The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-13 00:00:00

MARC H 13, 184 G,

NORFOLK ClRCUlT.—Bedford, March 10.
CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Mr Baron PARKE and a spocial
jury.)
JOINT COULTAS V. TIMOTHY FISR FORD BOWES, CLERK.
This was an action of trespass for criminal conversation
with Ann, the plaintiff's wife, to which the defendant pleaied
not
Mr O'Malley and Mr Wells appeared for the plaintiff. The
Attorney-General, who was specially • retained, appeared
with Mr. Sergeant Byles and Mr, Prendergast for :the rev.
defendant.

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coepeednee: ttl:e pleadingsad dress
Air.M r. WELLSo,alAta,hEayvt
haen d statedury and
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damages to be laid at 2,0007.,
to open the case on behalf of the plaintiff; whom he
represented as a poor man seeking for justice and com-
pensation at the hands of the jury from a rich man—
a man by birth, rank, and education, their own equal.
Having thus introduced his client and his position to the
notice of the jury, the Learned Gentleman proceeded to state
that in 1816 the plaintiff married his wife, the subject of the
present proceedings. Before that time ey had both been
in the service of the defendant's family, but on their union
they left the establishment. In 1820111 e wife, whose maiden
name was Barnes, returned to the house as Mrs. Bowes's
maid, and in 1831 the plaintiff came back. In /839 the
establishment of Dr. Bowes was removed from Yorkshire to
this county,• where the defendant possessed the liviqg of
Barton. 'There Mrs. Bowes died, and after that event Its.
Coultas, who was always known by the name of Barnes, be-
came cook and housekeeper, and her husband became groom
and gamekeeper, to the defendant. From that time an inti-
macy sprung up bet Ween the plaintiff's wife and the de-
fendant, which would no doubt be attempted to ba justified
to-day. If the defendant, who was 67, had been weak in
mind and body, he might excuse such intimacy on the
ground of his requiring nursing; but it would have better
become a gentleman in Dr. Bowes's state of health (for lie
wog a halo and hcovt- man, :111.11VItgll near 70) to check his
inclinations to associate with his female servant ; and If
would certainly have been mote seemly if he had selected 'a
male servant for his confidence.. In 1843 the defendant took
up Mrs. Coultas to London, her health being then (or bei:ig
stated so to be) in a state te require the best advice of tae
metropolis. Instead of being taken under the care of her
husband, she was escorted thither by the defendant, her
master, and there established by him in lodgings. The
Learned Counsel then read a letter from the defendant, ad-
dressed to the plaintiff ; after which he continued his re-
marks as follows :--Phis letter affords the best proof that
the plaintiff was kind to his wife, for it comes from the
defendant himself, and it, might be asked whether it was
decent and proper for a man in the defendant's position thus
to play the 111175 C to another man's wife, and that man his
servant ? Ought he to be climbing up into the sick room
of a female servant, where rather he ought only to have
appeared as the minister of religion? It was plain, how-
ever, that the defendant had no honest purpose in removing
the plaintiff's wife to town, and his object was carried out
on her return, for he then brought about a separation of man
and wife. Mrs. Coultas after that visit to town abstained
from sharing her husband's bed. She was then in the habit
of rising at five o'clock, and taking tea at that hour to the
defendant's bed-room, where she remained two hours. At.
night site was constantly in his study, and there sat with
her master, who, without any sympathy of mind with one
so beneath him in rank and education, could yet pretend to
enjoy social intercourse with her, while in. truth lie was seek-
ing far the communion of foul and gross lust and passion.
The defendant had made professions of provision for the plain-
tiff and his wife, which veiled the eyes of the former for some
time. Circumstances, however, arose in 1815 which could admit
but of one construction, and he awoke to a conviction that lie
had been dishonured by his master, He looked out for proof
of his master's guilt, and resorted to the expedient of em-
ploying his fellow-servants to watch the guilty pair from
Michaelmas to the end of November in that year. Nothing,
however, was discovered on which he could act till the 29th
of - November, when, ac would be proved, the persons em-
ployed by him detected the defendant and his wife in a
situation which admitted but of one conclusion. On the fol.
lowing- Monday, the discovery being made on the Saturday.
the plaintiff taxed the defendant with the odious charge, and
then beyond all question it would appear that a complete re-
volution ensuedin that house. The plaintiff left the house;
in the evening he returned to remove his wife—she was gone.
He asked the reverend defendant where'. she was, and he
called God to witness that he did not know. Almost
instantly afterwards the defendant sent his own servant, on
horseback, after her, •td warn her that her hUsband was in
pursuit of her. It appears that she went to the house
of her sister, . who lives at Wakefield, in York-
shire. The plaintiff, exercising the authority of a has
band, obtained from the post-office at Luton a letter from the
defendant to the plaintiff's wife, and also the Pictorial Times
and Peach, which the defendant seemed to regard as very fit
instruments of consolation for the servant whose absconding
he had declared to be most injurious to hischaracter. Having
read this letter, the Learned Counsel then proceeded to com-
ment on it at length, Looking at these letters no doubt of
the charge could be entertained, and coupled with the direct
testimony which the plaintiff was about to adduce, the case
would be made out bey.ord all shadow of doubt.l The
Learned Gentleman then ,concluded by earnestly calling upon
the jury to do their duty to the plaintiff, and the cause of
truth and virtue, by awarding to him the most substan-
tial damages, and thus to read a lesson to persons in the
situation of the reverend defendant, that they could not de-
part from the paths of virtue without meeting with the
disgraoe and punishment at the hands .of their fellow-
countrymen.
The following witnesses were then examined on the part
of the plaintiff:—
Catherine. Furness—There were only myself and Mrs.
Coultas. I was-housemaid and under-cook for a year. I rose
at six ; 11.11.5. Coultas got up earlier. Dr. Bowes used to
take a cup of tea before he got up, as soon as Mrs. Coultas
was up. She used to remain in his room from an hour and
an hour and a half to two hours. Mrs. Coultas used to go
into the study after tea. She would remain half an hour or
an hour, or more. There is not the least doubt she was Mr.
Coultas's wife. She used to bring out the doctor's-clothes for
Betas td bresb. She stopped in till the doctor was un-
dressed, and then brefight out the clothes. I have gone into
the dikte 4 reeled after he left it, to brush the grates. I went
to look at Lif! heel; end I evw the impressions of two people
he it. I did so because we used ti? talk of it in the kitchen.
This occurred once or twice.
Croii-didrifinedby the ArrOnNIT.V-GENERAL—I wished to
leave because Mrs. Cotfital Was always tipsy. Ido not mean
she was tipsy every other day, but she was never to say
I sober. was didefed dot ;be gq into Dr. Bowes's bed-room
the day I went there. I thoilpt 14 very strange that I was
not to help, and suspected something within a week, because
Mrs. Coultas was so much with the doctor. We had family
prayers nidriehiee dud evening. When I went into the reem
I saw two impressions—they Were on the top of the Lea,
about a fed. ariaet. The bed clothes Were half turned down ;
the iniffreeisione vide on the middle of the bed and on the
pillows, as if two peel Ons hod been lying do the bed,
Hannah Hind—l was a kitchen-maid at Die Bowes's,
Coultas used to attend on the doctor, and went into his bed-
roone I have seen her take tea into him at six o'clock. She
used to etey a long time, it quarter of an hour. Not longer.
I don't think I have knoven her stay longer. She used to go
into the atiedy about si* o'clock hi the evening, and stay a
considerable tulle With hint. f mean an hour or two. niece
was no one else with them.
Cross-examined by the ArroiNEr-GromiAL—All I-know
is that she took the tea up stairs, and came down within a
quaftef of tiff hotel'. I have heard the doctor and Coultas
talking in the study Wbeu I Went near there. I never went
to listen at the study.
By the Jituon—l have seen 3/ra Coultas drunk several
times—the second and third times I was there. I have seen
her drink in the presence of ijr. Boltes in the day-time.
Henry Smith—l am a tailor, and live at Luben, My
brother William lives in the service of Dr. Bowes, I believe,
I went on Saturday, 24th November, with my brother to
Dr. Bowes's. It was between five and six—very near six. I
saw Cceiltes canning from Dr. Bowes's house. He spoke to
my brother, and said " Stand still—l want you to go and
look." I did not know where. Ity brother refused to go,
and I went. I went up to a window in Dr. Bowes's
house. I believe it to be the study window. I looked one
side and could see nothing. I then looked on the left side,
and east two people in the room. It was about six o'clock.
I saw Mrs. Coultas—no one else—she was sitting at the fire.
I remained twenty minutes or half an hour. She was sit-
ting on the left-hand side of the fire. I heard her say, "Of
course—certainly;" and a voice said, "Do you think that
Coultas suspects us now?" I saw no one. She said she did
not know—she sometimes thought he did. Dr. Bowes then
crossed the fire from the right-hand side of the room, and
he took hold of Mrs. Coultas's hand and put it to his lips.
lie said, " Never mind, I will take care of you." He
seemed to raise her by the hand, and she stood up. They
seemed to press against each other. His arm was round
her neck, and her arm round his waist. They remained
in that position for a minute or two. [The witness went
on to describe circumstances which in his opinion proved that
criminal intercourse had taken place ] At this moment
I thought I heard my brother William speaking behind
me. I then turned and saw the plaintiff and him stand-
ing at the corner of the coach-house. They had a gun.
When I saw them they seemed to be striving with the gun.
I lightly stepped towards them and held up my finger, I
said, " Oh, Coultas, don't do that, for if you do, you'll get
hung." My brother William said if ho did not give up the
gun he would call out. I returned to the window and saw Mrs.
Coultas poking the fire. Dr. Bowes took the skirt of Mrs.
Coultas's gown and shook it. Site rose and smiled and he
smiled at her. Half a minute after Coultas pulled me by
the coat, and I rose and stepped a yard or two. I slept that
night at my brother William's. I saw Coultas next evening
(Sunday) in Tooley's field, at Barton. It was about six
o'clock. He asked me to come again on Saturday.
William Smith—l am now in the service of Dr. Bowes, as
gamekeeper; I have been so for nearly five years. On the
' 29th I saw Coultas at night, with my brother. This
witness then went on to corrobarate the testimony of
his brother, and spoke to his having also looked into the
study window, and having seen Dr. Bowes put his arm
round Mrs. Coultas's neck " as if he was going to kiss her."
I had watched some time before, at Coultas's desire, and
have seen master kiss her several times. I can't say how
often. Coultas said that night that he wanted me again on
Sunday. He came and took the ladder away and-I followed
him. He set it against master's bed-room window, where
there was a light. I got up and looked in through the flute
of a blind which was let down. I saw Mrs. Coultas conic in
in her dressing-gown and socks. She undid the curtains,
pulled down the bed-clothes, took off her dressing-gown and
socks, and got into bed. Master was in bed, and rose up.
• * • * She remained in bed in hour or so, and I
stayed all that time on the ladder. I then saw her get out
of bed and put on her dressing-gown and socks, and tuck up
the clothes and kiss master, when she left the room with
the candle. Next morning I saw Coultas speak to master,
who said—" Good God! Coultas, I hope you will forget
all that's done and past, and say no more about it."
Coultas said "I can't; for what I have seen and
others have seen I can't bear any longer." They
were speaking again together at five o'clock
very loud. Master said, " Coultas, where are you going?"
He had a gun in his hand. Coultas said, "I am going to
fetch back your —, that you have sent away." Master
struck his hand against his heart, and said, " I take God
to witness that I don't know where she has gone to."
Coultas said, " It's a lie, you do know." Master said, "If
I am believed, on the word of a man I do not know ;
take God to be my witness." I did not hear what else
they said.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Beers—l first saw master
kiss Mrs. Coultas eleven or twelve months ago. When I
looked through the flute of the blind the candle was on a
table near the window, and the curtains were open on that
aide of the bed. Dim Callao got in on that aide.

PRICE SD.

Mr. Baron PARKE here suggested that, as it was nearly
seven o'clock, and the case could not possibly be concluded
to-night, this was a fitting opportunity to break in upon
the evidence; and the case was, therefore, adjourned till
to-morrow.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, MARCH 11.
The Royal Family leave Osborne on Friday next, much
improved in health.

Norris Castle, it is expected, will be occupied by either the
Queen Dowager or the Duchess of Kent next summer; by
the arrangements making it would rather appear to be the
latter.

The Earl of Yarborough, Commodore of the Royal Yacht
Squadron, is expected at the Squadron-house this evening.
The numerous ya7,hts in the different building-yards here
are proceeding with all possible dispatch. The Em-
peror of Russia's is planked in, and the Earl of Cardigan's is
nearly so; four others are in a very forward state.
The members of the Cowes Mechanics' Institute propose
having a portrait of their patron, the Earl of Yarborough,
painted by a first- rate artist, and placed in the Town-hall,_
their lecture-room,
Cuvar, DISA PPOINT3I EN r.--011 Sunday morning almost
the entire female population of this town were attracted to
Whippingharn Church, expecting the handsome man (Prince
Albert) and the Queen would as usual attend. Oar churches
and chapels were nearly deserted, though it was clear that
the Rev Air. Protheroe was not the attraction. Many left
their homes nearly breakfastless to be in time, as the doors
are closed the moment the royal party enter, and those that
are out remain ont—this prevents much gazing in the little
churchyhrd ; the royal party also leave first to avoid the'
throng (beware of the fate of Brighton I)—but on this occa-
sion the royal party did not attend. The disappointment of
the ladies was beyond description, and it is said that the
retei,a•ae, to art! to th. wllnoYOOQo, on avgcd, upcm 111 a -0- 01
known to WhatgAnut ye. furl h, to sea.'
•

fse LONDON—TiII this year we, like many
other towns, bad no provincial honorary secretary appointed.,
and as a natural consequence were not subscribers. This spring,
W. C. Hofimeister, M.D., was appointed, and the eflect is
forty subscribers. Would not similar appointments in other
towns be attended with equally beneficial results to the
society ?
The Rev. T. S. Guyer, Independent minister, of Ryde,
died on Thursday last. Li an application to the minister
of Binstead Church for bis interment he decidedly refused,
stating that he was a Dissenter, and that he had been the
cause of making many to leave the Church, 'therefore he
would not bury him. The undertaker was anxious to re-
move the reverend gentleman's prejudice, as Mr. Guyer had
two children buried in the churchyard, and it was his wish
to be buried by their side ; but Mr. Hewitt said he had pre-
vbusly made up his mind on the subject, and should not do
it, but that they might take up the bodies of the two chil-
dren, and most liberally said he would not take any: fees for
-that, which he was at liberty to do. This specimen of
Christian charity has caused great excitement in the town
among all classes both of Churchmen and Dissenters, as the
deceased was universally beloved.

THE STREET-CLEANSING
ASSOCIATION.

On Tuesday, at twelve o'clock, the City Commissioners of
Sewers received a deputation at Guildhall from the Society
for promoting an improved method of Cleansing the Streets
of the Metropolis.
The deputation was headed by Mr. C. Cochrane, Dr. Coxe,
Mr. S. Buckingham, and other leading members of the
association, whose object was to obtain the countenance and
aid of the Court iu their endeavours to give the citizens of
London an opportunity of demonStrating their opinions as to
the proceedings and recommendations of the society which
they represented.
The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Peacock) having invited the deputa-
tion to communicate their wishes to the Court,
Mr. COCHRANE called on the secretary to read the me-
morial of the society to the Commission.
The document, which was of considerable length, em-
bodied a statement of the objects and achievements of the ~
Street-cleansing Association, both of which have been re-
peatedly presented to the public. As an efficient mode of em-
ploying the able-bodied poor, besides affording great advan-
tages to the public in a sanitary point of view, without
materially increasing their expenditure; they recommended
their plan to the adoption of the citizens of' London, know-
ing that the effect of their example would be to ensure its
reception, not merely in the other districts of the metropo-
lis, but in every other thickly-populated town in the country.
The CHAIRMAN, before hearing the deputation, wished to
observe. that the Commissioners were about to try an ex-
periment which, it was thought, might, to some extent,
operate in the better cleansing of the streets—he alluded to
the intended divisimi of the contracts, hitherto a joint one,
for the duiting and cleansing of the streets.
Mr. •Coctutesee: began by drawing the attention of the
Court to four documents, which accompanied the memorial,
the-first of which was the report of the Society's inspeitor;
the second, a requisition signed by many of the leadingener- .
chants; , the third, a, list of the subscribers, showing
class of persons who hid taken, en interest in the subject;
and the fourth, 'a testimonial fronekhe poor men engaged in
the work of cleansing the different streets undertaken by
the Society, and expressive of their gratitude fur having
been furnished with an employment which rendered them
independent of the parish. Mr. Cochrane then alluded to
the excellent behaviour of these men during the execution
of the work entrusted to them, observing that the police
had never had cause to make a single complaint against any
of them. Ile had seen with much regret, in common with
his colleagues, a statement of one of their body in the
newspapers, that the funds appropriated to the Commission
did not exceed 6.000/. per annum ; but still lie believed lie
could show that if all the items saved by the adoption of the
new plan were taken into consideration, the expense would
not be, in reality, much greater. The increased collection
of ashes for manure, coupled with the saving effected in the
water-rate or contribution (arising from there being then no
necessity to water the streets), and a number of other items
which would be saved indirectly by the operation of the plan,
would almost compensate for the extra outlay involved by it.
It would be remembered that when' the society proposed to
cleanse the thoroughfares surrounding the Bank by way of
example, it was suggested that the task would be a very
easy one in such an open locality, and not likely to prove so
satisfactory as if the experiment were made in Cheapside,
Newgate-street, or some thoroughfare of equally great traffic.
These streets (Cheapside and Newgate-street) were, conse-
quently, superintended by the society, and he felt confident
that the result of the experiment had been most satisfactory
to the inhabitants.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Cochrane concluded
by observing, that the society were only anxious to learn
from the Court what would be required by them before they
ten iustifled in giving their plan a general trial. The society
were stirs 4.aposed to give their time and their money, and if
; ~
....he sanction of a certain number of rate-
the Court Wanted;
ng. irriin the matter, or a certain
payers and citizens before tv) had the greatest con-
ches of ratepayers, they (the see,:
fidence In their ability to furnish them with the necessary
.
guarantee.
prec_eding
Dr. CONE added his testimony to that of the
speaker, as to the perfect success of the society's operations
wherever they had been put in force. He said it was de-
plorable to reflect on the wretched condition of many parts
of the metropolis, even in the immediate precincts of the
City'. He instanced the district of St. Pancras, especially
Skinner-street, Brewer-street, &c., where fish and vegetable
remains were suffered to accumulate in the roads until the
effluvia became most obnoxious to the inhabitants of the
neighbourhood, and dangerous to their health.
Mr. Deputy STEPHENS fully concurred in the eulogium
passed upon the exertions of the members of the society in
question, and was quite willing to admit the excellency of
their plan for cleansing 'the streets ; but the Court could
not move in the matter until pressed forward by the public,
whose money was placed at their disposal, and whose
opinions it was first necessary to ascertain, before taking any-
such step as that suggested by the deputation. It was true
that a great many names were appended to the requisition,
but several of the parties resided in Wilmington-square, and
in other localities without the precincts of the city. If a pe-
tition emanating from the citizens, or a large proportion of
the principal bankers and tradesmen, were presented in favour
of the plan, the Court might take a different view of the
matter.
Mr. L. JoerEs said it was only due to the society which
Mr. Cochrane and his friends represented, to say that their
labours in the City had been completely successful, and highly
satisfactory to the inhabitants. In those thoroughfares
which had been cleansed by them, it was the general remark
of the citizens that they had never experienced greater com-
fort, and he hoped the system would be continued.—(Hear,
hear.) Mr. Stephens, however, had rightly stated the posi-
tion of the Court, and although he (Mr. Jones) could not
sanction the interference of the Court as a body, he felt per-
suaded that the Commissioners would do all in their power
as individuals to further the objects of the association,
Mr. BUCKINGHAM observed, that this was all the society
required of the Court, and if the members used their in-
fluence with the corporate authorities to grant them a meet-
ing in the Guildhall, the object of the deputation would be
fully answered.
Other members of the Commission expressed their hearty-
approval of the society's operations, but
Dr. LYNCH avowed himself opposed to all that the pre-
ceding speakers had advanced, and all that the society had
done. Ife opposed the new plan on moral grounds. lie
did not like to see a poor fellow-creature in the degrading
position in which it placed the workmen, who stood all day
in the streets to gather up the accumulating excrescences.
Ire thought the system recommended by Lord F. Egerton
and others—namely, to lay on water in every floor and attic,
every court and alley in the metropolis, with taps and hose
to wash the outsides as well as the insides of their houses,
and pipes also to wash the surface of the thoroughfares—was
far preferable. - It had been successfully adopted in many
large towns in England and America.
Dr. CONE observed, that this plan was tried some years
ago in Italy. He recollected when in Rome that the naviga-
tion of the Tyber had been actually stopped by the filth and
excrescences thrown into it. whilst the lands were be-
coming incapable of cultivation for want of the manures thus
wasted. _ _ _ _

Some further discussion followed, and the Court eventually
promised their individual sanction and support, in the event
of a public meeting of the citizens being summoned at the
Guildhall to take the subject into consideration.
The deputation then. withdrew.

THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND.—Wednesday, at two
o'clock, the annual general meeting of this society, which was esta-
blished in the year 1790 for the purpose.of affording relief to authors
of genius and leaning and their families, was held at the chambers
of the corporation, No, 73, Great Russell-street, to receive the report
of the past year. Sir William Chatterton, vice-president, presided,
who was supported by a large number of the members. Mr. Illewitt,
the secretary, read the report, which showed that the institution was
irta most prosperous state. In the course of the preceding year the
sum of 1,2401. had been distributed, and the committee was enabled
to increase the amount of grants, so as to afford substantial aid where
the claims were of a character requiring especial assistance. Of the
sums thus awarded eight applicants received each 101.; ten received
401., three 50/., one 75/., and one 100/. Since the foundation of the
institution relief had been given to the amount of 33,423/. The fol-
lowing elections then took place :—Marquis of Lansdowne, president
Lord
Brougham, the Archbishop of Dublin, the 3farquis of Northampton,
Brougham, Lord J. Russell, 3f.P., Sir Robert Peel, M.P., and other
noblemen and gentlemen. vice-presidents ; Lord J. Manners,
and Mr. M. Milner, M.P. on the committee ; and Mr. J. Newman,
F.S.A., honorary arehitee't, in the room of the late Mr. Rhodes, who
held the appointment forty years. Thanks were voted to the chair.
man; and the meeting separated:
The public are specially informed that a few days will
complete the entire range of E. Moses and Son's new pre-
mises in Aldgate and the Minorite, and that due notice will
be given of the day of opening.