The Sun.
London, England, 1824-04-15 00:00:00

L&W INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, APRIL 14.
BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.
DICE v. FLETCDEIt.
Mr. WYLDE opened the pleadings. The plaintiff, Eliza-
beth Dick, brought this action against Alexander Fletcher for
breach of promise of marriage.
Some consultation here took place among the Counsel on
both sides.
Mr. BROUGHAM said it would have been his duty to have
stated this case to the Jury, but for an explanation which had
just taken place, and which rendered it unnecessary.
Mr. SCARLETT said he wished to prevent any misunder-
standing going forth to the public. The plaintiff was a young
Lady of great personal attractions, of ahighly respectable family.
and of good fortune. She was the daughter of a most respect-
able Clergyman at the head of the Dissenters in a neighbour-
ing country (Scotland). The defendant was a Clergyman of
the same class in this city. He had become at a very early
period of his life attached to the young lady. The attach-
ment was mutual, and was still cherished in the heart of the
defendant without the slightest change. The case came into
Court solely in consequence of circumstances in the Defendant's
family which rendered it imperious upon him to abstain from
forming that connection which he had promised to form. He
was the victim, and not the author of this cruel necessity. He
was most anxious to prevent any imputation whatever against
the young Lady, or any surmise that she was less worthy of
affection that she had ever been. In fact he loved her as much
as he had ever done. The case was brought into Court only to
satisfy her feelings, and prevent any reflection upon her charac-
ter. The Defendant was not only willing, but anxious to ad-
mit, in the most unqualified terms, her respectability, her
worth, his esteem and affection for her, and his respect for her
family and friends. _ _

linotrunAm said that in the very respectable walk of
religion of which the Plaintiff's father was the head and orna-
ment, it was of the utmost importance that no surmises of im-
proper conduct should be allowed to exist. The action was
brought solely for the purpose of preventing any prejudice aris-
ing against the young Lady from the breaking off of a connec-
tion promised by a Clergyman so highly respectable as the De-
fendant, Mr. Fletcher, was. The object sought was obtained
by the statement of his Learned Friend. He too was authoriz -
ed to say that Miss Dick gave Mr. Fletcher credit for unchang-
ed sentiments of regard towards her, and that she still enter-
tained undiminished respect for him.
Mr. SCARLET T again repeated observations of the same
kind as before. _ _

A Juror was withdrawn.
The crowd in Court was more dense than we had ever before
seen it, and every countenance expressed visible dissatisfaction
at the abrupt termination of the intrresting cause.

FEES OF CONSULS.
LEMA V. HALDIMAND.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated this to be an action
brought by the Spanish Consul in this country for work and
service done. The Defendant had held certain Spanish Bonds,
which the Plaintiff cancelled, and for which he gave certifi-
cates or receipts upon the Spanish Government. For this ser-
vice the fees were sought for which this action came into Court.
lIIr. SCARLETT elicited from the first witness, that the
work was done for the Spanish Government.
The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said, the action could not be
maintained. In any transaction between two private parties,
the Consul was entitled to his fees ; but where his Government
was one of the partielliecould not claim fees. As well might
for the exchange of Exchequer
bfeiellssbaet telleinirlerde asi 11l rtyl 1s country.—Nonsuit. _ . _

DtriiN. TREND AND OTHERS.
This was an action. against the trustees of the 41forning
Advertiser, for a libel in the form of a police report, reflecting
onattorney. Three Special Jurors answered
to t
The Counsel for the plaintiff declined to pray
a tales, and the case went ofFlay default of jurors.
tir characternootos. of an

rrtsieesve
WESTMINSTER SESSIONS, Gurr.ntrAr.r., APRIL 14.
tli
assault of but little interest except to
craolnctreiranlesdf,or
on, the. particulars of which appeared some time since in our
theeAfptea e case of FonEit v. FORD came
Paper. 91r. CHARLES PHILLIPs, in a very eloquent address,
opened the cause for the plaintiff, a cavalry Officer on full pay,
and called several highly respectable witnesses to substantiate
the charge of assault which appears to have been one of a most
brutal nature. Mr. Anor.Piws, in a very ungoverned man.
ner, attempted to throw discredit on the statements, and brought
forward one witness, who called himself " Mr. Montgomery,"
whose evidence was afterwards most clearly disproved by his
own words, by Mi. Phillips, who warmly reprobated Mr.
conduct. The CIIAIRMAN, with a full trench of
Magistrates, in a most able manner, summed up theevidence,
and warmly applauded the conduct of Mr. FoSter on the occa.
sion, remarking that he would leave the Court, entitled to its
highest'approbation, and to
the respect and esteem not only of
his_brothgr•officers, but of every one to whom the character of
a- Gentleman -was 'dear. The Jury immediately returned a
verdict against the defendant, Mr. Ford, who did not give any
account of himself either as a Gentleman or a respectable mem.
ber of society, and who was sentenced to three months impri.
sonment,—to the satisfaction of a highly crowded Court.—
Mr. ADOLPIIUS, in a very handsome manner, disclaimed all
intention of any personal attack upon Mr. Foster's. feelings,
and apologized for the. warmth of language into which he had
inadvertently been betrayed:,

MoNT DE PIETE.--The plan of the New
" EQUITABLE LOAN BANK" being founded ostensibly on
that of the Continental Monts de Pick, some notice of the
origin of those useful Institutions may not be unacceptable to
our readers. In 1491 the extortions of the Lombard Jews
had become so excessive in Italy, that a Society was formed
in Padua, for the purpose of lending money on pledges at a
moderate rate
.of interest..
,Vrona this the people experienced
such relief, that in "a few months the twelve establishments
of 'Lombard Jews in that city were extinguished. Other
places followed. the example of Padua, and from ;that time
Moss de Piete have continued to flourish 'throughout Italy.
It' as not -till 1777 that theY were intrOduced• into Fiance ; in
that year-the celebrated'Afolit de Pieteof Paris:was opened under
the immediate sanction and direction of
.Government, on whose
sole account it was NI- Some time iondUcted. Tlte success and
great utility of the plan being fully ascertained, privateindivi-
, duals 'were subsequently permitted. tet embark their capitals in
this institution, which has long been considered as the .most
flouriShing and prosperous concern in 'Fiance. The annual
value' of pledges in Paris alone exceed a million sterling
and there being other similar establishments in the province,
on a large scale, the aggregate capital employed is supposed to
be immense." So admirably are these instititions adapter{to
the purpose, for whichthey are desikned, 'that:wbfle'si satWac-
tory:and certain profit is derived from: the .capital employed, they
and loOked upon by the. people with the liitgliest respect as real
sources of relief and equitable accommodation:

Some dnrin,,c, villains 011 Tuesday evening en-
tered' th;,: house of Mr. Ja:ro es' Hephurn, MOntague-kquare, and.
rifiedr;the hntlet's'eldset of a quantity of , valuable' sirver plate,
which they gc)t off. undiscovered., The family
wi,th the cr eSt, of a horse bound to a Iree,.and motto, were any
all ititicre.g:. Information 'was 'yesterday given 'at aII tile,
offieei, and 'a: -reviat& is offered' fot the apprehension of tile
thieves, or recovery of the property. •