New-York tribune., 1869-03-03
TIE cH1PLEs RElDE LIBEL SUIT

THE GRIFFITH GAUNT CASE CLOSED IN BEHALF
OF THE PLAINTIFF-MOTION FOR A NON
SUIT REFUSED-oPENING OF THE DEFENSE
MIR. RICHARD GRANT WHITE ON THE
STAND.
Progress was made in the Griffith Gaunt case
yesterday the case on behalf the plaintiff being closed
aud the formal opening OF the defendants accomplished
MI OsgOOd Of the firm Of TicknOr Fields not in
court and the trial went without his testimony John
Ross pruter in the employ Of Gray Green, testified
to receiving the copy intended for The Round Table
from the Office Of that journal He generally transacted
the business with Mr. Gardner but sometimes with Mr..
sweetzer. The article complained Of in this action he
said came into hands in the usual way. In relation
the circulation Of The Round Table Mr Samuel w. Green
testified that printed Of the impressions
tanning the alleged hbels follows; June 8, 1866
372G July o. 375O and August IL, 3725. Mr. Henry D.
Palmer testified Ithat he part Of Griffith Gaunt
written at Reade's house. in London in 1865. He after
ward read the manuscript OF the story and recognized 1t
as being in the handwriting Of Mr.. Reade. He
ssked by the author his agent securing the
publication Of the work in this country, If Ticknor
Fields to whom 1t had been offered, should not accept
the proposition made to them When Mr. Palmer 10.
turned he wrote to Tcknor Fields. and informed
by that their acceptance already the way to
London. The plaintiff then rested
Mr. Sewe moved that the evidence given the previous
day In relation to London newspapers be stricken out
S. the journals containing the articles from The Round
Table had not been produced in court; and it
aered
Mr.. Dimock then moved TO dismiss the complaint on
the ground that the Court has jurisdiction, Mt Reade
lie plaintiff being subject OF the Queen OF Great Bri
tan living in London. He had chosen TO not for his
personal but his professional INJURIES and the laws OF his
country person OF foreign birth in his char
acter an author Mr.. Reade could only obtain such
standing would entltle him 90 action by becoming
citizen of the United States The charges made ia the
three articles upon which the complaint is founded
neither against Mr. Reade personally author In
both respects he was most highly spoken OF; what had
been said said against this book.
Mr. Justice Cerke, without requiring an answer from
the plaintiff, Oyerruled the motion
Mr. Robert Hewett opened the case for the defendants,
claiming that the criticisms had been sought knowing
that they be adverse and would 70 stimulate
had been kept back u the book ready 70 Dc launched
The testimony Of The defense began with tho reading OF
the sworn statement OF Charles sweetzer In the nature
OF deposition dissertation 70 the effect that The Round
table was published by an Incorporated associations that
he did not know Mr. Reade and that he had been told by
OF the editors Of me Sunday Mercury that the novel
Grith Gsmt had been offered to them, but that they
An article from The EpeHg Post Of tho 26th OF June
1865, offered mitigation OF damages but II
ruled by Court, the ground that It appeared
The defense then offered also Ia mitigation Of damages
Brother Grihh's story" from Wllke Collnss Queen
Of Grihh Gaunt @ from it. In Er Coliinss story E,T
q loud" young man, rejoicing IN the name
presented him with yacht. Like yeritable New |
about while his wife was left 70 pine at home or console
herself with the company OF the Rev. MT Meeke soft
1ud faced son Of the Church, IN whom some reSem-
banee is traced 10 Brother Leonard IN Griffith Gaunt"
Mr. James Smith also deserts his wife through Jealousy,
and In reported 70 Mrs smith, by masculine Mrs Ryder
a bigamst aud Mrs. Smith, like Mrs. Gaunt, mani |
fess "A magnificent temper on the occasion. II Brother
Gnfh's Story" Is the original OF the plot Of Griffith
the superiority Of Mr. Reades work leaves no
TO regret the appropriations but IL reyerses the
Vuark OF the distinguished novelist that 10 invent s
geTy hard. while 70 adapt is easy shelng peas.
rhd offer was ruled out on the ground that II was
rTeleyant
Charles Reade's book The Eighth Commandment" !
ss one we'd 70 show that Mr. Reade had no rule Of morals
taking the 20ts Of other authors for his own use. his