The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1873-05-02 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

BREACH OF PROMISE BY AN OLD MAN. An action for breach of promise of marriage, Webb v. Hopkins, has been heard in the Court of Exchequer. The defendant pleaded denial of the promise. The plaintiff was a widow 43 years of age. The defendant, who was 67 years of age, was represented as having an interest in the Harris moniat News, that he had an office in Queen's square, Finsbury, where, according to his business cards, be invited persons who were in difficulties connected with matrimonial and other delicate matters to consult him, promising that they would be treated on "easy terms." On Feb. 22, 1872, the plaintiff inserted an advertisement in the Clerkenwell News for the situation of housekeeper. She was residing at the time with Mr. Forster, her son-in•law, and his wife, in the neighbourhood of Finsbury square. The defendant replied to the advertisement, stating that he was in want of s companion and housekeeper, that he was a widower, with one little girl, living at Bexley Heath, and adding these words:sr am but ayoung man, aged 57 years.' The defendant then requested her to meet him at a particular time at London Bridge Station, describing himself as rather tall in stature, with a long beard, and that she would easily identify him by a white handkerchief he would bold in his right band. The plaintiff accordingly met him at the time and place appointed. After the first introduction she partook of some refreshments, and then, at his request, accompanied him to the White Hart Tavern,in Binhopsgate street, where they had more refreshments. He professed to be greatly attracted by her appearance, and said he thought she would make him a good wife. Defendant then expressed a wish to introduce her to his friends In Richmond, and at his urgent solicitation she acennpanied him that evening to Richmond. After dining together at an hotel, they entered a public-house where they had ten. The last train having left for London, they remained for the night at Richmond, the plaintiff, however, declaring that nothing improper had then taken place between them. After that they met very frequently. He fixed the month of October for the solemnisation of the nuptials. Calling at the defendant's house on a certain Sunday in October, she was surprised to find a lady in his drawing room, and on asking him for an explanation, he told her she was a particular friend of his, and requested her to leave and rest satisfied that all was right. In about a week or so afterwards she discovered that he bad married the lady in the parish The Lourdes pilgrimages have been resumed, but church, Hackney. The next time she met him, have not given rise to any fresh disturbances. having reproached him for his cruelty to her, he ReserrE.—The man, Thomas Scobbe, sentenced told her that he was induced to marry her by the to death for the minder of the gamekeeper at the £7OO or 1.140 C fortune which his wife possessed, but recent Dundee Assizes, has I;een respited. At the that he would set the pladitiff up in any business trial the jury characterised the murder as very she pleased. He had always represented himself barbarous, but public sympathy was shown for the as having an income of £3OO a year from certain! nmsgescs. property in Dereham, and now declared himself to s fERSONATING