The Sun.
London, England, 1832-11-13 00:00:00

ALLEN V. DUTTON.

This was an action brought by Dr. Allen, the
owner of an establishment at High Beach, neat
Epping Forest, for the reception and care of per-
sons labouring under unsoundness of mind, against
,he defendant, to recover a balance of 61/. for at-
tendance on the defendant's wife, at the rate of 3
guineas per week. On the part of the plaintiff it
was proved that the unfortunate lady was first placed
under Dr. Allen's care in 1830, shortly afar her
accouchement, where she remained till the following
Christmas, and that having then experienced great
benefit from the Doctor's mode of treatment, she
was removed home; but the malady under which
she had laboured having increased, she was again
placed in the Doctor's house in April, 1831,
and remained there till October following, when
she was again removed by her husband. Al-
most every person connected with the plaintiff's
establishment was called, who proved that the de-
fendant's wife was treated with the greatest possible
attention, and she appeared to look with great affec-
tion upon Mrs. Allen, frequently calling her her
guardian angel, and using other expressions of a
similar character. The principal objection to the
plaintiff's claim was, in consequence of Mrs. Dut-
ton having been removed from the Doctor's princi-
pal establishment called Fairmead, and where he
himself resided, to another house called Leopard-
hall-lodge, about 400 yards from Fairmead, which
appeared to be appropriated to incurables, and for
,he reception of persons whose friends were unable
to find them superior accommodation. The plaintiff's
witnesses, however, stated that both houses were
alike in point of furniture and comfort. Some of
the most distinguished medical gentlemen in this
country gave evidence in favour of Dr. Allen's esta-
blishment.

On the part of the defendant, Mr. Bolton, a sur-
geon, residing in King-street, St. James's-square,
made the following statement :—Having been con-
stilted by Mr. Dutton respecting his wife, whom he
had been persuaded by Dr. Allen not to visit, as it
might cause a great excitement, I advised him to
go Dr. Allen's house, and insist upon seeing his
wife. I accompanied him in pursuance of that re-
commendation, and we first went to Fairmead. We
went through a shrubbery and across two or three
fields, and when we arrived at the shrubbery of the
other house I saw two women dragging another
woman along ; I asked Mrs. Allen who the person
was they were dragging, and she said it was Mrs.
Dutton. Mrs. Dutton was very thinly clothed, and
had only slippers on her feet over her stockings ;
the weather was very bleak, and the ground wet.
Mr. Dutton then cattle up, and he appeared to be
exceedingly agitated. We then went to Leopard:

and entered a sitting-room on the ground
floor, where there was no fire, and cut papers were
placed in the stove, denoting that a fire had not been
lighted there for some time. Mr. Dutton said he had
followed the servant that Mrs. Allen sent to the
house, and shortly after saw the attendants dressing
his wife hastily on the stairs, and then observed
them drag her along to meet Mrs. Allen. The wit-
ness then proceeded to state, that he afierwards
went up to the apartments in the house at Fair-
mead, which it was supposed had been occupied by
Mrs. Dutton, but they appeared as if they had not
been lately occupied.
Several other witnesses were called, who proved
a variety of circumstances connected with the case,
—some that Mr. Dutton had frequently expressed a
wish to visit his wife, but that he had been per-
suaded not to do so by Dr. Allen; others stated
that Mrs. Dutton had plenty of clothes when she
was taken to Dr. Allen's house, but while there she
was frequently without her proper clothing, that her
flesh was exceedingly dirty, and her hair uncombed,
clearlyevincingafter a few minutes' consideration, re-
turned a verdict for the plaintiff for the sum claimed.
The Jury, a want of proper care and attention.
The trial occupied from 10 till 6 o'clock.

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