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Leader (1850-1860), 11th July 1857, Edition 2 of 2, Page 7

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      Hm38^ Jtoy Lv1857.] " The Lea ' Dbb. 655

      Hm 38 ^ JTOY lV 1857 . ] " THE LEA ' dBB . 655

      Ouk Civilization. —: ? The Trial Of Miss...

      OUK CIVILIZATION . — : ? THE TRIAL OF MISS SMITH . The fourth day of this remarkable trial was on Friday ¦ week when the principal witness was Christina Haggart , formerly ' servant to Mr . Smith , father of the prisoner . She mentioned one or more clandestine interviews between Miss Smith and L'Angelier at the back area door , but could not fix any date , and did not hear any one come into the house on the night of the 22 nd of March " While the family lived in India-street , I was asked by Miss Smith to open the hack gate to let L'Angelier in , and I did so . This was dimng the day ; I think they were all in church except the younger sister ; it was on a Sunday . Miss Smith went in with him to the laundr y ; the door was shut when they went

      in . I think he remained about half an hour . He came back to the house at night oftener than once ; I don ' t think more than three or four times ; he came about ten o ' clock , before the family had retired to their rooms . As far as I remember , they were all at home . On these occasions be stood at the back gate . Ho did not , to my knowledge , come into the house . I don ' t know if he came . in . I opened the back gate to him by Bliss Smith ' s directions . I did not see Miss Smith go out to him . I left open the back door of the house leading to the gate . There "was no person in the laundry at the time ; the back door was a good piece away from the laundry . Miss Smith and this gentleman might have gone into the laundry without my seeing them . The

      gentleman made me a present of a dress . Letters came to me , intended for Miss Smith . I called for letters addressed to Miss Bruce at the Post-office , Row ; Miss Smith asked me to call for them , and I got them and gave them to her . She has given me letters to post for her addressed to L'Angelier . In the Blythswood-square house , there was a back door leading into an area and into a lane . She asked me once to open it for her . It was at night—I think past ten . I was in her room when she asked rne to do this . Her room was down . stairs , on the same floor as the kitchen . I slept in a back room next to the back door . The cook , Charlotte M'Lean , slept with me . At the time I speak of , Charlotte M'Lean was in the kitchen . I opened the back gate

      into the lane . I saw no person there . I left it open , and returned to the kitchen . She met me in the passage ; -slie was going toivards the back door , I heard footsteps coming through the gate . I went into the kitchen . I did not hear-TJrbere Miss Smith went to . I did not hear the door of my room shut . I don ' t remember how long I remained in the kitchen ; I think it must have been more than half an hour . I think X remained longer than usual in the kitchen that night . Miss Smith had told me to stay in the kitchen . She asked if I would open the back door and stay in the kitchen a little , because she was to see her friend . While I stayed in the kitchen I did not know where Miss Smith was I did not know that she was in my bedroom . I had no doubt that she was there , but I did not know it . My bedroom is next to the back door . After I had received some letters for Miss Smith , I declined to take more ; the reason was that her mother had forbidden me to take them . When Charlotte M'Lean and I were in the kitchen on the night when L'Angelier was in the house , tbe interview between Miss Smith and him might have taken place in the lobby . Her youngest sister slept with Miss Smith . Sao was in bed by that time . " Other testimony having been given , to show U > at L'Angelier was in the habit of going to the house of Miss Smith , some evidence Avas received from Miss Mary Perry , who appears to have been a confidant of L'Angelier in his secret affection . It was to the effect that ho had professed himself blindly in love with Miss Smith ; that he was so ' infatuated' that he could forgive her if she poisoned him ; and that he had hinted to her his belief that she had given him poison , adding , Perhaps she might not bo sorry to get rid of mo . " The proceedings were then adjourned .

      On Saturday , Dr . Christison gave some evidence with respect to the use of arsenic as n cosmetic , which he considered would be a highly dangerous process . Various letters passing between Miaa Smith and L'Angelier were then read . They showed that the lovo affair was disapproved of by Miss Smith ' s father , and that the young lady on that account wished tiro correspondence to cease , at any rate for a time . But it continued , and Miss Smith ' s letters oxpress the wannest affection for L'Angelier . A few morrths after the temporary breuk in the connexion- — -viz ., on the 8 rd of SeptetnJjcr , 1855—we find Miaa Smith writing to L'Angelier thus , in Letter No . 18 of the series : —

      " For my sake , do not go . ... It ¦ will , break my heart if you go away . You know not how I lovo you , Etnilo . I Hvo for you alone ; I adore you . I never could lovo another aa I do you . Oh , dearest Emilo , would I might clasp you now to my heart . Adieu for to-rday . If I . h-avo time , I ah . aU write another note before I post thl » , If not , I shall havo a letter at tho garden for yoiw So , dourest lovo , a fond embrace . Bellovo me youTvWor devoted and fond Mian . " No . 17 ,. in . Qnvelepe with , " Uelensbunch postmark . April 80 , 1800 , ? ' ram thns : — - " Taeadajr ,, Ap ^ U . 2 » .- —My own . my . beloved Emilo ,-

      —1 wrote you Sunday night for you to get my note on your birthday ( to-day ) , but I could not get it posted . Disappointment it was to me ; but— ' better late than never . ' My beloved , may you have many happy returns of this day , . . . I wish we were more alone ; I wish I were with you alone—that would be true hapjiiness . Dearest , I must see you ; it is fearful never to see you , but . I am sure I don ' t know when I shall see you . P — has not been a night in town for some time , but the first night he is off I shall see you . We shall spend an hour of bliss "

      One or two scrolls , in the form of letters , found in envelopes in L'Angelier ' s desk and addressed " Mimi , " were proposed to be put in in evidence ; but , there being no proof that they had ever been despatched or intendec to be despatched , the Court disallowed them as evidence . No . 31 , letter in envelope , posted at " Helensburgh , June 14 , 1856 " : — "M y own , my darling husband , —To-morrow night by this time I shall be in possession of your dear letter .

      I shall kiss it and press it to my bosom . Hearing from you is my greatest pleasure , it is next to seeing you , my sweet love . My fond Emile , are you well , darling of my soul ? . . . I am well . I am longing to see you , sweet pet , to kiss and pet you . Oh , for the day when I could do so at any time . I fear we shall spoil each other when we are married , we are so loving and kind . We shall be so happy , happy in our own little room ; no one to annoy us , to disturb us . All to ourselves , we shall so enjoy that day . "

      JSTo . 35 , in envelope , posted at " Helensburgh , June 27 , 185 G " : — " Friday Night . —Beloved , dearly beloved husband , sweet Emile , — -How I long to call j-ou mine , never more to leave you ! What must occur ere that takes place , God only knows . 1 often fear some cloud may yet fall on our path , and mar our happiness for a long time . I shall never cause you unhappiness again . No , I was unkind , cruel , unloving ; but it ' shall never be repeated . No . I am now a wife , a wife in every sense of the word , and it is my duty to conduct myself as such . Yes , I shall behave now more to your mind . I am no longer a child . ... If you only saw me now ( I am all alone in my little bedroom )—you would never mention

      your home as being humble . I have a small room on the ground floor—very small—so don ' t fancy I could not put up with small room and with humble fare . But if you think it would do you good—a tour—go by all means for six months or so . I trust you will take great care of yourself , and not forget your Mimi . Oh , how I love that name of Mimi . You should always call me by that name ; and , dearest Emile , if ever we should have a daughter , I should like you to allow me to call her Mimi , for her father ' s sake . ... As you ask me , I shall burn your last letter . ... I must go to bed , as I feel cold ; so good night . "Would to God it were to be by your side , I would feel well and happy then . ... I am thine for ever , thy wife , thy devoted , thy own true Mian L'Angklier . "

      Some subsequent letters mention Mr . Minnoch ( the gentleman who seems afterwards to have supplauted L'Angelier ) , and speak of him as a pleasant person . Another states that the writer is not surprised that L'Angelier does not lovo her as once he did . She feels herself ' not worthy' of him : he deserves ' a better wife ' than she . She adds : — "I see misery before me this winter . I would to God we wore not to be so near the M . ! " ( tho Minnochs ) . No . 57 , postmark of envelope , " Glasgow , November" ( day and year illegible ) , is us follows : —

      " Friday night , twelve o ' clock . —My own darling , my dearest Emile , —I would have written you ere this , but as I did not intend to be out till Saturday , I saw no use in writing Sweet love , you should get these brown envelopes , they would not be so much seen as whito ones put down into my window . You should just stoop down to tic your shoo , and then slip it in . " In a letter , posted at Glasgow December 5 th , 1856 , Miss Smith admits that she has been to u concert with Mr . Minnoch , but says that she has no regard for him , and only loves Emile , She could not avoid Mr . Minnooh on the night in question , as ho was a friend of her father ' s ; " , sweet love , be rousonable . " No . 75 ia enclosed in an envelope , with postmark , " Glasgow , Decouiber 19 , 183 U " : —

      " My beloved , my darling , —Do you for a , second think I could feel happy this evening , knowing you wore in low spirits , and that I am the cause ? Oh , why was 1 ever born to annoy you , best and dourest of men ? Do you not wish—oh yoal full well I know you often wiah you had never known mo . I thought I was doing all I could to plcaso you . But no . When shall I over bo wliat you wiah mo to bo ? Novor ! Never ! Emilo , will you never trust mo—she who ia to bo your wife ?

      You will not boliovo mo , You say you hoa . nl I took M . to tho concert against hid Inclination , and forced him to go . I told you the right way when 1 wrote . But from your statement in your lottor of to-night you did not boliovo my word . Emilo , I would not liuvo dono this to you . Evou now I would write and toll yon I would boliovo . I would not bellovo every idle roport . No 1 I would not . I would , my bolovod Emilo , boliovo my husband ' s word before any other . But you always lbtou to reports about mo if . thoy aro bad . "

      A letter Written on February 10 th of the present year confesses a deception passed on L'Angelier . Miss Smith had told him that her mother knew of their engagement she now admits that this was . false . She acknowledges lierself to be ' a guilty , miserable wretch ; ' but she passionately implores L'Angelier not to betray her , adding , in a postscript : — "lam ill . God knows what . I have suffered . My punishment is more than I can bear . Do nothing till I see you . For the love of Heaven , do nothing . I am mad . I am ill . " . No . 107 has no postmark : —

      " Tuesday evening , 12 o ' clock . —Emile , —I have this night received your note . Oh , it is kind of you to write to me . Emile , no one ca-a know the agony of mind I have suffered last night and to-day * . Emile , my father ' s wrath would kill me—you little know his temper . Emile , for the love you once had for me , do not denounce me to my P . Emile , if he should read my letters to you he will put me from him—he will hate me as a guilty wretch . I loved you , and wrote to you in my first ardent love—it was "with my deepest love I loved you . It was for your love I adored you . I put on paper what I should not . I was free because I loved you with my heart . If he or any other one saw those fond letters to you , what would not be said of me ? On my bended

      knees I write to you , and ask you as you hope for mercy at the judgment day , do not inform on me—do not make me a public shame . Einile , my love has been one of bitter disappointment . You , and only you , can make the rest of my life peaceful . My own conscience will be a punishment that I shall carry to my grave . I have deceived the best of men . You may forgive me , but God never will . For God ' s love , forgive me , and betray me not . For the love you ouee had to me do not bring clown my father ' s wrath on me . It will kill my mother ( who is not well ) . It will for ever cause me bitter unbappiness . I am humble before you , and crave your mercy . You can give me forgiveness , and you—oh , you only—can make me happy for the rest of my life . I

      would not ask you to love me or ever make me your wife . I am too guilty for that . I have deceived and told you too many falsehoods for you ever to respect me . But , oh ! will you not keep my secret from the world ? Oh ! will you not , for Christ ' 3 sake , denounce me ? I shall bs undone . I sball be ruined . Who would trust me ? Shame -will be my lot . Despise me , hate me , but make me not the public scandal . Forget me for ever . Blot out all remembrance of me . . . . I have used you ill . I did love you , and it was my soul ' s ambition to be your wife . I asked you to tell me my faults . You did so , and it made me cool towards you gradually . When you have found fault with me I have cooled . It was not love for another , for there is no one

      I love . My love has all been given to you . My heart is empty—cold . I am unloved , I am despised . I told 3-011 I had ceased to love you—it was true . I did not love as I did ; but , oh ! till within the time of our coming to town I loved you fondly . I longed to be your wife . I had fixed February , I longed for it . The time I could not leave my father ' s house . I grew discontented ; then I ceased to love you . Oli , Emile , this is indeed the truo statement . Now you can know my state of mind . Eraile , I have suffered much for you . I lost much of my father ' s confidence since that September ; and my mother has never been tbe same to me . No , she has never given me the same kind look . For the sake of my mother—her who gave me life—spare me from

      shame . Oh , Emile , you will , in God 3 name , hear my prayer ? 1 ask God to forgive me . I have prayed that lie might put in your heart to spare me from shame . Never , never , while I liv « 3 can I be happy . No , no , I shall always have the thought I deceived you . I am guilty ; it will bo a punishment I shall hear to the day of my death . I am humbled thus to crave 3 'our pardon , but I dare not . While I have breath I shall ever think of you as my best friend , if you will only keep thia between ourselves . I blush to ask you . Yet , Emile , will you not grant me thia my last favour ?—if you will never reveal what has passed . Oh , for God ' s sake , for the love of Heaven , hear mo . I grow mad . I liavo been ill , very illull day . I huvo had what has given

      , me a false npirit . I hud resort to what I should not have taken , but my brain id on ( Iro . I feel as if death , would indeed bo swoot . Denounce mo not . Emilo , Emilo , think of our on « o happy days . Pardon me if you can ; pray for mo « s tho most wretched , guilty , miserable croaturo on tho earth . I could stand anything but my father * hot displeasure . Einile , you will not cauao my death . If ho is to got your letters I cannot see him any move ; and my poor mother , I will never more kisa her . It would bo u . shamo to thorn all . Emilo , will you not spare mo this ? Hato mo , dospiao me , but too ill

      do not oxpoao mo . I cannot write inoro . I am to-night . " No . Ill , postmarks illegible and date uncertain : — " Dearest awcut EnilU , —1 urn aorry to hoar you aro ill . I hope to God you will soon bo bettor . Tako caro of yourself . Do not go to the office thia weok , just stay at homo till Monday . Swoot lovo , it will ploaao mo to hoar you aro well . Do not owmo and walk about , ana bocorao ill again . You did look bad on Sunday night and Monday morning . I think you got sick with walking Uo . no bo lato , and tho long want of food , bo tho next tiino wo moot I shall make you oat a loaf of broad boforo

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 11, 1857, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_11071857/page/7/