The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-16 00:00:00

..I.IE GREAT SMYTH FORGERY CASE.

At -he time when the counsel for the plaintiff in this
unpreeedentedly romantic cause threw up their briefs,
there 7emained upwards of 50 witnesses to be examined
on his behalf, while as near as 80 were present on the
part of the defence, which would, it has transpired,
have been one of the most complete kind. It would
have been proved by Mr. Herapath, the eminent ana-
lytical chemist, that the deeds were indubitably for-
geries
theink and seals being of modern date, most
likely not as many months as they were said to have
been Jears made. Another remarkable peculiarity which
would have been established in regard to the seal
is this. The distinctive mark of the baronetage is, as
every one knows, a blood-red hand, and this hand is
always placed upon a small shield on the face of the
family bearings. In making the seal ordered by the
plaintiff, the engraver was only able to get in, upon
the small shield, a hand having three fingers and a
thumb, and an examination of the seal on the deed
proves that the fourth finger is deficient in the im-
pression upon the wax. Another important circum-
stance has been brought to light by the Right Rev.
the Lord Bishop of Gloucester, which has a mate-
rial bearing on the case. Dr. Verney Lovett, who
is said to have married Sir Hugh Smyth in Ireland,
and whose name is appended to the certificate in the
Bible as " Verney Lovett, D.D., rector of Lismore,"
did not take his doctor's degree until 1809, which is the
year after the alleged marriage. It has been ascertained
likewise, that the day on which the plaintiff swore to
having seen Mrs. Hay at Heath House, that lady was
not near the place. It would have been proved that
after leaving his home at an early age, the self-styled
Sir Richard, in his proper name of Thomas Provis,
entered service, and it was while in service that he
stole a gelding, for which offence he was sentenced to
death. In 1814 he was keeping a school at Ladymead,
Bath, where he was charged with an abominable of-
fence, and having entered into recognisances he ran from
his bail. In consequence of this his first wife (Mary Ann
Whittick) separated from him. It is said that previous to
her marriage with him she was in service at the Smyths,
at Ashton Court, while it is certain that subsequently to
their separation she lived with that family as house-
keeper. Probably much of his information as to the earlier
branches of the Smyth family were derived from this source.
Several members of the Bath family were present to state
that they had never heard of such a person as the plaintiff
in connection with their house, and the governor of
Ilchester gaol was also present. The result of the trial
has produced quite a commotion among the tradesmen
of Clifton, who had, in the hope of gaining his future
favour, warmly espoused " Sir Richard's" cause, and
trusted him to a large extent with goods and money.
It is understood. also, that four gentlemen of the
Israelitish profession in London had advanced 1,0001.
each upon bonds to secure them the moderate interest of
1,0001. each per annum.

AH ELOPEMENT.—Abundant food has been supplied
during the past week to the quidnuncs of Sunderland,
by an elopement from that town. The gallant Lothario
is said to be a " distinguished member of the College of
Surgeons," and his accomplice is the daughter of a
highly respected shipowner. There seems to have been
some objection on the part of the relations of the young
lady to the match, but as almost invariably happens in
such cases, a little persecution only served to heighten
the attachment. The lady was removed to a short dis-
tance from the town, but the same love which laughs
at locksmiths, here held space in contemptuous ab-
horrence. They met. They were determined to
have each other, and for the purpose of putting it
beyond the power of mortals to prevent the reali-
sation of their wishes, they agreed to elope ! Time with
them was an object, and they accordingly selected, as
the place most suitable and most accessible for the
attainment of their desired end, the cathedral city—•
Durham. After making the necessary arrangements,
they accordingly proceeded thither ; but what was their
mortification to find, on their arrival, that the bishop
and all the clergymen we're away at a visitation—it could
not be done there. Undaunted by this rebuff to their
fond anticipations they determined to try another place,
and so hastened by first train to Newcastle. But there
too a misfortune awaited them which they bad not cal-
culated upon. They did not arrive in the " canny town"
till after 12 o'eloek--of course a considerable time too
late for the marriage rites to be celebrated that clay.
What was to be done ? they had gone so far with their
project, would they not endeavour to carry it out ? After
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OD "their way rejoicing."—.Durhaya avereiser,