Star.
London, England, 1822-01-28 00:00:00

COVRTHORP V. HARRINGTON.

This was an action brought against the defendant
for having spoken certain defamatory words of and
concerning the plaintiff, in his character as a tat-
gatherer, viz. " You have robbed me."
• One witness for the plaintiff proved the words
spoken ; but admitted, on cross-examination, that an
apology had been offered, which the plaintiff would
not accept, unless expres,ed in very strong terms, and
published in the newsparem
Mr. Serjeant 'VA tiG II AN, for the defendant, admit-
' ted the, words used could not be justified. It had,
however, been admitted by the plaintiff's own wit-
ness, that an apology had been offered and refused.
Tht object of clearing the plaintiff's character would
have been obtained, if that apology had been ac-
cepted. The plaintiff's object, however, had now be-
come a vindictive one, namely, that of pursuing the
defendant with the coats of this action. The words
had been uttered inheat, and being heard by only one
.witness, the justice of the case would be satisfied by
the smallest nominal damages.
The CHIER JCSTICE having summed up, the Jury
found for the plaintiff—Damages Is.

CONSISTORY COURT, JANUARY 2S.
PARISH OF ST. ANDREW'S BURIAL TEES.

Application was made to the Court by Mr. Bridge-
man, who stated that he was an undertaker, and pa-
tentee of iron coffins, and requested the Court would
receive a Petition, which the Registrar had refused to
present. The applicant stated, that he was placed
in a situation in which Ore believed no man before
him had ever been placed. He was made a party to
proceedings in that Court, xithout his name being
mentioned ; and, in consequence of this, he had no
appeal allowed him. It had been resolved at a Vestry
Meeting, in the Parish of St. George's, that no more
than 6s. Bd. fine should be paid for a small coffin;
but the Parish of St. And►ew had subjected the un-
dertaker to a fee of I:10, fur burying a little coffin.
Sir C. RoatNson observed, it was not regular for
the Court to permit anything to be stated there, unless
the matter stood in•its regular order upon their books.
It was probable, the reason the complainant was not
regularly before the Court, was, his not having ap-
peared to the citation so as to make him a. party.
The complainant proceeded to explain that he had
been made a party, without his name being mentioned,
by means of a fraud which had been practised.
The JUDGE replied, he could not enter upon a com-
plaint of fraud on individuals, where the parties were
not regularly 'before the Court. If the complainant
had sustained any injury, there was some legal remedy.

JURY COURT, EDINBURGH, JANUARY 21.
ALLAX V. THOMSON.

This cause, which has excited considerable interest, and has
been the subject of much conversation in the scientific circles
for some time past was appointed for trial this day, in conse-
quence of which the Court was completely filled on its opening.
The grounds of action alleged by the pursuer, Thomas Allan,
Esq. banker, in Edinburgh, were, that the defender, Dr. Tho-
mas Thomson, Professor of Chemistry in the University of
Glasgow, had expressed himself to persons in that city and its
vicinity, in terms which were false and injurious to the pursuer,
such as that a friend of his was about to prosecute the pursuer,l
for appropriating to himself certain minerals, and that he had
imposed upon mineral dealers. The damages were laid at
£sooo.—Many applications were made to Mr. Allan, by the
fritnds and the Counsel of Dr. Thomson, to accept an apology,
rather than carry the question into Court; Mr. Allan uniformly
declared, that being actuated by no vindictive motives to 1)r.
Thomson, he would not object to receive such an apology as his
friend, Mr. Ferguson, of liaith, approved of It was not, how-
ever, till the evening before the trial, that the final arrangements
were made, when Mr. Ferguson positively refused to listen to
anything but an apology made in ripen Court, and on the express
condition that Dr. Thomson defrayed all the expenses incurred.
In consequence, when the cause was called, Mr. Curennoname
stated to the Court, that the pursuer, Mr. Allan, hail accepted
of an apology from the defender, and that in return Mr. Allan
had agreed to give the explanation which Mr. Ferguson had
drawn out. The Learned Gentletilan then read the foll Owing
apology by Dr. Thomson :
" Having been led by very false information to accuse most
unjustly Thomas Allarf, Esq. banker, in Edinburgh, on a 'object
connected with his mineralogical pursuits, I now pa blicly

....4 ,
~.. ate sincere regret for bisini . !most groatnliess
calumny against thlt Gentleman ; declare, that I now
Iliall, Use so fat from whet was line, 'end repeated
by Me, having the slightest . Allan, on the con-
trary, wad the direct inaelbist transmitting to the
proper owner in London, fie were the subject
of the charge. I trust that Mr. MIMI his friends will ac-
cept of this apology for the error I blow Bien led into.—Edin-
burgh, elm Jramtitry, 10t2."
The following explanation warthen read by Mr.' Coarstike :
° I accept of the apology of Dr. Thomson as now made, and
take the opportunity which be has now afforded me, of express-
ing my regret for the harsh language I used towards him, which
arose altogether from his repetition of injurious allegations with
respectto my conduct and character."
. sfarVILIT said, be had only to regret that this accommo-
dation had not been entered into at an earlier stage, but had
been delayed till the latest moment that such a measure was
practicable : be added, that as the delay was to be imputed to
Dr. Thomson, it was understood that Gentleman should defray
the whole expense incurred.
This the Counsel for Dr. Thomson acquiesced in, it being
stated by the Court that it was a matter of private arrangement
among the parties.
The Loan Cuter COICIIIIMOWIM felt much gratified that this
Court should be instrumental in bringing about an amicable ad-
justment in any case, but particularly in such a case as this,
where the parties were }nth of highly respectable character, and
eminent for their scientific knowledge.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.