THE PORTLAND ESTATES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2050, 29 November 1907, Page 2

THE PORTLAND ESTATES.

MISS ROBINSON’S EVIDENCE. DUKE KNOWN AS “RESURRECTION.”

‘United Press Association —Copyright LONDON, Nov. 27.

Miss Robinson, cross-examined as to iher own letters of Druce and others of the Duke of Portland, admitted that the handwritings were different.

(Received Nov. 28, 5.18 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28. Replying .to Mr. Plowden, Miss Robinson stated that Dickens first nick-named the Duke of Portland “Resurrection” because he was two men in one body. Workmen at Wel'beek used tlio same name, owing to the Diuke’s unexpected appearances from tunnels.

‘.‘THE SPIDER AND THE FLY.” A NEW WITNESS. • (Received Nov. 28, 10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28. (Mass. Robinson said that for a decide the Duke of Portland'paid her £IOO a year in notes and cash. She never received. au y money beyond salary, except one £5 note. She had never been inside Welbeck Abbey, though the Duke bad invited 'her, and she was a little afraid to •SO.

Tlie Magistrate, Mir. Plowden, suggested that it was a case of “the spider and the fly.”

Witness agreed. Miss Robinson, continuing, admitted that she posted for Druce a letter addressed “Pere, Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.” When asked to name the corpi.se the letter.- was for, she' replied it might have been addressed to -the man vger of the cemetery. Mrs Hamilton, aged 77, a .sprightly, agile witness, deposed that her father was Robert Lennox Stewart, and her godfather the fourth Duke of Portland. His son, Stott Portland, alias Druce, was her father’s •great friend, called her his little •cousin, and wanted to-marry her, only her father refused.

When shown" a- pho-togranh of Druce wearing a heard witness exclaimed, .“That’s dear old Scott.” (Received 11.45 p.m., Nov. 28.) Mrs. Hamilton continued that Druce always carried a beard in his pocket. He told her, “I am always Druce when wearing a beard.” When she asked why he kept the Baker Street Bazaar establishment-, ho replied, “It’s a very good thing, and makes lots of money.” Witness visited Welbeck- in 1549, and saw Druce there. When she addressed him as Druce, lie told her “I am always Scott Portland to you.” He sjioke-about his sons George and Herbert-, and told her George was in Australia, and that ho meant to leave him a thousand. Her father, said, “Iliat is not much,” and Druce replied, “Quite enough for him.” She and her father met Druce in London in 1564. He said: “Madge, lam going to die.” She replied : “You' don’t look like it.” Her father said he was going to cease to be Druce and going to have a mock funeral. Druce suggested getting a corpse from the hospital or workhouse, but her father suggested to use bricks or lead. Her father attended tlie funeral.