An Interesting Letter.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3830, 12 June 1891, Page 3

An Interesting Letter.

In the case Meek v. Attwood, a claim for tbe recovery of certain certain jewellery, etc., given under promise of marriage, which was heard in Wellington yesterday, the following interesting letter from the defendant to the plaintiff was read : " 25, Hereford street, "28th January, 1891.

"Dear Mr Meek.—You appear very much susprised at my last letter to you, and want to know what my trustees and myself are thinking about to suggest such a thing to you. I am sincerely pleased that they did suggest it, as it has shown me what I had to expect if I married you. When a young woman marries a man so many years older that herself she does so with the idea of improving her position in life—not making it worse, as I can plainly see would have been the case with me had I been unfortunate enough tc have married you. Also, let me tell you that my trnstees had no idea whatever of making money by drawing up deeds of settlement, &c, &c, or of troubling theraselyesin any way about your affairs. They are quite too busy to hive time to attend to such trivial matters. Before I left Wellington a few and very intimate friends advised me to have a settlement before I married you, saying it was only right, considering the disparity in our ages. However, I did not take their advice, and would not have thought any more of the matter had not may trustees advised me. You have also deceived me about the house you live in. You told me you would not ask me to live there, but would rent me a more suitable place. Now you say you consider it quite good enough for me, as you and your children are satisfied with it. That may be, can only say some people are easily satisfied. Your idea of one purse in your house did amuse me. There would be only one, but that one would be yours. I'm afraid, my dear Mr Meek, that you were marrying me only that I might help to support you and your two children. I really must deciine the honour, choosing, if I must share it, to do so with some one more suitable. You would expect me to attend the same church as yourself. How you have changed, to be sore. One time you would go to anyone I liked. You know that I have been brought up to the Church of England, and decidedly would not leave it to attend another for you or another man. I have a great objection to chapels or meeting houses of that sort. Too much scandal and gossip retailed for my fancy. lam sorry you have been to so much expense in the way of clothes. Shall I send you a P. 0.0, for the amount ? I would take them off your hands, but the present fashion forbids tbe divided skirt forjlndies. Enclosed is a2d Btamp, in place of the one you had to put on my previous letter. Am sorry you had to pay for it, especially since I know-you have so little to spare on such things. Shall I send your trinkets by post, or is there any one here whom I can leave them with until you were down this way ? They might go astray if I sent them through the post, and that I know, woula grieve you. Thanks for the silk dress. lam afraid that it would not'be worth the postage to Wellington as it is almost worn out. I must close now with very kind regards, thanking you for your very kind offers, but am obliged to decline the honour. "Alice Attwood."