The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-16 00:00:00

Mr BROWN then rose and said, that although he was a
at
ranger to the Institution, he had that evening heard their
claims on public support, and he had come to the determina-
tion of joining the Association. It had been proposed that
each member should get a friend who would also join the
Association. Hefor one would be glad to introduce a gen-
tleman who would become a member.
The CHAIRMAN tken said, before he put the resolution he
proposed to call the attention of Mr. Bowden to the impossi-
bility of pledging any person who was not present. He pro-
;,osed that the resolution should be put in the form of a re-
commendation. It would be very unwise and very unfair to
attempt to carry a resolution that might be by no means
effectual. _ .

After some discussion on the subject the resolution was
withdrawn. _ _

" Mr. WILLIAM REN-AELL moved the sixth resolution—
" That the thanks of this meeting are due to the board of
managers for their continued devotion to the interest of the
Association.
Mr. J. R. LLOYD seconded the resolution, which was carried
unanimously
Mr. RICHARD HENRY JONES moved—" That the best
thanks of this meeting be presented to John Abel Smith, Esq.,
M.P., for presiding on this occasion, and for the deep interest
he has always shown for the prosperity and welfare of the
Association."
Mr. Joitx WHITE NVEtcx seconded the resolution, which
was carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, amid great cheering,
stated that he was happy to find that the little ha had been
able to accomplish for this invaluable Institution had been so
much appreciated by its members. He could assure the
meeting that his personal exertions should never be relaxed
tomake the Society known from the east to the west, and from
the north to the south—(Cheers)—and he trusted that the
time was not far distant when the Provident Clerks' Associ-
ation would take its place among the largest, as it was ever
the most useful, association in the metropolis.—(Loud cheers.)
There was only one subject more on which he wished to
touch, and that was to state that, having benefited so largely
last year by the dinner, he trusted that every exertion would
be made for the ono that was to take place during the present
year.—(Cheers.)
The meeting then broke up.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
ROLL'S COURT, Feb. 14.
His Lordship sat to.day at ten o'clock.
M'CLELL AND V. COLESWORTU.
The hearing of this case was resumed. It was a demurrer, and
was Quite devoid of public interest.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, Feb. 14.
(Sittings at Nisi Prius, at Westminster, before Mr. Jus-
tice WIGUTMAN and a special jury.)

- -
BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.—MIB9 MARY
ELIZABETH SMITH v. THE EARL FERRERS.
Every part of the Court was crowded to the utmost to
hear this extraordinary case. Only seven special jury-
men answered to their names, a tales was prayed, and

the jury were sworn.
The Solicitor-General, Mr. M. Chambers, Mr. Robin-
son, and Mr. Symons were counsel for the plaintiff, and
the Attorney-General, Mr. Crowder, Mr. Humfrey, and
Mr. Barsto for the defendant.
The declaration stated that the plaintiff was Miss
Mary Eliza Smith, and the defendant was Washington,
Earl Ferrers. The action was brought to recover com-
pensation in damages for a breach of promise of mar-
riage, but that since such promise he had married one
Isabella Chichester. The defendant had pleaded that he
had not promised, and that at the time he made the
promise he was under age. The plaintiff replied, that
the promise had been renewed after he came of age.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL, in opening the case to the
jury on the part of the plaintiff, said they had heard
from his Learned Friend the nature of this;action, and
when he told them that it involved all that was dear in
life to the plaintiff, he need not add that it was a case to
her of the deepest interest and importance, and he was
sure he should not in vain solicit their most patient
attention. The young lady, Miss Smith, was' at this
time twenty- one years of age, but she was only seventeen
years old when she first became acquainted with the
defendant. Earl Ferrers was a nobleman of very ancient
family, having vast landed possessions in the counties of
Leicester and Stafford; he was himself young, having
only attained twenty •one early in the year 1843. His
grandfather had died in October, 1842. The father of
the present earl never became a peer, as he died many
years before his father, who was the grandfather of the
defendant. This young man, before the death of his
grandfather, was placed under the care of a gen-
tleman in Warwickshire, and he continued under
his care, prosecuting his studies, till 1840, when he
went abroad, and remained till 1842. Miss Smith,
the young lady who appeared as plaintiff in this
case, was the step-daughter of Mr. Smith, who resided
at Austrey, in Warwickshire. He was a gentleman of
high character and reipectahility. He had married the
mother of the plaintiff. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the
plaintiff resided at Austrey during the whole time that
the defendant, as Lord Tamworth, and afterwards Eari
Ferrers, lived in that neighbourhood. As long ago as
1839 the young lady had attracted the attention of Lord
Ferrers. They occasionally spoke to each other, and
this kind of occasional conversation continued till the
time that Earl Ferrers went abroad. Miss Smith was a
young lady of great personal attractions, and she en-
gaged the affections of Earl Ferrers, who had made to
her the most unequivocal promises of marriage. A
young girl so much inferior in life had, perhaps, too
readily lent herself to his attentions, and she had be-
come most sincerely attached to him. This attach-
ment, which he would hope was sincere en both sides,
commenced before the defendant went abroad, and he
prevailed upon her to pledge to him her inviolable affec-
tion. This sort of intercourse between these two young
poople, after it had existed some time, reached the ears of
Mfr. and Mrs. Smith,who spoke to their daughter upon the
subject. They felt that the attentions of one so much
above their daughter in rank and station was to be
looked up in with some suspicion—they dreaded what
had since happened, and were desirous of preventing the
continuance of an attachment which they fear( d might
terminate in an unhappy manner, and they therefore
sent her to London, and afterwards to France, to finish
her education. Earl Ferrers returned to this country
in 1842, and from that time a correspondence continued
between them, and the marriage was fixed to take place
on a certain day, and the defendant had sought every
opportunity of continuing to bind the affections of Miss
Smith, which he had already gained. He lived at
some distance from Austrey, but he frequently went
over there, and he continued to give Miss Smith
every assurance of his attachment, and in the early
part of 1844 it was agreed that the union should take
place in the month of May, but it was afterwards post-
poned till July or August. Every preparatio a was ma le—
the dresses were preparel—the bridecake was ordered,
and everythingwas done that was usual on such occasions,
and it was only at the end of July that this unhappy
young lady was apprised of the fact that the defendant
could not marry her, by reading in the newspaper of his
marriage to Miss Chichester. From the correspon-
dence they would be able td appreciate her feelings, and
would sympathise with this young lady, whose hopes
were for ever blasted by the conduct of the defendant.
With regard to any communication that had taken place
prior to 1843, he was unable to produce the letters. The
defendant was in the habit of writing upon scraps of paper,
and sometimes in a hand scarcely legible and much
crossed ; and they would find the letters he should put
in evidence were of that character. In February, 1844,
Miss Smith received this letter :
" Dearest Mary—lf wishes could transport me to you, there
would be no need of thus writing; but as I am anxious—
most anxious—to hear of your well being, and also to tell
you that business relating to my late grandfather's will may
detain me longer then I thought of from you, I send this.
Very good cousin Evelyn advises me not to take my seat
just at present, as he thinks it not necessary, The fact is,
though he won't own it, he fancies me no Tory is feeling, and
would, of course, like that I should be one in truth. I my-
self think it will be wise to be quiet for the present. It needs
not I should tell you again Evelyn is a clever fellow—an
ultra Tory—even condemning Sir Robert for his even mea-
sures."—[Mr. Kelly: One would almost have supposed the
letter had been of a more recent date]—" An ambitious man,
and a very proud one, attached to Devereux much, and
thinking me somewhat obstinate and stupid for not seeing
clearly, and acting up to Isis wishes in each respect. Really
this weather is tremendous—so cold. The other night I saw
" The Bohemian Girl ;" the performance pleased me much.
Talbot is in town. Monks really gone to Rome with the
Stourtons. I have seen chairs I think will do for one
of our rooms at Chartley. Won't the old hall be bright
and happy when its future mistress takes possession of it.
Pray take every care of yourself, dearest—forget not you are
the only hope of one to whom a palace would be a desert, and
England no home without you—far dearer to me than each
earthly blessing, without which no one, or any, would be of
value. Mary, you, who are all in all to me—take care of
yourself, and -mind when you return from walking you
change your shoes. You may laugh at me, but you are not
particular, I know, in this respect, and you may take cold.
Also pray wrap up very warmly, and do not sit too long over
that embroidery frame, ncr vex yourself with thinking of
imaginary evils. Surely if ive love each other, we may pass
through this vale of thorns and thistles, as you are pleased to
term it, tolerably. We must support each other, and you
look bright and happy, as you used to do in days of yore.
It has often struck me there is something untold to me,
some secret care I know not of that troubles you ; why
not, dear girl, tell me. If it is se—for I have often seen you
look sad and unhappy, and the thought is with me still, there
is something—pardon me thus speaking—l would lighten
every care as far as lay in me, and bear all your troubles for vo;s,
so I saw you happy. I hope soon this will cease, in gay,
that be
you may my bride, my wife, then all that is mystery
now will be cleared, and your father not have to look for the
marks of horses' shoes in that house of his, but that jems
wily be found in his stable. This will amuse' you. Do not
let any one see my note, -I am ashamed of it, the writing so
illegible. I was at Brighton the other day, and saw my
sister, Devereso; is going to stay for a time. Captain
1V estall Talbot and lion. Charlesshalltly 3eare dining with them
at Mivart's. I think it likely I
obliged to go to Eat-
ington for a day or two. I hardlyl m whether to purchase
know
suppose
Wentu must pay nearly
the conservatory at Staunton, but
d, to
ounvgaCtiolefiringwoofixed
upon
see
living
ather
on
I,OOOL Met Tracy in town the other daytol!dame
Toussound's exhibition withy
Mathew. I think, as we have
the continent for some time, it will hardly be of use fitting
up
Chartley until our return from thence. More of this when
I again see you, which certainly will not be long. Evelyn is
sereatly interested about these Irish trials; indeed, his son
went down purposely to hear Shiers speech, which delighted
him. lie personally knows Fitzgibbon. Talbot has pur-
chased a musical box, he which ought me to look at ;B th
It plays beautifully some of eet- e
cost ten guinea..
hoven's sonatas and natb)e's and is really wprth the
money ; but as you told me to be verycareful abo. ut
expense, I shall not indulge myself with anything of the kind
until after our marriage. I deeply regret the loss that of that
foolish 5,0001., but 'tis of no use only to make me more care-
ful ; in justice, my grandfather and father lost much money
in:that way. It will not do for the son to follow their ex-
ample, or 'twould snake him a second Lord Huntingtower. I
rather fancy the child of Evelyn—who, indeed, W—..—, is
very unhoppy with her husband—l saw her in London the
day before yesterday: poor thing! she is evidently lost, and
looks more like a corpse than anything else ; one of tile Many
who have married a man unloved, for wealth or station, or
because earents willed it, and so lose their peace of mind.
She is clever, and was pretty, Walker is a cold-hearted
prowl man, who makes a wife a secondary consideration,
not perceiving that wife dying with secret grief. But
this will y interest you, and my writing is such, I
hardly like to send it you. Let no other eye than
yours see it. Once more, dear Mary, keep up your spirits,
and make yoarself happy if possible. I need not again say
how much of (indeed the happiness of another b- 1404