THE PEER’S SON AND THE ACTRESS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XI, 14 September 1895, Page 335

THE PEER’S SON AND THE ACTRESS.

Society in London has been much interested of late in the love troubles of the Hon. Dudley Churchill Marjoribanks, son of Lord Tweedmouth, the ex-Liberal whip and late Lord Privy Seal. For some time past (.says Morniny} this young gentleman has been paying marked attention to Miss Annie Louise Watkins, better known to the public as Miss Sutherland, of the chorus at the Gaiety Theatre. There the Hon. Mr Marjoribanks was well-known, as was also his acquaintance with Miss Sutherland. Many of the intimate friends of that lady have even gone so far as to declare that the young people were engaged to be married, but on this point nothing definite could be ascertained from either of the parties directly concerned. But it was known that the parents of the young gentleman were strongly opposed to his ambition, and much pressure was put upon him to terminate the acquaintance. It would now seem that in this they have been successful. We learn that a writ has just been issued against the Hon. Mr Marjoribanks for breach of promise of marriage. No specific sum is claimed as damages. Sir George Lewis will render professional assistance to the defendant.

Referring to the case, the Sunday Sun says : ‘ It will, if it comes into court, Drove to be the most sensational thing of the kind we have had since Miss Fortesque won 10,000 from Lord Garmoyle. Miss Sutherland is the divinely tall and divinely fair young lady who stands at the extreme right (from the audience) or “ prompt ” side of the stage in “ The Shop Girl,” at the Gaiety. She is really a very handsome girl, and is nearly six feet tall. She first met the Hon. Dudley Churchill Marjoribanks at the Prince of Wales’ Club. If not exactly a case of love at first sight, it was very like it. Anyhow, the young gentleman proposed to Miss Sutherland, and was accepted. This is not disputed. When his parents learned of the affair they were, not unnaturally, very disturbed. However, when it was discovered that Miss Sutherland was a young lady of unimpeachable character, Lord Tweedmouth, it is alleged, said that if the young couple would consent not to see each other for a twelvemonth, and if, after the expiration of that time, they were both of the same mind, he would place no obstacle in the way of their marriage. But Mr Marjoribanks, it is said, ‘ haunted ’ the Gaiety, and one night his father went down and found him there, and persuaded him to leave. They drove away together. The services of Sir George Lewis were called in as mediator, but without avail — parental remonstrances were likewise useless. Lord Tweedmouth, it is stated, offered to send Miss Sutherland on the Continent to study music under the best masters, but she refused the proposal. Then Mr Marjoribanks went to Canada with Lady Tweedmouth, on a visit to their near relative (the Governor-General, Lord Aberdeen). He did not return with his mother, and remains in the Dominion, and the matter was broken off. Miss Sutherland has placed her case in the hands of the well-known theatrical lawyer, Mr Willie Stark, of 6 Serie-street. Lincoln’s Inn, and he has retained on her behalf Sir Edward Clark, Q.C., M.P., Mr C. F. Gill, Mr Willis, and Mr Hermann Cohen.