Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1888-04-28 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

MARRIAGE THROUGH AN AGENCY.  In the Divorce Division, Mr. Justice Butt has had before him for several days the cross-suits of Boyce v. Boyce—Boyce v. Boyce. In the first petition the husband sought restitution of conjugal rights, and in the second the wife claimed a divorce by reason ot the alleged cruelty and adultery of her husband, Mr. Charles Lewis Boyce, who answered denying the charges.—Mr. Boyce, who appeared in person, opened the case, and from his statement it appeared that he made the acquaintance of his wife through a matrimonial agency. He married her in October, 1880. He gave a denial to the charge against him, and said that he was not an adventurer, as was alleged.—At the wish of the learned judge he went into the witness-box and proved the marriage. Asked as to his present employment, he said that he was not particularly proud of it —Mr. Justice Butt: Well, what is it?—The witness: lam a driver in the service of the London General Omnibus Company.—Mr. Justice Butt: Well, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Counsel for the wife said that his client was brought up by a Miss Walker, and she made the acquaintance of Mr. Boyce through a matrimonial agency. At that time he stated he was a person of good family, and had expectations. She had £5,000 in her own right. Mn. Boyce after the marriage was in very bad health, and i.t was arranged that they should go on a voyage to Australia, Miss Walker giving them £l,OOO for the purpose. They first went to Paris and then to Nice, at the wish of Mr. Boyce, and then returned to this country. Subsequetitly, at his wish, a person of the name of Kate Collins came into his service, and Mrs. Boyce did not like the look of her. Instead of being old, as she thought, she turned out to be young and good looking. (Laughter.) While abroad he corresponded with Kate Collins upon affectionate terms, addressing her as "Dear Jack," and signing himself "Baby." (Laughter.)—Mrs. Emily Mary Boyce, in her evidence, said that when she married Mr. Boyce he represented that he was a gentleman of considerable means. She made his acquaintance through a matrimonial agency.— The learned Judge remarked that all persons who advertised in these papers possessed very large means. (Laughter.) In answer to Mr. Justice Butt, the witness said that it was through the matrimonial agency Mr. Boyce first heard of her. Her fortune was about £5,000. Her husband covenanted to bring into settlement £l,OOO during the year of the marriage. He frequently wrote to Kate Collins. Upon one occasion he caught hold of witness by the throat, hurting her very much, and told hes that he did not wish to live with her. He also pushed her in a bath of cold water when she was in her nightdress. Subsequently Kate Collins came and stayed at the house, but witness refused to sleep there. He assured her afterwards that nothing wrong had taken place between them. He tore off her wedding ring, and hurt her finger very much. Some time after that they came to London, and went to reside in the Vauxhall-road, and on one occasion she went out, and proceeding down a side street, which she had since discovered was Regency-street, she saw the name of her husband over the door of a small beerhouse. When she questioned her husband about the matter lie told her that was a small business he had taken for Collins, but this not satisfying her she made further inquiries,and the result was the institution of the prr.ent suit. In cross-examination by her husband s. Boyce said kW!) was paid the matrimonial agency for the introduction of the parties.—Witnesses were called who corroborated the wife as to the cruelty she alleged against her husband.—A girl named Cass stated that she was in Kate Collins's service when she kept the beerhouse. The petitioner came there every day and remained all day, but she never saw any impropriety between him and Miss Collins. She considered Miss Collins a very modest woman. The petitioner called several witnesses. The chief of them was Miss Kate Collins, who stated that she had been in the petitioner's service for 14 years. There had never been any familiarity between them, and she defied any one to say that she had committed adultery with him. The petitioner's name was put on the signboard of the beershop because they would not give the licence to a woman. The petitioner was annoyed almat it, and bad the sign taken down. rile beershop was then sold. In the course of the evidence of this witness it was elicited that Mr. Boyce was formerly a trainer of horses and a gentleman rider. He had nine or ten paddocks, which he gave up on his marriage. He (tad met with five different accidents, and was nursed by Miss Kate Collins. She being useful to him in every way 'lei called her "Jack of all trades," and after that he called her "Jack." She had never written love letters to him or he to her.—ln the result the learned judge came to the conclusion that Mrs. Boyce had failed to establish her case, consequently he dismissed her petition, with costs, as she had a separate estate. He granted Mr. Boyce a decree of restitution of conjugal rights.—Mrs. Boyce, who had burst into tears in the course of the judgment, then became very excited, and declared that she would not live with her husband again, alleging that he was "a scamp " ; and she also stated that sooner than live with him she would go to prison.  Joseph ArGlasham, who attempted to murder his wife, and then to commit suicide by cutting hi own throat, four weeks since, has just died at South Shields. The woman has recovered.  Cardinal Manning and the Catholic Bishops of England have signed a protest with reference to the Affirmation Bill, in which they state that it is brought forward to accommodate a few who deny the truths of natural religion and the existence of a God, who is the lawgiver and judge. They do not reg ard as fit or proper persons to make laws governing the homes and domestic life of this country, men wh o:dcs not believe at least in natural religion and natural morality. In their opinion, effacement of the recognition of God in our Legislature would be an ad which will surely bring evil consequences. It is now said that Herr lirupp, or mason, has followed the example of his father, and declined the Royal offer of the title of Baron. At Ennis, on Monday .lames Halpin, a poor-law guardian was Lentenced to three months' imprisonment for taking part in an unlawful assembly at Ennis on the Bth of April. An appeal was lodged.