[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 13 Mar 1824 - Cumberland Spring Assizes (34)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 13 Mar 1824   (p. 1, col. 5 - p. 4, col. 5, and p. 1, col. 4)

 

CUMBERLAND SPRING ASSIZES. 

 

NISI PRIUS. 

  

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE. 

HOBSON v. ISMAY. 

 

[continued] 

 

Matthew ATKINSON, Esq. of Templesowerby gave evidence from the Bench.-I know Mr. HOBSON, he having lived at Templesowerby about a
couple of years, and has occasionally visited at my house. He was in the Yeomanry. I was applied to by a Mr. KAY respecting Mr.
HOBSON. 

 

Cross-examined by Mr. COURTENAY.-He served under me in my troop. He is not a native of Templesowerby, and I knew nothing of him till
he came there. I am not particularly acquainted with him: but finding him a respectable, pleasant young man, I paid him attention. 

 

Mr. MEALS.-I live at Wigton. Mrs. ISMAY is a neighbour of mine-she has a house and about 20 acres of land. Miss ISMAY is her only
daughter, to whom two thirds belong; at least so I have heard said. The house is nothing more than a respectable farm-house. 

 

Miss WATSON.-My mother (for whom I act) let a house to Mr. HOBSON, at 27 guineas a year, in Nov. last, and he has it still. 

 

By Mr. COURTENAY.-I don't know whether the house is occupied or not. I let it by word of mouth. 

 

By Mr. ALDERSON.-I have no reason to conclude that it has been underlet. 

 

Miss RICKERBY recalled, proved the hand-writing of two other letters dated 4th and 10th December:-they were read. Addressed to Mr.
W. C. HOBSON: 

 

                                                                                      "Manchester, 4th Dec. 1823. 

"Dear William-I only received your letter a few minutes ago. It is the last letter I can or must receive from you. The connexion, my
dear William, must be broken off forever in this world. To act in this clandestine manner I never can; it is impossible for me
either to write or to hear from you here; and here it is very likely I may remain for a length of time. My mother is very unwell, so
that she will not return home either; therefore do, I beg of you, give up all thoughts of me in future. If you value my peace of
mind you will wish the connexion to cease; for to marry in opposition to the wishes of all my friends, my dear mother not excepted,
be assured I never could bear it: no! for my mother to turn her back upon me; to be an outcast from all my relations, as you must
now be well aware would be the case, is dreadful indeed. No! rather than do that, depend on it I will live and die as I am. I am
indeed grieved that I should be the cause of so much unhappiness to you and your friends. But would they wish their son to enter a
family where he never would be looked upon as a relation? No, I am confident they would not. And time, you know, wears every thing
away. You may think it impossible at present, as I have done; but at the same time, I wish it to be broken off, for to live in this
suspense, or ever to think it may be, at a future period, is, I find, impossible: therefore I am truly glad you have considered to
remain in your own country, where in a short time every thing will be forgotten by the world. and for ourselves, my dear William,
let us submit to the will of that God who knoweth what is best for us: let us try to live in this world, that when it pleases Him to
call us home, we may, through his mercy, look forward to that blessed abode, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the
weary are at rest. I wrote Mr. CANT last Saturday; he has not returned me an answer; however, it is now of no consequence. Your
shirts, with the portrait, shall be returned as soon as possible. The books, without your wish is to the contrary, I shall keep as a
remembrance. Mr. ATKINSON has written my uncle; his account, I understand, was favourable, as well of --, as yourself. But it is of
no avail, we must part for ever: if you will consult your friend Mr. CANT, I am confident he will see the propriety of it. I wish
for both our happiness that it may terminate now and for ever: and that you may prosper in all your undertakings and be happy, is
the constant and fervent prayer of her who now, for the law time, subscribes herself your affectionate
ANN." 

 

                                                                                       "Manchester, Dec. 10th, 1823. 

"Dear William.-I received a letter this morning from your friend Mr. CANT, wherein he informs me it is your positive intention to go
abroad. O! my dear William, it wounds me to the quick, that I should be the means of driving you from your country and friends!
Happy would it have been, had we never met. Much grief would have been spared to both. But alas! we cannot foresee what may come to
pass. Mr. CANT is rather severe with me; though I am well aware his only motive is sincere friendship. He says it is your request to
see me, previous to your departure. But that, my dear William, will be impossible. When his letter came to hand, I was preparing to
go into Cheshire for a short time: I am not well; and change of air is recommended. Besides, a last interview, I feel assured, would
be better avoided for both; it would be of no service to either of us, but cause that grief and anguish which naturally would arise
from our meeting. We are already sufficiently unhappy. Do not let us aggravate it by another interview. You can inform me of all
particulars in your letter: you must write to Miss KAY, my cousin, on her I can depend; the directions you will see at the bottom of
this: direct to her, and she will forward it to me. The portrait, at your request, I shall keep; it will be a dear remembrance to me
when the original is far distant. My earnest prayers are, and ever will be, offered up to Almighty God for your safety and
prosperity; and may you once more be blest with that peace of mind which surpasses all things here below, is the sincere wish of her
who could once style herself your Ann. But that time, my dear William, is passed, never to be retraced. No, never would I marry to
see the man of my affections slighted and not received by my friends: that this would be the case you yourself must be well
convinced long ere this. My wish is, that you forget me. Banish me from your memory! If that cannot be. remember me only as a dear
friend, who will at all times be glad to hear from you. But, my dear William, never again fancy that we may in time be united by a
dearer tie than at present. Never will I again deceive you by vain promises-as I am well convinced you think I have deceived you.
Therefore you are now at full liberty, should you meet with another lady worthy of your affections, to act as you think proper. For
my own part, I shall, in all probability, while I live, remain as I am-I have once loved, and I fancy I could never love again. But
do, I beg of you, let this be no tie upon you. I must now be obliged to draw to a conclusion, as in a few minutes I leave here for
Cheshire. So adieu! my dear William, for-ever! and may the Almighty shower down his blessings upon you, is the fervent prayer of
your                     ANN." 

 

This was the case for the Plaintiff. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

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