The Express.
London, England, 1851-03-12 00:00:00

and her brother and sister at his son Edward's house. The
defendant also was present. The plaintiff talked a great
deal, and he heard her say to the defendant that if he had
broken off the marriage of his own accord she had no wish
for it, and that she would release him from his promise and
give him up all his letters. His son, when she said this, re-
plied that what he was doing with regard to the breaking off
the marriage was done entirely of his own free will. After
this the plaintiff and her relations had some refreshment,
and they all parted on very friendly terms. His sort was
at present • landing waiter in the port of London, and his
salary was 1401. a year.
By Serjeant Sher—Had known the plaintiff since she was
18 yearn old. His son was also on a visit at Petworth Park,
and it was by this means he became acquainted with the
plaintiff. Their intimacy had continued ever since that pe-
riod, but he was not ware that
list son first made an
offer of marriage to the a
plaintiff in 85. The defendant
was not very communicative upon the matter. If he
had been he would not have got into his present di-
lemma. He was now about 2G or 27. lie could not tell
exactly what year he was born in. IA laugh.) Ile could
not my that all this time the plaintiff had been looked upon
as the intended wife of his son, but it certainly was some-
thing very like it. lie was aware that they were engaged
to each other. lie knew that the plaintiff was engaged as
• governess in several respectable families, and he had
reason to believe that his son was very much attached to
her. Ile did not sanction what was going on, but certainly
be did not stoutly oppose it. He understood that the mar-
riage was fixed to take place on the Z4th of November,
and the meeting to ss hieli lie referred took place on the
27th. He understood that the marriage license had
been obtained, and that apartments hail also been taken
f r them to reside in after the marriage. Ho did not
think that his eon obtained the appointment he held
in the Custom lloo.e through the intervention of Miss
('race's friends. His son said very little at the meet-
ing on the 27th. All he did was to state that he acted of his
own accord in refusing to marry the plaintiff'. The plain-
tiff did not appear very touch distressed. She did nut
cry ; at least he did not see any tears. The defendant
said that what had been done was done with his own free
will, and the plaintiff then said that she disengaged
him from his promise, or words to that effect. The plain-
tiff did not lay hold of his son's hand and touch him at any

---•
•
of the interview.
ite-examined—Witness was very indignant at the pro-
posed marriage. His eon told him that he had been invited
to dinner by the brother of the plaintiff, and that after
dinner the subject of the marriage was brought forward,
and he agreed to marry the plaintiff on the following
Tuesday. They, wanted to kuow why he did not marry
the plaintiff, and upon his stating that he was under some
difficulty, the brother of the plaintiff offered to
Mun ktraloot, and he was to pay 20 per cent. fora the luan.
llis sou also told him that the marriage dinner ws to take
place at the home of Mr. Henry ('race, but none of his re-
lations were to be invited, and if he wished to have any of
j them, he was to order a dinner at Hampton and pay for it

Mr. Edward Wilson, brother to the defendant, deposed
that he was a surgeon, and resided in Great Coramstreet,
Brunswick-square. In November of last yearhe received
• communication upon the subject of the intended mar-
riage, and he in emisequi nee called upon Mr. Henry Crate,
the brother of the plaintiff, and that gentleman, and his
wife, and the plaintiff, cum to hia house on the 28th Nov.
Witneas's father, Mrs. Salter, a married sister, and the de-
fendant, were present at the interview. He heard the
plaintiff say distinctly that if the defendant left her
of his own free will, she would give him up immediately.
His brother replied that it was of his own free will, and the
plaintiff made no reply. The plaintiff's brother asked the
fendant why he refused to marry her, and he replied
that he had not sufficient confidence in her to make her his
wife. After this touk place they had refreshment and shook
hands, and parted apparently upon friendly terms. At the
interview he had in the first Mamie with Mr. and Mrs.
Crate, he understood that it was the wish of all parties that
the match should be broken off, and that they should
mutually release each other.
By Serjeant Shrt—lle was aware that the plaintiff and
his brother had been intimate since 184.1, and that the
plaintiff had been received in the family as his intended
wife. Ile did not observe that the plaintiff was very much
• distressed upon the occasion. Ile spoke of her condition
prufcaiionully." On the day following the meeting he
told Mr. H. Crate that his brother was so infatuated with
his sister tnat he very much doubted his stability, and he
thought it probable that the match might still take

place.
Mrs. Salter, the sister of the last witnem, gave eimilar
evidence as to what took place at the interview in question.
Serjuant Shear then addressed the jury for the plaintiff,
and he said that when they were put in possession of the
real facts of the case, he felt satisfied they would be of
opinion that it was one which involved the greatest cruelty
and injustice that had ever been brought before a jury.
The real facts of the cam were these. The plaintiff, who
was a highly respectable young woman, hod unfor-
tunately, through family diseercements, been cum-
pelted to use the talents she possessed as a means
of obtaining a livelihood as a governess, and she
bad been employed in that capacity in families of station
and respectability. In Plif she was on a visit to an uncle!!
named Dehbe, who hail for many years been in the service
of the Duke of NurfOlk, but who at that time had retired
and was living at l'etworth-park, near Arundel. The de-
fendant was also on a visit there, and he became fascinated
with the plaintiff', and an intimacy of the tenderest nature
sprung up betweeu them, with the entire knowledge of the
family of the defendant, who, it had been admitted, had
received the plaintiff as the intended wife of the defendant.
The parties at this time were very young, and the mar-
riage was nut considered prudent at that time, but they
continued on the most affectionate tenns with each
other. The learned eerjeant read a portion of some
of the letters written by the defendant, they were all
couched in terms of the greatest affection, and the defen-
dant instantly spoke to looking forward to the happiness,
of making her his wife when his circumstances would per-
mit him to do so, and when he should have obtained an
appointment in the customs, which he expected. The
learned counsel proceeded to state that Mrs. Debbe inte-
rested herself in the matter, and applied to the Earl of !
Arundel and Surrey, the member for Arundel, to whom
she and her husband were well known by reason of their
having been confidentially employed (as he had stated)
before by the Duke of Norfolk ; and eventually. by means
of the interest of that noble lord, the defendant obtained
a situation in the customs, which he now held. He
then expressed his desire to perform kis promise
to the plaintiff ; bnt upon his representation that
he was in some pecuniary difficulty, Mr. Henry
Crace, the brother of the plaintiff, consented to advance him
a sum of 501. Every arrangement was then made for the
marriage, the wedding dresses were provided, the day was
appointed, and everythieg was in readiness, when in conse-
quence of some extraordinary interference on the part of
the defendant's fernily, the match was put a stop to, and an
attempt was now made to show that the plaintiff bad
exonerated the defendant from his promise. The learned
mojeant then referred to the circumstances under which
the plaintiff was alleged to have absolved the defendant
from his promise, and he concluded a very eloquent speech
by calling upon the jury to scout such a proceeding. and to
give the plaintiff such damages as would have the effect of
showing the world that there was nut the slightest imputa-
tion upon her character.
Mrs. Debbie was then examined to prove the circum-
stance, of the intimacy which tuck place between the plain-
tiff and the defendant after their meeting at her house.
She saw the defendant in 18-50, and he told her that he was
going to he married to the plaiutilf. and that he had taken
apartments is the Kent-road, and witness wished them
happiness.
Mr. H. W. Crace deposed that he was brother to the
plaintiff. He was iuttoduced to the defendant on the 214
of November, last year. The defendant dined with
bin on that day, and after dinner lie introduced
the subject of the intended marriage with his
The defendant said that the only thing
that prevented the marriage from taking place im-
mediately nee that he wanted Sol, to relieve himself Iran
men liability. Witness told him if that was all he would
advance him the amount, and after some conversation it was
arranged that this sum was to be advanced, and the defend.
sat was to return hill. in a twelvemonth. Witness did not
stead to take the money, but to make a present
of is te his 'deter. It was afterwards settled that the
seanisse was to take place on the 28th. His sister was
staying with him at the time. The defendant parted
situ deem on Saturday, the 23rd of November, and
they heard no inure upon the subject of the marriage
until Mr. Edward Wilson called upon him, and in conse-
quence of what he said, he and his wife and the plaintiff
went to the house of that gentleman on the 27th. Dinner
had been ordered and the wedding cake and carols also.
!When they went to Mr. Wileon's, his sister went up to the
defendant and took bold of his hand and said to him—
•• William. why have you treated me in this manner?" Ile
made her no termer. Witness also asked him what reason he
had fur his conduct, and he did not reply. His brother then
said to him—. Bill. why don't you speak out, and say
you have not suftleient confidence in her to make
her your wife!" and the defendant mumbled out the
words after him. Iles sister then asked the defendant
Why he did not tell her so when he left
her on theeeaturday ni ht," and he shook his head. The
plaintiff was in a moot distreisad state at this interview, and
she clung to him, and he told the defendant that he was a
scoundrel and a villain fur acting in such a manner to a
girl. He heard the defendant's father say, in the course of
whet took place. that if his sun married ROW`, he would
blow his brains out.
Hy the Court—He did not hear anything said by his
sister about exonerating the defendant from his promise, or
anything of the. kind.
flue or two other witnesses were then called to prove the
preparation, that were made for the marriage, and this
closed the plaintiff's ease.
Mr. Chamber, replied.
Mr. Baron l'erke having summed up. the jury, after a
s short dellieration, retuned • verdict for the plaintiff
- 2-iOl.

:♦! fB- ,

OXFORD CIRCUIT.—WoscEsmt, MARcrt 10.

MALICIOVSLT STOININo.
- • • • - •

Janes William was charged with feloniously stubbing
and wounding Ilivrge William Pollard.
Streeten prosecuted, and Mr. iludillestone defended
the prisoner.
The circumstances of the case were briefly as Mow
On the 28th September last, Mr. Pollard, who is a butcher,
holding a stall in the Worcester country shambles. was at •
his place of business, when he observed the prisoner, who
I was minding an adjacent stall, kick a dug belonging
to the prosoeutor'► uncle, and Pollard told him he
had a good mind to give him a tbrashin,g. The pri-,
soner replied. '• It you do run this knife into you."
I Pollard then took the primmer be the nose, and while
suffering under that indignity the prisoner stabbed Pothird