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AN EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE AGAINST MADAME RACHEL.

At the Marlborough-strect Police-courfc on Juno 8, Mrs Borroclaile appeared to prosecute Madame llachel on a charge of having obtained from her LIOOO upon the pretence of making her "beautiful for ever." The defendant surrendered, and Lord Xlanelagh, whose name had been mentioned in connection with the matter, was present. Mr Montague Williams, in opening the case, stated that the chargewould shape itself in two ways — one for obtaining money by false pretences, and the other for conspiring to obtain sums of money from his client. Then going into the facts of the case, the learned counsel said : — The prosecutrix became acquainted with Madame Rachel in 18GG. In that year Mrs Borro'daile called upon Madame Rachel, who told her that by the aid of cosmetics she was able to make her "beautiful for ever," and that after she had done so, she would be able to arrange for her an advantageous matrimonial alliance. A large sum would be required, certain cosmetics were to be used, and specified baths to be taken. Mrs Borrodaile believing these representations, advanced LIOOO, for which she had Madam© Rachel's receipt. The baths were taken. His client was told that they were so constructed that persons could see into them through crevices — that a nobleman had seen her while bathing ; had fallen in love with her, and was anxious to be introduced. After some time she was introduced by Madame Rachel to a gentleman who she said was Lordßanelagh, but who for private reasons did not wish to be known as Lord Ranelagh, but as Captain William Edwards. Several letters passed between the parties. While the correspondence was going on Madame Rachel told the lady LI4OO was needed by Lord Ranelagh for volunteering purposes, and that that sum, as soon as she became his wife, would be repaid. Some pi-operty was sold out by a solicitor named Haynes, and various sums were advanced, sometimes LlO, sometimes Lls, in the belief that she was carrying on a matrimonial engagement with the real and not the fictitious Lord Ranelagh. Subsequently Madame Rachel told the lady, as she was about to become Lady Ranelagh, a certain amount of diamonds would be wanted for the wedding. Tlie prosecutrix ordered diamonds, and advanced LUOO to Madame Rachel. The diamonds, however, were returned with a forfeit of Ll5O for not taking them, Madame Rachel telling Mrs Borrodaile that they would not be wanted, as she would have the Ranelagh family diamonds, j Then there were wedding dresses pur- j chased at the suggestion of Madame Rachel, and such was the credulity of the poor dupe that in a short time certain parties succeeded in stripping her of every shilling she had, the total amount not being less than L4OOO. Of this sum, the obtaining of LIOOO would form the basis of the charge of conspiracy. The letters referred to by the learned counsel were then read amid the laughter of the crowded court, and in the prevailing merriment Lord Ranelagh heartily joined. They were dated " Mount-street," were addressed to "My only darling beloved Mary," and signed "Yours till death, William." The terms in which these missives were couched were ridiculous in tlie extreme. The writer apostrophised the prosecutrix as his "fond love," his " heart's delight," his " adored one," and it must have been a source of surprise that any sensible person could ever have listened to such arrant nonsense. Mr Knox, having regard to the nature of the charge, said he should require two good bail of LIOOO each.— On Juno 10, Mr Sayer, from the office of Mr Edward Lewis, attended with Mr Kingswell, coach-builder, Upper St. Martins-lane, and Mr Richards, of the Thistle and Crown, St. Martins-lane, who had consented to become bail for Madame Rachel. Mr Knox expressed himself satisfied with the bail tendered, and Madame Rachel was released.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GRA18680822.2.13

Bibliographic details

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 407, 22 August 1868, Page 3

Word Count
646

AN EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE AGAINST MADAME RACHEL. Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 407, 22 August 1868, Page 3

AN EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE AGAINST MADAME RACHEL. Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 407, 22 August 1868, Page 3

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