memorandaofMrsNorton’s，incase，ifthenegotiationwentoff，hemightfindinthesejournalssomethingonwhichtogroundsomeaccusationagainstherintheecclesiasticalorothercourts！IreadwithamazementtheseriesofletterswhichMrNortonhadpreviouslyaddressedtohiswife，andinwhichhesignshimself’Greenacre。’IshowedtheseletterstothelateLordWynford。Isaid，ifMrsNortonhadbeenmysister，Iwouldhavemadethempublic：andIconsidersheshowedforbearanceandconsiderationinnotmakingthempublic，whenMrNortonadvertisedherinthepapers。MrNortonadmittedtomehisfirmbeliefofhiswife’sinnocenceofthechargeshehadbroughtagainstherandLordMelbourne；andtheselettersofhis，expresslyexculpatedherfromallblame，andendearinglyentreatedhertoreturnandlivewithhimagain。Ithencertainlychangedmyopinion。
IthoughtMrNortonhaddonehiswifethemostcruelinjuryamancouldinflict，andthathewasboundtomakeeverysacrificeandreparationinhispower。Isawnoearthlyreasonwhyherchildrenshouldbewithheldfromher，andrequiredhimtowriteimmediatelytoScotland（wherethechildrenthenwere）tohavethemsenttoLondonforthwith。Inmypresenceandatmydictationhewrotealettertothateffect，andsealedit。I
posteditmyself，andthoughtallwassettled，asthesolestipulationmadebyMrsNortonwasthereturnofherchildren；butMrNortonwasbaseenoughtowriteasecondletter，unbeknownsttome，toforbidtheircoming；
andcometheydidnot。AssoonasIdiscoveredthisactoftreacheryandbreachoffaith，Ithrewupmyofficeofmediator。IremonstratedinseveretermswithMrNorton，andmyintercoursewithhimceased。ThequestionofMrsNorton’sallowancewasnotenteredupon，asmyinterferenceterminatedatthatpoint。Ideemit，however，thesimplestjusticetoMrsNortontosay，thatIfoundherfrankandstraightforwardthroughout：actingstrictlyuptothissentenceinherfirstlettertome——’Heartily，Page131
andasGodismyjudge，Idesiretomakewhatpeaceispossiblebetweenmeandmyhusband，inspiteofthepast。’Sheleftherinterestsentirelyinmyhands；threwnoobstacleinmypath；andneveronceswervedfromthepromisetoabidebywhatevertermsIshouldlaydown。WithMrNorton（thoughhehadappointedmetoact）Ifoundtheexactreverse。Heabusedhiswifeandhiswife’sfamily；heshuffledaboutthemis—statementshecouldnotdeny；hewouldbeboundneitherbyhisverbalpromisenorhiswrittenpledge；andafteracorrespondencebeganinNovember，anddidnotendtillJanuary，alleffortatarrangementwasgivenup。Onacalmreviewofthesecircumstances，itcanscarcelybewonderedat，thatIutterlychangedmyopinion，andthattheadviceIgavetothewriteroftheGreenacrelettersin1837wasnotthesameadviceIhadgiventothesupposedinjuredhusbandof1836。IgaveMrNorton，onthefancycasehesubmittedtocounsel，good，sound，honestadvice，tothebestofmyability；andIgavehimthelikeadvicewhenhisrealcasebecameknowntome。Ifhehadabidedbythatadvice，andbyhiswrittenpledge，thecuriosityoftheworldwouldnotnowbegratifiedbydetailsofhisprivateaffairs，whichhecompelsotherstopublishpiecemealfortheirownjustification。Iamsorry，forhissake，thatsuchpublicationevertookplace；andIamgladforMrsNorton’ssake；becauseIconsiderthereneverwasamoredeeply—injuredwoman，andthathisconducttohercertainlyhadbeenmarkedby’thegrossestcruelty，injustice，andinconsistency，’thateveranymandisplayed。MrNortonmayattackmewithimpunity；Ishallnotanswerhim；butIwillnotallowhimtopersuadethepublicthatthereisanyinconsistencyinanopinionformedonathoroughknowledgeofhiscase；whichopinion，nowthatallthecircumstancesofthatcasearemoregenerallyknown，hewill，Ithink，findtobeuniversal。
\"13thSeptember，1853。\"JOHN
BAYLEY。
\"PhilorthHouse，Fraserburgh，N。B。\"
Thisletterwasconsidered，whenitappeared，tobe\"unanswerable\"；butMrNorton’sstrugglewasnotyetover。OnPage132
the24thSeptember，——eightdaysafterSirJohnhadthusdeclaredthetruecircumstancesofouraffairs，——MrNortonreappearedinprint。
Hebeganbysaying，thathehad\"delayedhisanswerforafewdays，andduringtheintervalconsultedcounseluponhispowertofileacriminalinformationagainstSirJohnBayley；butthatcourse（hewasadvised）wasnolongeropentohim，’inasmuchasallpartieshadalreadyresortedtothenewspapers。’\"
Anylawyerwouldknowthisexcusetobeafalseone；andthatitwasperfectlycompetenttoMrNorton（ifhecouldhavedaredtheresult），totakeotherlegalmeasuresagainstSirJohnBayley。Decliningrefutationofthegeneralcharges，MrNortoncommentsonlyontwo；thebreakingopenofthedoors，andthesurreptitiousletterprivatelysent，contradictingthatwhichheaffectedtowriteandsendathisreferee’sdictation。Headmitsthatheburstthedoorsopen，callsita\"frivolousquarrel；\"andwiththatmaniaaboutmoneyandmoney’sworth，whichmakeshimdeemsuchexcusethebestjustificationhecouldinvent，——givestothepublic，asthereasonofthissceneofuproarandassault，thathiswifehadbought\"expensivevelvets。\"
HethenproceedstoSirJohn’s\"chargeofbaseness，\"——andasserts，——notthathedidnotactasstated，butthatSirJohndidnottellhimatthetime，thathewas\"base；\"
thattheycorrespondedafterwards：andthat，saysMrNorton：——
\"Theperiodofmywithdrawingmyconfidencefrommysolelegaladviserafterthetrial，andasIfirmlybelievemyfriend，waswhenIfound，thathehadbecomecompletelyinfatuatedbyabeautifulandtalentedwoman，whoseperformanceofherpartofacontemplatedarrangementhepositivelyrefusedtoanswerfor，althoughheatthesametimeinsisteduponmyperformingmypart，andplacingmyselfathermercybywithdrawingmychildrenfromScotland。\"
Myhusbandisfondofpayingmethemelancholycompliment，thattomypersonalcharms，andnottothejusticeofmyPage133
cause，Iowe，thatallconcernedinthesewretchedaffairs，takemypartagainsthim，assoonastheyhaveanyexplanationwithme。
Now，itwouldcertainlyhavebeenstrictlyprobablethatanyman，——especiallyamanofSirJohnBayley’snature；blunt，kindly，andvehement；——would，——onfindinginsteadofthepaintedwantonheexpectedtofind，preparedtostruggleforher\"rights\"andher\"interests，\"——amiserable，sobbing，wornoutyoungwoman，appealingtohimfornothingbutthemercyofgettingbackherchildren（thosedearchildren，thelossofwhosepatteringstepsandsweetoccasionalvoicesmadethesilenceofhernewhomeintolerableastheanguishofdeath），——Isayitismorethanprobable，thatbeingbutman，andnottheangelofjustice，hemighthaveleanedmostunfairly，unduly，andcompassionately，tothepersonwhosebittergrief，andsingle，simplestipulation，cameuponhimbysurprise；andthatso，hemightnothavedealtasimpartially，asgoodfaithwithMrNortonrequired。
Ithankheavenitwasnotso。Thisassertionmustwithdrawandtakeitsrankamongallmyhusband’sotherassertions。Tonoweakleaningofanyman，buttothesympathyofatrueandgentlewoman，IoweanyfurthernegotiationwithMrNortonafterthatsurreptitiousletterwassent。
SirJohndidtellhim，intheinterviewtheyhadonthesubject，howbaseheconsideredhisconduct；anddismissedhimwithsuchviolentandcontemptuousreproaches，thatallacquaintanceappearedendedbetweenthem。Then，inmydespair，learningthewondroustreacheryofthedoublepartMrNortonhadplayed，andtheendofallmyhopesaboutmychildren，SirJohnBayley’sWIFEtookpityuponme。Shedidnotknowme：Iwastoher，nothingbutaslanderedstranger：butshecametoseemeandcomfortme。Pure—hearted，high—minded，andherselfamother，——shestrovetostandbetweenmeandmybitterdisappointment。SHEdid，whatherhusbandwastoofullofjustangerandscorntodo，——SHEwrotetoMrNorton，——SHEpleadedforthosechildren，——Page134
whodidnotlivewithhim，whowerenopleasuretohim，whoweremerelyhisimprisonedhostagesforpower；SHEdugforpityinthatsterileheart；andwrote，andstrove，andwastedkindnessandtimeformysake。MrNortonavailedhimselfofherinterference，torenewthecorrespondence，——Ihavehisanswerstoallthoseletters，——andhisbitterestcomplaintis，thatIhadsaid\"Iwouldnotreturntohim！\"
SirJohnBayleyrefusedtonoticeMrNorton’scommentsonhispublishedletter；ortheseandotherfactsmighthavebeenstated。Hescornedtoreplytothetauntsshowereduponhimforventuringtomakethetruthknown；tauntssobitter，thatitwouldseemasif，insteadofanEnglishgentlemanactingasreferee，hehadbeenaRomanCatholicpriestbreakingthesealoftheconfession，oranaccompliceturningKing’sevidence。TobeKNOWN，is，withMrNorton，synonymouswithbeingBETRAYED。Tobugbearofhislifeistheterriblemoto，\"MagnaestVeritas，etprevalebit！\"SirJohnhadnorighttoruinhischaracter，——andhischaracterwasruinedinproportionashisconductwasmadepublic。AndthisbringsmetocertainpassagesinMrNorton’spublishedletter，respectingLordAbinger；containing，I
think，asstrangeaboastofprotectionaseverwasmadebyanEnglishmagistrate，withrespecttoanEnglishjudge。SirJohnBayleyhadbeensubpoenaedaswitnessin1838，byoneofmycreditors；afterhavingbecomeacquaintedasreferee，withtherealcircumstancesofourstory：andthisisMrNorton’sprintedboast；takenfromthe’Times’newspaperofthe24thSeptember，1853：
\"LordAbinger，whotriedthecause，uponasuggestionofmycounsel\"（SirFitzroyKelly），\"thatSirJohnBayleyhadbeenmyadvocateandreferee，REFUSEDTOHEARHIS
EVIDENCE。\"
\"LordAbinger，inhissummingup，alludingtooneofthelettersthenproduced，says，’HowthatbearsuponthepresentcaseIreallycannotsee。Imyselfmustsay，asagentleman，Idonotthinkthatletteroughttohavebeenputinevidence。’\"
Page135
Andfinally，MrNortontermshisquondamcounselandreferee——
\"Thatadvocate，whooughttohavelearnthisdutybyhavingbeenREJECTEDbyLordAbinger，asawitnessinaCourtofLaw，inrespectoftheverymatterswhichinapervertedstatehenowmakeshimselfapartytopublish。\"
Ibegtheattentionofmyreaderstothecircumstancesprecedingthatrejectionofevidence。Whentheletterssigned\"Greenacre，\"andothers，wereshownbySirJohnBayleytoLordWynford，thelatterexpressedhimselfinthestrongestandmostcontemptuoustermswithrespecttohisformerward；andfinally——fortheexpresspurposeofbeingshowntoMrNorton，——hewrotethefollowingnote；
theoriginalofwhichisinmypossession。
\"MyDearBayley，\"Ihavebeenthinkingofthecorrespondenceyoureadtomethismorning。IamconvincedthatGeorgeNortoncanhavenodefencetotheactions，andthathisdefendingofthemwillbeattendedWITHLOSSOFCHARACTER，aswellasgreatexpense。
Heshouldagreetothearrangementthatyoupropose，oranyotherthatcanbemade。IwillwritetoGrantleytotellhimthatIhaveadvisedasettlementonANYterms。
\"Faithfullyyours，\"WYNFORD。
\"Leesons，December20，1837。\"
HerethenisMrNorton，armedwiththeknowledgeofLordWynford’sopinion，thattheproductionoftheevidenceSirJohnBayleycouldgive，wouldbeattendedwith\"lossofcharacter，\"andprovefataltohisdefence。LordWynford’sadvicewastosurrenderatdiscretion。\"Don’tattempttodefendtheactions；theevidencewillruinyou。\"ButMrNorton（himselfbroughtuptothelaw）thoughtdifferently。
\"Defendtheactions；theevidencethatwouldruinyoucanbesuppressed。\"
TwooftheablestmentheEnglishbarcouldboast——LordAbingerandSirFitzroyKelly——mightsurelysteerhimPage136
pastthatdreadfulshoal，withthisoneskilfulstrokeoftheoar！SoHopewhispered；andsotheeventproved。LordAbinger\"refused\"
theevidencewhichLordWynfordhadwarnedLordGrantleywouldbefatal。
LordAbinger\"rejectedtheadvocate，\"whosedangeroustestimonywastoturnthescales。Lettheforeigners，whosemethodsofjurisprudencewecriticise，readwhatcanhappeninanEnglishCourtofJustice——andbeboastedofafterwardsbyanEnglishMagistrate！
SirFitzroyKelly（who，fortheusehethenmadeofhisskillandeloquence，mayplead，likeMrNeedham，andthedefenderoftheburglarycase，*
dutytohisclientand\"licenceofthebar\"）representedMrNortoninpatheticterms，asahigh—mindedandexcellentman，whoseextravagantandprofligatewifewasendeavouringtoruinhimbyasuccessionofluxuriousdebts；awifeutterlyunworthy；thoughtheverdict，inthetrialagainstLordMelbourne，leftherstillwithsomelegalclaimsonthatinjuredanddeceivedhusband，whovainlystrove，withmingledeconomyandgenerosity，toprovideforherandhischildren！
Theinstanceherereferredtoisaremarkableillustrationofwhatlawyersthinkpermittedtothemasadvocates。Igivethecasefromabriefnoteinoneofthepapersoftheday：——
\"THEMORALITYOFTHEBAR。\"
——IntheCentralCriminalCourt，onMonday，amannamedJohnRichards，agedtwenty—two，wasindictedforfeloniouslybreakingandenteringthedwelling—houseofJohnCrossley，withintenttostealhisgoods。Theprisonerwasseentoloiteraboutthehouse，andtoopenthedoorwithalatchkey。
Analarmwasinstantlygiven，sothathehadnoopportunitytotakeanything；
andhewastrackedandfoundinthebedroomofalady—lodger。Onbeingaskedtoaccountforhisbeinginthehouse，hesaidthatheexpectedtomeetagentleman。MrSleigh（wequotethewordsofthereport），inhisaddresstothejuryfortheprisoner，insinuatedthathehadgoneintotheroombyappointmentwiththeladywhowastheoccupierofit；andonthatgroundhecalleduponthemtoacquithim。TheRecorder，inhischarge，toldthejurythattheredidnotappearinevidencetheslightestfoundationforsuchanimputation；andtheverdictofguiltywasatoncepronounced。
Acertificateofaformerconvictionforfelonywasthenputin，whereupon\"MrSleighintimatedthat，ifhehadbeenawareoftheexistenceofapreviousconviction，heshouldnothavesuggestedthedefencehedidtothejury。\"
TheRecorderexpressedhisopinionthatthedefencewasmostunjustifiable。
Theprisonersaid\"itwasnotsuggestedinhisbrief。\"MrSleighadmittedthatthedefencewasnotsuggestedtohiminhisbrief，butsaidthatitoccurredtohimasalegitimateonetooffertothejuryuponthefactsofthecase！
Page137
TocontradictthisRomanceoftheBar，therewasintheCourt，atthathour，agentlemanofunimpeachableintegrity，subpoenaedtogivetestimonyONOATH，bythecreditorwhowassuingforhisdebt。HecouldhaveprovedallthatLordWynforddreaded——allthathassincebeendeclaredinSirJohnBayley’slettertotheTimes；andhadhebeenpermittedtospeak，theverdictmust，accordingtoLordWynford，havegoneagainstMrNorton，withtheadditionof\"lossofcharacterandgreatexpense。\"SirFitzroyKellysettledthematter。HisexperiencedskillsavedMrNorton。Heknewthatitiseasiertosuppressevidencethantorefuteit；andonhissuggestion（asMrNortonhasnowpublishedtotheworld），LordAbingerdecidedwhattodo。HesimplyrefusedtohearanythingSirJohnBayleyhadtosay！Thatthisdecisionwasoptional，andnottheresultofalegalnecessity，wemaysafelypresume；sinceLordWynforddidnotanticipatesuchadifficulty；
buthadadvised\"asettlementonanyterms\"ratherthanruntheriskoftheactions。Thatriskwastriumphantlyavoided，bytherefusalofanEnglishjudge，inopenCourt，toreceivesworntestimonyinbehalfofapartyunjustlyaccusedandnotrepresentedbyCounsel！TheresultwasaverdictforMrNorton；andhewassatisfied。
ButIwasnotsatisfied。
Inaturallysaidtomyself，\"Hereisthetruthsuppressed，andevidencerefusedwhichwouldhavedecidedthecasepreciselytheotherway；IhaveitonLordWynford’sauthority。HeadvisedMrNortontoyield，tosavehimfromexposure；theseotherlawyershavesavedhimfromexposurebyasuperiortrickofskill。Itseemsthen，thatheistobeprotectedatallhazards。WHY？Cananyonebelievethatnothingmoreisatstakethanasimpleadmissionofliabilityforawife’sdebts，whensuchstrangemeansareresortedto？LordWynford，inspiteofhisdenial——oftheDukeofCumberland’sdenial——inspiteofhisrepudiationofMrNortonandhisconcerns——wasneverthelessthepersonPage138
appointedimmediatelyafterthetrialtodiscussterms。LordWynfordonMrNorton’sbehalf，andnoother，metDrLushingtononmybehalf，assoonastheactionagainstLordMelbournewasover！ArewetobelievethathesuddenlyrenewedhisintimacywithMrNortononlyforthepurposeofrenderinghimthatservice？Now，hereweretwomoreofthechiefmenoftheToryparty，contriving（bytherefusalofswornevidence）thattheaccuseroftheWhigPremiershouldescapescot—freefromtheimminentperilofourrealstorybecomingknown。SirFitzroyKellyiscounsel，andLordAbingerisjudge——LordAbinger，whobeganlifeasaWhig，warmedintoaconvert—Tory，andonwhom（duringthebriefmomentLordMelbournehadbeenoustedtomakewayforthePeel—Wellingtoncabinet）somanyToryfavourshadbeenshowered。WhatwasItothink？Memoirsenoughhavebeenlatelyeditedandpublishedbyministersandthesonsofministers，toshowtheunder—currentofrelationinwhichpublicmenmaystandtoeachanother。
Ifsucharethejealousiesandanimositiesof\"friends，\"whatmaynotbeexpectedfrom\"foes？\"UnforgottenbymewereLordMelbourne’sownwords：——\"Youtaketheseslightstoyourself；buttheyarenotputuponYOU。\"
Myjustificationorcondemnation，personally，wasasnothing。Butfatal（notonlytoMrNorton）wouldthatsworntestimonyhavebeen，whichprovedthattheplaintiffintheactionagainstLordMelbournehaddeclaredthatitwastheworkofOTHERS；thatitwasagainsthisjudgment；thatheutterlydisbelievedtheaccusationitinvolved；thathehadentreatedhiswifetoforgiveit；toreturntoherhome；andhadputforwardasoneofhisbitterestcomplaints，thatshesaidsheneverwouldlivewithhimagain！ThatevidencewasSUPPRESSED。ButItellMrNorton，onthisprintedpage，thathehimselfdoesnotknowbywhatadoublechancetheriskofexposurewasavoided；thatevenLordAbinger’sprotectionwouldhavefailedtoshelterhim，whenIangrilyresolved（asIdid）topublishthenthewholeaccountofourcase，andleavehimtohisremedy；
butthatLordPage139
Melbournedissuadedmefromdoingso。Itsohappenedthatthispettycause，——pleadedbySirFitzroyKelly，anddecidedbyLordAbinger；
inwhichnothingmoreimportantthanawoman’sfameandawoman’sinterestswereatstake，——wastriedattheexactmoment（June，1838），when，inthefirstyearofayoungQueen’sreign，theWhiggovernmentwasoverwhelmedwithbusiness，evenmoretroublesomethanthatwhichthecaresofofficeusuallyinvolve。Whatwasmypoordestiny，inasessioninwhich，acoinageandacoronation——therevoltsinCanada——theattempttorepealthecorn—laws——theconductofO’Connell——theKingofHanover’sclaimforhisEnglishincome——theIrishChurchBill——thefirstgeneralarrangementofmailsbyrailroad——thevisitofMarshalSoult——thecreationofanewbatchofPeers——thepassingoftheIrishpoor—law——andahundredothersubjectsofvaryingimportance，employedLordMelbourne’sattention？Whatcouldmysobbing，moaning，andcomplainingbe，butabore，tothismanwhowasnotmylover？Whatcouldmypassionateprintedjustificationbe，butaplagueandembarrassment，tohim，alreadyjustified，andatthepinnacleoffortune？LetnoonesayLordMelbourne’sfamilyshouldnotholdmeinkindremembrance：
forthen，——young，childless，defamed，sorrowful，andrash，——thereneverwasthedaythatIdidnotadmithisdestinytobetheonethingthoughtof；thereneverwasthedaythatIrebelledagainsthisadvice，orgavehimannoyancethatIcouldpossiblyavoid。Ididnotevenpersist——\"thiscanonlybeatemporaryembarrassmentbyrevivalofpainfulgossiptoyou；
itismylife——myfuture——thestrongesttemptationofmyhearttojustifymyself。\"Ilistenedthen，asatothertimes，totheever—readyargument，thatIwouldbejustifiedwithoutthesemeans；thattheywouldbebeyondmeasurevexatiousandembarrassingtohim；thatImight\"restassured，\"thatnopatienceIshewedhimwouldbeforgotten，eitherbyhim，orthoseabovehim。IgaveupwhatIhadprepared（thoughitwouldhavebeenaseasyformetoproveallbySirJohnBayley’sandPage140
othertestimony，then，asinthispresentyear），andnothingwaspublishedbutafeebleanonymousdenial，inamorningpaper，ofthegeneralthreadofSirFitzroyKelly’sremarks；givingtwoorthreelettersfromthesolicitorsonbothsides，witheventhosenamesleftblank！
MrNortonmaysay，thatsincethatoccasionofdesperateresolve——Ihavebeenfrequentlyonfriendlytermswithhim。ThatchargeIwillnotrefute。Iambutawoman，andnotevenaveryresolutewoman。Myhusbandiswelcometothetriumphofknowing，that，throughthelongyearsofourseparation（especiallyduringthefirstfouryearsofourseparation），Iwaveredandwept；thatprideandbitterangerhavenotalwaysbeenuppermost；thattherehavebeenhundredsofdrearyevenings，andhopelessmornings，whenevenhishomeseemedtomebetterthannohome——evenhisprotectionbetterthannoprotection——andallthethornsthatcancumberawoman’snaturaldestiny，betterthantheunnaturalpositionofaseparatedwife。Heiswelcometothetriumphofknowing，thatitisimpossibletohavefeltmorekeenlythanIdid，theconfuseddegradationofthatposition；notinthesocietywhereIamreceived（leastthere，becausetheremystorywasbestknown），butinotherclasses，whichIhavesaidIdonotlessrespect。Iwastoounlikehispictureofme，tobeotherwisethanoftenmiserable；oftenwillingtomakearaftoutofthewreck，andsodriftback，eventoacomfortlesshaven。Thereweremoments，too，whenIpitiedhim；whenIbelievedhisstoryoflonelinessandrepentance；andforgavewithoutreservation，asIhadforgivenbefore。Thereweretimesoffamilydeaths；andtimeswhen，——asherepresentsinhiscruelletter，——wemetbythesick—bedofadearson，whenIthoughtlittleofmyselfandmyownwrongs，andyearnedtomaketheirliveshappierwhoowedtheirexistencetothisbrokenmarriage。ItisquitetruethatIwouldsometimeswillinglyhavereturnedtomyhusband；thatmysondesiredit；andtillthatdayintheCountyCourt，friendlinessofsomesort（ifnotthatreturn）remainedpossibleandwelcome。
Page141
Butonthatday，whenincoldbloodforthesakeofmoney，MrNortonrepeatedthatwhichheknewtobefalse；thewatersofMarah，bywhichhesoughttowhelmmysoul，madethegreatgulfthatshalldivideusforever！Inthatday，whenhemetmefacetoface，shiveringwiththefrenzyofmingledanger，shame，andfear，（whichhesneeredatas\"acting；\"）——inthatlittlecourt，whereIstoodapparentlyhelpless，mortified，anddegraded——inthatbitterestofmanybitterhoursinmylife，——Ijudgedandsentencedhim。IannulledtheskillofhisTorylawyer’ssuggestiontoaToryjudge。Iover—ruledthedecisionofLordAbinger，inthatobscureandforgottencause，whichupheldhimagainstjustice。IsentencedMrNortontobeKNOWN；whichhejustlyconsidersasthedeepestcondemnation。Allsecresy——allforbearance——wereover，withhisfalsedefence。ThoughIcertainlydidnotanticipatethatinadditiontotheindecentabuseofthedead，andofallfamilyties，hewould，inhisrecklessangeragainstSirJohnBayley，himselfruinhisowncause，byshowingthewayinwhichithadbeenprotected——andslurtheveryfriendswhohadprotectedhim，byhisrevelations！\"Whatyoustatemaybetrue；butsixteenyearsago，LordAbingerdecidedthatyoushouldnevermakeitknown。\"ThatistheabridgementofMrNorton’stauntstoSirJohnBayley！
AndhereIpausetocommentonMrNorton’sangrydeprecationofthemeansbywhichthesethingsarenotonlymadeknown，butprovedbeyondthepossibilityofdoubt。Hesays，thatneitherSirJohnBayley，norevenI，（whoamthesuffererforlifebyhisduplicity），haveanyrighttoshowtherealtruthbyreferencetohis\"privateletters。\"Whynot？Cantherebeagreaterclimaxofabsurdity，thanthatanymanshouldcomeforwardandsay：\"Thisismyprintedpublishedlie；butshallnotcontradictitwithmyprivateletters；formylieispublic，butmylettersareconfidential。Youshallforeverholdtheproof，butneveruseit：theopennessofanextremepublicityistoattendwhatIsay；butthemostpro—Page142
foundsecrecyistobeobservedwithrespecttowhatIhavedone。\"
Truly\"thereisbutonestepfromthesublimetotheridiculous；\"andtheargumentwhichhasdignityinit，（thatprivateconfidenceshouldnotbebroken），sinksintotheburlesque，whenitsreasoningsequelmustbe，——\"becausetherebytheTRUTHwillberevealed，tomydiscredit。\"
Theseletters——ofamerereferencetowhichMrNortoncomplainssobitterly；thecontentsofwhichLordWynfordconsideredwouldruinhischaracter；theexplanationofwhichLordAbingerprevented，byrefusalofevidence，——risebeforeMrNorton，thespectre—witnessesofpastwrong！Theyaremyjustification。Inthisyearof1853，myhusbandaffectstobelievetheslandersof1836。IsSirJohnBayley，onmyearnestappeal，nottobepermittedtosay，\"Isawthoseletterssigned’Greenacre，’writtenbyMrNortontothewifehenowmaligns；
Imyselfreceivedhisdeclaration，thathedisbelievedthefactsstatedonthetrail？\"Cantherebemoreabsurdlanguageheldbyonegentlemantoanother，thanthestrangerebuke：——\"Besilent——youhavenorighttospeak；foryouweremy’referee。’Ichoosetogullthepublicwithafalsestory——youshallnotshowtherealstory——LordAbingerprotectedmefromyouoncebefore——Idependonthetruthneverbeingrevealed，andIconsideryouareatraitorforrevealingit。\"
IfSirJohnBayleybeatraitortoMrNorton，manyothergentlemenmustsharethattitle。SirJohnisnottheonlypersonwhohasplacedlettersfromMrNortoninmyhands；
norishetheonlypersonwhowroteinstrongcondemnationofhisconduct。
MrNortonpersists，thatthosewhohaveblamedhim，weredeludedbymeintothatopinion。Thisisapoorcompliment，eithertotheunderstandingorprincipleofthefriendswhofromtimetotimehavebeenconcernedinthesemiserableaffairs。Inthatdeludedgroupmuststand，LordHarrington，MrEdwardEllice，SirJamesGraham，SirFrederickThesiger，MrBarlow，SirJohnBayley，andPage143
MrNorton’scolleague，MrHardwicke；ofthesegentlemen，nolessthanfive，havegivenupone，orseveral，ofMrNorton’s\"privateletters。\"
Apparentlyallfeltthattheextraordinarycircumstancesofthecasejustifiedextraordinarymeasures；allconsideredthattheywereauthorizedtoprovethetruth，byexposureofMrNorton’sinaccuracies。Theletterssogivenup，havebeeninmypossessionforaperiodvaryingfromtentosixteenyears；andIhavenevermadeanyuseofthemtilltheseproceedingsintheCountyCourt。Willothers，readingthesepages，beabletosayasmuch？Willtheybeabletosay，theyboreforsixteenyearseveryspeciesofmisconstruction，vexation，andslander，withsuchproofintheirhands——andneverusedit？Isthereanylawyer，clergyman，officer，politicalormercantileman，intowhosehandschancemaythrowthesepages，whowouldbearlossofcharacteraspatiently？WhyshouldIbearitonlybecauseIamawoman？Inwhatwayisitmoreadvantageoustopublicmorality，thattheFalseAccusershouldbeshieldedbyperpetualsuppressionofevidence；
andshamebelefttorest，notonlyonmyname，butonthenameofadistinguishednobleman，atrueservantoftheCrown，andPrimeMinisterofagreatandfreecountry？MrNortoncomesforward（inhiscapacityofMAGISTRATE），andheaccusesthisdeceasedMinister，notonlyofprivateimmoralityasaman，butofthemeanestmalversationinhispublicoffice。HeaccusesLordMelbourne，insomanywords——inthe’Times’newspaper——ofgivingoneofthesubordinatepositionsintheTreasury，\"asareward\"forthesubtractionfromMrNorton’shouse，ofletterswrittentoMrNorton’swife！Isthistobeborne，fromanyman；leastofallfromaman，who，himselfholdsanofficebyLordMelbourne’sappointment？
Atthebeginningofthissession，idlerumoursandunjustaspersions，respectingtheinterferenceofPrinceAlbertwithpublicaffairs，foundtheirwayfromconversationalgossipintoprint，andweremadeasubjectofdiscussionbyvariousorgansPage144
ofthepress。WhenParliamentmet，themostdirectcontradiction，theclearestdisproof，themostloftyandresolutedefence，shatteredthisattempttorenderunpopular，aPrinceforwhomEnglandhaseveryreasontofeelbothrespectandgratitude。Onthatoccasion，LordMelbourne’snamewasbroughtprominentlyforward。LordAberdeenintheHouseofLords，andLordJohnRussellintheHouseofCommons，readaloud，toeagerandattentivemembers，abrieffranknote，writtenbythatdeceasedministertotheQueen，expressiveofhisfavourableopinionofthediscretion，ability，andexcellence，ofherRoyalConsort；andoftheguaranteethosequalitiesgave，ofsafeandintelligentguidance，ofpureandirreproachablemotives，inalladvicethatmightbetenderedtothecrownedRulerofEngland。Itcouldnotbeotherwisethanaproudandtouchingthought，tothosewholovedandrememberedLordMelbourneinlife；thatevenafterhisdeath，——pastthesilenceofthegraveandthesemi—oblivionofaclosedcareer，——hiswordsstillhadpowerpubliclytoservehisSovereign，onasubjectnearesttoherheart。Hisletterwasheldtobeofsufficientauthority，todefinetheposition，anddeclarethecharacter，oftheConsortoftheSovereign。
Whatgavethosewordstheirvalue？Theprofoundconvictioninthosewholistened，thatLordMelbournehadwrittenpreciselywhathethought。
Thatwiththecapacityofjudging，hejoinedtheconscienceofthejudge；
thatinthesincerityofanhonestheart，andnotforintrigueorCourtfavour，hepennedthoselines。Hissurvivinginfluence，wasintheundoubtingbeliefthathehadbeenfrank，true，andloyal，——asminister，statesman，andcounsellor：fromthehourwhen，withtheraysofamorningsuninJuneshiningbrightonhergoldenhair，mensawVictoriamountthestepsofherhereditarythrone，leaningonhishand；tothatinwhich，havingfadedoutoflifeinthelingeringseclusionofillness，——nolongerthebusystatesman，butthehelplessfriend，——newswasbroughttothePalace，inthegloomofaNovemberday，thathewasPage145
DEAD，whosevoicefirsthailedheraccession；hewasdead，whosecounsels，whilehewasabletogivethem，neverwaveredforthesakeofselfishambition，norswervedbeneaththerivalryoffaction；butkeptthecompasstruetoasinglestar，——DUTYtohiscountryandhisQueen。
Isayitwasthefirmtrustinhishonour，thatalonegaveLordMelbourne’sletterpower：withoutwhichreliancethoseacclamationsofaBritishParliamentmustbeconsideredmoresenselessthantheriotofschoolboyapplause。Yetthisminister，sotrustedforwisdomandforhonesty，——thisauthorityinmattersofthedeepestmomentofEngland’swelfare——isthesamemanwhomoneofyourmetropolitanmagistrateshasaccusedofthemostwondrousbaseness：andthesamepenthatdefameshim，defamesme。Arethoseslandersbelievedordisbelieved？
Ifbelieved，whereistheconfidenceandenthusiasmofthatburstofcheering，thatspoketrustintheminister，andrespectforhismemory？Ifdisbelieved，whereisMYshame？WhyamIhuntedandhauntedthroughlifewithascandal，involvingtwopersons，butseeminglyadmittingofbutoneacquittal？
Ifthestoryhadbeentrue，andpalliationwerepossibleforthesin，thepalliationmightratherseemtobeonthesideoftheweakerparty。Butitwasnottrue。Hesaiditwasfalse。Isayitwasfalse。Icannotcomedownandread，amidcheersandacclamation，hislettersforme：
butwhatthen？AmItobelievethatIamtooinsignificant——thatanyoneinEnglandistooinsignificantforjustice？Isitonlyforprincesandpoliticiansthatdefencecanavail？Isjustificationanappanageofposition，andendurancemeasuredbydegreesinHerald’soffice？Ihopenot。Ithinknot——ifthisisEngland，asEnglandboastsherselftobe。
Isayagain，——Idonotpetitionforsympathy；IclaimJUSTICE。Ifevenmydefenceoffend，——blametheLAW。IftheLawofDivorceweredifferentlyconstituted，thescandalnevercouldhavetakenplace，ofatrialagainstthePremierofEngland，whichthatministeraffirmedhebelievedtobePage146
broughtfromapecuniaryadvantage，andtobesupportedbysubornedwitnesses。Ifthelawsofprotectionforwomenweredifferentlyconstituted，thestruggleaboutabrokencontractcouldnothavetakenplace。Iftheabsurdanomaliesinthelawwhichregulateclaimsonthehusbanddidnotexist，MrNortoncouldnothavesubpoenaedmypublishersintheCountyCourt，toannulmyrighteventomyownsoulandbrains。Hadtherebeennosuchproceedings，——insteadofthispamphlet，theworkIwasoccupieduponwouldhaveappeared；harmlesslytoamusethosewhohadleisuretoreadit。Igivethem，inlieuofsuchawork，this\"StoryofRealLife；\"
takingplaceamongtheEnglisharistocracy；withperfectimpunityonthepartofthewrongdoer！IinviteMrNortontodisproveit。Hecannot。Ifhehadmerelybeenunfaithful，Iwouldhaveforgivenit。Ifhehadmerelydefraudedme，Iwouldhaveconfinedmyselftotheformalstruggleagainstthatfraud；buthehaspubliclyLIBELLEDme；andagainstthatpubliclibel，repeatedafteranintervalofsixteenyears，Iwillmakemyfinalstand。Itisnotinhumannaturetobear，withoutthedeepestresentment，thelastattackmadeonme。Idofeelthedeepestresentment；
andIconsiderthisespecialtime，whenthemarriagelawsaresaidtobeunderconsideration，afitopportunityforshowingwhatcanbedoneunderthelawsastheyare。Whetherthoselawsareamendedornot，henceforththosewhomalignme，willdosointhefaceofprovedevidenceagainstthem：——henceforththosewhohavelovedandupheldme，shallnotmerelysay，——\"Webelievedher，\"——butshallbeabletoassert，——\"thesearethefacts：andonthese，weupheldher！\"
MrPhillimore，inabillbroughtforwardthissession，foraverydifferentlegalimprovement，*
observedthattheobjectofthebillwas\"towithdrawfromthesphereofprivateanimosity，caprice，andrevenge，thatwhichneveroughttobelefttoprivateTheestablishmentofaPublicProsecutor。Page147
animosity，caprice，andrevenge；andtoseethatjusticewasproperlyadministered。\"Thereisnoquestionthattheprincipleisasoundoneforalllegalcontrol；andthereisnoreasonwhysuchcontrolshouldbeinabeyanceforoneparticularclassofpersons，orclassofcases。
Thelawcompelsthepoormantoberesponsibletothecommunityatlarge，forthemaltreatmentofhiswife；byanewlaw（thenecessityforwhichhasbeenabundantlyprovedbythedailypolicereports）。Whyshoulditseemgrievousandshockingtomakenewlawsofrestraintforgentlemenaswellasforpoormen？Wehaveanidol；ouridolistraditionarycustom；
andgreatisthatDianaoftheBritons！Ifwemakelegalchanges，itisrarethatwemakethemboldly。Weseldomsupersede。Weaddandwetakeaway。Refusingtoreform，weendeavourtocompelmentoholdthatsacred，beingimperfect——which，reformedandprotected，wouldbeheldsacredwithoutanycompulsionatall。Itisnotauthoritythatoffends；butanomaly；apatch—workintheraimentofJustice，sothatwhenmenwouldclingtoherrobeitgiveswayintheirhand。Now，ifthereisonelawmenaremorejealousofalteringthananother，itisthelawbetweenhusbandandwife；
yetsurely，thepowerofprotectionistheproudestprivilegeofsuperiority；
andinthesemodernandenlighteneddays，thatprivilegemaybebetterdefined，thaninthephraseologyoftheancientlawofBaronandFeme，whichIhaveseenthusnaivelylaiddown——\"NowtheBaronshallhaveremedieagainstonethatbeatethhisFeme——forsheishisCHATTEL。\"
Theamountofanomalyinthelawonthissubjectisstartling；butIconfinemyselftothenoticeofpointsaffectingpositionslikemyown。
Wewilltakethen，first，thelawastomarriage，anddivorce。
TheRomanCatholicshaveoneclearunvaryingruleonthissubject。Theymakemarriageasacrament。
TheyhavelawsPage148
thatapplytocasesofdispute，——\"separationdecorpsetdebiens，\"——provisionforthewife，——awardastochildren，——butthemarriageitselfissimplyindissoluble；lasting，asthewordsoftheChurchceremonyimply，\"tillDEATHdouspart。\"
Wedonotmakemarriageasacrament。Itisdifficulttosaywhatweholdittobe。LordHardwicke’sMarriageAct，of1754，declarednull，allmarriagesnotcelebratedbyapriestinorders：andmadeitindispensablethattheceremonyshouldtakeplaceinsomeparishchurch，orpublicchapel，unlessbyspeciallicencefromtheArchbishopofCanterbury。LordJohnRussell’sAct，of1836，permitspersons，onthecontrary，tobemarriedaccordingtoanyformtheychoose；
notsacerdotally；merelybyrepairingtotheRegistrar，andgivingcertainnotices，andprocuringcertaincertificates；soastoacquirearighttohavetheceremonyperformedinplacesregisteredandappropriatedforthepurpose。Marriage，therefore，inEngland，isareligiousceremonyoramerecivilcontract，atthepleasureoftheparties：thusmeetingtherequisitionsofallsectsoftheProtestantChurch。Itisbesides，——practically，——asacramentforthepoor，andacivilcontractfortherich：astherichbreakitbyapplicationtoParliament；andthepoorareputfrequentlyontheirtrialforbigamy，fromnotbeingabletogothroughthatexpensiveform。Itis，——practically，——asacramentforthewife，andacivilcontractforthehusband；thehusbandcanbreakitalmostasamatterofcourse，onproofofthewife’sinfidelity；thewife，thoughnominallyabletoapplyforadivorce，seldomoreverobtainsone。IbelievetherearebutthreecasesonrecordintheHouseofLords，ofmarriagesbrokeonthewife’spetition。
ThelawinScotlandandthelawinEnglandareutterlydifferent。InScotland，therightofthewifetodivorceisequaltothatofthehusband；andaScotchladyinScotlandcandivorceherhusbandavinculo，soastomarryagain。Itisnotorious，thattheheadsoftwoofournoblestfamiliesmadearesidenceinScotlandthepreliminaryofadivorceofthisnature，Page149
whichsetbothpartiesfree；proceedingsbeingtaken，inoneoftheinstances，bythewifeagainstthehusband。
InScotland，marriagelegitimatizeschildrenbornbeforewedlock：itdoesnotdolegitimatizetheminEngland：
sothatthesameman，——inheritingpropertyinbothcountries，——wouldsucceedasheirtohisfather，northoftheTweed，andbedebarredasabastard，southofthatboundary。InScotland，ameredeclarationofmarriagebeforewitnesses，themereaddressingaletterasiftoawife，washeldsufficienttoestablishamarriage：andhencethoserapidflightstoGretna，whichpuzzleforeigners：GretnanotbeingofitselfacitysacredtoHymen，butthenearestvillageacrosstheboundaryofEngland，thatcouldbereachedbyenamouredcouples。Thepartiesweremade\"one\"byDavidPaisley，ablacksmithbytrade。Hekeptnoregularregistry。JohnLinton，thelandlordofGretnaHall，succeededDavidPaisley。Hekeptnoexactregistry，butrememberedtheelopementofLordErskine（afterwardsLordChancellor），whoarrived，disguisedasanoldwoman，withaveilandgreycloak：thatofLordWestmoreland，withthedaughterandheiressofMrChilde，thebanker；thatofLordEldon（anotherChancellor）；ofoneoftheLaws，brotherofLordChiefJusticeEllenborough；andofaclergyman，theRev。ThomasCator；besidesahostoflessremarkable，andequallyremarkable，cases。TheseGretnamarriagesheldgood；buttheceremonywas，nevertheless，generallyrepeatedaccordingtomoreregularforms，assoonasopportunitypermitted。Theytookplaceingreatnumbers；anditisonlyveryrecentlythatlegislationhasbeenappealedto，onthesubjectoftheirprohibition。Thelaw，thechurch，andthenobility，thusowetoDavidPaisleytheblacksmith，andJohnLintontheinnkeeper，manyofthemarriagesoftheirmostillustriousanddistinguishedfamilies。Assuredly，marriageisnotasacramentinScotland！Indeed，somanystrangeconfusionshavetakenplaceinconsequenceofthelaxityofthelawinthatcountrythatitwashumorouslyassertedintheHouseofLords，duringPage150
anappealonaScotchcase，thatnoScotchgentlemancouldfeelpositivelysure，whetherheweremarriedorabachelor，theknotwassoeasilytied。
InScotland，theproperty，personalty，andrightsofthewife，arefarmorestrictlyprotectedthaninEngland：andindivorcecases，shehastheadvantageovertheEnglishwife，inthefactthatthefirststepistoinquireintothetruthoftheallegationsagainsther。TheEnglishwife，inanactionfor\"damages，\"
broughtasafirststeptowardsdivorce，byherhusbandagainstherlover，isnotconsideredasapartyinthesuit；cannothavecounsel；andcanonlybenefitbysuchchancecircumstancesinherfavourasbelongtothedefencemadebythemanagainstwhomtheactionislaid。LordBrougham，in1838，mentionedacaseintheHouseofLords，inwhichnotonlythemanproceededagainstwasnotintruththewoman’slover，butnotevenanacquaintance；andtheactionwasanagreedplotbetweenhimandthehusband，whodesiredtoberidofhiswife！
ButwehaveonlytolookbacktotheoriginofdivorceinEngland，tocomprehend，thattheprotectionofthewomanwasthelastthingconsideredintheframingofitslaws。
WhetherweoughttoadopttheviewtakenbyRomanCatholics，andconsidermarriageasasacrament；orwhether（asMiltonbitterlywrote，whenarguinghisrighttogetridofthewifewhowasno\"help—mate\"tohim）personsoncewedded，shouldbecompelled，\"inspiteofantipathy，tofadgetogetherandcombineastheymay，totheirunspeakablewearisomeness；——forcedtodrawinthatyoke，anunmercifulday’sworkofsorrow，tilldeathunharnessthem，\"——isnolongeranargumentinProtestantEngland。Divorce，initsfullestinterpretation；——divorce，whichbreaksthemarriageutterly，andallowsofanewchoice；thechildrenofwhichnewchoiceshallbeaslegitimateandascapableofinheritingbysuccession，asthechildrenofanyothermarriages，istheestablishedlawofourland。Divorceparliamentary，anddivorceecclesiastical：BishopsvotePage151
intheHouseofLords，andtherefore，itistobepresumed，theyvoteondivorcecases：anddivorcedpartiesarere—marriedbeforetheChurch，andbytheministersofthatChurch，preciselyastheywerebefore。Astartlinganomaly；butnotgreaterthanallourotherdiscrepanciesonthissubject。
Ourmarriageceremonybelongstothecompilationofourliturgy；andourliturgywascompiled，notbyangels，butbymen：piousandwisemen，whosetaskwasperformedwithreverence，andshouldbeheldinreverence，buttheythemselvesprefaceditwiththedeclaration，thatithadbeencompiledasfaraspossibletoreconciletwocontendingpartiesintheChurch。Two，ifnotthree，ofthecompilers，wereRomanCatholics。Muchofthephraseology，andsomeoftheservicesretained，areRomanCatholic。Thephraseologyofthemarriageservicebelongstothatcreed。Thecommunityofgoodsreferredtointhatceremony，doesnotexistwithus：andthesimplestreadermustperceiveagreatcontrastbetweentheChurchformandtheProtestantlaw：
betweenthepowervestedintheLegislaturetobreakmarriagesonadecreemadebyassembledpeers，andthephraseologyofaceremonialdeclaredtobe\"symbolicalofthemysteryofChrist’sunionwiththeChurch；\"——whichpronouncesthepartiesmanandwife\"inthenameoftheFather，theSon，andtheHolyGhost；\"——anddismissesthemwiththeblessing，\"WhatGodhathjoined，letnomanputasunder。\"Isittheceremonythatmakesmarriage，——orthelawthatbreaksmarriage，——thatiswrong？Theydonotagree；andsolemnandtrueisthesentencewhichfirstmeetsoureyesintheprefacetotheChurchService：\"Therewasneveranythingbythewitofmansowelldevised，orsosureestablished，whichincontinuanceoftimehathnotbeencorrupted。\"
Andthatbecausethewitofman（suchasitis）isperpetuallyswayedbythepassionsofman。
Now，divorceinEngland，weowetoHenryVIII。Tothatmonarch，——profanelystyledtheFatheroftheReformation，DefenderoftheFaith，SupremeGovernoroftheChurch，——Page152
tothatKing，remarkableinyouthforinordinatevanity，inmanhoodforinordinatesensuality，indeclininglifeforinordinatetyranny，weowethegreatchasmwhichdividestheinterpretedsenseofsuchlanguage，fromtherealityofitsbindingeffect：——
\"AndGospellightfirstshonefromBoleyn’seyes，\"——toenableafalse—heartedsensualisttoridhimselfofhislegitimatewife。Bishopswereexecutedforobjectingtohiscontemplateddivorce；thelawsofearthandheavenwereconfusedinthestruggleofonewildandrecklesswill；Romewasalternatelyappealedtoanddefied；till，onaSabbathdayinSeptember1532，atWindsorCastle，——whileKatherinewasyethisnominalQueenandnominalwife，——asortofrehearsalofafuturecoronationwasmade，bycreatingAnneBoleyn，MarchionessofPembroke。TheDefenderoftheFaithhimselfputthedemi—circularcoronetonthatlovelyhead，whichwassosoontousurpthecrown；sosoontobeseveredbytheaxe！TheDukeofNorfolk’sdaughtercarriedhermantleandcoronet；theCountessesofRutlandandSussexwaiteduponher；theBishopofWinchesterreadaloudtheletterspatentofhernewnobility；andfromthatdayshewasattendeduponwithroyalstate；likeaprincess。Fromthatday，forhowlong？Forone，——two，——threemonths，ormore？Historianscannottell。TheydisputethedateofHenry’sunhallowedunion；andthisfactonlyappearsclear，thathemarriedAnneBoleynBEFOREthesentenceofdivorcefromKatherinewasactuallypronouncedbyCranmer。
Retributionwasinstore。
Soon，toosoon，thatfairAuroraoftheReformation，——thatwomanwithsuchgenerousimpulses，suchstrongambition，suchpassionateattachments，suchuniversalfascination，——wastoperishasavictim，whereshehadreignedassovereign。Vainwereherappealstothetyrant—heart，whoseflameoflustbeingburnedout，heldnootherlighttoreadawoman’sprayerby。
Theechoofthesamecallwhichhadonceinsultedhermistress，predecessorandPage153
supersededQueen，——\"CATHERINE，COMEINTOCOURT！\"wasrepeatedforAnneBoleyn。She，too，cameintoCourt——tobetriedandcondemned。
Theloverwhowooedheringirlhood，——Percy，DukeofNorthumberland，——sawherstandthattrial：hercondemnationhedidnothear：hepleadedillnessandwithdrew，beforethecloseoftheproceedings；takingwithhimtheonegleamoffaint—heartedpity，towhichperhaps，thatstruggling，despairingwomanhadlookedforhelp。Shewascondemned；bythosewhodidnotbelievehercriminal；forcrimeswhichnaturerevoltedat；forcrimesshenevercommitted。Shediedherdeathofjustexpiationonafalseplea；sheleftthechildofherbriefdayofloveandtriumphtoreigngloriouslyoverEnglandasQueenElizabeth；andshelefttherescueofherblottedname，totheyearningregretofherpoet—admirerWiatt，andtheskillofcontendinghistorians。
Thedaysheperished，Henrytookanotherqueen。ThecannonwhichboomedfromtheTower，whenwithpatientdignitythatforsakencreaturelaidherheadontheblock，broughttotheking’searadoublesignal；ofdeathandrejoicing。Hehadthrownofthebondageofasecondmarriage，andhejoyouslycontractedathird。Everycircumstanceattendingthatsuddenfreedom，shouldhavesurroundeditwithagravehorror。Hehadexecutedhiswife，——themotherofhischildandourfutureSovereign，——ontheaccusationofbeingparamourtodiversemen，amongstwhomwasherownbrother。Hehadhimselfassertedthathehadlivedinintimaterelationswithhersister。Hermotherhadbeenslanderedforhissake：andDrBayleyinhisLifeofBishopFisher（oneofHenry’svictims），alludestothebeliefentertainedbysomepersonsthatAnneBoleynwastheking’sowndaughter。Hehadsoughttobastardizethelegitimateoffspringofhisfirstqueen，andafterwardsofhissecond。Hehadslaughteredchurchmenforinterferingwiththegratificationofhispassions；andhenowslaughteredthewomanwhohadbeenhistemptation。
Outofthatmassofsin，misery，struggle，andlawlesscon—Page154
fusionofrights，sprungthegermofourEnglishformofdivorce。
Fromthatdate，thepowerofthesacerdotalblessingstoodindirectconflictwiththerightofthecivillawtoannulit；andmanwaspronouncedperfectlycapableofputtingasunderthosewhohadbeenjoinedbeforeGod。TheconsentoftheChurchwasaskedtothatdivorce：thepleasheldtobesufficienttoannulmarriage，weresetbeforetheChurch；butthehistoricalresultwas，thatHenrysethimselfabovetheChurch；thatprimarypowerremainedvestedinParliament，andthesecondarypowerinsacerdotalforms。Lawandreligionwerebothcalledin，butitwastohelpthelawlessandtheirreligious。TheshadowofJusticewandered，inthecourtswherequeenspleadedinvain——intheParliamentwherenoblesbowedtheirhearts，astheybowedtheirheads，beforethetyrantofEngland——andpresidedoverthevainconsultationsofyieldingbishops；butitsrealitywaswanting。
SincethedaysofKingHenry，divorcehasremainedanindulgencesacredtothearistocracyofEngland。
Thepoorerclasseshavenoformofdivorceamongstthem。Therichmanmakesanewmarriage，havingdivorcedhiswifeintheHouseofLords：hisnewmarriageislegal；hischildrenarelegitimate；hisbride（ifshebenotthedivorcedpartnerofhissin，butsimplyhiselectedchoiceinhisnewconditionoffreedom），occupies，inallrespects，thesamesocialposition，asifhehadneverpreviouslybeenwedded。Thepoormanmakesanewmarriage，nothavingdivorcedhiswifeintheHouseofLords；hisnewmarriageisnull；hischildrenarebastards；andhehimselfisliabletobeputonhistrialforbigamy：theallottedpunishmentforwhichcrime，atonetimewashanging，andisnowimprisonment。Meanwhile，nothingcanexceedtheignoranceofthepoorerclassesonthissubject。Theybelieveamagistratecandivorcethem；thatanabsenceofsevenyearsconstitutesnullityofthemarriagetie；thattheycangiveandreceivereciprocalpermissiontodivorce，andtakeamoresuitablepartner；andamongsomeofourruralpopulations，thePage155
grosserbeliefprevails，thatamanmaylegallysellhiswife，andsobreakthebondofunion。Theybelieveanythingratherthanwhatisthefact，thattheycannotdolegallythatwhichtheyknowisdonelegallyintheclassesabovethem：thattheycannotconsecratethenewtie，orgettheoldoneannulled；butmustbecontenttolive，pairedtogetherintheonlywaythatremainspossible，——or，runtheriskofbeingtriedatthebarofjustice！Noristhisconfinedtothelowerclasses：personsinrespectableandeducatedpositions，fromignoranceoftheexactlaw，orinthehopeofescapingitsnotice，runthesamerisk。
Wehaveonlytoturntothenewspapers，andtakethefirstcaseathazard，asanillustration。IfindonetriedbeforeMrRussellGurney，nolaterthanDecember3，1853。Ifind，inthatbriefreport，astoryrevealed，whichresemblestheromanceof\"JaneEyre\"（except，thatromancealwaysappearstoexcitedeeperinterestthanreality）。Thecouplewhosemisfortunesthusflashedforamomentonpublicattention，wereMrR。W。GrayandMaryAdams：theevidenceshowed，thatMrGrayhadawife，livingandundivorced；
andwasthereforeguiltyofbigamy。MaryAdamsdeposed，thathehadcourtedherforsixyears；hadnomoneywithher；onthecontrary，suppliedherwithmoneysincehisapprehension；hadalwaysbeenverykind；andthattheyhadachildofhis，residingwiththem。Theundivorcedwifewaslivingwithanomnibusman，andhadbeeninalunaticasylum！MrRussellGurney，indecidingthecase，observed，withepigrammatictruth，that\"thiswasoneofthoseunfortunatecases，inwhich，inthepresentstateofthelaw，ifamanwerenotpossessedofwealth，hehadnopowertoremedyhissituation。\"Now，ifinsteadofplainMrGrayandobscureMaryAdams，thepartieshadbeenLordGraytonandLadyMary，weshouldsimplyhavehad\"Grayton’sDivorceBill\"goingquietlythroughtheHouseofLords，previoustoreceivingtheroyalassent；andLadyMaryinnocentlylookingforwardtomakingthatforsakenhomehappy；byreplacingthemad，badwife，whocouldnolongerbeaPage156
\"help—mate\"toherhusband。Notbeingpersonsofwealthandstation，wehaveatrialforbigamy，andthisillegalattemptathappinessrootedupbythesternhandofjustice，whichpronouncessuchunionstobetaresamongthepermittedgrain，ofmarriages\"dissolvedbyActofParliament。\"
Suchananomalyintheadministrationofequallaws，isscarcelycredible；
butitexists；andismurmuredat，——bytheobscure。
Thisdifficulty，——whichexistsforthepoor，onaccountoftheexpenseofourformofdivorce，——existsalsoforwomen，fromthereluctancetoallowadivorceontheirpetition。
ThefirstinstanceofadivorcebillpassedinEnglandonthepetitionoftheWife，wasintheyear1801，inthecaseofMrAddison，whohadlivedwiththesisterofhiswife。Thelateking，（thenDukeofClarence），movedtherejectionofthebill；onthegroundthatmarriageinthiscountryneverhadbeen，andneveroughttobe，dissolved，unlessfortheadulteryoftheWIFE，whichaloneforeverfrustratedthepurposesforwhichmarriagehadbeeninstituted。LordEldonwasthenChancellor；butthespeakerwhoansweredtheDukeofClarencewastheex—ChancellorLordThurlow；whowaslistenedtowithraptattention。LordThurlowsaid，thathehadbeenexcitedbythebilltoexaminethewholesubjectofdivorce，andthathewasoftheopiniontheremedywasnotconfinedtothehusband。Helaidthisdownastheprinciplethatshoulddecidejudgmentinsuchcases：namely，——whetherthepartiescanproperlylivetogetherasmanandwife？Hesaid——Commonlawandstatutelawaresilentuponthesubject，andthisistherulelaiddownbyreason，bymorality，andbyreligion。
Whydoyougranttothehusbandadivorcefortheadulteryofthewife？
Becauseheoughtnottoforgiveher；andseparationisinevitable。Wherethewifecannotforgive，——andseparationisinevitable，byreasonofthecrimeofthehusband，——thewifeisentitledtolikeremedy！Inthisinstance，reconciliationisimpossible——thewifecannotforgivethehusbandandreturntohishouse，withoutherselfbeingguiltyofincest。DosuchofyourPage157
Lordshipsasopposethebillforthesakeofmorality，wishorproposethatsheshould？No。Youallowthatshecanneverlivewithhimagainasherhusband：andisshe——innocent，andamodelofvirtue，——tobecondemned，forHIScrime，tospendtherestofherdaysintheunheard——ofsituation，ofbeingneithervirgin，wife，orwidow？
ThespeechofLordThurlowconvertedLordChancellorEldon，whodeclaredthatuntilheheardit，hehadintendedtoopposethemeasure；andex—ChancellorLordRosslynalsogavehisvoteontheprinciplesolaiddown；namely，theimpossibilityofareconciliation；onaccountofthepeculiaratrocityofthecase，whichleftnogroundforpardon，ascommoninconstancymighthavedone。
Thebillpassedbothhouses，andreceivedtheroyalassent；thatmiserablemarriagewasbroken；andtheopinionofLordThurlowsofarobtained，thatinoneortwocasesofenormity，adivorceavinculohadsincebeengrantedbyParliamentontheWIFE’Spetition。
Veryjealously，however，hastheprivilegebeenguarded；andthestrangecontrastbetweenthelawsintwocountrieswhichformbutonekingdom，——（EnglandandScotland），——isinnothingmoresalientthaninthis；divorceinScotland，being，asI
havesaid，grantedatthewife’ssuitasamatterofusualandundisputedjustice。InwhatadifferentspirittheEnglishlawcontemplatesthefactofahusband’sinconstancy，wemayjudgebytherecommendationofthecommissioners，appointed，twoyearssince，toexamineandreportuponlawreform。Inthereportmade，theyrecommended，——amongstother\"improvements，\"——thateventhenominalrightofpetitionshouldbetakenawayfromthewoman：thatthehusbandshouldretainhisrighttodivorcehiswifeonproofofherinfidelity，——butthatthewifeshouldnot，underanycircumstances，havearighttoclaimdivorceavinculo：that，inshort，insteadofjusticebeing，asatpresent（asitalwaysisforwomen），merelyimprobable，itshouldbeimpossible；andthatallthegentlemeninEnglandwhoaresoinclined，shallliveinlegalizedinfidelityPage158
totheirwives；theslenderremedylefttothewife，beingthatshemayobtainpermissionto\"liveapart\"fromherunfaithfulhusband。
\"Butthecrimeofthemanisnothingincomparisonwiththecrimeofthewoman；\"——saytheobjectors。Why？Because——（andherewecometoEngland’smerchantspiritagain，——property，notmorality，beingthethingheldsacred），——\"becausethewife’sadulterymaygivethehusbandaspurioussontoinherit！\"Truly：
andthehusband’sadulterymaygivehisfriend，——intowhosehousehehascreptlikeathief，tostealfaithandhonour，——aspurioussontoinherit。
Oritmaygivesomewretchedvictimofhisseduction，aspurioussontodrownorstrangle。Oritmaygivehimaspuriousson，bysomewanton，onwhomhelavishesthepatrimonyofhislegitimatesons。Nomatter！Thewrongdonebyhimcannotbemeasuredbyequalweightwiththewrongdonetohim：forheisaMAN，andclaimshisrightofexemption，bynaturalsuperiority。AsPeerscannotbehung，butmustbebeheaded，——asmembersoftheHouseofCommonscannotbearrestedfordebt，——somencannotbearrestedinsin，onequalgroundswiththeinferiorparty。