Star.
London, England, 1809-12-27 00:00:00

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. to be made as public as possible ;
that, in order to make it more public, he had Written
to his friends at Boros-a-kane,"toinform them that the
marriage was to take place in that week, and to he
prepared to receive Bess. The defendant added,
that he had asked his brother-in-law's brother to
be present ; and that, if he turned against him,
as the rest of his family had done- he did not care ;
it was his with to have all the family happy on
the occasion ; but if they would not be.so, he did
rot care, for no power on earth should make him-de-
viate from what he proposed. The witness made
answer, and said, that is the opinion I always had of
you, for I always knew you would act as a man of
honour ; to which the defendant replied, I never
meant any thing else. The defendant's family con-
sists of his mother—a sister, married to his cousin,

and some step-sisters.
The two letters were then produced, which the wit-
ness identified as the hand-writing of the defendant.
The Defendant said, it was not a hasty matter ;
on the contrary, he said it. was not the suggestion of a
moment—for that it had been a longtime in hisbreast.
This witness was cross-examined by SerjeantMootte.
He had frequently been with the plaintiff's family on
parties of pleasure, when the defendant wasthere. Was
not on a party when the younger part strayed from -
the ancient head of the family. Never knew them to
stray in the woods. It was not the custom to sit down
and gormandize on the grass. Went for the pleasure
of the day, and to view scenery. Was at Hudson's
demesne about three years ago. Believes it was more.
There was a large party that day—all convivial. The
plaintiff did not dance with any particular person that
day; the females danced occasionally with each other.
Has heard rumours of different kinds of things, with
respect to that day ; did not believe them:Jain consi-
dered what he rind heard as mere jest—could not, and
did not believe.any such thing as what he heard ru-
moured had taken place. Didnot knoss that any pains
were taken to clear it up. What he 'heard was I rom
Mr. Nannery, to whom his son• went to school ; was
shocked he could have entertained an idea of such a
matter taking place between:such a pair as the plain-
tiff and his stun at that time were. They were well ac-
quainted as children ; considers persons to be children
till they come to years of discretion. It was impossible,
had they been older, for such a circumstance to have
taktn place in the presence of their parents. Witness
was told of the rumour by his daughter, Miss Salmon.
What he heard he believed to be a falsehood. He
heard that his son and Miss Madden, were conducting
themselves in a manner to the injury of the character
of the young lady. He had heard that a carman Magi .
said, he had seen them in an improper situation. Wit-
ness never inquired after the ruffian that circulated the
report ; for he was certain it. was false, and thei ef ore
never took any trouble to clear it up. Witness did on
that day chastise his son, who had broken down then
branch of a tree, and leaped over a wall, having
at that time a sore leg. Heard Miss Madden had
received a blow from her father ; but never heard
what was the cause. Mrs. Madden was thrown into
a faint when the young lady was struck ; and
believes the Plaintiff's father struck her, for keeping
the cars waiting, and for ao other reason.
Here the Plaintiff's case was closed for the present.
Serjeant MOORE stated the defendant's case ; he
1 said he would address the Jury with that seriousness
which the subject required, and which was due to the
Court, to the public, and to himself. It was not a
case for levity, but called for grave and solemn in-
quiry and investigation. The Lady who had brought
this action for a supposed injury to her feelings, her
interest, and her character, on a breach of contract
of marriage, was described as beautiful and accom-
plished. Much had been said of the tender attentions
paid to her education by her parents; but his instruc-
tions called upon him say, that her morals, how-
ever beautiful her face, or graceful her person might
I be, whatever extrinsic accomplishments she might
I have acquired—her morals had been neglected. In
her own family she had neither precept or example
to direct her an the paths of virtue nor decorum ;
but, on the contrag, she lived in a constant habit
of acquaintance nap profligacy. It would appear
that she had, even "a considerable time ago, been
unchaste. It would appear, he said, that she was
permitted to associate with servants and other menial
1 parasites ; was brought out, on convivial parties, to
the Dargle, to the Salmon-leap, and to Mr. Hud-
son's demesne ; where,' it would be shewn, a scene
was performed, which he would leave to the wit-
nesses to describe ; for he would not injure his own
feelings, nor insult the Court, by anticipating acts of
indecency, which would appear in evidence. It was
to this scene Mr. M'Egan's letter alluded. It came'
to his knowledge by proof unequivocal, and he broke
off from a contract that would have disgraced him
for ever—if a contract could be presumed. Here the
Learned Serjeant entered into a discussion of the legal
operations of contracts. Mr. M'Egan, he said, ex-
pected a wife, not only chaste, but unsuspected. He
was not bound to take a polluted bride to his arms.
1 He was imposed upon ; and, upon the discovery; he
wrote the second letter, which shewed his delicacy
and attention to the character of the Lady's family.
But if the Jury were of opinion that-there was a con-
tract of marriage, and a breach of that contract, the
circumstances of the case would not warrant them to
, give more than nominal damages. •
Mrs. Letitia Nannery was then called, and exa-
mined by Mr. Quasar. She said she was the wife of
Mr. Nannery, the school-master, and was sister to
, Mr. M'Egan, the defendant. She remembered hav-
ing been, about three years ago, at a party of plea-
sure at the demesne of Mr. Hudson. They dined
and drank tea there. At the time of departure,
she saw Mr. Salmon chastise his son for being ab-
sent ; and also saw Mr. Madden chastise his daugh-
ter. She shrieked ; and Mrs. Madden, when they
Icame down to the road, cried out---$4 You villain,
will you murder my child ?" This, she understood,
, was for being with young Mr.
,Salmon; and the
,',
company understood some improper . conduct had
taken place between them.
Mr. bl‘NAttv cross-examined the witness. No
would not ask her age, it was an unfair question eve*
to a married lady, but he would ask her, did she ma, ,
member the innocent care of eleven years of age t—a"
She said she did not. Then, madam, you have lupi
recollection of any circumstance that, at so juvenile
a time of life, could have agitated your mind, or
have marked your conduct t Certainly not, ,Sir.*,
Then, madam, I ask you, for the honour of, the fa-
male sex, add you tee there are many ladies present,