The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-20 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-April 19

, HOUSE OF LORDS.
PEDDER'S DIVORCE.
This was a petition of HenrerNewsbam Pedder, of
Preston, banker, praying that his marriage with Emma,
his wife, might be dissolved on account of adultery.
Mr. Bovill (with whom was Mr. Archibald) appeared
for the petitioner, and stated that he was married to
Miss Emma Simpson, the natural daughter of a gentle-
man residing in Demerara, on 26th August, 1847.
The lady was entitled under her father's will to a life
interest in 6,000/. The acquaintance between Mr. Ped-
der and Miss Simpson began in Liverpool, when she was
staying at the house of her guardian, Mr. Shand, a mer-
chant of that town ; and at the time of the marriage,
which took place in the parish church of Neston, in
Cheshire, Mr. Pedder was twenty-four years old and the
lady twenty-one. They lived happily together till the
4th, July, 1853, and had one child, which died soon
niter its birth. In the spring of 1853, the 50th Regi-
ment was quartered at Preston, and among the officers
was Mr. John Clay Purees, an assistant-surgeon, He
was a visitor at Mr. Pedder's house, and took the oppor-
tunity of gaining the affections of his wife. On the 3d
July Mr. Purees and Mrs. Pedder were seen together in
a car, which had been previously seen waiting at the top
of a lane. On this circumstance coming to the knowledge
of Mr. Pedder he remonstrated with her, but she, re-
ceived his remonstrance with great indignation, de-
clared it to be an insult to her, and stated her intention
of leaving his house. Accordingly on 4th July, 1353,
she quitted Mr. Pedder's house, and went to her god-
mother's at Liverpool, where she stayed some time, and
Mr. Pedder had no further intercourse with ber except
by letter. About the beginning of August, 1853, she
left Liverpool, and about the 19th of that month she
went to a village called Tamerton Folliott, near Ply-
mouth, at which place Mr. Purves's regiment was then
quartered ; and it would be proved that he was in the
habit of going there and sleeping every-night, and al:
though he at first called himself her brother, and they
had separate rooms, there was no doubt they slept to-
;ether. On a certain night Colonel Martin, the governor
ut the gaol at Preston, who had, at the request of Mr.
Pedder, set inquiries on foot, accompanied by the super-
intendent of police at Plymouth, went to the cottage,
ind having goriefii st to Mr. Purees s room, found it empty.
rney then knocked at Mrs. Pedder's door, which wa-
'paled by her, and she was immediately recognised,
Mr. Purees was then found under the bed. The
parties had since gone abroad; and were seen living
ogether a 4 man and wife at Chaude- Fontaine, n ar
Liege, in Belgium:. Mr. Purees having resigned his ap-
puintinent as assistant-surgeon iu the 50th Regiment
An action for criin. con. was brceight in October, 1853 ;
judement went by default, and danages were as,essed
II a court of inquiry at 2,0001., but Mr. P.srves being
without property and abroad, they had not been paid.
In February, 1854, a divorce a inecsa et thero was ob-
tained from the Ecclesiastical Cowie
The following evidence was tnen produced :
Major Knowles, formerly in the army, was acquainted
with Mr. and Mrs. Pedder. Served a copy of the bill
and order of the house on Mrs. Pedder, in Florence, on
the sth of April. He knew her personally for several
years.
Mr. Thomas, clerk in the office of the registrar t.f the
Ecclesiastical Court, produced sentence of divorce there.
Evidence, of the proceedings in the action at law was
also produced.
Richard Pedder, cousin of the petitioner, stated that
Mr. Pedder was a banker at Preston. Witness was
acquainted with Mrs. Pedder, formerly Miss Simpson.
Knew her when she resided at Liverpool. Was present
at the marriage. After that Mr. Pedder lived a short
way in the country for a little time, and then went to
reside at the bank. They lived together happily, and,
had one child, which died soon after its birth. Knew
them to live happily fur three or four years, and saw no-
thing after that lo lead him to suppose that there was
any change in them.
Thomas Dickson, surgeon at Preston, attended Mr.
Pedder's family. Knew the parties from the time of
their marriage intimately. They lived very affec-
tionately till July, 1853. In the latter part of June
he was travelling across the country, and saw
Mr. Pedder's servant driving his carriage up and
down before a lane. On seeing him he turned down
the lane. Witness followed, and saw Mrs. Pedder
and Mr. Purvis in the car, and driving away
at a rapid rate. About a week after, he told this to Mr.
Pedder. Heard soon after that Mrs. Pedder bad left
home. He had seen Mr. Pedder at his cousin's previ-
ously, when he complained that Mr. Purees was too fre-
quently at his house, and witness then told him what he
had seen. Witness had noticed Mr. Purves's frequent
visits. There was levity generally in Mrs. Pedder's con-
duct, though not offensively so. Did not observe that
she was intimate with any other person ; but he had seen
her walking
.with Mr. Purves—never with any other
person. s
Townley Rigby Knowles, barrister, was many years
acquainted with Mr. Pedder. Had been intimate with
him since his marriage. Mr. Pedder resided at the bank
in Preston. Remembered the 50th Regiment coming to
Preston in 1853, and it remained there till it went to
Chobham. Some men of the regiment were left behind,
and Purves remained with the invalids. Had seen Mr.
Purees frequently at Mr. Pedder's. On one occasion he
was alone with Mrs. Pedder. On 4th July, 1853, wit-
ness called at Mr-Pedder's bank. Mr. Pedder told him
his wife was packing up to go away, and asked turn to
remonstrate with her. He did so, but did not prevail on
her to remain. She said there had been a quarrel, as her
husband had upbraided her about Mr. Purees impro-
perly and unjuAly, and she would go. Knowing the
influence Mrs. Pedder had over her husband he thought
it better on the whole that she should go, believing that
she would return. He was not aware of anything then
beyond levity of demeanour, towards Mr. Purees espe-
cially. She left the house that afternoon. Mr. Pedder
was extremely distressed. They always 'Lived on affec-
tionate terms except once, when a quarrel took plate
about her intimacy with Mr. Purees. Witness was then
called in as mediator. Mr. Pedder was the most affec-
tionate hnsband he ever knew. She said she was going
to leer godmother, Mrs Ward, at Liverpool.
Rev. Stephen Wentworth—Had known Mr. Pedder
intimately since his ma*iage. He was always kind
and affectionate. On one occasion witness thought
Mrs. Pedder was eating imprudently, for on going into
tier sittine-room he found the blinds down, and he asked
to be allowed to draw thom up, saying j icidarly that
darkne,s and ill-deeds go together. Mr. Purees, whom
he had not seen bef ire, then rose from a sofa near the
door. He thought it very imprudent for a young man ied
woman, and be said to Purees, " What are you doing
here ?" and to her, " Where is your husband l" She was
generally imy-irudent in admitting military men to visit
her as she did, and witness once told her so, and that
people were talking of ber. She said she did nothing
wrong, and she cared not what people said. Her husband
was of course aware that those gentlemen visited the
house. Witness did not speak to the husband about it.
Mr. Pedder was almost too affectionate and kind. He
(lief not re-train her as much as he should. She was very
affectionate to him.
Mrs. Ann Hambly, wife of Wtn. Hambly, of Tamer-
ton Folliott, said she kept a pottage as a lodging-house.
In August, 1853, a gentleman came to take lodgings
for a lady. He first gave the name of Pennant. She came
the following Friday at. half-past 10 A night. Next
morning her servant said she thought they were a new
married couple. The lady's name was given as Mrs.
Paget. She afterwards found etheir real names were
Purees and Pedder. Purees came there every evening
for six weeks. Mrs. Pedder never left the house or gar-
den but once. Witness slept under the room of the
lady, and could hear Mr. Purees come into her room
every night. His bedding was removed to Mrs. Pedder's.
Witness had every reason to believe that both slept to-
gether from the first night they carne. The bed had the
appearance of two persons having slept in it.
William Thomas, inspector of police at Plymouth, said
he received instructions from Colonel Martin, Governor
of the gaol at Preston, to inquire about Mr. Purees, and
he found him and Mrs. Pedder, and communicated with
Colonel Martin, who came down to Plymouth in Octo-
ber, 1853. It was arranged with Mrs. Hambly that he
and Colonel Martin should be admitted to the rooms oc-
cupied by_the parties at 2 in the morning. They first
searched Mr. Purves's room ; no one was there. , They
then knocked at. Mrs. Pedder's door, and on going in
found a female. Col. Martin was there. She screamed
and-said, "I asked John to come and sleep with me."
Col. Martin called her by name. She was in her night-
dress. A gentleman was in the bed. He threw the
clothes off, and went under the bed, but was desired to
come ont. He was in his night-shirt. He was recog-
nised by Col. Martin as Mr. Purves. Witness went to
Chaude-Fontaine, in Belgium, to serve the citation and
writ on the parties, and found Purees and Mrs. Pedder
living together under the name of Paget. He Served
the writ and citation on them personally. They were
in one room.
Col. Martin, governor of the gaol at Preston' said he
knew Mr. and Mrs. Pedder. Was requested by Mr.
Ped.ler to inquire whether Mr. Purees and Mr=. Pedder
were at Tamerton Folliett. He went to Plymouth, serf
went with the superintendent of police to the house.
On entering Mrs. Pedder's bedreom, he heard a noise of
Nome one throwing himself under the bed. He saw both
Mr. Purees and Mrs. Pedder in the room together in
their eight-clothes.
Evidence was then given of the non-payment of the
damages in the action, and of Mrs. Pedder's having a
life-interest in property to the amount of 6,0001. mid- r
her lather's will, and a contingent intere-t on the death
of her brother in a further -um of 4,000/, and Thar, she
was receiving the interest, it being paid to her at present
at Florence.
The evidencetwas then ordered to be printed, and the
further proceedings adjourned.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

SPEILMANN V. TIIE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE
BANK OF ENGLAND -ROBBERY OF BANK NOTES.

This was an action tried before Lord Campbell, at the
sittings aft, r last t, rm in London It was brought by
the plaintiff to recover the value of two Bank of England
notes of 5001 each. The defendaets pleaded that the
notes had been feloniously stolen before they came into
the hands of the plaintiff, that the plaintiff was not the
bona fide holder of the ri,tes for a valuable consideration,
and that the plaintiff was not the bearer, but the agent
of one Meyer Speilinann. It appeared from the evidence
that the notes having becn stolen, they came into the
hands of Meyer Speilmann thirteen months afterwards.
In June, 1854, aye r-on named Howard came into
Meyer Speilmann'e bank at Parie' and cashed a 500/.
Bank of England note, and on the same day he cashed
another for the Caine amount with a money-changer
named Monteaux, who paid over the note to Meyer
Speilrnann, who sent both of the notes to his brother
Adam, the plaintiff in this actLn residing in London.
The notes were presented at the 'Bank on the 27th of
June, when payment was refused, on the ground that

they bad been stolen. At the trial the jury returned a
verdict generally in favour of the defendants, but leave
to move was reserved.
The Attorney• General now moved to enter the verdict
for the plaintiff, on the ground that it was against evi-
dence, two clerks who bad been called having proved
that hard cash had been given for the notes by Meyer
Speilmann, deducting the usual rate of exchange.
The court granted the rule.
Sir F. Kelly then, on the part of the Bank, moved for
a rule for a new trial, if their lordships should be, when
the other rule was argued, of opinion that the verdict
was against evidence.
Lord Campbell said it would be open to either side to
make any motion of the kind.
Rule accordingly.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

SOUTHWARK.—Percy Burt was brought before
Mr. A'Beckett for re-examination, charged with stealing
a gold watch and chain, the property of Emily Devon-
port.
Mr. Solomon again attended for the prisoner,
It appeared from the evidence given on Tuesday after.-
noon that the prisoner was at the house of the prosecu-
trix on the morning of the 19th of November, and per-
ceiving her gold watch and chain lying on the mantel-
shelf, he took them up and suspended the chain round
his peck, depositing the watch in his waistcoat pocket.
The prosecutrix requested him to hand them back to her,
but he refused, promising to return them in half an hour.
He then left the house with her, and proceeded to
Windmill-street, Haymarket, when he ran away from
her with the watch and chain, and she saw nothing
more of him and her property until she met him
on Monday night last at the Holborn Casino, .when
she gave him into custudy. • When examined
on Tuesday he stated himself to he a clerk in the Bank of
England, and acknowledged that he had taken away the
watch and chain, but with the intention of returning
them. He sent the constable to his mother, a lady resid-
ing at Dalston, who came t ) the court a short time after-
wards, and produced the watch, but not the chain. Mr.
A'Beckett acciirdingly remanded the prisoner un :it yes-
terday, to give the officer an opportunity of making
further inquiries.
Police-con-table Wells—l omitted in my last exiimina
tion to say when the pri-toner was in my cust.nly he said
tie had part of the prverty at home ; that he had sent a
friend with the eaten to ,deliver it to the prth-ecutrix,
and if he hail not given it to her it %a; not his f wilt, but
he wo advertise for it. The female, however, toll
toe he had pl-dgefi i . I t Jolt the note horn -the pri-
sonot to his in-_the', ta,,tl she eaue to the court and pro •
dtp.ed the watch to ine.
E oily D •Vo Tort—Ties witteh,pr.id 'iced is mine, ai•d
the one the prisoner stele fr tii me. Teete has eels a
new glass fixed on -it since then.
Mr. Seiomoii —I pr dune the chain. The pri over'
mother gave it to me. She found it in the pri onsr'•
bed-room • immeliately after returning hiime last Tue.—
day, and she is'ready to prove that. I niece y want to
show that neither watch nor chain ever was nut of my
client's possession.
Prosecutrix—His mother t.)ld me the watch was
pledged for 2/. Bs. . ,
•
Mr. Solomon to prosecutrix—When you pave him
into custody, did he not say, "Come to my lodgings,
and have your property ?"
Prosecutrix—Yes ? but I did not know where he
lived, or what he was. He did not say the wat:.lll and
chain were at home with his mother, but he said, " I dare
say I can get them." I have no desire to prosecute. All
I want is my property. If that's restored, if the ma-
gistrate will permit, I will g ithdraw the' charge.
Mr. A'Beckett—l can have nothing to do with that.
Mr. James Palmer, one of the officers of the Bank of
England, said that ,hd had searched the books, and
among the 800 clerks employed by the directors, he-
could not find such a name as prisoner's. The prisoner
was quite unknown to him.
The prisoner here, with some hesitation, said that he
belonged to the National Provincial Bank cf England, a
statement which Mr. Solomon, in reply to a remark
from Mr. A'Beckett, said he believed to be true.
Mr. Solomon—l think there is nothing in the case to
show that he took the property with intent to steal it,
for when he sent to his mother it was immediately
brought here.
Mr. A'Beckett—Not immediately.
The prosecutrix, in reply to Mr. A'Beckett, said that
the prisoner had at times given her money, but she had
not seen him from July.to the day on which he stole
her watch and chain. He bad never lent her any money,
nor had she ever allowed him to wear the watch before.
Mr. A'Beckett—l should like to know where the
watch has been.
The prisoner's mother was then called, and on being
sworn, said she took the watch out-of pawn for 2/. 103.
The duplicate was upstairs in her son's bedroom, and
when she heard from him she went and redeemed it,
and brought it to this court. The chain wail not pledged.
Mr. :Solomon—l hope after what you have heard, sir,
that you will see there was no guilty intention of steal-
ing the property, and that you will deal with the pr`
soner for illegally pawning, as such is the fact.
Mr. A'Beckett, to the prisoner—lt is very lamentabl
to see a young man of respectable connexions, and in
a good social position, placed in such a" degraded situa-
tion as you aro, caused by terming bad connexions and
contracting bad habits. You have by this act br aught
your family and yourself to dtsgraes,
_bet I have my
doubts as to whether you took the property with guilty
intent of stealing it ; and as I think the jury ,could
of the same opinion, and give you the bene-fit of that
doubt, I will deal with the case. think that afteryou
foolishly took the watch, you pledgeil it to e.atisfy your
depraved habits, and I hope this will he a warns g to
you for the future. I shall deaf with yen for unlawfully
pledging the watch, and fine 37,,u 51. fir that offence-,
and, in default of payment, comsait you to prison fur
one month.

LAMBETH.—Yesterday Mrs. Pocock, the widow of
a sergeant of police, who had sewed for some years in
the P, or Camberwell division, and was universally re-
spected by his brother officers, but who had terminated
nit services as well as his exi-tence in the Crimea, at-
tended before the Hon. G. C. Nor:.on, in compliance
with a mes-age sent to her by the magistrate.
It will be recollected that, owing to the defective state
of the commissariat in the East in the -uiumer of last
year, an application was made to the policy for a certain
number of respectable and well-conducted sergeants to
join the army, and act as storekeepers ; and several of
the sergeants belonging to the different divisions veium
teered their services. Such was the enthusiasm of those
who bad so volunteered, and so great their cenfidence in
the liberality and consideration of the Government, that
they never thought of making any terms as to their pre-
sent emoluments or future settlements, and the conse-
quence was that themselves, their wives, and families,
and particularly the latter, were placed in a most pain-
ful situation.
In Mrs. Pocock's case her husband, as before stated,
went away without making any particular arrangement
as to her future support, believing, no doubt, that she
would continue to receive his pay from Scotland-yard,
and that therefore she could not be inconvenienced in
the means of providing for herself and his children. On
making application to Scotland-yard, however, she was
told that her husband had left the service of the police,
and as he had ceased to be a member of that force he.
could no longer receive the pay as a constable. She
next applied to the Horse Guards, and finally to S;r
Charles Trevelyan ; but in neither department had she
received the slightest assistance, and in the depths of
poverty she applied to Mr,Norton at this court for some
temporary assistance from the poor box. Her distress-
ing case at the time got before the public in the usual
channels. On Wednesday Mr. Norton received a COM-
munication, dated Balaklava, April 2, enclosing four- ,
teen sovereigns, and as its contents related more
particularly to her, the magistrate forwarded a message
to her, requesting that she might attend at the court
yesterday. She was accordingly in attendance, when
Mr. Norton read to her a communication received
by him from Balaklava, by which it appeared that
her case, and that; of the widow of another -assistant-
storekeeper, named Elliott, formerly a sergeant in the K
Division, bad attracted the notice of the assistant-store-
keepers of the commissariat at Balaklava, twenty-one of
whom had subscribed 141, which had been forwarded to
Mr. Norton, to be apportioned at his discretion for the
relief of Mrs. Pocock and Mee. Elli isud that of the
widows andfamilies of such, other of their deceased com-
rades as might come under Mr. Norton's notice.
In reply to the questions of the magistrate, Mrs.
Pocock said that, since she had been last to the court,
she had received a letter from General Fader, which she
took to the Patriotic Fund-office, and there it was kept.
The gentlemen then agreed to allow her 10s. a-week for
three months.
, . Mr. Norton was glad to hear this, and remarked that
he felt certain that the ieason thstpublic did not respond,
and subscribe in her ease, which was truly a distressing
one, was solely from a feeling that, 12,;der the circum-
stances, the Government should provide for her and her
children. For bis own (Vlr. Nort in's) part, he had no
(10114 wh-ttever that the Goiernment, woud do some
thing in l‘er as well as in similar cases, particularly after
het promise and dec ar .tion of General Fuser.
Nrs. Poe ,ek expressed her grati,udo tor, the kind in-
terest his worship vl/441, t•siong the matter, and for to.
eubstatitial relief he ha-t oa tale- form x eceasiou affor le
her ; and left the tour;.

INGENIOUS FORGEUT. —A. well-dressed man, wear', g
the ri,biam of a fiTeigii ord.- r at his I,utt mhole, went a
few days ago to the shop of M. Mahan. ',Mier, at St.
Denis, and, announcing that he was about to establish
a boarliog school in the neighbourhood, made arrange-
ments for the supply of 100 loaves of bread a day. He
said that he should make a rule of paying cash, and he
p,,rt,osiarly requested the baker to write receipts to his
bills the moment the money was given. To prevent any
attempt, he said, at fraud on the part of has servants, he
asked M. Maman for a specimen of his writing, and the
baker wrote his name and the date of the month on one
~f him bill-heads, allowing the stranuer to take with
him another. Before leaving, the stranger asked
the baker whether he supplied any other boarding-
school in the neighbourhood, a •(1 the tradesmananswered
that the school of Mme. Ma,:6, in the Rue des Ursu-
lines, was supplied by him. Shortly after the stranger
went to Mine. Male and presented to her a written re-
quea from the Laker for a loan of 500 f., on the ground
that his wife had gone away with the key of his. cash-
box. The request was written bene3th one of the bill
heads of the baker, and the signature was apparently
hi'. The lady without hesitation, gave -the money ;
but it subsequently turned out that she had been de-
frauded. A complaint was made to the police, and they
are making an aciive search after the man. jt appears
that I.e has recently cJannitted several robberies in the
Fain° ingvnicmg manApr.—Ocairtcfne4 AftWericr.