The Express.
London, England, 1853-11-18 00:00:00

C. HAILD.-111tELCH OP PROXISI OP

This was an action to recover compensation in damages
for a breach or promise of marriage made to the plaintiff by
the defendant.

It appeared from the statement of Mr. Party that the
plaintiff was • widow of between 30 and 40 years of age,
residing at Chelsea, and carrying on buaisese as • jeweller
and watchmaker at thct place. The defendant was a
widower, and :sad been • sergeant in the army, bet was
new lieincr at Chelsea on a pension and some private pro-
perty which belonged to him. The defendant's wife died
in the beginning of the present year, but before her death
'be had been intimate with the plaintiff. On the death of
the defendant's wife he went into the country, and on his
retails, in August last, he saw the plaintiff and made her
ca offer of marriage, which she accepted. The defendant
bought a wedding ring, which he gave to the plaintiff, end
fixed • day for them to is married; bat on that day the
defendant married another person in place of the
The learned counsel then called
Timothy Stafford, who said, I am the father of the plain-
tiff, and am • jeweller, residing at Chelsea. My daughter
'Las been a widow seven or eight years. I know the
de-
fendaat, he is a sergeant in the army. We have known him
to have been living at Chelsea fir some years. He had some
property at Chelsea, but he sold it to a tailor fir 2601. The
first time I knew of his being acquainted with my daughter
was on the 6th of August. During the life of his former
wife we were on terms of friendship. His wife died in the
beginning of this year. On the 6th of August I saw the
defendant in the evening. Ha then told me he had got my
daughter's consent as a suitor, and he " axed " me for
mine. I expressed my surprise, and said I could not think
of such a thing, as there was such a great disparity of age.
He ocrsietird, however, and at last got my consent. He said
he would have my daughter whether I gave in or not.
Mr. Justice Cromptoa—You found him so very warm
that you gave is.
Witness—l told him I was quite agreeable. He was very
uneasy for marriage. I said to my daughter, " Mary, Mr.
Hard wishes to marry you, do you think you can love him
and;make him a good wife ?" She said, " I can." The
defendant got up and held out his hand to her and she
put her hand in his with a smack. I said that I considered
them as good as married, and hoped they would be happy.
I saw a little wine and water being made. I took • little
drop teat. The defendant asked to have the marriage
take place on the following Monday. I objected, becaute
there would ion have been time to draw up the deed of
*et:learns:. We then fixed the Thursday following for the
marriage to take place. On the 17th of September' we
sailed at Lis house, and while we were there he pulled out
• ring, and after stowing it to me, said, " Clod bless you,
Mary ; keep up your little heart, here's the ring." She
went up to him and took the ring. He then said that they
wault be married on the next Mon lay. We then went
away. -Ihe defendant instead of marrying my dsugoter on
the Monday married somebody else, whom he called
ee Cookey Darling." My daughter is under 34, and the
Wen:lust between 50 anti 6). _ _

In en w•eamit atirn, the witness said that lis daughter
hal me child by her former husband. After the defend-
Ant told him of his intenti m to marry his daughter be
be. to sing. He did not exactly sing " Let us baste to
the Wedding," cc "The fhldier tired of War's Alarms,"
but something between them. (A great deal of laughter
took plane curing the whol; examination of this witness )
Other witnesses taxing been examined as to the promise
and the breach.
Hr. Rome addremed the jury for the defence in mitiga-
ting ur dansisges.
The learned judge summed up, and the jury gave a
verdict for the plaintiff; damages 401.

COL'ItT OP BANKRUPTCY.-YESTERDAY.
MOIR U. 311111.•:OXIM NOLIOTD.

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