Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-03-29

exceeding eight lines, fifty cents
THE Law OF MARRIAGE ENGAGEMENTS. =
1t is commonly said that the intelligent public
regard the action for breach OF promise to mar
ry with more disfavor than any other legal pro-
ceeding. The number of such suits before
American and English courts, however, shows
no signs of decrease Though seldom either
edifying or moral in their influence, these cases
are often instructive; aud one which is especl-
ally worthy of note has just been decided onap-
peal BY the Court of Exchcquer Chamber III
England.
The plaintiff was domestic sevant in the
employ OF the defendants father. The deten-
dant promised to marry her upon his father 5
death. This sad event, however, did not occur
before the tickle youth changed his mind, and
announced to his betrothed that under no cir
cumstances would he fulfill his promise; IN
deed, the old gentleman is still alive. Upon
this decided refusal the discarded maiden
brought suit, and the Judge before whom the
trial took place ruled that the action could not
be maintained uutll the time for the perfor
nance of the agreement had arrived, which
would not be until the father Of the defendant
was dead. From this decision the plaintiff APP
pealed to the court above, where the questions
1T issue were argued before the Lord Chief
Justice Of England-Sir Alexander Cockburn,
who is now so prominent III the controversy
concerning the Treaty Of Washington-and a
full bench. The result was "a dls'pprova OF
the decision appealed trom, aud unanimous
Judgment for the plaintiff.
The law effecting marriage engagements Is
coucsely stated by Mr.. Justice Byles IN the
opinion which he delivered on this occasion.
":An express pre- contract OF marriage, he says,
,''places the man OF woman III the condition or
status of betrothment. In this state there are
certain mutual duties. The woman, tor ~
stance may not, without breach, marry
another man, although it is possible he may
die before the future day appointed Tor the
marriage, whether already fxed or contingent
on future event. So the man cannot during
the stipulated period Of betrothmeDt, with
out breach Of contract, marry another woman,
though she may die in the meantime; SO for
one of the parties to break off the murua en-
gagement BY an express refusal to perform it
though before the day-seems to be equally
breach Of the contract, for it puts an end TO the
condition OF betrUthment, which, according to
the contract was to continue.
This decision is an emphatic recognition OF
betrothment as legal status, interior to that
of marriage, it is true but nevertheless OF great
importance, comforting certain well defined
rights and imposing certain well dehued duties.
Among these is the right OF each of the parties
to insist upon marriage at the time agreed upon
between them, and the duty OF each not to
break the existing engagement or make like
engagement with another during the contlnu-
ance of the status These legal consequences
of mutual agreement to marry accord so
closely with the plainest ethical requirements
that they at once commend themselves to APP
prevail in spite of the peculiar class OF cases
which give rise to their ennnclaton by the
courts.
GREAT ScARE-I esterday morning, says
the Philadelphia Press OF the 25th, the usual
ly quiet neighborhood Of Twenty second and
Bolton streets was the scene of great excite
meut. Women and children ran fanticay
about, declaring that some of the wild animals
belonging to Forepaugh's Menagerie had
broken loose and were upon the streets :
Mothers called for their little ones, and, pale
with fear at not finding them on the instant,
indulged in the most horrible speculations All
were unanimous that the menagerle should not
be allowed to winter in or near the city that
the lives Of the citizens were in constant jco-
pardy, aud that the authorizes should be ap-
piled to at once to have it removed. Men, who
were as timid as the women, declared that
something should be done, and if no heed was
taken to the warning they would organize a
vigilance committee and at once proceed against
the lions, tigers and other wild animals that
had been keeping them daily in terror. For a
time it was utterly impossible to ascertain the
cause of the great CONSERVATION among the
people, but after considerable trouble the fact
was drawn out that the camels had broken
loose. Had Romeo escaped or one OF the
tigers succeeded in breaking from his confne-
lneut, the excitement could not have been more
intense. All sorts of weapons we're called Tor
tbo ,nol, md ptb
quickly sought place of refuge, fearing to put
their heads out of their doors, lest lion or
leopard should suddenly spring upon thtm:-
When told and assured that it was nothing
more than few camels that had escaped, they
were still so much frightened that it was not
lccg after the dreadful beasts had been pro-
perly secured that they could be induced to
venture upon the street, The camels, it seems,
started towards the Park, but on reaching
Ridge avenue, so frightened horse that he
dashed off at full speed, running against a
lamp post, and 50 injuring himself that he died.
This was the only damage done, and IN short
er time than it takes to recount the freaks Of
the cames, they were recaptured and once
again securely housed in their quarters.
VALUE OF HlCKoRY-A correspondent o
the Staunton Spectator, who has been attracted
by the wanton waste of hickory as an article OF
fuel, says that "a cord of this kind of wood,
instead Of bringing to the owner four or five
dollars for fuel, if converted into AK handles,
or spokes for carriage wheels, or other useful
purposes, might have been worth, probably:
$40 or $50 These, too, are articles for which
there is constant demand among our people.
You can hardly go into store, in the town or
country. where such articles are sold, without
seeing large bundles, Of handles, spokes, &c,
offered for sale Why, he asks, should they
not be made here? Why should not the hlck-
ory wood of our own neighborhood be made
available for the supply OF the wants OF our
own people? Why should not our own people
pocket the profits of this branch of manuiac
ture?' Echo answers, 'Why p
~ BOXES PRIME FACTORY CHEESE
l. ~ in store and for sale by
g. SnN