The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-16 00:00:00

Vbttton
4s„.

EXCHEQUER CHAMBER.
(rills DAY.)

SHERLOCK V. ATWOOD.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
Mr. HUMFREY then addressed the jury, on the part of
Mr. Atwood, the defendant. He was ready to admit
that there were some cases of this nature in which it
was impossible to give compensation in money for
feelings wounded, promises broken, and injury, which
attaches through li.e to a female's character, by reason
of a breach of promise to marry ; but, on the other
band, there were cases in which attempts wore
made by anabandoned woman to take in an unfortunate
young man, in better circumstances than herself,
and to get friends to assist her in securing a hold of his
affection, in the hope of retrieving her character, which
had been long ago lost, by marrying the unfortunate
object of her manceuvres. The circumstances in-
volved in this suit, which his Learned Friend said
was brought to recover damages for the outraged
feelings of a helpless young lady, and for injury
inflicted upon her, came within the latter category.
Ile did not hesitate to say that she was an abandoned
strumpet, and he should prove that she was so by un-
doubted testimony; but so infatuated was the defendant
with her that there could hi no doubt ho was induced to
make a promise of marriage. Mrs. Phillips, who was
her guardian, and described as a respectable person, it
appeared had a natural daughter, who also
had another natural daughter, and the way in which
the plaintiff was brought up by her would
account for her previous career. He should prove that
while she lived with Mrs. Collett she was in the habit
of swearing, drinking, and smoking, and on one occasion
was found by the cook in bed with another female ser-
vant and a young man, who would be called before
them. He should also show that she afterwards lived in
a house where two prostitutes were kept, and was alto-
gether a woman of very abandoned cLaraeter. ' One of
those women was Mrs. Edwards, described by his
Learned Friend as a proctor's wife. It would be his
duty to lay before them other circumstances, but they
were of so beastly and disgusting a nature, that he would
not offend their ears by mentioning them, but leave them
to be:detailed by the different witnesses. On these grounds
he contended that the very smallest amount of damages
would suffice, even it could be said that the plaintiff was
entitled to any.
Mary Wood, an elderly person, said—l was formerly
in the employ of Mr. Collett, at Hammersmith. The
plaintiff and another girl, named Alice Morgan, lived
there, and they slept together. On one occasion I went
to their bed-room; the door was locked and I knocked,
but it was not opened immediately. Alice Morgan
opened it. I went into the room, and I asked where
" George" was. Sherlock was in the room. George
was a person whom Mrs. Collett occasionally employed.
Alice Morgan slid there he is in the bed." I went to
the bed and turned down the clothes. and I saw him
lying with Ann Sherlock; they were bi th undressed.
Ann Sherlock's cot duct was not, very good. I should
say she was not a girl of modest character. She was
coarse and indecent in her language, swearing some-
times and saying " So help my God." I can't say—
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant ALLEN—I was cook
to Mrs. Collet. I left two years and a half ago, about
December, 18.48. Ann Sherlock left after me. I was
not quite six months in the service of Mrs. Collett.
George was a carpenter, and when he was employed by
Mrs. Collett she allowed him to sleep in the house.
Ann Sherlock left about a week after me. I left
in consequence of Mr. Collett becoming a bankrupt.
The discovery I made in the bedroom happened six
months before my leaving. I did dot mention the cir-
cumstance to Mrs. Collett, though I told her there was
very bad conduct going on in the house. I don't think
I named it to any one until I was subpeensed. I never
took my mistress's keys of the wine and spirits, nor did
Ann Sherlock make any charge against me respecting
• them.
I By the JUDGE--George continued to visit the house