AN ENGLISH SCANDAL. Singular Action for Slander.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 81, 20 December 1884, Page 6

AN ENGLISH SCANDAL. Singular Action for Slander.

London, November 20. The trial of the suit of Adams against Coleridge began to-day in the Court of Queen's Bench. The plaintiff is a wealthy man well known in London society circles, and was, until recently, engaged to be married to Miss Mildred Mary Coleridge, the only daughter of Baron Coleridge, Lord Chief Justice of England. During this engagement Bernard Coleridge, the eldest son and heir of the Lord Chief Justice, heard some accusations affecting the moral character of Adams. He investigated the charges, and satisfied himself that they were true. Then he wrote a long letter to his sister, in which he denounced Adams as a libertine and an objectionable person in many respeots. He cited spme facts to corroborate his charges, and said that in regard to certain offences, the details of which were too shocking to be communicated to her, he would furnish such proofs as would be conclusive to the mind of their father, if she were not already convinced that her lover was unworthy of her. Miss .Coleridge at first^ refused to believe the accusations against Adams, and at his request showed him her brother's letter. Adams asked to be allowed to keep the letter, and declared he would be able to convince her and ftll of her family that its allegations were false, and that he hatt been maligned and deeply injured.

Miss Coleridge surrendered it to him, but he failed 1 to refute the charges, and, the lady peremptorily broke off the engagement. Adams then brought suit for heavy damages against Bernard Coleridge, If Coleridge is required to prove the truth of his charges, he says he is thoroughly prepared to do so, and to show that he was justified in seeking to save his sister from a union which would be a lifelong misery and a disgrace. The scandalloving public eagerly hopes that Coleridge will be compelled to produce his evidence against Adams, as it is whispered that several men and women of high rank will be implicated. Adams conducted his own case to-day. His opening speech stated that he was engaged to the daughter of Judge Coleridge. The Judge objeoted to him for a son-in-law, and induced his son Bernard to write a letter to his daughter libelling him (Adams). The young lady turned the letter over to her betrothed. This led to her expulsion from her father's house, and the expunging of her name from her father's will. The defendant entered the plea that the letter was a privileged communication. The letter written by Bernard Coleridge to his sister warned her that Adams was prompted only by a desire to gain money and position. Adams had admitted, so the letter alleged, that he considered Miss Coleridge to be void of personal charms. Adams to-day denied all the statements in Bernard's letter, and said that Bernard was actuated by a desire to get control of his sister's money. Adams contended that Bernard and his father had thrust the marriage upon him. He was thrown much in the society of Miss Coleridge in a charitable institution, of which he was Secretary and she was a member. At that time he had no idea of marriage. He was much astonished when he received the letter from Lord Coleridge breaking off the engagement. The Judge ruled that these statements were inadmissible. Adams replied that in that case he might as well throw up his brief. London, November 22. — The action for libel which was brought by F. M. Adams, barrister, against Bernard Coleridge, was resumed to-day, Adams continued his opening remarks. He said he had much affection for Miss Coleridge, but he had no thought of marrying her. Attorney-Gen-eral James submitted that the plaintiff had no case, and must be nonsuited. The Judge ruled that Bernard's letter was a privileged communication, and Adams, in order to maintain his case, must prove express malice or dishonesty on the part of Bernard He decided to ieave the case to the jury, reserving to himself, however, the right to decide the action on a point of law in case the verdict was not warranted by the evidence. Adams continued his statements, and said he and Miss Coleridge were now resolved to get married. The case was sub mitted to the jury, who, after some deliberation, brought in a verdict for plaintiff of £3,000. The Judge overruled the verdict, and gave judgment for Coleridge with costs.