Star.
London, England, 1823-05-10 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS,

HOUSE OF LORDS, MAY 9.
Prayers were read at half after ten o'clock by the Bishop of
Sr. ASA'S.
It was ordered in the appeal of Noel v. Nod, that one Counsel
should be heard upon each side respecting those writings which
have been produced since the former pleadings were closed.
The L 0111) CHANCELLOR gave notice that as Monday
would he the last day of this present Term, it would not be in
his power to attend as otherwise to the judicial business of the
House; and, therefore, with their Lordships' leave, lie proposed
to resume the hearing of Appeal Causes on Tuesday next, that
no possible time might be lost.
Counsel were then called in upon the appeal of Reid e. Laing,
respecting the Scottish Marriage noticed in our Paper of Thurs-
day last, when Dr. Luahington was heard In conclusion for the
appellant, and was followed by the Attorney-General and Mr.
Honcrieff for the respondent, in part, and the further hearing
was adjourned to Tuesday.
(This appeal from the Court of Session, where it was last ad-
judged, being a question relative to the validity of a Scotch mar-
riage between two persons in very unequal condition, has for
the last two days attracted considerable attention. It appears
that the respondent in the first cause, and the appellant in this,
is a Gentleman of landed property in the neighbourhood of
Edinburgh, and somewhat advanced in age. He is 19 years older
than a female, who several years ago became the object of his af-
fections. She was the daughter of a labourer, and lived as a ser-
vant in a family, carrying on a familiar intercourse with Mr. Hold
at every opportunity,and exchanging vows of mutual constancy
and attachment. fly the law of Scotland, a promise of marriage,
a 44 a subsequent intimacy admitted upon it, form to all civil and
legal purposes the contract of marriage. Here there was no
doubt as to the former condition, since that was made manifest
from the contents of several of his letters, as well as reason-
slily inferred from the whole shape and tenour of his conduct.—
The iatianacy of these parties continued above eight years, and
deling this period they had numberless and continued occasions,
Lot only for meeting, but for remaining together in private, and
sometimes for staying all night together, as if they were regu-
larly married. The chief difficulty in the case arose out of the
singular aversion which the appellant, Mr. Reid, felt for any
public celebration of his marriage. His desire was, that the con-
tract should not only be entered into as between themselves only,
but that no third party should have any interest or concern what-
soever in it. It was to these means that he trusted to evade the
jeers and sarcastic ridicule of his associates. But at length,
when the young woman began to grow impatient and dissatisfied
at the long procrastination of her lover, she proceeded to re-
Thinti him of his engagements, and to anticipate the time
When he was to make her an honourable spou ie. Upon
this Mr. Reid drew off, and left the poor girl to the manage-
tnent of her own cause, in the best manner she was able.—
lie stated that a great part,of their correspondence had been de-
-Itr°Yed, but that he had some letters of her's in his possession,
which fully disciaitued all pretensions to a legitimate marriage.
When examined, however, these letters appeared capable at a
very different interpretation, and were argued to expresa nothing
snore than her desire to coincide with those wishes th...t always
seemed to have the ascendaiit in Isis einid. Neither, as Counsel
contended, was it likely that a girl of untainted character ahould
be to it:stifle-resit to the celebration of au event which was to
raise her from menial service to the state of an diluent woman,
living in the midst of ease and plenty. Mr. Reid deeded that,
during their whole intimacy, they were improperly connected
together ; but if that were so, then, added Mr. Mui.crietf, the
appellant must not only be an extraordinary man, hut the must
emtraordivary man that ever lived; for there is evidence that he
had been a hundred time* in dark retired places with her, as
well as in closets and chambers, sonietimes by the hour toge-
ther, and sometimes for the whole night. • Various other cir-
cumstances were mentioned, as tending to prove the irre-
gular intimacy which was previously curried on between
them. Among other evideuce was that of some of his
letters on the mornings following the eights he passed with
and also some snaking the appointments.— These all
breathed the utmost ardour of affection ; and, when taken in
conji.:.ctitai with the proximate acts' before alluded to, formed