The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-03 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—Dec. 2.

WESTMINSTER.—ThE EXTRAORDINARY CASE
OF ADULTERY AND ALLEGED ROBBERY.—The ex-
traordinary case of Pithers v. Ponti—the previous
particulars of which have been fully defailed—was
yesterday resumed before Mr. Arnold, with a long
cross-examination of Mrs. Pithers, alias Mrs.
Hill, by Mr. Smyth for the prosecution, in the
course of which she said—

I first became acquainted with Ponti at a ball at
Brighton, where I met him. I was in service
there. I met him two or three times afterwards,
in the course of which the improper intimacy com-
menced. I was not a virtuous woman when I first
knew him. I next saw Ponti a few months after
I was married, and he went home with Ina.
My husband was in service some months after
I married him, during which time I saw gentlemen.
I believe my husband had some money in the Read-
ing bank. I never had any of it. He never gave
me any money, but he took the money of me which
I received from gentlemen. I remember going with
my husband and buying a gold chain for £5. I
don't know that my husband paid for it, but if he
did it was with my money. A gentleman had given
me £5. Ponti did not pay money for his apart-
ments in York-place, but he gave me some towards
paying the rent, and purchased and paid for things
in the house. I did not tell Ponti that I was mar-
ried till he had been lodging in the house two or
three months. I did not tell him because I was
ashamed, and my husband desired me not to do so.
My husband used to go about the house without
his shoes, so that Ponti should not know he was
there. I gave Ponti part of £32 I had saved, but
it was to buy things for me that I wanted. I kept
the remainder out of sight, so that my husband
should not see it. I often called on Mr. and Mrs.
Cheeseman while I lived in York-place. I may
have told them I kept Ponti on my prostitution.
I do not think I did, but I used to say all sorts of
things when T was out of temper that were not
true. I did not say that I would never stick to any
one man. Ido not know that I told the Cheese-
mans my husband had offered to take me home if I
would leave off the life I was leading. Many times
Ponti has wanted to go away and leave me, but I
would not let him. I did not want to leave Ponti
in York-place, and go home to my husband from
him.

The following letters were hero handed to the
witness by Mr. Smyth ; she admitted that she had
written them while living ix York-place :
"My dearest Husband,—l have not been able to
come to see or to write to you. lam tired of living
like this. I could feel so happy at home. The woman
here says the only way for me to get away is to
go when he is out of the way ; he will not leave
the house for a moment. I am quite longing to
come home and be comfortable and happy again.
It is bettor to be dead than live this life any longer ;
I must steal away. I am a most unfortunate
woman. I curse the hour I ever saw the villain ;
he has been my ruin ; he has deceived me. I wish
I had been persuaded by you, this would never have
happened. 1 wish I was away. I cannot believe
it possible that I have passed the week without
seeing you. lam driven to distraction—l am mad.
rmust get away from this villian, you must help
me away. God bless us both, and make us happy
again. I can do well if lam with you. We must
both strive and pray God to bless us and prosper
us. You are in my thoughts morning and night.
Meet me at Mrs. Cheezeman's. Write, dear, and
tell me you are my friend. God bless you now and
ever. Pray for me. We shall be happy yet.
" From your ever affectionate wife."
The second was as follows :

" I have tried all I can to get home. I quite
long to come home; I know it is nice and comfort-
ble. Do, dear, believe me, I am most anxious to
come home ; I have made up my mind to come and
live with you. I am neriziy out of my mind, yet
I am frightened to not coming home. Believe me,
my dear husband, I am most anxious for you. If
I do not come home to-morrow, meet me at five
o'clock in the Arcade. God bless you.
" From your ever affectionate,
" MARY."
The prisoner (Ponti) and Mrs. Pith era were much
disconcerted at the production of these letters,
which created considerable sensation amongst the
auditory.
Mr. Smyth continued his cross-examination,
showing that Ponti was the person alluded to in
the letters; and Mrs. Pithers dii not know what
she had meant by writing such letters and using
such terms, as she could have left the house if she
had wished. She never told Mr. and Mrs. Cheese-
man that Ponti knocked her about because she did
not get money enough from gentlemen. Did not
remember Ponti knocking her about. Had called
the landlady and servant up at her lodgings in
Macclesfield-street when Ponti was there, not that
he was ill-using her, but did it to vex him. Had
sometimes run down to the landlady when
they were having words. Did not remember
screaming " Murder" on those occasions. Hid her-
self in the. cupboard at Cheeseman's, not to escape
Ponti, but to put him out of the way. Did not re-
member showing bruises on her shoulders and arms
to Cheeseman, and saying Ponti had caused them.
Ponti had. wanted, again and again, to leave her,
and had done so, but she always went after him,
and used to beg of him to forgive her. She went'
after him to his lodgings the night she last left
home. Ponti slept with her on Thursday night
last; it was with her wish; she was not going to
be left alone in her now miserable state. Pont'. would not allow her to be a prostitute any longer. '
She ht.d been a virtuous woman for the last fort-
night.
In re-examination by Mr. Davis for the • prisoner,
Mrs. Pithers admitted that her husband when he
first knew of her infamous course of life wished
her to abandon it, but after that he told her to get
all the money in that way she could. He used to
go into other parts of the house when gentlemen
came to seo her, and when they were gone she used
to give him the money. Gentlemen made her pre-
sents of dresses and bonnets, and her husband used

to look at the things quite delighted. Never gave
Monti any money but to expend for her own use.
By Mr. Arnold—Her age would be 29 in January;
had been married four years.
The case was then further adjourned, prisoner's
recognisances being extended as befere.
Mr. Smyth said he had received a letter from a
very respectable firm at 11, Belgrave-street, South,
stating that Mrs. Pithers had never lodged there.
Such was the fact, her address being " 13." He
had no doubt publicity would be given to this, as
the firm alluded to were much annoyed.
Mr. Arnold observed that Mrs. Pithers had said
" 11," Belgrave-street, South.