MARQUESS AND LADY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12836, 8 April 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

MARQUESS AND LADY.

: SENSATIONAL CASH COLLAPSES. The Law Courts for two days rang with the name' of one of England's peers.' The Harmless of Townshend figured as defendant 1:1 a breach of promise case, in which the plaintiff was Mrs. Evelyn Diana Tumour Sheffield, of Bassett Road, North Kensington. The cast for the lady wa opened in startling fashion, hei counsel reciting various allegations of a sensational character, which had been brought forward by the noble, defendant. When counsel had been speaking forty minutes, the Court adjourned, and next morning the" story was continued. But not foi long. A hurried consultation was followed by the withdrawal of the ease—a sensational ending to what promised to be one of the most remarkable cases heard in the Courts for many years past. The Marques* Townshend was born in 1866. and succeeded his fat bet as sixth marquess in 1899. He is unmarried, and the heir-presumptive to the title is his cousin. Colonel Townsbend, of Chitral, Omdurnian, and South African fame.

The Court was crowded much the case was called on. The pleadings staled that the defence denied tlie breach, and suggested that the lady was. not r. tit and proper person to become the future marchioness. The case was heard before Mr. Justice Grantham and a jury. Mr. Abel Thomas, K.C.. wiio unfolded th-- story, said there would be no doubt a' to defendant asking plaintiff, on September 16, to become his wife, because his letter of proposal would be placed before the jury. The lettei was replied to on September 18. two days later, in the form of an acceptance. Then there was an arrangement between the two that the marriage should take place on October 1. After these plans, however, had been completed defendant desired to break oft', on the ground tin*- plaintiff was an adventuress 1 and a clairvoyant, and otherwise unlit to become, tin Marchioness Townshend. Bui, said counsel, it was a bit late- to consider whether a lady was or was not lit to fill the situation which a man had atone time been proud to offer Iter alter lie had asked her to marry him. Some months after the engagement was arranged, and the endeavour made to break it oil. another defence was set up. They said the lady had promised to find -a certain settlement, and. as she had not found the amount agreed upon, the marriage would he put off. Then they proceeded to hunt out everything they could that would tell against the lady. Mrs. Sheffield was a widow. 40 years of aire. One of the defences was that, she was more than 55 years old, but plaintiff would deny that she told the marquess she was 55. Defendant was two years younger than plaintiff, so that it was not a case of boyish infatuation. Plaintiff was the daughter of Commander Edward Geo. Tumour, of the Royal Navy. Her motbei was a Spanish lady, whose name counsel believed was Carmen D'Alva, but who died in childbirth. Her father had two old friends. whose names would be mentioned many times in the case, so he would give them now—Sir John Sebright, who was then living in Lowndes Square, and a Mr. Garden. Her father died ir 1877, and plaintiff, with her governess, then came to England, and staved with her father's friend. Sii John Sebright. The latter and Mr. Garden became trustee* of the money left for plaintiff. which amounted to something like £11,000. When she was 15 years of age— 1879— plaintiff did what many girls did—she clandestinely got married* to a Mr. Sheffield, her present husband. His Lordship: Von mean her late husband. (Laughter.) Mr. Thomas: Yes. my lord. He was a gentleman of independent means, who was then living at St. James-street, and 55 years plaintiff's senior in age. M:. Sheffield vas a man reputed to be very well off, and having estates which brought hint in considerable incomes-. This reminded him that one of the incidents which had been made a gre-at deal of wa.s, that her husband's . sister was the Dowager Countess i.tf.llehesterJ However, immediately after tho marriage, they went- to AmeatHJ foursome months—to Florida—whera tin?; hie-baud hud .tome pro-. petty. Then, they traveled about} for some*, time, mid while her -remained in Florida plaint iff back to England. On these-. v^st-f r --Avhieh were generally about i frequently stayed at Mr. G,irof.u'»j house—he was one of "her former trustees. : Thau gentleman then lived a! Rents-ham Hal!, Norfolk. and ore of the allegation* was that Mrs. Sheffield committed adultery, or had improper relations, with this gentleman. Counsel Attributed this statement to a Mrs. Xieholl. who had been befriended by Mi;. Sheffield mid taken into service, but subsequently discharge:; on account of certain domestic occurrences. The whole of the story with regard to this gentleman and two others was denied. It was admitted that Mrs. Sheffield bad stayed at Mr. Garden's house. sometimes with, and occasionally without, her husband.

CoUiiH said it wan '!•■! usual for ;i lady, when she married a marquis, to settle Minis of money up.in the marquis' friends, "and.' continued counsel. "from the correspondence which took plate, I think you will uej-ee that this was substantially accurate." Then las lordship said Dan-ell, a Mi. Robins' son, must not be forgotten.: £5000 must be sealed on him. and £10,000 on Mi. Robins liimee'.f. That really look Mrs. Sheffield's breath away. (Laughter.) She replied. '"1 must see a solicitor about this.' The marques.* appeared to be in great misery, and. according to plaintiff, was weeping. Ho seemed to think that, the question of settlement would slop their marriage. Dr. Kapadia, the defendant's medical adviser, then came in, and Mrs. Sheffield left the room. His Lordship: Of what nationality is Dr. Kapadia? Mr. Hill: He is an ludiau gentleman. -M'l. Abet Thomas de-sired to read a letter from defendant to Dr. Kapadia. hut Mr. Gill objected unless he would undertake to call Dr. Kapadia, and this Mr. 'I boons would not do. While IIS-s argument was proceeding', plaintiff, who had been sitting in the back of the Court, suddenly v.cm out. Shortly afterwards one of I lie solicitor.- engaged for plaintiff came hurriedly into Court, and. addressing Mr. Thomas - , said, sotto voice, ••[-'top, stop!'' Immediately afterwards Mr. 'J'iinma.K said :

•'Since I have been speaking certain advice has been given and accepted, and. under (hose circumstances, J do not proceed with the case."

MY. Rill: 1 cannot allow the case to be. disposed of in this way without making a statement 1 . ' My friend opened yesterday when 1 had no opportunity of contradicting anything. But the statements he was instructed to make were a tissue, of falsehoods with regard to this woman. Your lordship will see what the defence put on the record is—that her connections:, her marriage, her ■birth, and her property are a, tissue of lies-. We have the certificates-, which show that she was the daughter of a respectable servant in a respectable family. Her father and niothe: kept a small public-house in Southampton, and when she was a barmaid in London— Mi. Abel Thomas: Are. wo trying this? Mr. Gill: It is important that I should say we have all the witnesses, all the documents and certificates - . This woman actually invents periods, and has had the audacity to put in a statement with regard to her property, her identity, and her parentage. This woman actually has had the audacity to put in "Burke's Peerage" a statement with regard to her identity and her parentage which is disproved by the certificates at Somerset House. [Plaintiff is described as the daughter of the Viscom-tet-se D'OLario in " Burke."] Mr. Thomas: My lord. Mr. Justice Grantham: I think you have said sufficient, Mr. Gill. Mr. Gill: Something was said about. Sir. Davis, who appeared on the scene. Something has- been said with regard to tho part, he took in it. He is here in the Court, and lie was an important witness on the part of Ihe defendant in regard To thin. When he was brought on the scene, and "asked the lndv questions he instituted inquiries, and one" of the first steps he took was to go to Somerset Hotti?. Mr. Thomas: My hud. Mr. Justice (Jiaulhain: That will do, Mr. (Jill. Judgment was then entered for defendant, who stood up in mi astrachan-collared overcoat to receive the congratulations of his friends. The dramatic possibilities of the eaes were further emphasised by several cxScotlaud Yard officers Hitting a< the wines mi the none--' side of the stage, while lip at I he back, wailing hir cue, was a gentleman, Willi two convict, warders, who was ic-ntiitvd to lie tin- famous and fascinating ■■ Captain' Moidaunt.