The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-08-08 00:00:00

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WESTERN CIRCITI P.—R —RI DOEWATEK, JULY 5.
a • BRE ICH 'OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.

Sc EDGEIIILL V. BAIN!.
This was an action for breath of promise of marriage.—
The damages were laid at iOOO/.
Mr. Sergeant PaLL stared the case. He sail that the
plaintiff, Mary Edgehill, was the only daughter of James
Emlgehill, the owner of a public-house called the Queen's
Head, in the town of Glastonbury. Time defendant was a
gentleman farmer in the LIMO neighbourhood, living on
his own estate, and possessed of a considerable property.
He should be able to prove that the defendant was a far-
mer, but whether he should be able to prove him a gentle-
man, was a question which he (Sergeant Pell) felt some
doubt upon ; for lie must own, he never met with a case of
this description which presented the offender in so foul a
character. The lady, whom he represented on this occa•
sion, was now in bar twenty-seventh Scar. The defendant
was now about fifty years of age. The parties first be-
came acquainted about ten years ago, when the lady was
about seventeen years of age, and the defendant about
forty. He was a.person, as he (Mr. Sergeant Pell) under-
stoid, of considerable talents and arguments, and calcu-
lated very much from his manner and accomplishments to
make a favourable impression on the female mind. He bad,
by a series of attentions, won over the affections of the
plaintiff The alliance of his daughter with so respectable
a person, appeared to the father an object which his duty
called en him to promote. In an early stage of the inti-
macy of the parties the plaintiff's mother fell ill, and find-
iog herself approachingl death, she sent for the defendant.
She stated her anxiety about her daughter, and her fears
that he would nut act honestly by her. The defendant
repeated his assurances on that solemn occasion, and he
would make Miss Edgehill his wife. Some time after the
death of the mother the defend Int broke off his acquaint
ance with Miss Eslgehill, for what cause it could nut be
conjectured. Miss Edgehill, finding she must now despair
of an alliance with the plaintiff, accepted the addresses of
a person named Wood, front Bristol, and matters had pro-
ceeded so far, that a marriage was about to take place be-
tween her and this person. However, after this arrange.
ment had been formed, the defendant, as if be was resolved
not to allow any one else to enjoy that blessing which he
himself had refused, rauscd it to be intim stet! to Miss
FAlssAill that he would marry her. He again renewed his
visits—repeatedly promised marriage to this unfortunate
young woman, but as yet bad not performed that pro.
mise. She had now proved pregnant by him, and even yet
'he had failed to fulfil his engagements to her. This was
the case which he should prove by evidence. Time Jury
would see that it was a case nf a very aggravated is sture.—
The young woman was !mine.' in her prospects by the
most malicious conduct. He hoped they woad make the
defendant feel that he could nut perpetrate such injuries
with impunity.
James Edgebill, the father of the plaintiff, examined by
Mr. WmLDa.—He stated that he had four children, and that
the plaintiff was his only daughter. Knew the defendant
for twenty years. He visited witness's house about nine
years ago. When witness found that the defendant kep
company with his daughter, be asked him what were his
intentions —if he slid not wish to marry her, to leave her
company. He said lie hada right to come to witness's pub
lic house t.s smoke his pipe ; but he said he would nut hurt
a hair of her bead. Witness is now married to his • fourth
wife. Defendant and his witness's daughter kept com-
pany after this. Witness spoke to defendant again, and
told him to lease the 'wise if be did not intend to marry his
(Infighter. Afti r this Ilia deughmer refused to see him, air.
Wood visited hit; slaughter after this, It meal understood
that his daughter and Wood were to be in mules'. Some,
time after this time defendant sent fete witness, and said lie
wanted his cons, nt to marry his daughter. Witness sail,
S not to such a mi.n as he had behaved; he said he would have
married before. if it had not been her own fault. Witness
said, if he intended to act an honest part, be wonld. bare no
objection. This was in July 1622. Witness told him that
Wood was paving his addresses to his daughter, and he
must break off any engagement his slaughter was under to
I•Wood. Defendant said that was witness's affair. Defend-
ant then kept company wills his daughter, and in August
he said he we old marry her on Isis return from Barnet fair.
Witness said he would go with hilts for the license: De-
fendant said, limere was no °cession for that, as all he.want-
fled was the With ass's consent. Defendant continued -to•visit
for a month or t ix weeks after.

Cress-exausio Al by Mr. AD.►x,—There was an in%rral of

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