The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-03-08 00:00:00

WESTON versus WESTO N.
It oLLs COURT, WEDNERDAT .

This case WM called on before Lord Romilly,
Master of the Rolls, this afternoon. It is in the
form of a motion to compel the specific perform-
ance of a deed executed by Mr. P.
Weston, of Wolveton, but in reality raises the
issue as to whether his wife, one of the
daughters of Sir Thomas Lethbridge, has been
guilty of adultery with Mr. Andrew Quick,
The counsel engaged in the CMG were Mr.
Jessel, Q.C., and Mr. Cracknell for the plaintiff,
Mrs. Weston ; Sir R. Banally and another for
Mr. Weston ; and Mr. Swanston for Mr.
ttrownrigg, Mts. Weston's brother-in-law, who is
the trustee of the deed.

In the absenoe of Mr. Jesse), Mr. Cracknell
WAS called on to open the caw, Mr. Swanston
having stated that the interest of his client
would be to take no part in the contention. The
plaintiff and defendant were married on the 7th
December, 1857, Mr. Weston receiving with
his wife a sum which she stated was £5,000, and
which he admitted was £3,500. No settlement
was made on the marriage. Three children
were born, and as to the last of the three, Mr.
Weston, in his affidavit, declares he believes it is
not his child. Differences having arisen between
husband and wife, on the 28th December, 1866,
a deed of separation was executed, wherein
defendant agreed to allow his wife £l,OOO a year
for the maintenance of herself and children.
There were sundry provisions in the deed, one of
which decreased the payment by £lOO • year if
the eldest girl lthey are all girls) remained with
her father This she had done, aud defendant
also desired to have the second girl, and com-
plained that she was kept awe.* from him by his
wife. Three days after the execution of the
deed, Mrs. Weston went off to Boulogne and
afterwards to St. Germaine, and she was now
living in France. The defendant paid to the
Trustee Oil e quarter's allowance, £225, and had paid
nothing since, except into court under an order,
but this, as Mr. Crackiiell remarked, WAS no
satisfaction to Mrs Weston, who but for the
kindness of Miss Quick, aunt of the gentleman
above named, would have been forced into the
streets. tine of the provisions of the deed was
that it was to be void in case of adultery, and on
the 20th May, 1867, the defendant served notice
on the Trustee that by a deed poll deposited at
the office of his solicitor, Mr. M. C. Weston, at
Dorchester, he had put snood to and utterly and
entirely made void the deed of settlement, his
wife, Alder Gertrude Weston, haying committed
adultery.

We may inform our readers that in the Equity
Courts the examination of witnesses proceeds on
affidavits, and in this case none of the witnesses
are before the court ; but the petition of
plaintiff, the answer of defendant, the affidavits
and replies, are printed. The learned
Judge was informed that some of the details were
so filthy that it MIS most desirable that they
ahould not be stated in open court ; but that he
should read them in private, and this he agreed to
do—an arrangement which will probably prevent
judgment being given in the case for many days
perhaps weeks The learned counsel for the
plaintiff commented upon the most material
parts of these affidavits saying that although
some of them imputed adultery prior to the
execution of the deed that portion of the case
could not affect the deed and could not be con-
teuded as within Evans and Carrington v.
Fisher and Jones, 451, which was • case where
a deed was obtained by fraud. Putting this
prior evidence out of the case the charge against
the plaintiff rested almost entirely on the evidence
of her maid Lilluette and His Lordship probably
would not have been troubled with the case at
all if thedefendant had not, through his attorney
Mr. Montagu Weston, obtained the services of
the illustrious lgnstius Pollaky of the private
detective office. The learned counsel at some
length and very effectively commented on
Lilluette's affidavits and Mr. Pollsky's corres-
pondence. The latter was continually inculcating
the virtue of patience and the necessity of re-
mitting him £2O a week. Lilluette deposed to
Mrs. Weston and Mr. Quick being frequently
together at Wolvetou, Weymouth, and Boulogne
and generally to their sleeping room being on
the same floor with means of amens between the
rooms, but at Wolveton Mr. Quick was the
guest of the husband, and it also appeared that
although the parties had been much together in
France Miss Quick, aunt of Mr. Andrew Quick,
had been with the lady ever since she left
England. The learned counsel indicated the
evidence given ; contended that much of it
amounted to nothing • that certain suspicious
circumstances deposed to by Lilluette were
explainable and that no reliance could be placed
on the testimony of a woman who suffered herself
to utter such unutterable indecencies, as the
learned counsel said were in her evidence. He
Imo scarcely finished Lis eomments when the court
adjoureed.
On Thursday the came was resumed and Mr.
Cracknell was heard in continuation citing at
considerable length a correspondence which had
taken place in the February following the end of
the year when the separation took place, between
Mr. M. Weston, solicitor, of Dorchester and
Pollaky the private detective. It appears that
the detective was paid • weekly sum (220) to
keep an emissary at Boulogne watching
the plaintiff, and he WM asked to "get
I at" the servants which he succeeded in
I doing with Lilluette. She stated that the
parties had gone to Paris together and on
, her information the deeds poll revoking the
separsion deed seemed to have been executed.
The learned counsel denounced the conduct of
the plaintiff in setting a spy on his wife before
he could have been in possession of any evidence
and within • month of the execution of the deed
which he was now desirous to set aside. An
, affidavit had been filed by plaintiff from an
officer who knew the situation of the room. where
in the Grand Hotel impropriety was alleged, and
I who swore distinctly that the woman could not
see into the room as she bad deposed. There was
then a most extraordinary story supported by
eight affidavits that the plaintiff and Mr. Quick
had been travelling in Germany together.
Waiters had been shown photographs and recog-
nised the parties, but it was proved so abundantly
that Mrs. Weston had never been out of France,
that defendant's counsel gave this up. Lilluette
had been discharged for having " Tom," Mr.
Quick's groom, in her bedroom, and it was con-
tended she was unworthy of credit, and it was
shown that she had sou<ht to induim a former
servant to swear to circumstances incriminatory
of her mistress of which she was unaware, and
there were the affidavits of Mrs. Weston and of
Mr. Quick, distinctly and plainly denying all
improper connection. Mr. Jessel followed on
the same side, dwelling upon acts of impropriety
which were said to have been committed prior
to the separation deed, but which it was con-
tended were not material to the presort enquiry.
On Friday Sir It. Baggally waa heard for Mr.
Weston, who he contended was justified in taking
a. • first step,that which would prevent this lady from
living on his means with her paramour. He imatendeil
that there was so treat, the deed having been
revoked. He justified the use of the private detec-
tive, as these offences were committed secretly, and
contended that the lady's maid, even if she were •
person of doubtful reputation, was as much
entitled to credit as her metre's. lie called
attention to and dwelt at length on her affilavits,
upon the facilities for the oommismon of
ad ul tory and on the awned statement. of
the lady, some of which the learned Judge
rad were of such an abandoned character as «mid
erarcely be conceived. Sir R. Baggally commented
on the fact that the parties were still being
together, and asked if perfect innocence under such
circurestancee amid be supposed.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Williams followed in able
speeches and Mr. Jesse' replied.

Judgment is reserved.
[or Copyright of this Report u ruerred alao.)

Tilt Beater Monday review is to beet Brighton.
Hs. Dtsaant will open the debate on the Irish Land
Bill. but sill not oppose She second reading.
Tile Irish members of Parliament have resolved to
support this amend reading of the Land BilL
James G. Gustritionia, timber naluchent, has
alisbondisci from bunderlsed. He is suspected of
forging bills to the utast of /22,000. Cunningham is
oleo esorstary of a Wild* warty.
GI Timidity eight a farmer named De•dney, of
1.1601'014h, while on his way home from Totes.
rnitratit, tads big bores against a wall with souks
vlokoce that both horse scia rider were baled on the
spot,

Sornrrsetsb ire.

, WRIST SOISInaiT STZEPLIOHA2IIO.—Mr. Stevens,
Mr. W. Day. Mr. Yates, Mr. &Dun, Mr. Drag, Mr.
Ellison, Mr. Staple, and other well.know sportsmen
have entered horses for these races on the 17th and 18th
' inst., and • good meeting is anticipated.
Bust so ALIVI.—It is rumoured at Marriott that a
men named ifichard Parsons ham been boned alive.
The sexton states that as he wits filling in the pave he
, heard a groan, air if proceeding from the coffin. He did
not, however, take any notioe of it, but filled in the
grave. Deceased had been ill for three months, and
died, as was supposed, on the 17th. He was placed in
his coffin, the lid of which was screwed down, about
four hours before the burial. The matter is to be in-
vestigated by the parish authorities.
tiotomm.—Anna Trevelyan, parlour-m*ld in the
servile of W. Woodland, Esq., of Haines.hill, Taunton,
destroyed herself by drowning. For the last two years
she had been depressed is spirits. She could not tall
the cause of it, but frequently felt impelled to drown
herself. Verdict, "Temporary insanity."
BURNT To WATS.— On Tuesday morning, Kam
Lane, • single woman, aged 110, living by he-self in •
bones at Wraneway, was found lying on the floor, her
clothes being burnt to ashes, and site was quite dead,
The last time she wes awn alive was on the previous
evening about seven o'cdoek, when she was preparing
her supper.
Lw UnVORTUSATI MIOTAK S.—The other day • load
of shone was gent from Trowbridge to Sbepton lidUet
by wargoe, and on it. arrival the horse was put in •
stable of one of the inns. In an adjoining atable was
in 010 hone tiosit;og f..r the kosolcv, la as
it was pest work. This funotionary, it seems, had
delayed carrying his orders into execution, •nel hapirnal
to pot in an app. 'ranee at the inn, for his morning
glass, jest after the waggon from Trowbridge had arrived.
&Waite, on genii g the Knight of the Knock r's yard,
accosted him—" I way, when are you going to shoot
that old 'hoes ? " If you ain't pretty quick about it I
than give the job to somebody else." "0. ni do it
to-day landlord, never fear." How long knacker tarried
over the beer.cup is n 4 known; but certain it is that
either hi' vision had become soine•hat oblique, or the
two horses side by side in the stable must have born.
some resemblsnoes one to the other ; for knocker in
mistake, leads out Mawr& a.rtori'm hew, from Trow-
bridge, an animal worth 130, and shot it, leaving the
"oil hoes" snag in the stall. Wh.t occurred when
Bonif•oe, knacker, and the waggoner met over the oar-
oass of the mistaken horse, our informant sayeth not.

RDwann 007., assodbed as • clerk, waa tried at the
Central Criminal C met for attempting to murder his
_ sweetheart, a domestie servant. A statement of the
Wi tinderstead that W. Neal, freq., has given his prisoner's was read, in which he asserted that he went
tenants the privilege of shooting hues and rabbite on to see the girl, taking with him • r•sor, ant intending
his estate at Kingsdon. to commit suicide if he found his su-pitions of her
Timm " eolteaarr ewe" I!) hae bell its snout' deceit well grounded. Re arrived at the house when
supper, when specie' allusion wie made to the wimirable his supposed rival was with the girl, and his jealous
philter I provided for the members by the slab admit. fee Eng. having got th. better of ham, he tried to cat
Tote Chard Town Council bay* been efficially ream- the girl's tbiost. The Reeorder sentenced the prisoner
mended to give up borough police, and have the watch- to ten run' penal servitude.
in. done by the county oonstabulary. No doubt it
would be cheaper and more effective.
Ma. J•g118 VOWLIS, of Tickenheirn, WY recently
going 10f0•4 one of his gelds alter dark, when •
bulldoh in the path jumped up, and one of its horns BO
severely lacerated his thigh, that be has eince died.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
AN under-gardener, named Smith, at handbill-pork,
near Taunton, hai hung himself through melancholy, Oe Thursday the Lord CUANCILLOR moved in. reading
no hearing of the death of a former sweetheart. In • of the.Naturalinatio
wThltobJect of the mestere wiz to
letter to his sister he sail, " I have never been happy Chi:tr... could
been nmatuZinzighizedt
„min
oti,:e.c.linhitedi.a.L.Bria::..VlTbti7:l.lthwtin
Of settled nines I left the north, when I left behind me •
all that was dear to me on earth, and now I feel SION, two year+, the Home Secretary being tam authoriecd within
le • barren land."
--the tame period to cancel the certiflude of t ralleshon I/

the holds.; mi....ducted himeell. A dawn al.o enabled aliens
to perms land in this country. The bill wae eenerdly
approved, end it was reed • second Wm.
Sunday Tradintll, and the JurisdicUou BW were nod
• third time and passed.