The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-30 00:00:00

LAIXO V. DELANTIIt.

This was an action for criminal conversafion, in which the de-
'fondant suffered judgment to go by default, and a jury mumbled
yesterday for the purport, of assessing the damages. The case ap-
peared to have excited mare than venal intetest ; for long before
the hour appointed for the inquiry the mom was excessively crowded
with persona of the highest respectability.
The plidatirs Counsel were Mr. Scariett, Mr. F. Pollock, and
Mr. Wilde ; Mr. Brougham conducted the defendant's cast, and
Mr. Cooper was of Counsel on the same side.
Mr. Wit.ni opened the plendings.
Mr. ikAULETT, In the commencement of his statement, said,
that this amino was brought to 'termer compensation in damages
for one of the severest injuries which a guilty man could inflict, or
in honourable man endure. There was no necessity to dilate fur-
ther upon an injury which must be felt, eren at the very statement
of iq by any man who possessed the ordinary feelings of bis na-
ture; therefore, said the Learned Gentleman, I shall abstain from
any nppeal to your passions; but havitt„., detailed to you dm very
simple atm of my client's wrongs, I shall conclude by a few ob-
serimions in the way of answer, If I shall be so fortunate as to
declamation,
the stgaments for the defendant, which the ability, sad'
declamation, and vigorous intelligence of his Learned Counsel
may supply. Gentlemen, the plaintiff is now the Captain and
owner of a merchant vessel. lie is by birth a gentleman, connect-
ed with some of the most respectable families of North Britian,'
many of the members of whom arc not, I have reason to think,
unknown to my Learned Friend Mr. Brougham. lie has been
now married about ten years; he was married to the daughter of
Dr. Steele, who resides in Essex; a man, who having educated
his daughters in honourable principles, died, leaving them the re-
putation of an honest character. This lady was the eldest of many
sisters: she el-messed great personal attractions: and after their
marriage I shall prove to you that they enjoyed the most uninter.
rupted felicity. With the exception of those voyages which were
incidental to his profession and which caused their mutual regrets,
they lived together in all the endearments that the marriage state
could confer. Seven children, five of whom now live to mourn
their mother's ruin, were the fruit of this union. I shall Mew
you that up to the period of his last voyage, Mr. and Mrs. Laing
lived together in a state of unruffled tranquillity. The place he
selected for her residence was Charles-street, Northampton-square,
where she lived in affluence, and even in splendour, for he supplied
her liberally with all that she could desire. She was surrounded
by friends. She wanted nothing that the heart of woman could
desire, save her hesband's presence, and whenever a letter came
from him she received it with delight. She accompanied him to
Portsmouth before his last voyage, and watched the ship in which
he sailed until it was no longer visible. For the firm year of his
absence she lived in full reliance upon his faith, and faithful to
her absent husband. The Learned Counsel then described her
introduction to the defendant, and the details of their connection,
which were fully stated by the witnesses; and in conclusion called
upon the Jury to visit this offence, without excuse as it stood,
with the most exemplary damages.
The following letter, addressed by the mother of Mrs. Lens; to
her daughter, and spoke to in the subsequent evidence, was read by
Mr. Scarlett in the course of his statement, with the answer from
Mr. Delamere

"Charles-street, sth August, len.
" Ilow shall I address you, my unhappy daughter ? How shall
I beside to convey to your mind a sense of my affliction, without
breaking my resolution not to reproach you, for that which must, at
any interval of reflection, weigh heavily on your heart ; consent then
to listen to the dictates of your conscience—fly from the presence of
him who has sought your ruin, and rest assured you will, in the
bosom of members of your own family, find a refuge, where nothing
shall ever be said or done to add to your sorrows, but all will con.
tribute to your comfort. Harry will receive you ; let me again
earnestly entreat you to avail yourself of this only hope. Fly to
some spot where I can see you alone, and acquaint me with it,
and thus prove you still retain a degree of regard for the peace
of mind of your too heavily AFFLICTED MOTHER.

" Mrs. Laing."
" klatass.--1 have this day received a letter from you direct..
to Mts. Laing, which, having her authority so to do, I have open.
ed, and in reply to it I beg to inform you, that it is her fixed de-
, termination not to do that which you suggest.
" I assure you, that in returning so positive an answer, I am
only conveying to you Mrs. Laing's sentiments, and that were I
to give you any hopes of an alteration in her ideas, I should only
' be deceiving you.
I am, Madam, your obedient, humble servant,
" JOHN DEL•IIERE.
" Mrs. Steele, 21, Tipper Charles-street., Northampton-square.—
Wednesday evening.'.
The first witness called WWI Frances Dodd; she said she was
for 10 or 11 years acquainted with Mr. Laing. She was acquainted
also with Mr. Laing 's wife before her marriage, and they had beet
married now about eleven years. " I have been," said the witness,
" on a visit with them subsequent to their marriage, and they have
been with me. They have now five children. The eldest child
almost ten, and the youngest about two. I have had frequent op-
portunities of seeing them since thieir marriage. They lived in
great harmony. They have often been at my house. They always
appeared very ford of each other."
t'ress-examineti by Mr. BROI*OIIAM—They never had a quar-
rel before me. I am no relation of the parties. It is betwmn 10
and 11 yearn since 1 first knew them. I went down with Mr. and
Mrs. Laing when he went to sea.

Re-examined.—Mrs. Lain.; always accompanied her husband,
when he went to KY, to the place of embarkation.
Mrs. Porter, examined by Mr. NVIEDE--Widow of the late
Vicar of Billericay, in Essex. She has known Mrs. Laing's fa-
ncily foe nearly forty years. I have not t!le least idea how long
it is since she was 'turned. I have been an occasional visitor at
Mrs. Laing 's since her marriage. I never saw them together. I
had a daughter who visited at Mrs. Laing's, and she was there for
three weeks last year.
Mr. Bnotroan Asa declined cross-examining this witness.
Jonathan Dodd, husband of the first witness, said it appeared to
him that Captain and Mrs. Laing lived on the most happy terms.
He appeared an affectionate husband, and she an excellent wile
and mother.

Isabella Steele examined by Mr. SCAR LETT.—Before the wit-
ness reached the table she burst into tears, and continued for some
time dreadfully agitated. As soon as she had slightly recovered,
she said she was the sister of Mrs. Laing. She was not present at
her sister's marriage. She was married in I/112. Her father was
Doctor Steele, of Witham, in Essex. After my sister's marriage

I continued to live with my mother. at Witham. Otter re.
sided in London. I have often had opportunities of seeing them
together.
Did they lire happily?—Oh, yea. My sister was deeply at-
tached to her children. She etlocated them hertelf, and she took
nench pains and much dtlight in teaching them. It was, indeed,
impossible for any one to take more pleasure in her children. Mr.
Laing was frequently absent on his voyages, and during such ab.
settee they corresponded.
Mr. BROUGHAM —l"p to what time are you speaking of ?
Witness—Up to the last voyage. I remember my brother be-
coming a candidate fur the stuwnrd,hip of Hertford College. On
that occasion I came to town. My sister lived then in Charles.
street. Mr. Laing had furnished it very respectably. It was in
April I came to town ; and my sister Anne HAS also in town
was my brother Hobert. Our family had before that time some
acquaintance with Mr. Delemcre. We had known him for some
years. I was educated at his mother's school in !lambed, Essex.
Mr. Delarnere was applied to upon the occasion of my brother b.:-
coming a candidate for the stewardship of Hertford. I was then at
my sister's house. sou at that time my sister's attachment to her
children was unnbated. It was by my brother, I believe, that 31r.
Delansere Teas introduced to my sister. I never saw him while in
town, My mother is now six.y.three years of age. After my
sister's unhappy tall, she sent to her, through Mr. Jeekins, a letter,
of which that Is a copy. Were the letter was handed to witness;
which had previously been read by Mr. SCRTICH in his statement.
I have never seen my sister sine.. Three of the children are no*
with us, and two of them at Mr. Manning's. I never observed
anything but uninterrupted felicity between them.
Cross-examined by Mr. BROUGHAM—My titter was acquaint-
ed with Mr. Laing a f,:w munths before her marriage. Mr. Dela.
mere's mother kept a school at Rumford : I taught at the school,
and since that I kept a school myseif. I never was much in town
with Captain and Mrs. Laing. I never observed my cm:arras.
I They lived in Charles.snret, Nortlumpton.square. They kept
one maid-servant, and had five children.

Anne Steele wit also deeply stler.ed uron entering the room.
Mr. Banes:RA w—Really, Mr. Scarlett, this is a very unples-i
sant thing. It it is only to prove what has already been said, I
think you might dispense with the exhibition.
The poor girl was borne out of Court in violent hysterics.
Robert Steele. examioel by Mr. Por.i.oh g—Said to the beet of
his ressiketion it was hi December, 1812. the marriage took place
between his sister and Captain Laing; he was not present at the
marriage. They came to Witham after their marriage. I lived
with them for some months. They lived together coon the most
affectionate terms. Captain Laing is now about 33 years of age.
I have observed Mrs. Laing's conduct during her husband's ab-
sence, and it was always strictly proper. 21r. Laing's first voy.
age was to St. Michael's ; it was about five months alter her mar-
nage ; they hail then no family. I have had repeated opportu-
Mama observing her conduct as • wife and a mother—it always
was extremely prudent. I knew Mr. Dedamere. I knew him when
he was articled at Ronsford. I introduned him to my sister on oc-
casion of tn_y becoming a candidate for the Stewardship of Hertford
College. He made a calla my sister's for the purpose of seeing
me. I knew from 51r. lalamere that he was roamed, and had a
famil They met for the first time at my house. I know my sis.;
tee'snd.vritt mg.
[Several letters were handed to witness, which he said were in his
aster's hand-writing]
Cross-examined by Mr. Cacteze—l don't know how long the
defendant lived in London. I don't know how long he premised
before he came to London. He is now about nine and twenty
years of age. My father and mother never saw Captain Laing un-
til after the marriage.
Mr. Maiming, examined by Mr. Wri.ng, stated, that he knew
Captain and Mrs. Laing intimately ; I have known Capt. Laing
for seven years ; I was very seldom apart for a week front him when
he was as home. They lived always as man and wife ought, in
great felicity. I went with Captain Laing as far as Orevnend on
his hug voyage. During his absence Mrs. Liking was attentive to
her children, and fond of them exceedin. 1 know that while
her husband was abroad, Mrs. Laing acted as his agent, and she
was extremely prudent generally. I had a communication with
Mrs. Laing respecting the Epaoni races; I was disappointed by
her not going there. I reside at Surrey ('anal Wharf, Kent-M&
I had reseal to believe afterwards that Mrs. Laing had been at the
Epsom races with Mr. Delamere. In consequence of what passed
with Mrs. Laing, I waited on Mr. Delamerer I saw hits-, not ate
his house, but at the Saracen's Head Coffee-room ; he turned from
me and conversed with the landlady ; I thought he migt not have
seen me, but he gave inc what you call et cut direct," he walk-
ed be me. I waited at Mr. Deamere's chambers to demand an
explanation of his conduct. 1 said, "My motive in waiting on
you is not concerning the Epsom races; 1 wish to ask you what
you meant by your treatment of me in the coffee-room ?" He said
Mrs. Lainc bad spoken of me in terms that authorised him to peso
me ; he said that I had spoken ill of him and of his family. I des
vied any knowledge of his family ; I said that I thought his con.duct was moat incorrect, in paying such attentions to a married we.
man, himself being a marred man, and never having introduced
her to his wife. He said he had done so. 1 knew this to be false.
Hefter the Epsom races he said he could not go there. He said be
would discordant his visits; he would pay her one more visit, and
that was all.

(lots-exerniaed by Mr. Bnoncitam—l have known Mr. Dar-
MVO since April.
parch Petit, examined by Mr. SCARLETI/....4 lived as servant
with Mrs. Laing. I went to live with her previous to sliehaelmas
1117. The two eldest children went to school, and there were three
in the house, She lived in Charles-strcet. Northampton-more; I
lived with her until she left her house. she was very attentive. lb
her childreet they did not dine with her, they were too email ;
alias Rate and Master Berjatoin slept in my mistress's room ;
Benjamin watenearly two years old ; another of the children slept
in my morn. I remember that my mistress received lemma, and
wax frequently anxious to receive letter. She was visited by her
family. I saw Mr. Delamere for the first time some days before
Mr. Robert Steele's election ; I never saw Mrs. Delamere there.
One of my mistress's sisters. Miss Anne Heck, was on a visit with
her when slr. Delamere called. At first he did not often visit her,
but afterwardshis calls Deanne more frequent; she was very anxious
about her husband's return ; she always taught her children their
prayers, and when the two eldest sere at home they used alter din*
net to drink, by her desire, their father's health. I recollect Mr.
Delantere asking my mistrals to go to Epsom races; she refused and
said Mr. Manning would be angry if she went- He pressed her to go,
and on his leaving her he said he would call for her in the morn-
ing. He called with his gig, and my mistress went in that gig
with him. She returned at eleven o'clock in a post carriage, with
Mr. Delamere. 1 believe it was not his carriage. He slept there
that night; I think be had slept there once before. He slept in the
back drawing-doom ;my mistress in the front two-pair room, and I
in the three-pair back room. Ile came occasionally to sleep these
afterwards. He slept there one night about a week after the races.
I went to bed on that night abouteleven or half-vast eleven o'clock.
My mistress had gone up stairs; 1 accompanied her, and Mr. De.
!mere went to his own room. The children slept in her room, as
usual. I heard some one come up stairs. I heard my mistress's
room door open. I heard talking in my mistress's mom, but I could
not hear what was said. In about half an hour I heard the doer
open again, and some one on the landing; and it appeared as if she
was holding the banisters and et: melee. I heard her say, " Oh,
my God ! I'll not go down." I heard his morn door open, and
I they wad in. I heard her mention Captain Laing's name before
she went in. I did not understand how she used it. I entered her
room in the mowing. I perceived at that time no difference in her
manner; but when I went up to dress her, at eight o'clock, she
=Vvery low-spirited. She did not say much. I thought
ixen crying. Mr. Delamere spoke to the that :naming, and
'told me not to make his bed before breakfast, as his clothes
were on it, and it would make them all dust. I said I world not ;
I did, however, and the bed had the appearance of two perinea hay.
ins
_slept in it ; I obserral the sheets.
Mr. SCAILLETT—I shall not ask you move Shalt the sheets,
eept this—Who removed them from the bed ?
Witness—My mistress herself. Her condors to her children was
very much altered ; she did not attend to their prayers as formerly.
I recollect her going with Mr. Delamere to the Lord Mayor's. I
heard him tell her that she must go to the Lord Mayor's. She
wished to dress very close; he wished her to put on a satin bat and
feathers. Ile appeared to have an intendancy over her at that time
--he gave orders in the house, and opened her letters. The day
after they came from the Lord Mayor's, he told me that he was
going away, and told me where to find him ; and as men as Mr.
Jenkins or my mistress's sister called there 1 was to leave the chit-
dear and join my mistress. On that morning the children entered
the MOM whilst Ma Dolamer• and ma miasma war* sa bovallamoe
and be ordered them to be taken down to the kitchen. My 'Mitre,*
did not see the children after that. They went away about twelve
o'clock. I was ordered by Mr. Delamere to lock the children up in
the kitchen, that they should not see their mamma.
Cross-examined—l helped to pack up my clothes to follow them,
and I sent my box by Mr. Delarnere's servant. This was two
months after my master came from Epsom. I don't know the
month he slept at nay mistress's house; it's ail gone out of my
bead. I never told any body the story about the sleeping there that
night. After I made this observation, about two people sleeping
in the bed, Mr. Delamare still continued to sleep in the same room.
I heard her say before that. Mr. Delaniere wanted her to go. I did
not advise her to go.
Did you not advise her not to go did.
Strongly advised her ? —Yes.
You asked her, perhaps, what would become of the children
I did. _ _

Upon your solemn oath ?—I did.
Said it was a pity tot her to go sway and leave the family P—l
didn't say that.
, Did you not say what will become of you ?—Na
Wm. Jenkins is in the Navy Office, Somerset Roux.—l have
been for eight or nine years intimately acquainted with Mr. and
Mrs. Laing they lived very happily, and she was most attentive
to her children. I was acquainted with Mr. Laing's concerns : I
witnessed his will about five years ago. In his absence she ma..
miged his affairs, and he left lice much property. I accampanieil
them to Portsmouth. Mrs. Lai-g was gently agitated at the seri-
ration ; the kept looking at the ship long after it sailed. De
remitted bills and cousiderable property to her.
Mr. Baur GH AM.—Did you see her receive that money or what..
ever it mi. ?—No.
Then you know nothing about it.
Witness continued.—Upwards of cm. pow through my
hands from Mr. to Mts. Lang.

)Ir. BROUGHAM Ohjeetell MN and Mr. SCANCZTT supported,
this line of examination.
- ---- • •

..-
Witness.—The total ani:nint WM about 6.0001. that passed
through my hands front l'aptitin Laing. I was at school at Mr.
Delaineve's father's. I saw him at Mr. stetle*s election; 1 hint
saw him, as 1 recollect, in company with Robert Steele, at Mrs.
Laing 's house. In consequenee of some conversation that I had
with .gra. Laing, I inquired of Mr. Itelamere respecting a visit to
Epsom .races ; he denied that be had been there. Almost every
time I called at Mrs. Laing's I saw 31r lklamcre there. I heard

*

•

i

t


that he hail spoken of me slightingly, and I had a correspondence
wish him.

Mr. HitOtrOilitat.—That was in writing?—Yes.
{Titus in uence of what I heard from Mr. Manning, I
determined to Licx I ere; but as he appeared very penitent,
1 onle spit in his face (a laugh). I saw him, with Mrs. Laing. he-
fere the Lord Mayor. where he charged me with an assault. Mrs.
Laing accompanied, vcey shewily dressed. Her expenses increased
wish ',xi intimacy with Delamere. I delivered a letter to Mr. Dc.
lumen, at tillsbs's livery-.tables; it was directed to Mrs. Laing.
I Loon Delarnere's hand. writing, and I believe that (looking at the
letter read by Mr. Scarlett) is his haod-writing.
Cm:a-examined—l inv,sted the money in public securities, at
Mr. baing's request. Mrs. Laing has been at my. chambers with
Yr. Delamere. 1 remonstrated, i believe, twice, with Slrs. Laing,
as to her intimacy with Mr. Delamere. Once I saw her with Mr.
Dedcenere. in ConihilL I saw her in the first instance alone, and
remonstrated with her. She went into a shoe-shop, and Mr. Dela-
=enjoined het. They walked away, and 1 followed them. They
tusk reline again, and I waited for him, and I called him a
coward. -They then went into a coach.
Had you not a fortnight before this day, made a promise to
Iles. Lung to call Mr. lklamere a coward in her presence ?
Itio—l said that even in her presence I would call him a
coward ; that is, that even her presence should not protect him.
2,lie having said that you had rot called him a coward in her
y ritlynni, Wes it not in compliance with a promise, that you made
1 se i fortnight Lefore, that you then called him a coward? That
was not the Cause of my se calling him a coward.
The question repeated by Mr. Mine es il ii St—lt's a plain thing,
I said, wherever I met him, 1 would cell him a coward.
Had not Mrs. Laing told you, that he had tint been called a
coward by you i les, and I then said that he should not have that
i for I would call him so wherever I met him.
wyeu not say, that, if sbe allowed 'kinsmen to be her inmate,
you would pest bite in oaffee-buses, specified by you ? I car.
minty did.
Re-exantind by Mr. Pisa. nc it—l had remonstrated with Mrs.
Inns. _ She obi se that be would not allow his name to be used
eel lea used it, ad I wrote to him on the subject, and I thought
die behaved like a poltroon; and I then said, I would call him a
swan whams 4 met him. My reason for interfering was, that
1 hod bon *creeps her husband's earliest friend.
Pp awe Sae Jurors—The Sting. wail ledk.d in Government
seaside* • it is an. in the plaintiff's possession. I
Thinner frets the mother to the daughter wax then read, and .
also dr answer to it from Mr. Delamere. ;
tle. fkiilinETT— I have now, Mr. Secondary, several letters I
"ISA I proms to dice In evidence, in order to prove that up to
tht,peried et the tau voyage, the happiness ni Mr. Laing and his !
termite was widest abatement. Some of awe.: have been writes I
willing hie lea voyage.
Ida lie ononA ii—l objets, Sir, to the production of there ler-
it re as evidence ; they are the letters of a husband to his wife, and
thduieh I am scare, that in one case, some such cynic.: ce has been
received, of which case, by the tn. , there la no very ;unman re-
poet (1 mean the case in Coin e. Edwards, in the 4th vol. of
EtyiNeare). yet I believe that use has neves been considered eutii•
tient authority to justify the reception of such evidence. Indeed
in a subanweat case the Court held, that in mice to ter is this
I,..cetionable specks of evidence, there must be proof that the let-
ters were not written subsequently to the date they bore ; and I
rxillect, that in this ray Other, an attempt was made to put in
nation of this ditatiption i it wax in thecae of Lord Annie:its ;
and though the attempt wail supported by the talents of the late
Len Chief Justiceof the ICommon Fleas, the evidence was
ildficant. Er v.—With respect to the general principle, my
leaned friend is quite correct. If I were to offer these letters as
erideacing a criminal connection between there parties, I admit
ths I could not answer his objection. But I submit that as evi-
demo Is constantly given by third persons as to the happiness with
fetish a husband and wife have lived, the best evidence must ie
considered, for this purpose, the letters that piss between them.
The SZCOsnanT said that he was clearly of opinion these
hums could not be reeeieed in evidence.
'Co peace the property of the defendant, Mr. ScaatErr then
Wiese Cant , a collector of taxes, who, lives at Clapham.
fitiaeld, Mr.DeTaisere's style of living was that of a gentleman; he
kept on hcese, but not the carriage horses, they being job horses.
He bat no INISid-Sefirenta, • four wheel and a two wheel carriage,
anti lived altogether like a man of wealth and consequence.
Mr. Butler resided at Ingatestese, in Essex, fee some time. Mr.
Delwin lived therein the style of a gentleman.
enes-exarnined—lo 1821 and 1822. he lived in Essex ; he then
renewed to town, having tell me that he had made a lueretive
conneziem
w hiI:LT end antes pe.
eve
on the de:. tebdof hirsliwife'sasZter.
ts
was the Wise en the pats of the plaintiff:
inotteaam then rose for the defendant, and .
Secoodan, Oteulemen of the Jury ; it becomes my duty once
mere Stall your attention, for I doubt not that your attendee has
be bathers to
this ease, to the evidence now before you.
;12,12 gun thatl have the happiness to address those who have
place disehased the very sacred function which peer
arc Pend upon this day exclocia, owl it is therefore -
=forh ins to that no ge. tiLneyesitice her
by men he • jus who have • . ~ •
themselves to be led away evnallilib;inel firings, still mare
by the ingenious and eloquent address of the Counsel of one party,
and who have thus pronounced a vadat, to which, in the cold eye
of rears, • plaintiff was by ne MOMS entitled—who have allowed
their forilloss to be excited by the eloquence, and their judgment
to be work upon by the ingenuit of an accomplished advocate—
/meths out damages fur the rat of one party, and not for
thr assompense of the other. I sever yet have heard the verdict of
=appealed to with respect, that was founded, not upon the
of des plans& to companation, but upon the criminality
of des deffeedeet. For the sggremion of which the plaintiff com-
plaint, ear kw, I say, affords no pinishounot--redress it gives
Ice his les, praniory recommence for his civil injury, and until
the kw declares that punishment must be inflicted upon an &dol-
men, the Tann of a jury is not merely illegal but unjust. if it
deal out porithisent instead of awarding compensation. If adultery
be a orbs, which no man will venture to deny, let the law be
attend to nest it; but let no jury dery to put themselves in the
simian of ledges of what the law gives them no right to deter_
mist 3 let than not say, in the exuberance of their honest feelings,
" Tree It is that our law does not consider adultery a crime—true it
is that we an hen to mitigate the sufferings of an injered hus-
band, nei ao hasp punishment on the guilty head that has
comet's! Ma merry, yet will we supply the deficiencies of
an impedes legislation, and sentence this man to suffering
few der anemabis misconduct." Now there breathes not a
• arin.nlin till hesitate in his cool moments to admit, that, as a
phe rind sweetly transgress did he act as I have just sup-
; and we well know that unless these considerations be
ept before us, the error to which I have alluded is one
whith the thainip of • jury are very apt to lead them into the conc.
adaden ei The defendant having allowed judgment to go by de-
fiant, Ws sireso.reorms of the ease were fear, and one would sup.
Posilmal. Mteltiseltsli • yet I think I never remember a case of the
assist tiseernis, uf. persons in a respectable and moderate sta- I
trot( M same
s, is which, with much the success, an attempt was
not ramie tenni the jury as to the situation of the parties, and to
make /hes think that they moved in a high sphere, and enjoyed
all that good society and abundant wealth could supply ; sod I
shall not advert men various little circumstances that came out in
this.leqUiry, ill tending !obey that the station of life, as well as
the alginate of the pares, was net slightly exaggerated. You
amnia baveherollentbestarament of myLearned Friend, that, dor.
sag Mr. Laing • abessee, his wife resided in affluence, surrounded
by Ipir family, and g all the luxuries of polished society.
New I Impute ao blame to Mr. Laing, who appears to have main.
tairod his wife seandite,g ite his means, for which he is entitled to
-resent 'and use he reprobation ; but redly when one bears
4f Oa SUMS of bee esealdishment, one cannot help sak-
log shore was b derWed P gild the vault of our inquiry leads
se dreg doe vane of which I protest 1 newer heard
M fia eth= cart, 1 think they called
Ss respectable y, living as the wife of
cis
01ftet ship ought with her live children
,
at a ray ordinary expense, and with so
Now, I bare said nothing spinet
the Osman Laing, a me nemeestionekty in a
mine if lik irlangtog so the middle ceder of the
=ldie most ispenrffitaleis in modes in point of infer-
n_ sound therastase_ *ler the seet entitled
more
ruggliat. Velffietho MINI ithie if biddy no man is rain
seedy- as ascot, wires thus se shalt, than I am ; but it is not :mite
.thique talk of vliallae wino search Charles-street, Northampton.
itilliars. sod see admiralties the teats of the establishment. I
has. odd net that I arra to Goy nothing against Capt. Laing. I
swell my nothing et therseryneruset of the lady. I shall say no.
Wale off dio !bar sonerffip, ease of the surprise upon the parents 4
thel hod. I sates one " erment in uniting i" but, be that as it
may, lf 1 andalinniesony t him with these t es,
an I aiu deepen/ ID lainkirsernlild Out, My instruethmit ere not to'
say otsi weed about dam. With napes to thedomestie felicity of
the.Plithin, the mardisd inamoillity of their lives, as my Learned
Fiieod, In the i language of romance, phrased it, I shall
tseutde yintwithn=dvembastwations. I own that upon dieirdomestic
happiness 1 was sank with • very extraordinary omission in this
can fiendeinest eif the Jury, the bat persons in the wosld may
not be suited fur each ether, and that without the shadow of in pu.
mein attaching to either; • coolness will arise, a quarrel now and
ton, and domestic differences preuy constantly, ell from causes
beyond the control of doe parties This happy
tgeair, according to
Min
M Scarktt's denim:eon, enjoyed a life of most unruffled
:tranquillity, their *eeriest of arising from the separation
incidental to a salaries life, which, by the way, gentlemen, lastod
by touch the gran* pardon of his life. Their ray feh • was w I he t at ,
Way, their joy on# fell when they lived in the light of each other's
coesseence—in fact, they were as loving as the two turtle-doves
is Mr. Dr den's SktansedeY'Grentede ; and to prove all this, which
the inability of my Friend, and the instructions of his
spacial Attorney, in,
hint to believe, has been sustained by
eT
-klonth no scents, I think, as was ever yet produced in a Court of
Justice. You weresiestined to hear the lettering account of per-
mits who had only seen this man and wife now and then, in their
hay dremes, when their /aces mere lighted up with' smiles,
son, perhaps, to be derkested by a frown. With the exception
a/ one or two Wanness( the badly, you have been favoured with
Mrs. Dodd--denbtlems a dissent and matronly-looking personage,
an ocessional visitor to Mrs. Lang. You have been permitted too
to beheld Mr. Dodd, who perhaps aceotnpanied his wife on these
important aceedeou You hove had the widow of the Vicar of
bray, or somewhere dos, salad, I think, for the laudable purpose
of infonness you that she heel never are seen Mr. and Mrs. Laing
together; and really, if been such witnesses as these Mr. and
Mrs. Lang bad quarrelled, they suit have been of a very angry
disposition. These are the theeripdan of persons called, beyond
the family of lies. Lang. Amid now, °tailgates, when you cane

.n tie family : the yourg lady who was examined, and the other,
whom 1, consulting, I make no doubt, your feelings as well as my
own' would not suffer to be examined, admitting that she would
gust have said as much, and of as little importance as her Mater—
ialist, let me ask vou, was the amount of the testimony ? They
never saw any diKrence between Mr. and Mrs. Laing.. Gentle-
men, it is not a sister who knows those matters ; it is not to a
younger sister such things are confided. These differences may be
pretty constant, and few of the members of the wife's family ac-
quainted with them. It is not to a brother or father that they are
confided, lest interferences might he the result, but it is to a mo-
ther they are entrusted, and the mother lives, and she is net called ;
nay, her exuemewge is resorted to, in coder, if possibly, to answer
this objection. And what is that age ? What do you think was the
answer expected when that question was proposed by my learned
Friend—lW, at least, or 73, and very infirm—So; but fs3, and in
rude health, and without infirmity. The best testimony in the
world--that irother's evidence—they have kept sway, bemuse they
knew it would prove unfavourable to them, had they subjected her
to a eras-examination hem to-day. I must now, tientlenten, re-
mind you of one or two points, which cannot fail to have struck
you, as they did me to-day. The conduct of Captain Laing I have
no right to impeach ; I think it unblameable; but if I thought
differently, I am bound up by Mr. Delamere's instructions to say
nothing 4winst it. I believe that an a husband his conduct was
unmarked by indiscretion. I believe it to have been free from
blame. It was his misfortune, and not his fault, that lie was
compelled to pass nine-tenths of his life away from his wife. By
Mr. Laing's Learned Counsel she is described as a very lovely
WOIIIIIZI, very likely to excite desire in towegulated urinals, and of
course subjected herself, as well as subjecting others, to temptation.
I cannot help considering it as an indiscretion that Mr. Laing
should have committed his affairs to two very worthy, and,'
I make ho doubt, very. honourable, friends, but who appear
to me, from the exhibition they made hem to-day, as little
discreet--to have their feelings as little regulated and attuned to
that disposition which is indispensable before a man takes upon
himself the delicate and difficult task of interfering between man
and wife- The remonstrances, the tone, and the interference of

which you heard so much to-day, was rather unsuited to the me-
distorial office into which they meautionsly embarked. nut what
had been the conduct of Captain Laing to-day y What have been
his feelings towards this unhappy woman, when, in order to catch at
a.little increase of damages, he has produced, very unnecessarily,
rune of the most disgusting testimony, and he has called before
you other witnesses, the very exhibition of whom was painful and
even agonising. I allude to the disgusting testimony of Sarah Petit,
and the fainting and pallid sisters, whom be dragged before you to
rove his worth as a husband, and testify their sister's shame. The
Learned Deatleman, in conclusion, adverted to the situation of the
defendant's wife, and implored of the Jurry not to award the plain-
tiff damages which would have the effect of ruining the wife
and family of the defendant, instead of punishing the guilty.
Finally he left the case to their consideration—to their merciful as
well as their just consideration. They would award a compensa.
Son for the civil injury, and not vindictive damages. So would
they discharge the conacieatieua obligation which their oath that
day had imposed upon.them.
Die SEcos DART, in addressing the Jury, called their attention
to what seemed to him a singular discrepancy in the speech of Me.
Brougham. He had complained in the early part of his very
powerful speech that the mother had not been called, and subse-
quently he had attached biotic to the plaintiff, and described his
co:uluct as heartless and unfeeling in producing so many members
of his wife's family. Would it, in the mind of the Learnes!
Counsel for the defendant, have diminished that heartlessness had
he summoned the mother to give testimony of her daughter's fate ?
The Jury would take the whole of the evidence into their serious
cousiderauxon, and sly. by their verdict, to what damages the plain-
tiff was reasonably entitled for the injury he had sustained.
The Jury deliberated for a few minutes, and returned a verdict
fee the plaintiff. Damages, 2,0001.

EXCHEQUER CHAMBER, Tx( CSIDAY.

FLANAGAN T. WATKINS.

This day the Judgeri-of the Court of Common Pleas proceeded to
the Exchequer (lumbers, where all the Barons were sitting, to
bear arguments in this case.
' Mr. PLATT and Mr. EVAN'S, Counsel for the parties, were
lewd at great length.
It appeared that a mum of the name of Martin en
*inky to Watkins of three hundred pounds on a bond
by Flanagan for 4,2001.. which was executed in March ?To
Oich was annexed an indenture, whLeb recited thee bk ;bet
Watkins did' not pertorm all the stipulations of the bond diet /ha-
nagan would do so. It timber appeared that Watkins botany ,
bankrupt, wheat Mato, as grantor, proved ender the cesglW
and Flanagan bad paid sir part of the swears. One Otis, greeddesl
at issue was, whether Matun, having veld hieliamelsa.llo=olt
under the insolvent's estate, did not rho gag eisetelotdy
ken of the instrument, and thereby Onalea Plus, the
Another point also was, whether Watkins, who bed elnelletell
losetideate, was not compleurlyabsolved for nerds width Ithentgas,
'bad paid in liquidation of arm" lke.?
Mr. PLATT cited mar, y CANS 011 behalf of she "
tended that be was not liable. The
Cettki any gediter,
;diEligt• ea alas

esclamatinn, " The chatiren !" I went on towards the dining.
nom ; the children were then shrieking iu the passage, but cmild '
not tell what had happened. I then, in a moment, turned on the
right towards the nursery door, and, on opening it, saw the de-
ceased lying on the floor, his feet dower& the door, and his head
from me. He was lying rather on the right side, but I could see
his lett cheek. There was a pistol on the floor on the right behind
him, and another lower down, near his knees. The woman-ser-
vant, Frances Towning, was sitting on a low their by the side of
the fire-plat e, her bead reclining against the mantle-piece, or wall,
and groaning most piteously ; her head was bleeding profusely ; I
saw streams of blood all over her head and face. At this time I
thought deceased had shot himself, and was dead ; he was lying
quite still. The servant, Frances Towning, was behind him ; 1 saw
blood flowing from his mouth. I called loudly for assistance. De-
ceased then turned round, and muttering something, fixed his
eyes upon us—l think I said, " Oh, Joseph !" on which, to my
great surprise, he made a struggle, as if recovering from a fainting
tit, and got on his legs ; upon which I instantly grasped him by
the right arm, and also took him by the coat. He struggled to dis-
engage himself from me, and I called out fir assistance. He sue-
ceeded in getting from me, and seemed to stagger for a moment;
I saw the blood in his mouth ; I made an attempt to seize the skirts
of his coat, but missed my aim. At that instant, as he was run.
ning from me towards the kitchen, Mks Warren was brought in
bleeding ; my first thought on seeing her was, that she had re-
ceived a pistol shot. She was laid d.iwn as gently as was possible
on these& in the dining-room ; I heard the deceaaed distinctly run
up the two pair back stairs, and shut his door with great violence.
I then immediately ran up after him, and called Mr. Bailey to fol.
low me. When I got to the deer, I found it secure, and I burst it
open. I then saw the deceased mantling at the dressing-table, in
the act of cutting his throat, as described by the preceding witness.
Deceased turned round and fell down. I remained in the mom a
few minutes, until Mr. bidden came. Deceased had lived fourteen
yeses with me as my servant. He was a man of uncommon strong
passions, and very suseentible of excitement. During the last
year, since Lady-Day, I have observed a difference in his conduct
to what it formerly used to be; at times he appeared dejected. I
had it in centemplation to discharge him, since which he appeared
particularly dejected. Ile had been informed that he must quit
my service, and had received a month's notice about a month ago'
and from an apprehension that he would do himself some mischief,
he had received permission to stay until lady-Day, when his
year's service would terminate. For the last four or flee months
he had not been in the same happy state he was formerly. I
know nnthing of any quarrel he had had with Frances Towning
yesterday morning, nor do I believe that any had then taken
place, or at any preceding time. Deceased had been engaged
to marry her for the last four or five years, but was fearful
that he should not do so well if married, and in business,
ea he .did in service; I have remonstrated with him on the isn-
r propriety of delaying his marriage after so long a time, but de-
cen-ed said he could not pietas himself with a shop in which to
begin business. I cannot say that he wait in a fit state of mind to
be trusted. Deceased had declared that he never would live unless
he was permitted to remain in his service until his year was regu-
larly expired. On Sunday evening deceased went to his mistress,
and implored her, is very energetic terms, to intercede with me to
keep him until the year was expired, and on being acquainted with
his wishes, and apprehensive lest he might commit some violence
on hituself if refused, I consented to his request. On the slightest
excitation, deceased was quite ungovernable, and would listen to
no persuasion or argument. I know the cause of his late excita-
tion, and which muse led to the intention of discharging him ; it
was a circumstance of a pecuniary nature relating to my household
expenditure. Decease) had asked Frances Towning " whether she
had ever thought of her being buried with him in one grave ?" and
said " lie had been thinking of it that day." This Frances Town-
ing told me yesterday, after the dreadful occurrence. One of the
pistols appeared to have dashed in the pan, bat remained loaded
with a bullet, the other had been recently discharged. I think de-
ceased shot himself in the nursery before he ran up stairs and cut
his throat, and am of opinion that the ball is now in the body.
When I entered the nurse'', room, the smell of gunpowder was ex-
ceedingly strong. I have the pitaols.— ',The pistols were produced;
daeyy were of a small pocket size, and on being unscrewed, one was
friend loaded with ball, without any printing remaining, from its
having, it Is pentomal, lathed in the pan, and the other bad been
recently loaded ed dlsehoged.)
Mt. John lAeldel deposed as follows boot half_
put two o'clock yM received a very hurried message to go
to Mr. Meade's. On terlving there, 1 found many people as-
sembled in the bane t Mn.. Warren was lying on the sofa; she
bud easived a violent blow on the heed, end appestat feint and
COOtTNOIL The position in which she wee, being a favourable ore,
I leg bar and went to the nursery, where I found the servant,
Fn. Towant; whit la on the duo very severe injury the head,
on ire or six deadens of the skull. I examined them all, and found
the*
Ir fracture had taken place in one direction where the probe e No bone had been driven in; there was no pressure.
ha with arky bendier, who had preceded me in Ms visit, and
went to the neumerrant's bed.roetn. I hand him lying on his
side on the floor of the room, which was covered with blood. I made
a sumo( pillow whit his coat, on which I laid his head ; and, on
c his had, Esew all the large mods of the neck had been
iv some abet* Wessman. He was bleeding much, and
no 1 rendined with •
. .