Year: 1870

The MOrdaunt Divorce Cause.-The Charges


and Defense.


OF the Mordaunt divorce case-the celebrated
cause referred to by cable telegram--a London
correspondent says:-- - ... .


In a few days the trial of the famous divorce
case of Mordaunt vs. Mordaunt will commence.
The plaintiff Is baronet, Sir Charles Mordaunt
who seeks a divorce from his wife on the plea
of adultery. The outline of the story is that
when Lady Mordaunt was confined OF her first
child she confessed to the wife of a clergyman
who was with her that she had broken the
seventh commandment, not only with one but
with about six different individuals. Her
friends say that Lady Mordaunt was insane
when she made that confession; her enemies
say she was not. Whether as q needful pre-
caution, or whether to give coloring
to her defense, know not, but she has certainly
for soIse months been the inmate of a private
lunatic asylum. Sir Charles although sent for
and urged by her Majesty the Queen not to
bring about that great scandal, persists in carry
ing the matter through, even TO the bitter end,
and the trial is to 20 on 1t will cost, no matter
which will carry the day. not very small for
tune. To very many Americans it will be inte-
resting on account of the evidence, very much
of which will be taken from the manager,
walters, chambermaids, and others of the Lang
ham Hotel where so many Americans put up
when they come to London.


The case was first mentioned legally in the
London Court of Probate and Divorce, before
Lord PenZance, few weeks since, when Ser
geant Balantine, on the part OF Sir Charles
Mordaunt asked if the Court would fix an early
day for the trial. Of the many questions to be
decided was as to the sanity or otherwise of
Lady Mordaunt, and Sir Charles had considered
that IL Lady Mordaunt was insane, as had been
represented, she was not subjected to the proper
treatment which her case required, and there
fore 1t was the more necessary an early day
should be fixed. a.I .....


The Judge Ordinary saw no reason why there
should be any departure from the ordinary rule.
The case had not been delayed in any way, but
set down in dup and world
the ordinary way. He (the Judge ordinary
must decline to accede to the application.


The Birmingham Post says:-'lt is generally
understood that the legal advisers of Sir Charles
Mordavnt, Bart, OF Walton Hall. whose suit for
a divorce of his marriage with his wife on the
ground of her adultery with Vscount Cole and
Sir Frederick John Stone, Bart, has been the
talk of fashionable circles for months past, have
taken decided measures to have the question of
the insanity or sanity of Ler ladyship tried with
out delay. 1t will be in the recollection of the
public that the Judge Ordinary of the
Divorce Court made an order that the
jury, as the advisers of the respondent pleased
that she was not fit to answer the petition by
reason of her state OF mind. The question then
arose as to her custody and her father, with
other persons, nominated the medical atten-
dants. Her ladyship went to live at Worthing,
and afterwards at Bromley. In the November
term motion was made to vary the order, and
that DR.. Forbes Winslow with DR.. Turner Smith
should see the respondent in the interest of the
petitioner to ascertain her condition. The case
would have been set down for trial last
term but for the heavy business
in the Court, and it now stands
number twelve in the list. As the report of the
two eminent medical gentlemen above named
points to the conclusion that, even if the re-
spondent be not now insane, the present system
adopted with regard to her is very likely to
bring about the result, or at all events, to act
very prejudicially towards her condi-
tion, a special motion will be made in a
vary the order as to her Ladyships present
custody, and to fix peremptorily an early day
for the hearing of the case But even when the
present issue is decided there will be actual
adultery to be inquired into hereafter.