JOURNALIST AND PRIMA DONNA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9491, 21 April 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

JOURNALIST AND PRIMA DONNA.

In the Divorce Division, London, recently, the petition was presented of Mrs. Brenon, who sought the dissolution of her marriage with the respondent, Edward John Brenon, otherwise known as St. John Brenon, a journalist, and formerly editor of a publication called Piccadilly, on the ground of his misconduct with Hetty Jackson, professionally known as Mdm«. Alva, prima donna of Sir Augustus Harris' Grand Opera Company. The respondent made counter charges against the petitioner, which Mrs. Brenon positively denied, and were now withdrawn. There was no defence. Mrs. Sb John Brenon said she was married to the respondent ab Dublin on October 10, :i869. There were four children. Her life was unhappy shortly after marriage, as, subsequently to the birth of her first child at Rome, respondent turned her oub of doors. Respondenb was very violent to her all through her married life. In 1871 he lashed hor with a riding whip, and cold her the law allowed a husband to strike his wifo provided the stick was nob thicker than his thumb. He had also burnb her with the hot curling tongs. He became so violent that she had to leave her home. Ho had also turned the children out of homo, and she had since supported herself and her children by hor efforts as a journalist. In the absence of the respondent she went to his residence, and there found a number of lettors from Miss Jackson, which she had had photographed. The originals were reburned to her husband in a registered letter. The adultery alleged against the respondent took place abGunnersbone Road. Mr. Algernon -Brenon, eldest son of the petitioner, said his father constantly illtreated his mother, and used loathsome language before the children. Susan Hesen said- that in 1892 she was cook in the respondent's service. She recollected Miss Jackson coming to the house, aud she stayed there at night. His lordship granted a decree nisi with costs.