The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-05 00:00:00

LAW IIV TELLIGENCE.—(This Day.)

COURT OF DIVORCE.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)
BORROUGHS V. BORROTJGHS.
The hearing of this petition, which was presented by the
wife praying for restitution of conjugal rights, was resumed
this morning. _ _ _

Dr. Phillimore and Dr. Swaby were for the petitioner,
and Sir F. Slade and Dr. Spinks were for the respondent.
The first witness called was
The Rev. Joseph Neville White, who was examined by
Sir F. Slade. He said—l am vicar of the parish of Stal-
ham. I have been in orders eleven years. lam married,
but have no family. I recollect Mr. and Mrs. Borroughs
coming to take up their abode at Stalham. As clergyman
of the parish I visited them. I knew the family of Mr.
Silcock. He and his father were wine merchants. Mr.
Boardman Silcock was a single man, and about 25 years of
age. Shortly after the commencement of 1860 I saw Mrs.
Borroughs and Mr. Silcock together frequently walking
and riding. There were reports in the village about Mr.
Silcock and Mrs. Burroughs. I have known Mr. Silcock
to have been in Mr. Borroughs' house when he was not
there. That has occurred more than once. On the 16th
of March, 1860, in the afternoon I went to call upon Mr.
Burroughs between three and four o'clock. He was not at
home, and I left a message for him by the servant, Ellen
Kent. I inquired whether Mrs. Borroughs was at home,
and finding she was within I went from the front to the
back door, it being the nearest. I found the door open, and
went into the dining•room, the door of which was closed. I
there saw Mrs. Burroughs sitting on Mr. Silcock's knee in
a criminal position. I was so taken by surprise and con-
founded that I left a message that I wished to see Mr.
Boroughs the next morning at my house on some private
business, and departed. The servant Ellen Kent entered
the room at the opposite doer about the same time, which
convinced me there was collusion between the mistress and
the maid. Ellen Kent first left the room. I made no com-
munication as to what I had seen to anybody.. In the
summer of the same year, after what I had seen, I saw Mr.
Silcock and Mrs. Burroughs together,both in Mr.Burroughs'
house and coming up the shore from boating. I
recollect Mrs. Burroughs calling upon me on the
23d of November, 1860. I refused to see her. I
saw Mr. Silcock that day behind my stables at the same
time that Mrs. Burroughs called. Ho was lounging about.
I saw Mrs. Burroughs leave the house, and after going as '
far as the corner alone Mr. Silcock joined her. I have been
present when Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs have spoken about
Mr. Silcock. I have heard Mrs. Burroughs promise faith-
fully never to meet or speak to Mr. Silcock again, on mere
than one occasion, but I cannot give the dates. One pro-
mise I know was made previous to the 23d of November.
On the 27th of November I called at Mr. Burroughs'. I saw
his wife. I remonstrated with her on the impropriety of her
conduct, and she gave a promise she would cease to speak
to Mr. Silcock. I saw her with Silcock after that, on the
18th of December. It was the day after the rupture be-
tween Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs. I knew nothing about
the circumstance. I saw Mr. Silcock sitting in Mr. Bur-
roughs dining room as I passed the window. Mrs. Bur•
roughs was also there. Mr. Burroughs had left. I was
told that he had gone away by the servant. I did not in-
quire for Mrs. Burroughs. I recollect Mrs. Burroughs
leavingStalham; it was on the 20th December. On that even-
ing I saw Mr. Burroughs on his return from Yarmouth. I
told him what I had seen on the 16th of March, and the
reason I gave for not telling him before was that he had
threatened, on account of the reports relative to his
wife, to proceed at law against any person making them.
I said I did not wish to be the first to throw a stone against
his wife, hoping that she might amend. I said if I had
shut my door against her every one else would have done
the same.
Cross-examined by Dr. Phillimore—Mr. Burroughs once
asked me as one of the public what I thought of his wife,
and I replied I considered her criminally guilty, and I
thought she was so—that is guilty of the most coarse
adultery. I was not on that occasion drinking spirits with
Mr. Burroughs. No one was present at that time. Mr.
Clowes came in in the evening. I will swear we did not
drink spirits. I never said, " It's a damned good job you've
got rid of your wife." I never used such language in
m) life. I said nothing about her ruining him.
I knew she was an extravagant woman. I said
nothing more than I have stated. On the 16th of March
when I called at Mr.Burroughs' I went in as usual. There
was neither bell nor knocker. I used to knock sometimes
with my stick. It was on a Friday that I called, not on a
Tuesday, of that lam certain. There were two doors in
the dining room. I had a side view of the parties when I
first entered the room. I did not observe any parties
when I first opened the door. I advanced to within a
yard of Mrs. Burroughs, who then got up and I gave
her the message. I did not stay a minute. She looked
very confused. All she said when I gave her the message
was that her husband was not at home. I did not say a
word to Mr. Silcock. I saw Silcock on the Sunday follow-
ing at church. I did not speak to him. The first time I
recollect speaking to him was when he attended a committee
meeting at my house much against my wishes. The meeting
was relative to the Stalham Reading Society. It lasted
two hours. I don't think he stayed all the time, I spoke
to him as a matter of business, but nothing further. I can-
not recollect when next I saw him. I have never spoken
to him except on matters of business sinse the 16th of
March, that is to the best of my recollection. I spoke to
him on a matter of business in December, 1861. It was
relating to the Reading Society. I never spoke to him as
to what I had seen on the 16th of March, I saw Mrs.
Burroughs on the 17th of March at my house. My
wife was present. She took tea with us. She left about
eight o'clock. 1 walked home with her much against her
wishes. She did not wish me to accompany her. I did
not mention anything to her about what I had seen. After
that time she used to teach in the Sunday school. She
was a district visitor, but she did more harm than good.
She did not visit our house often after the 17th of March. I
cannot recollect when I went to Burroughs's house after that
If my wife went it was very seldom. Mrs. Borroughs came
to our house three times between March and December.
She has called at my house frequently as a blind to her hus-
band. She saw my wife. I spike to her husband about
Mrs. Burroughs using my house as a blind. I said
when Mrs. Burroughs said she had been to the
Vicarage, it was an excuse. Mrs. Borroughs never
received the Holy Communion from me. She came
to church frequently. 1 never mentioned how I had
seen Mrs. Burroughs to my wife. My wife has written to
Mrs. Burroughs with my sanction. Ellen Kent remained
in the service of Mr. Burroughs after his wife left. I told
Mr. Burroughs that I thought there was collusion between
his wife and his servant. I told him so when he asked
me my opinion as one of the public about his wife.
On the 19th of September Mrs. Burroughs called at my
house. On the 21st of September Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs
and Mrs. Coleman also called. I knew nothing more of
Mrs. Coleman than any other of my parishioners. I have
bowed to Silcock when I met him since the 16th March. I
know a person who had been in Mr. Burroughs' service
named Howes. I was in town last Saturday,
and I returned to my cure the same evening. I
saw Mr. Burroughs last evening at the Westminster
Palace Hotel, and also saw him this morning, I know
Peter Balls Pestel. I was not present when they had a
conversation about this affair. I know nothing about it.
William Howes—l am a labourer. In 1859 I was in
the service of Mr. Burroughs as groom. I cannot say how
long I remained. I left, but I went to live there a second
time. I remained about six weeks. I know Mr. B. Sil-
cock. He visited during both the times I was living there.
I recollect a photographer's van being at Stalham. The
servants went to have their likenesses taken. Ellen Rent
was the servant's name. After she had gone out Mr. Sil-
cook came to the house. I had occasion to go into the
kitchen after he arrived. As 1 was going out I heard a
noise in the dining-room—the door was open—and there I
saw Mr. Silcock in the act of adultery with Mrs. Bur-
roughs. I did not go into the room. They were both in
an easy chair. I recollect, after that Mr. Burroughs going
to Yarmouth. After he had gone, Mrs. Burroughs sent the
boy out to tell me to come in and get my tea. After tea
she asked me whether I had a mind to go home for a day
or two, and I said no ; but if I went at all I should go for
good. She said, "If you will go you must go." So I went
away after she had paid me my wages.
Cross-examined—After I went home I did not do any-
thing for a long time. I lived with my uncle. After I left
him I entered the militia, and remained there three weeks.
I then went to sea. After that I went to Man-
chester. I did not do anything. I lived on charity
while I was there. I then went home to my uncle,
and went bricklaying. I have had no money
save what I got from my uncle. Old Mr. Burroughs has
given me some money—that is, he has sent money for my
board to my aunt. Mrs. Burroughs, after I had gone
away, said I was drunk in the stables. I was not. I never
said I went into the room when I saw Mr. Silcock and Mrs.
Burroughs. The door was open and I looked in. I never
told Ellen Kent what I had seen. I first spoke about it after
I came from Manchester. A. man named Brooks asked me
if I had seen Mr. Silcock and Mrs. Borroughs in the act of
adultery, and I said " Yes." I never said " I don't care a
which side I go ; it's all the same to me."
Ellen Kent was examined by Dr. Swabey, and denied
ever seeing Mrs. Burroughs and Mr. Silcock sitting in an
easy chair on any occasion.
The case was proceeding when we went to press.

A novelty has lately been produced at San Carlo,
Naples, in the form of the " Huguenots," and for the first
time. During the rule of the Bourbons it was, of course,
prohibited, on the pretence that the libretto was irreligious;
but now the opposite spirit prevails, and priests and monks,
when they come on in the choruses, are greeted by the pit
with shouts and hisses, and cries of " Down with the
priests." The house hasbeen crowded since the' nUgUel..
nots" was produced.
A HARE RUNNING THROUGH REIGATE: few
days since as a gentleman was driving a carriage up West-
street, he was surprised to see on before him a hare running
towards the town. It continued on its course till it arrived
near the new public hall, when puss turned and retraced
her steps down West-street, and on coming to the pound
ran into it. Several persons then tried to catch her, but
she managed to escape them and returned again to the
' fielda.-15ussex &press.