The Express.
London, England, 1855-04-06 00:00:00

miltitla. Ruh eireinnetenee woe distiaetly remembered by
X 412 wood ; bat whoa the subject of conversation wet.
aad panned he a seasiderable time, he bosun
eendenui and irritated. When at luncheon be nenered
hem the Windom. nod awed an the hospitalities of hie
bones with want ma and eelleendeese. In the long un-
versed.* above alladed to, and when Mr. Hopwood was
irritated, he replied, when asked if his son, Captain Hop-
wood, hod boon kind to him—" Yea." After luncheon Mr.
Blain produced a paper, but Mr. Hopwood could not
remember the name of his szetaton. The deponent
I stated, however, that aothing was more common than
far old people to forget names and dates. Whea his trustees
pawerew mentioned he remembered them. He then signed the
Mn. Ann Williams, examined by Mr. loses—Was how.
keeper at Hopwood-hall, from 1868 until Mr. Hopwood'.
death. It was the habit of Mr. Hopwood to go to the
how-keeper's room every morning and give orders for his
dinner and for the general management of the how; is
November, 1862, he said that he feared this wa• toe much
for him, and requested the winete to some for the future to
his room. About Marsh, 1863, witness wrote to Captain
Hopwood, intimating that she would be compelled to resign
her situation, in consequence of his ieterferenee. (Letter
produced sad read. Is it the witness mentioned that she
forwarded him, by his order, the tradesmen's bills, Re )
The whole household was disarranged, in ansequenee of
the interferes.. of Captain Hopwood. Told Mr. Freak
Hopwood that inconsequence of the alterations in the house
she could not keep the establishment es comfortably as
before. Requested him to look at the letter she had
received from Captain Hopwood. He said he had no ides
of what wu going on, aad begged of her to mention
nothing of it to his father, as it would much annoy
him, and that he felt sue that his brother meant
1 suiting. Reoeived letters from Mr. Hopwood while
In was in Landon. flaw him oleo every morning while in
Chester-street. He interfered generally in the manage-
meat of the eatabliehmeat. His miad wu perfectly calm and
collected when be was well. Perceived no infirmity in his
mind in his last ilium.

Cross-osamined by Mr. Huggins, Q.C.—Believes she
takes something under the will. Ressesabers tellies Capt.
Hopwood that Mr. Hopwood bad given a (Amin properly
Ailed up, but without his eiguature. Asked Captain Hop.
wood what she should do, and he said, " wait till my father
• gets better—you mast mike a connoionce of the tradesmen
not of us." She did not soy, in reference to that cheque,
that it was unless to apply to Mr. Hopwood, as he could
not understand it. Did not speak to the servants about the
infirmities of Mr. Hopwood. Did not say to one of the
invests, about March, 1852. that Mr. Hopwood was quite
iacspabllof twigging his own business.
Re-szamined by Sir F. 'fheeiger, Q.C.—Reissived them
four letten from January, 1852, to the middle of May,
1863. (Letters handed in.)
- -

Sir James Graham examined by Sir F. Thulger, Q.C.—
I knew Mr. Hopwood intimately for about forty years. In
all relations of life he was about the most correct man I
, ever knew; a most firm friend, a most kind husband, and a
!most indulgent pareat. He was • most just and dispas.
'locate man. I seldom knew one whom I estimated more
highly, on account of thaw qualities. I saw Mt. Hopwood
when he was laid in Lyndon. I saw him before in 1849,
and when I saw him at Lady Sefton's, he at once recognised
me. I conversed with him for about twenty minutes. He
wu very deaf; but be generally led the conversation, and I
followed. From that convenation, I would not undertake
to say that he was in a fit state to transact business, but be
did not seem to me to be of unsound mind. He was very
much enfeebled.

The Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, ozonised by
Serjoant Wilkins—flaw Mr. Hopwood M Lady Sefton's,
in London, is 1853. Had a long conversation with him,
chiefly upon matters connected with the militia. Had be
been professionally attending him as a clergyman, WitWU
would be prepared to say that he was in a condition to make
a will.

Crowe:stained by the Attorney. General—The 001111111111.
tiOn waa ebit fly about the militia. Thinks it was suggested
by Mr. Hopwood saying he would like to see the camp at
Cbobbam. Saw him before 1863, at hie son's residence, at
Knowsley, and in the interim be had become very deaf
and enfeebled.
__

Mr. Charles Ward, examined by Mr. Crosse—ls an artkt
at Manchester Was engaged in 1863 to make a drawing
of Hopwood-ball. Went there for the purpose four or Ave
times. Saw Mr. Hopwood walking up and down the
terrace twice or thrice. Had a conversation with Mr.
Hopwood, who told him of the changes that had been made
in the building. Thought he was of sound mind and
understanding.

Crosceitain-tned by the Attorney-General—This was in
May, 1853.
Ms Brown, 'unlined by Mr. Jones: Is a daughter of
Mr. Dickenson. Went on a visit to Hopwood, in 1853.
Saw Mr. Hopwood for several hours each day. Convened
with him. He dined at the dinner table every day. He
was very deaf. Had a law walk with him the second day.
He remembered that it was nine years since he bad seen
her last, and that his daughter was jut the same age as
herself whoa she first visited Hopwood. Heard him con.
vetoing with Mr. Frank and Colonel Hopwood. Heard
Mr. Frank Hopwood once ask him for money, and the rea-
son it was wanted had to be explained to biro before be
signed the cheque. lit r father died in 1864. -Found letters
from Mr. Hopwood to her father written while he was in
London in 1853. (Letters handed in.)
Crow examined by the Attorney-General—He was very
deaf, but be could hear those who spoke loud. He talked
very much with Ler little girl. He was very jocular—
(laughter)—and conversed about ordinary things.
Mr. Herbert Byng Hall, examined by Serjeant Wilkins—
Is a cousin of Lady Sefton's. Was on a wait with her in
June, 18-53. Saw Mr. Hopwood there. Mr. Hopwood im-
mediately recognised him. He made use of a remarkable
expression. He said, " Herbert, I hope the world is wagging
well with you." He spoke about the encampment at Clair
ham. Witness said he was going there, and Mr. Hopwood
observed, " You will Illefyour cousin Harvey there—be sure
to find out his tent." He appeared to witness to be of per-
batty sound mind.
Crow-examined by the Attorney-General— He asked
wham his opinion of a water-colour drawing of Hopwood-
hall, on the occasion of his visit there. There was appa-
rent no decay of his faculties within the five yean slue
which he had seen him. He was enfeebled bodily but
not mentally.
To Mr. Serjeant Wilkins—He sometimes spoke to me
about spurting matters.
The court rose at six o'clock.

THURSDAY. APRIL 5.

The court sat this morning at sins o'clock.

Mr. William Slater was the first witness examined. lie
deposed to Captain Hopwood calling upon the 31st March,
shortly after the visit of Cal. Hopwood and Mr. Frank Hop-
wood. He stated to him that he was just going to write to
him in ooesequence of a communication from his father,
thr, ugh his brother, complaining of Hs having attempted
to affect his father's credit at the bank, and improperly in-
terfering with the household ar *** g * ments without his
father's sanction. He inquired in what respect they bad
said he had interfered. Witness stated that he had pre-
seated an order upon his father's bankers to his father for
signature, directing the bankers not to honour any of his
father's cheques without being countersigaed by himself,
He said it wes not true ; it was an order not to honour the
cheques without the cosater.signatetre of one of the sons ;
but he would not now consent to this gemeet. His
father was totally incapable of managing his own affairs.
He also asked what would be the result of a commission
of lunacy, and witness told him what would follow
in the disposal of the property. Witness subsequently
wrote the captain a letter, urging on him to make pesos
with his father, and assuring him that it any alteration in
the will tech peace it would be binding. The captain called
*gain on March 6, and he said be had called on account
of the letter he bad received, and witness expressed his
regret at haying to make the communication to him. The
captain said he bad no doubt it was his brother Frank's dfo-
tation, bat he eame to mak him to accompany him to his
father's house at Hopwood. Witness said be really Gould
not do se, it being in direct disobedience to his father', in-
structions. He recommended kiln to writs to his father, and
ask forgiveness. He replied '• forgivenees—for what ? ines
committed no error, and cannot ask for forgiveness." Wit'
nem said he had attempted to obtain his father's signature
upon an order to his bankers without his sanction. He
replied, that if he saw his father all would be right ; what
he had dens was to protect his father's property, and he on-
tittered it absolutely necessary. He asked witness if he
would go to his father alone, and explain the circumstances
I under which he wrote the order. He did ge
to his father, but he would not permit the captain to
come. He said No, Edward has behaved very ill ; let him
write and acknowledge his error." On the 7th of April, in
consequence of the proceediuge, Mr. Hopwood wrote a
letter desiring Mn. Edward's immediate departure from
Hopwood. She said she had no carriage and could not go,
so witness offered his. She declined to leave until she
heard from Captain Hopwood, to whom she had sent, but
on Lord Sefton arriving she did go. Subsequently he saw
the captain, who still wished to see his father, and witness
told him he mast write, and urged on him to act on his
father's wishes. On the Bth of May whams 'sailed a note
from Mr. Hopwood, directing him to take the will and
codicils over to Hopwood. Witness had them only for a
few days. He took them over to Hopwood, and saw Mr.
Hopwood. Mr. Dickenson and Lady Sefton were present.
Mr. Hopwood asked me to refer to the wills and three
codicils, and to inform him who were his (vista's mad
'aviators, for he believed Mr. Townley, who wee a very
old man, was one, and he asked the amount of legacies, as
the codicils stood, left for his two younger sons.
Witness gave him the informatlts, and them he said he
wished to appoint Lord Sefton a trustee in the place of Mr.
Townley, and an executor in plaoe of himself. That he
also wished to increase the legacies to his two youogee sons
3,0001. a piece, and to give them the plate in the house.
He asked if witness weld suggest any plan to prevent his
eldest son attempting to set aside the will and codicils.'
Witness said he might increase theleguies to his yoluiger eons,
as a penalty in the event of his not contessieg. He thought
that would do, and he appealed to Mr. Dickenson to ask
Dickenson said he thought so too, and witasse
Slag what additional legacy he should introduce. He did
itigatve a direct answer, and witness said he would leave it
He wished witness to instruct Limy ami Dino
tergt)p:t no lager oleneeithhicaadtrtowiihsayearacutffrt
Freak Hopwood, or to hire tselL He pro Uto.llblollollllll
I=="' and=alliitelara•llolle=n
Mr.
dams without delay, lied be Axed the 11th, ea mid* day.
he writ to Hopwood with them. Mr. Wood wee them
aad abeam told his that Mr. Harwood withal bin te be