The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-01-28 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

•
posed that Lord Westmeath had uniformly aelmovelodged his mis-
conduct himself. In IBIS Lady West:need' determined to procure
a legal separation ; she then demelhed the gross cruelty with which
she had been treated, which (mid Westmeath lolly admitted ; and
on all occasions the witness swims he expressed Ms contrition, sad
desire to make amends. At Oranvilliere, upon some slight provoca-
tion. Lord Westmeath inflicted a severe blow en Lady West-
' aseath, saying, at the same time, " Oo to li—; I wish l haelfeettv
seen you.' This circutus'ance took place 111 the 'presence of Miss
Wood, who deposed to the fast. Janet Serves, the waiting-maid
of Lady Westmeath, ohm deposed to thistrensacmin. Dr. Limit-
ington next referred to the negotiations which took Mace pending
the execution of the deed of settlement in May, 11418. In these
negotiations, lie said Lord Westmeath mails the most humiliating
confessions, and fully (Omitted the violence and erudty of hie con-
duct towards Lady Westmeath, which justified her accusatious.
lie commented strongly on the costive taken by Lord Westmeath,
in destroying the instrument which he had exeruted, and in vim'
latinq the terms of the deed of settlement sot:resiliently executed
by him. The Learned Counsel here adverted to the evidence of
Mr. Sheldon and Mr. Stephens. Lord IVestmeath's eouhdantiol
advisers, which he insisted corroborated, in the most conclusive
manner, the depositions of the witnesses toe Lady Westmeath. The
admission of Lord W. to witnesses, and admissions of misconduct,
contained in his own letters, were demonstrative testimony. Lord
W. described himself as the victim of misery and remorse; he
expressed himself ns x person who had cotnmitted outrages which
left on his conscience die sting of guilt. in these letters Ilia Lord-
ship alluded in her hadyehip, not as a person who had any share in
the blame of those unfortunate traneartirmis, but as one who was
suffering innocently arid unjuetly from his own misconduct. loose
of his loam addressed to Lady At'esimeath, he wrote, " I know
you can never lose your self.mteem ; for it you have been intern.
pirate, my folly and unworrhineto have tempted you to it." Lord
11'estmeath was then filled with repentance and deep remorse; but
his subsequent ormdoct proved that he was incapable of executing
his good intention. lie was like a ship that had lost its rudder,
and was driven by every gust of passion. In conclusion, the
Learned Counsel contended that there was no evidence adduced on
the other side which could he put in competition with that pre-
sented on behalf of Lady Westmeath. As to the evidence of Lady
Salisbury, it (lid not relate to the iinportant circumstances upon
which the Court was called to Mum' its derision. Lady Sa-
lishure had a very precise memory as to smite facts, but en equally
treacherous one as to inherit ; but as related to this case, it mattered
not whether Lntly S.'s evidence was false or true. The only evidence
produced to impeach Lady Wesurneath's witnesses was that of Mr.
Giles, who deposed that he met Miss Wood at a bail at Lady Ito-
binolon's in Albemarle-street, in 1818. and that upon some allusion
which took place to the suit then pendime between land and Lally
Westmeath, Alien Wood, in reference to Lely Westmeath. said
" She an get what she pleases from Lord Weatnieath by bully.
ing." Miss Wood denied having used the expression attributed to
her by Mr. Giles, and tmon this denial Mss Wood's testimony was
impeached. The Learned Counsel said he had LOW gone through
what he considered the important features of the case, and 'he hal
nn hesitatioo in calling with confidence for the judgment of the
Court in favour of 'Lady I%'estmeails Whether he referred to the
charge of adultery or to that of cruelty. he felt not the slightest
doubt that the Court must pronouncethe sentence prayed for. The
features of excessive violence had been fully established, and in no
point of view in which Lord Westmeath's Counsel could put the
cue, would the claim nf Lady Westmeath to the protection she
desired, be destroyea, or even diminished.
Dr. J. ADDAMS followed Dr. Lushington at the same side, and
at very considerable length. quoting various passages contained in
the allegations which had been put in on behalt of Lady West-
meath. In conensinn he submitted that the charge of cruelty had
been proved by unexceptionable witnesses; and lithe Court should
be of opinion that the charge of adultery had not been peeved, it
weighed not a feather against the claim of Lady Westmeath to the
protection for which else prayed, and to which he contended she
was justly entitled. The Learned Gentleman did not conclude his
address until four o'clock, when.— _ _ .

Sir C. ROBINSON said he would hear the arguments of Lord
Westmeath's Counsel on the next Court day.
JENNER and Pm LLI,IOIIE will be heard for Lord West-
meath against the glivurce.
[lt is perhaps unnecea•uy to observe, that the statement we have
given above is in a great deree es-pay lc, Lady IVestrucatit's
Counsel only having been heard.]

POLICE.

31ARLBORMIGH-STREEET.

Amongst the dieordcrlies brought from St. George's watch-hone
yesterday was a Captain Fairfield, an Irish gentlenum, residing at
the Bedford Hotel. Covent-garden, who was charged with having
committed an assault upon *gentleman of the name of Harrington,
arising out of a mistake. The constable, after he had taken the
charge, admitted Captain Fairfield to hail on his own recognizance*.
to appear at the office on the following day, but at the appointed
time no Captain made his appearance, when Mr. Conant per.
mined the charge in stand over whilst he investigated other watch-
house charges ; which being finished. still no Captain Fairfield was
to be found in attendance. About two o'clock Mr. Harnnguin, an
elderly gentleman, entered the office, having a plaster on his fore-
head, and the inside of hishat discoloured with blood. Mr. Harrin-
gton stated that he had no wish to prefer any charge against the
Captain, as the assault had arisen entirely from mistake. Upon
being sited: by Mr. Conant how it occurred, Mr. Harrington mated
that he, in company with two young friends, wan returning from
the Theatre on Thursday night, when in passing down a street he
was attracted by • noise on reaching the spot be discovered that
Captain Fairfield was having an alteration with some girls of the
town, whom its charged with robbing him. In the midst of this
debate the Captain tamed round. and seeing him inanities by,
charged him with being the thief ; this charge be repelled with in..
dignattow, when the Captain, to maintain his paint, struck him,
whiclione of his friends returr.ed, on which the Captain raised up his
stick end ,track him a violent blow upon the forehead—then he
gave him in charge. The Captain, who at the time was very much
inebriated, on being taken to the wstchhouse came to his recol-
lection, and apologised for his conduct, as it was done under a
wrong impressi n he did not wish to prefer any charge against
ihim.

Mr. CONAN T observei that he never knew any gentlemnn poi-
soning such equanimity of temper at the complainant, hut at the
Captain WIM charged he mutt come forward. and pt all events he
must pay his fine for being drunk. The worthy agit,rate alto
thought that be ought to send the complainant honk: a new hat tor
the one he had ap4le d.