Star.
London, England, 1822-05-25 00:00:00

on tLiaw met,
these& -Paulkin wher" be Vidloi"isadat
Mr. DENMAN was to be made a irobjeet
legislation at all, tho sninem &mild be sevetie. He coMil
not, boweter, seppoft VI illeirppsv., to Meantime* its
a discretionary poser.: m
Mr. Anlerman BETGATE ti tit the 11111 *odd be
lowed to an to a Committee.
Mr. DAVIES GILBERT opposed the
Mr. Alderman C. SMITH said, there was one animal not within
the pale of the law, that was the poor donkey!—(A laugh, and
cry of—" Spoke! polte !")
The House then divided—For the second reading, 49—. For
the Amendment, le—Majority for the Bill, 11.
The Bill was read a second time, and committed for Monday
sennight.—Adjourned to Thuisday.

SEDUCTION.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, MAY 24.

OWYNNZ V. JINXING.
•
This was an action brought by the plaintiff, - a
widow, to recover damages from the defendant, for
the seduction of her daughter.
Serjeant Lass stated, that the case he was about to
open was one of the most atrocious he.had ever met
with in the whole course of his professional experience.
The plaintiff bad been left a widow with three daugh-
-1 sets and.a.son, and carried on, for their support, the
business of a small public-house, at Meldreth, about
I,ten miles from Cambridge. The business, however,
was found to be scarcely adequate to the occasion,.
and the plaintiff found it necessary to remove to
Cambridge for the purpose of making greater efforts,
leaving her family and the public-house under the
'.management of her father and mother-in-law, during
1 her absence. Susannah Sophia Gwynne, the unfor-
tunate subject of this action, was the eldest daughter.
She was then but 16 years of age. The defendant
was a medical man, and professionally attended the
family, and it was at Meldreth, in the absence of the
mother, he broke the confidence reposed in him, and
took advantage of the weakness of the child. This
intercourse took place in 1820. The unfortunate
young woman could not long conceal the come-
quences. She was deliver ed of a child in the following
year. The defendant was at the time SO years of age.
Here the Learned Serjeant commented upon the dis-
parity between the ages of the parties—expressed the
, utmost tenderness and compassion towards the youth
of the femilespoke of her absence froth the eye of
her mother, and her exposure to a thousand tempta-
tiong—described the full years of the defendant, his
professional obligations, and his contempt of all obli-
gations professional, moral, and religious, exemplified
in the ruin he bad* contrived and completed in this
wretched family. The Jury would, by the damages,
prove their feeling on this subject ; and they would
also declare, whether they thought the conduct of
the unhappy mother was free from one of the worst
of reproaches—a want of watchfulness over the con-
duct of her daughter. The Learned Serjeant was
proceeding to read a letter from the defendant ad-
dressed to the daughter, in which he stated that he
wrote to her for the purpose of softening the pain of
her situation, urged a variety of excuses for not going
into the neighbourhood, and declared that,,under
the existing circumstances, he could not fulfil his•
promise of marriage to her, which he strongly as-
sured her was not put off from any improper or
sinister motives, when
Serjeant VAUGHAN objected to the letter being put
in in evidence, as it was decided that no breach of
promise of marriage should be put in against a de-
fendant in a case of seduction.
The Loan Cniaw JUSTICI declared the letter con-
taining evidence of a breach of promise of marriage
to be inadmissible, as it might be made the subject Of
a separate action.
Serjeant Less concluded by a warm appeal to the'
feelings of the Jury, in which he called upon them to
compensate the mother for the disgrace ind injury
she had sustained by the ruin of her daughter, and to
punish the defendant for the foul crime which he bad
committed.
Thomas Cheshunt, the brother of the plaintiff, said that plain-
' tiff had been left i widow eight years ago, with three daughters,
and one son. Witness received and Maintained one of the•daugh-•
ten for the relief of the widow. Sbe removed to Cambridge,.
leaving Staiannah and the other children under the tare of their
grandfather, andl 1820. Suuznaleis Nov/ bertrecht is and 19
years of age. Witness visited them Oectsibubiter autha'lleen
Susannah. assisting in the affairs of the hpuse.• • anew the de-
fendant, who was at that time assistant to 'Pr. Crisp, and visited
1 the family professionally. First received informndatiiif the preg-
nancy of Susannah In January, I Mkt , but previenily ts 9 that' tame
v,2
be bad certainly observed that Mr. Jenkini paid marked att
to her. Upon learning the circumstances ',bleb had Lakes •
whims wrote to defendant to come forward and give an e '
Hon pf his conduct and intentions; and, in limiter, rect.,' two.
*Mrs, appointing interviews, which, however, he did nett
keep. After some /Utter correspondence, .def;adent sent al
letter, which was ben pet in sad read.•• It stated is rrrlta .w
ishodaot —moult' apinOre Maks his appearance at: ff'. • 404 1
Gibpre the matter, whir* he indentood was to hive been kept
secret, had been 410114GP1 IP/ nutlet ()forme; ow of the *is-
ters • that his hisodiloge ut ntelett•M,• Gath is Ms tutfortenatet
ritation, he mikes Wry ausie of marsitai Stwannah, but
'Meld leave tlie=r !/04 0 .... oho %yr.. ..4. AragiazA. in.
7, . - r
conclusion 19-
_

at Moldreib.
intiaTiew
the
meant

with
to attend bee to bet boßtiPills aloes, Tie names of Cowie;
riateltes, andictinitsgtats, were mentioned to her as persons with
whom she had hisireper inteiciattle ; she declared ate had only
baofis Oasis as *Mars at her asotiber's muse.
The plaintirs cake defied here.
&leant VALIGUAN addressed Me Jury for the de-
fendant. He marred them that in the whole course
9f his professional experience he had not met so me-
lancholy a case-as that before them ; indeed, a man
.gnuA he deficient in the common feelings of huma-
nity who was not harrowed up by the scene that pie-
seated ltAlf. If all that had beep stated by the un-
fortunate daughter of the plaintiff were to stand
unimpeached, it would be impossible not to consider
it the worst of injuries, effected by the blackest of
artifices. But he believed there was evidence to prove
that the unfortunate girl had committed many of the
errors which it was admitted. she had been with the
one person guilty of. la fact, he had several to call
who would prove that long before her acquaintance
with the defendant she had gone astray, and of course
the defendant is not chargeable with her ruin.
Thomas liawkes, of Meldreth, ten miles from Cambridge,
remembered seeing John Course at Mr. 9wynne's house about
four or five years since on a particular day, when he went to
meet a friend. lie tried to get in, but he found the door fas-
tened. lie afterwards went to the window of the kitchen, and
saw John Course, and Susannah Sophia Gwynne sitting on his
knee with her arms round his neck. Witness added, that he
west away from the window, but before he had left the place,
he saw John Course quit the house by running away at the
back door.

Cruss.ezamined by SerjeantLors.—The window of the kitchen
looked into the road, from which the pabsengers might see into
it. This took place at three o'clock in the afternoon. He never
communicated it to any of the family.
John Course deposed, that he had known the plaintiff's daugh-
ter froni her infancy, and was in thelabit of visiting the public-
house. The daughter was in the habit of calling very frequently
at his house to see his sister. He swore that he had had crimi-
nal intercourse with her three or four years ago, and she was al-
ways the first to make advances. Ile swore that on the particu-
lar occasion spoken of by the last witness, he 'vas in the situation
described. He had never promised to marry her, nor had she
ever asked him such a thing. He could not avoid her, and be

continued the connection until he was married himself.
Cross-examined by Serjeamt LT:vs.—The interval during which
the connection was carried on was about two months. The de-
feodant was married about a year since, and he now"carries on
business at bleldreth.

William Course, brother to the last witness, swore that the
plaintiff's daughter Susannah used to visit them at their honk.,
which was about half a mik from the public-house. She used
to stay until after dark, and when she was afraid, or said she was
afraid, witness Used to accompany her home. On one Sunday
evening he called at the public house, when Susannah was abase
in the house, and he took with her what liberties he pleased.
Cross-examhied.—Perhaps you'll do us the favour to tell us
where you have been for the last three years, that you have been
'absent from Meidreth?
Witness.—' That question is an unfair one : I won't answer it.'
William Pennington swore, that Susannah and he had beets
upon the most intimate terms.
Serjeant LENS, in his reply, commented with great
severity upon the evidence for the defence, and con-
tended, that there was not the slightest foundation for
the charge that the mother had been acquainted with
the intercourse that, was going forward between the
defendant and her poor child. The letters of the de-
fendant were sufficient to prove that he could impute
nothing to the unfortunate girl in bar of the reparation
which was now sought for. The Jury were to weigh
the value of testimony. so eagerly given by those who
came forward to damn the fame of the victim by an
acknowledgment of their own infamy. They were to
consider that this abominable disclosure was made,
not in terms of regret or compasidn, but in a tone of
the most cruel exultation. •
TheCutist JUSTICE, in his .charge to the Jury, said
that, undoubtedly, if the mother had, in any part of
the transaction, consented to the dishonour of her
daitlghteri, no action could bi Maintained; but; with-
out stopping 0-inquire whether the brother did right
of wong.in concealing the shame of his sister from
their mother., there was not a shadow of pretence in
the 'esvidence that the plaintiff had such knowledge,
or had' given suCh Veosent to the tact., In consider-
ing the action it would be 'asked what Was the situa-
tion of the defendant? It was that of a medicalman,
a. situation.differing from that of every other, for to
him every door. was open, and he. was supposed to
apProaCh the bedside as a ministering angel! ,No
'door could be shut against such a character—nn one
could follow him, for to him the complaint was wfiis-
tered in the ear, and received in sacred secrecy.—
, that such a man should violate the sacred confidence
reposed in him, was a crime of the darkest dye;
and, said the Learned Jpdge to the Jury, if you
do not visit it With the utmost severity, you will
:break the solemn trust that is reposed in you r=
kor in violating such a trust, what greater injury
could. be committed by the defendant, or what could
'be of *Worse consequence? The Learned Judge com-
mented upon the manner in which the evidence had
been given by the poor victim that was fast sinking
to the grave that had been prepared for her, and the
cause was hurried'on that that event might not take
place before exposure and retribution had been visited
on her destroyer. Ile contrasted her evidence with
that given by the witnesses for the deflect, the grit
-loom • had spoken to the intimacy, had, as
it were; stood up like a villain on a pa-
in; in his shame; and the others coming
with reluctance or compassion, but with
to tell and trhimpit in their own infamy.
, he directed the Jury to find such da-
they thought would be short of dielefi,p.
- the deeriant.--:The Jury fetutald a
the plaintiff—Damages, £:150.

40ifilnitahrrOltie . . .
!zeiyeted.,..*cc.4ll2ltairleptialibilasst .it%=.4lllpy * ' let :107 11111 a`
.Pai"lFPart was
.
sent- •.. , .:: ~ • 'She maid th5tm.4..._.....e115e lied knossis do doesagant • •if two _
- The Coloolarande ma went thiohgt COMMllihnodberefla yews. and wee low. .
-be bi!it din aeon 14.°1110 flf!elfrits"gatk° iegaeihned IVldt". via ts. Alse b"" *
te oink •
_ shft_t_titstreit nowellt,
1 ' ' ihtlittrt "TO Altlittlt. . . holaga •
-44. am- . allset. WINO
This OS WM Moved to be read a seised •• .• •=. r' lee • , ~,.' ...- J- • .- • ,• : M-
TIN Arirt!erwitit.si. 11,4.4 lh,lbeedd be *it ••• ',‘:i; ' „ ''''' : • - •
read a OtoOPa di* 'day sia iistithi. • •
,_
._„.• .. Mitt .404116
yea,
lILIT4II was astedibii MWI britonnos 1° 6 ' tool ' IS( 1411111.4tain
oeld
Buts lb° °bleat q *Veit mss. to roallo9Me POVF4I4.I* fre'n 14rinh. 4°
- "4 .441 bii:olski Ito
ra. •
ilitreatinsot. . . • • • 1
_Alt •
~ . . •
Mr. R. MART ialbontatitedi that havoinlillne boon triitidi ..- 4- • ilia ira• tee=l4E.,
with some urbookrby go! .fietteral, end %het bj would " lli iiiisk •1111 it inalesilittivresit 00%61 illa bo'
have given eon* 'ream . j gtoa MI wilds pawed the etiseyveggdhogg7e... as he told her flat, it he
ordeal of throe readings last losing.. The whole ottenttf Was in pits tipoOpe .nover Ewa hers bailie deo.oi. boy.. . •
favour of .this iiiiL •Or Instaared. theses" of 4 wegpsynkos tea tainifirolaid. • bira in Bray lea was tile
his knife end wiped out the eye, ot. hie horse bemiallielftred of their banana The defendant etlntimsedlreVll:
with Mtn. 'lfe•considered the opposers of this illaialgiot abet- ale/ • . •
tort of croaky The nil dolt mild that a aset‘for tan "Most Tits an her ctessweeiminatios by Serino' Vet:Gnaw,
barbirity to his eludes should be imprisoned three menthes or no*** slidre,llfit she lever had itsbnacy. wlth any min be--
pay aloe of X& Esse the defendant... Her Minter derprised then on tie Met cic-
Mr. Aidetosan WOOD was loaned to support the Bill• of otitis., 'Vies was lest isferlsed.o the defendant desired
necessary.--Mr. HOLFOILD appeal' the MIL it .hi' .a secret howler, aod'she deo begged her I"' Mr. c, *YIOI too/ the tame : Clookl to animals_, . lei' ' it. It was not Hit after her pregnancy that
wso certainly a crime, hot cwt to be . brittle.. -.. Mona bremadier win &fanned of it. ' The defendant Continued to
rather a submit for oh! Pulpit_ thee tie Basch; visit Ur with the keno:ledge enter brother, bit was net Mowed •
Mr' C. w 4 "I" brat braretier of legislating on Ms mbieett to &nand Ise, le lier hrirairm .1.. a. .Ps. ...- -e et- .

95.164,=:417.4 rw• .- -
ncluslon, be dist btstileld tee sao. wore seen
Meildretts. Wltness.o4.4, time be had wore obtained an of whom who
arview with ttio defenelant, at which the lattcr'declareed that they saw, as it
e affair was a se* todoctitaasa ona,. „hut that be' certainly
forward,
Rim !11
rant to marry bi's Tee li.waledi xonatinsl:de_wf thLint"" forward, not w
arm had bees carded oat fbere wi*.s.ll*(lol4h for •WA d I
doh r.filtwated diet foc pie mtsit st kept as e sFle t.
iet as possible. Wiens ftuantat .to late been a In conclusion,
st strictly Timsaes girl before her lutorralak arkle dedlidaut. mages As they
sl.lsolub Own" tb* anffiert944llloPMltliP Jo* rein ,Of ti
l xy,as Alp AratAkovilit taw ►verdict for thl