AN ACTRESS IN THE DIVORCE COURT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3507, 3 October 1882, Page 4

AN ACTRESS IN THE DIVORCE COURT.

The popular actress known as 'Miss Florence St. John, , and the equally popular actor known as 'M. Marius, , have just .figured as respondent and co-respondent in the Divorce Court. It appears that in 1876 Mr James Lithgow Smith, an operatic singer, married Margaret Florence St. John, who was then a widow, and they lived together down to the month of June, 1879. For the first part of their married life they lived upon good terms, but in the month stated she left him and went to live with her mother. There was afterwards come correspondence between them, and her husband tried to induce her to come back, but she would have her own way. Inquiries were made, and in the year 1881 she was found to be living with M. Mavius, the co-respondent, at 120, New Bond-street, as his wife ; consequently this suit was instituted. The counsel for the petitioner read a letter Mr Smith wrote to his wife. This letter commenced, 'My darling Jack' (her name was St. John, and he called her ' Jack') — (laughter)—' I need scarcely tell you,' he ■wrote, ' that I went home last night brokenhearted when you would insist on going to your mother's. This morning I feel somewhat reconciled to my fate. . . If you don't come home to-night or to-morrow, you don't wish to see me any more, and that you desire to live apart from me. . . When I am questioned about you I will, give evasive replies with respect to myself. My greatest wish is to be dead, buried, and forgotten. , Mr James Lithgow Smith, the petitioner, said that he was married on December 6th, 1876, to Mrs Margaret Florence St. John, a widow. At that time he was an actor and singer, and he and the respondent were acting together. They lived together down to the month of June, 1879. At that time she had an engagement at the Strand Theatre. He afterwards wrote to her the letter which had been read. There had been a considerable correspondence between them. He had done his best to get her back to live with him again, and had pointed out to her that her conduct was very indiscreet. The letters (produced) were in his wife's kand writing. The photograph (produced) was that of his wife. Annie Davis deposed that last year she was living at 120,* New JBond-street, ac parlour-maid. A lady and gentleman came and took lodgings there. They had a drawing-room floor and two bed-rooms. They occupied the same bedroom as man and. wife. The photograph (produced) was that of the lady. The petitioner was not the gentleman who was living with her. Mrs Holding said that she occupied the upper part of the house, 120, New Bond-street. Last summer a lady and gentleman took apartments there and lived together as man and wife. They stayed at the place for eight months. She identified the photograph. His lordship, upon this evidence, briefly addressed the ■jury, who immediately found for the petitioner. A decree nisi with costs was granted.