The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-29 00:00:00

THIRD EDITION

SUN OFFICE, SEVEN O'CLOCK.

LAW INTELLIGENCE—This Day.

VICE CHANCELLORS' COURT.
BOIJCICAULT V. DELAFIELD.
Mr. Boucicault applied for an injunction to Vice-Chan-
cellor Sir Page Wood this morning against Mr. Delafield,
the manager of the Queen's Theatre, at Manchester, to re-
strain him from performing the Colleen Bawn. After
hearing counsel his lordship reserved judgment.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
(Before Chief Justice Cockburn and a SpEck' Jury.)
MORRISON V. BELCHER -LIBEL.

This was an action brought by Mr. Richard James Mor-
rison, lieutenant in the Royal Navy, ag.inst the defendant,
Admiral Sir E. Belcher, for writing and publishing a de-
famatory libel, to which the defendant pleaded as a justifi-
cation that the statement was in substance true.

Mr. Sergeant Shee and Mr. Gr,ffiths appeared for the
plaintiff, and Mr. Sergeant Ballantine for the defendant.
Mr. Sergeant Shee said the plaintiff was a lieutenant in
the Royal Navy, and having distinguished himself in his
profession temporarily retired from the service, and
became a student of astronomy, and, amongst other things,
of astrology. He also was the editor and proprietor
of Zaakiel's Almanack, which had obtained an enormous
circulation and great notoriety in consequence of his hav-
ing predicted the death of the Prince Consort. Alderman
Humphrey having made some particular observations upon
the statement in Zadkiel's Almanack, the circumstance
was commented on in a leading article of one of the daily
papers, and afterwards a letter, signed " Anti-Humbug,"
and which was of a most scurrilous nature, appeared in the
same journal, and he should be able to prove that the writer
of it was the defendant. The letter, after making some
very severe comments, went on to inquire who was
Zadkiel, and whether there was no means of
terretting him out and handing him over' to the
magistrate at Bow-street as a rogue and vagabond
The writer said he thougat he could help him to obtain
the desired information, and he thought he had seen his
signature as the president of some particular society—via ,
R. J. Morrison. That he was also the celebrated Crystal
Globe seer, the particular virtues of which were, that
by its aid communications with the spirits of the departed
might be made, and that ne had even gone the length of
saying that communications had been had with the spirits
of the twelve apostles. That hehad engaged theservice of a
boy through whom hetn.ed to act, but the boy had "peached"
and thus the whole affair had been exposed—in fact, said
the learned counsel, amounting to an assertion that my
client was an unprincipled impostor. He then went on to
describe the virtues of the " Crystal Globe," in which
visions were stated to have been seen, and said the mysteri-
ous " crystal" in the possession of the plaintiff was pur-
chased at the sale of the effects of the late Lady Blessing-
ton, and very shortly after, a boy, after looking at it some
time, stated that he had seen visions, and also after that, a

young 'man named Usher, not only said he had seen similar
scenes, but had actually drawn representations of toe
things he had seen in the " Crystal." Now his client,
Mr. Morrison, never for one moment pretended that
he had seen visions such as were described,
but his son having seen something which he said was con-
nected with the Arctic expedition, Lady Franklin desired
the "crystal" might be brought to her, and from the pub-
licity given to the scene seen by young Morrison it became
quite the rage in the fa.hionable world. Peers, bishops.
ladies of the highest position, .11 were anxisas to watch
the crystal. So great, became the pressure upon Mr. Mor
risan that he was compelled to leave town, and he (Sergeant
Shee) should be able to produce letters written by persons
of the highest posiion to Mr. Morrison, all asking for a
view of the crystal. Although an attempt might be made
to draw the attention of the jury from the point before them,
art action for the recovery of damages far a malicious libel b}
invoiving them in tome sort of inquiry into the science of
the stars, he felt satisfied that after Sir E. Belcher having
refused to make the apology his client required, they
would give him such damages as would prove he was not
the unprincipled impostor the defendant said he was.

The following witnesses were then called :
Mr. John Smith, the manager of the Daily Telegraph

the paper in which the letter appeared,and another witness,
gave evidence relative to the publication and handwriting.
Richard James Morrison, the plaintiff, was examined by
Sergeant Shoe, and eaid— I am now a commander in OE
Royal Nagy. I have studied in astronomy and as.
trology, and have published several works of that
nature. I am also the proprietor and publisher of
" Zadkiel's Almanack." It contains predictions founceo
upon astronomical contingencies. I have found those pre-
dictions mostly true after 40 years' experience. In. 1861,
there was in the Almanack a peculiar prediction relative to
the death of the Prince Consort.
Lord Chief Justice—The voice of the stars, page 13, is
that it ?

The Learned Counsel—Yes, my lord. He then read
tho passage in question, which went ,n to say that there
would be weeping in high places, and also gave various
predictions affecting the late Prince Consort and the Prince
of Wales.

Examination continued.—Alderman Humphrey made
some comments upon the prediction, and then I became
aware of the publication of the letter signed "Anti Hum-
bug." I had read about the crystals and had see' them, and
I bought the one in my possession of a curiosity dealer. I
set it upon the table before my son, and he immediately
saw visions relating to the expedition of Sir J. Franklin.
A young gentleman named Usher also saw them. I sent
a statement of the affair to the ..ef thonceum, which was pub-
lished.
The "Crystal" was here produced.
The witness continued—The publication produced a great
excitement. I received numbers of letters from the nobility
asking for a sight of the crystal ball. Lady Erroll and others
wrote tome. hold their letters in my hand. I never received
any money for exhibiting the ball. I never tutored either
of the boys to say they had seen visions in the " Crystal."
It is untrue that £5 was given to my son to tell some lady
of the doings of her son in America. I never knew it until
I saw it in the Telegraph. I have freely lent the " Crystal"
to friends. I left it more often than I remedned
with it. I believe a female servant of Sir E. B.
Lytton's, a Swiss, looked into it. She said she
saw Sir H. Bulwer lying ill under a tree. It
was in a foreign place. I was afterwards in-
formed that Sir H. Bulwer was sick in a place of the nature
the servant described. I first met Sir E. Belcher at an
evening party at Colonel and Mrs. Mertan's. He intro-
duced me to Lori and Lady Lonadale. He did not show
any aversion to me. I never stated I had seen visions in
the "globe," but the young persons did and that quite
openly. Baron Brunnow, Admiral Fitzclarence, the Coun-
tess of Errol, the Marchioness of Aylesbury, the Bishop of
Lictfield, Colonel Phipps, the Hon. Mr. Cowper, M.P.,
and a great many other persons of distinction came to look
at the Crystal.- I had as many as eight ladies of distinction
in my house at once. I produce a number of drawings
made by the young man Usher of the visions he saw. I

e olemnly believe he did see them, as it is impossible he
could have imagined suoh things as he described.
Cross-examined by Sergeant Ballantine—Some of the
drawings have been published in Zadkiel's almanacks.
The female figure in the drawing is that of Eve. That is,
the spirit said she was when asked her name. (Laughter.)
The spirits appeared with ecrolls coming out of their
mouths.

Sergeant Ballantine—As if they had been taken sud-
denly ill ?
Witness—The spirits were always respectably dressed.
(Laughter.) They had all their drapery displayed in the
drawings. The lady you now direct my attention to is
Queen Mab, as she appeared in her car drawn by gnats.
(Laughter) The male is a representation of St. Lake. I
don't believe all Usher has said.
The Lord Chief Justice—You don't believe what Usher
has said ? _ _

Witness—No, my lord, because he bas said some of the
things disclosed were false. I believe be saw Eve.
Sergeant Ballantine—What language did Eve speak?
(Laughter.)
Witness—English. (Laughter.)
Sergeant Ballantine—And Orion, what language did
he use ?

Witress—Englieh.
Sergeant Ballantine—And Titania.

Witness—All English. 1 still advertise I have persons
who see visions in the Crystal Ball. I have heard that a
vision of the Lord's Supper has appeared in the Crystal
Ball, also some of the miracles of our Saviour, the feeding
of the multitude with five loaves and two fishes, and out
Saviour walking upon the water, and two or three of the
apostles. .

Sirgeaut Ballantine—The stars took you in a bit last
year, did they not? (Laughter.) You prophesied the
death of Lord Broug ham, did you not?
Witness—l never prophecy ; I predict. None can pro-
phecy but those that have the spirit of God, and that I
don't presume to have.
Sergeant Ballantine—Well, you predict.
Witness—And the public can believe or not as they feel
disposed. I have made some predictions about Lord
Palmerston, but without perfect data I cannot undertake
to give perfect predictions. • Samuel Smith, the
person who advertises about casting nativities,
lives in Goswell-street. He 'has an advertisement in the
Almanack, and the address given there is at Brompton. I
have never taken in letter a there except on one or two occa-
sions addressed to " Samuel Smith, Esq." He receives
letters for the sale of my books.
The Lord Chief Justice—Then when Samuel Smith re-
ceives applications from persons whose mind is distressed,
do you answer the letters ?
Witness—Sometimes.

Sergeant Ballantine —Do you meant° say that you have
not made " calculation" for wealthy persons as late as 1862 ?
Witness—Yes, I have—a few.
Sergeant Bal antine—And received the money through
Samuel Smith. I have given instructions in astrolJgy to
some persons, but never to very young people. The crystal
ball I bought I believe belonged to the celebrated Dr. Dee.
I was told so. I have no means of knowing for certain.
Sergeant Ballantine—Who was the seer who had the
conversation with Judas Iscariot?
Witness—My son, I believe.
Set geant Ballantine—And the answer you published was
the one you received ?

Witness—Yes.
Sergeant Ballantine—And Sulas Iscariot preferred get-
ing back to a certain place rather than remaining with
you in the globe. (Laughter.) I hope you had a cool room
fur him? (Loud laughter.)

The Crystal Globe was then handed to the jury for exa-
mination. It appeared to be a ball of Brazilian pebble; about
4i inches in aiameter.
_._

The official examination of the son of the plaintiff, now
resident at New York, was then put in and real. It was to
the effect that he had seen visions in the globe as described,
hat he had never received from a lady for telling her
what he had seen relative to her son, who was then in the
Mediterranean.

Lady Harry Vane—The letter put into my hand is one I
wrote relative t,, seeing the crystal. It was in consequence
of something I had heard from my father, the late Earl
Stanhope. I went with two friends, but met others there.
I saw the ball ; a little boy looked into it. He said he saw
a great many things, but I cannot recollect how many.
Neither I nor my friends paid anything to Lieut. Morrison
for seeing.
Cross-examined—Lord Effingham was of the party. It
was at Mr. Morrison's own house that the exhibition took
place.
The Master of the Temple, Rev. Mr. Robinson said—l
saw the Crystal Globe wire, once at my own house, and
once at Sir J. Cockburn's. The plaintiff was present. The
boy Usher looked in. He said he saw figures and writing.
I asked him what he saw by putting one or two questions
to him, and asked on one occ stun it he saw my son, who
was then in Jamaica. He described him and his
wife sitting in chairs in the garden. He could
not identity his son by the description. Ho merely said
it was a clergyman and a lady. The ball was brought to
my house at my own request. I never paid any money for
it being brought there.
The Bishop of Lichfield said—l was present at my son-
in-law's house when the ball was to be exhibited. I saw it.
I had not the least reason in the world to believe that money
was paid for the exhibition.
Lady Egerton of Tatton—The letter put in my hand is
written by me. I went to see the Crystal Ball ; some gen-
tlemen were of the party. A boy looked in the ball. When
I asked him how many guardian angels I had, he said
" seven." (Laughter.) I said that was a large number—
(laughter)—but the ' boy said most persons had sour.
(Laughter.) I was most courteously received, and I never
paid any money for seeing the ball.
The Marchioness of Aylesbury said—l saw the Crystal
Ball at Mrs. Merton's. Several persons were present. The
ball was looked into by a boy.
Cross-examined—l did not make any inquiries relative
to the " ball." I thought it such nonsense. Ido not
attend voluntarily to-day. I was subpoenaed.
The Rev. George Stokes—l knew the boy Usher and the
son of Mr. Morrison. They were both pupils of mine. Mr.
Morrison's wife was my daughter. I thought Mr. Mor-
rison was deceived as to what he thought about the ball.
Cross-examined—Mr. Morrison professed that young
persons saw visions in the ball, and I am certain he believed
they did. I did not allow other boys beside Usher to look
into the ball. lam sure none others went.
Mr. Fulham Webster—l am a director of the New
River Company, and reside in Berkshire. After 1 had
seen the ball I wrote the letter put into my hand, request-
ing that my friends might see it. When I saw it a boy was
looking, and he said he saw a number of things. in answer
to questions put to him. I benatne acquainted with Mr
Morrison through friends. I paid no mJney for seeing the
Crystal.
Cross-examined—The first time I went wag with a lady,
4nd the second time Mr. Reynolds was with me I was not
so happy as to receive a great q ismtity of guardian angels.
I believe one of the questions asked was where Sweden-
borg was to be found ?
The Earl of Wilton said—l went to see the ball at Col
Merton's, at Brompton. I think a boy looked at the globe
No money was paid for the privilege of looking at it.
Cross-examined—l did not receive any caution for my
future guidance. (Laughter.)
Mrs. Ann Merton—l am the widow of Colonel Merton.
I requested Mr. Morrison to bring the Crys al Ball to my
house. On the first occasion it was shown to friends of
mine. There was a large party. A young lady and
gentleman looked into the ball, and were asked questions as
to what they saw. The ball was brought to my house five
or six times. Sir E. Belcher was present on two or three
occasions. I don't recollect whether he was there the
first time the ball was brought. 1 recollect Sir Edward
asking roe to get Mr. Morrison to bring the ball.
The ball was brought and examined by Sir Edward's
friends. Sir Edward did not ask any questions about it.
Nothing was paid, nor was any money given for the ball

being brought.
Cross-examined—lt was an evening party. I first met
Mr. Morrison at the Rev. Mr. Stokes'. He kept a school.
Young Usher used to come from the school to look at the
globe.
The Chief Justice—The ball was brought for amuse-
ment, and not for the purpose of prying into secrets of the
past ?
Witness—No, purely for scientific amusement.
Mrs. Hoseason—l am the wife of Captain Hoseason, of
the Royal Navy—l first saw the crystal ball at High
Beach. I was intimately stc4uainted withyoung Usher. He
was the son of Admiral Usher. I have seen another young
lad and Mr. Morrison's Eon look into the globe. I did
not think young Usher was speaking the truth when he
was describing what he saw in the ball. No money was
ever paid for exhibiting the crystal,
Mr. Charles leut—l am a member:of the Bar, and the
Proprietor and Editor of The Sun newspaper. 1 know the
plaintiff very well. I recollect seeing the crystal ball seve-
ral years ago. It was at No. 1 Park-lane the ball was ex-
hibited. There were altogether four persons present,
amongst whom was Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton. A servant
looked into the ball, and after gazing at it some time, she
said she saw a man apparently either dying or deed, with
his eyes closed and lying down. She said she saw
a very curious tree, and described a house with
a number of turrets. It appeared to me to resemble Kneb-
worth-park, with which the girl's description corresponded
and
The girl had never been there. I gave no money,
heard no mention of any being given. I don't believe any
was given.
Cross-examined—The house in Park-lane was Sir ward Edd
Lytton's. Lieut. Morrison, Sir Edward, myself,
domestic servant were present. The servant, after looking
some time at the ball, described Sir Ed ward's country house.
Sergeant Shee--Although she had never been there P
Witness—Yes.
Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton—l recollect seeing the ball
exhibited at my house. It was seen by a domestic servant,
whom I had engaged abroad as cook. Sne looked in the
glass, and described a place like my house in the country,
but she might have seen pictures of it. I don't think any-
thing remarkable occurred after looking at the glass, or I
should certainly have made a note of it. Mr.
Morrison was introduced to me by a gentleman of very high
attainments, and the highest honour, a great friend of

wine, Mr. Kent. No money was paid for the exhibition
of the ball most certainly.
Mrs. Allen—l looked at the ball on one occasion.
saw the reflection of my mother with a child in her arms in
it. Tho ball became cloudy, but on clearing both the
figures disappeared. On another occasion I saw a man in
armour, and altogether a scene of the most singular and
mysterious nature. I shall never forget it as long as I
live.

Cross-examined—There could be no mistake about what
I saw. I refuse to look on the crystal in court, because I
consider it too solemn a thing to be laughed at. (Leughter.)
Miss Mary White said—l have on two occasions seen
scenes in the Crystal On the first occasion I saw a Swiss
scene, with the snow fal!ing, and on the other a ruined
abb y.
By the Chief Justice—l have never been in Switzerland,
and I suppose the scenery I saw to be Swiss from pictures
I may have seen.
This closed the case fur the plaintiff. _ _ _

Mr. Sergeant Shoe then addressed the jury for the
plaintiff, and said the defendant had altogether failed to
show that his client (Lieutenant Morrison) was the gross
impostor he said he was, and that being the
case it became their duty to find a verdict in
his favour. The learned gentleman made some
very severe remarks upon the conduct of Sir Edward Bel-
cher, and said although he had the spirit to write an anony-
mous libel, he had not the courage to get into the witness-
box, and attempt to prove the truth of his assertion.
Sergeant Ballantiue then addressed the jury for the de-
f-ndant, anu in the course of his remarks he commented
very severely upon the plaintiff, and said he would not
insult the good sense of the jury by imagining for one
moment that they would give a verdict unfavourable to his
client (Sir E. Belcher), a gentleman who had passed so
many years of his life iu endeavouring to add to the stock
of knowledge his countrymen possessed.
The Lord Chief Justice, in summing up the evidence,
said before they could fiad a verdict for defendant they
must be of opinion that the facts stated in the libel were
true, and that the plaintiff exhbited the ball, knowing it
was an imposture, and that he did it in order to get money.
Now, as far as the latter part of the defence was concerned,
there could be no doubt that the charge of exhibiting the
ball for gain had altogether failed, and although they might
laugh at the plaintiff for believing in the revelations made
by the bo)s looking in the crystal, this cc•uld not say he
was an impostor. With respect to the publication of
" Zadkiel's Almanack," the matter became altogether of a
very different nature, because he could not help remarking
that the publication of a volume of such a nature laid the
party doing so open to very severe criticism. He thought
there was a great deal in it of what was preposterous and
mischievous, and an author imbued with the peculiarities
of Zadkiel must expect to meet strictures of a not very
pleasant nature. But then, even under such circumstances,
those comments must be within the bounds of fair and
honest criticism. They had heard the terms in which the
author of the Almanack had been stigmatised, and they
therefore would have to say how far he had suffered from
those observations.
The jury then retired.
At 5 o'clock the jury returned into court with a verdict for
the plaintiff. Damages— twenty shillings.
Mr. Griffiths, the Junior counsel for the plaintiff, asked
his lordship to give a certificate
The Chief Justice—lt is better to leave the verdict to
take its own effect, I think.