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PRACTICING UPON THE DOCTORS.
—The female who has been creating so much excitement amongst the tradespeople of our fashionable suburb, Clifton, was brought up, charged with stealing a gold seal, the property of Mr. Fryer, surgeon. She now assumed the name of Rose Douglas, and notwithstanding the rumours that her mind was affected, she answered all questions put to her in a rational manner, and betrayed no symptoms of being deranged. Mr. Fryer stated that he was a medical man, practising on Redcliff-hill, and on Saturday the prisoner called to consult him, in company with an individual whom she termed her lady’s maid. Her avowed object was to ask his opinion relative to going to London, as she affirmed she was in an “interesting situation,” and doubted whether it would be safe for her to travel at present. He was not at home when she called, and after remaining about half an hour she went away, and said that she would return in two hours’ time. The next time she made her appearance was on Sunday afternoon, when she drove up in a respectable cab, and stated that she wanted him to recommend her a nurse, or to give her the direction of one. He declined doing so, and then she complained of being unwell, and asked if he could give her a glass of brandy and water. He did so, and afterwards he had occasion to leave the room for a few minutes. While he was away, his wife happened to come into the room, and the prisoner asked her likewise for a glass of brandy and water, which was furnished to her. When he returned to the apartment his suspicions were aroused, as the accused had shifted her position, and was sitting near his desk. He knew she had engaged the maid she had with her at Mrs. Cook’s, Redcliff-street, and thinking she might be able to throw some light on the real character of his patient, he went to her. While talking to Mrs. Cook the prisoner came in with her maid. She then said that she was lodging at the house of Mrs. Long, 29, Royal York-crescent. When he returned to his home he discovered that the seal was gone, though he recollected seeing it safe a short time before. Mr. Williams (magistrates’ clerk): Do you wish to ask Mr. Fryer any questions? He does not connect you with the seal in any way? Prisoner: All that Mr. Fryer has said is quite correct; but I certainly did not take the seal; I picked it up. P.C. 198 deposed that he had the prisoner in custody on a charge of obtaining goods under false pretences, but she had been liberated. Hearing, however, that she was “wanted” for having stolen a seal, he apprehended her in Victoria-place. P.S. Beard stated that at a quarter before six o’clock on Monday morning the prisoner was brought to the Clifton police-station, she having met a constable and said that she had picked up a seal. He examined it, and told her it did not appear to be very valuable, but he should detain it. She said, in answer to further questions, that she found the trinket on Brandon-hill. It appeared that no information as to the seal being missed by the complainant was given to the police till nine o’clock that morning. Mr. Fryer did not think the accused was in her right mind. Mr. Williams: Was that before the brandy and water was given to her, or after? (laughter.) She represents herself to be married, and goes under another name. On Monday she gave the name of Vernon. Prisoner: That is my real name. Mr. E. Williams, practising as surgeon in White Ladies’-road, deposed to seeing the accused on Sunday last, when she was introduced to him, and said that she wanted a medical man as she expected an accouchement, which he did not think at all probable; however, he took her name, and went to No. 29, Royal York-crescent, but there he found that, in company with other medical men, he had been imposed upon. The prisoner was ultimately remanded for an examination by Mr. C. Leonard.—Bristol Daily Post.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 02 November 1861 source