The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-13 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

WESTERN CIRCUIT.—BRISTOL, AUGUST 11.
BREACH OF PROMISE.— HOLDER, V. JOSLING.
Mr. Smith, Mr. Collier, and Mr. Cole were counsel
for the plaintiff; and Mr. Serjeant Kinglake and Mr.
Karslake, for the defendant. •
Mr. Smith said, this was an action fir a breach of
promise of marriage. The plaintiff was a captain in the
sth Lancashire Militia, now at Aldershott, he was a
gentleman of family in Gloucestershire, he was 32 years'
of age. The defendant was a young lady of greet per-
sonal attractions, residing at Clifton. She was 26 pars
of age, and of considerable fortune. Contracts of all
kinds ought to be kept, and there could not be one more
soleMn than that of a contract of marriage. Tim
actions were generally brought by ladies against gee, los
men, but there could be no reason why a gentleman
should not bring such an action. The plaintiff had
written to the defendant, offering her marriage, and he
had accompanied the letter with a ring. To this the
defendant had replied, that her feelings were completely
in unison with his, and she with pleasure accepted his
"dear ring." She also stated that she had consulted
with her brother, who was much pleased with the offer.
She admired the ring very much, it displayed great good
taste, but she had been obliged to have it cut, as it was
too large. An immense correspondence then took
place, in which she addressed him as "My dearest
John," and "My dearest Jack," and concluded with,
" Your ever loving Agnes." " I was so delighted to
see your own dear handwriting." "Lots of love and
lots of kisses from your own dear pet." That she had
been Ordering her things. She also said that her
cousin had gone abroad brokenhearted, because she
would not have him. She had received his portrait,
but complained of his looking cross. She had had a
dream that he had met with an accident ; the blood was
flowing, and she was bathing it. She hoped nothing had
happened to her " dear old fellow." Mr. Smith ex-
plained that the word " old " was used as a term of
endearment and petting. She told him to be careful
how he came out of hot rooms. She said she should
like to go to Corfu. She had [ordered the cards and
envelopes and dresses for her bridesmaids. All was
known to the two families ; and everything went on
until a day or two before the day on which the wedding
was fixed for, and then she left for Liverpool. .The
plaintiff then received a letter from the defendant,
headed "Dear Sir," and said that when she accepted
his offer she bad only just lost her parents, and that at
the time she was grateful to .ny one who would offer
her a home, and she could not unite herself to any one
whom she could not love. Had the matter ended there,
this action would not have been brought, but her bro-
ther wrote to the plaintiff, stating that he thought there
was not much love on her side, and upon questioning
her he found that she was moved only by a feeling of
gratitude, speaking of the plaintiff in the highest terms.
The defendant then wrote to the mother of the plaintiff,
and in that letter she stated that she had been much
displeased with the opinions she had heard her son ex-
press, and her friends had spoken to her on the subject,
and under those friends' advice she was acting. The
plaintiff was so much agonised at this statement that
he felt it necessary, for bis .own honour, to bring this
action.' He did not seek for heavy damages, but sucn
as would stamp the plaintiff with having acted properly,
and to relieve him from all imputations. Never was a
man more deluded—never was a man made more
wretched by the artifices of a woman.
.Mrs. Stockwell..—l live at Bath, where my husband is
a surgeon: •I am acquainted with both these
parties. I have no idea of the age of the
e ean eplaintiff.to
I have not se
him more than eight times. The defendant lived at Clifton.
Her father died in October.
e Mrs. Holder', ant Bath. I should consider her
Sh
to
looking girl. I knew of the plaintiff and defendant being
h
enmed. The wedding was to have
taken place at our house on the 10th' of July. The clothes
were ordered.
My sister was to have been a bridesmaid.
The Serjeant said, they might assume the • •
bridesmaids
were appointed.
Mr. Collier—l don't say you made a jOke, eeD •
eant,
but you tried. (Loud laughter.) •
Miss Rosewell- lam the sister of the last witness. t
know Captain Holder and Miss Joshing. I knew
of
their engagement. I was to have been a brideinaid.
A dress was purchased for me.
Cross examined—There was a dress for me, but it was
not given me.
Miss Caroline
Druce—l reside at Denmarkshill, and
know Miss Jesting. I knew she was about to be marries
to Captain Holder, I was t 5 )21170 boea a brideimia.