Star.
London, England, 1815-12-02 00:00:00

HASTINGS, N. 9 VE MBER 29.

A report is ia circulation that the QUEEN 11:15 it in
contemplation to honour Hastings with hyr presence,
some of her Majesty's Physicians having rocommend•
ed this beautiful picturesque marine/residence as the
most eligible situation, from the serenity and mild-
ness.of /its atmosphere, uncontaminated by noxious
vapours or fogs, and fro:n its being sheltered by the
surrounding bills (which have intiurnerahlt•
Inral rides and walks), and open to tin: warin South
Sea breezes, for the renovation or enjoyment of
health ; and certainly nothing can more decide its
superiority or pie-eminence in that respect than from
the number of families alreatfy arrived here.—
Amongst the latest at rivals we have the pleasure to
annex the following:
Lord, Viz.countess, and Miss Templeroun ; Lord, Lady, and
the /inn. Alisti C. Monson ; Lady and Miss Owing ; Lady CMS.
toi.n ; Hon. Mrs. Miss, and Mr. Sr. neer ; Lasly Mary koss
Lati.y Lumley, expected ; Lieut.-Col and Mrs. Hai::: Dr.
Mayo, Miss Rah. stortl, the Ali-ses lk anet s, Mr. and
Mrs. still;t:;.;, f‘liss Irvine, Mr. We,l terliourn, Mr.
a.ol Mrs. Air. and Mrs. Pennant, Miss Withlain, Miss
Murray, Mr-. Tonipsun, Capt. and Mrs. it, oon, Mrs.
Mr. Upton, Mr. Maenasnara, Mr. and Mr.. Mr. C. any
Mrs. Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Crauftird, Mr. Mrs. zuti Miss
.on, Min Rubtrtson, Mr. CU :ad. Mrs. WiEbt-
man, FA.C. &c.

Yesterday, the Pitiscu REGENT arrived at Carlton-
House to dinner, from Brighton, attended by Gene-
ral BLOOMPPILD and Sir WILLIAM CoNGREVE.
The EMPEROR of Russia arrived at lVarsaw on the
12th ult. He wac recuivecr with every demonstration
of joy. The City was illuminated tor three nightc.
Tile following anecdote is related in a letter from
St. Petersburg)), dated about the Ise ;inning of Sep-
tember last:—" The public walks en the island et i
Chi istovsky were 1 ist Sunday evening craw2ed to I
excess with the fashionable world. My
Larptt:nntaiopn.!
was soon attracted by the Persian Annbas iteior and.'
his sui:e, lately arrived in this Ca
proaching them, my curiosity was L•acitirly excited
by hearing his li.xcellency talking En ;lass to some
Russian ladies, He was some years Audi:it:sailor
At the Court of London. He has a guard of honour
appointed him by the Russian Governmtnt, which
has strict orders to admit nobody into his house atter
a cert;;in hour at night. A few weeks ago, a young
Officer of his suite coming home after the appointed
hour, being challenged by one of the soldiers, drew a
dirk and stabbed him. Next day, the Chief Master I
of Police waited on the Ambassador, related to him
the unfortunate occurrence of the preceding night, and
represented the necesfity of his officer being punished:
The Ambassador desired that he would take him and
. punish him as he chose. The Master of the Police
replied, that he would- leave the punishment entirely
to his Excellency. Have the goodness to wait a
little,' said the Ambassador. He gave some orders
in Version ; and in ten minutes, the young man's head
was presented on a plate to the Police Master."
li,ocesrs.—Yesterday an Inquest was held at the
Red Lion, Islington, on the body of Mr. Baslingion,
of Gwynn's-buildings, who was found dead in his bed
on Thursday morning, after retiring the preceding
night in perfect health. Verdict—Died by the Visi-
tation of GOD.
Another Inquest was held on the body of T. Des-
lander, tit years old, who died in consequence of set-
ting his clothes on fire. while attempting to take some
apples of the hub of a stove, in the absence of Ins
mother. Vet diet— Accidental Death.
A shocking accident happened to a poor.man, a
plAistertr, who was at work yesterday at one of the
large Louses in Bryanston-square, Mary-la-bonne :
he tell from a scaffold, on the iron railing in front of
the area, when several of the spikes entered his body,
by which lie hung in extreme torture, until some of
the men extricated him with difficulty ; he was then
conveyed to the Middlesex Hospital with little hopes
of recovery.
ROBISIMIES.—Thursday night the house of Mr.
John Greenly, Gold-street, Stepney-green, was broke
open, and robbed of furniture, bed and table linen,
and wearing apparel, to a considerable amount.
Thursday night the coach-house .of Frederick Gilson,
Esq. of Rodney-buildings, Newington, was broken
open and robbed of the cartio.ge glasses, a set of har-
ness, and a box-coat.
Thursday evening a chest of tea, value stSO, was
stolen from the cart of Messrs. Sentences, grocers, in
the. Borough, as it was passing through Smithfield,

i;or itittlLLicEmek

••••=•11•••...,.1
SHERIPFS' COURT, DECEMBER 1.

CRIM. CON.
ABAY v. BENTINCIC.

This was an Inquisition held before the SIIERIIPS of
Middlesex and a Special Jury, to assess the damages
to be levied in the case of Sir William Abdy, Bart.
against the Right Hon. Lord Charles Bentinck, for
a criminal conversation with the Plaintiff's wife.
The Dcfendant suffered judgment th go by default,
and the damages were laid at £30,000.
Mr. RICIIAItDSON opened the pleadings.
Mr. Term° stated the Plaintiff's case in a speech
of considerable length. He commenced by observ-
ing, that the Defendant bad in this case deeply and
irreparably wounded the Plaintiff, by seducing the
affections of his wife, and he was much mistaken if
the result of the investigation would not skew that it
was a case entitled to as large a compensation in
damages, as had been ever given in a Court of Jus-
tice. He had often thought that it was unnecessary
in cases of this kind, to consume the time of a Jury
by forensic statements. At present lie was particu-
larly impressed with that opinion, for if his case was
not barne out in evidence, he felt fully persuaded
that nothing he could say would inflaence the Jury
in their decision. He would however say, that there
never existed a man whose conduct exposed hint to a
severer penalty, than that with which the Defendant
ought to he visited in this transaction. Sr William
Abdy in this case complained that Lord Charles
Bentinck had debauched his wife. It v; is almost
unnecessary for him to state who the Plaii,nif was.
He was the representative of an opulent, an ancient,
and honourable family. in July, ISW, he married
Miss Anne Wellesley, the daughter of the N thit.
Marquis of that name. Sir William was then 2G
years of age, and the lady about 19, no improper
disparity of years between them—the alli,tnce sprung
out of the spirit of their first attachment:—it was
eloubtlesc the offspring of their earliest it:le::tion, or,
to use the cernnion phrase, the consunonati,:n of
44 first love on each side." The marriage t a %: place
by consent of both families, at Carnel:ord House,
the then residence of Marquis Wellesley ; and from
that period up to the fatal 5.h of September last, the
most complete harmony anl happiness reieued be-
tween the parties. The Deknsiant in this fo:il trans-
action was the younger brother of the Mike of Port-
land, who was the head of a distinguished and
ficriourable family. His was about 32 years of age,
a widower, with one chod, and he held a &maw;
of considerso-le profit 'in the Royal Hauteliold, be-
si.:es, of cow so, possessing a brother's share in the
patrimonial property. It dal not appear exactly
when his acquaintance with Sir William A!•dy took
place, hut it was iminedi-itely alter his wil'e's death,
and he was of course received into that family with
consnlatory kindness. Sir William's residence w.is 1
in Hill street, Berkeley-square, and the I.O.fendant
often dined there. In ihe month of November, I.rt
year, Sir William and his Lady went to Paris; at
that time nothing had occurred to induce a suspiciOn•
of Lord Bentinch's object. Shortly attar their ar.
rival in the French Caietol, the Dafendant made his
appearance there, and took Icolgings in the sane
latieet. .. He became of course a visitor, on the same
1 friendly footing which subsisted between them i,i
.I.!intinn: In March of the pre,:ent 3 :nu, t'.oy le-
turni:d to town; where they Rinained (troll the 21st
July, at v:hicli period they went to pass tl ...- watering
season at Worthing, and front thence to I.l:ighton,
whets; they were lollowed by Lord Chi. :les, under
some CX.Cilbe of his howe'lol4 duty. It was quite
clear a ciandc:stine correspondence then stibsi.reil be-
tween the p :rd.'s. They returiod limn BrHlton ou
t 1....: Ist of September. Sir William and his Lady
were then invited to spend the shoo:in?, season at
Bedisham Hall, in Cambridgeshire, the !tit of the
Plaintiff's brotherin.law, Mr. Caldwell, tat son of
Admiral Caldwell. Sir William went down alone,
not being 41.1 e to-prevail on his lady to accompany
I him, who excused herself upon the inconven'ence the
family in the country would sustain by a visit of this
kind, as the Admiral was then indisposed at the
Mansion. The 'ld of September was the day on
which Sir With im went into the country. and on
that very day the Defendant came to the Plaintiff's
house, in Hill-sheet, and dined and spent the even-
ing with her Ladyship, and, no doubt, upon that
occasion committed the act of adultery which form-
ed the present ground of compl tint. On the sth of
September Lady Andy eloped with the Defendant,
with whom she remained ever since. It was neces-
sary for the Jury to be informed, with a view of 1
sheaving the mind, intention, and object of the De-
fendaut, that so early as July he took a furnished
house at Croome's Hill, near Greenwich—that he did
so by secrecy, and under tile feigned name of Captain
Browne—that when he entered it, atter the elope-
ment, he introduced Lady Abdy as Mrs. Browne—
that they remained there living a; nun and wite, tin.
tit the 2.lth of last November, and that he then paid
the rent by a check upon his banker, not in the as-
sumed name, but in his real and proper denomination.
Who was the Plaintiff in this case ?—A man of high
and honourable family, and of unimpeached character.
What could his Learned Friend (Mr. Brougham)
urgelor the Defendant ? He could not plead his
youth is the cause of his indiscretion. A man of 32
years of age could not claim the benefit of sucka plea.
What could be said in extenuation of a man who
availed himself of a hospitable introduction, and took
advantage of the temporary absence of his friend to
commit adultery with his wile ; and that the crime
should lose no part of its atrocity, to effect his pur-
pose in the very snansion of the man whose do-
mestic peace he was' at the moment sacrificing ?
Not content with this, be carried off' the victim of his
seduction, and has retained her in his custody ever
since. The case had in it every thing of aggravation.
A regular scheme would, from, doe Perfenciant's own
letters, appear by him to have been laid to carry off
the Lady. These letters would shew it was part of
the plan that the hotband shouldte got out of town,
but that she must eihnain ; and that, in the interim,
the plot should be carried into execution without
delay, lest the husband should sudd&niy return upon
them. This very hurry was in pat sense favourable ;
for, in the confusion attending it, the Defendant's
letters were overlooked at the house. They, tortu-
!lately, for the cause of justice, remained to speak in
1 evidence against him, and to stand in record as an
sternal monument of hie disgrace. Those letter,

„,
were %without date, but, frotri coneurreet circuttf.
stances, which could be ..nnexed to their conteni,
they why'd appear to be written ab sot the time ~f
the Plaintiff's journey to Cambridge.t:,ire. 'I ;hey we e
three in number, and c,n:atned, a: all sett •rs nE II
same kind do, a great (I,ml of b tl,.!erda)!,.—[ll-.le
the Learned Couosel re id extracts frltn the letters.]
The first contained 't:te kurr cfr11•1011S : •••
” I never could have such a tbouglit u to have three, my
dearest, dearest Anne f How'can Ibe happy, my lov wii.hout
thee? My heart is breaking now. Cats love mink II Irtelf happy
without her own.dear, dear husband I I'he thought make:6 me
wretched Ix:, crud idea I never can have one happy momett
withem yon. By delaying *kit (meaning the dup. mem, Mt*.
l'oppicg observed) for a few weeks, yen put it out of the pow V
of ever taking place. You say be (meaning h. r hutband). inntit
regret It long. My though:2 tell me what I feel—hut no wore%
can express my wretched divre,s at behig thug .alfully
alone. I hare myself, and if I tete my deareu Ann,-, I shall lie
con.igned to every misery. 0:), it mutt not b, ! My love says
she aeroesl.eith me. You must not go, love ! Oh ! promise me
you won't—my existence slependt upon it."
lie, in iiiinth%T part of the Later, speaks thus of
his infant daughter :
" If I d:c, Ott, my love! I pronilse yoei the care of Georgians:
In a very few weitks, if you go Into Cambridgeshire' tut dotty
will devolve upon you. 'Think, then, of your dearest Charles !--
rids fills me with horror ! lino/ can I think you hive me, if you
hesitate? Oh! that f was slit at dear to yt.o as ever."
The second letter ran thus—
" I have passed a wreched night. Have mercy on me, don't
go into the country. I hardly know, nit/ etcare-t Amt.., my love,
it I said or did any thing to offend yeti ; f rgive me. Fur mrcy's
sake, (3:net go; if you can't leavrilikt, let me see you only there
for a t.-tv liouv,, that's all I i.itv ore. Oh, 2`.y love! what can be
your with to delay it deigt r, oi:1) that i: shot! Lot 1).1? U :164r-
est, d arest wife! tell me what you mean. If mine own dearest
Anne must he mine, why deter our happiness ? his is the utile
moment—i! thrown away, it may be big fur ever,"
The following ar.e passages from the third letter :
" I caet, dearest, dearest Anne, wait moll to-inorriivr to In-
quire atter y:u. The wretched state of crud in which I left yO.l,
and the conviction that I am the cause of %teakettle* wretched.
How can f ever forgive myself, that for a few moment.' gratifi-
cation, I could have auunwired on mine own hi loved such a
heap of tro‘ery ! 1 hive pia.:ted a dagger in your hr. ast, which
c never be ret..ove 1. Near •r ten I forgive myself. Love, ad-
povieri'll key, vr,es t.):3. Oh, my love the very marble
r:a,:cd 1,. 1: my beloved swig yon
roll ale) ahouhl couc:lnn trait ro*years of alvenee, you will still
fini tare lac same. I mear by ALUIGISTV Goo, nothing shall
preven: our bring united b f the solemn ties at the Church. Oh,
that I might be permitted to torce you away, and rely on my
Liu/lour, and devotion, and attachment' which can never vase to
love pea. dearest heart. Wel you, if I die, take WV of my child,
ant keep her from all Itnio f (ion only knows 111,9' I love you,
that I might be permitted to bars my ecareit &g.
Mr. Pa'pi'sts here observed, 64E these letters were
replete with further balderdash, which it would be sty
.icte of time to read. This, acid he,,Gentletnen, i$
my case. The Plaintiff, in BUG, was married to a
young :qtl beautiful woman, with whom Ile lived in
lea; pi: 'eta until the year 181.5, and from whtam he
WAS alitaated, without any act of his to deserve such
Ircatmoit. inrral upon his happiness se,i
made, not by an infant, not by an indiscreet and in•
experier,ted man—no I by one who himself had felt
tale: lup?iness and enjoyed thibless,frgs of domestic
life--who knew and could appreciate the v :'ate, for
he had been himself deprived of i:. His L.mrutd
lend (Mr. Brnugham) could not shake this ire
pt:AiOn. Mr. 13rou:.lhani, it wastrbe, had nut yet
tasted this hiiisful t.tte (',ll. Topping) hopers
and trusted he wouLl soon however elliny itscheering

Mr. 13ttoucitast—.• No, I can't—Pin past 22 I"
dere:want, iesuined Mr. TorrerG, LA sr
Abdy abstain from going to the conist.y with het
kiLband, w;ch the view of pouncing upon •tri
lag her. Lie diected Lis foul piirro.e, and rensoveal
her to a furnished house, according to 4 pte.atraisgel
and sviii digested _plan. It w-iscia all its beavnas, a
case which transLzticied in prodig•acy encurauy,
any cause that, in the course of his professional ditties,
e ,had either been present at or heard of Doubtless

the July would he:-tr an eloquent madams front
Learned Fri:nd. Hz (Mr. Topping) had tvitnesse4
thz Lucinatino of his Friend's talents in that Chain-
her on a similar otca,ian to the present ( Lady Rust-
locrry's caw). Let the Jury beware of the morueo-
tary inqoer:ce, the t::r.tp,)rary delirium c Aused by buck
eloquenee—let them rally their judgmzrtt, and tlinso
fantasies would vanish ; reason would resume bet
sear, and the empire of justice would b rnaintainect,
by the infiiction upon the defendant of such damages
(if any could be found) as were corm:most:raw with
the atrocity of his gull:.
The first witness called was Times Gordon, Esq.
He was sworn and examined by Mr. RictibitosoN.
He was the material uncle of the Plaintiff, and
was present at Camelferd House, where the Margais
Wellesley then lived, at the marriage of Lady Abdy
in 18C6. The nurrioge, he alwayN sttpposed, sprung
from the mutual alf.scti•in of the virtks, and was ce-
lebrated by the consent of th.iir r.np:ci;ve fmadies.
He had since maintained familiar intrct,hrie wih
them when in town --in the winter constantly; aid
from his obsetvatiuns they appeared to hAve a mutual
affection kr each othi r. Every pro.,er attcniion was
paid by Sir tVillians to his LALIy? and this feeling
seemed to be reciprrcAl. Nothing that this witness
ever saw induced him to hold x c 'ovary supp-,...
tion. They had no children, This witness-could nit
sty when Lord Chat lea fitutincl: baame acquainted
with the family.
Crosl-examined by Mr BUOUGUAM.
_ . -

Knew nothing of Lord Charles lientitick's family
circumstances, nor did he ever see him at the Plain-
tiff's house. Witness was present at Sir W,iliana's
marriage; a large party was there, in which he saw
Lady Wellesley, Mrs. Littleton, Lady Craw,orti, and
several others. Lady Abdy was, he ,in,.erstood, a
natural daughter of arquis Wellesley.
Admiral Benj. Caldwell wit: examined by 4r. Toertms.
This witness stated that he tcneir Sn %Via ,nd
the Lady since their marriage; it:i the lati er et Sir
William he had long been intimate, they Imv :11;
merly been young Captains together He I..ig t have
seen Sir William as a boy at his father's mole, but
was not in habits of intimacy with him (the
witness's son's) marriage with his sister—uiis circa rn-
stance took place on the Ist of Decembei, lstn‘
since which he has seen Sir William and Lady Abdy
conbtanily ; they appeared to live together as hippy
as it was possible for people to live in the niamagis
state. This cordiality subsisted up to the time of the
elopement. He saw them last aft quite affectionate,
and nothing had ever occurred at that period to
make him think the contrary.
Charles Caldwell, Esq. was exassised by 11r.

CHARDbON.
He was the son of the last witness, and had mar.
vied the sister of Sir W. Abdy, at the end of kotk
this, of course, led to an intimacy w.th the family,
who appeared to live great harmony. 4'4404