Heyielded,——simplysofarasthelawwouldhavecompelledhim,andaswasnecessarytosavehimselffromthethreatenedandcertainexposurewhichmyappealunderthenewlawwouldhaveentailed。Isawmychildreninthemostformalandcomfortlessmanner。Therewasnomercyorgenerosity。Iexpectednone。HeevenmadeitapersonalquarrelwithPage53
hiscolleagueandfellowmagistrate,MrHardwicke,afterthis,thatMrH。hadpermittedmeoneeveningtobeinhisboxattheplay,withmychildren。Helockedthechildrenthemselvesupforawholeday;topunishthem;and\"impressupontheirmemories\"(afterthefashionofhissister),thattheywerenottobeseenwithmeatanypublicplace。Theirinterviewswithme,weretobeinprivate;thatnoonemightknoworguesshehadbeencompelledtoyield。Theinsaneinjusticeofpunishingthechildren,orquarrellingwiththefriendwhohadcateredfortheiramusement,whennooneintendedtooffendhim,neverseemstohaveoccurredtohim。Hefearedonlythetruthbeingknown;ourappearanceinpublic,wasacontradictionofhisassertionsinprivate。
Hiscruelcarelessnesswasafterwardsproved,onamostmiserableoccasion。Myyoungestchild,thenaboyofeightyearsold,leftwithoutcareoroverlooking,rodeoutwithabrotherbutlittleolderthanhimself,wasthrown,carriedtothehouseofacountryneighbor,anddiedthereoflockjaw,consequentontheaccident。
MrNortonallowedthechildtolieillforaweek,——indeedtobeatdeath’sdoor,——beforehesenttoinformme。SirFitzroyandLadyKellywerestayingwithMrNortoninthecountry。LadyKelly(whowasanutterstrangertome)metmeattherailwaystation。Isaid——\"Iamhere,——ismyboybetter?\"
\"No,\"shesaid——\"heisnotbetter,——heisdead。\"AndIfound,insteadofmychild,acorpsealreadycoffined。
MrNortonaskedmyforgivenessthen,ashehadaskeditoftenbefore;hesenthiselderchildtopleadforhim,——forwellheknewwhatmychildrenweretome;hehumbledhimself,andgrievedforanhour,tillhechangedintopitythehorrorandrepugnanceIhadexpressedattheideaofseeinghim;——andthenheburiedourchild,andforgotbothhissorrowandhispenitence。
Page54
Duringtheyearsoverwhichmyseparationfromthesechildrenextended,severalattemptsweremadebyMrNortoneithertocompelmetohisownterms,ortobringaboutareconciliation。IntheSpringimmediatelyfollowingtheTrial(aftermyfirsteffortstoobtainmychildrenhadbeenrejected)Isuddenlyreceivedfromhimamostextraordinarynote,saying,thatheconsideredourdifferences\"capableofadjustment,\"andhopedIwouldmeethimalone,inanemptyhouse,No。1Berkeleystreet,wherehewouldwaitforme。Ireceivedthiscommunicationwithdoubtanddistrust;increasedratherthandiminishedbytheimpatienceshownbyMrNortontoobtainananswer,forwhichhesenttwiceinthecourseoftheafternoon。Hethenwrotetosay,that\"nothingcouldbeeffectedwithoutmutualconfidence,\"andashecouldnotcometomyuncle’shouse(whereIlived)hehopedIwouldcometohisownresidence。
ThisIconsentedtodo。Wehadalongwretchedinterview。Hebesoughtmeoncemore,to\"forgetthepast\"andreturnhome。Helaidtheblameofallthathadhappened,onhisfriendsandadvisers;saidthetrialwasagainsthiswillandjudgment,andthathelongedto\"takemetohisheartagain。\"
HecomplainedofthecoldnesswithwhichIreceivedtheseproposals;butIdidnotrefuse。HerecalledmypoorchildrenfromScotland;andsentnotesalmostdailytomyhouse。Thoselettersbegan,\"MyCarry,\"\"MydearCarry,\"andweresigned,\"Yoursaffectionately。\"Twoofthem(inallusiontomyfearofmeetinghim)boretheplayfulsignatureof\"GREENACRE,\"——thenameofamanwhohadbeenrecentlyhung,forenticingawomantohishousebypromisingmarriage,andthenmurderingandcuttingherintopieces。
Afteramonthofthisstrangecorrespondence,Ireceivedanotefromhim,tosaythemasculinesisterhadarrivedtostaywithhim。Adisputefollowed,astowhatIhadorhadnotsaidtothislady。MrNortoncomplainedthatIhadstatedtoherI
didnotintend\"honestly\"toreturntohim;but\"tore—Page55
turnforthesakeofmychildrenandmyreputation;\"andthatIhadsaid\"Ineverwouldlivewithhimagain。\"Ourreconciliationwasbrokenoff;mychildrenweresentbacktoScotland;andthenextnoticetakenofmyexistence,bythehusbandwhohadwooedmyreturn;whohadbeggedmetomeethiminanemptyhouse,assuringmenothingcouldbeaffected\"withoutmutualconfidence;\"——whohadsignedhimselfGREENACRE,infamiliarandcaressingletters,jestinguponmyfearsanddoubtsastotrustingmyselfaloneatthatmeeting;——andwhohad,inthefirstinstance,desiredhisservantthedayaftermydeparture,toopenthedoorofmyhome\"withthechainacross;\"——thenextstep,Isay,takenbythehusbandwhoserealstorywassolittleknowntothepublic,wastoimposeonthatpublicbyanadvertisementrespectinghislegalliabilityforme,commencing,——
\"Whereason30thMarch,1836,mywife,CarolineElizabethSarah,leftme,herfamily,andhome,andhathfromthenceforthcontinuedtoseparateandapartfromme,\"&;c。
Angry,andfullofscorn,IconsultedmysolicitorwhetherIwascompelledtobearthisfreshoutrage。
IshowedhimthelettersMrN。hadwrittenjustbeforethispretenceofbeingaforsakenhusband:——\"haveInoremedy?\"——\"NoremedyinLAW。
TheLAWcandonothingforyou:yourcaseisoneofsingular,ofincrediblehardship;butthereisnopossiblewayinwhichtheLAWcouldassistyou。\"Mybrotherdidallthatcouldbedone——hedesiredhissolicitorstopublishaletterstatingthat\"thewholeofthestatementscontainedinMrNorton’sadvertisementwerefalse\"——animputationwhichremainsonittothisday。Aftertheinsultoftheadvertisement,therewasapauseofsomeweeks;andthenMrNortonwrotetosayhewishedanarbitrationinouraffairs;thearbitratorhenamed,wasSirJohnBayley;
andasthehistoryofthereferenceisgivenlater,Idonothereenterintoit;furtherthantosaythatMrNorton,aftersolemnlypledginghimselfinwriting,toPage56
abidebywhateverdecisionmightbecometo,utterlyrefusedtobebound;quarrelledwithhisarbitrator;andbrokeoffthenegotiation。
Ayearandahalfafterwards,herequestedSirFrederickThesigertoactasreferee;whoseopinionIgiveinhisownwords:——\"TheaccommodationproposedbyNortonisoneinwhichyouaretogivewayuponeverysubject,andheisnottorecedeuponone;anditseemstometoberidiculoustotalkofconciliationuponsuchafooting。\"……\"ItisimpossiblenottobestruckwiththevacillatingandvexatiouscoursewhichNortonhaspursued;excitinghopesonlytodisappointthem,andmakingpromisesapparentlyfortheopportunityofbreakingthem。\"Friendsmediated;menofbusinesswastedtheirtimeinvain;MrNorton’spromiseswereropesofsand。
In1842——twoyearsafterMrNortonhadevadedthechanceofexposurebydecliningtodefendmypetitionundertheInfantCustodyBill——heoncemoreaskedmetobe\"reconciled\"
tohim,andtoreturntolivewithhim。Thoughthiswasnotarranged,yetfromthattimetherewasadegreeofpeaceandfriendlinessestablished,which,forthesakeofmysons(ofwhomIhadalreadylostone),Iwasmorethanwilling——Iwasanxious——tomaintain。MrNorton’slettersagainbecamecaressingandflattering;hevisitedmeatthehouseofmyuncleMrC。Sheridan,andafterMrSheridan’sdeath,atmyown。WhenIwrotetohimfromabroad,in1848,hesentoneofmyletterstriumphantlytomymother,toprovetoherwhatgoodtermswewereon。HefollowedmetoGermany,andsaidhedidnotthinkIoughtto\"travelalone。\"Downtothetimeofmymother’sdeath,andthedisputerespectingherannuity,——whateverundercurrentofbitternessanddistrusttheremightbeonmypart,orofcapriceonhis——weremainedonfamiliarandfriendlyterms;andherelapsedintotheoldhabitofentreatingmyinterferenceforhisinterests,withsuchofmyfamilyorfriendsashadpoliticalPage57
influence;ashehaddonewhenwelivedtogetherinonehome。
Thehistoryofthecontract——inthedisputeaboutwhich,aftermymother’sdeath,thisstateofthingswasbrokenup——Ihavegivenseparately;butbeforeIconcludethesepageswhichtreatofthepastinsteadofthepresent,Ithinkitisfittoshow,bytheevidenceofLordMelbourne’sownletters,theopinionheentertainedoftheseaffairs,inwhichhisnamehasbeenoncemoreintroducedbyMrNortonasanopportunityforfalsehood。
ThefirstletterIshallquoteofLordMelbourne’s,isonewrittenonlythreemonthsafterhehadgivenMrNortonhismagistracy;whenalreadyhewasdisturbedattheconductofhisnominee。MrNortoninauguratedhisappointmentbyquarrellingwithhiscolleague。Iendeavouredtojustifymyhusband;andblamedMrW。LordMelbournerepliedthus;inaletterdatedJuly19,1831;andI
printitbecauseitisacuriouspropheticcommentonMrNorton’slatelettersinthe’Times’。
\"HomeOffice,July19th,1831。
\"T。W。,asyousay,doeswhathehasnottheleastrighttodo;andtheworstis,heisnotonlyfoolishhimself,butisthecauseoffollyinothers。IhadthegreatestdifficultyinpreventingNortonfromreplyingtohiminthe’Times。’Iwasmuchalarmedatthenotionofhisdoingthis,especiallyasIfoundhimthoroughlyimpressedwiththeopinionthathecoulddoitwithgreatclevernessanddexterity。
NowIknowverywellthatamanofthatdescriptionwhoisfullypersuadedthatheisabouttodoathingextremelywell,isontheverypointofcommittingsomeirretrievableerror,orfallingintosomemostridiculousabsurdity……Ihatethemagistrateswritingtothenewspapers……besides,peoplewillbesuretosaytome,——ifthemagistratesgetPage58
squabblinginpublic,whydoyounotclearthebenchofthesefellowsaltogether?aquestiontowhichIshouldnotwellknowwhattoreply。Theytellmealso,thatNortondoesnotgotohisofficeearlyenough。
Ishouldbeannoyedathavingacomplaintmadeuponthissubject。Praydissuadehim,gently,fromanypublicexhibitionsinthenewspapers;andurgehimgentlytoalittlemoreactivityinthemorning。Hemightsurelywithoutdifficultygettherebytwelveo’clock。Thisisadisagreeablelecturingletter,butstilluponmatterstowhichitisnecessarytopaysomeattention。\"
Goodnaturedandfamiliaraswasthisexpressionofdissatisfaction,IfeltthatLordMelbournewasbeginningtoperceivethecharacterofthehusbandforwhomIhadsuccessfullypetitioned;andIwarned——andwarnedinvain。Tothelast,however,MrNortonreliedonLordMelbourne’skindness;andthenextnoteIshallgive,isacuriousandexplicitanswertotheassertionsofmyhusband,astohisjealousyandunhappiness;foritisdatedonlyeightweeksbeforeourfinalseparation,anddiscussestheappointmentMrNortonhadagreedtoendeavourtoobtain;(hispertinacityaboutwhichappearstohavepuzzledtheHomeOffice。)
\"Downingstreet,January27th,1836。
\"NortonplaguesmetodeathaboutthesuccessortoWalker。HeseemstothinkthatheandH。havealmostarighttomaketheappointment。Hehasjustbroughtmealetter,stronglyrecommendingaMr————,andseemedtobestruckaswithanewidea,whenItoldhimthathehadbetterletmementionthenametoLordJohnasfrommyself;inasmuchasheandH。interfering,wouldratherbeagainstthecandidatethanforhim。Heseemstothinkthateverythingistogivewaytotheconsiderationofgivinghimapleasantcompanion。HesaystheBenchusedwithWalkertobelikeapleasantclub,andthathemusthaveanagreeablefellowtowalktoandfrowith。Nowdonottrytostophim,norgivehimanynotionofwhatIhavePage59
said。IwrotetoyouyesterdayaboutF。Iamtoldbythosewhoknowhimthathecertainlywouldnotacceptit。Adieu,Yours,Melbourne。\"
Twomonthsafterwards,MrNortonandIwereparted:LordMelbournepassedtheEasteratBrocketandPanshanger;andasIneverdreamedthathewouldhimselfbemadethepretenceofourquarrel,Iwrotetotellhimwhathadhappened。Iquotefourofhisletterswrittenatthattime。Living,hejustifiedhimselfbyhissimplewordofhonour;anddead,Ijustifyhimwithlineswrittenbyahandcoldinthegrave。HoweverdeservedlyseverehislanguagemaybewithrespecttoMrNorton,Ileavethosewhoreadtojudgewhetherthesearethelettersofatreacherousseducer——orevenofalover。
\"Panshanger,April6th,1836……\"Ihardlyknowwhattowritetoyou,orwhatcomforttooffer。Youknow,aswellasIdo,thatthebestcourseistokeepyourselftranquil,andnottogivewaytofeelingsandpassionswhichHeavenknowsaretoonaturaltobeeasilyresisted。
Thisconductuponhispartseemsperfectlyunaccountable;anddependuponit,being,asyouare,intheright,itwillbemadeultimatelytoappear;
whatevertemporarymisrepresentationsmayprevail。Youcannothavebetterormoreaffectionateadvisorsthanyouhavewithyouuponthespot,whoarewellacquaintedwiththecircumstancesofthecase,andwiththecharactersofthosewithwhomtheyhavetodeal。YouknowthatIhavealwayscounselledyoutobeareverything,andremaintothelast。Ithoughtitforthebest。
Iamafraiditisnolongerpossible。Openbreachesofthiskindarealwaystobelamented,butyouhavetheconsolationthatyouhavedoneyourutmosttostavethisextremityoffaslongaspossible。Inalldifficultiesyoumayalwaysdependuponme,andbelieveme,Yours,Melbourne。\"
\"Panshanger,April8th,1836……\"Itisinvaintorail,otherwiseIcoulddosotoo;butitwasatalltimeseasytoseethatitwasthemostPage60
dangerousandill—conditionedcreaturepossible,andthattherewasnothingthatmightnotbeexpectedfromsuchamixtureoffollyandmalignity。IamverygladC。isgonedown。Youhavenowrealfriendsaboutyou。YoudescribemeverytrulywhenyousaythatIamalwaysmoreannoyedthatthereisarowthansorryforthepersonsengagedinit。But,afterall,youknowyoucancountuponme。IwonderthatyoushouldthinkitpossiblethatIshouldcommunicateyourletterstoanyoneelse,Ihaveheardnomentionofthesubject。LordHollanddid,inoneofhisletters,andIansweredhimexactlytotheeffectyoutoldme,andasImusthavedonewithoutbeingtold,namely,thatIhadseenyouwithNortonthedaybeforeyoulefttown,andthatIknewthathewasperfectlywellacquaintedwithyourintentionofgoingoffintothecountry,*
becausehe,inmyhearing,suggestedputtingitofffromWednesday,Ibelieve,untilSaturday。Ihavealsoseenoneparagraphrelatingtothematterinoneofthenewspapers,andthisisallthathasreachedme。IshallbeintownagainonMonday。Adieu。
\"Yours,Melbourne。\"
\"Panshanger,April10th,1836。
\"Ihavejustreceivedyourletter,withLeicesterStanhope’senclosed,withwhichIammuchpleased。
Hecouldnothaveactedbetter,norwithmorediscretion。Never,tobesure,wastheresuchconduct!Tosetonfootthatsortofenquirywithouttheslightestrealgroundforit!Butitdoesnotsurpriseme。Ihavealwaysknownthattherewasthereamixtureoffollyandviolencewhichmightleadtoanyabsurdityoranyinjustice。Youknowsowellmyopinionthatitisunnecessaryformetorepeatit。Ihavealwaystoldyouthatawomanshouldneverpartfromherhusbandwhilstshecanremainwithhim。Ifthisisgenerallythecase,itisparticularlysoinsuchacaseasyours;thatis,inthecaseofayounghandsomewoman,ofTherewasareportthatIhadeloped,sedulouslycirculatedbyMrNorton’sfriends。Page61
livelyimagination,fondofcompanyandconversation,andwhosecelebrityandsuperiorityhasnecessarilycreatedmanyenemies。Dependuponit,ifareconciliationisfeasible,therecanbenodoubtoftheprudenceofit。Itissoevidentthatitisunnecessarytoexpatiateuponit。LordHolland,whoisalmosttheonlypersonwhohasmentionedthesubjecttome,isentirelyofthatopinion。
\"Yours,Melbourne。\"
\"Southstreet,April19th,1836……\"If,forthesakeofyourchildren,youthinkyoucanenduretoreturntohim,youcertainlywillactmostwiselyandprudentlyforyourselfindoingso。Iadviseyou,however,totakenostepofyourselfwithouttheadviceofSeymourandGraham;andifyoudetermineuponwritingtoMrBarlow,sendyourletteropentothem,givingthemadiscretionarypowereithertosendortowithholdit。
\"Keepupyourspirits;agitateyourselfaslittleaspossible;donotbetooanxiousaboutrumoursandtheopinionof’theWorld;’being,asyouare,innocentandintheright,youwill,intheend,bringeverythinground。
\"Yours,Melbourne。\"
ThesefourletterswereallwrittenbeforeitoccurredtoMrNortonorhadbeensuggestedtohim,tospeculateontheadvantageofmakingLordMelbournehimselfappearthecauseofourquarrel,bybringinganactionagainsthim。Thechanceswereallfavourable;foreitherlargedamageswouldbegivenifsuccessful,or,ifthescandalwasonethePrimeMinisterdarednotface,probablyalargesummightbegivenasacompromisetopreventthesuitbeingbroughtatall。TheastoundingintelligencehavingbeencommunicatedtoLordMelbourne;
Ireceivedfromhimthefollowingnote。
\"Southstreet,April19th,1836。
\"IsendyoualetterwhichIwroteyesterdaywiththeintentionofsendingit。Ihopeyouwillnottakeitill,ifIimploreyoutotry,atleast,tobecalmunderthesetrials。Youknowthatwhatisalleged(ifitbealleged)isutterlyfalse,ANDWHATPage62
ISFALSECANRARELYBEMADETOAPPEARTRUE。Thestepswhichitwillbeprudenttotake,itwillbeimpossibletodetermineuntilweknowmorecertainlythecoursethatisintendedtobepursued。IfanyservantofmineoranyonethathasleftwithinthelastsixyearshadbeeninterrogatedIthinkIshouldhaveheardofit。But,whoevermaybeinterrogatednoonecandeposeanythingwhichcanaffectyouorme。
\"Yours,Melbourne。\"
\"SouthstreetJune9th1836。
\"Ihavereceivedyourletter,andhavegivensuchinstructionsasItrustwillbeforthebest。Idonotwonderattheimpressionmadeuponyou。*
Iknewitwouldbeso,andthereforeIwasalmostunwillingtohavetheinterviewtakeplace。AlltheattorneysthatIhaveeverseen,haveallthesamemanner;hard,cold,incredulous,distrustful,sarcastic,andsneering。
Theyareaccustomedtobeconversantwiththeworstpartofhumannature,andwiththemostdiscreditabletransactions。Theyhavesomanyfalsehoodstoldthem,thattheyplaceconfidenceinnone。
\"Ihavesentyournote;havingreadit。Idaresayyouthinkmeunfeeling;butIdeclarethatsinceI
firstheardIwastobeproceededagainst,IhavesufferedmoreintenselythanIeverdidinmylife。Ihadneithersleepnorappetite,andIattributethewholeofmyillness(atleasttheseverityofit)totheuneasinessofmymind。Nowwhatisthisuneasinessfor?notformyowncharacter,because,asyoujustlysay,theimputationuponmeisasnothing。Itisnotforthepoliticalconsequencestomyself,althoughIdeeplyfeeltheconsequenceswhichmyindiscretionmaybringuponthosewhoareattachedtomeandfollowIhadwrittentocomplainofthematterofMrVizard,LordMelbourne’ssolicitor,whocametoquestionme,anddidnotappeartobelieveme,whenIassertedmyinnocence。IsaidtheaccusationwasnothingagainstLordM。(accordingtotheviewstakeninsocietyoftheconductofmen;)butthatitwaslifeanddeathtome,asawoman;andthatIwouldnotseeMrVizardatall,ifheinsultedmebyexpressionsofincredulity。Page63
myfortunes。Therealandprincipalobjectofmyanxietyandsolicitudeisyou,andthesituationinwhichyouhavebeensounjustlyplaced,bythecircumstanceswhichhavetakenplace。\"
LordMelbournewasright,sofarthatwhatwas\"false\"wasnotmadeto\"appeartrue:\"andthatthedrunkenandworthlesswitnesseswerediscreditedbytheJury。
Theveryfact,however,oftheutterdisbeliefwithwhichtheevidencewasreceived,savedMrNortonfromanyfurtherexposurethanthatofhavingbroughtforwardastoryitwasobviousevenhehimselfcouldnothavebelieved。
For,——asitwasnotthoughtnecessarytocallanywitnessestorebutthecoarseinventionoftheaccuser,——ourrealhistoryremainedunknownasbefore。
Thenextstepstaken,proveonlyhowheartilyashamedeveryonewas,ofbeingsupposedtohavehadanyshareinthetransaction。Thepapersofthedaywerefilledwithseverecommentsandcountercomments。LordWynforddeniedhavinghadanyhandinthebusiness。LordGrantley(who,atleasthadtheexcuseforinterferencethathewasMrNorton’sbrother)partlydeniedit。SirW。Folletthastenedtointrenchhimselfwithinthenarrowestlimitofprofessionalandcompulsoryassistance,andpublishedadenialofhavingadvisedthetrial,inthe’Times;’andLordMelbournehadalreadywrittentome,asfollows,ofthedenialoftheDukeofCumberland。
\"10Southstreet……\"WhatIwantedtotellyouwasthis:thatafewdaysagotheDukeofCumberlandcameuptomeinoneofthelobbiesoftheHouseofLords,andsaid——’HaveyouseenWynford?
Hewishestospeaktoyou;anditisinordertoassureyou,uponhishonour,thathehashadnothingtodowiththisaffair。NorindeedANYOFUS。
Wewoulddonothingsoungentlemanlike。ThemomentIheardhewaschargedwithit,Iwenttohim,andaskedhim,andhesolemnlydeniedit。’Irepliedthat’Ineverbelievedmererumoursandreports;thatIhadneverthoughtit,andthatHisRoyalHighness’sdeclarationwas,ofcourse,perfectlysatisfactory。’WhenIwentintothePage64
HouseofLords,LordWynfordsentoneoftheMessengerstoaskmetocomeovertohim,as,beinglame,hecouldnotcometome。Iwent,andhethenrepeatedthedisclaimeralreadymadebytheDukeofCumberland,andadded,thathe’hadneverheardoftheactionuntilfourdaysafterithadbeencommenced,andthatastothatunfortunateyoungman’——(ashetermedNorton),whohesaidhadbeenhisward,——hehadnotseenhimforthesetwoorthreeyears——Iwillnotbecertainoftheprecisetimehementioned,butitwasalongone。)I,ofcourse,declaredmyself’perfectlysatisfied。’\"
Ofcourse。Agentleman,calledupontoacceptthedisclaimerofothergentlemen,oneofthemaPrinceofthebloodRoyal,coulddonoless;andofallmen,thetwoinquestionmightfeelsympathyforpersonsstrugglingagainstaccusation;
fortheDukeofCumberlandhadhimselfbeenthethemeofresistedobloquy,inthatstrangehistoryofthemurderofhisservant;andLordWynford’sjustice,asJudgeBest,hadbeenimpugnedbyLordDenmanintheHouseofLords,forbrow—beatingandunfairlyfiningaprisoner;nottomentionotherscandals,lesspubliclyarraigned。
LordMelbournethen,hadtoprofesshimself\"satisfied,\"asamatterofcourse;butIwasnotsatisfied。Inthefirstplace,IknewitwasnottruethatLordWynfordhadnotseenMrNortonforthreeyears;andIwasassuredthatsomeofthewitnesseshadbeenexaminedathishouse。AstothedenialoftheDukeofCumberland,——bothPrincesandKingsmaybeeagerlyserved,withoutacceptingtheresponsibilityoftheirwords;andthetrivialtaskofbreakingupaMinistry,neednotweighontheconscienceliketheriddanceofStThomasà;Beckett。HisRoyalHighness’sdissatisfactionatthesuccessoftheWhigparty,andhisdislikeofitsleader,werepatentandunconcealed。
Eventhosewhowerefriendsandadherentsofthatparty,wereinvolvedintheevidenceofthatdislike。Iwellremember,whenIattendedtheCourtPage65
receptions,evenbeforetheeventoftheMock—Trial,whenitwasmerelysurmisedthatIhadinfluencewiththeWhigPremier,thattheDukeofCumberlandwastheonlyRoyalpersonagewhorefusedtoacknowledge,bytheslightestsalute,thecurtseyImadetohim,astoothersintheRoyalcircle。ImentionedittoLordMelbourne。Hesaid,\"Youtaketheseslightstoyourself,buttheyarenotputuponyou。\"
Itsohappened,bysomestrangehazard,thatinthelistofthejuryonthetrial,thenameofSirRobertPeelwascalled;*andSirW。Folletttooktheopportunityofalludingtothatcircumstanceinhisaddress:hesaid,——
\"Hecarednotforthepoliticalsentimentsofthoseheaddressed——hewouldassoonhavetwelvepoliticalopponentsastwelvesupportersofhisnobleclient,ashewassuretheywoulddojusticetobothparties。TherewasleftontheJurytheleaderofthepoliticalpartyopposedtohisclient,buthewouldhaveassoonseenSirRobertPeelinthatboxasanyothergentleman;andneitherLordMelbournenorthosewhoadvisedhim,everthoughtofobjectingtothatgentleman。\"
Certainlynot;butbetweenimpeachingaleaderwhosehonourneverwasattacked,andutterlyacquittingallmembersoftheToryparty,——thereisawidegulf;andafterthedenials,moreorlessangry,andmoreorlesspositive,madepubliclybypersonsatthetime;thenewspapersstilldebatedthesubject,andstillboldlyputthequestion,——\"Whothenisthemanbehindthescreen?\"TheverywordingoftheDukeofCumberland’sdenial,——theveryexpression,\"norindeedANYOFUS\"——assumedthatLordMelbournesuspectedsomeoftheTorypartyweretherealmoversintheextraordinary,unexpected,andunfairattackmadeuponhim。IrepeatthatIknowthelateKingthoughtso;andasforLordMelbourneLordsGrantley,Lichfield,andLucanwereseatedonthebench。SirR。PeelandMrF。Baring,M。P。,whosenameswereontheJurylist,werecalled,butdidnotanswer。——LawReport,1836。Page66
andmyself,howcoulditseemotherwisethanaplot?Heknew,andIknew,(howeverdeceivedthePublicmightbe,)thathewasnotthecauseofthedomesticrupturewhichhadtakenplace。Heknew,andI
knew,thattotheverylastdayandhourofmystayundermyhusband’sroof,hehadbeennotonlyawelcome,butapeculiarlycourtedguestofMrNorton’s;that,tothelast,favourshadbeenbeggedofhim,andfriendlinesssustained;thatforyears,hisportraithadlain,unchallenged,theprincipalornamentofthediningroomtable,andthatIhadneverimagineditnecessarytoconcealfrommyhusband,oranyoneelse,theprofoundenthusiasmandregardIfeltforthatgiftedandintellectualfriend,——whowasofmyfather’sgeneration,notmine。
LordMelbournehimselflaidmuchstressontheadmissionofthewitnesses,thattheyhadreceivedaweeklystipendfromanagent。Healwaysconsideredtheyhadbeensuborned,andinoneofhisnotesalludesthustothemanFluke:*——
\"July3,1836。
\"Wearetoldthatthewitness’Fluke,’madethemostoftheadvantagesofhissituation,whilstitlasted,andtyrannizedoverhisemployersunmercifully。HewouldnotleaveGuildforduntilhehadbothchickenandducklingforhisbreakfast,andinsisteduponcomingupinachaiseandfour。Itisapitythatwedidnotknowthesecircumstancesuponthedayoftrial。
\"Yours,Melbourne。\"
Whothe\"employers\"were,——wastheonlydoubt;anditwasthatdoubt,whichtheDukeofCumberlandendeavouredtoclearaway,——whenhedenied,onbehalfofthewholeToryparty,anyundueorungentlemanlikeinterferenceintheaffair。Nevertheless,when,aftertheMock—Trial,Ire—appearedattheIhavethoughtitworthwhiletore—print,inanAppendix,attheendofthispamphlet,partoftheswornevidenceofthisman。Letthosewhoreaditjudgeforthemselvesofthecasesosupported。Page67
EnglishCourt(whichwasnotwithoutexpresssanction,andsubsequenttoHerMajesty’smarriage);myre—appearancewasmadeapartyquestion;
andoneortwooftheToryladies,knowntobeonespecialtermsoffamiliarfriendshipwiththeDukeofCumberland(thenKingofHanover);openlyboastedthatintheirownlittlesetofRoyalandPoliticalpersonages,theywouldtreatthejuryverdictoftwelveuntitledEnglishgentlemenas\"nonavenu。\"ThattheWhigladies,andsuchpersonalfriendsasImighthaveontheToryside,mightdowhattheypleased;butthatevenintheCourtitselfsupportedtheverdictofacquittal,itwouldrequireonlyalittletimeandpatience(ontheprinciplelaiddownbySirR。Peel,thatthosewhocouldpersonallyapproachtheQueenmustnecessarilyinfluenceHerMajesty),tobringaboutachange。Iknowthisboastwasespeciallymadebyalady,whosehusbandhassinceheldCourtappointments,andwhosedulouslycultivatedmanyRoyalfriendships。Andthatsuchassumptionwasnotconsidered,——amongherownpartyatleast,——\"thebaselessfabricofavision,\"iscertainlyprovedbythestresslaid,inMay1839,ontheprivilegeofdismissingalltheQueen’sladies,exceptsuchaswereundertherankLadiesoftheBedchamber。
TheRoyaldecisionwasafterwardsmadepublic。——
\"BuckinghamPalace,May10th,1839。
\"TheQueenhavingconsideredtheproposalmadetoheryesterdaybySirRobertPeeltoremovetheLadiesofherBedchamber,cannotconsenttoadoptacoursewhichsheconceivestobecontrarytousage,andwhichisrepugnanttoherfeelings。\"
SirRobert’sreplywasarespectfullywordedrefusaltotakeofficewiththatrestriction。IntheMinisterialexplanationofMay13th,1839,heexpresslystated,that——
\"Noquestionaroseastotheformationoftheadministration,orastotheprinciplesonwhichtheGovernmentwastobeformedorconducted。ThedifficultyrelatedexclusivelytothatportionofthehouseholdwhichisfilledbytheLADIESinHerMajesty’sPage68
service。HerMajestyconcededwhatcouldbewishedorexpectedwithrespecttothatpartofthehouseholdwhichisfilledbynoblemenorgentlemenholdingseatsineitherHouseofParliament。ThedifficultyarosewithrespecttocertainportionsofthatpartoftheestablishmentwhichisfilledbytheLADIESofthehousehold。\"
TheinfluencewhichtheladiesoftheCourt,then,weresupposedtoexercise,maybejudgedbythiscircumstance;whichwasheldtobeofsufficientimportancetodecidethenon—acceptanceofministerialpower。WhenIcomplainedtoLordMelbournethatthelady—expectantIhavealludedto,tookanactivepartagainstme:——hisanswerwas,——\"notagainstyou——noneofthemcareaboutyou:itisagainstme,——andshe,inparticular,hasalwayshatedmelikepoison。\"
FromhimIlearned,thatwhenononeoccasionwhilstherMajesty’scarriageswerepassingovertherace—groundatAscot,someoftheToryLadieshissed(whichcausedgreatscandal),thoseladiesexcusedthemselvesbysaying,they\"intendednodisrespecttotheQueen,forthattheyhadhissed,notHerMajesty,butherMajesty’sMinisterLordMelbourne。\"FromhimIlearnedalso,manyspeechesandsentimentsfromotherladies,whichIshouldnotelsehaveknown:andIconfessthattheconductofsomeofthesefemalePoliticians,——theircapacityforbitterpartisanship,andincapacityforcommonjustice,——amazedme。Iwasyoungenoughthen,toexpectthesympathyofallwomen;andI
wasastonishedatfindingladieswhosechildrenweremycontemporaries,lookinguponmenotonlywithoutpity,butwithanger,assomethingthatwastohavewreckedtheWhigPrimeMinister,andhadfailedtoaccomplishthatobject。Fortunatelyforme,kindnesswastherule,andharshnesstheexception。Ifmisfortunetaughtmesomebitterlessons,italsotaughtmethenoblenessofheartsonwhichIhadnoclaim。Fortunatelyalsoforme,Ihadtrueandgeneroussisters,——andafamilywhoseloveandprotectionalmostannulledthebitternessoftheseevents!
Page69
Butneitherfamilyorfriendscouldhelpmetoredeemthosehostages——mychildren:andnotyetseeingmywaytothestruggleanewlawafterwardsenabledmetomake,Isupplicatedincessantlyandinvain。Ithoughtofnothing,dayornight,butmychildren。
LordMelbournewrotetome,surprisedatmysilenceafterthetrial;andItoldhimIwasbroken—heartedonthispoint,andhadwrittentopetitionmyhusbandformercyrespectingthem。Iwrotebitterlyanddespondingly;
andLordMelbourne’sreplieswerecertainlynotcheeringorcomforting。
HisangeragainstMrNortonforhavingsubmittedtobeemployed,toinjurenotonlyhimbuthisparty,——\"thosewhoareattachedtome,andfollowmyfortunes,\"——wasmixedwithsomethinglikereproachtome,fornothavingmorekeenlyandseverelyjudgedandforeseentheconductofthehusbandIhadtoiledandaskedfavoursfor。Ihadnotthe’lover’attributedtome;butIhadafriend,deeplywounded,andwhomIgrievedtowound;andthesearehisletters:——
\"Southstreet,July2nd,1836。
\"Well,comewhatmay,Iwillneveragain,fromsilenceoranyothersymptom,thinkthatyoucanmeananythingunkindoradversetome。IhavealreadytoldyouthatmostofthebitternesswhichIhavefeltduringthisaffair,wasuponyouraccount……IdonotthinkyourapplicationtoNortonwasjudicious。Fromthebeginning,youranxietytopreventpublicityhasinducedyoutoapplytohimtoomuch。Everycommunicationelateshim,andencourageshimtopersevereinhisbrutality。YououghttoknowhimbetterthanIdo,andmustdoso。
ButyouseemtometobehardlyawarewhataGNOMEheis:howperfectlyearthyandbestial。Heispossessedofadevil:andthatthemeanestandbasestfiend,thatdisgracestheinfernalregions。Inmyopinionhehassomehoworothermadethiswholemattersubservienttohispecuniaryinterest。
HehasgotMONEYbyit,from————orsomeoneelse。Ishouldfeelcertainofthis,ifitwerenotforhisfolly,whichissoexcessiveastorenderhimincapableevenofforwardinghisownlowdesigns。\"
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\"Southstreet,July19th,1836。
\"Thereisnoknowingwhatthatmanmaydo,nowthatheislefttotheguidanceofhisownfeelings,andhisownunderstanding;andtotheadviceofthoseabouthim。YouknewthestateofyourowndomesticaffairsbetterthanIdid。Ionlyknewwhatyoutoldme;butitappearedtome,thatbylivingwithhimyouhadgrownlessalivetohisrealcharacterbybeingaccustomedtoit,andalsothatyouweresousedtomanagehimandtopreventhisfollies,thatyoureliedtoomuchonbeingablealwaystodoit。Recollectwhenyouwerewithhim,howstupidlyandbrutallyhecontinuallybehaved;particularly,forinstance,toHelen。Hisconducttherealwaysstruckmeasshowingaviolencewhichwaslikelyafterwardstobreakout。Nowthathehasnobodytoadvise,control,orsoothehim,whatfolliesorwhatabominableconducthemaypursue,itisimpossibletoconjecture。Ipityyouaboutthechildren。Itismostmelancholynottoknowwheretheyare,orwithwhom。\"
\"Southstreet,July24,1836。
\"Isendyoubackthecopies。*
Iagreeverymuchinallyousayinyourletter。Theamountofallowancemakesagreatdifference。Ifyoucouldget300l。or400l。
(Ithinkyououghttohavethelattersum),thearrangementmightdotolerablywell。Buttheyareveryadvantageoustermsforhim,andshouldnotbeagreedto,exceptforsomethingapproachingtoanequivalent。Ithinkheshouldsecureyourincomebeyondhisownlife,uponanypropertythathemayhave。
Ihavenevermentionedmoneytoyou,andIhardlyliketodoitnow:yourfeelingshavebeensogalledthattheyhavenaturallybecomeverysoreandsensitive,andIknewnothowyoumighttakeit。Ihavehadattimesagreatmindtosendyousome,butIfearedtodoso。AsItrustwearenowupontermsofconfidentialandaffectionatefriendshipIventuretosaythatyouhavenothingtodobuttoexpressawish,anditshallbeinstantlycompliedwith。Imissyou。I
OfMrNorton’spropositions。Page71
missyoursocietyandconversation,everydayatthehoursatwhichIwasaccustomedtoenjoythem,andwhenyousaythatyourplacecaneasilybesupplied,youindulgeinalittlevanityandself—conceit。
Youknowwellenoughthatthereisnobodywhocanfillyourplace。Ihavebeenreading\"TheWife,\"andhavefinishedthesecondvolume。Itisfullofmostexcellentthings。’Lionel’istood——dabeast,and’Mary’makesagreatdealtoomuchsacrificeforhim,butitisnotunnatural。Manypeoplehaveactedasamiably,asromantically,andasfoolishly。Ithink,inordertotakeadvantageofwhatyouhaveobservedinotherpeople’scharacters,youhaveputintohis,whatdidnotbelongtoit。Forinstance,hisbeingsodisagreeableuponthejourney,——calculatingthecurrencyandadmiringnothingfineorbeautifuleitherinNatureorinArt,——iswhathasstruckyouinothers;andyouhavegraftedituponhim,inwhom,beingamanofgeniusandfeeling,itisnotnatural。
IsawBrinsleyandhiswifetheothernightatLordHertford’s。Ithoughthimrathercold。Noneofthemseemreallygladtoseeme,exceptCharlie。Butthereisnoreasontheyshouldbe。Iftheywentuponmyprinciple,(orrathermypractice)
ofdislikingthosewhocausemetrouble,uneasiness,vexation,withoutconsideringwhytheydoit,——theycertainlywouldnotrejoiceinmypresence。
Youarequiteright,anditshowsyourgoodsense,tobearinmindthatitmaybeofpermanentdisadvantagetoyourchildrentobeseparatedandestrangedfromtheirfather’sfamily,uponwhomtheymustprincipallydepend。Iexpectthatsomedayoranotheryouwillhavethemallthrownuponyou。Adieu,\"Yours,Melbourne。\"
\"Southstreet,January7th,1837……\"Doyouknow————tellsme,thatfromallhecanhear,hebelievesthatNortonhasreallygotthreethousandayear;andtenthousandpoundsdown\"……
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\"Southstreet,January18th,1837……\"Ihavebeentoldto—daythatNortonhasbeentryingtomakeabargaintogiveuphisofficeinfavourofaMr————forathousandpounds。*
Itisjustlikehim。Isaidtothepersonwhogavemetheintelligence,’ifyoufinditout,stopthebargain,andstoptheappointment;butsayaslittleaspossibleaboutit,——foratleasthalfthedisgraceofthetransactionwillfalluponme,whoappointedhim。’Adieu,\"Yours,Melbourne。\"
This,then,isthehusband,whotoevadeapecuniarycontract,haslatelysubjectedmetothelastextremeofobloquy:thesearethelettersofthemanheproceededagainstinanEnglishCourtof’Justice,’fordamages:andsucharetheopinions,indespiteofwhich,MrNortondarestorevivetheslurhethrewuponmynameinthemadvengeanceofthehour,——whenSirJamesGrahamdeclinedhisconditionthatifheretractedwhathadbeensaidofme,weweretocontradictallthatwassaidofhim。LordMelbourne’slettersareinthemselvesevidencethatIsparedMrNorton。Themanmyhusbandaccusedasmylover,writestomeastoonenoteventhoroughlyawareofthathusband’smercenarynature。\"Yououghttoknowhim——butyouseemtobehardlyawarewhataGNOMEheis。\"……\"Ionlyknewwhatyoutoldme,butitappearedtomethatbylivingwithhimyouhadgrownlessalivetohisrealcharacter,bybeingaccustomedtoit。\"……\"Recollecthowhebehaved,\"&;c……
Phraseswhichprove,thattothelast,Ihadsparedhim,tothosewhocouldservehim——andtothosewhocouldnot。Andifitbeaskedwhy,havingsparedhimsolong,Iexposehimnow,——IanswerthatIamthejudge,——notothers,——whereen—
AtthetimeitwassupposedthatMrNortonwouldbeunable,afterthetrial,tobravepublicopinionbycontinuingtoholdtheplaceLordMelbournehadgivenhim。Page73
durancemergedinexasperation:andthattheboundarylinewasreached,thedayMrNortonmetmeintheCountyCourt;thedaythat,toevadeajustclaim,heunburiedallthefalsehoodsofthepast;endeavouredtodisgraceme(in1854,ashehaddonein1836)forthesakeofmoney;
andincoldbloodre—published,tothegrievingofmygrown—upsons,theslanderswhichhadblightedmyyouthintheirinfancy。ButforthatdayintheCountyCourt,MrNortonmighthavegonetohisgraveinseemingrespectability;ourhistoryknownonlytoafewfriends。Struggleandwarfarewereoverwithme。MuchofthebitternessIfelt,hadfadedwithtime;
muchhadvanishedwhenIrecoveredmysons。Whilethatbitternesswasyetfresh,andcircumstances,fromtimetotime,rousedmetodesireamorepublicjustification,——LordMelbournehimselfwasthefirsttopreachlessonsofpatience。Hespoketomeofthe\"nineday’swonder\"mystorywouldbe;
oftheperfectconvictionoftherealcircumstancesofmycase,entertainedbythosewhoseopinionIvalued;ofmyyouth,andthelikelihoodthatinafewyearsIwouldhave\"liveddown\"alltemporaryscandal;oftheembarrassmentitwouldbetohim,——astheministerofayoungunmarriedSovereign,——tohavesuchahistoryre—opened;——ofthedisloyalselfishnessheconceivedsuchastruggleonmypartwouldevince;oftheawkwardness,inparticular,ofanyattempttoproveinterferenceonthepartofthosePersonageswhohaddeniedittohim;ofthecertaintythatwhentheQueenwasmarried,andtheCourtmoreestablished,Iwouldfindintheearnestsupportofthosewhosefaithfulministerhehadbeen,anupholdingthatwouldmakemeforgetthedisgraceIhadenduredinhisname。
Hewasmyfriend,thoughnotmylover;andtheresolvesofmanyanangrydayandhoursubsidedunderhisinfluence。Inlateryearstherehadbeennoneedforsuchargumentsforsilence。IhadlongrelinquishedtheideaofwarfarewithMrNorton;andwasquietlymakingthebestofabaddestiny。
AlllastwinterPage74
IwasresidinginItalywithmytwosons;occupiedincompletingaworktobepublishedbyMessrsHurstandBlackett,theprofitsofwhichweredevotedtotheOxfordexpensesoftheyoungest。IhadjustnursedhimthroughoneofthosetediousNeapolitanfevers,fromwhichhehadsufferedfornineweeks,——Ihadmyselfbeenconfinedtomyroomforfiveweeks,——
andthiswasthetimechosenbyMrNorton,ashusbandandfather,foravainbattlingcorrespondence,compellingmyreturntoEngland,todebateatlawthecontractIthoughthadbeensettledforlife。Thiswasthetimechosen,——bysubpoenaingmypublishers,andclaimingtoreckonmyliterarygainsashisownpersonalrelief,——toestablishhislegalrighttoannuleventheserviceIcouldrendermyson:andtorevivelibelshehimselfhadathousandtimesadmittedtobefalse:bywhichheoncemoreputmeinthesameposition,astotherepellingofaccusation,thatIhadbeeninwhenourseparationtookplace,in1836。
Inthesameposition,onlyastothatonepoint。LordMelbourneisdead;mychildrenaregrownup;
Ihavenosecondyouth,towearawayinthefondhopeof\"livingdown\"MrNorton’sslanders,andmakingfriendshipsandcompanionshipsamongmyownsexwithoutthesorrowfulembarrassmentofa’story’toexplain。
IhavenosecondyouthIsay,tospendinasemi—justificationagainstthesefoulslanders。Therefore,onceforall,Idenythem:Idefythem:
Idisprovethem:andIregretonlythatIdidnotdo,yearsago,thatwhichIdothisday。Astowriting,Iwillneveragainwrite,whilemycopyrightsareheldtobeMrNorton’s;exceptonthissinglesubjectoftheLawsofProtectionforWomen。*Myyouthhasgonebyinstruggleandvexation;muchofitinbittersorrow:theyouthofotherwomenmaybesavedfromsuchItismyintentiontofollowthispamphletbyaselectionofsuchcasesasappeartomemostremarkableamongdecisionsintheCourtsofLaw;bearingonthegeneralpointofthiswantofprotection。Page75
suffering,bychangesinthelaw;andmywritingonthattopic,whilethelawisadmittedtobeinastateoftransition,may(withoutover—ratingmyownpower)haveasmuchinfluence,asotherindividualshavehadinthegradualremedyofotherdefectivelaws。Suchahopehasacertaindegreeofhappinessattachedtoit;evenifthelawberemediedtoolateformepersonallytoprofitmuchbythechange。
Icomenowtothehistoryofthecontract,intheattempttoevadewhich,MrNortonrevivedscandal,andbravedthisdefence。
InJuly1848,myhusband,——whohadforyearsallottedmepreciselywhathepleased,——desiredoncemoretoattempttoraisetheTrust—fundalludedtoatpage28;beingtheprovisionmadeonmymarriage,formeandmysons。Toraisethismoney,itwasnecessaryforhimtoobtainmywrittenconsent。Heappliedtomeaccordingly:andIrequestedhim,inexchange,toexecuteadeedofseparation,andsecuremeanincomeof600l。ayear;(whichIhadbeenassuredwastheminimumofallowancethatwouldhavebeengranted,ifIhadbeeninapositiontosueforalimony。)
MrNorton’sreplywasmerelyhagglingastoterms:hewouldnotgive600l。buthewouldgive500l。:andImustgivemyconsentatonce,toraisetheTrust—fund。
Heemployedmyinvalidson,whohadjustreturnedonleavefromLisbon,topressthisuponme;andtoexplainthathewantedthemoneyimmediately,toimprovetheestatelefttohimbyMissVaughan。Assoonasmysoninterfered,Imadehastetoyield:IwrotetoMrLeman,whoactedassolicitorformytrustees,tosaythatIconsentedtoallMrNortonproposed,——\"mainlybecauseitisintolerabletometohavemysontalkovermattersofthiskind,fromhisfather。\"ButIenteredonthearrangementwithadistrustwhichsubsequenteventsPage76
haveprovedtobemostamplyjustified。IcouldnotbutrememberthenumerousoccasionsonwhichMrNortonhadshownthatnopossiblereliancecouldbeplacedonhisword;andIshockedMrLeman,byexpectationsopenlyandrepeatedlyexpressedthatmyhusbandwould\"cheat\"me。EveryoneofthelettersIwroteonthisbusiness,containedthattrulypropheticwarning。
Thefirsthitchoccurred,fromMrNortoninsistingthatthedeedwhichwastobeonlyprospective,forme,shouldbeguaranteedretrospectively(foraperiodofnolessthantenyears),asfarashisownpecuniaryadvantagewasconcerned。Thiswasutterlyrefused,andtheguaranteeIhadnameddeclinedtoact。MrLemantoldme,thatwithoutaguaranteethedeedofseparationhehadprepared,wouldbeinvalid。IansweredthatifIcouldnotobtainalegalseparation,Isupposedsomeotherkindofdeedorbondcouldbeexecuted;bywhichMrNortoncouldbe\"BOUND:\"andthatIwastoseealegalfriendwhomIwouldconsultonthesubject。
ThatlegalfriendwasSirFrederickThesiger;whoconsented,atmyearnestrequest,toreceiveMrNortonathischambers。Havingseenhim,SirF。Thesigerwrotetomethatmyhusbandwouldexecuteadeedofseparation:thathedidnotrequireguarantees,butinsistedonmyaccedingtotheconditionofhisretrospectiveadvantage;whichnoguaranteewouldhaveaccededto;butwhichhedeclaredI,personally,hadpromisedhim。SirF。Thesigerthenadded,——\"ifheiscorrectinthisstatement\"——\"assumingtheaccuracyofNorton’sassertion。\"——\"I
shouldventuretorecommendyounottoaimatanyalterationoftheterms,buttoembracetheoffernowmade,ofgivingyouthesecurityofadeedofseparation;whichyouhavesolongearnestlydesired,andwhichItrust,willhavetheeffectofplacingyouinasituationofmorecompletetranquillitythanithasbeenyourlottoenjoyformanyyears。\"
IdidthenwhatIwasadvised;
Iyieldedthepointofretrospectiveprotection。Iagreed,thatfortenyearspast,andPage77
forallyearstocome,MrNortonshouldneverbetroubledwithanydebtofmine;heagreeinginfuturetopay500l。ayear。ItoldMrLemanIwouldbecontentwithsuchadeed,signedbyMrNortonandwitnessedbySirF。Thesiger;andIlefttownonavisittoLordRutherford,thethenLordAdvocateofScotland。ThenewdeedwassenttoScotlandformetosign。Iobeyed;andreturneditbypost。Itneveroccurredtomeaspossible,thattheinstrumentwasvalueless。IfIhadthoughtso,Iwouldnothavegonethroughtheridiculousfarceofsigningit。Ireceiveditasthevalidsubstitutefortheunexecuteddeedpreviouslythrownaside;
andasasettlementforlife。MrNorton,inhispublishedletter,saysthatheknewatthetime,itwasinvalid。Ifso,hewasguiltyofdeliberatefraud:forthedeedpretendedtomakepermanentconditions,andincludedthecontingencyofhissucceedingtothepeeragebysurvivinghisbrother。Eventhelatelydisputedchanceofmyprovidingfordebtbeyondtheallowancesosecured,——byliteraryorotherresources,——hadbeendulycontemplated:SirF。ThesigerhadwrittentoMrLemantoguardagainstMrNorton’sinterferenceinsuchacase,intheseterms:——\"Iforeseethegermsofendlessdifferencesifitweretobepermitted……ThespiritoftheagreementIunderstandtobe,thatacertainprovisionshouldbesecuredtoMrsNorton;thatMrNortonshouldbedischargedfromallliabilityforherdebts,andthatneithershouldtroubleorinterferewiththeother。\"
Thatwasalsomyexactunderstandingofthecase;andMrNortonhastenedtogivethisearnestassuranceinreply。\"IcanhavenowishtointerferewithMrsNorton’saffairs:stilllesswithherdebts:youmaybindmeasstringentlyasyoupleasenottointerferewithheraffairs。Ishallpayherallowanceunderthedeed,withthesameregularityIhavepaidherpreviousallowance。\"IhadyettolearnhoweasilyIhadbeenoutwitted!
Onthestrengthofthemomentaryvalueofmysignature,MrNortoninstantlyPage78
raisedthemoneyhewanted;andleftmetoascertainatleisurewhatwasthevalueofhissignature。