New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-05

London, July 4.-The temperance on
the witness stand to-day of Lady Sack
vile, daughter of former British Min
lister in Washington, TO undergo further
cross examination at the seventh day of
| the hearing of the suit known as the
fight for the millions again attracted
a fashionable audience TO the Probate
Court, where Sir Samuel Thomas Evans
is the presiding judge. The suit was in
stituted by the relatives of the late Sir
John Murray Scott, Bart, TO have pro-
nounced invalid on account of alleged
undue influence the testament by which
| the baronet left the bulk of his fortune
| of 100000 to Lady Ssckville.
Frederick L. Smith. one OF the Paria-
mentary Unionist leaders, who is counsel
for the members of the Scott family.
questioned Lady Sackville, who at the
| outset OF her testimony told the court
that she had been Ill all night and that
her doctor did not think she would be
! able to attend, as he said she was ON the
I verge Of a nervous breakdown. She
| however, declined seat when one was
offered to her. saying she would sit down
as soon as she felt tired. She also made
a request TO be allowed to make state
| ment of all the payments Scott had made
| through her TO Knole Park. the country
| residence of the Sackvilles She said
it was impossible to 80 through the
checks.
Long before Mr.. Smith put his first
question to Lady sackvlle the galleries
and the well of the court were crowded
! by fashionably dressed women Many Of
q n.
them. but the judge decided that the
court must be cleared during the lunch
| con hour, so that at midday there was
| a rush for admission similar to that
which occurred at the morning sitting.
Lady Sackville was then cross exam
| fred at length in regard to the incidents
related by members of the Scott family
to show the influence she exercised over
the testator Witness said, however that
! the incidents were greatly exaggerated.
and emphatically denied that she had used
any influence with Sir John to induce him
to leave her any money. When il came
to the incident of Sir Benjamin Franklin.
the physician of Sir John Scott, refusing
her admittance to SCOTS sick room, wit
ness said Lady Franklin got s25. 600 under
| his will
Lady Franklin is not in the same po-
| sition as l am" added Lady sackville
| haughtily "She has not such large
| house as Knole Park to keep up as a trust
| to the nation"
"She is respectable and kind woman,
| though" remarked Attorney Smith
ironically.
"Oh, yes, of course" replied Lady Sack
Vile, but perhaps you do not know that
Knole Park is larger than Hampton
Court Palace"
She said she wrote TO Sir John that II
was unfair TO promise for twelve years
and then change II all. adding: Il say
very little. although you treated me very
unkindly, and after all your promises
leave me in the lurch. If you have any
sense OF justice you will think about
the child You have always given her
the hope that everything was rose col
ored Do not be unjust and unfair"
After a few questions from Sir Edward
Carson TO clear up various points OF her
evidence and at her request to empha-
size her denial OF Major Arbuthnots story
about her presence in SCOTS house Sc
cretly. which she said was being dis
cussed over the tea tables" Lady Sack
Vile, who had been on the witness stand
/ for five hours and half. was excused
| Lord Sackville then gave evidence that
| he had used no undue influence, with Sir
John Scott and had seen no signs OF his
wife doing so. He also said that he
approved Of his wifes friendship with
Scott
Lord Sackville said that beside the
$4,000 given to his wife. Sir John Scott
gave him sS5, 600 to purchase town resi-
dence Then there was the sum of $4,000
| to pay of the mortgage on Knole Park
and $1,000 for the upkeep of an auto
mobile. as well as a few smaller sums
! when he was hard up..