The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-23 00:00:00

COURT OF EXCIIEQUER.

(Before the Lord Chief Baron, and Barons Channel and
Watson.)
- HILLS V. THE LONDON GASLIGHT COMPANY.

The Court was occupied the whole of the day in further
hearing the arguments in this case, which is for an infringe-
ment of a gas patent, and has now occupied their lordships
several days.

EXCHEQUER 'CHAMBER.
(Before Mr. Baron Martin and a Common Jury.)

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE -HARRIS V. THOMAS,
This was an action for breach of promise of marriage
brought by the plaintiff, a widow of a licensed victualler,
carrying on business at A'berdovy, against the defendant, a
gentleman of independent fortune, residing at Merthyr
Tydvil. Tho damages were laid at £1,200.
Mr. Sergeant Parry, with whom was Mr. Quin, appeared
for the plaintiff, and Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., and Mr.
Milard for the defendant.
Mr. Sergeant Parry, in opening the case, detailed to the
jury the facts of the case, as afterwards given in evidence,
and stated it was for the injury his client had suffered from
the defendant trifling with her feelings for four or five
years, that she now sought compensation from ajmy, and
the position of that gentleman in society would justify
them in returning a verdict for the full amount claimed.
The learned gentleman then called
Miss Sophia Dawson, who said—l know the plaintiff and
defendant in this case. The defendant is a gentleman of in-
dependant fortune. The relations of tho plaintiff kept the
Crown Inn, at Merthyr. Mrs. Harris used to come on
visits, and remain there some time. It was during one of
these visits that the defendant became acquainted with her.
He afterwards became her accepted suitor. He made her

several presents, among them wore some rings.
By Mr. James—The plaintiff might have served in the
bar on some occasions. The marriage, I understood, was
to be performed on the death of defendant's father, but on
that event happening he married another lady. The plain-
tiff felt very acutely such a proceeding on the part of the
defendant.

Re-examined by Serg sant Parry—l remember the
death of the plaintiff's father. It took place in the middle
of last year. I saw Mrs. Harris in, his company within a
month of diet event. The lady never acted as barmaid
during the defendant's visiting at the Crown. She was
always treated as one of the family, and so was he during
his visits.

Mrs. Jones said—l am the sister of the plaintiff. Last
September she was 29 years of age. My husband kept the
Crown Inn at Merthyr. I remember the defendant be-
coming acquainted with my sister. My sister was married
early in life, when she was about 16 years of age. Her
daughter resided with us. Mr. Thomas knew she was the
daughter of the plaintiff. He used to give her presents.
She is about nine years of age. My sister's hus-
band died six or seven years ago. She was a widow,
when the defendant became acquainted with her. The
whole of the circumstances of the plaintiff's early marriage
were explained to him, and he said he did not care, ho would
have no one but "Mag," and if he had only a thousand a
year, "Mag" was to have the control of it. He continued
his attentions to my sister after his father's death. lam
aware that many presents were given to my sister by the
defendant. He on one occasion wanted to buy her a bonnet.
He was told she did not require it. He, however, bought
her a dress. I remember him making her presents of some
rings. One ring he placed on her fourth finger, where it
has remained over since. My sister has often wished to
take it off, but I told her not to do so, but to wait and
see the end of the affair. (Laughter.) The defendant
resided in a large handsome building, called the Court-
house. Ho told me his income was between three and four
thousand a year, which he said was surely enough for
" Mag" and himself to live upon. (Laughter.) When I
visited his establishment, since the death of his father, he
kept six servants, a huntsman, and a pack of hounds. I
know while he was paying his addresses to my sister he
urged a secret marriage, but the plaintiff told him as his
father had discarded one of his sisters for marrying without
his consent, it would not be right to take such a step. The
defendant said ho did not care if his father discarded him,
as he would marry her without a shilling. Mr. Thomas
cannot write very well, so my daughter used to write his
letters for him. (Laughter.) She would have been a good
witness if she had been here. (i.aughter.)
By Mr. E. James—The defendant's father was an oddity,
and so was the defendant. (Laughter.) I suppose he had
been to school, but ho appeared to have made but little use
of it. (Laughter.) My sister's husband's was a publican.
Before his death was known there wore doubts about his
existence. He went away from his hone for some time,
but his wife knew where ho proposed going to. The hounds
I have spoken of might have been hare hounds, and the
man whom I have called a huntsman might hare been a
groom. I don't know for certain where Mr. Thomas is
living now, but I think he is at Bath.

Re-examined by Sergeant Parry--At the time the
defendant was paying his addresses to my sister
we all knew her husband was dead. My sister's
husband's health was delicate, and that occasioned him to
take long voyages for its improvement.

David Mansell—l formerly resided at Merthyr, and am
a cabinet maker. I remember defendant one dayasking me to
give him a fancy table to make a present to Mrs. Harris's
niece. I told him I could not, and he said he would prove
the bitterest enemy I ever had. I afterwards gave him
the table, and then he said he would prove the best friend I
over possessed. (Laughter.) I had something to do with
furnishing the plaintiff's house. It was done in his father's
time. I should think the furniture now was worth £3,000.
Mr. James—Hounds and huntsmanandall ? (Laughter.)
Witness—Oh, no I
Mr. James—ls the =house in which he resides an old
one ?

Witness—lt is very nearly done up.
Mr. James—And the defendant is very nearly done nib
isn't he ? (Laughter.)
Witness—He never looked so.
Sergeant Parry—Give my lord and tho jury an idea of
the value of the furniture in the Court-house.