THE CASE OF LADY TWISS

Southland Times, Issue 1585, 31 May 1872, Page 3

THE CASE OF LADY TWISS

In the last telegrams of English news reference was repeatedly made to the above case. It originated in an attempt made by a low attorney of the name of Chaffers to extort money from Sir Travers Twiss, by threatening to publish particulars of the conduct of Lady Twiss before her marriage, which tended to show that she had led an immoral and disreputable life on the streets of London. Sir Travers Twisa immediately met the attack by charging Chaffers with attempt- | ing to extort money by threats. Chaffers, not being able to find bail, was confined | until the case could be heard by a I magistrate. He conducted his own defence, and in cross-examining Lady Twiss asked her a series of questions of the most abominable and revolting character. Her own evidence, supported by that of several witnesses, seemed I completely to rebut the foul charges ' made by the prisoner, and everybody thought he was sure of a severe and well-merited punishment. But whether because she was unable to face the ordeal of further questioning, or whether something remained behind which she feared might be made public, Lady Twiss suddenly left London, and the case came to an end. In dismissing Chaffers, Mr Benson, the magistrate who presided, made the following remarks, which are interesting aa showing that a libel is not necessarily justifiable although it may be true :— Alexander Chaffers, this exceedingly unlooked-for course with regard to your case leaves me no option but that of giving you the benefit of all that motive which has induced the prosecution to announce their intention of no more appearing in this court against you. I don't remember in the history of any criminal court a result so demoralising as this trial is likely to be. I am afraid to the vulgar and uneducated mind it may induce the belief that a libel may be maliciously circulated if true. I hope everybody who sees you walk forth a free man will consider well the subject, and not come to the conclusion that a libel is justifiable, however truthful. This woman has now fled from meeting any more of these frightful charges; yet, although she has gone, your conduct in this case in making it necessary to appear here aa you have done will probably make you to the end of your life an object of contempt to all the world. I have nothing else to say to you, except to warn you, when you think of this unhappy woman and the husband whose happiness you have wrecked, never again to repeat such an accusation. At the same time let me warn you not to think you will be justified in such a course because there may be some truth in the charge you prefer.