Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-13
Grim. Con. In English High Life-Barins ".
Gordou
SHERIFF's CorRr-APRrL %

Oi wi" " sHsn nISn Lfe-Baring vs..
SHRRIFF's CorRT-APRrL q
This was writ Of inouiry 10 asSeSs the a,n,,..
In an action brought in one of the Superior Couts
against me defendant for having had criminal
conversation with the plaintiffs wife. Judgment
aad neen suffered to go by default and the de-
fendant did not now appear
MT Cnthank said the declaration set forth tba,
tne defendant had debauched the plaintiffs wife,
plaintiff was William Frederick Barring. and the
defendant George Tomline Gordon
MI Bovill then opened the case He said IL was
one OF very painful class-painful under anv
circumstances but he was glad to he able to I'M.
form the jury that they would be spared the most
distressing part of such an inquiry-proof of the
iact 2eged In the declaration. that the defendant
had had criminal conversation with the PLAINTIFF
wife for II was admitted by the defendant-in-
deed, IL was beyond denial-and the only ones
ton the Jury would have TO determine was the
| amount OF damages the plaintiff should recover
under the circumstances which would be placed
| before them.
The plaintiff in the action was a son of Mr..
Henry Barring, brother of Lord Ashburton and
| in November, 1915, he was married to the lady,
then just about OF age, whose conduct was the
subject Of these proceedings. She was the dauph.
Ter OF SIT Richard Jenkins; she had fortune and
position, combined with personal attractions, a
Iehned Intelligence, and great accomplishments
They resided in Paris for several years after their
marriage and on returning to this country they
lived at GuilfOrd, from which place they went.
in 1852, to reside at Eaton Hail. near Retfotd i'm
Nottinghamshire.
They had two children-one boy, about II
years OF age, the other girl, about eight After
they had settled in Nottinghamshire they mixed
IN the best society Of the country and visited and
received visits from the gentry of the vicinity of
their residence, and associated with many per-
sons OF rank and station. The defendant resided
at short distance from Eaton Hall, and he was
person OF some means and position, holding the
commission Of captain in the Noting hamshire
Militia, or Sherwood Foresters. An acquaintance
sprung up between him and the plaintiff; they
frequently visited each other, tney became most
intimate friends, went out together TO enjoy the
sports or shooting and hunting, &c, and visits
were frequently exchanged between Mrs Barring
and Mrs. Gordon. This was in 1882 and such a
state OF things continued down to March in the
present year.
The plaintiff and his wife had ALWAYS lived
upon terms Of the happiest endearment, and in
the enjoyment of every comfort and luxury which
affiuence and station could give, until the unhap-
py discovery was made which had led 10 these
proceedings, which had destroyed a life of hap
piness to Mr.. Barring, had sent to ruin and dis
grace woman upon whom the least suspicion
had never fallen, and reduced her children to be
perhaps worse than orphans. In Marchthe plain
tim found that Capt Gordon, who had professed
so much friendship for him. while enioyino
his hospitality, seduced his wife. On the Ilih Of
that month Capt. Gordon and Mrs. Barring left
NottinghaInshire and came to London together
under circumstances of the deepest distress not
only to the plaintiff but to Mrs. Gordon, who was
at that time in a condition which rendered the
matter great deal more painful.
In the greatest agony Of mind Mrs. Gordon went
to lady named Huntsman, friend Of both her
and Mrs. Barring, and with that lady she c1rae to
London. Mr.. Huntsman, who was fr1end of
the plaintiff followed them, and he on6 his wife
and Mrs. Gordon traced the defendant 70 fle
Great Western Hotel, where he W. a&fng break =
fast with Mrs. Barring when theJ nrII11d. Mr.
Barring rose from the ia ise, and YHt { ~ Limits
man went in he found Mrs. Gof&6 nj Gn{1tkntf
condition on her knees. s. tou
When the defendant was appea1ed 90 be rsar
fused TO leave Mrs. Barring, and snch waS IL
shock to Mrs Gordon, that II well nigh proved
fatal-she being then close upon her confinement
That adultery had taken place had been admitted;
there could have been no answer to that Mrs
Barring was sent to her mother, Lady Jenkins
and the jury would have to assess the DAMAGES
which Captain Gordon should pay for the great
wrong he had done TO destroying life of happi-
Piness which the plaintiff had been blessed with
He could not conceive or suggest one single cir
cumstance palliative Of Capt. Gordons conduct
Received into the plaintiff = house as a bosom
friend. accompanying him in shooting excursions
TO Scotland and other places, he had abused the
friendship with which he had been regarded,
been the plaintif's pleasure to oId him, brought
disgrace upon the plaintiff and his family, broken
up happy life, and sent this unhappy lady to
position Of infamy and disgrace No amount of
damages could compensate a plaintiff in such a
case as this. The verdict of the jury was sought
as they would have su:mised, with a view 10 ul-
terror proceedings, and he believed that, had not
the damages been set at $50. the jury would
readily have awarded more than that amount
Captain Gordon had four children, and he repeat
ed that he could not see any thing whatever to
palliate his conduct.
The certificate of the marriage. which took
place at Paris; was then put in, and also settle
ment executed on the marriage of fs 900.
Several witnesses were then examined who
substantiated the counsel's statement In refer
ence to the scene referred to at the Great Western
Hotel, Mr. Henry Huntsman, being examined,
said:
On the 1ith of March a communication was
made to me. Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Huntsman
came 10 London by the Express train, and | fol-
lowed them by later train, at IL o'clock At4
O'Clock in the morning found them at the G reat
Northern Hotel. There had not been the least
possible suspicion of Mrs. Barring before that
time. From Inquiries | made of a porter found
that Capt Gofdon and Mrs. Barring had gone
from the Great Northern Railway to the Great
Weston Hotel We went there, and, having
found Capt GordOn's room, Mrs. Gordon was
u~heTed in by a waiter. | remained outside with
Ms. Huntsman, and after some little time went
in, when saw Mrs. Barring sitting by the break
fast table. Capt. Gordon was standing, with his
wife on her knees before him in a fanting state
The scene was most painful. Mrs Barring rose
from the table when went in. desired Mrs
Gordon TO retire, the excitement might have
been dangerous to one in her condition Capt
Gordon asked to let him have five minutes alone
with his wife Mrs. Barring walked out of the
room. AT Mrs. Gordon's desire consented to
her husbands request. In about twenty minutes
] went in, and found her again on her knees IL
was most distressing scene. She was entreat-
ing him to choose between the two. He refused
to 20 home with her Shortly afterwards he left
the ToOm and sent me message that he was go
ing away, but would give me his address if had
anything TO write to him about. then took Mrs.
Gordon back to the Great Northern Hotel. Capt
Gordon visited her in her illness.
The juTy gave a verdict for ECON
OS SIGHT ANDoN DEMAND-One Of Porter's'
staff is response BILE for this anecdote:
tod