The Atherstone Times. — 1879-02-08 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

THE PEW RENTS AT MR. BEECHER'S CHURCH.— The annus.l auction sale of pews at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, has realised for 1879 a total of 40,721 dole., including the assessed rental of the pews, which amounted to 12,743 dols. The premiums formed an aggregate of 27,978 dole., an increase over the premiums obtained last year of nearly 4,000 dols., and about 5,000 dols, less than in 1877. In 1876 the rents and premiums amounted to 63,680 dole. ; in 1875, to 71,165 dole. ; in 1874, 58,430 dole. The highest premium paid last year was by 11. W. Sage, who gave a premium of 505 dols, for the same pew he has this year got for 500 dole. premium. Mr. 11. B. Clain pays a premium of 500 dols. for the same pew which he obtained last year for 300 dols. Mr. Beecher announced that the renting of the pews in the last 25 years—the rentals and the premiums—had produced 955,204 dols. The pews must be occupied ten minutes before "service" time, or they will be assigned to strangers.  CTTRIO'  MIS BREACH OF PROMISE CASL An action for breach of promise of marriage, itt which judgment had been allowed to go by default; came before Under-Sheriff llurchell at the Middlesex Sheriff's Court on the 30th ult., for the assessment oi damages. The plaintiff, Mrs. Christiana Gray, a widow aged 38, for a short time kept the Fox and Hounds Inn, Canterbury, where she made the acquaintance of the defendant, Mr. Woodgate, a con. fectioner, and a man of some property. He became a frequent guest, promised her marriage, and bought a license, but in September he said his brother, wha lived with him, was averse to the marriage, and he asked her if she would, as a compromise accept the Pine Apple Inn, of which he was the freelolder, anj he promised to furnish it, so as to make it worth £5OO. The offer was accepted, but never carried out. An , offer of £5OO in money was also made, but not kept, * ad hence the present action. In cross-examination e plaintiff said he was ill in October. He had not at* empted suicide, but was a drinker, and after taking a ha df-bottle of brandy had taken some oil of almonds. she. had since been nursing him at his house, and up to Oh present time was nursing him, notwithstanding the ass lion. She ,was at the house at the request of endants, his doctor, and his brother. The dewas often under the influence of drink, and thefetiefondant ddal she had power over him to restrain him. Mr. Kings. ford d the witness, if the defendant was willing to marr3r her, could she marry him; and she replied, n yes, f viii. " She had asked him on Sunday, the 26th ult.,. end although she was willing he was not, a on acceuiat of his brother, who lived in the same house. Mr. 'Kingsford said he was instructed to state that the dee. idant was willing, but he was too ill to come to took Mr. Delasaux (Coroner for Kent), solicitor for tA 0 plaintiff, gave evidence, and produced the conveyanna he prepared of the Pine Apple, at the request of the` defendant, who was perfectly sober. The defendant a as possessed of considerable property. C•r the part of e defendant, his twin-brother, John . wsstessie was salled, De said the defendant had baea sad.l;:;ed to inking for a number of years. He la ,itll ill in his ,ouse. Mrs. Gray was staying at : me house. She Mt I been courting the defendant. - lie. till now, acting 33  -She had stopped at the house ti... "sweetheart and nuts 1" t Mr. Odgers asked the jury to award the sum the lefendant had himself estimated as the loss she wont& 3. sustain, namely, £5OO. Mrs. Gray did not ask for ore, and did not expect less, The jury assessed the daft cages at £5OO.