The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-10 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

llenveer Paosrecre.-The reports given by the local
papers relative to the harvest now commencing will be read
with interest. From all parts of the country the most satis-
factory statements are received, and a selection from these
provincial notices will afford some idea of the stock of food
about to be harvested by the English farmer. CAM IlltlDOß-
antaz.-In the high parts of this county many farmers
have cut the greater part of their wheat, which shocks
thick, and will prove a good avenge crop; where the wheat
is not laid fiat, the sheaves are heavy. Some few pieces of
barley have been carted in excellent condition, a bulky
crop ; and where it is flat to the ground, the quality is
generally thin, but where a full standing crop, or a little
leaning or bending towards the ground with straw of a yel-
low cast, always turns out a productive crop. The pea
crop, where sown early, has been stacked in excellent condi-
tion-the straw sweet and valuable for the stock next
winter. The bean crop is much better than was at
oue time expected.-Cambridge Independent Prete.--
LASICASKIS.E.-The weather was most splendid dining the
whole of lest week. The grain is everywhere changing its
colour, and in some places has been already cut. The pota-
toes, though they do not improve in the places where they
bad shown symptoms of disease, do not deteriorate to any
serious extent-Lire, pool Courier.—EnsEx.-The crop
will be a full avenge one, of good quality, and will attain
28 bushels per acre. The arley crop is unusually heave,
bet, from the circumstance of much being lodged early, a
large proportion will be coarse, and only fit for grinding.
The yield will, however, certainly be greater than has taken
place for several years past, varying, as it will, from five to
eight querters per acre. The oats are only of average quan-
tity, and, in some districts, are even below ; but the qua-
lity will be good. Peas and beans arc only partially
good. The potatoes have hitherto exhibited but little
appearance of dimes) ; upon examination many of the
stems have the ulceration near the bottom, apparent within
en inch or two of the original set, but nature appears on all
the early varieties to have overcome the disease ; nor has it
been found to spread to any extent at present among the
later varieties. This is to be attributed to the fair warm and
dry weather, for it has been observed in previous years,
that the attack has never been simultaneous and general
until after considerable rain and a lower state of atmosphere
. had ensued; and, although not entirely free from the dis-
' ease, it is matter of great consolation to find that it is miti-
gated, so that we may hope this vegetable will become ulti-
mately restored, for, after all the attacks to which the utility
of the net has been subjected, every one acknowledges its groat
utility,snd that, in the event of its being lost no substitute
could be found in any other vegetable so valuable to the poor as
a prim neceseary of hfe, and to the affluents greet lexury.--
HEREFOnDeMIRIL-The grain-harvest is in active operation
among the early-sown wheat in this neighbourhood, but
some of the late sown is still looking green and backward.-
Hereford faun's& —WlLTextue.-Reaping has com-
menced in many places in the neighbourhood of Devizes ;
and in a few day., should the pretient_glorions weather co
tinue, it will be ge, neral.—Sexy.-The wheat harvest has
been commenced in this neighbourhood (Canterbury) and
several other parts ter the county, the crops being in good
condition and weight v; though we perceive an agricultural
authority states thii • the general trop will not be
heavy. The reaping of barley and oats has been
earned on the gnat _into/04 and the cutting of
beans during the rut re • days.-KenfniA Oeeerner
WEST SUBSEX.-The wheat ' harvest has been begun by a
number of farmers in then 'tinily of Chichester, and will
become general this week; u `e winter barley and oats are
also ripe,
and ready for theset he. The general opinion of
the grower is, that the crops are 1. tore heavy, and much more
prolific,
than ha
especia fly wheat. The tine hot
weather for the lest three weeks has been most beneficial to
the standing crops, and the fine wart a rain which set in on
/Thursday night for several hour', mu. 't he highly beneficial
is the turnip and potato crops.-Mar Exprese,--
Nonrotx.-The harvest is already Commenced. Thr
general harvest may be expected to efiMmence in the
early part of next week ; and it appears unques-
tionable that wheat, oats, and barley will be found to
yield a full average produce, with the smallest possible
amount of defective grains where there are Indications of the
presence of blight or mildew. The bean and pea crops ap-
pear to be snore seriously affected ; fiat, by reason of le
glutinous and adhesive substance tonally plied ho- ---r • ...e•
from the pre-
erii:e of green and black aphides ; but, even in this caw we
are not quite sure that the amount of injury has cot lima
greatly over-rated. The worst feature a the present mama
that which appertains to the potato crop. We never re-
member to have seen so large a-breadth of land seeded with
angel-wurzel as the present year affords, and certainly a
mere perfect crop has never been exhibited since the intro-
duction of that root. Turnips are almost equally unfailing,
and the prospect with regard to winter provision in general
is abundantly satisfactory.-Norfolk Chronicle, Aug. 4.-
NEWCASTLE-01S-TYNE, AUGUST 6: The weather since
this day be'nnight has been everything that could la wished,
fertilizing showers haring fallen at intervals, which must
prove of essential benefit to the growing crops.-Parza-
zoitotott, AUGUST 7 The weather continues tine foe
bringing the crops of grain to maturity. Wheat harvest
Is general upon the uplands in this district, but it will be ten
days before it is so in the tens.-READING, AUG. 7 : Reports
of extensive blight in the Wheat, and described by the straw
remaining black, and nothing in the ears : in some parts of
the larger Wheat districts in this county, and others a d* in
Inig,fa of the moat alarming character. It is also much to
ere.:4,tett w ^;Lt.- 7,.itatoe disease Is re- • -
destroying the mope-Sextants :en, Avotor 7 : The
weather continues beautifully fine for maturing the crops,
and the farmers speak most favourably of the eppearaace
of Wheat, which will soon be ready for the sickle.
-lluettx, Ave tar 6: After the lapse of two splendid
months, the weather has at length become broken, and we
have had much heavy rain during the last few days. As
yet, however, no damage is reported as amine; been sus-
tained by the crops.-BELFAI3T, AUGUST 5: We have had
a change in the weather since our last report. It raised
almost incessantly yesterday, and partially to-day, with
every appearance of eontinuatien.-Coux, dears'. 6 :
Already have several fields of grain yielded to the sickle.
rid new Oats of excellent quality have appeared enter',
AUGUST 7: We have had some heavy rain during the
week, which if continued wo _ .
laLri= crops, but having at
on of damage has
quantities, and free fri
very few oomolainta of blight
Reaping will be pretty general

ROMNEY MAIISR.—At 4.
Anmaiatioa a peper Was read
Zs account of the ma
y kommt by the name
probable origin of the marsh i'
tae reclaimed from the 1,

led would have seriously iajueei
.ring now tine anneltime again, all
o has irubsided; Potatoes tome
free from disease, indeed we ..c.st "
blight, except in a few rAlli •
moral next week.
KENT.
t the late congress of thl/1•
read from .1. BWotoun., t 0-, Is
e sea defences of /tome. Ty.
name of Dymohurch Wal • • .
.
rsh itself, or the mannerl
sea. Romney Mare!, pre
••••. v
•

waled, forms a triangle, the be of which would be e
line drawn from Romney to Appledore, sod the apse at
Myths, and comprise about twenty-four thoursad acres.
It is pr.. bible that this marsh wee caused fa the
first instance by the formation of a natural hanks of
shingle nearly where Dymehureh Well now
which the sea we excluded ; and that the dm=
weeks were executed by the Romans, when tbry hold puns-
gal of the country. They consisted of the meths of mom
walls running from the natural barrier (" the Pal") to the
hills, at the base of which the ancient river Llamas ma. The
chief of thaw (the Rhea Wall) ran nearly in a steehrht line
from Romney to Appledom: and it was at that spot where
probably the main work was perforated. Upon the supply of
shingle from the west being cut off by the extraordi-
nary accumulation at Dungeness Point, the natural bar-
rier at Ds meltnrch gradually became weakened, and It
was necessary to take some steps to prevent its total de-
struction. The are measure adopted was the erection
of an inland wall at ems little diabase at the hack of
" the Fr!l ; " and afterwards the ersastructioa of large
stone groins on the front or sea aide, at right weer to the
line of coast, in order to increase the sak of ddesle.
However, as the supply of shingle laallak &MINIM OS
account of the constant movement to the esaboari—ead
as all that escaped in that direr ke was pevarmeatly
—theme means were found invalids's; sad a mama of
" analog " with brushwood and timber Ohm was eiepted.
This was found to answer the parpeee floe a ocaoaborathe
period; hut it ale in the course- of time gradually loom
ustuffteient, sad it was found necessary at 104111,4 e
numerous experiment:, to adopt a stone Wing, with as
avenge slope of about eight to one, up to high-water mark,
gradually increasing in steepness from that point, and ter-
minting with a curve of seven feet radius. The stones,
which were laid in a bed of concrete, where they were men
affected by the waves, were of different size, a T
from eighteen to six inches in depth—the Wrst I:lin=
being in the middle, where the greatest wow sad tear leek
place, and at which point rows of sheet pallg were aho
driven for additional security. This plan was adopted by
the author after mature deliberation on the reports of Mr.
Rennie and Mr. Welker, end • very emend essatioaties of
the locality. Part of the wall has new hem strain be
tesyeers, and hie required • nay wain =meat el rrprk
while the annual 'spew has bees aimed from 10,0001. to
4,0001. with every prospect of aatmfrter reduction being
effected, as upwardsof two-thirde of work is now per-
manently completed.

inutile.
SIX ENGLISH SONGS In NATIVE COMPOSERft—
The title-page of this publication bears the following an-
nouncement "It being too often the cue that theorise
of a living English composer on the tillepage of a seta
is injurious to its success, the editor has published the
above anonymously, preferring that they should stand or
fall by then own merits." We believe the fact to be
very much as Mr. Oliphant, the publisher of these
songs, states it; but the question remains, which party
is to Maim— the public, or the general body of Eng-
lish isompOssre ? We, for our part, have always held
that these Is little or no foundation for the hackneyed
moophilot Of the neglect of " native talent," which has
less repwilsi till it has become a mere unmeaning cant.
We mane dimmer that native talent, either in letters
or art, las boss weiteeted in England ; and it has never been
more warmbr omosraged, or more solidly rewarded, than at
the present time. Nor does any exception present itself in
the case of ors. Where English talent really exists, and
is brought the public, it never fails to be spore.
elated and ; and (to nee the language of a
sied
musical hi Z " we do not know an instance of a
foreign opera, produced in an English dens, having
gained unmerited popularity, or of an English opera
having suffered unmerited neglect." Looking at the
English operas which have appeared for some years
past, there is not one of them which his needed its full weed
of sums, and some of them have had a good deal more.
They have had long runs at the theatre, and their favourite
pieces have been found very saleable articles at the music-
shops. The public, indeed, in such cases, have shown a de,
acted disposition to encourage native talent; and, on this
account, have received some of those operas much better than
they would hove done foreign ones of equal or superior
merit. But have our dramatic composers justified this in-
clination towards them ? Have they been able to reach the
present standard of the German, or even of the French
school ? We do not speak of the degenerate Italians, to
vanquish whom would be no glory. Have they ad-
dressed their compositions to the cultivated taste of the
English public, or have they not rather courted the applause
of the galleries ? Is not their music, without any style of its
=ltpiebald mixture of the worst features of the present
styles—the insipidaing•ving of the Italians, the harsh
crudities of the Germans, and the noise which prevails
everywhere—tie only thing English about them being
ballads " for the million," of the meanest and most vulgar
cast ? Of course, we speak generally, there being evident
=ions; but these show that English music mabe ne-
on the stage without being necessarily bad. Barnes'sß
beautiful " Mountain Sylph" has had as great and legiti7
mate success as any English opera in our day ; and, had
he continued in the same coarse, can it be doubted that
moues would have still followed him, and that he would
have had a great influence on the music of the Eng-
lish duo f As it is, our dramatic music is in a vitiated
style ; and, though it may please amid the noise and glitter
et a theatre, and gain a fleeting popularity with the multi-
tude, it is not esteemed by persons of cultivated taste nor
doss it finkits way into those concerts and private circles
which such persons frequent In sport, modern Baps),
lauds does no honour, even among ourselves, to our national
seised ; sad hewn an English name on the title-page of a
aompleitioa has by no means the effect of a recommimda-
tbs. That this is hard upon individual artiste of merit is
weep Wm ; but the blame lies, not with the public, but
will tie artists themselves as a body. In vocal music for the
dumber, the present public taste, where it is improved
by sessatiem, inclines to the German composers. The
111.1114111111 seep of fichubertthrough the medium of English
wailer setae wards, have acquired great popularity, which
has lama best" dared by the soap of Mendelasohn, Spoltr,
Pre* Ownesseas, Lochner, and other composers of the
pass* der Their melodies are generally "married' to
vase els mai superior order to that which is generally
pied es Mailhh airs ; and they are in request in every
ambit ails, in consequence of the elegant and refined en-
tertatuaseat which they afford. Mr. Oliphant himself has
brought many of these songs before the English public ; his
own poetical vein and musical skill enabling him to excel all
other trandaton in the spirit and elegance of his versions,
and in their adaptation to the original melodies. In the
course of last year (as our musical readers know) he
published three consecutive sets of songs with German and
English words by Cxapek, which have become very popular.
In noticing those songs with the admiration they deserve,
we the public) were unaware that " Czapek" was a
yaw, the real author being our countryman Mr. J.
E 7 Hatton, who, though he had produced a sucoushil opera
at Vienna. was almost unknown at home. Mr. Hatton has
since published some fine English songs under his own name,
which has gained due prominence in our musical world;
but his English reputation was certainly due to the Gomm
songs of Cupek. In the'present publication, Mr. Oliphant
has given us six English songs by anonymous native COW
posers, leaving them to " stand or fall by their ors
merits ; " and he informs the public that the
poetry is written, and the whole edited, by himself
His own name, thee given, will now be generally received,
d priori, as a guarantee of the quality of the production' ;
and we find that they are quite worthy to appear under hie
auspices. Their titles are :—." Twilight," " Hope," " The
Nun and the Rose," " Autumn Reflections," " The Poet's
Consolation," and " Meeting and Parting." All of them
display imagination and feeling; the melodies are pure and
expressive, anti the accompaniments rich, varied, and effeo-
tire. We cannot guess at the authorship of any of them;
but certainly, if English composers generally wrote in such a
style, it would not be necessary to depend, for chamber vocal
music of a refined description, upon importations from
Germany.

Ur Wain. •
BURS'S TillentE.—Mr. John Reeve, son of the
ram assailwa of the same name, apt:mired here last night
in owe of which, " The Wreck Ashore," he
saidiem.ossisi by the of of his late father. We
aimasatts, that So ilisneaa Magog of the son comes near
ty Martsarlats Nam of the hdter, but we can say, that we
dimwit John Reeve much adaptation for becoming,
wilt arairl study, the closest approximation we seem
Bit* to attain to glorious John of the Adelphi. The
labs Ms sot yet attained that roundness, that fullness
et Woe, which told with such effect in all that
gall Hem his father's full lips ; his eyes and his limits
Mee net yet become fully practised in that rollicking roll
whisk was wont to stir up such mirth all around ; but he is
walidently open the right track in these and other matters,
and ere cordially welcome in him, therefore, the prospect of
am rase who will not only restore the pleasant name of John
Hoge Is the play-bills, but who will not unworthily take
the piss John Reeve on the stage. Blackstone be.
ees~easihyweriasial et gagements for a week, in order as
rid is M dish old solleseae.—His Jemmy Starlit, tom
As
a a *mil seer.—Mrs. Henry Vining filled the port of
very ellisiently ; and Mr. flattop's Grampus yes
seem the mop.
MOOKIAL AND DRAMATIC Gossip.— Every hoar
,far
tat di sail; roneM.usicutenWortoldc;etoafblgr :liteerg:etwic
noel Academy" at Drury-lane. Among those already
for the vocal department are—Madame Pauline
Birch, Pischek Reeve (the new tenor from
La at Milan), Whitworth (a new basso), Weiss, de.
The ripertoirs of the new academy will comprise some
ef the works of Gluck and Mozart never heard in this
eamatry ; together with the more modem compen-
dia, of Lindpaintner, Reisiger, Harold, and others.
NOW, " Faust " will be produced fee Pischek with
pest splendour. Native operas will not be wanting.
blew woeks by Macfarren, Bade, and Benedict, are
spain of, awl ell will be produced in the completest
memer pomade as regards principals, band, and choir.
=l tie Mem, the lien pianist, arrived in London last
em America. Thalbetg has been residing here for
NM weeks, bat has refused all overtures to play in
Cushman is engaged by Mr. Maddox to
rrawith Mr. Maeready at the I rincess's ; and
Mmeready has in his possession a new play by
Biz E. Balser Lytton, which will be produced at the
same thasibre.--Over this gossip a gloom le east by en mai-
des Ile the Manna of the theatrical world. Mrs. Biota,
meeethteld •arl,
ni=mosandurdas.
M. Tu
esday,
he
Iridium! in Chaim. Mho
was esatimpanwomi with Mn. Mama, Mho
Ilardey, gad Mre. Powell. The diseased lady
=down 17X. She was a member of the Havewelearden
Tod. Mr. Meadows, the wateary of the fend,
pia bee the last quarter's smutty only three days before

her death. Her remains were interred in Chelsea church-
yard on Saturday lot—One who had often prompted this
lady, and may be remembered as an active pantomimist, bas
paned from the scene. Parsloe, for many years the
at Covent- arden Theatre, di last Friday
aufferinip, both of aed
mental and Way

stated, that after the original project sou defeated be eon-
' Witted he had the smoothie of Sir William Foster fur
pwaiXtimesiatiemoo mem the list of directors, and although
the with his name attached to
*Ma bill did to* the
complaint would in cross-
crandention, this osoussaan said ha not state
that Sir MMus Vim singled to to join the new ramie,
did not say moat positively that he would not do so.
Some correspondence was also put in, by which it appeared
that the defeedaat had made a oommumeation to the bankers
with referents to the money that was paid in on account of
the new scheme.—Serjeant Channell, on behalf of the de-
fendant, said that the answer he was instructed to make
to the meant claim was, that he had nothing whatever to do
with tfie new railway project, and gave up all responsibility
when the original scheme was defeated. So far as the Nor-
wich Direct line was concerned he admitted his liability,
and had paid into court the sum of 92f., which was part of
the plaintiff's demand in reference to that project lie had
taken any proceeding+ in connexion with the new
scheme.—Evidence was then adduced to show that when the
defendant was applied to to join the new scheme he posi-
tively refused to have anything to do with it, and, although
repeatedly pressed, at the instigation of Mr, FAigle,•to allow
his name to appear as one of the directors, he always refused,
giving as a reason, that he would not connect himself with
any new project until the affairs of the old one were finally
eittbod.—Baron Parke summed up the case, and the jury
beetediately returned a verdict for the defendant.

OXFORD CIRCUIT.-oLoecuma, AUG. 7.
Mist Pares.—Before Mr. Justice Coleridge.
WILCR AND ANOTHER V. PEARCE AND ANOTHER.—
A FLOOD.—Thin was an action brought to recover compen-
sation in damages for injuries done to a public-house, called
"The Anchor," at Lydbrook, in the Forest of Dean, in this
county. There the defendants have large rolling mills,
worked by the stream at Lydbrook, and in order ta give
greater power to the water-wheel of these mills had placed
large " hatches" urea the stream where the waste water
escaped, and the effect had been to raise the water in the
brook to a much higher level (six inches) than in ancient
times, which caused it to flow into the foundation and under
the base of the house, rotting its floors, flooding the sewers,
destroying the drains, and rendering the premises totally un-
inhabitable, even for the plaintiff's hogs. The defend.
ants pleaded that they bad, by twenty years' usage, acquired
a right to keep their dam or weir at the height complained
of, and this was the gist of the case—Mr. Godson, Q.C.,
with Mr. Gray, appeared for the plaintiff; Serjeant
fourd, Mr. Whatley, Q.C., and Mr. Keating for the defend-
ants. In the course of the cross-examination of the first
witness for the plaintiff, a surveyor, it mme out that an
adios respecting the irregular working of a mill belonging
te the platelike, and situate a short distance higher up on the
mem strum, had been brought by the defendants in this cue
vadat the present plaintiffs, and was tried at the last Hum-
, gm ASA= for this bounty, and referred to Sir Thomas
Phillip tier arbitration, who had not yet given his judgment.
At the ekes of the cue upon the part of the plaintiffs. a sug-
gestion wee made by the defendants' counsel, that this case
ought to be referred also; but Mr. Godson declined to accede
to the pespenition, at the express wish of hia clients, who had
before-tier eyes the remembrance of the prior arbitration,
not over yet, and which had cast already some 5001.—His
' lordship directed the case to proceed, and witnesses were
called on the defendants' part to endeavour to support the
ease, and the right claimed in the plea.—The result, how-
ever, was, a verdict for the plaintiffs—Damages, 40e.
The tout was occupied during the remainder of the day
with the causes " Regina r. Inhabitants of Upton St. Leo-
nard's," a criminal information for the non-repair of a road.
The as was presented for trial in this somewhat unusual
form in consequence of the indictment preferred at the
Spring Amises having been thrown out by the grand jury.
Cron. Bioc.—Beiore Mr. Justice Coleridge.
PRITCHARD,. ROSERTSON.--Itio HT TO CHANGE VENUE.
—MASTER AND SERTANT.—This was an action of Unser
brought by the plaintiff, a joiner and cabinet-maker, to re- I
cover damages for the wrongful conveyance of a quantity of
tool., a chest, and other articles, left on the premises of the
defendant, a builder, at Stokes Croft, Bristol, upon an occa-
sion when the plaintiff was engaged in rendering him assist-
ance in the way of his trade—Mr. Sorjeant Allen called
several witnesses to prove that in the month of June,lB46, a
dispute arose between the plaintiff, hie sons, and the defend-
ant, which terminated in their all leaving the defendant's
employ : that the property had been seen at different times
in the defendant's possession : that a demand had been made
for a return of them, and a refusal had been given.—Mr.
Alexander, Q. C. (for the defendant), endeavoured to get off
his client: by a aide wind; and urged that a nonsuit ought to
take place, because originally the venue had been laid at
Bristol, and the plaintiff had changed it to the county of
Gloucester, he assumed, upsn the usual undertaking to give
material evidence here, which was not done.
Mr. Justice Coleridge disagreed in the view of the law
taken by the learned counsel ; and laid it down that either
plaintiff or defendant had a right to change She TORSO if they
thought proper L but in the ease of • defftadant doing so,
then the plaintiff could only bring it back to the original
county, upon an undertaking to give material evidence
therein, which, if he failed to do, would entitle the defendant
to a nonsuit, but this was not the case in the present in-
stance, DA it was upon the sole motion of the plaintiff that the
change had taken place. Ilia lordship, however, gave leave
to move the court at Westminster to enter a Renault, if the
court should be of opinion that his ruling was wrong.—Mr.
Alexander declined to address the jury, and they found for
the plaintiff—Damages 101.

MIDLAND CIRCUIT.—Aso. 7.
Before Lora Denman.
ErIIELL V. MIREDITIL—BIEACK Or PROMISE or Malt-
-11•013.-8OIKO • FIXALE.-34r. Whitehtuvr, in stating
this case to the jury, said, the plaintiff, Mr. Stephen Ethell,
was an upholsterer of Ann-street, Birmingham, and the de-
fendant, • lady, residing with her brother in the village of
Yardley, near that town. The action was brought to recover
damages for breaking a promise of marriage. The parties
were not acquainted with each other until the July of last
vear, when ea intimacy was formed at the house of Mr.
Thomas Ethel], a nephew of the plaintiff. Mr. Stephen
Ethell was • widower of 45, baying a daughter about
21, and the defendant, Miss Meredith, was about 30.
From this it would be seen that there was no great or
improper disparity of age. After an acquaintance of
some few weeks an attachment sprung up between
the parties, and Miss Meredith intimated to Mr. Thomas
Ethan, the nephew, that she contemplated a marriage with
Mr. Stephen, his uncle, and requested that be would cow.
munieate with her brother upon the subject. He did so.
The brother of the defendant at the time approved of the
connexion and it was subsequently arranged that the mar-
riage should take place in the month of October. The de-
fendant provided her marriage clothes, and the plaintiff pro-
ceeded to make the necessary arrangemeots for the nuptials,
A short time afterwards Miss Meredith declined to fulfil
her promise ; and when requested to state the grounds of
her refusal, she stated, in the tint instance, that her
brother would not give his consent ; and that the plain-
tiff was too old ; and she did not like to marry • man
of such en age. With respect to the plaintiff's age, he
(Mr. Whitehouse) presumed she knew that at the time she
entered into the engagement, but it was evident there was
something behind. The plaintiff, in consequence of the con-
duct of the defendant, had been the object of derision and
laughter; and thought that under the circumstance he could
do ne otherwise than bring tke subject before a jury. The de-
fendant had simply pleaded that she had not made any pro-
mise. That would be seen by the evidence he (Mr. White-
buret) should produce. Miss Meredith bad secured the
assistance of his learned friend (Mr. Hurnfrey), wham,
perhaps, they had frequently heard, or heard of, in cases of
that description. His friend would, no doubt, attempt to
laugh the cape out of court, and, if possible, he would get
the jury to laugh with him. He (Mr. Whitehurst) was fond
of fun, and he had no doubt they would have a great
deal of fun on that occasion. (Loud laughter.) His learned
friend would elk them what wounded feelings a man of 45
could possess ? How it was possible that he could sustain
damage by the loss of a mat:bimetal connexion with
a woman of 30? Every case most, however, be judged by
its own merits. The plaintiff did not ask for extravagant
damages ; but although a man's feelings were not so strong
as theme of a woman, still he had his feelings ; and when in-
jured and wounded, as they were in the instance now before
them, it was the duty of the jury to award reasonable
damages. There would, he believed, be no dispute &bent
the facts. The only consideration would be the amount of
damages to be awarded to the eitibitiff. The learned conned
proceeded to call the follow witnesses :—Mr. Thomas
Ethell said he was acquainted wi Miss Meredith. She was
on a visit at their house last summer. Mr. Stephen Ethell
visited there, and he and Miss Meredith became acquainted.
The 'plaintiff became attached to her, and Miss Meredith
received his addressee favourably. He continued his attic-
time. At the musical festival, in August, Mir Meredith
was on a visit to the plaintiff's daughter. din is
21. The plaintiff is from 40 to 45, and the defend-
ant fbll 30. During the time the defendant was as •
visit to the plaintiff she told witness that she was alma
to marry the laintiff, and that there was only one obstacle,
that was her . She requested him to s.to her
brother upon the subject. Accordy, one night at au ,
after they had been to a meeting o the Church Pastoral Aid
Society, the whams, addressing the defendant's brother, who
was present, end in reference to the intimacy then misting
between the plaintiff and defendant, said, " You see how
comfortable they ere together--(eughta) ; now's the time
to speak—(continued laughter) ; if you have any doubt. now
mention them." Defendant's brother said he had none and
that he was quite willing, if they were.—Mr. Miller : What
did you do then ?—Witness ; I got up and said, " cod bleu
you both together." (Loud laughter.)—Mr. Miller : What
did the brother say ?—Witne,» u So say (Rom of
laughter.) it was afterwards arranged that die mar-
riage should take place in October, on the plain-
tiff's birth-day, as both birth-day and marriage-day
might then be kept together. (Great laughter.) Sub-
sequently the defendant mid it would be too soon, and
the day
_remained unfixed.—Crass-examined by Mr. Hum-
frey : Why, you do your respected uncle injustice, don't
Witness:
? Was he not the son of William and Mary Ethell ?
Witness: Ile was.—Mr. Humfrey : Is he not near 50 ?
Witness : No, I believe not.—Mr. Ramiro, Is it, then,
the custom of your family to be baptised before they are
born ? (Leughter.)—Witness: No, I believe not. How can
they? (lAughter.)—Mr. Hundrey Why, was not your re-
spaded uncle, according to the registry I hold in my hand,
baptised in the year 1800 ?—Witness : I don't know. I
don't believe him to be 48 or 49 years of age. I went to
school with him, and I am 40.—Mr. Homfrey : 'This thought-
less young man became acquainted with the lady in
July, and made this proposal after • meeting of the YasWnl
Aid Society ?—Witases: Yes ; that was on the In of Sept.,
and the marriage was appointed for October. I do not
believe Miss Meredith a more than 30, became my
wife went to school with her, and she is 29.—Mr.
Humfrey• Yes; but you know that is no criterion.
You went to school with your respected uncle (laughter).
—Wither : I do not know that my uncle got 301. out of the
poor girl for her weddinq clothes. I belle's two other ac-
tions bars been brought arising out of this affair—No. 1, for

an assault; No. 2, for slander; and, now, No. 3, for •
breath of promise of marriage. Ido not know that the girl
is of weak intellect, or different in mind to other young
women. She has, I believe, some property.—Mr. Humfrey
I thought so. After some further evidence the cue for the
plaintiff was closed, and Mr. Humfrey addressed the jury.
He never remembered, in his practice or reading, • case
in which a man brought an action against a woman lot
a breach of promise of marriage in which the action .was not
dictated by cupidity. Was it likely that such a marriage
would ever have been a happy marriage % He asked them,
as fathers and brothers, having wives and sisters, whether
they would, by their verdict, sanction such on action ? The
plaintiff hail come there to get money out of the pockets of
the defendant, which he knew be could not get by marriage.
Her frienr's had interfered to prevent that abomination.
He (Mr. Humfrey) admitted that if a promise had been
made and broken there must be a verdict for the plaintiff ;
but he hoped, for the credit of the country, it would be of
the smallest possible coin known in the circulating medium
of the realm—that would be a hundred thousand times more
than he deserved.—Lord Denman supposed the jury would
agree with Lim that there had been a promise, and that it
had been broken. The only question therefore was as to
the amount of damages. He need not trouble thew with
any observations upon that point. The evidence they bad
heard would direct them.—The jury found a verdict—
Damages, one farthing.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.--LANCASTErt, Aro. 9.
The commission for North Lancashire was opened at the
Castle, Lancaster, on Monday, before the Lord Chief Baron
and Mr. Justice Wightman. The calendar contains the
names of 16 prisoners. The cause list is light, only ten
cases being entered for trial, and none of them important.
The Chief Baron presided in the Crown court, and Mr.
Justice Wightman at nisi Arius. Mr. Heywood, the liberal
member for the northern division, and Mr. Gregson, of
London, the literal member for the borough of Lancaster,
were on the grand jury, In delivering his charge the
Chief Baron expressed his regret at the sogravated nature
of some of the ewe enumerated in the calendar; and cen-
sured very strongly, in one of them where the cause of
death was doubtful, the omission of a post mortals examina-
tion. lie wished it to go forth, for the information of
coroners generally, that an every case where the slightest
doubt canard as to the cause of death, it was their duty to
avail themselves of medical skill and science for the purpose
of solving that doubt. The grand jury had only just re-
turned into court with a true bill when our parcel was
despatched.
Ammer, Ann. 6.
fiat Parra—Before Lord Met Baron Pollock
DOA DEM RITBON V. RITSON.—A DVIPCTED
This was an action of ejectment to recover the possession of
a public-house, the Hatters' Arms Inn, Market-street, Hee-
haw, Northumberland, of the annual vela. of leaf. The
question at issue was between heir-at-law and devisee. Mr.
William Riteen, deceased, formerly a hatter at liembara,
had been married thrice, end had two sons by his first wife,
and one by his second. In 1813, he mode his will, dividing
his property amongst his three children; the houses in ques-
tion felling to to the share of William, the second son. The
will was prepared by Mr. Ruddock, of Hexham, solicitor,
and attested by himself and two clerks, one of whom was
Mr. Meths, the present Deputy-sheriff of Westmoreland.
As Mr. Hawn advanced in life he gave up business to his
two ions Joseph and William. Joseph was the father of
the defendant, and William the father of the plaintiff.
Joseph was accidentally drnwned in 1833, and on that
occurrence Isaac, the third can, was admitted into
partnership with his brother William ; and it appears they
afterwards, by their ill conduct, gave great dissatisfaction,
and were the source of much uneasiness to their father. In
the MIN year Isaac went to Skates, where his father resided,
and used personal violence to his parent, who was obliged to
procure assistance to put him out of the house. Owing to this
fracas, and previous ill treatment, Mr. Miami then expressed
his determination not to leave either William or Isaac a penny.
This was said in the pretence of his wife and Amos. He
spent a sleepless night, and nest morning carried his deter-
mination into effect by burning the will, and seemed pleased
when he had done so. After this he frequently spoke to Mr.
Stokes, a solicitor in Ilexhain, who bad latterly been his pro-
fessional adviser, as to making another will, and so late as a
fortnight before his death, he went to that gentleman's office,
and stated that be bad come to give instructions for his will,
but seeing Mr. Stokoe was busy he would all again another
day, but this he never did. Mr. Stokoe recollected deceased
frequently making mention of a will he had executed at Mr.
Ruddock's office several years ago, but that, he said " was
good for nothing ;" and when asked why, replied " that it
was destroyed." On another occasion, Mr. Stoke. met Mr.
Ritson in Hexhamstrect, and, in conversation on the sub-
ject of his will, said, that if he died intestate, his grandson,
the defendant, would get all he bad, but he intended to leave
his property to his wife and his grandson, the plaintiff.
Other witnesses also spoke to having heard Mr. Ritson make
tinnier mention of his intentions. He died in 1843, and no
will being forthcoming, his heir-at-law, the defendant, took
possession of the property. An unsuccessful search was in-
stituted at Mr. Ruddock's office, at the time, for a will, but
some time afterwards a clerk accidentally met with the
duplicate, in a box where nothing of any value was
ever kept. In consequence of this discovery, this
action was commenced by the plaintiff, the eon of the de-
visee in the will of the property in question, and judgment
signed by default against the casual ejector. The circum
stance of the destruction of the will, however, by the de-
ceased, in the presence of his wife, being told by her to her
attorney about a month se, when she was turned out of the
house, an affidavit of the facts was made, upon which the
judgment was set aside.—Mr. Martin, for the defendant,
cited a case from " Haggard's Ecclesiastical Reports,"
p. 266, in which it is laid down, in confirmation of the pre-
vious law, that where a will is executed in duplicate, and
the testator destroys the part in his possession, he also vir-
tually destroys the duplicate. This was acceded to by the
plaintiff's counsel, but they denied that the destruction of
any will had ever taken place. On the will produced
by Mr. Haddock being pat in and read, it was evident
that two parts had been executed. as the testator
expressed in the attestation clause : " That he had set his
band and seal unto this and unto another part ;" and on the
back of the draft, also produced by Mr. Ruddock, was en-
dorsed, " Engrossed in two parts, Anthony Charter."
Charter was then a clerk in Mr. Ruddock's
Knowles, Q.C., for the plaintiff, in his reply, sought to con-
vince the jury that the story of Mrs. Ribbon, the widow of
deceased, was unworthy of belief.—His lordship summed
up, and expressed in unmeasured terms his disapprobation of
the line of defence pursued by the plaintiff's counsel in
charging the defendant's witnesses with perjury; and he told
the jury that unless they were prepared to believe, which in
his opinion they could not do, that Mrs. Ritson and Mr.
Stoke. had told downright falsehoods, the defendant was
clearly entitled to their verdict —After retiring for a few
minutes, the jury brought in a verdict for the defendant.

4 . THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 10,
v 1847.

IL.