Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-30 00:00:00

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.

At the Surrey Sheriff's Court, on Tuesday, the case of
Bilk v. Dennison was called, before Mr. Sheriff Abbott,
The plaintiff, Miss Mary Ann Bills, the daughter of a
retired licensed victualler, lately carrying on business in
St George's-in-the-East, and the defendant, William
Matthew Dennison, is" the captain of a merchant vessel,
the son of a wealthy s'eipewner of Aberdeen. This was a
writ of inquiry, defendant having suffered judgment to go
by default. The damages were laid at £5OO. Mr. Stam-
mers appeared for the plaintiff, and described the latter
as a young lad, of con,iderable attractions, and whe,
while assisting in the business of her father's house, was
en by the defendant, who commenced paying her atten-
tions as suitor in April, 1854, and had continued his
attention in person while on shore, and by numerous love
letters—sometimes as many as three in a day—while on
board ship. In 1856 defendant sailed in a ship belonging
to his father, called the Golden Fleece, and proceeded to
Algoa Bay. On board was a young lady passenger, who,
during the voyage, had made such an impression on the de-
fendant that he married her, and he then wrote to plaintiff
a letter breaking off the engagement. The leirned counsel
read several from a huge mass of letters. The following
are extracts :

My dear Love,—lt is bowing a gale from the north-west,
but if you were here how happy I should be. I see captains of
other ships with their ladies walking about the decks as we
should. We are not without music, for there is a flute on
board, which is'now playing " Pop goes the weasel," and there
is a nice accordian, which plays in the cabin. (Laughter.)

• _
In another he said—
Your likeness is now on the table before me ; I never write
wi bout it. I have no tears to fill my ryes, for my heart is
too full of grief at your abience. I cou!d sit and write all day
long, but think and feel I shall not hear from your dear llps
anything soothing or consoling.
On the same day, and in a second letter, he regrets his
" only companion is the second officer," and hopes soon to
" enjoy each other's smiles and fond kisses." Next day he
wrote, "I am quiet in my own cabin. I have got your
portrait open before me, and can almost fancy I see your
sweet smiles ;" adding, that he hoped they " may love one
another, and by the will of Almighty God through life. I
never write without your likeness befo:e me. I hope
nothing will mar our cherished love," &c.
Then was added a bit of poetry— •
Farewell, thou clime of beauty,
Where blooms the maid I love.
Fond thoughts in pleasing duty,
I round her ever rove.
What way to say farewell in,
In vain the heart would tell ;
Winds blow while sails are swelling,
Oh, native land, farewell !
In caer letters he said, " I miss your half-and-half; tell
your father I am sorry I have got no bottled stout.
(Laughter.) Since my voyage to Shanghai the hair is
partly off my forehead, which gives it a more ample
appearance."
The last letter, breaking off the match, Wag as follows :
Mary Anne Bills,—l have heard from my parents about our
correspondence, so I must say the truth to you, as I shall lose
the ship, and be forsaken by them, so I must give up all hopes
of being yours ; so you had butt r look out for another, and
what you are out of pocket I will recompense you. So I must
remain single as I am, and pray you will forgive me. and if I
can be of any service in any other way I will be most happy.
Defendant not being present, or professionally repre-
sented, the learned Under Sheriff summed up, and the
jury, after a brief consultation, returned a verdict of
damages £250.