"MRS LABOUCHERE’S" ANTECEDENTS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1015, 30 March 1883, Page 2

"MRS LABOUCHERE’S" ANTECEDENTS.

The London correspondent of the New York Times writes “ The legal revelations recently.made in America through Richmond correspondents justify the publication of a few items that are within my knowledge in reference to the extraordinary divorce suit which Mrs Labouchere, otherwise Mrs Pigeon, has instituted in America. Miss Henrietta Hodson, as a girl, was a member of the stock company of the old Theatre Royal at Bristol. She played chiefly in burlesque, and was the cleverest “ Aladdin,” in H J Byron’s piece, I remember to have seen. Mies

Marie Wilton (Mrs Bancroft) was the original, I believe, of its production at the Strand Theatre, London. Miss Hodson is the daughter of professional parents of the highest respectability, and during her association with the Bristol Company she.must have seen the first efforts of the Terrys, the Rignolds, and Mrs Kendall (then Madge Robertson), who all began their artistic careers in the famous western city. Miss Hodson was petite, prett3', exceedingly graceful as a dancer, and sang burlesque ditties with much taste and charm of manner. It is known that she might have" made a most advantageous match had she desired to marry, but the Bristolian idea was that she preferred the stage and independence- ..The city was, therefore, not a little surprised when she elected to accept -the matrimonial proposals of a Mr Pigeon, a lawyer and a widower with several children. Indeed her most faithful admirers were scandalised at the lady’s want of taste. By and by there were rumours of something even worse than ‘ incoinpatability of temperament’ disturbing the relationships of the newly-married couple; It was said that Mi’ Pigeon had actually beaten ‘ that pretty little wife of his.’ A woman of spirit, Mrs Pigeon (who had on her marriage retired from the stage) determined to resume her professional engagements, "and went to London. Some people said this step was rendered necessary on financial grounds. After a short residence in London Mrs Pigeon’s name seems to have becoine associated with that of Mr Labouchere, a rich banker and a gentlemen of distinguished family connection. An application for divorce was made by Mrs Pigeon. It was resisted by her husband, and did not succeed ; but it was understood that a formal agreement of separation was made between the discontented wife and husband, whereby the latter received the solatium of an annual allowance. Mrs Pigeon lived with Mr Labouchere, those who knew her story sympathised " with her and justified her conduct. She became gradually known as Mrs Labouchere, and two or three years ago it wag rumoured that Pigeon had died and his widow had indeed become Mrs Labouchere in the full acceptance of the law. According to the statement made at Richmond, the marriage was ,true, though 'it is not certain whether, according to the strict letter of the law, the parties havo not committed bigamy. The question as to Miss Hodson’s real position was considered to be set at rest a year or two since byherappearancein a trifling lawsuitin a local court. The question at issue: was one concerning the responsibility, of Mrs Labouchere for a small debt contracted, thro ugh a certain ‘ Laundry Company - (Limi ted),’ whicli slie had started (somewhat after the manner of the New York Dress Association Company), but it is generally thought that the incident was merely arranged for the purpose of making known that Miss Hodson was in reality Mr Labouchere^-wife. She was called into-the witness box' and sworn as Labouchere. The circumstance was much commented upon by general society,'and the lady received cards from one or two families which had not previously recognised her. At Bristol. however, I happen to know that the death of Pigeon was questioned, and how it seems that the lady herself is in doubt upon this point, and suggests that probably the man has Pomraitted some crime, on account of whichdie disappeared from England. He was never a prepossessing gentleman either in appearance or manner. Above the average height, die had red hair and whiskers. His position was that of a third or fourth-rate solicitoi, and he held a commission in the Bristol Volunteer Corps. His father was an old practitioner in the police and county courts, and was much respected. The news of Mrs-Labouchere’s . proceedings will.--fall _ ‘ like a bombshell ’ in a . professional society, and the .inference will,be that a compassion to Mrs Langtry was .not the chief cause of her visit to the United States. Since Mrs Labouchere, .herself Elects to submit her domestic, story, to-the criticisms .of the, public, it is only just to her to say that beyond the above incidents no item of reproach can be offered against her character. She married unwisely, was ill-treated, and-fognd .peace outside a miserable home. No man could more devoted husband- than Labouchere, and they live the happiest of lives. Labouchere. is regarded; by many people as a cynical, hard-hearted, devil-may-park-. individual, and it must be confessed he poses somewhat as a .misanthrope. Underneath his * waistcoast of steel,’ however, Jiyenture ! to beats a kindly heart. defied certain social disabilities oh account of his wife with a. perfect sang froid ; and without, a word of a reproach or .of apparent annoyance.' When he contested Nottingham for a seat ip Parliament, his. opponents !let off ’ ‘a flight of pigeons' in. the his hustings speech. ’ During Mrs Laboiichere’s tutelage of Mis.Langtry,.Loth he and she,receiyed._many insulting,anonymous letters reflecting on their relationsh i p;an di tis easy\to see howmuch both have suffered in sbcialT.credit for their defiance of society laws. Mr Labouchere long ago made handsome hettlements upon the partner of his home, and lheyhad,the honor of receiving:' many 'diltinguished ■guests' at Pope’s villa, and also at ; Queen Anne’s Gate. The Prince of Wales has frequently dined : there, and on a summer Sunday afternoon, calling at the beautiful LabbuPhere residence on tho Thames, you might rely upon meeting : there many eminent persons, ladies and gentlemen, associated with politics, literature, and the arts.” : ' ' ' ' ‘ ‘