The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-02-23 00:00:00

LADY KIRKWALL.

The proceedings in this case were brought to a close on
Wednesday, when the jury returned a verdict finding that
Lady Kirkwall had been of unsound mind since the 25th De-
cember, 1831. Mr. Seigeant Talfourd having animadverted
upon the supposed want of filial affection on the part of the
Earl of Orkney'and Captain Fitztnaurice, Lady Kirkwall's
sons, who, he alleged had taken no steps to remove the delusion
with, respect to their identity nnder which their mother
li-
boured, and having also made some remarks upon the absence
of any part of her ladyship's family as witnesses in this case,
Mr. Thesiger said that by permission of Mr. Sergeant Tal-
fourd, and now that no prejudice could be created on one side
or the other, he wished to make an observation that it was im-
possible to make before. • The learned sergeant had adverted
to the melancholy chasm of communication which occurred be-
tween Lady Kirkwall and her family from 1820 till 1832 It
was pa.infttl to Lord Orkney and Captain FitzinatiriCe to be
compelled to remain silent on the subject, but the jUrMust be
aware that, as petitioners, they were not competent witnesses.
They were desirous to inform the jury that if it had been possi-
ble they would have obtained the evidence of Lady Kirkwall's
nearest relations, however painful it might have been to them.
To 1832 they had made repeated overtiires•l6 have an interview
with their mother, but without effect. In 1821, when Captain
Fitzmaurice was quartered with his re!.4.iinent, he came to town
for the purpose of obtaining an intervie'w, bbt 'was-
successful; and he was again repelled in 1825, when he again
made the attempt. Since Lord Orkney and Capt. Fmtzmaurice
had become free agents they bad made repeated attempts to
see their mother, and were repelled in every Way.
Mr. Miller said, in the absence 4,1' Mr. Sergeant Talfonrd, be
had not the slightest doubt of the facts which I?&L.been stated.
The inquisition was then signed b 'the jury aitirthe proceed-
ings terminated
Lady Kirkwall shortly left the room in time company of the
King's Bench officer, and proceeded in her carriage to her
ibnrgi
brief
daufr.eien
ft hiewei
It has been calculated that the daily
residence.
; Mr.
Ellis
4: poe ther. w hpartoecieye:l(-)
anon was 200 guineas per day. Mr. TfiesiigerAeceived with his
guineas each; in addition to
;perday, the jury one gui-
gghutildleaayss that they
4thilietyloohar:;:,:tuenrdtri'
cceoivnesdide2or-
geouminmeaissspioeuredrasyr,ecaeltitoh
jeon:j63:94-01.1° gui"e" each. The
per day, and five guineas
~,,,o`the,rOein in which the inquiry
50 attended. 1)r. 'Spur-
nea per day, the physwiw AO guineas
per day was paid for tho,
e-rbecir°t. vai4siated Lady Kirkwall at the
was held. Upwards of 30. witnesses were subncenaed in support
ofgi
nt eDcro. commission, na,nd butD betweenr
i
request of Mr. Edwards, but they were not examined. Mr. Ser-
geant Talfourd received wlth his brief 100 guineas, and 20 gui-
neas per day ; Mr. ,Miller NJ guineas, and 10 guineas per day.
Mr. Sergeant Wilde was applied to in the first instance to
undertake the case, but he refused to do so fur less than 1000
guineas. Jt., st;:i i