The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-11-09 00:00:00

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The defence made was, that the house was taken with a Loma fide
intention of being immediately occupied by Mrs. Al.frougal, but
that wten the servants went to examine minutely the condition of
the beds and furniture, and to prepare the house for their mistress's
reception, they suddenly felt an involuntary shudder come over
them, and began trembling as if the chill of death were upon them.
The cause of this extraordinary sensation did not long remain a
mystery, for on looking st the walls they perceived an oozing mois.
ture bespangling them all about, and they seemed for a moment as
if transported from the splendid drawing.roorn h Gloucester-place
to some subterraneous cavern where spars and water-pearls gilt-
, tered around them in all the fantastic shapes that imagination
could picture forth. With the mild agency of a good kitchen
fire, this fairy vision soon vanished, and after qualifying their
astonishment by partaking of a substantial beefsteak, they
began to inspect more minutely the things before them.
But much as they had already suffered, the comparison
between it and what they were doomed to endure, would be as
" Una to a wart." Damp walls and runty grates were mere trifles ;
things that a good fine and strong ann would effectually remove ;
even black and filthy blankets might have been borne with, for
the new reservoir would be able to supply water sufficient to bleach
them' lily white;' but whose olfactory sense is proof against the
effluvia of living vermin ? What nerve in so wirey as not to shrink
at the sight of little full-bellied animals crawling about the pillow
canes; and what imagination so nnintaginative as not to recoil at
the idea of actually cohabiting with, nay sleeping amidst an army
of these little horrors, " whose persons are not known in the country,
and whose name, are never uttered in town?" The sight was
enough ; many turned pale, and called John ; John peeped and was
convinced; and so off they ran to their mistress, with the declaration
that • bugs' were in the house, and that straw would be better to
sleep on than the beds and blanket, where such things were.
Mr. Sergeant W'eust haling called the servants to prove these
facts, contended that no contract could be binding under such
circumstances, for that use and occupation meant a serviceable use
and occupation, and of a place such as cou:d be used and occupied,
and which this house was not.

3lr. Sergeant Vatroftaw replied in a strain of humour that made
the Court echo with laughter; and concluded by impressing it
upon the Jury not to sanction by their verdict these fastidious and
captions proceeding on the part of servants' who, by the extremely
civilized state of present society, were Buffered to possess a most un-
due influence over the minds and actions of their masters and mis-
tresses. 'l'he man servant forsooth would rather sleep on straw
than on the beds that were in the house I Better, perhaps, for all
parties, were he and all like hint to sleep on straw ; servants would
then be a hardy and useful race of men, instead of those effeminate
and pampered creatures which the over.reflnentent of modern man.
ners now made them. The whole of the complaint had originated
with the servants; and he trusted the Jury would not encourage by
their verdict such a mischievous influence to prevail.

Lord Chief Justice BEST observed that the question for the
Jury to consider was, whether this House was in a fit state for oc.
cupation when let to Mrs. sl'Dougal or not? If not, then they
must find- a verdict for the defendants, as it was a bounden duty
with all persons who let out furnished houses to put them in a re.
spectable and proper condition for use. But they must remember
that last winter was a remarkably wet one, and it might be that the
da-np was only the consequence of there not having been any fires
in the house for sonic days. One of the witnesses had indeed said
that the damp was of such a nature as not to appear to be merely
the consequence of the slll3ofl : they would, however, consider the
evidence, an If they should be of opinion that the plaintiff' was
entitled to their verdict, they must give him the sum o 0 guineas,
which was that mentioned in the agreement. Ten guineas a week
might appear a moderate sum for a house which had been let, as it
was proved, to Lord Strangford afterwards for 500 guineas fur six
months; but ten guineas a week for a house in Oloucester.placa
was a very fair price before Christmas, though it would be a small
sum after Christmas, when families came to town.
. .

The Jury, after consulting a few minutes, found a verdict for the
plaintiff', 421.

THE NEW COURT.

The LORD CHIEF Jusrice„ on Making his seat to try the
above causes, found that he had no means of addressing the Jury,
as they were entirely out of view, the box appropriated for them
being considerably too low. One of their Lordships' desks having
been removed, the difficulty was a little obviated.
The front of the box almost reaches the heads of the jurymen
who Mt on the first seat, and a similar objection exists as to the wit-
ness box. Some alterations must be made in tbeie respects at
least.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, TUESDAY, Nov. 8.

WARDE V. BOTTELLI.

Mr. BARBER moved for a rule to show cause why the judgment
in this cue should not be set aside.
Mr. ltrctramos opposed the motion. but AS neither oi: the
Learned Counsel were sufficiently provided with facts to satisfy the
Cuurt, the further hearing was put oli till to-morrow.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, TUESDAY, Nov. 8.
William Bell was opposed by 3lr. COOKE, on behalf of n per.
son of the name of Batchelor, to whom he had given a promissory
note for 12.51. in payment for milk, had by his grand-daughter,
who carries on an extensive business in this article in Bond-street.

It appeared from the evidence, that the insolvent's grand-
daughter persuaded him to accept the bill in question, when she
assured him that debts were owing to the concern by his Majesty,
Prince Leopold, and Lord George Cavendish, sufficient to meet it
when it became due.

The insolvent was pointedly
.interrogated respecting a legacy of
2001. bequeathed to his wife In the year 1821, but nothing was
elicited to warrant a suspicion that any part of it was concealed
with a view to defraud his creditors.

Mr. Commissioner Law said, that as the promissory note was
drawn subsequently to the contract for the mill: having been en.
tered into, and as it did not appear that any extension of credit was
sought for in consequence, the insolvent was entitled to the benefit
of the net.
Discharged.