The Sun.
London, England, 1828-07-22 00:00:00

SUMMER ASSIZES.

HERTFORD, JULY 21.
BREACH OF MARRIAGE PROMISE.
ROWLEY V. ACRES.

This was an action brought by the plaintiff to re-
cover damages for a breach of promise of marriage.
The plaintiff, a Miss Rowley, resides with her
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Huntingford. The defendant suffered every prepa-
ration to be made for the marriage—the wedding
dresses, the cake, and the ring, were purchased.
The marriage was to have, taken place on the 22d of
October, and on the 20th, the defendant meeting in
the streets of Hertford a Mr. Wren who had been
employed to procure the license for the marriage,
and being congratulated by that person,.and joyfully
informed that he (Mr. Wren) had the license at that
moment in his pocket—to the utter amazement of
that worthy person, he said, " Alt ! you need not
have been in such a hurry about it—we don't
want a license now." And when he was asked
upon what ground lie had altered his mind, he
answered, that it was enough he had altered
his mind, and that he was engaged to another.
On the part of the defendant, Counsel was instructed
to state, that not the slightest shadow of imputation
could be cast upon the character of the plaintiff, and
that the defendant believed her to be a chaste and
virtuous wolitan ; but he thought so much precipi-
tation as bad been shown by Miss Rowley, was not
very becoming in a young lady. In less than three
weeks from the time when she first met the defend-
ant, she had herself come to Hertford to make pre-
parations for her wedding. In breaking off this
match, it was contended, that the defendant's conduct
had been that of a prudent, sensible young man.—
The Jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, found a
verdict for the plaintiff—Damages 501.
In the evening, Mr. Joseph Acres, the defendant,
was seen riding out of Hertford in right merry mood
with a streaming bunch of yellow ribbons in his 'hat,
and followed by a crowd of shouting townspeople.
John Rose, hair-dresser, of St. Olave's, South-
wark, was indicted for having stolen, in May, in the
parish of Cheshunt, from a common stage-waggon,
a quantity of linen-drapery and other articles, the
property of William Weston, of Buntingford ; and
George Smith, carman, of Bermondsey, was indicted
for having feloniously received the same.
It was clearly proved that the prisoner, and a man
named Dan Carter (not in custody) had given the
waggoner a quantity of laudanum, by which he be-
came stupified, when they stole the articles men•
tioned in the indictment.

The Jury returned a verdict of " Guilty," and the
Learned Judge observed that the sentence of the
Court was, that John Rose be transported beyond
the seas for the term of seven years; and George
Smith for the term of 14 years.
On Saturday two special jury cases came on for
hearing. The first was brought by R. Otway Cave,
Esq., M.P. for Leicester, against a trainer of horses
at St. Alban's, named Coleman, to recover 100 gui-
neas which had been paid by the plaintiff for a horse
called Atticus, which was represented as a quiet
steady animal, and a warranty given to that effect.
He proved, however, to be any thing but steady, and
his temper vicious ; so much so, that it was extremely
dangerous to cross him. These facts being proved
in evidence, a verdict was given to the plaintiff to
the full amount claimed. The second case was .a
qui tam action against Mr. Alderman Christopher
Smith, M.P., for St. Alban's, to recover penalties
against him for bribery. Bribes were alleged to
have been given to different voters, by very small
instalments—naMely, half-a-crOwn at a time.
The jury pronounced a verdict for the defendant.
Mr. Sergeant ANDREWS assisted Mr. Baron GAti.-*
now in clearing the calendar. The only trial of the
least interest was that of Blazely, for maliciously
cutting and destroying 36 fruit trees, the property of
Mr. Rowe, and growing in his garden, on the night
of Good Friday last, at Ealdock.
The Learned Judge summed up the case to the
jury, who found the prisoner " Guilty."
He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment,
and hard labour, and to be twice well whipped.