The Express.
London, England, 1864-03-04 00:00:00

BREACH OF PROMISE AT BIRMINGHAM.

At the Warwick 11111117A114 yesterday, a trial for
breech of promise was heard before Mr. Justice Blackburn
and • special jury, is which Charlotte Emma Blackhem,
daughter of Mr. Blackhem, pin manufacturer, of Bir-
mingham, was the plaintiff, and Mr. Thomas
Pratt, thimble maker, of the same place, was
the defendant. Mr. Macaulay, Q.C., Mr. Field, Q.C.,
and Mr. Welby, were °ousel for the plaintiff ; Mr.
Serjeant O'Brien appeared for the defendant. The
fondant is • widower, sod about 60 years of age, and the
plaintiff an attractive young lady of 23. The defendant
was in the habit of calling at plaintiff's house upon busi-
sees. In the month of February, 1863, he desired to
have some private conversation with the plaintiff, and
*her telling her he desired to marry her, Mrs. Blackham
was consulted. Defendant said to her that he wished to
become the suitor of her eldest daughter, if there was no
objection on the part of her parents. He acknowledged
be was rather old, but, to counterbalance that, he said he
was a wealthy man, and was worth between 7,000 and
8,000/. If Mrs. Blackhun would allow her daughter to
marry him he would immediately retire frost business,
build • country residence, and keep a horse and carriage
for his wife. The defendant after that was received as
the suitor of the plaintiff, and cootioned to visit her daily,
walking her out, and introducing her to his friends as bin
salanced. In the early part of June the defendant said
he would give the plaintiff 1,0001. upon the day of her
wedding, and, in addition to that, he would spend 601:1/.
on hie country residence to make her happy and com-
fortable. The defendant continued to be very attentive until
September, whet be requested to have an interview with
her mother. He then informed her that he should not be
able to keep his promise, in oonsequerice of his daughter's
opposition to the marriage, as she had told him if he
got married she would never enter his home, and she
would not allow himto visit her. Mrs. Blackluun remon-
strated with him, and remised him of his promises. De-
fendant said he was very sorry, because he knew be should
bare lived happily with the plaintiff, and then he should
have been happy for the remainder of his life. But he had
determioed Dever to marry the plaintiff. Mrs. Blackham
was called, and corroborated the above particulars : and in
reply to Serjeant O'Brien, she stated that the defendant did
not look so old last year as he did that day in court, when
the defendant, en old looking man, amidst the laughter
of the court, said, " What makes you suppose I look older
now than I did when I proposed for your daughter !
Witness—You look years older. —ln answer to Mr. Serjeant
O'Brien. witness stated that defendant presented his
daughter with the rise in August.—Defendant (in • very
excited manner) —I never gave her a riot ; she took it from
my Boger. (Laughter.)—The Judge said the defendant
roust be put out of court if he did not keep quiet,—
The plaintiff, a well-dressed young lady, here rose no and
said, " That was another ring." (Renewal laughter.")—The
learned judge—We cannot allow either the plaintiff er de-
feedant to appear in this case.—Mr. Serjeant O'Brien ad.
drained the jury in mitigation of damages it consequence of
the defendant's old age.—The jury returned • verdict of
4004 for the plaintiff.

THE LATE LORD LYNDRURNT. --The valuable free-
hold estate of the lets Lord Lyedhurst, Nos. 25 and 2d.
i;eurae.street, Haeoyer.equare, was yesterday disposed of
by Messrs. Christie. Manson, sod Woods. The property
was divided into two lot.. The first included the spacious
freehold 1:11111111i0r, No. 25, George-street, situated on the
east aide, close to Hanover-square, the property and for
msoy years the residence of the noble lord ; all the fixtures
included in the purchase. This lot was adjudged to Mr.
Duddell at the mice of 13,0001. The mooed lot, the family
residence, No. 26, George street, Hatioverequaris, adjoinieg
the mansion of his lordship, let by the year to Dr. Hawitm-
ley, was kaocksd down to the same gentlemso at the peas
of 5,001. Total produce of the freehold estate, 18,0001.
ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INRTITETION. —Yes-
terday a meeting of this institution was held at its ►oose,
John-street, Adelphi, Thomas Chapman, Req.. F.R.&,
in the chair. Rewards amounting to 571. 10e. were voted
to the crews of several lifeboats of the institatioo, sod of
shore boats, for rescuiog 63 parson■ from various wrecked
vessels. It was reported that Mrs. M. A. Hopkies sod
her daughter, of Preston, bad presented to the institution
2501., to pay the cost of the Blackpool lifeboat, in memory
of the late Mr. R. W. Hopkins. Also, that Sir John
Pakiogtos, Bart., ILP., G.(:.13., had kindly promised te
preside over the animal meetieg of the institutioo, to he
held on the 15th inst., at the London Tawas. The society
had not dories the past mouth Dew lifeboats to Pallier.
Norfolk. and to Gresoomtle, sear Loodooderry. ft war
stated that Messrs. Forrest, the lifeboat builders, bad now
thirteen lifeboats constructiog for the institution. Pay.
meats amounting to upwards of 2804 haying been mode on
venom lifeboat establishments, the proceedinp terminated.