The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-06-26 00:00:00

Legal.

RIGIIT OF CORONERS TO HOLD INQI-PNITS ON FIRM
—The Court of Queen'a Bench have decided, in the eivia
of Mr. Hereford. of Manchester, that coroner* have no
right to hold inquest.o aa to the origin of firm

COURT OF Ext•REquER, Jvt 16.
(Before LORD CHIEF BARON POLLOCK).
BREACH OF PROMISE.-CCSANI r DAM

This was an action for breach of promise of marriage
The plaintiff is the daughter of • dealer in foreign birds,
residing at Binoingham, and the defendant is a grocer,
of some means, carrying on business at Doncaster. The
plaintlf, with her 'asters, were in the habit of going from
town to town in the midland counties, with a stock of
birds for sale by private contract aii.l public auction. In
November last the plaintiff was at Doncaster, with a
stock of birds for sale, at Long's auction-roome, and
whilst there the defendant maw her, and became so
, much enamoured of her that he addressed to her a letter,
offering her marriage in the following terms : --
" Dear Madaiii,-1 hope you will excuse my asking
you this bold question ; the reason is. that whilst I was
admiring this afternoon you and your birds, I was struck
with you so much that I make it my business to offer
you my band and heart,if provided you are not already en'
gaged. I am • young tradesman, 22 years of age, .if
good fortune, and just about beginning business, and if
the offer should meet your approbation. I shall be glad
to have a note from you as early as possible. Don't
think that I am !eating, but I assure you from my heart
lam not. I hope you will not show this to any one.
Address inc a line, W. D., Kam Inn."
The letter arranged bow the answer should be returned
On the receipt of the letter the plaintiff consulted
Bra Bradford, her friend, and receiving from her a good
account of the defendant, she wrote hiin a favourable
answer, and expressed her wish to make his aomainhuice.
The introduction took place between them, and in a few
days after the defendant wrote to her :
I' My dearest Jane—You have this afternoon delighted
my heart so much, that I have to thank you for accept-
ing my offer. Don't think, my dear Jane, for one
, moment, that I intend deceiving you. I love you with
I all my heart. You say you have no fortune. Gold is
not what I want. I only want your dear little heart."
A great many letters passed between them in the
same strain, expressing hie love for her, and his loneli-
ness when she had left Doncaster and returned home,
and asking her to write to him whenever she could
spare time, as be was "delighted to hear from his dear
little pet." "I hope in a abort time to have a nice
bootee for my deaf little wife," and that " in a short
time he hoped they would be married, and as happy as
the world CAD make them." "You are my first and
last thought. I went to church this afternoon to pass
the time away, as I am not an happy as when I had you
to walk with." The mime letter concluded "My dear
girl and lovely pet." Up to February last he expressed
in hie letter "everlasting love for illy dear little pet
Jane: you are the girl of my heart," and in one he
said, "You say I ani to let you know when we are to
be married, my dear girl. I will give you plenty of
time." The defendant visited the plaintiff at tier
parents' house, was accepted as her suitor, the wedding
.hiy was fixed, and the plaintiff made the necessary pre-
parations for the marriage. He informed her parents
that he had plenty of money, and did not care about
her not having any. On the :Nth Match, however, the
defendant wrote to the plaintiff a letter breaking off the
matter, in which he stated. " I am sorry for the way I
have neglected you. I have not the slightest thing for
slighting you. The reason is, the young lady I paid my
attention to before I saw you has appeared, or is likely
to do so. A great and disgraceful misfortune on my
part, 11111.1 for that reason I that be obliged to conceal
our engagement. I ain really sorry for doing so. I
hope we may still be as good friends as ever we have
been.—The jury reterned a verdict for the plaintiff,
damages £4O.

(Before CHIEF JI*EiTICK