THE LATE SWINDLE AT WICKLOW.
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2a.
A gentlemanly-looking young man named Walter Sorrell alias Martin was indicted for obtaining the sum of 1s. 6d by false pretences from Mr. Edwin Halpin on the 17th September, 1875.
Sergeant Armstrong, Messrs. Ryan Q.C., and Anderson appeared for the Crown.
Mr. Lover, instructed by Mr. Duff, defended the accused.
Sergeant Armstrong opened the case. He said the traverser was charged with the serious offence of obtaining money under false pretences. Amongst other means of public entertainments which were latterly becoming fashionable was the reading of pieces from select authors, chiefly in the English language, accompanied occasionally by musical contributions. These or kindred entertainments had been respectably brought forward and respectably conducted, and proved very remunerative. With these circumstances the prisoner appeared to have been thoroughly aquainted, and being in want of that very necessary commodity in this life – money – he conceived the design of representing to the people of Wicklow that a concert and reading were about to be given for the entertainment and gratification of all those who could afford money. Besides the mere circumstance of this announcement the prisoner appeared to have surrounded it by every suggestion that could attract interest to the object. That it might add additional zest it was stated that the money was to be applied towards promoting an object which attracted considerable public attention, namely, the testimonial to Captain Webb, who swam across the Straits of Dover. The prisoner hired the coffee room of the Marine Hotel, for which he agreed to pay 30s. He then proceeded to Mr. McPhail and ordered circulars and posters. In the circular he had the audacity to announce that Miss Florence Marryat would give a reading, assisted by Signor Tagliafico, the popular basso, and Miss Ellen Corrani, prima donna, Royal Italian Opera Company, and Lindsay Sloper, solo pianist. The first named lady was now married to Colonel Rosschurch, but Florence Marryat was the name by which she was known in the world of letters. She represented to a certain extent the genius of her eminent father, Captain Marryat – a man in his time who contributed much to the beautiful and instructive literature of the day. She bore a name attractive, therefore, from ancestral connexion, and additionally attractive by her own personal graces – Et virtus gratier, veniens in corpora pulchro. It would be proved that Miss Marryat had no communication whatever with the prisoner, and that she had no intention of coming over to Ireland at that time of the year. Mr. Halpin seeing the posters went to the hotel, and purchased a ticket from the prisoner. Of course, no entertainment took place, and the prisoner decamped by the 8 train to Dublin.
Mrs. Rosschurch examined by Mr. Ryan – Before I was married my name was Florence Marryat. I am a daughter of Captain Marryat. I was in London in the month of September last. I never saw Walter Sorrell before today. I never authorised him to announce that I would appear in the county Wicklow. I never had communication with him on any subject. I did not engage with anybody to appear in Wicklow. I did not come to Ireland in that part of September.
Cross examined – I have been in the habit of giving readings in Ireland as well as in England. I gave readings for Mr. Frazer in Cork, Belfast and Dublin. He was not at all like the prisoner. He was in the telegraph office in Dublin. He owes me £89. I applied to a solicitor, and he made him give me three bills which were all dishonoured. Those persons generally have subordinates under them.
Mr. William McPhail stated – I am a printer and stationer in this town. In the month of September last I recollect the prisoner coming into my office. He told me an entertainment was to take place in the hotel, and ordered me to print handbills, which were to be circulated. He told me
