SOCIETY LADIES IN COURT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1788, 28 June 1913, Page 5

SOCIETY LADIES IN COURT.

SOME AMUSING STORIES. (Kec. June 27, 10.35 p.m.) London, Juno 27. The- Scott-Sackvillo Will case is tho ono great interest in London, and the newspapers ore devoting many columns to the reports of tho proceedings. ' Mr. Smith, in his address to tho Court, said that the Sackvilles luietv that Sir John Murray Scott was very wealthy. They themselves were in acuto financial difficulties. Lady Sackvillo had all the fascination of an accomplished woman of the world, who considered the psychology of tho man, and knew what liberties she could tako with impunity.' She gained her ascendancy over Sir Jolin now by threatening a quarrel, and now by endearments. During tho reading by counsel of one of the letters Lady Sackvillo burst into tears, and sobbed in front if the crowded court, in which were many society women, wlio listened to the correspondence with the closest interest. Counsel showed that Sir John's affection for Vita, Lady Sackville's daughter, was pathetic, and instanced his anxiety to smooth over any disagreement between the Sackvilles and his friends. Odd Nick-Names. The nicknames mentioned caused considerable amusement in Court, particularly when Mr. Smitli 6aid the Scott family called the Sackvilles "The Locusts"; Sir John's servants called Lady Sackvill "tho Earthquake." On one , occasion tho lady wrote: "I hopo you aro thoroughly ashamed of your big fat self," a referenco to the fact that Sir John weighed twenty-five stone. On another occasion the lady wrote with some acerbity complaining of his ung-' ging. Sir John replied donying tho fact, and added: "I repirovo you sometimes when you growl alxnut the discomfort of living upon your income." "Je Suls Ruino!" Mr. Smith stated that Major Arbuthnot would give evidence that he had beon asked to dine at Sir John's hou6©. When ho arrived there he found Lady Sackville and her daughter in tho library, closing the drawer of a desk. Tley. tliiyi left tho house hurriedly. When Major Arbuthnot saw Sir Jdhn he mentioned that tho Sackvilles had) been in the house. Sir John became very excited, evidently unaware that they had been in tho house. The perspiration stood in beads" upon his brow, and he exclaimed in French: "My God!. It's inarediblo!" He added something like: "Jo suis ruino!" In April of 1916 Sir John Scott gave Lord Sackville a release of a sum of .£38,600 advanced upon tho Knowle House property. Directly after this Sir John signed a codicil revoking a legacy of JE30.000 to Lord Sackville. In October Sir John Scott and Lady Sackville quarrelled jjecanso tho former /aid that ho was considering the question of adding his works of art to the Wallace Collection. Lady Sackville roplied that it was very hard that her daughter should have such a slap in tho face. A Rift in tho Lute, In January, 1911, continued counsel, Lady Sackville asked for a loan of ,£IOOO, and asked Sir John to -draw a cheque before lio was able to borrow the money. Sir John wrote, complaining of this unbusinesslike method of proceeding, and concluded: "I don't supposo you told Lionel of this proposed, loan, you curious old creature, you deserve a smacking." In his next letter ho quoted, a poem of Owen Meredith, beginning "My dear, my chosen, but not mine." On March 8 Sir John Scott wrote, denying that he had promised to leavo her his money, though oven if sho deserted him ho would leave her some. Counsel suggested that the draft of the missing codicil was mado in September of 1911. Apparently the lady was awaro of Sir John's intention to leave her only £20,000, and tho income upon >630,000, for 6ho wrote: "I shall havo to work again to keep things going." Their differences were composed by November. On January 16 Lady Sackvillo wrote: "Must send this little line to say 'Good-night,'as you are much better this morning. I liked it when you called ine 'littlo rascal.'" Sir John's Death—Farewell Letter. Sir John Scott died suddenly at Hertford House on January 18. After his death his solicitor sent Lady Sackville tho following letter, written some years before, with a copy of the will: "My Little Friend,—This conveys my last farewell. I have left you a goodly portion of objets d'art, and a sum of money which will make you oomfortable. I like tho idea of leaving you an indopendency. It lias been a great pleasure, and is the only fitting reward for the affectionate interest you have always displayed. My last words are: 'I am very grateful. May wo meet in a land where there will be no more sorrow.'" Alicia Scott, Sir John's eldest sister, gavo evidence of Lady Sackville's influence over her brother.