The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-22 00:00:00

" POSTSCRIPT

" Private.—l think it fair, as one who would have a right
to be dealt 'openly with, to inform you that among the in-
discretions of my past life, there is one which leaves a charge
that cannot b, overlooked in my expenses. I allude to a
connexion with a person which has long since ceased, but
which leaves her and five children looking to me fur suppori,
which in the scantiest way must be felt on so small a pro-
perty as mine. I feel ashamed at having to expose my folly to
the-eyes of a stranger, but hope that you will see I only do so
to account for the necessity of acting as I have above."
Now, gentlemen of the jury, is not that another pretext put for-
ward with the view of dissolving the contract ? But can either of
the topics in this letter justify such conduct ? Was a man of
his age thus to treat this unfortunate lady, whose affections
were engaged by hum—whose promise was obtained—who over
and over again was exhibited to the public as his intended
wife ? I say; and I say again, that there is no cause, and that
she is entitled so heavier damages on this account.
After the examination of witnesses, who proved the fore-
going statement,
Mr. George Bennett, Q. C., addressed the jury fur the de.
fence, and in the coarse of his speech said—Gentlemen of the
jury, the plaintiff is entitled to damages, and 1 tell you, under
his Lordship's correction, if you are of opinion that she is
not entitled to more than 5001., after we produce the order
made to lodge that money in Court, that your verdict
ought to lie for the ,tefe.sdant. I don't dispute—l never did
—the right of thin lady to get compensation, and his counsel
advised him to lodge that sum, which he thought would have
brought this matter to an end, and have saved this public in.
vestigation, annoying as it must be to every one concerned.
We may thus sum up the case :—This lady has lost a widower
of 53, whose means we will show you are moderate—who com-
mands, with his demesne and all, something less than 4001. a
year. She has lost him and his fortune, and she gets 5001
Now, what prospect has she before her ? If he insisted on his
rights he might have left her a young widow without any sup-
port. That is one consideration. He, however, thought, whe-
ther right or wrong—or his Counsel thought—that he was not
worth more than 5001.—( Laughter.) He valued himself at that
much, and I think, if he were to ask her on the day he put the
question, whether she would prefer 5001. in hand, or a wi-
dower of 53, you need not tax your imagination severely to
discover what her answer would have been.—(Laughter.
In addition to what you were told of this man's circum-
stances, I admit that he had acted wrong at one period of
his life, and that he pays for his error still, for that he has five
persons to support, besides their mother. But I will pass by
this part of the case, for in saying more I might offend the
delicacy of those I see around me. Is there, I ask, a young
lady wfio sees me now—and, indeed, I wish I had in this case
a jury of pretty girls to address—(Laughter)—and I could
easily empanel them in this Court, my Lord—(Loud laughter)
—Were you. ladies, in that box, to you I would say no more
than this—Would you rather have a widower of fifty-three,
with five little pledges hanging on his back, than a fortune, say
of 400/. or 5001. in hand at your disposal? Ladies of the j iry,
have you agreed to your verdict ?—(Great laughter.) There
was a famous poet who wrote of a lady. You have read this,
my Lord. After giving a history of the lady, he described
her as being. rather fond of the male sex—(Loud laughter)—
indeed, I helieie that this a propensity most ladies have.-
-( Renewed laughter.) Now, she had to draw a comparisoa,
,—riot between a man of fifty-three and a girl of twenty-
six, but between a man of fifty and one of twenty-five. The
question was asked ; she looked at each, and immediately and
very candidly said, " I'd rather have two of five-and-twenty
than one of fifty."7-(lmmoderate laughter.) But, gentle-
men of the jury, the friends of this young lady think differ-
ently. They are of opinion that this widower of fifty-three
should pay—for what ? Compensation in damages for the loss
she sustained I Why, I believe the damage she sustained could
, never be estimated at 500/. But the damages were not to be
coMpensation—vengeance possibly must be gratified—pride
must be fed —I won't go so far as to say that avarice must be
gorged ; but this appears to me, that feelings were brought
inn; the case to withdraw from the jury the legitimate ground
of action, and make a tax upon the defendant for other motives.
The jury retired, and after an absence of nearly half an hour
returned a verdict for plaintiff-7001. damages, and 6d. costs.
A shout of applause followed, bat it was almost instantly
suppressed by the Sub-Sheriff.