The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-02-06 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

alleged to bare occurred, but no petsenal tiolence was charg-
ed. The 51arelliumees, however, in the summer of 1817, ex.
rented her determination to apply to the laws for redrew..
A deed of reconciliation was subsequently agreed upon, which put
Lady Winton:ugh in pessweion of every thing of which she chow
to avail herself. This de.til seemed to contemplate a future semi-
ration, and in his (Dr. Jenner'e) opinion, to the framers of thii
steed, the panic, may attribute all the subsequent unhappiness.
The admissions made by the Marquis in his letters were strongly
insisted upon by the opposite Counsel, but these admissions only
related to acts of irritability and folly, there was no atlmie.sion of
personal violence to Lady NVeetmeatb, nor of the gross unseen.
duct imputed to his Lordship in the allegations put in for the
Marehlmenie. These letters demonstrated what was already stated.
that the übiefgeound of the quarrels and misunderstandinfs which
arose between the parties related to the illegitimate chil, ren, bus.
tore alluded to. This subject produced so much uneasiness be-
' tween the parties, that lady 11 estme.ith. at one period, signed a
written promise that she would never revert to the subject; thus
admitting that her
.previous conduct in reference to that subject
was at least injudicious. After the deed of reconciliation was ex-
euted in December, 1817. the parties cohabited together, and a son
a deed of reperation, was executed, and the parties subsequently
was lawn in the following November. In May, 1810, another deed,
lived in the ac house. but in a most anomalous situation. Lady
ea Westmth haul the command of a house anda large establish-
ment, consisting of 11 servants, whilst the M emu!' had no coin.
mend over the servants, except over one who attended upon his
person. At this time the immediate friends and relations of both
parties were under the impression that they were living as man and
wife on the most amicable terms. If they were not living on such
happy terms, It was easily to be accounted for. If there were
quarrels, they were the natural result of the manner in which the
paruies lived. lewd Westmeath must have felt himself placed in a
I moat uncomfortable situation, finding his wife's servants refusing to
obey his command, and naturally looking up to Lady 'Westmeath
as to the person who employed and paid them. The parties finally
separated :n consequence of a quarrel which took place between the
Marquis of Wowing' and the housekeeper. The latter considered
herself as the servant of the Marchioness, yet it appeared she had
in charge various papers and accounts belonging to the Marquis.
Thew he demanded in the absence of Lady Westmeath, and the
housekeeper refusing to give them up, his Lordship possessed him-
self of the papers by breaking open a press. and followed this up
by discharging the housekeeper. Lady Westmeath arrived after
these proceedings, and a violent altercation then ensued, but al-
though his Lordship was said to have been in a violent passion, to
hare abused Mr.4lVood, and threatened to insist upon his marital
eights, but there was no attempt at personal violence made by his
Lordship, and no personal apprehension could reasonably have been
felt by the Marchioness. It was a striking feature in the case that
none of Lady Westmeath's faintly were acquainted with the !Mecca.
duct attributed to Lord Westmeath. Lady Salisbury, LadyWest-
meath's mother, was produced by Lord Weetmeafh. Her evidence
went to prove that Lori Weetmeath'n conduct to her Ladyship was
uniformly kind, but that she had sometimes observed unkindness
on the part of Lady Westmeath. Lady Salisbury stated that the
parties complained of each other, and that on ohe instance Lady
Westmeath talked of a legal separation, but that Lady Salisbury
bad advised a reconciliation. Lady Salisbury also provel that an
application was made by Lady Westmeath to her father, stating
that her husband had been so kind that she wished him to get pos.
session of a considerable sum of money left to her by her aunt Lady
Cecil, but to which she was not entitled until after her father's
death. Lady Westmeath suceeeded in getting this money upon
the grounds stated. It was said that Lady Salisbury haul given her
evidence decidedly in favour of Lord Westmeath. It was insinu-
ated that Lady Salisbury, giving her evidence upon oath, had de-
posed with &bias against her daughter, and in favour of Lord West.
mead'. But upon what ground could such an insinuation have
(teen thrown ovt ? Ile was surprised at one suggestion furnished
by Lady Westmeath. It was a suggestion which he wondered
could have been made by a daughter. The suggestion to which he
alluded was put in the form of an interrogatory to Lady Salisbury.
She was asked whether a threat had not been held out to her by
Lord W. that if she failed to give her evidence in his favour in this
suit,he would betrayeertsin secrets of her life during the last 40 years?
Lady Salisbury peremptuously denied that airy such threat haul
held out to her by Lord Westmeath, or that any influence had
been used to induce her to take part against her slaughter. Yet
this was the ground upon which Lady Salisbury's testimony, a
lady above 70 years of age, and the mother of the Marchiones, was
to be impeached nn the suggestion of the Marchioness. The testi.
mony of Lady Salisbury, however, was most important, and, in his
(Dr. Jenner's) opinion, there was no sign in it of the overweening
partiality to Lord NYestmeath which had been insinuated. It was
utterly impassible that the parties could have been so long in the
state of unhappiness which was described without its having
reached Lady Salisbury. Much stress had been laid upon the con.
duct of the Marquis in taking lady Ross from tinder her mother's
care. But when Lady Westmeath removed herself from her hus-
band's presence, was he therefore to debar himself from his
daughter's society. Lady Rosa, eoon after slit was taken from lady
IYeetmeath, was sent to reside at the Duke of Buckingham's, and
this was the circumstance upon which his learned friend (Dr. Lush-
ington) thought proper toobserve, that he regretted that persons high
its authority were found base enough to sanction such an act. Good
God ! was such an observation to be made, because Lord West-
meath chose to enjoy the society of his own daughter, and place
her under the immediate care of those be was sure would treat
her with kindness and affection ? In conclusion, he would
contend that the circumstances which took place fell
short of legal cruelty. The facts pleaded amounting to
cruelty were not substantiated. That altercations and quarrels
took place it could not be denied, but if there was violence prodac-
ing injury, it was the effect of accident and not of design. Lord
Westmeath, though subject to tits of passion, was uniformly kind,
and it was admitted that he was not guilty of malignity. On
these grounds he submitted that the charge of cruelty was not
founded in such a manner as would warrant the Court in deciding
that the parties should live separate. But there was another charge
made up, because the advisers of Lord Westmeath did not think
her Ladyship's case was strong enough. There was a charge of
adultery, and if that charge had been proved nothing could have
weakened its effect, and Lady Westmeath would have been de-
cidedly entitled to the relief for which she prayed. The Learned
Doctor here entered into the details of this charge, on which our
seeders are already informed. As to the criminal iltercourse which
his Lordship was stated to have held with a person named Smith,
it was in his (Dr. Jenner's) opinion completely disproved. Lady
Glengell's Wantonly on this subject was decisive. As to the in-
terroarse said to have existed between his Lordship and Mary
Brennan, the only witness who had the boldness to depose to the
actual tact of adultery had been fond guilty of perjury. In fact,
the whole charge fell to the ground, and only served to prove how
ready his Lordship's opponents were to grasp at anything upon
which they could found even a surmise of his crimioslity. His
Lordship was admitted to possess many amiable qualities. The
worst that could be said by her Ladyship's Counsel was, that by
consigning her again to his Lordship's protection, the Court would
consign her, not to protection, but to passion and violence. He
submitted that the Court need apprehend no such result. Lord
Westmeath dialaimed all motive but a desire to return to mutual
cohabitation and confidence, and under such circumstances the
Court must see there could arise no danger to her person or health
from a return to Lord Westmeath's roof.

Dr. &TEENER'S argunient,;ltichOur limits have obliged as to
abrige occupied the Court until: its tieing, at three o'clock.
Dr. PUILLIMOME will be heard at the battle side heat Court
day.

POLICE.

MANSIO-lIOUSE.

SPANISH RtruClT.ES:;•:WClt:atiiiionietime ago that, in con.
sequence of an application to the LORD MAYOR, by a person
styling himself Baron Ferri, and representing himself as lately a
distinguished officer in the Spanish army, and now an exile front
his country on account of the political persecutions directed against
the Constitutionalists, that his Lordship having given something
to the applicant to relieve his immediate wants, had referred him
to the Committee appointed to manage the subscription raised for
the Refugees; and that subsequently some members of the Com-
mittee waited on his Lordship, and assured hint that the case of
the applicant should he investigated. anti it his statement turned
out to be correct, he should bet relieved. In the mean time, in con-
sequence of the statement that appeared in the papers, several be-
nevolent persons have written to the Lord Mayor, enclosing dif-
&rent sums to be applied towards the &idol the Baron. On
Saturday Mr. Alderman Wood, D.. Gilchrist, and some other
Gentlemen of the Committee, waited on his Lordship and informed
him that they had ascertained that the applicant had assumed the
title of Baron, and that the statement of his being possessed of large
estates in Spain was false; that he had headed a party of Guerillas
during the revolution in Spain, but left there nearly two years
since, and resided in France; the reason of his leavitsg there they
bad not been able to ascertain; lie himself stated that it was in
consequence of being implicated In Berton's conspiracy, but the
Committee had reason to believe that some cause, not of a political
nature, made it politic for him to leave that country. The Cont.
mince had reason to believe the Baron was an impostor, and re-
quested Mr. Hobler would withhold the money he had received on
his account until further inquiries could be made.
111 A BLDG ROUG ILSTR E ET.
BEGGING LITTERS.—A few days since, the Earl of Caledon,
who was formerly Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and
who. by filling diet Important situation, became acquainted with a
family of eminent merchants, of. the name of Clone, residing at
the Cape and in the East Indies, received by the post a letter
dated from Whitecross.street Prison, begging for pecuniary aid in
tl;e following ternis

" Jan. 14, 11326.
" My Lind, —Should I hare taker. too great a liberty a ith your
Lordship, in addressing your Lordship on this Important subject,
I moat humbly crave your Lordship's pardon. I do not know to
whom I can address myself with more ceniftlence than to your
Lorthhip, to whom my family is perfectly known, and have re.
calved repeated marks of your Lordship's kindness, particularly
my uncle, Mr. Lawrence Cluete, when we had the good fortune
to be governed by your Lordship. Therefore to whom can 1 with
more certainty unbosom my present sorrow than to your Lordship ?
On my arrival in London from the Continent 1 found myself on
a sudden arrested and thrown in a prison, for a debt which I had
thought my agent had long since settled, having accounted for the
same in my accounts. I have, immediately on my arrest, written
to my uncle, Mr. L. C . and have been hers fourteen weeks, in a
dreary prison. waiting for my remittances. Mr. L. C. having the
whole of my affairs and property in his sole management since my
fattier% death, all I wish of your Lordship is to condescend to
assist me with some trilling pecuniary means, to enable me to watt
here the event of ely remittances ; nor could any thing on tank

have induced the to address your Lordship upon such a painful,
anti at the same time delicate subject, but actual want, having,
during my long confined stay, expended my last farthing. Trust-
ing your Lordship's forgiveness, and humbly solicit a Hoe in an-
swer, to ('apt. 11. Cloete, IVhitecross-street Prison." Lord Caledon,
upon receiving this letter, doubted, from the style in which It was
written, whether it could be from one of the family to which the
writer represented himself to belong, and in consequence of this
doubt his Lordship instantly forwarded the letter, with a note cf
his own, to Colonel Bird, who has lately arrived from the Cape.
l7pon the receipt of Lord Caledon's letter Colonel Bird wrote to
an eminent merchant in the City, who transacts bminess largely
with the Cape and the East Indies, and who, in reply. expressed
his surprise that a member of the Cloete family should have been
for any length of time without his knowledge, as he has been for
many years in constant communication with Mr. 1,. Cloete, whom
the pretended Captain represented as his uncle and having the ma-
nagenient of his property. This statement strengthened Colonel
Bird's suspicions, but as the impaired state of his heath would not
permit the necessary exertion, he requested Dr. Somerville, of
Hanover-square, who formerly resided at the Cape, to undertake
the detection of the impostor. The Doctor accordingly applied at
the Fleet Prison, and was informed that no such person as Capt. C.
was there. By the advice of Plank, the officer- a note was then
written in Lord C.'s name, and addressed to the pretended Captain,
informing him that a visit would be paid to him. At the time ap.
pointed Col. Bird and Dr. Somerville went to the prison, attended by
Avis, the officer. On arriving there, they saw is tall military.looking
man ; Avis asked him if he knew Capt. Cloete ? " Ye,, my name
is Captain 11. Cloete," was the reply ;" they then gave him the
note, saying that Dr. Somerville, on the part of Lord Caledon,
wished to speak to him when it would be convenient, on which the
Captain replied that he was then at liberty. Dr. Somerville
was ushered into his presence. During the conversation that fol.
lowed, the Captain said, that in consequence of the high respecta-
bility of his family, he had assumed the name 31ay in the prison, and
entered into a long detail of his pretended family and fortune. At
a given signal Colonel Bind walked in, when the fellow became
quite confused and chap-fallen. It appears that his true name is
Parsons, of a half-cast faintly, and a well-known impostor, but
in nowise connected with the highly respectable family whose name
he had used. It has since been discovered that he has been paying
his addresses to a lady of fortune, representing himself as one of
the Cloete family, possessing a large independent fortune at the
Cape. From the systematic manner in which he had planned his
tale, Lord Caledon is of opinion that he has been living entirely on
deception since he came to England.
UNION HALL.
_ _

The final examinatitn; ofMr. M. Green, who has been some
time in custody,eharged with maliciauslyahooting at Mr. Beddocoe,
Olr No. 22, Addington-place, Cambetwell, with intent to kill or do
him sonic grievous bodily harm, came on at this office on the after.
noon of Saturday last.
The examination took place In the private room, which was
crowded with the friends and witnesses of the parties. Mr. Bed.
dome is a woollendraper, whose shop is in Fenchurch-street, and
Mr. Green is a corn merchant. The prosecutor and prisoner are
nearly allied by marriage, but have not been on very amicable
terms lately ; and it is said that the latter went to have some expia.
nation or expostulation with respect to the family differences, at the
house of the former, on the evening of Friday, the 20th January,
when the unfortunate air happened in the manner which we are
about to detail.

Mary Lee, a servant in 3lr. Beddome's household, deposed that
between the hours of nine and ten o'clock on the evening in question
she heard a double knock at the front door, and on going thither
she perceived the prisoner, who inquired if Mr. Beddonie was with-
in ? She answered that be was, and requested the prisoner to walk
in. IVitness had never seen him before. He seemed greatly irri-
tated. He gave her his name. She went into the parlour and an-
nounced him, and her master desired her to request him to walk in.
She delivered the message, and the prisoner walked up to the par-
lour door, front which he retreated, and afterwards advanced and
entered at her master's desire. When the prisoner was entering
the parlour she thought she perceived him put his hand to his breast
pocket. Witness saw no more of him until desired by her master
to fetch a watchman. She heard no altercation with him in the
parlour. IVlten she was returning with the watchman she heard
the report of a pistol, and on reaching the door she perceived Mr.
Green lying on the steps, and ber forester in the act of
In her cross.examination by Mr. MESSMER, who appeared on
the prisoner's behalf, she said that although she had never seen Mr.
Green before that Friday night, yet she perceived that he was
greatly irritated. She thought he was not in the parlour more
than two or three minutes before she was desired to go mid fetch a
watchmen. When the prisoher was in the parlour Mrs. Betidome
and Miss Shepard were there. She did not think that the prisoner
was intoxicated.

By the BEarc ti—The watchman was about a hundred yards from
the house. Some minutes must have elapsed after being desired to
fetch a watchman, before the pistol was discharged.
Mr. Beddome examined—As I was sitting in my parlour on the
evening in question, I heard a double knock at the dour. In the
course of a few minutes my servant came and announced Mr.
Green, who wanted to see me. I hesitated a few moments whether
to admit him or not , but at length I desired her to request him to
walk in. Ile came and looked in at the parlour door, anti then re.
tired a few paces. I said, "If you wish to see me, walk in." I
was then at the door. Ile then came into the room, and the ser-
vant went away. I requested him to be seated, and inquired what
it was that he wished to communicate. Ile seemed very much agi.
tated, and appeared to be talking to himself. I heard hint use the
word " coward," and believing that his intention was to insult me,
I said " You had better leave my house." I told him that I
wished him to go out quietly, otherwise I should be obliged to
send for some one to put him out. Ile muttered something which
1 could not distinctly hear. I think I showed him the door, and I
called to the servant, desiring her to fetch a watchman. When he
was in the room he appeared to me to be intoxicated, and I said,
"Mr. Green, I am ashamed to see you in that condition ;" to
which he " I dare say you are." I again repeated my re-
quest, begging him to go out peaceably ; he was then seated at the
other side of the room. My intention was not to bare given him
into the custody of the watchman, but merely to have said that a
gentleman having intruded into my house, I wished him to be re.
moved. I went to open the front door, and as I was standing in
the passage. I heard some one behind met on turning round I per-
ceived that it was the prisoner. I observed him put his hand up to
the breast of his coat, and, fearing mischief, I watched him. I saw
the barrel of a pistol, and I instantly seized hold of it. I thought I
heard something click. I was much agitated, and Ido not re-
member hearing the report of the pistol. I struggled with Mr.
Green, and we both fell down. I held him on the steps until the
watchman came up, to whom I gave him in charge.

Ctoss.exaroined—Mr. Green and I have been many years ac.
quainted ; bit lately we have had no intercourse together. When
we were io the passage I drew aside to let him pans.

By the 13Excir.—I c cannot say in what manner Mr. Green
seized the pistol. I do not know how far the pistol was from his
breast whtin it was discharged. The contents did not touch me. I
think that I forced the muzzle downwards.

Wm. had, the watchman, confirmed the testimony of the first
witness as to his being called on the night in question, and as to
the position of the prisoner and prosecutor lying on the steps when
he reached the spot.

Robert Hall, the chief constable, produced there small buPets
which he took out of a lath and plaster wall in the passage of
the prosecutor's house. They were about a yard from the floor.

Another watchman, who was called In on Friday night, produced
a pocket pistol which Mr. Ileddome gave to him, having picked it
up in the passage.
Mr. TRES9IGE a submitted that there was no evidence to show
that the pistol had been for a single moment pointed at the prose-
cutor, and therefore he hoped that the Magistrate, would agree
with him that there was no malicious intention to kill or do some
grievous bodily harm, witich the statute required before a commit-
tal took place.

The 31agistrates, however, were of opinion that it was a case re.
quiring the decision of a Jury, and fully ccmmitted illr. Green for
trial.
They desired that every accommodation which the prison rules
afforded might be extended to him, He was theu removed to
Horiemonger-lane gaol.

Pit Ming and Co. cannot but regret that the Six 20,0001.
Prises, &c. &c. to be drawn Ist of ,larch, will positively be the
hut opportunity hut two of gaining a Fortune by the risk of a
trifle. ntore especially vs it has fallen to their lot to sell so many
Capital Prizes, including two of 25,000/. last Autumn, also the
very last ,Prize of 20,0001. of which the Public had every Share.
—The discontinuance of Lotteries after these concluding Draw-
ings has been expressly provided for a New Clause in the last
Act, therefore, ere this short period expires, most persons will
give themselves the Chance of a Ticket or Share, and the Im-
pression left by the marvellous Success of the Lucky Corner, Na
1, Curnhill, insures Pidding's Office the preference.

•
ALa rtstiNo Ftxx.—About seven o'clock on Saturday
evening, a tire broke out in the shop of Mr. %Filson, cabinet.
maker and upholsterer, in Wigmore•atreet, at the corner of %Fel-
beek.street, Cavendish-square, which for some time, from the in-
flammable nature of the property, burnt with very great fury, to
the great danger of the adjoining houses. The speedy arrival of
the Sun, Globe, Royal Exchange, and other Assurance Office
Engines, with a most plentiful supply of water, and the great ever.
Lions of the firemen, confined the destructive element to Mr. Wil-
son's extensive premises, which, we are sorry to say, are greatly
injured, and almost the whole of his voidable stock in trade totally
destroyed. The crowd stout the place was very great; but the
timely appearance of a party of the 2d battalion a the 3d regiment
of the Font Guards, from Portinan-street Barracks, under the corn-
muld of Lieutenant Snell, enabled the firemen and others to work
the engines with great effect. There were a Dumber of constables
on the spot but notwithstanding their presence, the pickpockets
were busy in their avocations among the crowd. It Is said that a
part of the property was insured in the Bath Provincial Office.
We did not hear of any accident having taken place.
Wednesday last, a meeting of the operative silk throws-
ters and weavers took place at Macclesfield, for the purpose
of agreeing. upon a petition to Parliament, for the removal
of certain disabilities under which the trade laboured; and,
after some debate, in which it was unsuccessfully attempted
to introduce the subjects of the corn laws and the currency,
the object of the meeting was effected, in an orderly and
peaceable manner. The distress is enceralarmiug. Nearly
3,000 woman and girl. alone have been thrown out of em-
ployment.