The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-11-12 00:00:00

Legal.

BRADFORD C. WHITRINGRAIL—BRRAoR OF PROIII3II.
—At the Court of Queen's Bench on Wednesday, Mr.
Serjeant Hayes said this was an action fore breech of
promise of niarrisp tried before the Lord Chief Baron
Pollock, at Derby, when the jury returned a verdict for
the plaintiff, damages two. He moved for • rule to
reduce the damages which were excessive, or for • new
trial. The plaintiff was the daughter of parents just
removed from the condition of laboarers, and was
herself • dressmaker, and the defendant was an old
man over sixty years of age and double that of the
plaintiff. (Laughter.) In addition to the age of the
parties this never could have been • happy marriage,
because the old man was given to habits of intoxicatioa,
and whilst in that state he was unconscious of what he
said and did, and he had on many previous occasions
made promises of matings and an offerofsettling £l,lOO
on the happy bride. (Laughter.) £l,lOO appeared to
be • favourite sum with the old man, probably
according to the old song, "There's luck in odd num-
bers." MOW* of laughter.) According to the evidence
the old man made love in his inebriated moments, and
in that state proposed to the parents. They at first held
back, but the promise of the £l,lOO appeared to have
an sleet on them and they subsequently assented.
Things went on smoothly for some time; but here, as
in other instances, "true love 00000 did run smooth."
The snatch was broken off and the present action NMI
brought. The Lord Chief Justice Coekburn What do
you say the damages ought to be? Mr. Sidi:ant Hayes:
We up willing to leave it to the court, or refer it to
any person the court might name. I should say I
have the aMdavits of three ladies who say that the old
man made the same offer to them, and on the saine terns.
(Load laughter.) The Lord Chief Justice Cockburn : It
is dosibtfel whether they have not each of them a right
at action against the defendant. Mr. &dean* Hayes:
Yes, hat what would become of the poor defendant
(Laughter,) It is right I should say that two or three
years ago the defendant met with a serious
fall, and had concussion of the brain.
Persons who knew him well say he has been very
eccentric sines. The Lord Chief Justice Cockburn.
You may take • rule for a new trial, unless the plaintiff
will submit to reduce the damages to £lOO. Rule granted
accordingly.
Beantotoon e. BDWARDS.—In the Court of Common
Pleas on Wednesday, the Lord Chief Jostles gave
evidence in this ow. The plaintiff, an infidel
lecturer, some time since was prevented by the police
from delivering an openoir oration in the dissemination
of his views, In the neighbourhood of Exeter. As he
refused to leave the field quietly he was taken into
custody, for which he brought an action for false
Imprisonment. The jury gave him • farthing damages,
on which he moved for anew trial. The learned judge.
in looking at all tbe fasts of the case thought that the
allegations made by the plaintiff for going before • jury
a second time had not been proved, and refused the
rule,

Some time ago the widow and children of • Mr. Pym
were awarded the sum of £13,000 for the loss of their
husband and father, who was killed on tier Great
Northern Railway. On Thursday Mr. Hawkine moved
for • new trial on the ground—fret, that the parties
were not in a condition to require the relief contempla-
ted by Lord Campbell's act in such cues; and next
that, supposing they were, the damages were excessive.
The Lord Chief Judie*, who tried the case, and Mr.
Justice Blackburn, were of opinion that the former trial
was • fair one; but as the ease was of greet importance
they allowed Mn Hawkins to take a rule.
The Master of the Rolls, on Thursday, rive judg-
ment in a case which may fairly be clamed among the
romance law. A young English girl went to Paris IMMO
40 years ago, and there fell in love with a French boy.
She afterwards returned to England and married one of
her own countrymen. The marriage was not • happy
one; the lady found her way back to Paris, there fora d
herself back on her first love, now become a general
In the army, procured • Seoteli divorce from her F.nglish
husband, went through • form of marriage with the
French oMosi, and left kite considerable property. The
only question for the court to decide was whether pro-
ceeding', subsequent to the divorce from her first
husband, invalidated her will. After the divorce she
wrote to the French general expressing • hope that
their attachment might be renewed, and that she might
become his wife. In reply, he informed her that it
would he nemesaary for him to obtain consent of the
Freneh Government to marry her. She therefore pro-
, deeded to Paris and employed a gentleman to prepare a
marriage settlement, by which she should give her
property to the general. Afterwards a second deed was
, executed between her trusties and herself. These deeds
did not show upon the fain of them they were invalid,
I but V they were executed upon the consideration that
the geseral would marry they were invalid, as she was
already • married woman, and incapable of contracting
man-imps. But the correspondence went to show that
the lady trusted no the general's honour. They went
to Edinburgh, where • Somali marriage was performed,
mid tb,y were subsequently married in France. The
Court from expreessag upon the validity of
Rio 044dt2 but simply declared the the trusts of the
will shosild be miforeed, leaving it to the p‘ruse to Si,
the question whether or not the will was • valid one.

Flag Attata—A sereaut neer Limerick, at • time that
every one was requested to deliver up their linlellll3l,
OM laa master's pokers and tongs to the barracks.