Volume I Part 10 (1/2)
”The first affidavit that was read was that of his royal highness the Duke of c.u.mberland, which stated, that about half-past two o'clock on Thursday morning he received two violent blows and cuts on his head; the first impression upon his mind was, that _a bat had got into the room, and was beating about his head_; but he was soon convinced to the contrary by receiving a third blow. He then jumped out of bed, when he received several more blows; from the _glimmering light afforded from a dull lamp in the fire-place, and the motion of the instrument that inflicted the wounds, they appeared like flashes of lightning before his eyes. He made for a door near the head of his bed_, leading to a small room, to which the a.s.sa.s.sin followed him, and cut him _across his thighs_. His royal highness not being able to find his alarm-bell, which there is no doubt the _villain_ had concealed, called with a loud voice for Neale (his valet in waiting) several times, who came to his a.s.sistance; and _Neale_, together with his royal highness, alarmed the house.”
The blows of the a.s.sa.s.sin must have indeed been _slight_ to resemble ”a bat beating about the head of his royal highness;” but we cannot understand how the _cut of a sword_ can bear any _similarity_ to the beating of a little animal, like a bat! Poor Sellis, however, was but a _little man_, and his weak arm might be still more enfeebled by the consciousness of his ingrat.i.tude in attacking so _kind and liberal a master_! Sellis had been the duke's page, or valet, for more than five years, in daily, nay, almost hourly, personal communication with him; and it must, therefore, appear very strange, if Sellis was really the a.s.sa.s.sin, that his master did not _recognise him_! If the room was so dark that the duke could not _see the person_ attacking him, it is singular that the _a.s.sa.s.sin could see to strike his royal highness_, as he did by ”cutting him across his thighs, after he was out of bed!” As the supposed murderer followed the duke, who thought it best to take to his heels, we think his royal highness should have stated whether he meant his thighs in _front_ or _behind_; but, of course, an examination of the _scars_ would soon set this matter at rest! They would, no doubt, be found _behind_, as it is _unreasonable_ to suppose that, in a _dark room_, the _pursuer_ could have cut at the _pursued_ in front. The Duke of c.u.mberland is a field-marshal, and a BRAVER man, IT IS SAID, never entered the FIELD; but _in a dark room_, with a man little more than half his weight, it would have been _cowardly_ to _fight_, particularly as his royal highness might, IF HE HAD SO WISHED, have taken the weapon out of Sellis' hand, and broken it about his head. No! no! the Duke of c.u.mberland knew what was due to his honour better than to take so _mean_ an advantage of a _weak_ adversary, and therefore _coolly_ endeavoured to ring his bell, that a more _suitable_ antagonist might be procured in his valet _Neale_!
”Cornelius Neale, sworn.--He said he was valet to the Duke of c.u.mberland, and that he was in close waiting upon his royal highness on Wednesday night, and slept _in a bed in a room adjoining the duke's bed-room_. A little before three o'clock, he heard the duke calling out, 'Neale, Neale, I am murdered, and the murderer is in my bed-room!' He went immediately to his royal highness, and found him bleeding from his wounds.
The duke told him the door the a.s.sa.s.sin had gone out at; he armed himself with a poker, and asked if he should _pursue_ him. The duke replied '_no_,' but to _remain with him_. After moving a few paces, he stepped upon a _sword_; and, _although in the dark_, he was convinced it was _covered with blood_; it proved to be the _duke's own regimental sword_. _The duke and witness then went to alarm the house, and got a light from the porter._ The duke was _afraid the murderer was still in his bed-room_. His royal highness was obliged to lean upon him from the loss of blood, and he gave directions that no person should be let out of the house. They called up the _witness'
wife_, who is the housekeeper, and told _her_ to call _Sellis_. He then returned with the duke to his bed-room. At that time the duke was very faint from the great loss of blood. Upon examining the premises they found, in a second adjoining small room, a pair of _slippers with the name of Sellis on them_, and a dark lantern. The key of the closet was in the inside of the lock, and, to his knowledge, the key had not been in that state for _ten years_. He had reason to believe the wounds of the duke had been given by a sword.
Sellis took out the duke's regimentals some time since, and put them by again, but left out the _sword upon a sofa for two or three days_. It is the same sword which he trod upon, and it was in a b.l.o.o.d.y state.
”The foreman of the jury, (Mr. Place, of Charing Cross) asked the witness if he thought the deceased had any reason to be dissatisfied with the duke. He replied, on the contrary, he thought Sellis had more reason to be _satisfied than any other of the servants_; his royal highness had stood G.o.dfather for one of his children, the Princess Augusta G.o.dmother. The duke had shown him _very particular favour_ by giving him apartments for his wife and family, with coals and candles.
”A juryman asked him if he ever heard the deceased complain of the duke. The witness asked if he was obliged to answer that question. The coroner informed him he must. He then stated that about two or three years since the duke advanced their board wages from 10_s._ 6_d._ a week to 14_s._, but at the same time took off 3_s._ 6_d._, allowed for travelling. After this regulation was adopted, a paper was drawn up by the steward for the servants to sign, expressing their satisfaction at the regulation, which the deceased _refused_ to sign, and said, 'he'd be d--d if he did, and none but blackguards would sign it.' The steward told him the duke said he must sign it, _or his wife and family must quit the apartments he had given them_, as the rest of the servants had signed it. He had never heard the deceased _complain_ since.
Within the last year, the _duke and royal family had been extremely kind to him_. He had never given him an _angry word_, although he had often made use of very _bad language to him_; if he did, he never answered him. The deceased was of a very malicious disposition. He would never be _contradicted_, if he began a subject, for which reason he never wished to have any conversation with him. He frequently quarrelled with Mr. Paulet, one of the duke's servants, and fought with the steward at Kew. Lately the deceased had a bad cold, and the duke was so very _kind_ towards him in consequence, that he took him _inside the carriage_ to Windsor. Sellis dressed the duke on Wednesday night. _He had no doubt but Sellis intended that he should be charged with being the murderer, to get him out of the way._”
This Neale's evidence ought to be received with great caution. He slept in the next room to the duke, and when called upon for his a.s.sistance, stated his wish to pursue the murderer with a poker; but was prevented by his master's ”fear of being left alone!” In this _courageous_ offer of Neale, however, he trampled upon a _sword_, which, although in _total darkness, he was_ CONVINCED _was COVERED WITH BLOOD_!! We have no intention to dispute _Neale's knowledge of this_, or that ”it was his master's own regimental sword!” There have been so many wonderful people who could see AS WELL IN THE DARK AS IN THE LIGHT, and describe the minutest particulars of an article as well with their EYES SHUT AS OPEN, that we ought not to be surprised at any thing! Notwithstanding, many persons WERE SURPRISED at the sagacity of Neale, not only in this, but in many other particulars. If the duke, ”covered with gore, accompanied this servant to alarm the house,” the traces of blood on the doors, &c., leading to _Sellis' room_, might be very _naturally accounted for_!
They, however, thought it better not to call Sellis THEMSELVES, but sent NEALE'S WIFE TO DO IT!!! Although the duke pointed out to his _confidential man_ the door through which the villain had ESCAPED, his royal highness ”felt afraid the murderer was STILL in his bed-room,”
which we have _no reason to doubt_! ”A pair of slippers were left in an adjoining room, with the name of SELLIS upon them.” That Sellis left them there, however, is rather IMPROBABLE; because it is natural to suppose he would, if HE had been the murderer, have gone to his master's room WITHOUT SLIPPERS, or shoes of any kind, to make as little noise as possible. This circ.u.mstance, we are inclined to think, was a _planned affair_, though badly executed; for we know that these slippers were placed the _wrong way_,--a fact which will be hereafter proved. Through the whole of Neale's evidence, not a word was said to show that Sellis had the _least motive_ for murdering either the duke or himself. On the contrary, ”Sellis had every thing to expect from his master's living.”
In concluding our remarks upon Neale's evidence, we point the attention of our readers to the last sentence: ”He had no doubt but Sellis intended that he (Neale) should be charged with being the murderer, to get him out of the way!” Now, as there was not the slightest evidence to bear Neale out in this malicious a.s.sertion, we think, FOR HIS OWN SAKE, he had much better have kept the expression to himself. Some of our readers may not be aware of the _cause_ Sellis had given this fellow-servant to hate him; but the following letter, addressed to B. C.
Stephenson, Esq., written by Sellis a few months before his death, will elucidate this matter a little:
”_St. James', July 9th, 1809._
”SIR,--I am extremely anxious to know his royal highness'
decision concerning the evidence produced before you against Mr. Neale, and I beg you, Sir, to have the goodness to relieve me from this most disagreeable suspense. If I may, Sir, judge from appearance, either his royal highness is not acquainted with what has been proved, or his royal highness has entirely forgiven him. Should the former be the case, Sir, I hope you will have the goodness to acquaint his royal highness to the full extent of the roguery of this man; and here it may be necessary to say, that the witnesses you have examined are all of them ready to take their oaths in a court of justice, and there to a.s.sert what they have already said before you. But, Sir, should his royal highness have forgiven him, then I must be under the most disagreeable necessity to beg his royal highness to have the goodness to dispose of me as his royal highness may think proper, so that I may not have the mortification to live and act in the same room with a man I have _convicted as a rogue, and with whom no human being is able to live on friendly terms_. Had it been his royal highness' pleasure to have had this business in a court of justice, the man would have been _transported at least for seven years_; and what I am going to communicate to you now is, I believe, transportation for life. I have been told, Sir, that Mr. Neale cheats his royal highness in every thing he buys; in two different articles I have already ascertained this to be a fact; on the toothpicks he gains fifty per cent., by charging eighteen pence for that for which he only pays one s.h.i.+lling, and on the soap he charges two s.h.i.+llings for that which he pays eighteen pence, and should his royal highness wish me to proceed with these discoveries, it will be found that the _dishonesty of this man has no bounds_! The evidence you have taken, Sir, and what I have communicated to Major Thornton, with which also you must be acquainted, you must be satisfied, that this man is as _great a villain as ever existed_; NO OATH OR PROMISE IS BINDING WITH HIM; and he relates alike that which he must have sworn to keep sacred in his bosom, as he will a most trifling thing; and slanders and THREATENS WITH PUBLIC EXPOSURE AND LARGE DAMAGES HIS BENEFACTOR and only maker of his fortune, just as he would one of his own stamp. Sir, to serve his royal highness, I have always thought it as my greatest honour, and to serve him in any situation that his royal highness may be pleased to place me, shall always be the greatest pride of my life; but no longer can I live with this monster. I have, Sir, served his royal highness for nearly twelve years, and would rather forego all my wishes and pretensions, and beseech his royal highness to allow me permission to look out for another place.
To your goodness I trust, Sir, that you will lay my case before his royal highness, and acquaint me with his royal highness' pleasure.
”I have the honour to be, Sir, ”Your most obedient and most humble servant, ”J. SELLIS.”
”B. C. STEPHENSON, Esq.”
In this letter, enough is set forth to make us receive the evidence of Neale with _caution_, if not to render him _unworthy of belief altogether_. _Why_ the Duke of c.u.mberland retained Neale in his service _after_ his peculating tricks had been discovered, and _after the_ THREAT he held out against his royal master, we must leave our readers to discover.
”The jury proceeded to examine the bed-room of the royal duke, which they found in a most distressing and horrible state. It could not be discovered what his royal highness' _nightcap_ was made of, it being completely _soaked in blood_; the first blow given his royal highness was providentially prevented from proving fatal, from the duke wearing a _padded ribbon bandage round his cap, and a ta.s.sel, which came in contact with the sword_; the _bed-clothes generally were blooded; the paper of the room, the prints and paintings, the door at the head of the bed_ (through which his royal highness endeavoured to make his escape) was _cut with the sword_ at the time the _villain was cutting at the duke_, and the dark a.s.sa.s.sin must have _followed_ his royal highness to the door of an anti-room, which was _also spotted with blood_.”
Supposing Sellis to be the _villain_ here meant, the wretched means he took to accomplish the end in view were so inadequate, that it were quite impossible for him to have done all the b.l.o.o.d.y work so minutely related, from the _position in which the parties were placed_. The duke was in a modern _high bed_, his _head well protected_ with ”a padded ribbon bandage,” the only vital part of him that was above the bed-clothes, and the _curtains drawn around him_. Sellis was _not taller than the level of the bed-clothes_, and yet he chose a _SWORD_ to attack his _rec.u.mbent master_!!! In a contest so unequal, the duke _might_ have annihilated Sellis in a minute.
”The jury then proceeded to the room where the corpse of the deceased _villain_ remained. They found it with the whole of the body (except the head and feet) covered with blood; the razor which did the deed in a b.l.o.o.d.y state. The deceased's _neckcloth was cut through in several places. The drawers, wash-hand basin-stand, and the basin, were also b.l.o.o.d.y._”
To some people, such a state of the room may appear any thing but convincing of the _GUILT OF SELLIS_; yet, to such _sensible_ men as were on the jury, _all_ confirmed the verdict afterwards recorded. _Sellis_, from his neckcloth having been ”cut through in several places,” blood being sprinkled in all parts of the room, and an appearance of some one having _WASHED THEIR HANDS IN THE BASIN, MUST_ have been his own murderer, and consequently the a.s.sa.s.sin of the Duke of c.u.mberland!
”After the examination of the rooms, the jury proceeded to the investigation of the witnesses.
”Thomas Jones, a surgeon and apothecary, of the Strand, said he had attended the Duke of c.u.mberland's household since the year 1803. He knew the deceased well. _He never saw him in a low or desponding way._ The last time he had seen him was on Monday evening; he observed he was not very well, from a cold.
He had seen him on the Sunday previous, when he was very anxious for the state of his child, having lately lost one. On Tuesday the child got better. He observed nothing particular about him for six weeks past, when he complained of a pain in his chest. _He never complained to him of harsh treatment from the duke._ He attended him four or five years since for a pain in his chest, which he said was brought on by riding on horseback. He understood he lived very happy with his wife.
His wife told him it was of no use his sending physic for the pain in his chest, for he would not take it. _He never observed any symptoms of derangement in him._”
It will here be perceived, that Sellis was neither _deranged_, nor had the slightest cause for attempting his own life, or that of his master.
Is it not singular, that Mr. Jones mentioned nothing about the wound in Sellis' throat, or the _methodical position_ in which the murdered man was found? Was he permitted to examine the body? If he was not, dark suspicion must ever attend upon those who refused _any_ medical man such a privilege; and if he did view it, why not have given his opinion of the matter? But this affords another proof of the unfairness of the proceedings on this inquest.