Page:English laws for women in the nineteenth century.djvu/110

98 him.") That it was, in short, as the person appointed—by Lord Melbourne—to the Metropolitan Magistracy, that he proceeded to accuse Lord Melbourne (now dead, and unable to contradict him) of every degree of turpitude; from the seduction of his wife, to the appointing of a Treasury Messenger "as a reward" for treacherously purloining his own compromising and inculpating letters from Mr Norton's house.

But I will permit Mr Norton to speak for himself; and give his letter, as he published it. He says, then:—

"It is as a —''an administrator of Justice (according to my ability)—that I come forward in the present matter with a plain statement of facts, to prove that I have striven to be as just in my private affairs as it is my aim and desire to be in my public capacity! It is with pain that I feel myself compelled to break that silence which the forbearance of seventeen long years has made habitual to me; but I feel I must now speak out, and that it would be treason to my character and fair fame to leave all these accusations unanswered. I was subpoenaed on Thursday last by the Messrs. Thrupp, and when Mrs Norton had concluded her evidence, I begged their solicitor to call me as a witness. He refused me that favour, and, as the advocate of my opponent, I cannot quarrel with his discretion; and perhaps it was better that the opportunity was not afforded me, for in the distraction of the moment I might have been tempted to reveal matters with which, for the happiness of others, it is much better the public should remain unacquainted. My counsel was refused, even by statement, to contradict the gross falsehoods which had been most illegally and improperly introduced into the case. The question was one simply of liability; and the moment that Mrs Norton admitted she was living apart from me by her own wish (and which she did so admit at the beginning of her examination), there was an end of the case, and all proceedings should have terminated. Unhappily, the judge, and every one engaged for or against her in the cause, seemed overpowered by Mrs Norton's demeanour; and those who had a''