The Campbell divorce case : copious report of the trial / With numerous portraits of those concerned drawn from life by Harold Furniss.

Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Campbell divorce case : copious report of the trial / With numerous portraits of those concerned drawn from life by Harold Furniss. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    matter in the hands of my solicitor, Mr. George Lewis.” I said, “ Gertrude,. I am not afraid of your taking such a course, if you are determined to- do so, but I can tell you this: that you will not succeed, because I can- bring medical evidence to prove that the charges you are making against me are false.” She said, “ Well, Colin, it is not the best way to show that you are not afraid, by saying you are not.” I said I declined to sign any such paper. I said, 41 I shall not be intimidated — I have come here alone,, and I shall go back and consult my friends, if those who are in this roont are not my friends.” I then asked Lady Miles to go into another room with me. We went downstairs, and I said to her, “I am very much shocked at what has taken place.” Lady Miles said, “ Colin wishes me to say he- has not made any charges against his wife, that he had only asked for explanations,” and I must say she also said that “ Colin has never been, suspicious of his wife.” I then said to my wife and her family, I am perfectly willing to submit this question which has been raised as to my health and the charges which have been made in reference to my health to a commission. I shall appoint two or three medical men on my side, and' you will appoint two or three medical men on your side ; and I will under- take that if the result) as I anticipate, of that commission is favourable to- me, I shall take no undue advantage of it. But you, on your part, must undertake to give up this correspondence with Lord Blandford.” Mrs. Blood made some insinuation in regard to my health of a very offensive- kind. . Mr. Lockwood: I wish to ask you about the letter you received from Mr. George Lewis on July 23, 1883. (Copy of the letter, which was read by Mr. Finlay at length.) Now, there is the expression I wish to ask you about. Mr. Lewis says, “ Lady Colin has consulted me with reference to the interview vou had with her a few days ago, and she has told me of the oourse of cruelty you have pursued towards her since your marriage. In order fully to acquaint me with the state of affairs, she has been obliged to make me aware of the disgusting state of your health at the time you. contracted marriage.” Is it true that you were suffering from any venereal disease when you were married ?—Certainly not. _ Mr. Lewis goes on to say, “ The deception you practised upon her and her family.” Is it true that you deceived any member of the Blood family with regard to your health ?— Certainly not. Ibey knew it perfectly well. Is it true that you refused to live with her unless she submitted to your demands ?—It is true that on the information I had received, coupled wit h the communication she had made to me that she would never live with me again, I was placed in a very difficult position. It says in the letter, “ You refused to live with her unless she submitted to your demand for marital rights.” What about that ? It is untrue. Then the letter goes on : “ I need hardly point out to your lordship how essential it is for your interests that such facts should not become public. Lady Colin, in that view, would be prepared to make any sacrifice in older that the misery which she has suffered may not come to light; but, at the same time, neither by nature nor by force will she submit to your demands,, nor will she submit to the insults you have heaped upon her.” Are yoa aware of any insults you heaped upon her ?—It is totally unfounded— every expression. Then the letter goes on: “ Lady Colin is quite prepared, should you refuse the reasonable conditions proposed, to apply to the Court for a judicial separation on account of cruelty which she has suffered at your hands. . . Unless you are prepared, in writing, to abstain from,