it did not at all follow that, in taking this course, his lordship was actuated by any improper motive." Then, on one of the specific days when a meeting was declared to have occurred between them in London, ho was at TunbrMige Wells. Under these circumstances, counsel contended, the case should be re-tried. The Lord Chief Justice agreed. But. all the same, lt seemed very difficult to fix a day for tho second trial. Whatever one was suggested, an objection was promptly lodged, by one side or the other. Counsel embarked upon undlgnlfieo wrangles, and there was much washing of soiled linen in public. Still, the delays could not last indefinitely; and, esncitly ■thirteen months after tho caso had first been heard, the now trial began.

This fimo, tho caso had an unexpected termination. After ithe jury hnd boon sworn. Lord Donman addressed them. nnd. pointing out that nobody appeared to prosecute declared that they must return n verdict of not guilty. This being done, Lord Teynham was accordingly discharged.

As for tho dashing Dldlmus Langford. •whose misguided .ambition had occasioned so much trouble nnd scandal, nothing more

was heard of him. The presumption, however, is that he abandoned his efforts to enter "society," nnd returned to his tailoring business. If so, a Judicious choice, since his defection had only cost him a lot of money and made him a laughing-stock.