A PRINCE OF SWINDLERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 33

A PRINCE OF SWINDLERS.

THE EXTRAORDINARY EXPLOITS OF I ' ANTHELME COLLET. J ■• ' I . ' J> - two Pautk.— Pakt -J. 1: ' ,'' j; , r ,• • •■ ' ' ■ "The pleasure is asgran.'" declaies an eminent authority, "of being cheated., as' to cheat.*' Tf this assertion were 'universal ly true, AlhelniP Collet might claim Vo liave been one of the greatest benefactors of humanity. 1 • Probably, however, , Butler's apophthegm is one of those whereof, -as the sagacious' BunHby would ' observe,' ; "-the bearings lay j in the application oiMi" 1 - 'Collect 'Undoubtedly; took 1 avke^ri-pleasu're is/ hLv successful 'rogueries, ' dnd-'Miej;" are' amusing, enough' lo outsider^ ' o"ri>- <-itf'«"ranst- 'have needed r ari unusually- amite sense of humour in his victims to'seeany fun intheiri: ■ - ■ . Anthelme Collev was bom in the department of Am, France, in tht* year 17S;">. lie lost bi's faih«r ai :m oarly age, and was ' adopted "by* an'vmcta,' a. pr'.'est-p'under who.-se . care he spent some years -in Romo v . Here ho learnpfl t A- 'speak lialian fluently, and to as' r sist i» the Horvice of the Mas.->. He, howr ever, showed little' vocation for the ecclesiastical profession that, on his uncle's return to France, which took place when Anthelme was about 16, it was'decided, on the recommendation of another uncle, a major in, the. army, to. place him in the Frytanee (of military school) at Fontaineblcau. - The uulitary authorities of that day were, , -not very exacting, and after a bare twelvemonth's instruction .Collet.reoeivQd. his commission 'as sub-lieutenant,, ami was attached to Uic 101 st regimpnt of the line*, .When, hovyftver, tho first novelty had worn o.ff, he began to find, drill and discipline extremely irksome, and to look back with regret to the, comparative 1 ease of his, life with his clerical uncle. .His regiment took part, in the siege of. Gaeta, where, be, was \vounded by a splint er of a shell. The. wound was not- very seriou.s, but] Collofc, for his own purposes^ made the most of.it, and was drafted for surgical treatment; to an hospital,at Naples. Here his first proceeding was, in gaol-bird phrase, to " gammon the chaplain,'" a soft-hearted Dominican monk, who listened without suspicion to the patient's highly-coloured picture ol' Uie snares of a life, and liis aeep regret 1 at not having embraced the priesthood instead. So strongly did he put the matter, that the worthy monk felt that it was almosts a duty to aid smoh a pious young man to .return to his true vocation. He accordingly procured for our hero a civilian costume,) and on his discharge from the hospital assisted him to desert, finding him a temporary, hiding-place with a brother of his own living at Caserta, six miles distant.

Meanwhile, Collet had not left the hospital : .empty-handed. A worthy major, also wounded at the" siege of Gaetu, had occupied] a bed in the same ward, and finding himself at the point of death, confided to Collet, f,or transmission to his relatives the whole,, of his wordly -"possessions, consisting, -of ,; s,qme 3000' francs in money and a couple , pC ..valuable rings. Collet cheerfully undertook the trust, and— kept the property. . . , For some months he enjoyed, the hospitality of the 1 chaplain's brother, and then betook himself, in prosecution of his professed desire to take orders, to the Convent of .'St. Peter,, at Cardinal. The monks found ,the new acolyte somewhat,ignoranh, but, what lie lacked in knowledge he made up, in zeal, and, having a good memory, he found little difficulty in acquiring a smattering of Latin, and a fair store of ready-made pulpit eloquence, borrowed from the discourses of Bossuet, Bourdaloue, and other, eminent preachers. Here he remained for two years, acquiring a familiarity with clerical matters which was afterwards very valuable to him, and in due course was . :ulmi(ted to the first grade of priest's orders. Some of the brotherhood were from time to time despatched on a roving commission to collect the alms of the faithful, and in duo course Brother Anthelme was, selected for this office The task \va3 congenial to- him, and he performed it with' so much success that he was able not only to show on his return a handsome result for the monastery, but to appropriate out of the moneys he had col-, lected 3000 francs for his own benefit. Upon, his return from his quest he was entrusted with the duty of preparing sundry children lor their first communion, a rite answering, ,in the Romish Church to that of confirmation in the Church of England. Among the candidates was a son of the Syndic of (Cardinal. Obtaining in the discharge of his dnty, admission to the magistrate's household. Collet took occasion one day, when he chanced to be left alone in the magisterial sanctum, to pocket a few blank passport forms. He was beginning to grow tired of monastic life, and had made up his mind to leave the convent. He had no notion, however; of departing in a commonplace manner, and accordingly devised a neat little scheme for keeping his memory green among the community.' The banker of the convent was the celebrated Torlonia, of Naples, and Collet decided that Signor Torlonia should have the honour of paying his travelling expenses. To that end lie confidentially informed the Father Superior that in his days of he had been in the enjoyment of a life-rent of JO.OOO francs— equal to £400' of English money. This annuity being, under present circumstances, oE no use to him, he proposed to sell it and make over the proceeds; together with three years' arrears of ■ unclaimed income, to the convent. The Prior ; cordially approved so ' pious a" design, and gave Brother Anthelme, as he had anticipated, a letter of recommendation to Signor Torlonia,' requesting his assistance in carrying out the young monk's intention. "With this document as his credentials our hero started/ for' Naples. \i he banker received him with all possible courtesy, and on' the -'strength of the Prior's letter made him a payment of 22,000 francs on account of the " purchasemriney. With thisaruount Brother Anthelme | took his leave, ostensibly to return to the convent, but when half way there exchanged his monkish garb for secular attire, filled' up one of his passport forma with the name of j the Marquis pada, or Derates (autkotftios

differing dn this^faoint),' kid Haded in t the. period, 'for jGapua,7;HeFe,rhjis nerves underwent a severe trial.. At the gates, of the city his carriage was .stopped,; and m e was called upon to produce his passport. After a short 'difeqassion" 11 he , was allowed to pass into,, the, city, biit^'tlie document was retained by the officials. lie took up his quarters! at the Hotel des.Etrangers, where, after a short interval, the Commissarr of Police was announced. Collet thought himself lost, but he.WiVs ! 'not the man to meet" trouble, half way. ' .He received the commissary with calm dignity, and found that he had merely,< called to return the. passport, with apologies for the stupidity of those dunderheads at f h<? whb' ' had 3 yenturejlto detain ii." "CqlleC understood the aitnation glabde." 1 'iMje s< detenti6n' ; ari'd^Tetarn . cif. th'e M pasrfp6rt 'were merely part' of a little -Wiarade. 'tho word' of ''which was "back■fehee?!!"." lie" uiagnaniraously forgave the affront.t'O his dignity, handed the conirnissary a handsorft'e present 'for Ills subordinates, aud Invited the -officer himself 'to share ' hts •luncheon. Jle treated him right royally, and the commissary felt that he could not •<k> less than act as cicerone to 1 the distin'gaisheil stranger. Having thns, under official 'escort, visited the lions of l'adaa, the- Marquis '•' purchased" a travelling-carriage,' engaged a servant, clothe i him in a handsome livery, and started for Jaeta, the unsuspecting commissary escorting the parting guest to the very gates of h ! city.

On his way the newly -made marquis noticed a French officer, wearily tramping in the "saihe direction. , JJeing naturally, of a benevolent disposition, lie 9f£ered the , wayj f^Tcr' a lift in his carriage. ' The officer wa3 charmed with the kindness or! the wealthyj traveller, an i talked freely of. himself and his concerns, ft .appeared, that his ' name wasi Tholozan, that he was a native, of Lyonsj and an 'officer of the 10th regiment, for the time being absent on leave. At Terracina .the ; roads of the travellers separated, and the officer got down Crora the carriage, little thinking that the benevolent marquis had abstracted his pocket-book,' containing his commission, his leave of absence; and his patent as a Chevalier of the Legion of. Honour, with sundry letters from friends. On arriving at. Home Collec dismisses his 9crvan-t, mounts the accustomed red ribbon,; and becomes the Chevalier de Tholozan. 1 Chance throws him in vh« way of a certain Abbe, .Faux, private secretary to CardinalFesch, then Archbishop of Lyons. On hearing his name the Abbe exclaims, " Tholossan! Then you are the brother-in-law of my inti-, mate friend M. de Court ine ?' An ordinary im poster would have been taken aback. Not! so Collet. "Just so," he replies, showing one of the documents ,froua , the stolen pocket-book ; " here is a letter which I re- . oeiyed'from him a few .days since. If there 'had been any doubt in the. Abie's mind this; would naturally remove it ? and the false 1 Tholqzajn is forthwith invited to take up ,his j abode' in, the ;.archiepiscopal palace; ; and' in; -due course presented, to. the Cardinal .hini- , self. The visitor' spends money ' in; the most i lavish way, ami as a guest at the palace^nd f supp6ii^d by^the- recommendations of. thej Cardinal's secretary, finds the Koman trades-l' men only too anxious to do business yrith' him. ' A'tailor, -whom hfe' has patronised sin princely' style, "is delighted to' have the opportunity of discbu'nfcing for so good a' customer a, draft fqr;GO,OQO francs. The banker of the Cardinal cashes > another for half the amount, and' the jeweller of the Cardinal supplies him, on credit, with jewellery to, the amount of (50,000 ; francs. Other' dupes are laid under contribution in like manner, the total of Collet's receipts at Rome being, it is said, no less than ;"i<K),Ot)O francs, or £12,000. After gathering such a harvest it was scarcely safe t> remain Ibnger in Rome, and accordingly the reaper sought " fresh . fields and pastures new." Before leaving, however, he, with an eyn to ful ure cohMnghnqies, abstracted from the wro.i a rial apartment of the Abbe Faux a few blank m-tfe de. preirtet, or ordination papers, and a bvlle. or warrant, appointing a bishop. Thiis provided, he travel? by easy stages to Turin ; but the reputation, of his exploits has preceded him, and almost Lhii first person he meets is a police oflici-r, who is instructed to arrest him for stealing 300,000 f rynrs. v But you won't do anything of the kind," wiys, .Collet. •• Why not ,'" asked the oilicial.' "Because,' 1 replies Collet, having stolen 300,000' francs, I can afford to, give you 20,000 to let me go." The officer, being 'a man o"f easy conscience', appreciates' the soundness of 'the argument. The £0,000 'franca change hands^ -and crinvnal arid wish each other a friendly goodmoruing, and go on' their ways rejoicing. Collet changes his costume, fills hp another pastport, and betakes. hitnselL to' Lugano, iwhere for sdme time he fills the modest .character* oT a compositor in & printingoffice. Here he remains until the sensation produced by his recent exploits has in .some degree abated, when the grub again- becomes the butterfly. We nesfc find him at. jVlondovi, playing the part of g, gentleman of fortune. Mo'ndovi, benighted spot, is without a theatre. Collet, as a wealthy amateur, proposes to start one, and this. enables him to provide himself without snspision . with sundry costumes, notably those of a priest, a bishop, and a lieutenant-general. . He fills -up, another passport and a< set of ordination papers, puts on the priest's costume, and starts for France, having now become the Abbe, Liparo, a Neapolitan priest, his^early residence in Italy enabling him to support the character to perfection.- As .the Abbe he arrives at, Bnancon, pays a visit to the, various plerics .of the place, shows his papers, introduces, himsejf to- the Cure, and serves mass for him. A day or two later he passes on to Gap, which is an episcopate, his new friends at Briaucon willingly giving him letters of introduction. He present* himself to the Grand Yicaire ? who in turn pip^ents him to the bishop. ' He buys a house, and handsomely entertains his brother dergy. He is asked to preach jn'the cathedral, ami does it so well riiat on the vicariate of < AJonestier falling vacant 'it is offered to the hospitable Italian pf iest. ,He accepts it, and for some months performs the dqties, baj)ii?jng, warfyihg, buryiqf,

""f^f^^ati^m-^tße a »besb- iiM pTofessiOnal'*"Sttr^r Soon, ■ .Jhoweverfj diefebeginsfrft^tc^tonre'' of, this humdr'umrexis'tence,' and to medit-ate-another flight;/ but.* ife'Twoald^be^ treason' , to his' principles .to .'depart no richer -than he came. • In a little country f place' like ' iMopest.ier he could not expect any>rery important haul, but he was determined to takeail that could be -taken. The parish church" was ,sadly : Qiip of .*repau?,,a&d|iti tvasfthe most natural thing in the w ( orld that the cvrii should start a sub'scripf-ion for its restoration, heading tho 'list;' himself : with a munilicent donation. Aa. the Abbe was himself treasure? ofcthef und, it iwas merely taking money out of. <>ne pocket to pnt'itf. in ithe 1 other, but" -#iejgood people of ■.Monestiep^id . not knpw J ■ thatjifind contributions cameUßPf^eelyl'Bciine' ■thoius^inds^of, francs ■vrere' bollected:'-;'-|-The'' amount was a good ideal "short of what" was^ required, bat the worthy Abbe, readily undertook to made op the delicifency^'dnd.'the list seeing clased, departed to make" arrangements witli an eminent ecclesiastical architect; and — never came back again. ' •■" • ■■ ;, We next find Collet in the character of a brigadier-general at Turing but his et-ay here iis of short duration 1 , v ! He only'reroinns lotig enough, by his accustomed lavish expeu'ditiire of ready money;- to establish a reputa.tion as a wealthy stranger, and to induee 1 a banker, to cash' a draft of 10,000 francs. "The draft is forged, of course ; bat ere the banker has discovered the fact the brigadier-general has vanished. from.the face of the earth, and Collet, ,now, an. Italian- bishop, in violent cassock and cap, and' bearing > the name of Doni Pasqualini, is half way- to Nice. The blank- warrant stolen- from the secretary of Cardinal Fesoh.has/been'duly filled up, and •is in perfect order, i. It is not. customary for a bishop to- travel . without a chaplain, bufc the deficiency in the present case is accounted for. Dom, Pasqualini has had the ; 'misfortune to lose his chaplain on his road, and has his burial certificate (forged, of course) veaHy for production. .. .Before reaching Nice; however) he engages: a chaplain, so ' as 'to make his ,entry in properiform. Theßishop'of Nice, ■ hearing of the- arrival of a brother prelate; sends his vicars-general to welcome the distinguished . .stranger. ■ The distinguished stranger is equal to the occasion. He gives £hem his .blessing, offers them his hand, with the episcopal ring on his forefinger, to bisa, and incidentally shows them the warrant with Cardinal Fesch's signature. He is hospitably entertained at the episcopal palace, and reciprocates in his usual princely style. , .An ordination service is shortly to be held, and the Bishop of Nice, desiring- to pay a compliment to his brother bishop, invites him to officiate. The swindler .and forger ordain.s sixty priests^ and- preaches them a capital sermon afterwards !