THE DOWNFALL OF THEODORE HOOK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9386, 12 March 1898, Page 2

THE DOWNFALL OF THEODORE HOOK.

Sheridan it was who introduced Hook to the upper circles of society, first to the Marchioness of Hertford, who so lauded his delightful talents that be had next the honour of supping with the Eegent in Manchester Square. In 181 2 it was decided that something must be done for such a delightful creature, and he was appointed Accountant-General and Treasurer to the Mauritius, with a salary and allowances worth nearly £2000 a year. . . He was but twenty five on arriving there, and had been considered about the most fascinating and entertaining man in Europe. However, in 1817, the Governor bad occasion to leave for England, and there was a commission appointed to examine into and take over the accounts and contents of the Treasury so that all might be in order for the Deputy-Governor just sworn into office.

The Commissioners signed a report dated November 19th, stating all was as it should be, and the Governor sailed. However in Ibbs than two months, one of the Treasury clerks wrote to the Deputy- Grovernor declaring that a grave error really existed, as no crecit had been given for a sum 37,000d0l paid in, as he knew, fifteen months before. General Hall at once communicated with Mr Hook, and appointed another commission. The clerk Allan was examined and held to his statement, explaining his previous silence by saying he wished to avoid collision with his superior. He wrote very strange and incoherent letters one after the other, and finally, before tbe - new commission Bat, he shot himself, leaving the final statement that Hook had tampered with him, and had offered him a heavy bribe to leave the island. The messenger, however, who had, as he declared, taken him this offer, denied the whole affair en oath strenuously. To this day the matter remains a mystery. Had Allan a spite against his chief or did he speak the truth ! On fresh examination certain irregularities, discrepancies, and omissions did appear in the Treasury books, but they were not invariably by any means to Hook's advantage in pecuniary gains ; rather to his loss ; on one occasion. Nevertheless, he was manifestly an unfit offiicial for his post, and there was & large defict, something like £12,000— in all probability brought about by carelessness quite as much as by the wanton and criminal extravagances he was at once accused of. He was arrested as he supped with a fiiend, and was dragged by torch- light through the streets and thrown into a common prison, which consisted just then of one wretched cell, tho remainder of the building having been recently burnt down. After a few daya he was handed over to a military detachment and embarked for England to be tried for ' his crimes:'

It now all seems an unjust and miserable affair, and co it seemed then aad erer to the bewildered young maa, so suddenly thrown from the height of happiness to the depths of distress. All his persouol property was takeu from

him and sold. A grateful slave bought in his writing desk for ten shillings and brought it to him us a gift before he sailed. Tbe voage was a most unhappy one for nine long months. For tour wetks they were tossing aoout the Cape of Good Hope in a hurricane, being reduced for much longer than that period to an allowance of half a pound of mouldy biscuits and hulf a pint of water daily. They stopped tn route at St Helena, and Hook, who was already a prime favourite on board, was allowed to land and visit Napoleon, of whose levee and antenom he later on made excellent Bktuhes, describing the ex-emperor's uncouth obesity and dismal sulkmess of visage a3 'Fatty, late Boney.' rlereheraet Lord Charles Somerset on hie way to assume the Cape Governorship. Knowing nothing of Hook's arrest, he said: ' I hope, sir, you are not going home for your health ?'' Wei', my lord, 1 replied Theodore,' they do say there is something wrong about the chest.' On reaching England, the Attorney-Q-enerul, on enquiring into the case, reported that there was certainly no ground for a criminal procedure, and as for the rest they must await the scrutiny of the Audit Board, which scrutiny dragged on for five years. Hooks palmy days wereover.although during the ensuing years of his life he mide more money than he ever did before. Had ho used some of that money to clear off even in part the debt he was accused of owing and which remained ever as a stain and blot on his name and honour it would no doubt have been better for him, but this he refused to do. Things dragged on thus wearily uniil finally the Crown abandoned its claim, aad he was set at liberty. — Abgosy.