The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-20 00:00:00

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.

Deo. 19.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)

7011.9TZ1l V. rOBSTIR AND RZERIDOS. -SPECIAL JURY.

((Continued from yesterday's Sarum'
Honor Bennett—l am • needlbwoman and monthly
none. In 1858 I went to work at No. 12, Haab°de-
street. Between March and June I hue no doubt that
Mrs. Forster wu in the family way. She then went away
for a good while, and on her return she looked very ill.
She told me that she bad had a very serious fall. Her
figure was • greet deal smaller than it was before she left.
A Mr. Berridge often came to the house. He wee • stoutish
gentleman with light whiskers. He was not short nor yet
too tall. (A laugh.) Ido not know what is too tall. He
was between 40 and 50 years old. He came sometimes to
dine, but not often to tea. A baby about six weeks old was
brought to the house by a rune who called
herself its aunt. It remained there • fortnight.
Mrs. Forster did not say whose child it was, but she was
very kind to it. She had it always with bet, and gave it
food. Mr. Berridge paid me 10e. when she went way. She
tried the cording of the luggage, and be went away with
her in • cab.
By the Queen's Advocate—l knew Mr. Berridge, for I
bad worked for him in Russell-street,

By kir.iimith--Cannot say how tall he was.
Ho-examined—l owe worked at • house, the back of
which looked on Meux's brewery, and I have frequently
gees him go there.
Charlotte Jennings—l lived in 1858 at Park-place,
Gravesend. In the summer of that year • Mr. Berridge
came and engaged apartment. at my bouse—e drawing room,
three bedrooms, and a dressing-room. A few deys after-
wards • lady case with her son. Two daughters
came. While they were there Mr. Berridge visited them
and mum he slept in the house. The young ladies lon
about • week before their mamma. They were not there
whim Mr. Berridge slept at my house. I afterwards bad
occasion to ace the respondent in London, and I went to her
at Heathcote-street. I afterwards went with her to Mr.
Berridge's, in Rusuill-street, to ask him to cash • bill which
she had received from Major Forster. He refused, but he
gave no reason.
Mary Delaney—l was servant to Mr. Forster in Heath-
cote-street from September, 1858, to the following March.
Remember a baby being brought by • Miss Simpson. It
ap-
peered to be about two mouths old. Mrs. Forster told me
that it belonged to her sister who had been killed in the
Indian mutiny. I after minis provided her with • nurse for
it. I am told, however, that the woman is now dead. I
know Mr. Bei. idge. Have seen him in Ideatheete-
street. Ones saw the respondents lying on • sofa. On
another occasion I went to the riming-room door and
found it locked. I then went Into the drawing-ream.
In about tea minutes I beard the bell, and when I
answered it I found both the yespondents there.
Mr. Berridge used to come in the evening. Mast's. Faster
would be then in the study. The respondent would sit find
in the dising-room and then in the drawing-room. One day
after the co-respondent had dined at thebouse, I saw him in
Mrs. Forster's bedroom. One morning Mr. Berridge's
servant mine to inquire if hie master had slept at our
house on the previous night. Asked Mrs. Forster, and she
mid he bad aot.
Crom.examined—Was first spoken to about thie matter
two years ago. Have been in service since then with Mrs.
Dawning, of Caroming-street, Pentonville. Mr. Berridge's
sereart was, I think, sawed Pugb.
Mo-examined—Once took a letter to Meux's brewery from
Mm, Forster to Mi. Berridge. Gave it to Mr. Berridge's
man, and then Mr. Berridge himself came out, and said be
would king the answer himself.
Mr. Oalmhot—l am • surgeon practising at Highgate. I
know Mr. Whitlook,of Dorothy higes. I attended • bay
who was confir ed thereon the 29th of July, 1858. She west
by the name of Falkland. The child was • little girl.
Only saw one person come to me her. Think he was ileir
el medium sine, and rather full whiskers. Saw him two
er three times. Did not ace him in the bed-room. The
lady was of dirk complexion. Never saw the child after-
wards-
By the Queen's Advocate—There was nothing in the
gentleman particularly t 3 attract my attention. Had met
him driving a carriage and pair, and it struck me as rather
singular to find him at a small cottage.
Mrs. Whitlock—Recollect a gentleman taking my apart-
ments. He was about 40 years of age, with a groat deal of
fair whisker and moustache. He had straight hair, parted
very evealy at the back, sod brushed very nicely. (Laud
laughter.) Once sew a mail phaeton waiting for him. A
lady mine the next day, sod she was confined in about a
fortnight after. The gentleman earn, to see her about
every other day. He was alone with her two or three
hours at a time. He was admitted to her bedroom
the day after her confinement. He behaved to her
more like a husband thou like her guardian or brother,
which she said he was. Saw nothing between them while
be was in the bedroom • for I never stopped. The lady did
sot suckle the child. M husband saw the gentlemen. Os
Sunday lut I went to estbourne-grove Nm.h, where I
saw the lady again. I inquired for Mrs. Forster. I was
soeoropenied by Mrs. Ruth Smith. I asked Mrs. Forster
If she recollected me ? She said, "I think I do." She
then asked Mrs. Smith to go into her bedroom with Lest.
She afterwards awe back and bade Mrs. Smith
to leave the room. She then said to me, " I
suppose you know all the trouble I am in
I Ppe you will may as little as you can spied • lose weans
MOO MO.* Mks also asked MO if I bad sass Mr.
Maim, and I told her I had not. She told me that Iteldr
ton had bps a fool not to see me, and that Mr. Banidp
would pay no 301., odd men, If I would ,sty erns him dad

W , . . ,
met eau up la file olta I Nibs/ list I dhathi de sq
duty. She laid wialbst sin u is r
$ l cat deal d trouble.
I raisarinid, '' Yea elm la trouble yea ewe e ~,,
, houraaßolearelrimhead oat in the um* no oak New
I sin ia . shod the *Wild." She kM ate that it woe
Mr. a aided bar hatbands, as the had repretsated
Ito a& - - - _ . . . . . ..

—Ormeuxamined—l mamma I took herby surprise. At
any tab I had given her no notice that I was coming.
Mn. Smith told me that she was gibe* see the nelson-
dent, and I mid 'should like to go with her.
Thomas Whitlock, the witness's Maud, said that be
had lately been In negotiation for a public-house called
the WM* Hone, Britton-road. Went to Mosix's oust-
ing-hones with Mr. Cannon about it. Mr. Berridge came
in, and Mame recognised him as the gentleman who bad
taken hie apartments.
Roth Smith deposed to having received a child to nurse
from Ws. Forster who said it ems her sister's who had died
lon her way from ndia.
Alfred Sada, who bad been butler to the 00-respondent,
spoke to numerous visits which the respondent bad paid his
muter. Mr. Berridge bad • mail phaeton. His house com-
municated with the brewery. The reepondeot wee some-
times with him an boor alone. like often used hie
brougham. Recollected one night that his master did
sot sleep at home. The peat morning tin. Forster came
and walked straight into the dirunrroorn when he
was at breakfast. She wee with him an hour
and • half. Overheard her up him about
the niggardly way mwhich he was en the child.
She appeared to be very much excited, atom thought
she was crying. Mr. Melton was an attorney sad • pull.
cuter friend of Mr. Berridge. Ose da_ y they wen
with • lady in the dining-room. Mn. Forster came Maireeti
she mud see the co-respondent Took is bar name,and the
00-respondent met her word that he could ace see hr, far
be wee at dinner with some friends. She asked who were
there ? Told her, Mr. Melton and lady. whom wiener bed
known by two or three names—Mrs Masa or tin. Gil-
bert. Respondent seemed very much excited and insisted on
seeing the oo.reepondest. She forced herself in, and Mr. Ber-
ridge ordered Moms to put her out of the room and lock
the door. Tried to do so, but she resisted, sad win use then
went away, leaving Mr. Berridge to deal with her himself.
Eventually Mr. Melia carried her out, Mr. lii
ready holding the door apes for him. She had
Berridge " • he bed got there ?" or med nem
similar expression. Alter Mr. Melton bad takes her rah
of the room Mr. Berridge looked the dew. While she was
struggling with Mr. Meilen she called out to the
other warm that Mr. Berridge was the ham
of her child, sad woad ant keep It, but that her hustermes
money went for its suppoet. Mr. Melton wee
with her in the pump for about two hours and
quarters (Laughter.) Received orders never to admit
into the bones spin Wale any preteens This was a the
23rd of May. On the 80th she came apinwia7ll:4l
asked who was going to the Derby with the oo-
She alai irked if witness kid had any olden to chicken
pies end such things for the races. (A laugh.) Told her
that he had not. She then went round to the countior
hem, and witness also wait round to apprise
his master that she was coming. Was too
late. Before she went away • policeman wee
called in. Saw her going away her drum torn. Saw
Mr. Berridge oast after with his coat off, and the flea of
his shirt tore put, uif he had bad a struggle. He said,
" What • horrid wretch that women is 1" tre a later res-
man he told atom that be was gaiag to have • lady to
dine with him who wasa particular friend ol the reepondeet.
He said that he had heard that Mrs. Toaster bad come over
from France, where she had been with her children, and told
witness to be sure that she did not come in, especially
that night. The lady was the wife of • surgeon
in the 'my. Mrs. Forster came. Witness's wife let
her in, and she made for the dining-room as quickly as pos-
sible. Theta), took singe in • duet The clout had no
outlet, Gosh' wee kept& primmer for four Imre and 40 minutes.
(laughter.) She fnquently kept calling on her to wine out
of the closet Mr. Berridge appeared to strike her, for
witness beard her fall heavily on the floor. Witness and
his wife west into the room, and found her eittirg
en the floor. She said that all her children had
been taken away from her through the co-respondent,
and that another child of which he was the father
had likewise bees taken from her. Mr. Berridge asked wit-
ness how be was to get the lady out of the clout. He had
looked the door and kept the key. Suggested that he had
%Ow pretend to go away. He did so. Mrs. Fonter era
est after him, and while she was folio • him to the front
deer witness's wife let the lady out at the
My Mr. Smith—Was dismissed in December, 1860. Was
charged with robbing the house. The house had been
brokeninto • year before, but nothing was missed. Went
round to the pollee-etation voluntarily, Mr. Berridge
baring appointed witness to meet him there in order to
carry out a Mame of hie. Was not charged with anything
there ; but was not Mr. Berridge's servant after that. Was
not aware that anything was lost, except some letters.
Wm now a commercial traveller to Messrs. Heymann and
Abram, miscellaneous dealers, Al ate and Houndsditch.
Wu paid by • commiasico, sod made a respectable lids(
out of it. The lady who was locked in the closet was very
possibly still living with her husband.
iteuxamined—Her husband was in India. Witness bad
a box in hie possession containing papers. Was charged
with taking that box out of the home ; but no charge was
made against vitenss before any magistrate.
Catherine Bandon, this witness's wife, gave confirmatory
evidence.
Thomas William Sherry, formerly milder to Mesas.
Meux, proved that the couspoodeet was junior outage
but was unable to my what wee the amount of his share,
or what was the total income of the arm.
For the defence it was announced that evidence would be
given to subetentiate a charge of Wolter, with Mrs. Ellis.
Sarah Kneeland, wife of an upholsterer in Orchard-street,
said that Mr. and Mrs. Ellis and afterwards Major Forster,
bad taken apartments at her house. Mrs. ens and the
psalmist looked over the rooms together. There was use
adjo;ning that which bad been proposed for the major. He
asked her if they would require it? She said, "It will de
for —" and then stopped. Then wee a conversation about
having • piano. The Major said, "That will be an after
consideration dear." When they cam in Lieutenant sad
Mrs. Ellis shift in the beaUdrawing-room, and the major
at the top of the house. -Mea. Eilis'a wardrobe wee put in
another room. Had MOM the major in both the drawing-
room and the bed-room Sometime. Mr. Ellis would be in
the front drawing-room, and sometimes he would
be absent. Had seen the major in the room as wit-
ness passed the door in going upstairs. That had Mo-
que* occurred. Had frequently also seen Mrs. Elba
in the msjor's bedroom. Ther were at the house for •
month. Mrs. Ellis paid the tall when they went. Mr.
Ellis would buy the things they required. Witness gave
them notice to quit, first by a manage, and then by • ro4e.
Told Major Facets: that It was on account of the trouble
they gave. He mid that they did not wish to give trouble,
and that they would rather remain. Mrs. Ellis had spoken
to me about a diamond ring which she wore.
Crus-examined—Never raw the major in Mrs. Ellis's bed-
room, or Mn. Ellis in his, except when the door was open,
and when she could see without peeping._ The msjorlooked
a good deal older than 46 or 47. He did not look ill. No-
tioed the expression "dear" at the time, and mentioned it
to her husband. Told it to Mr. Lowe, respondent's attorney,
but abeukl not have told him if she had not thought he
was applying for • reference for lodgings (Laughter.) Had
since told Mr. Banos (the petitioner's attorney) that she
knew nothing against them.
The court then rose.