The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-03-15 00:00:00

OXFORD CIRCUIT.--STArroan, MAics 13.

(Special Jury.)
BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.
PEACE V. WEDGWOOD.
The interest which this case excited in this town is almost incon-
ceivable. As early as seven o'clock in the morning, groups of wen-
d:owed persons of both sexes were collected round the Town-hall,
and on the opening of the Court every place amt avenue was
yawned fall. The heat was so intense in Court ti • the breath of
the crowd, condensed on the stone roof of the Hall, *as cominually
showering down upon those below. The defendant is ame nber of
the celebrated family who first invented that ware which bears their
name, and is reputed to be worth 200,0001.
Mr. Clogs opened the pleadings.
Mr. CAMPBELL stated the case to the Jury. Gentlemen of the
Jury, it gives me great satisfaction to see upon this occasion twelve
respectable gentlemen of the county of Stafford assembled in that
box, for the purpose of deciding upon the conduct of a person who
pretends to be a gentleman. You are to say this day whether his
conduct has been that of a gentleman and a man of honour, and if
it has not. to say what compensation he ought to render to the party
whom he has abused. I need not introduce to you Mr. It edg.
wood ; you know him well. He is a man possessed of large landed
estates and large collieries in the neighbourhood of Newcastle-
tinder-Line, in this county. The plaintiff is the daughter of a gen-
tleman of the name of Owynne, who lives in the county of earnarvon,
and she is most respectable. She watt married once to a gentleman
of the name of Peake, who carried on the business., of a mercer, in a
post extensive manner, in the town of Newcastle—and perhaps
}tau know that many very respectable men carry on that business in
t'ie provincial towns of this country. Some years after their mar.
page Mr. Peake died. and his widow continued to carry on the
business, until the death of an aunt, at Chester, who left her •
house anti some other property. While the business was carried cn
during the life-time of Mr. Peake, Mr. Wedgwood used to come
to the house ; he was received politely, and was always considered
as an intimate acquaintance. On these occasions he had an oppor-
'witty of witnessing the accomplishments, the disposition, and the
character of Alm Peake. Gentlemen, upon tr.- death of Mrs.
• Peake's aunt. she retired to Chester. She there occupied the house
her aunt left her; she lived upon her property, and saw nothing
more of Mr. Wedgwood until the latter end of 1824, or beginning
of IVA, when she was upon a visit to 31r. and 31rs. Sutton. at
Leek, which, you know, is no great distance from the residence of
the defendant, at Signal-end. in this county. During this visit
Mr. Wedgwoothaw her and renewed his acquaintance, paid her
most marked and particular attention, and very soon made her an
offer of marriage. Mrs. Peake said that there were objections.
- There wee • disparity of years, in the first instance, because she
. was then but thirty-nve and the defendant was turned of sixty.
Moreover, she did not know him very intimately ; she was not
;sufficiently acquainted with hit temper and disposition ; and there-
fore' she discouraged his addresses. But, gentlemen, he persisted,
and he then so far prevailed upon her, that he induced her to enter
Into a correspondence with him by letter, and he gained her per.
minion to call upon her at Chester. Now, gentlemen. I will read
to you one of the letters he wrote to her. You will find it very
decent, cold, sod formal.
18th February, 1825.
•• Dear Madam—Yours of the 15th inst. came to hand yester.
dat, which gave me graft' pleasure in hear you had recoveted from
your indisposition. I called at Mr. 31aer's and was disappointed in
rot getting • letter, which led me to apperead all was not right. I
got sate home, and shall be happy to hair from you to snow when
I shall have the pleasure of seeing you. I continue to enjoy good
Stealth, and 1 am, dear .Madam, yours sincerely,
44 J.
This letter, you see, displays a great distance, and shows he had
made very little progress in his suit. The next letter is April the
4th. It still begins " Dear Madam," but it seems he was then
radon less discouraged. "Dear Madam. it gives me no small
pimento find your hell'. restored. I was reprised to find you took
my advice and took exercise. I have eejoyed a good state of 'with
since I have arrived at Newcastle, and I hope soon to see you at
Chester." Now here he becomes a little bit poetical. " Since I
add arrived my gerdiag shows the summer is approaching. j ate
• epricott tree which es froot upon it as big as a Spanish nut, and a
nectarine tree in full bloom ; and potatoes that are to be angst above
toe ground green. I shall come In the coach to Chester. The
rereernen potters in Messrs. J and W. Wood's factory, at Bun-
ion, have turned out for an advance of wages, and there masters
as,, °Riga to comply. It is expected that the men at the Burslem
adkries, and the cutleries in the potteries, will all also turn out for '
an advance of wages. Believe me to be assuredly yours,
JOHN 11 THOWOOD."
This state of things, Gentlemen, continued during the sum-
mer. He eoald not then pared on her to have his hand, and
at last she communicated the matter to her father, living in the
cnunty of Camarvon. Her father approved of it ; he gave his
consent to the union. and at the solicitation of Mr. Wedgwood
tl.e parties met at Nantwich, and there they mutually pledged
their faith to each other, As they were now engaged it was agreed
that Mr. Wedgwood should pay her a visit at Chester, preparatory
to big marriage. He went there, but during his visit he was taken
ill, and was attended with the most anxious solicitude by Mrs.
Peaks. After getting better he went to Park Gate, which is a
watering-place no great distance from Chester, and then he began
to correspond with the plaintiff again. Before he used to write
" Dear Madam"—observe now how warm and amorous his
language is :
• My dear beloved Etty,—(Laughter.)-1 have the ',knee to
inform you my !with is much in the same state in which it was
when ( left Chester, except a qr. which I expem'nccd all the time
I have been at Park Hate. I hope it will not inking &fur I have
the plesure of seeing you at Park Gate, and believe me to be, dear
Etty, " Your affectionate lover,
"JOHN IVEDGWOOD."
Gentlemen, Mr. Wedgwood having completely renovated his con-
stitution by dipping in the sea at Park-gate, returned to Chester,
and was introduced to the friends of Mrs. Peake as her future
husband. Ile spoke to them with the greatest pleasure about the
approaching nuptials. I shall call before you a most respectable
friend of Mrs. Peake, to whom he mentioned the subject of
a settlement on his proposed wife. He actually nominated the
*tutees. and with liberality (though not excessive considering his
mesas) Ste detennined, as he said, to settle upon her a jointure of
3001. a year. Upon such an occasion there were certain peeper'.
tions necessary before the marriage took place, and he said he
must finish a road leading to his house. Now I will read to
you one or two of his letters, after his visit to Chester and his re-
turn to Bignell•End. He is still warm, affectionate, and
im-
pessioned.
• Al y dear Etty.—You forgot to infomt me, in yours of the
Pith, in what state your held, was, which I thought was an omia.
Mon on rise part which 1 hope you will remedy in your next. I have
the ydesure to inform you that I remain in a twarales-vwee state,
and that I get quite fat. Much laughter.) I wish to see you at
Stapeley. before fir. Sutton paysme a visit. You will excuse my
stopping all bight. You will order suns cake to he made for my
eglantine, which are not many. lam afraid you have lost theart of
soliciting furores. You must not give it up, but repeat your re.
quest again, until he eqmplies with your request. I am going
on
as fast as possible with the road; the milker is very muci against
it. I shall be enabled to inform you when I arrive at Stapeley,when
it will be completed. I have seen Mrs. Wool and brother, who
hat, not said any thing to me about you. I bought a cow's/wagon
Monday last : Mrs Lathbury says it tells tails, as she never knew
me to buy one before. if your maid servant is marred, that you
mention would come and live with you, we shall want one in hie
place: screams are quite scarce in this country. I have not paid
• visit to 31e. and Mrs. Coombe. the trether has been so anfaverable.
There caine a gentleman into Mr. Smith's shop, who inquired if I
was going to be marred to Mrs. Peake. He answered he could
not tell. There was a woman In the shop at the time from this pa-
rish, who made answer, she was sure it was going to take place, for
I had but fury unreels load of wine. Mrs. Perkins desires me to
Rite her duty to you. I have rased my toles at Bignall End Col-
kr?, a penny per draft. which is about three cwt. lam selling for
a 'Milling the draft. The name of our Curate is the Rev. Mr.
Wimiery." (This was the man who was to tie the knot upoo the
occaaion.l "He is very gx4l, and gate to teach the senlters in the
Sunday scoot, and visit the si:k. I long to see you, that I may
enjoy a sweet Moot ; std remain,
Ycur ever affectionate and sincere
" Ripen End. Nov. 27. J. W."
" P.S. You put into toy hand an avertisernent to the ladies ; I
west a wife in return. 1 give you the invocation of a hopeless vie.
gin on the other side. I have got a mat and two busses =aid for
my pew at Audley church. 3lr. Kinnenley's cordage was there
this moraine with some part of the family ; they are returned from
the Ile of {Pitt. The ladies in 'hie country ware half boults,saai4
of thick keteemere cloth wove on purpose, with lither soles, to go
Over their ahowse, which./ bsOon I approve of."
He shows.hisoelf, Goldenly', impatient to rush into her arms,
to pain cot only the privileges of a Inver, but tbe licenses of a bur.
heed. Lissa to this ipstar. Glinikrnal
" My Mee Say—lbws received yews, of the 30th et Neves.
so
We. by year told faithful servant ; sad am happy to bear
eti is mesh viewed ; sod that you take my advice in
• meas. 104 see her to.ssatrovr, abets baitpuee