The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-29 00:00:00

SURREY SI:LEWIS' COUR

(Before Mr. Under-Sheriff Abbott.)
BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.-BILLS V.
DENNISON.
The plaintiff is Miss Mary Ann Bills, the
daughter of a retired licensed victualler, lately
carrying on business in St. George's-in-the-East,
and the defendant, William Matthew Dennison,_ is
the captain of a merchant-vessel, and son of a
wealthy shipowner at Aberdeen.
This was a writ of inquiry, defendant having
suffered judgment to go by default, to assess the
damages plaintiff had sustained through the defen-
dant's breach of promise to marry her. The
damages werelaid at 560/. .

Mr:' Stammers (instructed by Mr. J. Atkinson,
of the Old Jewry) appeared as counsel for the
plaintiff, and described the latter as a young lady
of considerable attractions, and who, while assist-
ing in the business at her father's house, the White
Hart, St. George's-in-the-East, was seen by defen-
dant, who commenced paying her attentions as a
suitor in April 1854, and bad continued his atten-
tion in person while on shore, and by numerous
love-letters—sometimes as many as three a day—
while on board ship. In 1856, defendant sailed in
a ship belonging to his father, called the Golden

proceeded to Algoa Bay. On.boar4`
was a young lady passenger, who, dur:ug -OW
voyage had made such 'an impression on'tbe•Wb-
f=ndant, that he married her on arriving at Algoa
Bay, and be then wrote to riaintiff a letter, dated
November 24, 1856, breaking off the engagement
The learned counsel read several from a huge mass
of letters which had been written by defendant,
commencing from his voyage in the ship Lochinvar.
The following are extracts :
"My Dear Love,—lt is blowing a gale fom the
north-west, but it you were here how happy I
should be. I see captains of other ships with their
lanes walking about the decks as we shoul I. We
are not without music, for there is a flute on board,
which is now playing Pop goes the weasel,' and
there is a nits accordion whi,l plays in the cabin."
(Laughter )
In another of his love letters to the plain'iff the
—defendant sa;(l—

" Your likeness is now on the table before me, I
never write without it. I have no tears to fill my
eyes, for my heart is too full of grief at your ab-
sence. I could sit and write all day long, but
think and feel I shall not he,r from your dear lips
anything soothing or consoling." Ors the same
day, and in a second letter, be regrets his " only
companiAl is the second officer," and hopes soon
to "enjoy each other's smiles and fond kisse,,."
Next day he wrote, "I am quiet in my own cabin.
ave got your portrait open bef-re me, and can
Rllmost fancy T see your sweet smiles," adding that
he hoped they "may love ono another, and by the
will of Almighty God through life. I never write
without your likeness before me. I hope nothing
will mar our cherished love. Now tell we about
you, love, ike." Then was added a bit of poetry—
" Farewell thou clime of beauty,
Where blooms the maid 1 1 )ve,
Fond thoughts in pleasing duty
Around her ever rove.
" What way to say farewell in,
In vain the heart would tell ;
Winds blow while sails are swelling,
Oh, native land, farewell."

In other letters he said, " I miss your half-and-
half ; tell your father I am sorry I got no bottled
stout. (Laughter.) Since my voyage to Shanghai
the hair is partly off my forehead, which gives it
a more ample appearance."
The last letter, breaking off the match, was as
follows :

"Port Elizabeth, Nov. 24,_1856.

"MARY ANNE BILLS,-I have heard from my
parents about our correspondence, so I must say
the truth to you, as I shall lose the ship a.td be
forsaken by them, sa I must give np all hopes of
being yours ; so you had better look for another,
and what you are out of pocket I will recompense
you. So I must remain single as I am, and pray
you will forgive me, and if I can be of service in any
other way I will be most happy."
Mr. Samuel Bills, father of the plaintiff, proved
the handwriting of defendant, and identified the
photograph of the latter, as produced to the jury,
showing the plaintiff had lost a young man of good
personal appearance. He a's3 stated that de-
fendant had told him he was not only part owner,
with his father, of the Golden Fleece, but thi‘t this
vessel was to be considered his own ; that she was
400 tons, a clipper, and had cost him father
8,000 f., and that he (defendant) had 4001. in
the Bank of Aberdeen, and he directed that a
house should be furnished, a pianoforte pur-
chased, as preparatory to the marriage with him
(defendant) and witness's daughter (plaintiff.) The
breaking off the match had had a very serious effect
upon the health of plaintiff, from which she had
not yet recovered.
Mr. Henry Bonner, a solicitor's clerk, deposed to
defendant, before sailing to Algoa Bay, having de-
clared it was the last voyage he would make with-
out making plaintiff his wife, and consulted witness
about purchasing a house.
Mr. John Atkinson, plaintiff's attorney, proved
serving notice of these proceedings in the cabin of
the Golden Fleece, now in the port of London.
Witness told him that there was a rumour that he
was married, when he replied, " It is no secret—.l
am."
Defendant not being present, or professionally
represented, the learned Under-Sheriff summed up,
and the jury, after a brief consultation, returned
a verdict of damages 2501.

MEALTR OF LONDON DURING THE
WEEK.

(Prom the Report of tie Registrar-Genera.)

The mortality of the metropolitan districts ex-
hibits an increase. The deaths registered in Lon-
don were in two preceding we-ks 988 and 1,061 ;
in the week that ended on Saturday, July 25, they
rose to 1,209. In the ten years 1847-56 the average
number of deaths in the weeks corresponding with
last week was 1,102, but the deaths of last week
occurred in an increased population, and for the
purpose of comparison the average must be raised
in proportion to the increase, by which it will be-
come 1,212. The rate of mortality now prevailing
is therefore as high as the avt rage rate, although
the period from which the latter is derived includes
the last week of July in 1849, when epidemic cho-
lera had spread to a considerable extent, and was'
fatal in 783 cases.

In the last two weeks the mean temperature of
the air has been 68 deg., and on seven out of the
14 days the thermometer has risen above 84 deg.
In London diarrhoea, or the complaint now known
as " the summer cholera," is the result of a high
temperature, and, as the heat is greater than usual,
the disease has developed itself with more than its
usual vigour. The following numbers of deaths
from diarrhoea exhibit its progress during the pre-
sent month ; in the week that ended July the 4th
they were 65, in the two following weeks 133 and
150, and last week 259. Lest year, in one week,
the deaths from diarrhoea rose to 253 under a mean

temperature of 67 deg., but at a period when the
summer was three weeks more in advance. In a very

large majority of the 259 cases young children are the
victims ; 206 occurred in the first year of life, 26 at
the age of one year and less than two, 11 at ages
varying from two years to ten, and 16 at the age of
20 and upwards. Besides these 28 cases ara referred
to cholera (comprising deaths by "English cholera,'!
" choleraic diarrhcea," &c.), and under this head
also a large proportion— viz., 23 occurred
to children. In all fatal cases of cholera it is desi-
rable that the duration of the previous st ige of
diarrhoea, when it can be ascertained, should be
stated by the medical attendant on his certificate.
Typhus and common fever were fatal in 44 cases ;
measles in 40 ; whooping cough is now reduced to
37 ; and it is satisfactory to find that only 13 are
due to scarlatina, and that not a single death from
smallpox is returned. Three persons died from
carbuncle ; two from intemperance. Five nonage-
narians are returned, the oldest of whom was a
widow, who died at the age of 96 years.
Last week the births of 779 boys and 852 girls,
in all 1,631 children, were registered in London.
In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1847-
50 the average number was 1,430.
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the glean
height of the barometer in the week was 29.828
inches. The mean temperature of the week was
68.3 deg., which is 6.7 deg. above the average of
the same week in 43 years. On Thursday and Fri-
day the mean temperature was 71 deg., which is
more than 9 deg. above the average. Tie highest
temperature in the week was 86 deg. on Thursday
in the shade ; and the highest point in the sun (110
deg.) was attainen on the same day. The lowest
Was 51.7 deg. on Tuesday. The range of the week
was 34.3 deg. The mean dew-point temperature
was 57.1 deg., and the difference between this and
the mean temperature of the air (representing the
dryness) is so great as 11.2 dog. The mean tem-
, perature of the water of tne Thames was 69.5. The
nyws . e r s There
nn
the was n o
rai
direction of the wind was generally south-west. It
blew strongexcept osnomtheeinlasdtritvhirnege
showers
even-
ing of Tuesday.

MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS
NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED
IN THE WEBS ENDING SATURDAYS JULY 25
Zymotic Diseases
Diseases of Uncertain Seat
Tubercular Diseases
DiseasesDDsseeaassee of
ss
ofo thef
the
t hHßereaai
Li
Heart
,u Nervesanugds a n
Blood-vessels
Senses
d 196
other 3$
116
Organs of
Respiration ,
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs
of Digestion
Diseases of the Kidneys, &c.
Childbirth, Diseases • f the Uterus, &c.
Diseases of the Joints, Bones, an Muscles
Diseases of the Skin, &c.
Malformations
Premature Birth and Debility
Atrophy
Old Age
6
4
.... —....,
,i2i
............ ...--
uViolence,d
Causesdei l
not... .specified...Privation,"—.... . C.. .. cl.
..
l ..d.. ~...a...11...d.....1.11 t e.m.....Pe......ra:n:c.e.iii. ....
....
• 3:8

----- _
DZATEEB YROM ALL CAIIBZS ..................... 1;209
1010 D . Deaths in oorre- Death'
I'ol3ll
Enumerated. spending week In the
1851. of 1856, Week.
West Districts ...... 376,427
North Districts ...... 490,396
Central Districts.,... $93,256 154
East Districts........ 485,522
South Districts ...... 616,635 .......- 259
____

Totals ••••••••• 2,362,236
Males

995

1,209
645 '

komales

504 a

- • -
ITER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
FAREWELL PERFORMANCES AT
REDUCED PRICES.
THIS EVENING, WEDNESDAY, July 29,
IL TROVATORE.
Leonora, Spezia ; Azucena, Alboui ; II Conte de Luna, Be.
neventano ; Forrando, Vialetti ; Maurice, Ginglini.
To conclude with the new Ballet Divertissement of
. MARCO SPADA.
Warne Rosati, Mall°. Katrinc, M. M scot, Signori Eoretti,
Cecchetti, and Ronzani.

PRICES:
Pit Tier, Grand Tier, and One Pair £
2 12 6
.wo Pair...
'Ulf Circle 1 1 0
Pit Stalls
Gallery Boxes 0 12 6
Gallery Stalls
Gallery Side Stalls '
Pit 0 3 6
Gallery • 0 2 0
No free list.—Applications to be made at the Box-office of
the Theatre. Doors open at 7, 3pera to commence at half-
past 7.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
Farewell Performances at Reduced Prices.
THIS EVENING, (WEDNESDAY, July 29)—IL TRO•
VATORE and MARCO -PADA.
THURSDAY, July 30—Mozart's NOZZE DI FIGARO.
FRIDAY, July 31—LA. rRAVIATA and MARCO SPADA.
SATURDAY, Aug. 1- -FIGARO and ALPHEA
The entertainments in the Ballet will combine the talents
Madame Rosati, Madlles. Katrina, Boschetti, and Marie
Taglioni.

Prices as above.

T.HEA TRE-ROY A. L, DRURY-LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
OPEN EVERY EVENING.
GREAT EQUESTRIAN AMERICAN and CONTINENTAL
COMPANY.
Prices—Pit and Promenade, Is; Boxes, 2s. 6d., 25., and ls.
64.; Galleries, 6d. Doors open at half-past 7. Commence
at 8. _ .

JACK THE GIANT KILLER, with novel effects.

OY AL "PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
id THIS EVENING will be performed

Shakespere's Play of
THE TEMPEST.
Preceded by LIVING TOO FAST.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET
Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock. with
the new and greatly successful original Comedy, entitled
VICTIMS. in which Mr. Rackstone, Mr. Howe, Mr. William
Farren, Mimi Reynolds, site., will appear.
After which, ACTRESS OF ALL WORK, in which Miss
Anna Maria Quinn (frctn the principal theatres in Australia)
will sustain six characters.

Followed by the drama.of A WICKED WIFE.
To conclude with anew Ballet, THE GLEANERS.
Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the
evening), 6s. each, (No charge for booking.)
First Price. a. d. Second price. s. d
Dress Boxes. 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0
Upper Boxes ' . . 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0
Pit
Lower Gallery..? - 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6
Upper Gallery-- ... :. .. 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery.

THEATRE ,ROYAL, A DELPHI,
Lessee.—Mr. Ben. Webster.
EThe perforwaga®a•this Erning will be in Remembrance of
the late Mr. DOUGLAS JERROLD.

---
THIS EVENING, will 14e performed the drama of THE
RENT DAY, (writ'en by the late Douglas Jerrold), in which
Mr. B. Webster, Mr. Paul Bedf rd, Mr. Wright, Madame
Celeste, and Mrs. Keeley will perform.
An Address will be delivered by Albert Smith, Esq.
After wltich;the late Douglas Jerrold's drama of 13LXCIZ-
EYED SURA.N, in which Mr. T. P. Cooke, Mr. Buckstone,
and Miss 24.. Oliver will perform.

ROYAL OLYMPIC TIIEATItE
Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan.

MIS EVENING, Wednesday, July 28, will be performed
ALL IN THE 'WRONG. Characters by Mr. Robson, Mr.
Addison, Mr. G. Vining, Mr. G. Cooke, Mrs. Stirling, Miss
SwanborJugh, (Sze. ~
•- - -

To conclude with the original Extravaganza, by RThert
B. •Brongh, .Esc}., called MASANIELLO: Messrs. Rob-
son, Cooke. Danvers, dzc. ; Misses Swanborough, Thirlwall,
Hughes, 131omley, and Mrs. Melfont.
Commence at half-past Seven.

ROYAL' SURREY THEATRE.
Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Cresivick.
Success of the great English Tenor. Mr. Henry Squires.
THIS ISTEMING, (WEDNESDAY), will be performed
• IL TROVATORE.
Mr.,. H. Squires, 'Lucy Escott, and Miss Lanus..
To conclude .with' THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGI-
MENT. Mr. Maarvers and Miss Dyer.

GREAT NATIONAL STANDARD
THEATRE.

.Proprietor, Mr. John Douglas.
Professor AITDESSON In a round of Dramatic Characters,
supported by Mr..Hanjilton Braham, Mrs. Vickery, &c.
THIS EVENING, will be performed
ROB ROY.
Rob Roy, Professor Anderson ; Major Galbraith, Mr. H.
Braham; Helen Macgregor, Mrs. Vickery.
Between the pieces Mr. J. G. Fo7de, the King of Comic
Vocalists, w". 11 open his Poreel of Fun.
To conclude with THE LONE CHATEAU.

ASTLEYS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke.
Under the patroxiager eller Majesty and His Royal Highness

- Prince Albert.
Last Nights of the Splendid Spectacle of MAZEPPA.

The great Parisian Equestrienne, Ma.dlle. Mililos, continues
to be received with unbounded approbation.
THIS, EVENING (Wednesday), and every evening during
the week, the entertainments will commence with Lord
Syron's 'grand spectacle of MAZEPPA AND THE WILD
HORSE.

Mazeppal Mr. James Holloway.
Concluding with a Brilliant Series of Mr. William Cooke's
Novel and Inimitable SCENES in the ARENA, in which
Madlle. Mililos will 'appear.
Comrdenee at .seven o'clock. Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper
Boxes, 3e. ; Private, Boxes, from 215., no charge for booking;
pit, 25,; :Gallery, ls. ; Upper Gallery, 6d. Htlf-price at
half-past Eight. ,
8.,x-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager,
Kr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN .EVERY EVENING.—The follow-
ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
Selections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses,
lees, Duets,,&c., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. Palmyre, Miss
cott, Miss Brunell, Miss Summers, and Madame Marietta;
Mr. St. Allayn, Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Far-
rant, S. .10ner,..4. Barker, W. Melling, P. Corgi, Senor An
tonio M. de- Solla, and E. L. Hime ; Master Corgi ; Messrs.
Sam Collins, and E. Mackney. Pianoforte, Mr Cecil
Hicks: harmonium, Master Willi tms ; areccor, Herr F.
Joughnians. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Sap-
pers, tie., until twelve o'clock

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

T.+le DAY—Morn. min. sit. 7—Even., 21 min. aft. 7
TO-Mointow—Morn., 41 min. aft. 7—Even. 13 rain aft. 8

THE 'WEATHER—SUN Ornoa, JULY 29.
THERMOMETER. IN THE SHADE.
73'—highest sine*, noon yesterday.
62 —lowest this morning and during the night.
73 —this day at noon.
BAROMETER. 30.21.
WtßDy W.S.W.; light, with fine weather.

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