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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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OUK CIVILIZATION
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THE TBIAL OF MISS SMITH . Thb fourth day of this remarkable trial was on Friday week when the principal witness was Christina Ilaggart , 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 , aaid 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 , 1 was asked by Miss Smith to open the back gate to let L'Ano-elier in , and I did so . This was during the day ; I think they were all in church except the younger sister ; it was ou a Sunday . Miss Smith went in with him to the laundry ; the door was shut when they went ia . 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 , lie did not , to my knowledge , come into the house . I don ' t know if be came in . I opened the back gate to him by Miss 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 migh t 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 hex . 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 me 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 ; she was going towards the back door . I heard footsteps coming through the gate . I went into the kitchen . I did not hear where Miss Smith went to . I did not
Lear the door of my room shut . I don t remember how long I remained in the kitchen ; I think it must have Tjeeu more than lialf an hour . I think I 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 lodroom is next to the back door . After I had received aomo letters for Miss Smith , 1 declined to take more ; the reason was that her mother had forbidden inc to take them . "When Charlotte -M'Lean aiul I were in the
kitchen on the jiight when L'Angelicr was in the house , the interview between Mias Smith and him might have taken place in the lobby . Her youngest sister slept with Miss Smith . She was in bed by that time . " Other testimony having been given , to show that L * -lugelier was in the habit of going to the house of Miss Smith , some evidence was received from Miss Mar ) ' Terry , who appears to have been a conlidaut 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 ; trnd that he had hinted to her his belief that she had given him poison , adding , " Perhaps she might not be soroy to got rid of me . " The proceedings were then adjourned .
On Saturday , Dr . Christison gave some evidence with respect to tho use of arsenic as a cosmetic , which he considered would boa highly dangerous process . Various loiters passing between MHsa Smith and L'Angelier wore then rond . They showed that tho love affair ivas disapproved of by Miss Smith ' s father , and that tlie young lady on that ncoount -wished the correspondence to cease , at any rate for a time . But it continued , and Miss Smith ' s letters express tho warmest affection for L'Angelier . A few months after tho temporary break , in tho connexion—viz ,, on the 8 rd of September , 1855—wo flnd Mies Smith writing to L'Angclior thus , in Letter No . X 8 of tho series : —
"Ior my ealco , do not go . ... It will breuk my heart if you go away . You know not how I lovo you , Emilo . X livo for you nlouo ; I adore you . I novor could lovo another as I do you . Oh , dearest Eniilo , would 1 might clasp you now to my heurt . Adiou for to-day . If I have time , I shall write another note before I post this . If not , I shall have a loiter nt the garden ior you . So , dourest lovo , a fond embrace . Boliove mo your ever devoted and fond Mum . " No . 17 , in envelope with " lidUmubunrh postmark , April SO , I 860 , " runs thue : — " Tuoaday , ApeU 29 . —My own , iny beloved Emiio , —
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 happyreturns of this day , ... I wish we were more alone ; I wish I were with you alone—that -would be true happiness . Dearest , I must see you ; it is fearful never to see you , but I am sure 1 don ' t knoiv when I shall see yo \ i . P has not been a night in town for some time , but the first night he' is ofl' I shall see you . We shnll spend an hour of bliss : . . . . "
One or two scrolls , in the form of letters , found in envelopes in I , 'Angelicas desk and addressed * ' Mimi , " were proposed to be put in in evidence ; but , there being no proof that they had ever been despatched or intended to be despatched , the Court disallowed them * as evidence . No . 31 , letter in envelope , posted at " Helensburgh , June 14 , 185 G " : — " My 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 Ave shall spoil each other when we are married , we aie so loving and kind . AVe 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 . "
No . 35 , in envelope , posted at " Helensburgh , June 27 , 1856 " : — 11 Friday Night . —Beloved , dearly beloved husband , sweet Emile , — How I long to call you mine , never more to leave you ! "What must occur ere that takes place , God only knows- 1 often fear some cloud may 3 * et fall on our path , and mar our happiness for a long time . I shall never cause you unhappiness agaiu . No , I was uukind , 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 m 3 little bedroom)—jou 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 , 1 shall burn your last letter . ... I must go to bed , as I feel cold ; s " o good night . "Would to God it were to be by your side , 1 would feel well and happy then . ... I am thine for ever , tin' wife , thy devoted , thy own true Mori L'Asgeueb . "
Some subsequent letters mention Mr . Minnoch ( the gentleman who seems afterwards to have supplanted L'Angelier ) , and speak of him as a pleasant person . Another states that the writer is not surprised that L'Angelier does not love her as once he did . She feels herself ' not worthy' of him : he deserves ' a better wifo ' than she . She adds : — l sou misery before me this winter . I would to God we wero not to be so near the M . ! " ( the Minnochs ) . No . 57 , postmark of envelope , "Glasgow , November" ( day and year illegible ) , is as follows : —
" Friday night , twelve o ' clock . —My own darling , my dearest Emile , —I would have written you ere this , but 11 s I did not intend to bo out till Saturday , I saw no use in writing Sweet love , you should get these browji envelopes , they would not bo so much seen as white ones put down into my window . You should just stoop down to tio your shoe , and then slip it in . " In a loiter , posted at Glasgow December 5 th , 186 ( 3 , Misa Smith admits that sho has boon to a concert with Mr . Minnoch , but snys that sho has no regard for him , and only lovos Einile . Sho could not avoid Mr . Minnoch on tho night in question , as ho was a friond of her father ' s ; " , sweet love , be reasonable . " No . 73 is enclosed hi an envelope , with postmark , " Glasgow , December li ) , 18 . J 0 " : —
" My beloved , my darling , —Do you for a seooiid think 1 could fool happy tins evening , knowing you were in low spirits , and that I uui the cnuso ? Oh , why was 1 over born to annoy you , best and dourest of men ? Do you not wish—oh yoa ! full well I know you often wish you hnd novor known mo . 1 thought 1 was doing all 1 could to plonuo you . But no . When shall I ever bo what you wish mo to bo ? Novor ! Never I Emila , will you never trust niO' —sho who its to bo your wifo ?
You will not boliovo mo . You say you hoard I took M . to tho concert against his inclination , and forced him to go . I told you tho right way when 1 wrote . But from your statement in your lotlox of to-night you did not " boliovo my word , Emilo , I would not liuvo done this to you . Even now I would write ami toll you I would boliovo . 1 would not boliovo every Kilo report . No ! I would not . I would , my bulovod Emilo , boliovo my husband's word before any othtir . But you always itateu to reports about mo II' tkoy arc bud . "
A letter written on February 10 th of the present year confesses a deception passed on L'Angelier . Miss Smith had told him that lier mother knew of their engagement she now admits that thb was false . She acknowledges herself to be ' a guilty , miserable wretch ; ' but she passionately implores L'Angelier not to betray her , adding , in a postscript : — " I am ill . God knows wJuit 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 can . know the agon 3 ' 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 nie from him—he will hate me as a guilty wretch . I loved you , and WTOte 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 pat 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 3 'ou , 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 . Emile , 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 once had to me do not bring down my father ' s wrath 011 me . It will kill my mother ( who is not well ) . It will for ever cause ine bitter unhappiness . I am humble before you , and crave your mercy . You can give me forgiveness , aud you—oh , you only—can make me happy for the rest or" 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 ' s sake , denounce me ? I shall bs undone . I shall 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 ycur wife . I asked j r ou to tell me my faults . You did so , and it made me cool towards you graduallv . "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 you 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 louged to be your wife . I had fixed February , I longed for it . The time I could not leave my father ' s house . I grew discon touted ; then I ceased to love you . Oh , Emile , this is indeed the true statement . . Now you can know my state of mind . Emile , I have suffered much for 3-011 . I lost much of my father ' s confidence since that September ; and my mother has never been the same to me . No , she has never given mo the same kind look . For the sake of my mother—her who gave me life—spare me from .
6 hame . Oh , Emile , 3-011 will , in God ' s name , hear my prayer ? 1 aslc God to forgive me . I have prayed that ho might put in your heart to spare mo from shame . Never , never , while I live can -I be happy . No , no , I shall always have the thought I deceived you . I am guilty ; it will be a punishment I shall bear to the day of my death . I am humbled thus to crave your pardon , but f daro not . While I have breath I shall over think of you as my best friend , if jou will only keep this between ourselves . I blush to ask you . Yet , Emile , will 3 'ou not grant mo this m } ' last favour ?—if > 'ou will never reveal what has passed . Oh , for God ' s sake , for tho lovo of Heaven , hear mo . I grow mud . I have
boon ill , very * ill , all day . I have had what has given mo a false spirit . I had rosort to whnt I should not liavo taken , but my brain is ou lire . I foel as if death would indeed bo sweet . Denounce mo not . Emile , Emilo , think of our onco happy days . Pardon mo if you can 5 pray for mo as tho most wretched , guilty , inisorablo creature oil the earth . 1 could stand anything but my father ' s hot displeasure . Emilo , you will not causo my doutu . If ho id to got your lottors I cannot seo him any more ; and my poor mother , I will never more kiss her . It would bo a shuma to them all . Emilo , will you not spare mo this ? llato mo , dospiso mo , but do not exposo iuo- I ennnot write more . I am too ill
to-night . " No . Ill , postmarks illegible and dato uncertain : — " Dearost awoot Emile , —1 am sorry to hear you are ill . I hope to God you will soon bo bettor . Take care of yourself . Do not go to tho office this wool * , just stay at homo till Monday . Swoot lovo , it will pluiwo mo to hoar you are well . Do not ooino and walk about , and become ill again . You did look bud on Sunday night and Monday morning . 1 think you got awlc with walking homo so lute } mid tl » o Ipiif t want of food , so tho now tiiuo wo moot I shall uinkoyoucat a loaf of broad botwe
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No . 381 , JtJMT 11 ,. 1857 . 1 THE XEADEE , 656
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), July 11, 1857, page 655, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2200/page/7/
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