ing died by poison. They both agreed the stomach was very much inflamed. Mr. Hume alledged that no sudden affection of the mind, however it might occasion death, could produce excoriation in the stomach. It was true, he said, that where the subject had died suddenly of the gout, there was often found symptoms of inflation in that part of the stomach, resting upon the gut, particularly when the stomach has been full, but the affection generally commenced in the toe.

He was asked by Mr. Powell, whether this appearance in the stomach might not have arisen from putrefaction, as he had been so long dead? It does not follow from poison that the stomach in particular should putrify. He did not think the poison had passed from the stomach into the remainder of the system. It was probably prevented by spasm from circulating. Therefore the infection was entirely local, and the contents still rested in the stomach. He had known many die from agitation of mind; but then there were no such symptoms. He had been called to persons who had been poisoned by means of cop per vessels, but never knew them to die suddenly. They generally vomit for twenty-four hours before death. The usual symptoms resulting from very violent poisons, were extreme distress and agitation of the body, attended with profuse and deadly sweats.-He did not think any man could live two moments with a stomach so affected. Never knew of any dying by metallic poisons without great pain, but knew that laurel wa ter had been taken by Sir Theodosius Boughton, of which he had instantly died, without suffering probably much pain.And upon the whole, gave his opinion that the prisoner's death must have been occasioned by poison.

Mr. Adrien was not so certain what the cause of inflammation might be, and thought it possible that the prisoner's death might have happened from very violent agitation. He said that from the yellow tinge upon his hands, it might appear how great a redundancy of bile had been lodged in the stomach.To this Mr. Hume replied, that this matter did not so much appear to be bile, as the effect of corrosive sublimate, or some such cause, and that violent and sudden agitation did not increase the secretion of bile, but, on the contrary, obstructed all secretions; and that no stomach could contain so much bile, but would vomited it off, as every person affected by sea-sickness does, whenever any quantity is thrown into the stomach; and further, that bile so far from remaining upon the hands, after washing, would, having the property of soap, assist in cleaning them, and would come of more readily with cold water than with hot.

Mr. Adrien then observed, that the secretion of bile was proved to be very redundant, for there was very near a pint

rest

resting in the gall-bladder, but gave due weight to Mr. Hume's reason touching the locality of the affection, and proposed examining further into that fact; which being done, and it ap pearing that no part of the intestinal canal was affected, these Gentlemen finally agreed-that the death was occasioned by some unusually acrid matter, taken into the stomach.

The principal tendency of the question put by Mr. Powell, was to shew, if possible, that the effects of a metallic poison, which could only produce this excoriation, would have occasioned more anguish and agitation of body, than appeared in the prisoner.

Mr. Gregg was further examined, and said, that the prisoner in the dock several times complained much, and "wished that it was all over !"-but witness then thought he alluded to the sentence, or execution of it.

VERDICT OF THE INQUEST." We find that the deceased, William Jackson, died on the 30th of April, in consequence of some acrid and mortal matter taken into his stomach; but how or by whom administered, is to the Jury unknown."

A small trunk was opened by Sheriff Powell, which had been the property of the prisoner, in which were found his own Answer to Paine's Age of Reason, an elegant miniature picture of his wife, and the following extracts from the Psalms:

"Turn unto me, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted!

"The troubles of my heart are enlarged, O bring Thou me out of my distresses!

"Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins !

"Consider mine enemies, for they are many; they hate me with a cruel violence!

"O keep my soul, and deliver me. Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in Thee."

Upon which Counsellor Powell took occasion to remark to the Jury, the improbability that a man, who had employed his last labours in vindication of the Christian religion, should have put an end to his existence in a way so incompatible with its principles.

1

་་

THE

TRIAL

OF

An Action of Adultery

BROUGHT BY

THE EARL OF WESTMEATH

AGAINST

THE HON. AUGUSTUS C. BRADSHAW. *

THI

COURT OF EXCHEQUER.

HIS was an action on the case brought by the Right Honorable Geo. Fra. Nugent, Earl of Westmeath, to recover damages from the Honorable Augustus Cavendish Bradshaw, for criminal conversation with the Right Honorable Mary-Anne, Countess of Westmeath.

On the 20th of February 1796, the Jury being impannelled and sworn, Mr. Solicitor General proceeded to state the case to the Court and Jury. He said, that he felt with peculiar reluctance the duty which fell to his lot this day, but the task, however painful, was such as his duty to his client indispensibly bound him to perform. In common with every friend to morality and conjugal happiness, he felt for the depravity and incontinence he should have occasion this day to lay before a respectable and conscientious jury, who would, he was convinced, estimate from their own feelings the irreparable injury sustained by the noble Earl, who came this day to claim from the laws and the justice

of

This trial, whilft it exhibits Mr. Curran's abilities in another line, may be a feasonable relief to the reader's mind, already fatigued with plots and politics, treafons and treacheries- Like an interlude between the acts of a Tragedy, it will call his attention, for a little while, from the crimes of men to their follies-He will here get a useful "peep behind the curtain," a further view of human nature, of that part of it commonly called High Life Let it alfo be mentioned, with profound refpect to the higher orders, that the female who makes fo confpicuous a figure in this Drama, is a Lady of Quality, one of the ornaments of Mr. Burke's famous pillar If he had been one of the Swinish multitude, we would not have condefcended to take any notice of her.

of his country, some reparation in damages, for the wound inflicted on his honour, his domestic happiness, and the comforts of his bosom, which no damages however great, could heal. The case was of itself so strong, and so very atrocious, as to render little comment indeed necessary beyond the facts which he was instructed would be substantiated in evidence.

The crime was of a nature as injurious to society as to the individual, and peculiarly so, as it was perpetrated in that rank of life which, while it aggravated the guilt, was most likely to render the example pernicious. In stating this case, it would be incumbent upon him to keep, indeed, very much within the limits of his instructions, and instead of going to the extent he might in explaining all the circumstances attendant on this shameful business, he should confine himself to those bounds which decorum and respect to the Court and so respectable a jury necessarily prescribed.

The noble Earl in this case, was several years ago married to his Countess, a young lady of most respectable family and connexions, polished education, high accomplishments, and great beauty of person. The match on the part of the noble Earl was purely the result of love to the lady, and by no means founded on any considerations which could arise from her fortune; and the lady accepted his Lordship's hand as well from motives of reciprocal affection, as from the considerations of rank, honour, and the respect which she was likely to enjoy in an alliance with a nobleman of his Lordship's high rank, splendid fortune, and illustrious connexions. It could not indeed be supposed the lady or her friends, could have any possible objection to a match at once so eligible and advantageous. The slightest pretence of this sort never appeared or existed, and therefore the compulsion of parental authority in urging a young lady into a match violatory to her affections, or her delicacy, with a man of a disagreeable person, or advanced years, so frequently pleaded in extenuation for similar infidelities-could not be applied in this.

The noble Earl and his lady lived together several years, apparently in the happiest intercourse of reciprocal affection and domestic felicity, surrounded by all the blandishments which high rank, ample fortune, and fashionable splendour, could confer. The lady bore his Lordship several beautiful children.

His Lordship, under all the tortures to which his feelings have been exposed on this occasion, impressed by the fondest affections of a parent to his offspring, the tender pledges of a once happy union with the woman he loved, had great unwillingness to bring forward this matter; but prompted by a sense of injury to the honour of his family, to the happiness of a husband and a father, he surmounted all obstacles of private reluctance, and resolved to appeal to the laws of his country for redress.

Mr.

Mr. Solicitor here related to the Court and Jury, what he had been instructed to say would appear to them in evidence; and then concluded with observing, that he had heard it whispered since he came into Court, this action was not a serious one, and that it was not the object of his noble client to amerse the defendant in very considerable damages; but this insinuation he declared was utterly false and unfounded. Would it be believed that the noble Earl who sued in this case, was so insensible to his own honour, or to the solemnity of a high Court of judicature, as to play with a subject of this sort, or to bring forward a trial so materially interesting to the honour of his family, himself, and his children, as a mere matter of form? Would it be believed that any man of profession, who held any regard for his own character or interest, would come forward, as privy to such a pretended trial, and conspire to impose on a court and jury? The thing was too absurd and ridiculous to be believed for a moment. The noble Lord had too great a regard for the dignity of his own rank, to harbour so mean an intention. The damages in this case were laid only at 20,000l. a sum, which considering the rank of the parties, the irreparable injury sustained by his client, on whose domestic happiness an incurable wound was inflicted, and the affluent fortune of the defendant, was by no means adequate to the offence. But to the feelings of the jury, upon the justice of the case he would submit the evidence, not doubting that their candour and impartiality would vindicate the confidence which the constitution and their country this day reposed in the important duty committed to them.

EVIDENCE on the part of the PLAINTIFF.

The Rev. George Lambert being sworn, said, That he had married Lord and Lady Westmeath on the 27th of April 1784That during the first six years of their marriage, he was in the habit of visiting the family frequently, and therefore could venture to say with safety, that his Lordship and Lady lived in the greatest harmony and comfort during that time, but what has taken place since he does not know-He said, that he believed that Lady Westmeath lived in London, and Lord Westmeath in Ireland-He can't anwer for what happened in London-He does not know what might have happened with respect to Lady Westmeath's private affairs-thank God, he knows nothing of that sort!

Question by Mr. Curran-" Now Mr. Lambert, do you take upon you to swear that seriously?"-(a loud laugh in Court) Answer" I mean as to connexion of a criminal kind.". Lady Westmeath has two sons-He can't tell what property Lord Westmeath had, but always understood it was a large one. Mary Cuttle was house-maid in his Lordship's house in Portman-square, London, and proved the very frequent visits of the Honorable Mr. Bradshaw to the Right Honorable Lady Westmeath; he usually came alone, and staid very late.