The Sun.
London, England, 1832-08-20 00:00:00

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ASSIZES.-(RECEIVED THIS MORNING•)

NORTHERN CIRCUIT—LANc 4srrit, AUG. 18.

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.

SARAH SEVERN V. CHARLES BALDWIN BROWN.

Mr. TOMLINSON opened the proceedings by stating that
this was an action brought by the plaintiff against the
defendant to recover damages for breach of promise of
marriage.
Mr. F. POLLOCK stated the plaintiff's case. He read
the letters, which Le said must be a matter of extreme re-
gret to all, even to those most experienced in human de-
pravity ; but that the defendant should have allowed those
circumstances to be stated in a coutt of justice was a
matter of greater astonishment, and showed how little
shame the defendant felt in the matter bring published to
the world. At the age of 17, he proposed to marry her.
He was received, and permitted to pay those attentions, on
the solemn promise of marriage ; hut the melancholy and
unhappy termination was, that instead of becoming h's
lawful wife, she became his mistress, and the fruit of the
connection were several children. Under the pretence
of marrying her, he took her from her mother's
roof, and when they returned to the house, he pto.
fessed to have married her, and declared that she
was his lawful wife. He told her his father ex-
pected him to marry another lady, and therefore wished it
to be kept secret till the death of his father, when he would
proudly avow her his wife in the face of the whole world.
When his father died his promises were put to the test,
but satiated with beauty, he deserted her, and she now
sought to obtai❑ from the Jury that reparation to which
she was entitled for the violation of his promise. It was
necessary that he should lay before the Jury one or two of
the defendant's letters, and he was sorry to state that in
one of them was a passage of a darker and blacker dye
than be had ever seen disclosed on the civil side of a court
of justice. The letter was without date, but he believed it
had been written some time in March, 1831. It com-
menced thus :

" My ever dearest dear :—I have sent thee half a strike
of malt and some other things.—My dear, my heart
jumped for joy when I see you know what (alluding to
the child), and we must for ever be very cautious. When
you write again send me word about every thing. I have
sent you a little money in the malt, which I know you
will spend as frugal as you c in, for know, my dear wench,
here is that man to pay at Newport five pounds for you
know what ; and there will be Mrs. Purcell's rent before
it be long; so Heaven knows how the money must
be raised. My dear, you don't signify what is to
be dime, as it won't lie in my power to be always helping
you out. Now don't you think it will be far better to get
the child out to nurse, and you get a situation somewhere,
and thy poor mother to he got somewhere, as the rer t of
the house will maintain the child well, as you well know ;
it is mere nonsense of thee stopping at home to nurse the
child ; it will never do; and I see no chance of your get-
ting employ where you are ; so, my dear, it is of no use
you thinking that I want to get you out of the way, and
all this, that, and the other, for my love and affections are
andsfor ever will be the same ; but if you will look at
the thing in a write light, you must consider it useless
for you both spending your time in such a way as stop-
ping to take care of the child : in short, it must and
will be far. better for you to get into some situation, and
not to trifle your time away again. I begin to see the
error very much of such conduct--so we must endeavour
to establish our characters again, and pray to God to
bless us both and to forgive us all our past sins; and
I make no doubt, with good conduct and soliciting
God's blessing, thee will make a good prosperous
woman yet ; but it is no use of thee thinking
of dragging thy poor mother and child about the
country with you—that will never do—the expense
is to great for me to support. It must be done in the way
I say, and pray state your opinion on the business when
you write again, which let it be till the latter end of next
week first, and don't you think what I have said to be
any ways hard, for I well know it must come to it;
therefore, my dear, think thy beat of it, for there can be
no excuse now ; and when you think properly about the
thing, you will find all right. So must conclude with
bless thee for ever, bless thee—you have been a true and
sincere dear friend to me, and I never can think of doing
too muca for thee. God bless you, God bless you—good
bye until I see you again. Pray don't make thyself the
least uneasy, for I hope all will be right. Say how you
ate off for potatoes."
Sometimes ti ere was a strange mixture of the ridicu-
lous with the pathetic, and here with all these blessings the
defendant said, " How are you off for potatoes?"—(A
laugh.) The defendant, although in good circumstances,
and able to satisfy the poor girl, was extremely avaricious,
and loved to keep his money. The Learned Gentleman
then proceeded to read another letter written by the de-
fendant, which commenced thus—

" Dear Sarah—l am happy to hear that all is over,
and I will pledge thee my word it never will he the like
again with thee by me—sorry, truly sorry it has so hap-
pened ; now exceedingly obliged to Mr. Clay for his
kindness, and I will send you a little game for him before
long. Be By informs me about getting the child in the
Quaker's foundling. I should have been happy so to do,
but have not it in my power; it is a deal of money to
give on an uncertainty, and I have not been very fortu-
nate of late ; therefore cannot do it."

Mr. PoLLocx then proceeded to read the remainder of
the letter : " I shall pray for the good Lord to take it to
his foundling, where it will be better provided for. The
better way for you to do will be to dry nurse it imme-
diately, and I will see for a good nurse for it somewhere
in the neighbourhood of Stafford ; and when I have met
with a place that will do, I will write to you immediately
and send you word where the child must be brought, and
you must get Bessy to come with it, as there his coaches
that corms through Stafford to Liverpool, and many in
the course of the day, but I shall write to you every par-
ticular in the next, and you must be sure send it to the
time I appoint. Be sure, dear Sarah, to dry nurse it itn-
inedi itely. But pi ay God think of it, and take it out of
this troublesome world, as there is nothing but daily trou-
bles. I am sure I don't know the day when I re-
ceived any pleasant news ; every thing seems going
against me. I hope to God you will put your trust in
the good Lord, and pray fervently to him to assist you
in your undertaking, for I sin sure it will be the last
effort I shall have it in my power to do for you; but may
God in Heaven look down on thy poor innocent child,
and take it before long into his blessed kingdom."
Goad God (said the Learned Gentleman), is this the

man upon whom the sun shall shine, and to whom the
earth shall be fruitful ? Is this the language that a man
should addre,s to the mother of his own child at the mo.

ment that she was entitled to his kindest sympathy? The
Learned Gentleman concluded by declaring, that never
since he held a brief in a Court of Justice, did he feel so
deeply interested in a case; and he trusted the Jury would
co❑sult their own hearts and feelings and say to what da-
mages this young woman was entitled.
Miss Severn, the plaintiff's eldest sister, in November,

1828, received a letter from Mr. Brown, requesting her
to procure a situation for her sister Sarah, or a school, that
she might be instructed, as he wished to make her his wife,
and he did not wish her to live in idleness at home. The
witness and her sister then opened a shop, but they were
unsuccessful in business. Mr. Brown et that time lived
at Church Aston, in Shropshire, and visited them twice
while they resided in Liverpool, when the plaintiff became
frequent in his visits. The defendant admitted that he had
seduced her, and said he intended to make her his wife as
soon as he could bring things round with his father. She
asked him why he di l not marry her then, and he said if
he did his father would cut him off with a shilling. He
then went down on his knees, and wished the earth might
open and the clouds fall down upon him if he did not marry
tier as soon as he could arrange with his father. A few
weeks after the plaintiff was delivered of a child, which
died when it was a month old. At the second visit wit-
ness asked him when he intended to marry her sist r, and
he said as soon as lie could, and she said lie was quite old
enough to marry when he liked. He was then upwards
of forty. Her sister bad some words with him on one
occasion, and said she was quite tired of that situation of
life, anti would go to service, and refrain from that course
of life in which she was ; he seemed very much hurt, and
made gruat fuss for her not to do so, and said he would
marry her as soon as he possibly could.

• .
Cross-examined by Mr. WILLLAMs—Her sister got 701.
which Mr. Stanley brought her, and he Yentured to give
her 101. more. Her sister asked lor 201. more, when
Mr. Stanley produced a paper for her to sign, which she
would not sign unless the defendant sent 20/. more in the
course of the week, paid her bills, and undertook to main-
tain lnr two children at ss. a week each. Mr. Stanley
said he had no more money with him that he could spare.
Mr. Brown paid 1001. to enable her sister to go into the
shop at Liverpool in 1'829. He sent her a little money
when she was at Shrewsbury.

Mr. WI Li.iams, for the defendant, said the jury's duty was
to award such damages to the plaintiff as would compen-
sate her for the loss she had sustained in not being married
to a man of so vile and so diabolical a character as had
been described by bis Learned Friend. In alluding to the
defendant's letter, which he commenced with talking about
a strike of malt, he observed how great must have been his
attachment when he could commence his love epistle by
talking of a strike of malt, and after running through his
love rhapsodies, concluded by asking his dear Sarah " how
she was off for potatoes.''..—(Great laughter.) The

Learned Counsel said, he remembered in the famous case
of Mrs. Clarke many years ago, that in one of the late
Duke of York's letters, among other inquiries, his Royal
Highness asked about the price of potatoes. In advert-
ing to the alleged promise of marriage, he asked, could the
Jury put any other construction upon the matter than that
an illicit connection had been formed between the parti-s,
of which both of them were tired.

The Jury, after consulting together a few minutes, in-
quired the amount of damages laid in the declaration ?
Mr. Baron BOLLAND said they were laid at two hundred
pounds.
The foreman asked whether two hundred pounds was
the maximum of what they could give?—The Junc E re-
replied that it was.
The Jury immediately returned a verdict of two hun-
dred pounds.
The defendant, who is a stout man, having the appear-
ance of a farmer, with a venerable gray head, was in Court,
and seemed to take great interest in the proceedings.

THE ROYAL VISIT TO WALES.—BEAU-
MARIS, Aun. 16.—We are making preparations to cele-,
hrate the birthday of her Royal Highness the Duchess of
KENT to-morrow, who has endeared herself to all the
neighbourhood by her condescending affable manner, and
by her many acts of charity. In order to hand down to
posterity the honour conferred on the Beaunaaris Eisteddfod
by the presence of Royalty, and as a testimonal of their
Royal Highness' approbation of our National Festival, an
order his been sent to Mr. ECUs, Medalist to the Royal
Cambrian Institution, London, to prepare twenty-five extra
silver medals, with the arms of the Duchess of KENT on
one side, and on the other the following inscription :
" Presented at the Beaumaris Eisteddfod by their Royal
Highnesses the Duchess of KENT and Princess VICTORIA."
—The‘e badges of merit are to be given by their Royal
Highnesses to the successful candidates for the prizes, in
addition to those already advertised. There is also a most
elegant silver gilt large medal ordered, which will be
awarded during the Meeting to the successful bard for the
hest stanzas on a subject which will be hereafter proposed.
Our bards are very fond of writing on the spur of the
moment, which they do with great facility. The polite
and very gentlemanly demeanour of Sir JOHN CONROY,
and his readiness to make the wishes of the inhahitanti
know❑ to her Royal Higness, are universally eulogized ;
as is also the liberal and spirited conduct of our Presideut,
Sir R. B. WILLIAMS BULKELEY, who has subscribed
100/. towards the expenses of the Eisteddfod.
The LORD CHANCELLOR IS now on a visit
to his venerable mother and his sister, wile are inhabitants
of his Lordship's seat at Brougham Hall, in the county of
Westmorland, where considerable improvements in that
ancient mansion are in progress, under his Lordship's im-
mediate direction. Lord BROUGHAM'S stay in the North
depends upon circumstances. His time, however, will in
part be occupied in drawing up judgments in various
causes connected with the Court of Chancery, which were
promised by his Lordship at the last sitting of the Court.

The Right Hon. and Most Reverend Lord
JOHN GEORGE DE LA PORK. BERESIORD, Primate of
all Ireland, has barricadoed the front windows on the first
and second floors of his Palace in Charles-street, St.
James's square, not only with wood, but with wrought
iron plates of a considerable thickness. The present ap-
pearance of the mansion is that of a lunatic asylum, a
prison, or a hospital, constructed to exclude the cholera.

Mr. HOLME SUMNER, undismayed by past
reverses, is again in the field for Surrey, where an active
canvass is going on in his behalf. The Honourable Gen-
tleman was himself at Guilford market on Saturday, can-
vassing the farmers.

Dalkeith Palace, the appointed rendezvous of
the Conservative clique, during the interregnum of the
Charles-street and Carlton-terrace gang, will shortly re-
cetve the Duke of WELLINGTON, the Duke of GoRDoN,
the Earl of ROSSLYN, the Earl of LAUDERDALE, Lord
INlELvir.r.r, Lord ABERDEEN, and some others of the ex-
piring huroughmongers, who are alarmed at the indepen-
dence manifested generally by the newly-acquired voters in
Scotland. In almost every instance Reform candidates are
likely to be elected, and the influence of the Tory faction
thereby excluded for ever. The Conservatives are, how-
ever, determined all shall not be lost without a struggle.

Last night the number of voters registered
was 4,B7o.—Edinburgh Evening Courant.

His Majesty's ship Vernon, 50, Captain Sir
F. COLLIER, was towed into harbour on Saturday, by the
Echo steamer, and has since had her fore and mainmasts
stripped.. Early next week she will be again ready for
sea, and will proceed to join Sir P. MALCOLM'S squadron
on the coast of Ireland. Captain SYMONDS, the Surveyor
of the Navy, goes in her, for the purpose of being present
at the trial of her relative merits with the Castor, built
by Sir R. SETTINGS. The Vernon, being a new class of
ship, has excited much curiosity among naval men here,
by whom she has been visited in great numbers, and who
report favourably of her extraordinary appearance, ca-
pacity, and powers. As yet her sailing qualities have not
teen fairly put to the proof, but we understand that as far
as opportunities have occurred, she promises to prove an
admirable seaboat. A few gales on the Irish coast will,
however, set this matter at rest, and we shall he anxious
to learn the result.—Devonport Telegraph.

The Water lVitch yacht, mouting ten guns,
the property of the Earl of BELFAST, arrived at Cowes this
morning, from the Cove of Cork, in 43 hours, having left
the squadron under Vice-Admiral MAcotm there, con-
sisting- of the Donegal, Castor, Nimrod, Tyne, Trinculo,
and Prince of Wales revenue brig. The Marquis of
ANGLESEY had reached Dublin in his yacht the Pearl,
in seventeen hours from Cork. The Water Witch, in
five trials with the squadron, has shown a most decided
superiority to windward, both in light bret zes, moderate
breezes, and very strong winds, with head sea, having on
the latter occa►ion weathered on the Donegal and Castor
two and a quarter and two miles in one hour, by the
Donegal's log. The Water Witch has also proved her-
self a vessel most fit for his Majesty's service, carrying her
guns and ports in a strong wind (under a press of sail), a
foot higher than the large brigs. She passed the Dryad,
Commodore HAYES, off the Lizard yesterday afternoon,
with a fair wind round the Land's End.—Hampshire
Telegraph.
THE MOORS.—The grouse this year got a
day of grace in consequence of the 12th falling on a Sun-
day. A gentleman, who returned home at an early hour
on Monday night, declares that he never saw the birds so
plentiful in his life. Although drenched and interrupted
by the rain, he bagged eight brace of thumping birds ;
and be is modest enough to say, that hut for his bad shoot-
ing, he might have bagged twice the number.—Dtun•
fries Courier.

PEDESTRIANISM.—A few weeks since, HAR-
RISON WALKER and JOSEPH CLARK, natives and r.sidents
of Keswick, ascended in one day the three highest hills
(excepting the Pikes), in the district, viz. :—Seawfell,
Helvellyn, and Skiddaw, in the short space of eighteen
hours from the time of setting out. The distance is com-
puted to be about fifty miles ; and considering the diffi-
culty of ascending and desending these stupendous nviun-
tains, it may be considered a most arduous task.—
Carlisle .Journal.

CHOLERA AT LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY AND
SATURDAY.—New cases, 136 ; deaths, 44 ; recoveries,
60 ; remaining, 211.
LIVERPOOL COTTON-MARKET, SATUR-
DAY.—There has been a steady demand for Cotton during
the week, particularly to-day, and the market closes with
firmness at the full prices of last week, excepting the De-
meraras, which went off flatly by public auction this day,
and at rather lower rates than had been previously current.
The sales of the week, including 500 bales American,
g 9
bales
t2task2e3nscoonbasgpes.cu laltti sins,
Cot-
ton have been sold to-day,—namely, 600 Brazils and
stated, amount t o
that 1
friu,l2lslo,soboi
Egyptians, the former in Pernams, at 9id., 13aliias, at
711, and Maranhams at 7ad. to 9d. ; the latter at Bd.
to 84d. ; and 1,000 in American fine descriptions at 64d.
to B,W.
STATE OF TRADE.—With much pleasure
we notice that the demand for the fall trade is beginning to
increase the sales both in our cloth-halls and warehouses,
r(siveaeriori
,fhoafiraxesitdtlshi
tre marketselel l
to
o‘aysretkerkeutsghs
struggle
eareset
with
atsthhone
large,aistnal
improved.—
od
vava
enat
.ct_headet
and to revive the drooping spirits of our merchants. The
protracted period of stagnation is, we would fain hope, at
d.
wool and an advanced rz,te of wages; and
Bradford
ns:foreign andu
and if
a?Ho crut
urii
as he finds himself unable to obtain a proportionate ad-
vance in the price of his goods, he is compelled to diminish
the quantity made, and to supply himself as it were from
hand to mouth. The commencement of the fall demand
will, however, inevitably increase the quantity manufac-
tured, and call again into employment some of the many
hands which are now reluctantly idle. It is universally
agreed that stocks are low both in the hands of the mer-
chant and the retail dealer; and this, combined with the
prospect of an abundant harvest and a low price of food, is
an encouraging symptom to those who have to supply the
nation with clothing. There is no immediate prospect of
an improvement in the foreign trade, which, from a great
variety of causes, is decidedly bad; but an amelioration of
the internal state of the country may, we think, be con-
fidently looked for.—Leeds Mercury.