SCOTT WILL CASE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144131, 28 June 1913, Page 3

SCOTT WILL CASE.

INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE. LADY SACKVI LLE’S INFLUENCE. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, June 27. The Sackville case is one of great interest, and the newspapers are devoting columns to ir. Mr. E. E. Smith, counsel for Mr. Malcolm Scott, who is disputing the ■will of Sir John Murray .Scott, said that the Saokvilies knew John, was very wealthy. They were in acute financial difficulties. Lady Sackville had all the fascination of an accomplished woman of the world, who considered the psychology of man and knew what liberties she could take with impunity.. She gained her ascendancy now by threatening to quarrel with luiu and then by endearments. During the reading of one of the letters Lady Sackville bjirsfc into tears and sobbed. A crowded court, including many society women, listened to the correspondence with the closest interest. They showed Sir John’s affection for Vita, the Sackvillcs' daughter, and his pathetic anxiety to smooth away any disagreement between tko Sackvilles and his’ family and friends. The nicknames used caused considerable amusement, particularly when Smith said that the Scott family called the Sackvillcs “the locusts.” John’s servants called Lady Sackville “’The Earthquake.” Once Lady Sackville wrote; “I hope you are thoroughly ashamed of your big fat self”—a reference to the fact that John weighed 25 stone. On another occasion Lady Sackville wrote, with some acerbity, complaining of nagging. John replied denying this, and added; “I reprove you sometimes when you growl about the discomfort of living upon your income.” Mr. Smith stated that Major Arbuthnot would give evidence that when asked to dine at Sir John’s house ho found Lad}' Sackville and her daughter in the library closing the drawer of a desk. They'hurriedly left the house. When Arbnthnot saw Sir John he mentioned the Sackvilles. Sir John became excited, and evidently did not know that they had been in the house. With perspiration on his brow he exclaimed in French: “My God! It’s discreditable.” Ho added something liko “Jo suis mine” (I am ruined). In 1010 .Sir John gave Lord Sackville a codicil revoking a legacy of £30,000 to Lord Sackville. By October Sir John Scott and Lady Sackville had quarrelled, and he was considering adding his works of art to the Wallace collection. Lady Sackville replied that it was very hard for her daughter to have such a slap in the face. In January, 1911, Lady Sackville asked for a loan of £IOOO, and drew a cheque before Sir John was able to borrow the money. Sir John wrote complaining .that this was unbusinesa-liko, and concluded: 'T don’t suppose you told Lionel of the proposed loan, you curious old creature. You deserve a smacking.” The next letter quoted the poem by Owen Meredith, beginning “My dear, my chosen, but not mine.” On March 8, Sir John wrote denying that ho had promised to leave her money, though oven if she deserted him she would have some. Mr. Smith suggested the draft of the missing codicil made in September, 1911. Apparently Lady Sackville was aware of his intention to leave her only £20,000 and the income upon £30,000. She wrote: “I shall have to work again to keep things going.” The differences were composed by November. On January 16 Lady Sackville wrote: “I must send a little line to say goodnight, as you were much better this morning. I liked it when you called me Tittle rascal.’ ” Sir John Scott died suddenly at Hertford House on the 18th. After his death his solicitor sent Lady Sackville a letter written some years before with a copy of the will, reading: “Little friend, —This conveys my last farewell. I left you a goodly portion of ohjets d’art and a sum of money which will make you comfortable. I like the idea of leaving you an independency. It has been a great pleasure, and only a fitting reward fer the affectionate interest you always displayed. My last words are, ‘I am very grateful; may we moot in a land where there is no moro sorrow.” Miss Alicia Scott, Sir John Scott’s eldest sister, gave evidence of Lady Sackville’s influence on her brother.