Victorian London - Women - In Public - Smoking

LADY SMOKERS FORBIDDEN. - William Teare, 42, who declined his address and occupation, was charged with wilfully breaking an embossed panel at the Horse Shoe hotel, valued at 5l. - Mr. Atkins, the manager of the hotel, said that shortly after 10 o'clock on Monday night he was called to the café, and was informed that the defendant had broken a large panel by throwing a water-bottle at it. - Henry Marshall, a waiter, said that the defendant, accompanied by a lady and gentleman, entered the café, sat down at one of the tables, and ordered some coffee and brandy. They were supplied, and the lady commenced to smoke a cigarette. She was requested to desists, but refused. Teare then took up a water-bottle and deliberately threw it at the witness's head. He, however, "dodged" it, and the panel in question was shattered. - Mr. Vaughan: Did the defendant say anything? - Witness; He said, "How dare you speak to a lady?" - Mr. Vaughan: Is it a regulation that there should be no smoking in the coffee-room. - Witness: Yes, for ladies. - Mr. Vaughan: You mean to say that other persons (men) may smoke? - Witness: Yes. - Mr. Vaughan: And not woman? - Witness: Yes. - Mr. Vaughan: And why not? Where is the distinction. Spanish ladies smoke. - Witness: That is the rule. - Mr. Vaughan (addressing the defendant) said that whilst on the one hand he could understand the defendant's irritation, he ought to have seen the manager to have complained, and to have left, as he was perfectly free to go anywhere else. Continuing, he said: I must impose a penalty, but I shall not order more than 1s., and 5l., the damage done. - Defendant deposited the 5l. in court, on the understanding that "if" any balance were due to him it could be returned.

Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, May 3, 1891