The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-29 00:00:00

COURT OF DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL

CAUSES.—Jobs 28.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)
LOFTON T. LOFTUS.

Dr. Spieks, Q,C., and Mr. Brown for the petitioner ;
Mr. Coleridge, Q.C., and Dr. Swabey for the respondent.
to this case Lord Henry Loftus prayed for the restitu-
tion of his conjugal rights ; and the defendant, the
Countess of Seafichl, pleaded in answer that he had been
guilty of cruelty towards her.
Proof of the marriage and of the respondent's with-
drawal from cohabitation having been given on behalf of
the petitioner,

lir. Coleridge opened the case on behalf of the respon-
dent. It appeared that she was originally married to the
Karl of Seattleld, who died in 1653, and afterwards to
Major Mersey, with whom she lived with great happiness'
till his death, in 1862. In 1864 she was married for the
third time to the petitioner. At that time she wee pos-
seamed of an annuity of 2,000/.. with Grant-lodge, N.B. a
residence which had been left her by Lord Seafield, and
her income was of course chargeable with the expense of
bringing up a Hon whom she had borne to Major Massey.
All these circumstances were fully explained to Lord
Renry,and he professed the most unmercenary intentions.
The marriage, however, did not prove happy, and the
learned counsel described the circumstances which had led
to the ieparation, and which the respondent herself de-
tailed in her evidence.
Lady Seafield—l made the acquaintance of Lord Henry
Loftus at Bray,*oonnty, Wicklow, in 1862. I was then 45
years of age. He proposed marriage, and I accepted him.
I explained to him how I was situated as regarded income.
He told me that lie wanted nothing but my love, and that
he wished to protect me and my child. He told me also
that he had 3001. a year, and a quarry, which would bring
him in 2,0001. at Christmas. He also said he wished my
jointure to be settled on myself and child ; and advised
me to consult my friend Chief Justice Whiteside. The
property was settled on me as he had suggested. He was
very kind to me, and I consulted such of my friends towers
able to advise me before I consented to the match. The
wedding took place on the pith of July, 1864, at Bray.
We left Ireland on the 21st of the same month. We had
previously visited Major Alcuck and other friends. I went
to an archery meeting three weeks after the marriage, and
during the day Lord Henry showed much temper. Thesanie
night he was rude and abusive to me. When we came to
London we stayed for ten days at the Alexandra Hotel.
We dined out several times, but Lord Henry never came
home with me. He would return at two or three in the
morning, and then be very abusive. At that time I
scarcely knew whether he was drunk, for I had never seen
any one so, but I now know that he was. When I remon-
strated with him, be told me that I must bear it, and
that I had no right to be treated like a young woman.
After leaving the hotel we went to Grant-lodge. We tra-
velled by the night train, and during the journey be con-
tinued to speak in the most abusive terns of my previous
husband. I wee ill at Grant-lodge until the next De-
cember. During that time he continuallydrank brandy,and
when I refused to let him have it he got some from London.
He contributed nothing tothe expenses of the establishment.
At Christmas we went to Lord Egerton's, at Totten,
Lady Egerton being my husband's sister. The petitioner
was very unkind to me while we were there. I had palpi-
tation of the heart so badly that I bad to leave my
bed ; and be said I might sleep on the top of the ward-
robe for anything he cared. In January we returned to Ire-
land. Lord Henry went to Ely-lodge, and I proceeded to Bray
alone ; I stayed there off and on for two or three months.
Lord Henry joined me after an interval, but he spent most
of hie time in Dublin. He never spent his evenings with
me; but after dinner he would go to the coffee-room of
the hotel, and he was always abusive. One night he came
into my room so suddenly that it gave me severe pFdpita-
Lion of the heart. and I had to get out of bed. He imme-
diately blew out the night light, locked the door, and
said I should not leave the room. I was much
alarmed at his conduct. During the whole time we were
at Bray he refused to sleep with me. On returning
to Dublin, we stopped at Maples's hotel. Lord Henry
drank brandy every night, and was so abusive that I used
to get up and remain during the night in the dressing-
room. Once he told me that he had never wanted to
marry me, and that I had bunted him down. In Septem-
ber, 1865, I thought I was in the family way. I wrote to
my husband to tell him. In his reply be said that, if I
was, it was by Mr. Lewis Grant, my brother in-law.
Towards the end of December Lady Anna Loftus was at
the Lodge, and he came there about a week before she
left. He said that she should know what a devil I was. I
bore his conduct as long as I could, but at last I told him
in her presence what he had said about Mr. Lewis Grant.
He said nothing in reply. Some time afterwards I was
attacked with hysteria while reading prayers. Lord
Henry afterwards came up and asked me to forgive him,
saying that he had been a brute, and that for the future
he would try to cherish and comfort me. He was
kind for • few days. On the 19th of March,
1866, he came into the drawing room and said we had
better have a separation. He more than once insisted
upon it. About this time I could notgoto bed inconsequence
of palpitation of the heart. Lord Henry abused me and my
child, who he declared was worthy of me, and was an imp
of the devil. I occupied another room. He came and, in-
sisting that I should return to my nuptial bed, seized me
by the arms to force me. From that time we never slept
together. I afterwards crime to London with my sister,
Mrs. Grant. He followed me and told me he ehould take
care that none of his family showed me any attentions.
I wrote to Lady Anna Loftus in consequence, and she came
to me. I was at Norwood in May. 1866. The petitioner
sometimes came to see me, and once he fell upon his
knees and asked me to forgive him for his neglect.
and cruelty. I said I was willing to forgive him, but
that it would take a long time before I could feel for him
as I had done, for when respect ceased love must cease
also. On that occasion he went back to London about one
o'clock at night. He carne down again some time after-
wards, and declared that he would commit suicide. On the
20th of May I had to go to London for the purpose of
alsoppinv. He met use at the door of the hotel, and walked
by my side to the station. I walked quickly, and tried to
get away from him. He began in his usual way. He said
he was ashamed of me, and that he could compare me to
nothing but a prostitute, from the way in which I was run-
ning along the road. I was not running. I got away
from him onthe platform of the railway, but be followed
me into the carriage, and, approaching me with his
clenched fist, said he would teach me that
I was his wife, and that he would make me behave as
such. He also said I could do as I pleased with my first
husband, and that my second was a " miserable cad."
Some months after my marriage I was suffering from a
pain in the back, and I bad also symptoms which I could
not explain. I consulted Dr. Heard, who sent me some
medicine. I mentioned this circumstance to Lord Henry,
and he sail that I bad no right to many. lie told me
that I was a—, and that I was no wife to him. I have
suffered in my health from living with him, and I am ap-
prehensive of the consequences that might ensue ii I re-
turned to cohabitation.
Lady Seafield was cross-examined by Dr. Spinks, who
suggested that she had taken a dislike to her husband
solely on account of financial embarrassments which had
led to his bankruptcy. This, however, her ladyship
denied.

Dr. Heard deposed that since her marriage she bad
grown thinner, and had suffered from palpitation of the
heart and nervous depression, maladies to which she had
not previously been subject.
The case was then adjourned.

00IIRT OF BANKRUPTCY.—Juits 28.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Helroyd.)
TN RR BIDDCLPH. WRIGHT. AND CO.-DIVIDEND.

The bankrupta were bankers, in Henriettaidreet,Ciseent.
garden. The failure occurred in 1810, the liabilities
amounting to upwards of half a million. This was a sitting
fer dividend under the separate Wake of Mr. Bicildu
on which there have been already dividends to the amount
of lis. in the pound. It was stated that the meets in
hand would be sufficient to pay the remaining fa. in tho
pound to the separate creditors, and to allow of a surplus
of '..11,000/. being carried to the joint estate, which will be
the subject of dividend at a future sitting.

Mr. Few appeared for the assignees.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.)
IN RC LIEUT.-COLONEL DICKOON.

This was a;itii7mi;ieiCamination and discharge in the
case of Samuel Auchmuty Dickson, late of No. Wel-
lington.square. Chelsea, and previously of Homberg, in
Prussia, and other places. The bankrupt's first petition
was dismissed, on the ground of his three days' state-
ment being imperfect, by reason of the omission of certain
debts. He has since been adjudicated bankrupt in prison
by the registrar, who ordered his release. In his exansi•
nation before the registrar, the bankrupt stated that he owed
about 12,0001. altogether, chiefly to Londoncredi•ors ; and
that he possessed estates in Ireland and Berkshire. He
was entitled to a tenancy for life under the wills of his
father and uncle, which interest he valued at 4,000 f. ayear:
the property was now being administered in Chancery.
lie had also an interest in a reversion, dependent on
the life of his sister, worth about 7,0001. The whole
of this property had been encumbered to the extent of
50.000 i.
The statutory accounts not having been filed, an ad-
journment was rendered necessary.
Mr. 8,. Griffiths, for the bankrupt, asked for an adjourn-
ment, with a view to the case being taken out of court.
Ilia Honour said he could only make the usual order,
and adjourn the case sine die, with protection.

(Before Mr. Commissioner Winslow.)
IX RI ROXAXXAH IMMIX TRAY.

The bankrupt, who is well known from her protracted
ge.tio• against the Bari and Countess of Zetland, is de-
scribed as • spinster and dressmaker, of South-street,
Grosvenor-square, and of King's-crow-road. The cave
tame before the court by adjournment from a former sin.
tang, when it appearing that the bankrupt's debts were
',bore 300(., she trio dizootod to imam the stamp so tea;

- -
Dewiap. pod this hu s Moue been done. The Earl ef Jet.
Wnd is returned se a (Teditor for 113/. in respect of actions
brought by the bankruvt against himself and the counter.
Mr. Aldridge appeared i`or the official assignee.
Mr. Begley mid be red, as before, for the Lid of
Zetland, was not disposed to throw any difficulty al
the way of the bankrupt having hoe discharge. He hoped
that they might induce the bank-sups to my that in future
she would abstain from grin/ his lordship further
annoyance.
The Commissioner— I hope she will. She has no reason
to complain of the way in which she. has l men treated tier,.
IN her creditors, and I hope she meet them in tini
same spirit.
Bliss Fray listened in silence to this secommeudatior. of
the court, and made no reply.
Thereupon the order of discharge was granted.
IN RR HOWARD WV. GLOVER.
The bankrupt was described as a professor of music. of
Cresoent-place, Burn-crescent. Debts, till. The cane
had been adjourned for the bankrupt to make an offer to
his creditors. The bankrupt now offered to set aside My.
a year until the whole of his debts were discharged. and
upon this condition the order was granted.