Mr Bartram, the earl of ___?

 A Tale of a Title.

The Westland correspondent of the Lyttelton Times tells the following remarkable story regarding "a veritable peer of the realm," who has been for years engaged as a working miner in New Zealand, under the came of Bartram: — "Many years ago the earl of ____ married the widow of a certain literary magnate, who by him had two sons, of which the man we call Bartram is the oldest. Both entered the army; the younger got a commission in the Life Guards and Bartram became lieutenant in a crack cavalry regiment, and at the time I write about was on a visit to his father's estate in Essex. While there, he became acquainted with the family of a London banker, through an introduction by his younger brother, and within three months was the accepted suitor of the banker's third daughter, and soon after was married at Hanover-square, London. Immediately after the wedding, and before the carriage could reach home — (the family were then living at their town mansion in Portman-square) —his young wife was taken seriously ill, and remained so for nearly two months. Part of the time Bertram was not allowed to see her, as her reason was said to be seriously affected. There is no doubt at this time he was very much attached to her, and deeply deplored her dangerous situation; in fact, at times his own reason seemed to be on the wane, and fears were entertained by his friends that he also would be laid on a bed of sickness. Fortunately his wife recovered, and steps were at once taken towards removing to their own home in Park-lane. At this time the brother had exchanged into the -th, then under orders for India, and on the very night of their arrival at their new residence had come to bid them goodbye, previously to starting on his journey. All that took place on that occasion can never be made known, as the only living witness now is Bartram, and he, no doubt, was not in his right mind, and remembers little of what transpired beyond the horrible, maddening, degrading fact that his wife's illness had been occasioned by a premature birth, his own brother having been her seducer. He also recollects being arrested for attempted murder of his wife and brother, of being in a private lunatic asylum, and, lastly, of making his escape through the kind assistance of the Rev. _____, who, singular to relate, was until very lately, the much respected incumbent of a certain Melbourne church. For years Bartram led a wandering, purposeless life in the wilds of Africa and North America, and some 17 years ago came to the colony, and after visiting Sydney and Victoria, settled on the West Coast as a gold digger. Some two years and a half ago it came to his knowledge through the Home News that his brother, who must have succeeded to the title and estate on the death of his father, had also died leaving a son, who is now thought to be the rightful heir, and sits in the House of Lords as a peer of the realm. Mr "Bartram" has already taken the first step towards prosecuting his claim, and affidavits by himself and his medical attendant, together with documentary evidence calculated to prove his identity, have been forwarded to Messrs Lewis & Lewis, the great London solicitors. The further development of this remarkable case will be watched with interest."  -Thames Star, 27/2/1889.

The further developments, alas, seem to lie buried in the sands of time.  "Bartram" is later reported as recovering from his illness and whether or not his determination to claim his due title survived, such an attempt has not been reported.  Ten years before the story of "Bartram," however, comes this: 

It was on the West Coast, some 14 years ago, that a miner was received into the Hokitika hospital, suffering from one of those complaints which flesh is heir to, but which more particularly attacks those whose time is devoted to digging for the precious metal. He was a thick-set, broad-shouldered fellow, and bore every appearance of having been, if not raised in the lap of luxury, at any rate had considerable attention paid to his building-up and education. Just the one little besetting sin, though; he was, so to speak, a ne'er-do-well. On his discharge from the Institution he was asked, in the ordinary way, if he could donate anything, but he replied in the negative, suggesting that probably, if his uncle, the Earl of Derby, was written to he would. Although but little credence was placed in his story the uncle was written to, and the identity of the erstwhile patient having been established, a communication followed in due time, and remittances at the rate of £2 per week arranged for. These moneys were sent to him regularly by our informant, Mr J, W. Blake, who at that time was in Hokitika, and afterwards to various places where he moved to. That remittance man is Lord Stanley, of Preston, who succeeds to the title rendered vacant by the death of the Earl of Derby — Wanganui Herald.  -Hawkes Bay Herald, 27/4/1893.