Star.
London, England, 1825-01-18 00:00:00

• LAW REPORT.,

COURT OP XINO'S BENCH, JANUARY 17.
cox 0. KEAN.
The euriosity excited by this cause, which stood nrss
for this day, nearly equalled that which was exhibited
in the trial of Miss Foote's action against Mr. Hayne ;
and the ample space provided for the Public in the
New Court afforded more opportunity for its gratifica-
tion. Soon after the opening of the doors, the spacious
area wa., crowded, and many who were enabled to ob-
tain admission to the places set apart for Attornies and
Counsel filled them, At half past nine precisely,. the
LORD CHIPS Just.= took his seat, and the cause was
called on for ti ial.
Tne following Specia) Jurors were called and sworn:
William Foster, Esq. Ales. Heimann, Esq.
Neil Black, Esq. John Dixon, &q.
William Venning, Esq. John Catiey, Esq.
'trans. Borrowdale. Esq.
A tales was prayed, and the following Common Ju-1
•
rors sworn :
John Dyer, Thomas Henry,
William Chapman, Henry Vinson.
John P. Psdlinsham,
Mr. LAW stated, that II t Albion Cm, Esq. was
the plaintiff, and Edmund Kean the defendant. The
action was brought to recover damages for criminal
conversation had by the defendant with the plaintiff's
wife. The defendant pleaded " Not Guilty.'
The COMMON SIRJRANT then addressed the Jury. It
was his painful duty to bring before their attention the
circumstances of that inquiry for which the plaintiff
sought redress at their hands. The plaintiff was a
member of the Corporation of London, and discharged
his duties in a manner which was duly appreciated by
all who came within their operation. The defendant
was known to them all, and had long occupied the very
first lace in the first rank of a profession which brought
its members most constantly and most conspicuously
before the eyes and the observation of the Public. Just
previously to his appearance in London, he was per-
forming at Dorchester, where his merits were discovered
by a tew individuals, who resolved to foster and to pro-
tect them. A mong these was the plaintiff, Mr. Cox,
who then resided in the neighbourhood of that town on
his paternal estate, which had been for ages in the pos-
session of his family. Mr. Cox having discovered the
talent of this then unknown and friendless young man,
rendered him every service in his power—invited him
to his house, and introduced him to the notice of the
'neighbouring Gentry ; so that the very first acts on the
part of Mr. CoiWere those of disinterested friendship.
In 1805, Mr. Cox married his present wife ; he being
about 33, and she about 21 years of age. She was a
Lady of excellent family in Weitmorland, of good edu-
cation, and of fair prospects is to fortune. Ia 1812,
he was tempted to engage in a back in town, and be ac-
cordingly resided fur the most part in London; but
still paying occasional visits to his estate in Dorsetsbite,
in company of his wife. It was on one of these visits,
in 1813, that he formed that acquaintance with Mr.
Kean which proved so fatal to his happiness., In that
year Mr. Kean came to London, appeared at Drury-
lane, and made that extraordinary start into eminence
and wealth which every man must well remember. Mr.
Cox was then a shareholder of Drury-lane Theatre—
soon afterwards a member of the committee; and thus
be had the means of facilitating Mr. Kean's progress.
Mrs. Cox, also, being a woman of cultivated intellect.
and well read in the works of our great dramatic poets,
especially Shakspeare, felt the warmest admiration for
Mr. Kean's talents, and frequently went with her hus-
band to witness the finest exhibitions of passion and
still. The acquaintance which had been commenced at
Dorchester was now renewed, and continued between
the families. At what period the guilty intercourse,
which was the subject oft he present inquiry began, he
(the Common Serpent) Was unable to state with cer-
tainty. The plaintiff was ignorant of its existence till a
very recenrtime; but it would be evident from a series of
letters, discovered subsequently, that it had been carried
on for a lung course ofyears,pi obably not less than seven.
In the Match of last year, Mr. Cox made the appalling
discovery that his wife and friend had conspired against
his peace. He immediately acted as became a Gentle-
man and a man of honour. He said that he would
never remain another hour under the roof with the wo-
man whose perfidy he had detected ; but stillhe refused
to turn her into the streets: he therefore withdrew,
stating that he would provide himself with a lodging
for a few days, till she could fix on an asylum, but
expressing his determination never to return till she
bad quitted the house. Mr. Cox accordingly retired.
Whether Mrs. Cox availed herself of his humanity, and
remained for any time, he knew not; but on his return,
he found a mass of letters, in a cabinet belonging to his
wife, which disclosed the full extent and long duration
of her guilt. The earliest of these letters was dated
the 4th April, 1820, from Lynn in Norfolk. It clearly
&hewed that the writer had triumphed over the virtue
of the Lady he was addrcssing. It began "Dearest of
women." The writer then proceeded at once to the sub-
ject nearest his heart. He said, 44 lam satisfied we
were formed for each other ;" " if I were not a philo-
sopher, I could repine at the chance which has destined
you for another." Having thus written on the chief
topic of his thoughts, he proceeds to answer her ques-
tions: " The houses are great; the applause, for the
country, immense—but Charlotte did not hear it. The
neighbourhood oftynn is beautiful, and the walks en-
chanting, but Charlotte does not share them r and an-
ticipated kluaday, when, said he," I shall bold my dime
little girl in my arms." In the following year, Mr.
lean went to America, where, for a considerabl time,
be met with triumphant success. From America he
wrote to her in the most endearing terms, calling her
•• My dear little love r expressing his regret that be did
not accept her offer (which it seemed the had made to
go with him); and concluding, in the words of Ham.
Tat which were,, of course familiar to him—
, 44 Doubt that the Stars are fire,
" Doubt el st the Soo can move ;
61 Doubt Treab to be a Liar.
44 Bat NSW doubt I lover--(A.loash.)
. In another, letter, without date, but evidently written
from America, he spoke of his professional success as
most brilliant ; and stated that he lived splendidly,
and remitted 1,0001.-per month to England. " Oh, my
dear girl," said he, " everything would go well, both
on and off the stage, if you were in my arms." From
all the letters, it was manifest that great anxiety,was
felt lest the plaintiff shriuld discover the guilt of his
wife, and great elution enjoined and used.He (the
CommonSerjeant).dwelt on this, and mentioned it again
- anti again, because he had been told that, among that
portion of the public who busied themselves about cases
of this nature.* bad been whispered' that conninine
mese be see up by way of defence. If then, connivance
was relied 041••••
Mr. Somuirrt.--1 do not rely upon connivance.