The Glasgow Chronicle. — 1850-06-26 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

ASHBY'S DIVORCE BILL.  In the House of Lords. on Thursday, this case was heard. Evidence in support of the bill had been given on the 25th Feb. and Ist of March last, but Lord Brougham suggested the postponement of the case for the purpose of having the testimony of Sir W. Cockburn—then abroad— to remove their lordships' doubts as to the due vigilance of the husband in observing his wife's conduct. The plaintiff was the Rev. Mr. Ashby—the seduear was Mr. Henry Seudamore Stanhope. The first acquaintance between the parties took place in the Lazaretto in Madeira, where all were performing quarantine on their arrival from England, Mr. Ashby having brought his wife to Madeira for the benefit of her health. The acquaintanceship continued during their stay on the island. On the voyage home all. the parties were in the same ship, as also was Mr. Charles 11 Palmer, the lady's brother. In the course orthis voyage, I Mr. Ashby found in his wife's note-book the following letter, which caused him to declare that he would never live with her again : "My Berth, Sunday morning.—My own, own, own, for ever doated on, idolised, treasured, treasured, treasured Henry—l am in a fright, love, and consequently have had not one wink of sleep all the weary night through, and feel very queer, and more excited. I have been all but obliged, my own precious doated-on darling, to have a regular open row with that brute this morning, as he is now putting on a sort of quizzing, triumphant air with me, and as if he thought now that you my own idolised love, were tiring of Dv., and shaking me off, and as if his turn for paying me off was coming. Darling, darling, darling Henry, my blessing and treasure, tell me what I shall do. I do give it him in every possible way, and stick up to him well; but, darling one, if I tell him, as I long to do, that I am yours, darling, and yours only, now and for ever, in all and every way, he will be locking me up, my own blessing, at Cadiz and Sevilli, to keep me from you; or, dearest, dearest love, using some brute force or other, which will undo my daily increasing queer feelings and suspicions. Henry, love of loves, best and most precious of treasures, I could have murdered him last night end this morning; and, as it is,! do not believe, my own precious love, I can bear his present horrid and taunting way." The foregoing evidence having been given on the days above-mentioned, the additional evidence was now given. Lord William Cochrane, in reply to questions from Lord Brougham, deposed that although the over-familiarity of Mrs. Ashby and Mr. Stanhope was notorious in Mad6ira, his opinion was that no criminal conduct occurred in that island. The ladies of witness's family received Mrs. Ashby's visits, but on their tendering advice to Mrs. Ashby she declined visiting them any more. The witness never saw Mrs. Ashby and Mr. Stanhope together without the presence of her husband, her brother, or both. The supposed familiarity was the talk of the island. but he believed that Mr. Ashby suspected nothing until the last week of his residence. On the day before his departure he came to witness, and exclaimed what a miserable man he had become, from his having been the happiest of men before his acquaintance with Mr. Stanhope. He had that morning discovered that Stanhope had taken a passage in the same ship with them. Witness advised him to forfeit his and his wife's passage, and let Stanhope go. He said he would; but Mrs. Ashby overpowered him, and said she would go in spite of him, in whatever ship Stanhope went —The Dean of Ely (Dr. Peacock) and another gentleman, who were in Madeira at the time, said that they did not think that Mrs., Ashby was guilty of any criminality in Madeira. Nor was Mr. Ashby neglectful towards his wife. The evidence, on the whole showed that Mr. A.shby was an amiable weak man," wanting moral courage to tell Mr. Stanhope to discontinue his visits.  Lord Brougham said he considered the case to be proved. The bill was then, on Lord Brougham's motion read a second time.