The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-12 00:00:00

THE WILTSHIRE PEERAGE.

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It is known to most of oar readers that the
ancient Catholic family of Scrope are endeavour-
ing to revive their title to the earldom of 'Wilt-
shire, which has long been dormant in their
lineage. On this subject two letters have appeared
in the daily Standard. We copy them without at
all vouching for the exactness of the facts they
detail :
Sir,—In your law report, under the head of " The
Wilts Peerage," I find that there is a claimant for
this dignity in the person of Simon T. Scrope,
of Danby-on-Joke, Yorkshire, Esq. All readers
of history know that the earldom of Wilts was
enjoyed by Sir Thomas Bullen, father of the unfor-
tunate Queen of Henry the Eighth. There are
other facts; however, not so well known, but which
are preserved with sundry deeds and documents in
my family. Therefore, at this juncture of
willthe
proceedings in the House of Lords, I beg you
allow me to state that
Ihe
1399 earldom
Scrope, of WEarl iltshireof
is not in abeyance. n
Wiltshire, was attainted ; the earldom was, how-
ever, revived in the family of " Ormond," through
whose representative, the Lady Margaret Butler,
eldest daughter and coheiress of Thomas Earl o
Ormond, it seems to have passed to her son,
Sir
Thomas Bullen—at least he was created Earl of
'Wiltshire, but never having been attainted, and
dying without leaving any male heir, the earldom
of Wiltshire became extinct. Not so, however, the
barony of Hoo and Hastings, to which allusion is
made in the same report, this barony being still
in abeyance amongst the heirs general of Jeffery
Millen, Lord Mayor of London (1455), and of whom
my late father was the direct representative.—
JOHN BULLEN, 8.A., Incumbent of St. blatthew's,
Southampton.

Sin,—The history of the Wiltshire (not Wilts)
peerage is very curious, and it has been heldTh by
four different families, and thrice forfeited.
II in e
first creation was in 1379 by King Richard ~
favour of his chief adviser, William le Scrope,
second son of Henry, Lord Scrope of 11lasham.
This personage is alluded to in Shakespeare's play,
act ii., scene 1 :
" The Earl of Wiltshire hath the realm in fann."
His execution, with two other Ministers of King
Richard, at Bristol, in 1399,
iii., scene 2:— is alluded to in act
ndm
ecardie—ls Bushby,
i Green, and the Earl of Wiltshire
cc A
"Scroop.—Yea, all of them at Br.
This last speaker, the loyal Sir Step
brother cr p, was
istol loist thseir
brother of the earl, and became
the elder and only
ps eocrotldi t Ltoo rdb
eSa cr r oi
j mind
pi
tahselladraist;incatnidonitb eitswimeen-
reat confusion has been made thraugh
becauseg g
the Scropes of Masham and the Scropes of Bolton,
oig
losin sight of the difference. Thus, it is common
for writers to state that Richard Scroop, the Arch-
bishop of York, who took up arms against King
Henry IV., was brother of the Earl of Wiltshire,
and the poet adopts this mistake in t 3, where heF First
si tt
Part of King Henry 1V.," act i.,
scene
is said of the prelate—
" " Who bears hard
his brother's death at Bristol, the Lord Scroop."
But the archbishop was the second son of Richard,
first Lord Scrope of Bolton (who had the famous
controversy with Sir Robert Grosvenor respecting
their coat armour), whose eldest son, Roger, was
second Lord Scrope, of Bolton, whilst from a
younger son, Sir Stephen Scrope, of Bentley, is
descended the claimant to the Wiltshire peerage,
Mr. Simon Scrope. William, Earl of Wiltshire,
was attainted, and his title was therefore forfeited.
He died without issue. It does not appear that
his attainder was ever reversed. Fifty years after
his death the title was revived in favour of James
Butler (eldest son of James, fourth Earl of Or-
monde), a staunch Lancastrian, who fought at the
first battle of St. Albans, 1455 ; and in act i., scene
1, third part of " King Henry VI., which opens,
directly after that fight, with the principal persons
recounting their deeds, the Marquis of Montague
exclaims, showing his bloody sword.,
" And, brother, here's the Earl of Wiltshire's blood,
• Whom I eneounter'd as the battles join'd."
The earl was taken prisoner at Towton in 1461,
executed, and, being attainted, his title was for-
' fated, Jt wall next granted 15y. King Edward IV.,

in 1470, to a member of the great house of Stafford,
John, younger son of Humphrey Stafford, Duke
of Buckingham, and he was succeeded by his son,
at whose death without issue the title was granted
to his cousin, Henry Stafford, by King Henry VIII.,
but became extinct at his death for want of issue
in 1523. It was conferred in 1529 upon Sir
rr-

omas Boleyn by his royal son-in-law, with re-
mainder to the heirs of his body, but as he survived
his son George, the title at his death, in 1558,

!came extinct.

By whatever family, therefore,

the earldom of Wiltshire has been enjoyed, it is
clear that it became extinct, either through for-
feiture or in default of issue, thus shutting out any
claim to it in the present day except through the
favour of the Crown. With respect to the barony
of 1100 and llastings, which is considered by your
correspondent, the Rev. John Bullen, to be merely
in abeyance among the heirs general of Sir Geoffrey
Boleyn, it was conferred by letters patent in 1447,
with remainder " td the heirs male of his body,'
upon Sir Thomas Ho°, K.G., who • was thrice
married, and by his first wife had a son, who (lied
without issue ; by his second wife he had a daughter,
who married the Lord Mayor, Geoffrey Boleyn ; and
by a third wife Lord Ikohad three daughters ; but,
as he died without surviving male issue, the title,
according to the limitation, became extinct. Sir
N. H. Nicolas is my authority for much of the
foregoing statements.—GEOßGE RUSSELL FRENCH.

THE WOOLYER7ON MURDER.

On Saturday the trial of George Britten for the
wilful murder of his wife at Woolverton, ou the
18th of July last, took place at Wells, before Mr.
Justice Willes. The case excited the utmost inte-
rest in the town. At ten o'clock the prisoner was
placed at the bar. He appeared calm and collected.
When asked to plead, he answered, " Guilty of the
act, but not of malice aforethought." The counsel
for the prosecution were Mr. T. W. Saunders and
Mr. Edlin ; and for the defence, Mr. Prideaux
Q.C., and Mr. Folkard.
Mr. Saunders stated the case, observing that it
had no doubt acquired great notoriety. The
prisoner formerly occupied a farm, but had latterly
lived retired in a cottage at Woolverton. He
was married, and had one child. Their means were
but limited ; no servant was kept ; and Mrs. Britten
did the domestic work, with the occasional
assistance of a charwoman. Close to the cottage
occupied by the prisoner was a building used by a
Mr. Moger exclusively as a malt-house, to which the
prisoner had no occasion to have access. On Satur-
day morning, June 20, a young man proceeding to
his work at a very early hour was attracted by see-
ing smoke issuing from this malt-house, and judging
that the building was on fire, he raised an alarm,
and proceeded to the cottage of the prisoner to
awaken him. He knocked, but received no answer ;
but on throwing some pebbles at the window
the prisoner appeared. He was informed of the
fire; and assistance having been procured, the
malt-house was entered. Something attracted
the notice of the people who were endeavour-
ing to extinguish the fire. At first it was thought
to be the body of some farm animal ; but it sub-
sequently proved to be that of a human being ; and
ultimately it was discovered to be the body of
Mrs. Britten. Later in the day further investiga-
tion was made, and the body, although greatly
burnt, was identified, and the nature of the wounds
which had caused death was ascertained by Mr.
Parsons, a surgeon. It then appeared clear that the
unfortunate woman had no doubt been foully mur-
dered, and that an effort had been made to destroy
all identity by burning. The question then arose,
" Who did it ?" An officer of police interrogated
the prisoner and said, "Where is your wife ?" The
answer was "She is not here has gone to
Frame, and from there to West Pennard to see her
friends." Mr. Deggau asked if she had taken any-
thing with her, and was told she had taken a bundle
of clothes. He took the prisoner to the malt-house,
and pointing to the body which had bccu found,
inquired if it was not, that of his wife ; and upon
receiving an answer in the affirmative, he con-
sidered he was justified in taking him in custody
to Frome. The next day the prisoner's brother-
in-law called to see him. Mr. Deggan did not
interfere with the conversation ; but noticing a
piece of paper pass, he took possession of it as in
duty bound, and found that it was a confession.
(This has already appeared in our cAumns.) Later
in the day the prisoner asked for writing materials,
which were supplied, and the narrative was then
continued. This confession was a voluntary act of
the prisoner ; no inducement or threat was used to
make him do it ; and later on in the day he made a
further statement, verbally, to Mr. Deggan, in con-
sequence of which a search was made, and a largo
piece of lead was found. It was a formidable weapon,
weighing six or seven pounds. A coroner's in-
quest was held on the Monday, and,
ofater ad-
journment till Tuesday, a verdict of Wilful
murder" was returned. Later on the prisoner made
a further statement, accounting for the position of
the body between the time of the murder and its
discovery. He did not know what defence would
be made by his learned friends. It might be alleged
that the deed was committed under great excite-
ment, but that could not be held as any palliation
of the ctime, although the law does not usually
exact the full penalty if the anger has been justly
excited. The prisoner says it was done in a fit of
jealousy. If the jur culd, under these circum-
me to they o
conclusion that a verdict of
stances, co
manslaughter met the justice of the case he should
rejoice as much as any one ; but if they thought
otherwise they must not shrink from their duty.
In support of the foregoing statement several
witnesses were called and examined, after which
Mr. Saunders briefly summed up. Mr. Prideaux
then addressed the Court for the prisoner, sub-
mitting that he had in the heat of the moment,
impulse, committed an act which,
under some sudden
unhappily for his wife and himself, it was impossiblean
to deny led to her death. Counsel concluded
able speech by begging the jury to believe th at
e ste-
ment made by the prisoner that day
that be was
guilty., but not of malice aforethought, and to give
credit to the statement which lie bad p rev
ved iouthesly
made. The prisoner had already
recei
highest character from the witnesses for the prose-
cutihon, but to leave no room for doubt that he had
always borne an irreproachable character be would
call before the jury several witnesses.
Four gentlemen then severally stated that during
a long number of years they bad known the prisoner
as a highly respectable and very humane person.
His Lordship summed up, and the jury, after con-
sulting a few minutes in their box, returned a ver-
dict of wilful murder against the prisoner. The
clerk of assizes then asked him why sentence of
death should not be passed upon him, to which he
replied, " I have nothing to say." Silence having
been proclaimed, the judge, who was deeply affected,
assumed the black cap, and passed sentence of
death in the usual form, and observed that he could
hold out no hope that the extreme sentence of the
law would not be carried out.
The prisoner, who seemed to have fully antici-
pated his doom, then walked steadily out of the
dock ; ar.d at six o'clock was conveyed in the prison
van to the railway station, and thence to Taunton
Gaol.

AFFAIRS IN BRITISII COLUMBIA.—British Colum-
bian papers discuss the question of union with the
dominion of Canada, n project which is very favourahiy
regarded, but there is a difference of opinion ae to whether
the proper time for it has yet arrived, Rion e this
colony may not, with a little patience, "place itself in a
position to be admitted into the groat British American
family with more respect." About 4,000 Indians came
into Now Westminster to assists n celebratin
the g the Queen's
birthday. birthday. 'l'ho chiefs were psented to G
and thanked him for what ho bad done for tho Indians,
and fur the assurances of his good-will thou given to
them. The news from Cariboo is favourable. The
winter takings of goad by two branch banks on Williams'
Creek amounted to $335,516, being nearly $lOO,OOO in
excess of the previous winter.—Standard.
ADVERTISEMENT.] -- Nollowny's Pills. Counsel and
pbeyrnicious these
particlesexool:leexpellent.
Cheer—Blany impurities enter the human b.)dy during the
summer from the decomposition of animal and vegetable
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c::l7relitioillggraonudt
aqitlidaleitxypedlilsipulgayaTll
in) rill si c'ollf st;
from the system constitute them tho best
medicine for
averting indigestion, bilious attacks, diarrboe-.t, and Eng-
lish cholera, of all t 11) various affections of the alimentary
canal constantly recuriincr in a variable
way's pills are the best, cheapest, and
safest
, climate. Iloilo-
they can never act wrongly or be taken. ts.t remedy, since
their accompanying directions ' without benefit if
at-
tention and the diet be r '' ' . receive only moderate 1
digestible food, eoNvted to plain whol- cl
, eaoirte, uti

LONDON, MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 1867.

To-night the House of Lords will consider the
Reform Bill in connection with the amendment
disagreed to by the Commons. Lord DERBY will
state what course the Government will advise the
House to adopt on the matter, and there can be but
little doubt as to what the Premier will say. It
cannot be denied that great disappointment will
prevail in some respects. The voting-papers would
have been a great advantage, and all who have
studied the transactions of elections will regret that
so important a clause of a remedial nature should
have been lost. Still, as things are now, it is idle
to dream of carrying out these propositions against
the expressed wish of the House of Commons, and
therefore the scheme must be deferred to a future
period. It was hardly to be expected that so im-
portant and comprehensive a thing as a Reform Bill
would pass without some difference of opinion be-
tween the two Houses of Parliament ; and, perhaps,
under the circumstances, more points of difference
might have naturally arisen, but as these must
be surmounted, many of them, small or great,
before the measure is completed, the best way will
be to get over the intervening stage as quickly as pos-
sible. The committee appointed by the House of
Commons to draw up the reasons why the House
disagreed with the Lords' amendments sent them
by a messenger to the Lords on Friday. We do
not anticipate that either House will be put to the
alternative of fixing three months for the considera-
tion of the matter, thus destroying the bill, nor is it
even likely that the House of Lords will ask
for a conference with the Commons. This was done
in the case of the Jew Bill but that was quite

The long-talked of trial of SURRATT for compli-
city in the assassination of President LINCOLN has
come to a somewhat unexpected conclusion. The
jury finding themselves unable to agree to a verdict
have been dismissed. The evidence given was of
so contradictory a character, and the rumours of
sinister influences were so current, that it is not sur-
prising such should have been the result. The tele-
graph brings us no further news, but the arrival of
two vessels, bearing date July 31st and August Ist,
confirm the previous accounts of disturbance and
uneasiness throughout the South. Gen. SHERIDAN,
who seems to have adopted the Radical policy con
amore, has removed Governor THROCKMORTON, of
Texas, for opposing the State Convention, " and
otherwise impeding reconstruction," and has ap-
pointed ex-Governor PEASE as his successor. This
continual interference with the State officials can
hardly be otherwise than naischicvoul, more espe-
cially as by the action of political parties the re-
moval is likely to be superseded in the course of a
few weeks, and the supposed offender reinstated.
The decision of the Attorney-General respecting
the constitutional law was against the supercession
of the civil governors by the military commanders.
According to General SHERIDAN'S interpretation of
the Act the civil officers are but puppets in the
hands of the officer in command of the district, and
peaceable citizens have no security in the nominal
superintendence of a civil ruler. It was not likely
that the military commanders whom the Radicals
have put at the head of affairs in the Southern
States would make a merciful or conciliatory
use of their power. So far from doing
so, they appear for the most part anxious
to stir up the smouldering discontent and
irritation felt among the people to open manifesta-
tions of disaffection. Thus General SCHOLEFIELD
has issued an order requiring a list of all officers in
his district who are disposed to be obstacles in the
way of reconstruction. The chief interest of the
moment is centred on the State of Tennessee, where
the election excitement is on the increase, and riots
of a serious nature are apprehended. The Govern-
ment has been making active preparations for the
suppression of any disturbance, and Governor
BnowNLow has made it his business for weeks
past to divide and subdivide his militia at diffe-
rent posts. Notwithstanding these precautions a
fight occurred at Purdy, Tennessee, on the 3d of
July, between a party of guerillas and a company
of the State militia. Such a condition of things
may be tolerable during a temporary political crisis,
or immediately on the conclusion of civil war, but
it is most inconsistent with a settled government
and a time of comparative tranquillity. The great
difficulty in American politics is one of Radical
manufacture, since the Southern population have
shown every disposition to accept their fate
with outward silence, if not satisfaction. if
a consistent and liberal course had been pur-
sued towards them from the first there is no
doubt that the real work of reconstruction would
by this time have been done, and the national
finances would be in a very much better position.
But the Radicals have made it their object to dis-
organise and irritate the white populations, since
by so doing they maintained their own political
supremacy by loud talking, by an unscrupulous
exercise of bribery and influence, and by a skilful
use of the PRESIDENT'S imprudent language they con-
trived to carry the elections last year, and by so
doing to strengthen the position immensely. The
common sense of the country has, it is true, begun
to discover that the effect of all this high-toned

national feeling is to fill the coffers of the Congress-
men themselves, and to enrich the soldiers at the
expense of the national solvency. The warning
voice of the SECRETARY of the TREASURY has been
raised with emphasis, and there have not been
wanting tangible indications to confirm his state-
ments. Still the Radical party for the present car-
ries all before it. The leaders, secure of the two-
thirds majority, despised the Presidential veto ; its
orators compete with each other in virulence of
language, in reckless abuse of the PRESIDENT, and
in threats and execrations towards the South.
Unless some great crisis should occur which would
justify extreme measures, we cannot hope to see a
change for the better in the American Congress
until new elections give the people an opportunity
of showing their feelings. Nevertheless, mode-
rate views are gaining ground. A few days
since a delegation of Conservative Republicans
from Pennsylvania waited on the PRESIDENT,
and informed him that their party proposed to
nominate candidates on a platform distinct from
either of the great political parties. The PRESIDENT
slid, in answer, that he trusted both wings of the
party supporting him would bury past differences
for the promotion of the common end. It is to be
hoped some such compromise may be made, and
that a firm and united party may rally round those
moderate and patriotic politicians, who, by what-
ever name they call themselves, prefer the ultimate
good of the whole country to a temporary triumph
of their own interests, and refuse to sacrifice one-
half the nation to the selfish ambition and reckless
greed of a limited and unconstitutional party of
political fanatics.