DIVORCE IN HIGH LIFE.—MAY AND DECEMBER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 188, 23 June 1862, Page 5

DIVORCE IN HIGH LIFE.—MAY AND DECEMBER.

The suit instituted by the Right Hon."the Marquis of Westmeath against his wife, the Marchioness of Westtneath, for a dissolution of their marriage by reason of her adultery with the corespondent, Mr. George Edward Chapman, the son of the British Consul at Dieppe, came on in the Divorce Court on Thursday. Neither the respondent or co-respondent appeared to the suit. The 'damages were laid at £5,000. "'' Dr. Deane -(in the- absence, of Mr. Serjeant Shee, who had been specially retained, but was detained on circuit), opened the case for the petitioner* and stated that the Marquis i had been acquainted with the respondent some time before their marriage, which took place on the Bth of February, 1858, at the Church of AH Saints, St. Johns-wood. She was ma more humble sphere of life than the noble lord, but she was a person possessing great personal beauty and attraction, pleasing manners and address. Her maiden name was Marie Jarvis ; she was much younger than the Marquis, and it might be said there was great disparity of age between them. [The Marquis is 77 years of age.] The Marquis made a liberal settlement, and they lived happily together until the month of July or August, 1860, when Lady Westmeath visited Dieppe, in France, with a lady now deceased, and contracted an intimacy with the co-respondent, the son of the British Consul there, and circumstances transpired which left no doubt ns to the adultery. Lady Westmeath returned to England in September, 1860, and afterwards it was ascertained that she had been staying at the Victoria-park Hotel, and Chesterterrace, Eaton-square, and had been introduced and passed as the wife of Mr. George Edward Chapman. The learned counsel having addressed the jury on the question of damages, proceeded with the evidence. ,

The marriage haying been proved, Ellen James was called, and examined by Mr. Turner. She deposed to being in the service of Lady Westmeath, and accompanying her to Dieppe, and deposed to her having become acquainted with Mr. Chapman, and also to her staying at the Victoria-park Hotel, and Chesterterrace, and her intimacy with Mr. Chapman, and their cohabiting together. The witness, in fact, proved the alleged charges of adultery. A letter, dated in Nov., 1861, was read from Lady Westmeath, directed to Mr. Geo. Edward Chapman, 6, Chester-terrace, Eaton-square, and which was intercepted. It was to the followiug effect:— " Sunday Night. " I have not been able to leave my bed to-day < darlingest pet. I could hardly breathe, and could not hold up my head for five minutes together. Nothing but inability to move sheuld have keptme here this evening. Fidget is talking of going out of town tomorrow. I hardly like asking to remain at home, my beloved, and yet there is a probability of being able to see you and spend the evening. If I can possibly get away I promise you that my cold shall be no obstacle, for what is health or life to me if they are not to be spent , with thee ? I feel very low spirited to-night, almost wish that the chapter of my eventful life was drawing to its close. Now, my sweet one, I must say good night, for E. is holding the candle by my bed-side. Dearest one, do not wait at home if there is any necessity for you to go out, or if you wish it, for I can very well await ydur return, even if I am fortunate enough to get out for the afternoon and evening.

" Blissful dream, darling; God bless you, chickie. -.■ .

"G. E. Chapman, Esq., 6, Chester-terrace, Eaton-squave, S.W." : Mr. Law deposed that he was the proprietor of the Victoria-park Hotel, at Sheffield. On the 11th of May, 1861, a gentleman giving the name of Chapman engaged two bed-rooms and a sitting-room. The parties arrived soon after. They remained eighteen days, and visited the Botanical Gardens, and there they entered, as visitors, their names as Mr. George and Mrs. Chapman. The lady who accompanied Mr. Clmp* man, and to whom he stated he had been recently married, was Lady Westmeath. '■ v. :Mr. Deane said he had sufficiently proved the adultery, and did not purpose calling any more witnesses.

Sir C. Cresswell said the evidence was defective asto the terms in which the parties had lived together. The union seemed to have been one of May with December. His lordship was described inthe certificate as of" full age ;" hut from the learned counsel's opening statement he was probably something more than that, .The

lndy was stated to have been a minor. There was no evidence to show what acts had been necessary to seduce her affection from her husband ; but the' jury "must" determine;"as :weH ras theycould, what was the Talue of the woman the noble lord had lost.

The jury, after retiring for a few minutes, assessed the damages at j£soo.

The Court then made a decree nisi with costs, but refused to certify for the special j ury.— Weekly Dispatch.