New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-25
THE COURTS.
A HARD DAY FOR GEORGE MERRILL.

HARD DAY FOR GEORGE MERRILL.
Ex-Judge John X. Porter continued the
summing vi in the Merrill Will yesterday in aG-
dress that and held the closest attention OF the
persons who present in the SgOgate's courtroom
He took mp the of George Merrill TO show that
Mrs Merrill warranted In changing her disposition
toward him as she did. George Merrill the counsel
sud, had improved his educational opportunities which
his fOster-mOther gave him with reasonable degree of
Industry aud But during all the after years
aud when he attained his greatest there
10 evidence OF any gratitude toward lis benefactIess
or that he had anything but the mos. selfish purposes
in III mis- work Nor he The immaculate beng he
would represent himself to be. Captain Merrill found
him in Paris paying. he Thought, too suspclousy
close attentions to married woman In the absence Of
her husband When the Captain complained Of it, Mrs
Merrill woman like, took the boys part and threw all
the blame upon the woman. But Captain Merrill said
that convinced. at all events that George
leading in Paris n life of spiritual sensulty.
II, continued Judge Porter. wanted to know with
unerrng certainty the moral character Of George Mer
ril would not need to look further than that letter
written by him which he declared he would not allow
TO DE introduced into evidence until the name OF the
lady mentioned In it had been erased; but which was
introduced with such marks that no doubt remained
to who the lady In order 10 get over half mil
Ion of money he would allow to 20 upon the records OF
this court an mputaton (Which believe to be un-
fouuded) upon the character Of a woman dead. To
get this money that has been devoted charity he
would put his foot the dead. Look ut the letter
written BIZ him when his first proposal OF marriage had
been rejected. II does credit TO his literary taste and
culture, but It shows the real Hear him II mad
Veniued 10 imagine that my descent from an honorable
lineage the advantages of education winch YOU had
layised upon me, and OF which had faithfully sought
10 avail SELL my distinguished career the unveT
slty the and energy displayed in the conduct
OF business at Newark the ability which the few pro
duetious have published have been acknowledged b.
,mpetent Judges to evlnee, the correctness of nay
morals, Pies and ny habts ana the respected
bear would have sufccd 10 render me worthy
as any man couid nope 10 De or hef TO whose mana
had the audacity 10 aspire. But 1 was mistaken"
what does your Honor think Of a man who Will draw
that pOrtrai,ure of himself Does AIRS Mer1ls reply
sound like the Language or a mad W0na0: " Ny heart
is bursting; not tear m0istcDs my eyes. How can
Won make the rash or giving rp society and the
world that you ted 10 adDrn aud improve Lot
cr IN all the affairs e the heart feel that have
cause for much gratitude that such gin Is 10 be
Ncw-York shall mad that / have read her character
Alright from your letters-she saw vita woman's in
wOmau art TO ead yOn 70 declare your passion. that
she could ada your name 70 hsr LIST Of rejected ones
R DSaa george pray you 0'''Hi'' ui' Sii from your
This letter shows not only her strong active mind
but indicates the fret rising OF dislike Of The
VINO Gfterward became George MerrPs wife and
caused her love for him TO change to bitterness. She
war "A masculine In disappointment she
was bitter and she could fl brook opposition. She was
vndictve aud unforgiying And these were character
stils which she manifested throughout all her nature
life. But NJ the time when they say she was q mad
woman she wrote upon the back OF one Of her letters;
There Is action OF man In this life which is not the
beginning OF long chain or consequences that
human pTescience Is high enough to give prospect
of the end A purpose once liked. and then death or
victory" Are those the words OF u woman whose mind
has lost its balaDcef
/ submit That alienation OF affection Is not evidence
OF insanity or unsoGudne5s OF mind. George Merrill
belonged % the humber Of those whom she had rejected
from her favor Aud Mrs Merrill had the right iu the
exercise OF that free and absolute dominion her
property which the law had granted 10 her. to give that
property the last OF her e that church whose
teachiDgs your Honor and do accept, but which
must reverence as the chief agent IN modern civilian
ton. Il IL true that q woman, because her faith IA
Catholic, is 10 be deprived OF that control over her
property which Is conceded 10 everyone elsef
The Surrogate probably will be unable to render q
decision ON this case for several months.