Rosina Bulwer Lytton

“ Displays of ill-temper and malignity, of pride and arrogance, are never very reasonable; they are in truth very ridiculous; still there is much yet to be learnt if they are to be held as indications of madness. We make these remarks to show that, while under an impression--we will say a conviction--that in Lady Lytton's transfer to a Lunatic Asylum she has been made the victim of a shocking outrage and crime, we are not unacquainted with, or insensible to, her weaknesses and defects. ”

“ When persons are under a higher influence than any which belongs to mere humanity, they may adopt a higher line of conduct, and submit patiently to whatever befalls them, under a conviction that it is good for them to suffer; but Lady Lytton has never made any pretensions or professions that would justify the higher standard to her case, and therefore should not be too hardly judged. ”

“ She is no more mad than I am, or any one else." And those who have merely seen her as she passed them in the streets or other public highways, have been hardly less startled by the intelligence. There is on all hands a firm belief that this unfortunate lady--we say unfortunate in allusion only to her present lamentable position, and without reference to the circumstances which have given both to herself and her husband an unenvial notoriety--there is, we say, a firm belief that Lady Lytton is the subject of a horrible and appalling injustice and wrong ”

“ Directing one's thoughts of the unfavourable effect produced by her display of bitter feeling towards others--though they are those to whom she ascribes treatment almost too dreadful for human endurance--her life appears unsullied and blameless. This is a tribute undeniably her due.
Lady Lytton has for some years past endeavored to obtain an increase to her allowance, which in consequence of the liabilities which she had incurred and was obliged to meet as best she could, had fallen to about £180 per annum ”

“ Dr. Thompson promised to lay these requirements before Sir Edward immediately upon his return to London, and then withdrew, Lady Lytton giving vent on his departure to her overwrought feelings in a flood of tears, which could not be restrained fro a considerable time, notwithstanding the consolation offered by the landlady, whose kindness to her throughout these painful and sad proceedings had been very great; and even of the nurse, whose opinion as to the state of her ladyship's mind had undergone a considerable change since the time she was in her presence. ”

“ Continually smarting under the denial of her claims, and rendered desperate probably by increasing difficulties, she determined to adopt a step which might prove more effective in this behalf than the means she had previously employed. Sir Edward having recently accepted office as a Cabinet Minister, the seat he held in Parliament as one of the members for Hertfordshire became vacant, and according to custom it was necessary for him to meet his constituents in order to his re-election. Lady Lytton resolved to be present upon that occasion, and to take a conspicuous part in the proceedings. ”

“ For some three years past a lady, rather above middle age, of somewhat portly figure and handsome countenance, has occupied apartments in the quiet, comfortable, and pleasant establishment at Taunton, known as Clarke's Hotel. ”

“ When a person is treated as an Ishmael, it is not to be wondered at if he regards himself as such; and the best of tempers will at last be soured and ruined by constant irritation and suffering. A not very high authority has said, "Reveng is sweet, especially to women." ”

“ He had had a great deal to do with the subject of her separation from Sir Edward, being, in fact, the honourable baronet's solicitor, and she held him in extreme aversion. He remained here some short time, it is said, and then left, but not before his sojourn had become known to her ladyship. On the 12th of June, another gentleman arrived in Taunton, and calling at Clarke's Hotel, sent his card to Lady Lytton, with a request for an interview. This was a "Dr. Thompson," and he was accompanied by a nurse from a neighbouring lunatic asylum. ”

“ Her experience of the married state was an unhappy one, and in 1838 a separation took place by mutual consent, Sir Edward consenting to pay her £400 a year during his life, which has been her allowance from that to the present time, notwithstanding he is, or is reputed to be, a wealthy man, his annual income being estimated at from £8,000 to £10,000. ”

“ One of her chief complaints against her husband was, the smallness of the means he allowed her for her support, and certainly if, as is stated, his own income is £10,000, it is a very reasonable one--for the allowance of £8 a year to his wife by a man whose income is £200 would be just in the same proportion ”

“ In her country walks she was occasionally accompanied by a female friend, though generally in these her only companion was a little dog, for which she always showed great fondness. Sometimes also she has been seen at public entertainments, though but seldom, and there her attire has been similarly becoming to that in her walks in town or country. In a place like Taunton, a person of any note does not long reside before he or she becomes known to many of the inhabitants ”