Star.
London, England, 1826-10-14 00:00:00

LAW REPORT.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, OCT . 13.
SEDUCTION.-MANVILLE V. THOMPSON.
This action WAS brought by the plaintiff, a ticket por-
ter, in the City of London, against the defendant, who
keeps a boot and shoemaker's .chop in Gracechurch-
street, to recover a compensation in damages for the se-
duction of his n'ece. The plaintiff, by his declaration,
complained that the defendant had seduced Elizabeth
Manville, his servant, and thereby deprived him of the
benefit of her services.

Mr. C. Law opened the pleadings.
Mr. Joust WILLIAMS stated the case to the Jury. He
*could not ornament this case by any unnecessary re-
marks, because, if the simple facts of the case did not
speak strongly enough of themselves, declamatory de-
scription would prove nothing in the end but empty
sound. The plaintiff, though in humble circumstances,
at all events had a good character, which put him on a
footing with the wealthiest man in the realm. The ob-
ject of the present action was one of six nephews and
nieces, who were entrusted to his charge, after the
death of their parents. They had each a small fortune
of about 4001. or 5001. but the plaintiff having been
brought up to habits of industry himself, thought it
right to bring up the orphans to similar habits. Ac-
cordingly Elizabeth Manville, the object of the present
action, was placed in the service of a Mr. Nicholls, in
Gracechurch-street, immediately opposite to the defend-
ant's house. There the defendant saw het, and con-
ceived an appetite for her. He commenced his attack
by writing the following litter :—" A Gentleman who
has no means of learning your name, offers an apology
for addressing you in the manner he has done; but
hopes you will no longer refrain from favouring him
with an interview. The sentiments of respect you have
inspired him with, induce him to request that, for a few
minutes, you will allow him to speak to you. Meet hint
on the Southwark-bridge, Thames-street, to-morrow
morning, at eleven o'clock. He will be there at the ap-
pointed time, when he trusts you will oblige him with a
few minute' conversation. The individual who writes
this is not wholly unknown to you.' The Learned
Counsel then proceeded to detail thetacts of the case.
After the first interview the familiarity increased, and
finally the defendant induced the unfortunate girl to
go with him on the 29th of May, to spend the day at
Highgate, and afterwards conducted her to private
lodgings in Windsor-terrace, where be introduced her
as his wife, detamed her all night, and effected Lis pur.
pose. The next morning he lift her at nine o'clock,
stating that he WAS going to her uncle to make arrange-
ments for their marriage; but about two o'clock, sent
a letter, in which he avowed that he was a married
man, and could never more see her. It was for the Jury
to say what damages the plaintiff ought to have for the
loss of his niece's services, and the Learned Counsel
pledged himself that the girl herself should not bring
an action for a breach of promise of marriage.
Elizabeth Manville called and examined by Mr.
LAWEIL--1 am the niece f f the plaintiff, and was seven.
teen years of age in the month of April last. I had the
misfortune to lose my father ten years ago. My mother
is also dead, and died since my father's death. There
were six children left orphans. Since the death of my.
parents, my uncle, the plaintiff, took care of us, and I
did little things ab.wt his house. In the month of Sep-
! tember, 1825, I went in-o the service of Mr. Nicholls, in
GrJcechurch-street. I left that service in April last. I
know the defendant. I became acquainted with him
when I was living at Mr. Nicholls's. I first became ac-
quainted with him by seeing him at his shop opposite.
which was a boot and shoe shop. I had never spoken
to him when I had seen him at the window, but I re-
ceived some letters from him.—(Letters were put into
the hands of the witness).-_I received these letters ac-
cording to their dates. The first letter I received four
days alter Saint Valentine's Day. I did not answer that ;
but I received a second, and answered it. After I re-
ceived a third I went to the place appointed, and there
met the defendant, who told me the letters came from
him. I had two of the letters about me, and I produced
them. There were two others that I had destroyed.
When I met the defendant he conducted himself Eke a
Gentleman towards me, and he wished me to make an
appointment with him, but I said I could not. His
manner was respectful, and I met him frequently after.
wards. He could see when I went out, and then he
used to follow and join me. I have seen a young wo-
man living in his (the defendant's, house, who, he said,
was his sister. I left Mr. Nicholls, after I had been there
ten months, in consequence of the defendant wishing me
to leave to be married. He wished me to do so a month
before I did, but I put it off. On leaving Mr. Nicholls
I went to my uncle's. That was on a Saturday in the
beginning of May, but I can't say what was the day of
the month. On returning to my uncle's I continued to
discharge the domestic duties I had before discharged.
After that I received another letter from the defendant,
and saw him several times afterwards. He always be.
hayed with the greatest respect and decorum. He called
at my uncle's house, and I have seen him and my uncle
together. On the 29th of May, the defendant came to
my uncle's house, and he wished me to go to the Ex•
hibition, and he wished me to put on my best clothes,
but it being rainy, I declined doing so. We then went
out together, and walked as far as Cheapside, and got
into a hackney coach ; and when we had driven as far
as Covent Garden, he said he was going to take me to
Highgate, and I asked him whether he had any friend
there ? and he said no, he wished to spend the day some-
where. We then went to Highgate, where we had