The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-16 00:00:00

THELLUSSON V. THULLUSSON.

In these appeal causes the learned law judges attended
to deliver their opinions on the question of law propounded
to them on the 14th of February last.
The contention is what is the true meaning of the words
"eldest lineal male descendant" in the construction of the
will of the late Peter Thellusson. The opinion of the
majority of the consulted judges appeared to favour the
construction in favour of the heir male of the testator's
eldest son.

Their lordships were unanimously of opinion that the
devise was not void of uncertainty.
The minority of the learned Judges were in favour of
the second son's male descendants.

The Lord Chancellor said—l am sure your lordships will
agree with me in being of opinion that our best thanks are
due to the learned Judges for the great attention they have
paid to this most important case, and for the learned
opinions now delivered. I move, your lordships, that these
opinions be printed, and the further consideration of the
case be adjourned.—Agreed.

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)
DE CHATELAIN V. DE PONTIGNY.
This was a suit instituted by the plaintiffs to obtain pro-
bate of the will of a Mrs. Marie de Pontigny, who died in
1847, which was disputed by the defendant, her son, on
the grounds that the testatrix was a married woman at the
time of executing the will, that she executed it without the
consent of her husband, and that she had no testamentary
authority whatever.

Dr. lhillimore, .Q.Cc, and Mr. Thompson Chitty were
counsel for the plaintiff; and Dr. Deane, Q.C., and Mr
Dennison for the defendant.

From the opening statement of counsel it appeared that
the plaintiffs were man and wife, and that the latter was
the daughter of aie testatrix. The instrument in dispute
was very explicit, and the testatrix having bequeathed the
whole of her property to the female plaintiff, states, with
reference to thf4t disposition of her estate, that she loved
both her children equally, but that, as her son
was already amply provided for, she was only
acting justly to her daughter, who was.. not similarly
situated. T'he testatrix became acquainted in this country
with M. Be Pontigny, her husband, whom she married in
1803, after 'which they resided in France for some years.
Previous to the marriage, Mrs. Leuce, mother of the testa-
trix, gave her £l,OOO as a marriage portion, and M. De Pon-
tigny settled a small freehold estate on her. Some diferences
arising between them they separated, and the testatrix
returned to this country, where she resided up to the period
of her death, her husband allowing her £l2O a year in ad-
dition to the freehold property settled on her prior
to the marriage. The female plaintiff preferred
living with her mother to remaining with her father,
which so displeased the latter, that he made a will some
time before his death, leaving the whole of his property to
the defendant. The learned counsel, on behalf of the
plaintiff, cited the celebrated case of Barnes v. Vincent.
Sir C. Cresswell, at the conclusion of the arguments, said
that he would read the papers before delivering judgment.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS—(Tres Day)._

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
twelve o'clock.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS BILL.
On the motion of the Earl of DONOUGHMORE, this
bill was read a third time and passed.
Their lordships then adjourned.

CAPTAIN NORTON AND GUNNERY

PROJECTILES.

Some efforts having been recently made to de-
prive Captain Norton of the credit of being the
author of the improvements which have been lately
made in gunnery projectiles, we think it due to the
gallant gentleman to publish the enclosed letter
addressed to him by the son of General Sir William
Napier, the celebrated Historian of the Peninsular
War, in his father's name :
Scinde House, Clapham, April 3, 1859.
Dear Sir, My father has been for more than a year
now unable to walk, entirely confined to two rooms. He
is only able to be lifted from one bed to the other, and
continually suffering. In November and December he was
seized with very dangerous illness, from which he only
recovered so far as the immediate danger was concerned.
For the last three weeks he has again been very ill indeed,
and he is unable to move even a limb without assist-
ance, and quite unable to write or attend to any business.
But for this, he desires me to tell you, he should have
written to you long ago to congratulate you, as he now does
through me, on your merits being at last acknowledged,
and on your being now generally allowed to be the real
originator and inventor of the great improvements in gun-
nery projectiles. My father says, had this been acknow-
ledged, and your inventions acted on years ago, much of
the misfortunes in the Crimean war would have been
avoided. It is with serious uneasiness he now considers
that there are no men to use these improvements. Often
has my father spoken of you and your inventions to them,
and they have answered slightingly.until now that the tide
has turned in your favour ; yet five years ago, he says, they
were as valuable as they are now.—l remain, dear sir,
yours truly, C. J. NAPIER.
Captain Norton.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR POSTING
LETTERS, NEWSPAPERS, 4.c.

A most important regulation relative to the above
practice has just been issued by command of her
Majesty's Postmaster-General. Subjoined we give
an abstract of its terms, simplified as much as pos-
sible :

INLAND, COLONIAL, AND FOREIGN EVENING MAILS.
Receiving-houses.—Letters, 5.30 ; newspapers and book
packets, 5 p.m.
Pillar Letter-boxes.—Letters only, 5 p.m.
District Offices.—Letters, 6 p.m. ; newspapers and book
packets, 5.30 p.m. •
Lombard-street Branch Office.—Letters, 6 p.m. ; news-
papers and book packets, 5.30 p.m.
General Post-office.—Letters, 6 p.m. ; newspapers and
book packets, 6 p.m.
PRE-PAID BY STAMP AND BEARING ADDITIONAL STAMP.
Receiving-houses.—Letters, 6 p.m.
Pillar Letter-boxes—Letters only, 6 p.m.
District Offices—Letters, 6.45 p.m.
Lombard-street Branch Office.—Letters, 7 p.m.
General Post-office.—Letters, 7 p.m. ; to 7.30 on pay-
ment of a fee of 6d. each, in stamps. Newspapers and
book packets, 6 p.m. ; or on payment of one farthing till
7 ; one halfpenny till 7.15 ; or on payment of one penny
till 7.30 p.m.
It should be specially noted that letters for the colonial
and foreign evening mails can be pre-paid in money, if
bearing a penny stamp for late fee, at the Branch Office,
Lombard-street, up to 6.50 ; and at the General Post-office,
St. Martin's-le-Grand, till 7 p.m. ' • and upon payment of
6d. in stamps, for late fee, till 7.30 p.m., at the General
Post-office only.
Letters and newspapers are received at the Railway
Station Euston-square, to be despatched by the day and
night mail trains to all towns, the correspondence of which
is conveyed by the London and North-Western Railway,
or by the lines branching from it. A fee of 6d. in addition
to the postage is charged upon each letter or newspaper.
This fee, as well as the postage, must in all cases be paid in
stamps. A bag for the receipt of letters and newspapers is
suspended at the station every day (except Sunday), from
7.30 a.m. to 9.5 a.m. for the day mail, and from 7.30 p.m.
to 8 25 p.m. for the night mail.
General Post- office, April, 1859.