Star.
London, England, 1830-04-07 00:00:00

have been exposed to. The first witness Is Mr. Law, who saw thus
parties upon his return from the Coolimit He speaks of the geast
affection which Lord and Lady Ellsahoweigh showed Ise inch other.
Now, this gentleman might cans to the bar with a Haab rayon of
his brother; but who are so cempiest to speak to the bilselsor of
meo towards their wives as near Wallies P Mi. Posh, hi ploefifi,
says that they lived happily tpletkeri mg Sae NM Mss Or hr
days at a time with them. pto the oratumi of says,
14 be was invariably kind to bet." She is asked 38),
ale
" Did you consider Lard Billiebespoth se an t hus-
band I,—Very much so, laded Did you nosider Lard Ellenbo.
rough to be neglectful elks in any respect in paying all those atten.
tions which a husband ought to pa j to his wife ?—Quite the con-
trary. You do not recollect seeing Lord E. ever treat her with any
thing like harshness, either in words or in manner 10—He was always
remarkably kind and attentive to her." Now, air, Ido maintain
that this evidence of a woman of education, high family, and great
respectability, is entitled to the belief of this house. Be It remem.
bered, too, that she comes here from Lady Andover, a friend of the
wife's family ; but still she says that from 1824 to 1828, Lord E.
invariably treated his wife with affection. But, sir, if any doubt
still remains upon this point, I have only to repeat now what I stated
when the witnesses were before the house upon the first occasion,
that not only would the coachman be produced, but every mem.
ber of the family, male and female. It will be found further stated
that Lord Ellen ugh had as much kindness in his manner, or
more, than had been ever seen. I would next request bon. members
to read.the letter from Lady Ellenborough to her husband' dated
Brighton, Feb. 6, to be found in p. 47, and which ends with " good
night, dearest." It is in these tams:
" Brighton, Friday Night.
" Dearest Oussey—l am just arrived, and will only write you one
line, as I'm tied to death with my journey, the roads were so very
heavy. I found Arthur looking really pretty ; you may believe it
if I say so, and appears to me much improved in strength, but he
grated me with such a howl li We shall improve upon acquaint.
ante. If you go to Mrs. Hope's to.night, have the thought to make
my BOOM% to save me the trouble of writing them ! The post is
ringing Good night dearest
JANET.

The Lord Ellenborough,Connaught.place, London,Eleven o'closk "1
This shows that as late as February the parties corresponded twins
I can further prove, if it be the pWasure of the House to require it,
that the tams upon which these parties lived together were admitted
by Lady El enborough's own family : for I hold in my hand a let.
ter front Lord Ellenborough to Admiral Digby, and his answer,
which I will read if it be the pleasure of the house.--(cries of " No.")
This letter of Admiral Digby admits that the conduct of Lwd
Ellenborough to his daughter was kind, liberal, and honourable.
The next thing to which I will advert is the imputed criminality of
Lord Ellenborough, who, by permitting bad associates to be about
his wife, was dte cause of his own wrong. But never was a mom
unjust accusation, as will appear upon reading the evidence of Miss
Steele. This lady, very properly, as she says, beintalekt in prix.
ciple and scrupulous in idea, conceived a noel.. that Land
rough did not take pains to prevent certain 011161111dib asessitie
from being:about his wife. But, with great respect for Miss Seek,
and with every disposition to give her credit tie the best intentions,
I should submit that, from the circumatanse of her moving k a
different sphere of life, she was not a geed judge of the am:
nen of those with whom Lord and Lady Elenborough Mad,
and amongst whom a certain ease of manner, sanctioned by
habit, might pass for ax apparent licentiousness. But did Mho
Steele caution Lord Ellenborough in the way the hoer member hes
stated ? 1 say not; but he has perverted the evidence, and in his ju-
dicial capacity has not done justice to this bill. I shall call the at.
melon to that part of the evidence which he has perverted. In page
*Miss Steele was asked, " Were these associates of Lady Elks
besough or Lord Ellenborough ? They were latterly of hers.',
44 They were profligate men 1-1 heard so; I cannot say further."
" Yoe believe that their characters were such, and therefore you can-
tina Loed Ellenborough ?—I can hardly say I cautioned him ; I
wished to do so." " Did you do that more than once ?—No, I did
not." "Can you recollect what LoedEllenborough said ? He laughed,
be thought, probably, that I was too scrupulous." Now, I
ask, In all this examination, whether there is any thing to
Lad to an inference that the noble lord had any bad Inten.
doss, or that he bad any wish to leave her exposed to the dangers
of bad company ? She is again asked," At what time did you
dent bear Lady E.'s family object to the society to which their
dongrtes was introduced ? I do not recollect ever having heard a
=t made against Lord Ellenborough till after the separa.
Therefore, for five years that they lived together, there was
so complaints, and it is only when she has done wrong, and driven
her husband to unpleasant measures, that any complaint is made
upon this subject. Looking. then, at the whole of this evidence,
I say that the inevitable conclusion to which the house must
come to, that though Miss Steele disapproved of the society
which was introduced to Lady Ellenborough at Roehampton,
yet she does not accuse him of an improper or dishonourable
connivance at his wife's indiscret s. The next point of
the honourable member's speech to which 1 shall advert is the
weeder which be expresses that Lord Ellenborough did not know
what was going on, when it was notorious to all the world besides.
But this " world" of the hen. member turns out to be a very small
circle indeed. Not a single pawn has been produced to speak with
any distinctness to it, and bliss Steele knows nothing of it till after
the separation, when she learned the fact of her guilt not from this
" world," but the confessions of the lady herself. Sir if it was nos
away to disprovel such an insinuation as this, could Abe
more than half a dozen members of this house who had seen
Lord and Lady Ellenborough in society with Prince Swartsen.
burg, and who could testify that, however intimate this gm.
deman and the lady were in private, they seemed scarcely to
know each other in public. And when the coachman states
that Lady Ellenborough was frequently handed to her c
at the Opera, by Prince Swartzenbutg, this was always
Lord Ellenborough was absent; never when he was prow&
The truth Is, that Lord Ellenborough was the dupe of the artifims
and arts which had been resorted to to blind and mislead hiss.
What could he do ? Was he to be a spy upon his wife ? He was
too confiding and unsuspicious to play so contemptible a part. He
had proved that when he heard a well-substantiated report he was
ready to act upon it. These reports, then, which were, in the Hon.
Member's opinion, so notorious to the world, were known but to
very few. Miss Steele knew nothing of them, though she had been
a great deal in their society ; but the disguises were too artfully
adopted to be easily seen through. In page 41, Miss Steel is askoC
" Did you ever caution Lord Ellenborough against permig
Lady Elknborough to associate with Prince Swartzenburg 11—IT
never did. You spoke of Lord Ellen h's having laaghst
when you gave advice respecting Lady Ellen 's associates;
did you understand that laugh to imply scorn for such
proper advice, or an unlimited confidence in Lady El.
lenboroue ? Unlimited confidence in Lady Ellenborough
certainly. ' And, at 42, she is asked - Was Prince Swartzenburg
one of the persons against whose attentions to Lady Ellenborough
Lord Ellenborough was cautioned by you ? C=ainly not." Mr.
Freshfleld, in his evidence, declares that Lord E. did not know
him. And at page 49 Mark Watkinsom was asked " Did you ever
see him at your master's house ? No, I never did." And at
b 0 Thos. Kane is asked " Do you know that Lord Ellen
attended her to evening parties ? I know in the country they psis
out a pod deal together; in town his lordship was very meek
taken up with business. And at page 37 Bliss Steele is asked, "Had
y to that, put any questions to Lady Ellenborowidi ?
th'iseoLissalartainly , I had not an ides that she was guilty." The.
fore is it not natural to suppose that the husband was ignorant of
all that was passing ? and, in fact, husbands are the last 4
bow these things. Miss Steele confessed herself ignorant ups.
the subject, as were many others. There is another point to ski*
tats has. member has alluded, and which I cannot pass over within.
mdse. What I allude to is the fact of the non-cohabitation betwests
'Shies parties. I have taken a note of the evidence upon that past,
whisk I shall state to the house. The time to which this now
cohabitation refers is three months ago, or, at most, four. JIM
this bowel was not in the habit of requiring proof of cohabitatioa in
eases of this nature, as a necessary part of the case, in support "It
arellef bill. I would refer the house to a case which was bare
us last year, of Cazellete, where the ?arty, after being cab.
sent in India, did not cohabit with his wife for a year after
his return, during which time she managed matters so well,
that he never suspected ben But when this woman was re.
rMawith avoiding her husband's bed, she exclaimed, " No,
cellit d
net do it; It is too unnatural; I have been guilty, and I
could sae add to my guilt !" And will the house say that, bus
amiss a man and his wife do not cohabit for two or three mead*
such s fast shall vitiate a relief bill of this nature ? A principle ec
OMAN= weld only be broached by the honourable member kr
Aberdeen, and deserves to be stated only to be scouted arm
the house with the contempt which it deserves. I therefore,
bops the house will not be turned aside from passing this
bill. But, before I sit down, it may be as well that I explain
why I have been thus forward in promoting this bill. I am con-
nected with the noble lord in question by a former Marriage.
I have haws him for fifteen years, and always found him a
man of honour, integrity, and kind heart. Had there been any
wish to he ostentatious of his good qualities and bon hommis.
I should myself have insisted upon being examined as a wit.
sem at the bar, where I could have deposed, if it was neva.
soy, upon oath, that his moduetduring his first marriage into ax
le and virtuous family was such as to secure the eitallle sf
mai member of Lord 's family; and having boss fat
in or four maithosgsber mks his roof, I au say that a Weir,
'woe heetor biased sever masted. I caw alma le
Isom. stsilast imputWeaus thase
_ami Sad shall
YheT3logewaguper/dalarspitomoMwthereiWilLseisxy 111
ip 1:
Lady Andoer, magratulanng low spas box dasissar buisasalai
to bsmagova tbat Dolga lord; Is. she, 64 In lye yaw doe
he Wu bia 'tarried to Ply daughter, MO conduct so bee was PIOUS

exemplary." Sir, I hope these observations will neutralize the
serrations of the hon. member. He has made some observattur..
upon not morality of women, so coarse that 1 do not know where
be Ins picked them up. His observations about the conduct art
ladies refusing tbs attentions of their lords are too coarse t.,
be alluded to. AB that 1 shall say is, that I protest against II:.
description which be has given of English women : I say they at,
not fairly described by him. The Hon. Member for Brecon Lad
stated that be could speak to the same facts as he (Sir Hest)
Hardinge) did. He should further add, that, from 1824 to 1823,
he (Sir H. If.) hadrepeatedly visited Roehampton, and be never sae
treatment more kind than was that of these parties to each otl.er.
If such were the facts—and be contended these were facts which
were well known to the family, and to all who had attended careful.
ly to the proceedings from
ab more beghTs3toende-he must say that Lord
Ellenborough had been snore calumniated, and more
unjustly treated, than any indi whose case had come before
that House. It is very may, when a lady is seduced by au artful
man to say that he has been a dupe, or has been negligent, or ha%
contributed, by his carelessness, to the unfortunate result ; but
every impartial observer must be satisfied that such state.
meats are to be received with great caution and reserve. Fat
my tart, continued the Honourable member, I would pre.
fa the misfortune of being a dupe to that of being • spy. And I
appeal to the house, whether there are any grounds for supposing
that Lord Ellenborough could possibly be charged with conniving
at the disgrace of his wife ? To suppose that one of his tank—
one who had so long mixed in the first society, and who, cone.
quently, had a character at stake—would connive, or enter into an)
collusion, to bring about the ruin of an unfortunate female, the
only child of a respectable family, was too monstrous for bcliei,
and, in fact, was contradicted by the whole tenour of the evidence.
Lord Ellenborough had been before the public for the last twenty
years; there never had, during all that time, been brought against
him, either in public or private, any charge for want of hollow
or principle--(hear, hear;) and was it at all likely, th..l
at this period he should connive or collude with any hu.
man being to bring disgrace on himself and family ? The charge
was monstrous and inconsistent, and as such I cast it back on t!,.
authors of it. If there was collusion, it might be supposed rattle'
that it applied to Lady Ellenborough, who had confessed her guilt,
and who was willing to adopt any featiible course for the purpose art
not perpetuating the wrong against her husband But could that
even be called collusion on the part of a woman of good feeling ?
And who knows but at this moment she sincerely repents of her
conduct, and of havinfmearelted in any way which could lead to th,
belief that there had any collusion an her part. Besides ail
this, if Lord Ellenbtwough had been guilty of any such co;..
duct as that imputed to him— if he had connived at the con.
duct of his Lady, or had, by introducing certain company t,
his house, as was alleged, contributed in any way to the un.
fortunate result, was it to be supposed that Admiral Digby, a man
of the highest honour and integrity, would not come forward in be.
half and in defence of his daughter? The gallant Admiral, how.
ever, will put no bar to throccedings; but, on the contrary, does
justice to Lord Eilenborou, and will do nothing which can in any
way impede the measure. But we have been told by the honourable
member for Aberdeen, that it was the duty of the husband to look
better after his wife. Is it, however, the part of Englishmen to
spy for information against his consort? And I will appeal to
many whom I see here whether, in the multiplicity of business, even
if they had the inclination, they could, as the hon. member says,
look after the conduct of their wives ? I see many members bete
who ate absent, and who must be absent, from morning to evening,
at this house. Is it possible, therefore, that they could at the same
time attend to their duty here and watch over the conduct of their
wives at home ? I say the hon. member, who is so regular in his
attendance, ought to be the last person to bring such a charge—(a
laugh). I say, also, how can a lawyer, a merchant, or any man ex.
tensivelyengaged in business, attend to the injunction of the hon.
member ? The idea is so absurd that It only requires to be shown to
the house to be scouted as it deserves. The hon. gentleman seems
to think that jealousy is a proper and necessary connubial virtue. I
have no such sentiment. 1 say if, by stealing from your daily occu.
patton to watch the conduct of your wife, or in any other way to
act as a spy on her conduct, you convert an English family into a
Turkish harem. (Hear.) 1 can neva agree to watching the actions
and general conduct of a wife, because I am convinced that to
gain the affections of her heart—to inspire her with a belief o:
our confidence and protection, is the only way in which an
gentleman can secure he virtue of his wife. (Hear.)—
If have expressed myself strongly on the subject,
behalf the
house, will pardon me, because I feel strongly in
man who is comparatively left in an unprotected state. I feel
strongly, not because I am connected with him by marriage, but
because an individual, for whom I have great regard is thus
exposed to unjust reproach and calumny, and seeing he has been
assailed in the house and out of the house, but more particularly
cut of the house ; and it is quite impossible for a deliberative
assembly to grapple with all the various statements, or bring
forward any evidence to repel such a number of unjust and un.
founded charges. But I say he has been before the public for
twenty years. For no one act of his life has any charge been made
against him ; the evidence before the house has proved the adul-
terous connection. Nothing had been brought forward that could,
in any way, disprove affectionate and kind treatment on the part of
the husband ; and, taking all these circumstances into account, he
was justified in calling upon the house to pass the bill and grant
relief. The hon member concluded by saying, as was understood,
that the discussion had been carried on with a good deal of personal,
he would not say party, feeling ; but hoped that the decision they
would come to would be consistentwith that deliberate consideration
and justice which the importance of the case required.
Dr. PHILLIMORE said he looked at this matter merely as
judicial question. He said that right or wrong an impression had
gone abroad that the lords had not done their duty, and therefore it
doubly became the duty of this house to be careful in their inquiry.
There ware public considerations involved in this bill which were
highly worthy of the best consideration. This bill was one of pains
and penalties against Lady Ellenborough, and one that gave extensive
benefits to Lord Ellenborough. The case of Lord Roos (in the time of
Charles II.) was the only one at all similar to the present. In 1092
the Duke of Norfolk made an application for a divorce, which
was refused, and the Counsel for the Duchess stated that for rte
SOO antecedent years there were only three cases of aissolution
of marriage, although since then they had increased. In the
last 130 years preceding the year 1800, the number of divorces
were :—ln the first 45 years, 45 ; in the next 50 years, 60; in the
next 76 years only 25; and from 1820 to 1830, 26. In 1800
Lord Grenville said he was well aware of the connivance so often
practised in divorce cases. In fact, the whole system was one
which decidedly required revision. Then came the question, wit,
there any thing in this case to distinguish it from others? First
it was clear that the adultery must be fully proved, and also that
the party applying for this relief had not been guilty of adultery
himself, and had taken due care of his wife. The conviction upon
his mind was, that the adultery was made out—(Hear, hear)—
both in the conduct of Lady Ellenborough at Brighton and at
Harley.street. There was also the confession, which of itselt
would certainly not be evidence, but coupled with other evidence
it was properly received. The next great point was, as to the
due care and attention to the behaviour of his wife, particularly
when she was placed in a dangerous situation ; that de already said
was the next point for consideration. (Here the hon. member read
an extract from a judgment of Lord Stowell on this subject.) There
were only two witnesses examined as to the conduct of Lord Ellen.
borough towards his wife. The first was Mr. Law, who had not
seen them from May 1827 till 1829, so that he could see little
of his &Action towards his lady at the most important period.
Miss Steele was the next witness • she answered with great
dexterity; but had she been examined in a witness box, he had
no doubt that much more would have been extracted from her.
Here was a nobleman marrying a lady at 17 years of age. of
whom her governess stated that she was reckless of consequences ;
now would not this character require a greater degree of caution
upon the part of the noble lord? So far the question after all was.
was sufficient attention paid to her and the society selected for her?
Then there was the absence of sexual intercourse, which would ex.
cite suspicion, or at least inquiry. Why not have respectable per.
sons here to testify to the conduct of his lordship in this regard ?
Much was said about the feelings of compassion which this case
should excite ; but justice, in his humble opinion, had stronger
claims than kind feelings towards an indviduaL It was often dis.
tressing to be called upon by a sense of duty to pronounce an opi.
nion ; but having had his attention particularly directed to that
subject, when the proper opportunity arrived, he would Dot hesitate
from giving his opinion. 'raking all the circumstance of the case
into his consideration, he could not vote for the third reading of the
bill.
Mr. BATTLEY said that in his conscience he did not believe
the noble lord entitled to the relief which he sought, and he there-
fore could not vote for the bill.
Mr. S. RICE said, that the case was one which deserved the
strictest investigation, and the house had done its duty in making
the investigation as sect as it was in its power to do. But after
giving Wind combination to the evidence, he could not under.
stand the amstitullset of diet asee's mind who did net see in it the
meet swissuboolds peseta orkekery. He did not appease of the
whole of the cachet of the noble bed, bat there was .string in the
ease which wadi *sit him be rebating the relief sought by
the bid. He this gaudy es a judicial opinion. The
state of the law be had, list be would not strike at the de.
fects.of the law though the killeiduaL He thought examinations
like those which had jut lakes plass degrading to the character of
the beast, sad sakes poodsolbe of any geed. Hs tasted that
the dist of *see dismisse wield be such an altitudes of the
law and milks sfpullasmest, in emu ef dimes, as would prevent
dub issenesse.

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31r. Law, wbo had not
that he could see little
he most important period. 't
he answered with great
in a witness box, he had
e been extracted from her.
ady at 17 years of age. of
reckleu of consequences ;
greater degree of caution
the question after all was.
the society selected for her ?
etcourse, which would ex-
! not have respectable per.
lordship in this regard p
mpaasion which this case
ble opinion, had stronger
lviduaL It was often dis.
duty to pronounce an opi.
irticularly directed to tbt
red, he would not hesitate
e circumstances of the eau
For the third reading of the
nacience he did not believe
i he sought, and he there.
is one which deserved the
d done its duty in making
a power to do. Rut after
ence, he could not under.
who did nOt see in it the
He did not armee of the
at there was nothing in the
dug. the relief sought by
a 'nags' opinion. The
mid not strike at the de.
He thought examinations
grading to the chasacter of
d Ho wasted that
trod on ttlllwtin of dos
&worms tr weill•poirist
▪ awarity sr a 04.1.
Map Is pia Oda soh
s bob we* mid OM