TABLE TALK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7198, 5 February 1892, Page 3

TABLE TALK.

[F»OH OUB SPECIAL COBBKBPONDKNT.I i London, Dec. 11 I FLOBKNCK 8T JOHN'S DIVOECK CAB*. The popular •• Mons." Marine, who, it is announced, will accompany Mrs "Bernie " fleere to Australia, made a second appearance in the Divorce Court on Saturday, hauled thereto by his wife, Florence St John (also borad your way shortly), who, ten years ago, got rid of her second spouse, Mr Smith, in order to marry him. The rair petitioner complained of drunkenness, « r Sr *• and adult « r 7 on the part of Mon 8 .," W ho admitted the last charge, but alleged it wai brought about by hia wife s desertion. Furthermore, he accused Florence of Bimilar naughtiness herself with Mr Cohen, of the Financial News. Florence described how she was married at fourteen to Mr St John, who died some years later, when she espoused an actor named Smith. In 1881 this person divorced her for adultery with Mariuß (they were both at the time acting in MadmueFavart), and in 1885 "Mow.," having likewise been divorced by an injured spouse, married her. As a husband Marius proved a failure. He not only never paid a penny towards household expcnßeß, but he continually borrowed trom his wife. Moreover, he frequently got drunk at night, and then he became violent and knocked her about. In oroeHexamination, Mis B St John admitted' that when Bhe first made Mariuß' acquaintance, at the Strand Theatre in 1881, Bhe wu only e nl^]° g n £B a week - She coul « now make £W to £50 a week at the least. Nevertheless, M&rius had not taught her to act Witness was fortunate in money matters and had saved a good deal. Her lucby | coups were not due to Mr Cohen's advic*. At Brighton and Monte Carlo, Cohen might have been frequently seen in her company in public. Her friend Lady Euston was, however, generally with them. Marius ; had never complained of Cohen, or objected :to her knowing him. Cohen gave her presents— flowers and jewellery, but not more than many other people. Marina bad taken a watch from her safe which Bhe greatly valued. It was a gift of Mr St John's. "Monß"Baid be must have something to pawn. She did not call him a ~— thief. She never sworß or used indecent epithets. Witness was Bare of this. On her oath Bhe would Bwear she was not in the habit of using obscene and opprobrious language. When witness objected to Marius taking the watch he flung it on the floor and broke it into a thousand pieces. She was sure of that. (Watch produced.) The one counsel now handed her seemed to be the Bame. It was certainly unbroken. Witness might have called Mariuß thief, but not a " — French pauper." She never said that Cohen was a gentleman and Marine a — — . Remembered the occasion that Marius pushed her against the table and hurt her. Witness' mother (Mrs Greig) was present. The affair was not accidental. Yes, Marius was drunk. She did not provoke the blow nor Bay "Now there's been violence we can shunt him." Could not recollect Mrs Greig observing "Now's the time to get rid of Marine." Witness received many letters praying for forgiveness. Refused to Bee Marius again. On witness' return from America in July this year she heard her husband was living with Marie Luella. Two persons told her on the same Ay that ehe (witneßs) was accused of adultery with Cohen. Captain Carleton Blythe was one of them. He said that he heard it from Colonel North. Captain Blythe told witness that Colonel North loathed the Financial News crowd, and would do anything to injure Marks, he hated him so. Mrs Susannah Greig (Miss St John's mother), who was next put in the box, gave Marius a very bad character, detailing several specific acts of cruelty, inflicted in her presence. Mr Gill could elicit little from the witness under crossexamination ; but he provoked the Court to laughter by asking Mrs Greig whether her daughter had ever had a jewel which she called "The Cohenoor." The good lad; said she had never heard of it, and appeared somewhat at a lobb regarding the mirth of the spectators. The next witness, Mrs Gough, a former employee of Miss 8t John's, testified to the outward and visible signs of " Mons.' " " inhuman-handling "of hia wife. Mr Gill wanted to know about petitioner's general language. " Was Bhe," he asked, " addicted to foul language P" " I never 'eard 'er use anything but 'improper' language," quoth Mrs Gougb, whereat a general giggle ran round the whole houße. The witness corrected herself at once, and said she meant " proper." Further questioning elicited the fact that Florence liked to have her own way, but didn't always succeed in getting it. Mr Haughton, a bookmaker, said he had known both Marius and the petitioner, and had always been on the most friendly terms with them. The " Mrs Haughton " who had been mentioned in connection with the case waa Lady Euston, and she had lived with him. He thought Marius waa fond of his wife, and to his knowledge the latter did not use bad language. The cross-examination of this witness being ended, the Court adjourned till next day. On Wednesday Marius went into the box and told his story. This waa that he had got along very well with his wife till 1889, when Cohen appeared on the scene. He objected to this man from the first, and tried to avoid being introduced to him; but the fair Florence insisted, and he had to give way. Witness personally begged Cohen one evening not to take bis wife out to dinner alone at public restaurants. Miss St John waa present, and Bhe said:: "There, you see how he treats me— jußt as if I were a low character." Prior to Cohen coming between them he had Bmall rows with his wife concerning money, and concerning her using foul language, but nothing serious. He denied habitually getting drunk and striking her. Witnessput in cheques to the amount of JBIOO0 1 which he had subscribed to the household expenses of the Villa Favart. Whilst Miss St John was at Monte Carlo the entire expenses of the Villa Favart were paid by him. Sir Charles Bussell's cross-examination of Marios waa worth being in Court to hear. For once the terrible Q.C. met his match. Question as he would, Marius was ever ready with a straightforward answer, and the premeditated coups of his inquisitor went all for nought. At length Sir Charles, palpably weary of " bullyragging " so cute an opponent, Bat down, and allowed Mr Studd | (Cohen's counsel) to examine the witness. He fared no better than the greater legal luminary, and the finish of the day's proceedings left the smiling Frenchman (metaphorically) " monarch of all he surveyed." Miss St John's, divorce, it would seem, is still very much in the lap of the gods.