Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1881-07-09 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

URN.% AND SLANDER  In the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Divison, Westminster, on Tuesday. in the sittings at Niel Prima' before Mr. Justice Field and especial jury, an action to recover damages for libel and slander was heard. The plaintiff was Miss Mabel Wilberforce, and the defendant Francis Lamb Philp. The statement of claim set forth that at the time the cause of action arose the plaintiff was listing with Dr. Philp, at 9, Earl's-terra., Kensington, as tie adopted daughter. The defendant is ! the only eon of Or. Philp. On the 21st October the defendant, it was alleged, falsely and maliciously said of the plaintiff, "I saw her give him (Dr. Philp) something on a bit of sugar." On the 29th he said to Dr. Johnson, "I want you to come to see my fatheri a consequence of certain symptoms which point to poisoning. There is a friend living with him who would be benefited by hisdeath, and is attempting to administer poi-on to him with intent to murder him." It wee further alleged that the defendant mid to Canon Prothero, "I want to write to Dr. Henry to u.e his influence with my father about Miss Wilberforce. She haa designs on my father'. property. Ile has made a will giving her a legacy to which she has no right, and she has made &Mem' is to poison him." There WM a number of othe allegations. The defendant denied speaking .L writing the words attributed to him, and added that if he acid or spoke them he did so without malice—Mr. Murphy, Q C., aud Bray appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. C. Russell, go., Mr. Clarke, Q.C., and Mr. Lebmano for the defence—Mr. Murphy. Q.C., in opening the case for the plaintiff, remarked that ate woo u young lady of 27 or 28 years of age. The notion wita brought, not to ...ter dionsges, but to vindicate her character. She was the daughter of a decease medical officer, and an American by birth. Sae assisted the wounded in the siege of Paris, and afterwards went to Indianapolis, whereshe became a member of the Red Cross Society. When the war broke out in the East the young lady rendered assistance as Plevna and elsewhere On the death of her father she returned to England, and started a Geneva Red Cross Society for the assistance of the children of those who had been killed in the East. A suggestion was made by the Charity Organisation Society that her society should be affiliated to theirs. She did not approve of this, and Wale illfeeling arose between them. Dr. Philp, who was now dead, made her acquaintance in Paris when he was 79 or 80 years of age. He had lest all his family except his son, Captain Philp, who ' resided with his wife near Bath. No queetion would arise as to the character of the intimaoy be tweeu Dr. Philp and the plaintiff, and no one could euggest that there was anything immoral in it. After referring to the lambi quoted, Mr. Murphy said that Dr. Plulp had left her no money, and she did not seek to recover any, but only to vindicate her character.  Ihe plaintiff, Miss Mabel Wilberforco. then gave evieence. Idler relations witia Dr. Philp were toes,' s, an asopted daughter. \A Inlet art Aix sire entered Into en engagement to marry Mr. James du Bois. Tina was wits Dr. PuiWs approval. After leaving Aix ate and Dr. Philp through France, Spain, and Portugal. In July, le79,they returned to England, 'where she met toe defendant. The case was adjourned.