The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-12 00:00:00

THAMES

APPLICATION FOR A PROTECTING ORDER.-Mr. Spiller,
solicitor, applied to Mr. Partridge on behalf of Mrs. Frances
Sarah Ward for a protecting order under these circum-
stances. Mrs. Ward was married to her husband, John
Ward, an engineer, at Poplar Church on the 19th of
January, 1857, and he deserted her on the 19th of June
following. She had never seen him nor heard from him
since, and he had not contributed one farthing towards her
maintenance.

Mrs. Ward was questioned by the magistrate, and said
that she had been cook and housekeeper in several families,
and had a good character. She had not acquired any
property.
Mr. Partridge—Then you have nothing to protect
against your husband?
Mr. Spiller would explain. This was a case that came
came within the Matrimonial Causes and Divorce Act, and
an order ought to be granted. Mrs. Ward had come into
possession of money left by her mother.
Mr. Partridge—ls the money settled on Mrs. Ward ?
Mrs. Ward said it was.

Mr. Partridge thought this was not a case in which he
could interfere. A protecting order would be useless in
this case. Ile would, however, look over the Act of Par-
liament, and speak to Mr. Spiller again when he had heard
other applicants.

On the case being resumed, Mr. Spiller said that his
client had acquired money under two wills—from her
mother and her uncle—and it was to protect that money
from the husband, who had abandoned her, that be sought
an order. The applicant's money was, in fact, at the mercy
of her husband. If he, the husband, was vile enough to
desert hie wife, and not contribute to her support for eight
years, he might claim her money.
Mr. Partridge—Has the money been acquired by Mrs.
Ward since the desertion ?

Mr. Spiller—Yes, sir, the whole of it.
Mr. Partridge—And is she living in this district?
Mr. Spiller—Yes, sir, at No. 57, Mansell-street, Good-
man's-fields, Whitechapel.
Mr. Partridge—Very well, Mrs. Partridge is entitled to
an order of protection, and one is granted.

SWIMMING MATCll.—This morning at 7 o'clock
a most interesting match took place among the
members of the Serpentine Swimming Club—the prizes
being three silver modals, and the distance 250 yards..
Seven gentlemen entered, and a well contested struggle
was the result, in which Mr. D. N. Halsey, of the Edge,
ware-road, proved the most successful. This gentleman
won the first prize in the most gallant manner. The second
prize was secured by Mr. W. Morris, and the third by Mr.
G. Dullard. Mr. Merrick was a good fourth, and Messrs.
Bullet, Dasten, and Sothern followed in the order here
given. We should mention that Mr. James Humphrey,
swimming master to the club, acted as starter ; Mr. Thos.
Evans as judge ; and Mr. H. Colster, captain of the club,
as referee.

DUKE DE MORNY'S SNUFF-BOXES.—The proceeds
of the sale of the late Duke de Morny's snuff-boxes the
other day was 52,000 f.
A MINOR POET'S DEATH.—The Publishers' Cii
cular informs us that Mr. John Stanyau Bigg, the
author of a mystical dramatic poem called " Night and the
Son]," which attracted some attention a few years ago, died
on the 19th ult., at Ulverston, in his 37th year. " Night
and the Soul," though highly eulogised by Mr. Gilfillan,
belonged to what is called the "spasmodic school ;" and in
spite of some truly poetical lines it soon passed into obli-
vion. Though founded on vicious models, however, it was
a work of promise : and its author's untimely end will be
regretted by admirers who looked to his pen for some pro-
duction of a more enduring kind.