SirW。Follettwasastrangertome，butinmyemergencyIshowedthedocumentsfoundinthewriting—desktohim，andbyhisadviceIwasguidedinallthatfollowed。Byhisdirectioninquirieswerefirstmaderespectingthegentlemanwhohadoccasionedourimmediatequarrel，andwhohadbeenseenwithherthatmorning，andthenrespectingoneortwoothers，butnosufficientevidencewasfound。Thenanegotiationforaseparationwasenteredupon，anditwasnotforsomeweeksthattheevidenceofamanthathadbeeninmyservicesometimepreviouscametomyknowledge。Thatevidencewasdiscardedatthetrial；
butcircumstanceshavesincecometomyknowledgewhichHewasnotcalled，becausehecouldhaveprovedthisplausiblestorytobeamostwickedfabrication。NoonewascalledwhocouldhaveprovedtheTRUTH。Page105
compelmetobelievethathewasthewitnessofTRUTH。
Itsuitedthedefendant’scounselinthatactiontogiveitapoliticalcomplexion，butIsolemnlydeclare，uponmyhonour，thatnotasinglepersonoftheToryoranyotherpartypersuadedmetobringit，andnocommunicationwhateverhadIwithLordWynfordoranyotherpersonconnectedwithpoliticsaboutuntilafterthetrialwasover。MrCurrie，mysolicitorfortheaction，willvouchforthis，andheisalsoawareofcertainsolicitationsmadebybothpartiesinpoliticsthatIwouldnotproceedwiththeaction；heisawarehowmywitnessesweremolestedandtamperedwithintown，andthatitwasattheirownrequestthatsomeofthemweresenttothecountry，wheretheywereneverthelessfollowedandpersecuted。
Ifind，fromthereport，thatMrsNortonsaidonThursdaythatIhadclaimedthecopyrightsofherworksfromherpublishers；thisstatementIhavetodenyinthemostdirectandemphaticterms。Ihavenever，directlyorindirectly，madeanyclaimwhatevertohercopyrights，thebenefitofwhichshehadalwaysbeenallowedbymetoenjoywithoutletorhindrance，anduntilIwaspreparingforthistrialInevereveninquiredastotheamountofthem。Whatdidoccurwithrespecttohercopyrightswas，thatmysolicitor，toprovethatherincomehasexceeded1，500l。perannum，didinstituteaninquiryamongherpublishers，severalofwhomweresubpoenaedtoattend。Iheardherrefertohercopyrights，butdidnothearherusetheword"claim"。
Ithoughtshereferredtotheinquiriesmysolicitorhadmade，andconsequentlyusedthewords，"Mysolicitordid。"Hadtheword"claimed"actuallyreachedmyears，Ishouldhavedoubtedtheiraccuracyinconveyingtomymindsogreatafalsehood。
AmostabsurdandfalseimpressionwasgivenbyMrsNortonastomysignatureof"Greenacre；"thejokeinvolvedinsuchasignaturewasbutapoorone，butsheforgetstostatethatitoriginatedwithherself，byheradopting，inherletterstome，thenameof"HannahBrown。"Withregardtoanothermatter，Page106
MrsNorton，inherlettertothe’Times，’usesthesewords：——"Because，asIhavestated，ifitisnotavalidcontract，thecreditormaybeutterlycheatedofhismoney，if（whichGodforbid！）IshouldcopyMrNorton，andalsoflingoff，byaquibbleofthelaw，myliabilitytothem。"MrsNorton，inthisquotation，referstothepleaofhercoverture；nowitsohappensthatwithinthelastfewweeksapoorman，PeterDooladdy，cametoandshowedmeanoticethathehadreceivedfromtheWestminsterCountyCourt，informinghimthatMrsNortonwouldpleadcovertureinanactionwhichhehadtherebroughtagainstherforwagesduetohim，andIunderstoodthatshehasgivenasimilarnoticetoseveralothersofhercreditors。
LordMelbournepromisedmetheappointmentofpolicemagistratebeforehevisitedatourhouse，orbefore，Ibelieve，heevenknewMrsNorton。（！）
LordEldonhadappointedmeCommissionerofBankruptsin1827，andwhensuchappointmentwasabolishedbytheconstructionoftheBankruptcyCourtin1830or1831，IconsideredthatIhadsomeclaimontheHomeSecretary，havingreceivednocompensationforthelossofmysituation。Imustaddtheacceptanceofthepolicemagistracynecessarilyinvolvedtherelinquishmentofmyprofession。
MrTrail，thereceiverofmyrents，provedonThursdaythatmyincomefromeverysourcedidnotaverage2，400l。peryear。
Itistrue，therefore，thattheagreementof1848，toallow500l。ayear，wasnotconditionalupontherelinquishmentofanallowancefromLordMelbourne’sestate。ItisnottruethatIeversaidorsuggestedthecontrary。ItistruethatafterLordMelbourne’sdeath，andwhenIwasinformedofsuchanallowance，IrequiredMrsNorton’ssolemnassurancethatshehadneverreceived，andwouldnotreceive，anincomefromsuchasource；thatatonetimethatsolemnassurancewasgiven；thatatanotherthebaresuggestionthatanysuchbenefactionfromLordMelbournehadbeenacceptedwastreatedasaninsult，andthatnevertheless，uponobtainingaccesstoherbankers’Page107
books，IascertainedthatshehadactuallyreceivedthatallowancefromLordMelbourne’sestatefrom1849。
ItisnottruethatIrefusedtoperformtheagreementof1848becauseitwasmadebetweenmanandwife；
butitistruethattheagreement，havingbeenofatemporaryandnotofapermanentnature，andtheamountallowedunderitbeingnecessarilydependentupontheamountsofourrespectiveincomes，Idid，in1851，uponMrsNorton’sincomebeingincreasedby500l。ayearuponhermother’sdeath，whileminewas，fromvariouscauses，diminished，proposetoreducethe500l。to300l。，whichIwasafterwardswillingtoincreaseto400l。
Itisalsotrue，thatdowntoMarchinthelastyear（1852），sincewhen，andfromtheyearprevious，theamountoftheallowanceshasbeenthesubjectofdiscussion，IallowedtoMrsNortontheundiminishedsumof500l。ayear；that，consequently，forseveralyearsshehas——andthatevenbyherownadmission——beeninthereceiptofanincomeofatleast1，500l。ayear，andalwayshashadanincomefarlargerinproportionthanmine；andyetshehasincessantlycontracteddebtswithnumeroushonestcreditors，verymanyofwhomareatthismomentunpaid，andinsteadofapplyingherabundantmeanstothepaymentofthesedebts，hasdriventhecreditorstoresorttome，oppressingmewithlitigationandcosts，andimpairingmyalreadycrippledmeans，whichshouldhavebeenappliedtothemaintenanceofmyselfandmytwosons，bothofthemjustenteringlife。ItisunderthesecircumstancesthatIaskonwhomitisthatthecoarseandseriouschargeofcheatingcreditorsmaybetrulymade？
Iam，Sir，yourobedient，humbleservant，10WiltonPlace，Aug。23。
G。C。NORTON。
Thefirstpublicnoticeofthisastonishingseriesoffabrications，camefromMrLeman。Havingpointedouttheutterinaccuracyoftheportionthatcamewithinhisownknowledge，namely，thedrawingupofthecontract，heverycourteouslyproposedthatitshouldbecorrectedbyMrNortonPage108
himself。Thatnotbeingcompliedwith，MrLemanaddressedtheeditorofthe’Times，’——brieflystating，thatwiththeexceptionthathehadpreparedthemortgage，——"theentireparagraphwasuntrue。"MrNorton’ssolicitorhavingattemptedsomeexplanationinreply，MrLemanpublishedacompletestatementofthedrawingoutofthecontract，togetherwiththecontractitself；andconcludedhisletterbyrequestingthosewhoreadit，todecideforthemselves，whethertheentireparagraph，withtheexceptionmade，wasorwasnot"untrue。"
Itwasthenmyturntorepeltheaccusationspublishedbymyhusband。Imighthaveanswered，（asmybrother’ssolicitorhadansweredMrNorton’sadvertisementin1837；）"thewholeofitisfalse；"for，tocontradicteveryfalsehoodwouldhavebeentocontradicteveryline。Ileftmuchunnoticed。Myobjectwastokeepclearlyandsteadilytothisbroadgeneralcontradiction：——thatneitherourquarrelin1836orourdisputein1854，hadanythingwhatevertodowithLordMelbourne。Ileftunheeded，then，thecoldandstupidsneerwhichstampedmydistressinthecountycourtas"acting"；andtheobservations（madeinalikespirit）astomygriefatfirstpartingwithmychildren，being"apretencetoexcitepublicsympathy；"thoughintheverysamesentence，MrNortonnarratesthelamentabledeathoftheyoungest，undercircumstancesthatmightwellwringthehardestheart。IleftunnoticedthewholefableoftheseizureofLordMelbourne’sletters，andthewickedinventionsrespectingmyMotherandBrother：bothdeceased。IlefttothecommonsenseofthosewhomightreadMrNorton’sletter，verymanyofhismanifestself—contradictions；
suchascallingonhisreadersto"judgeofhissurprise"onfinding，"onlytwoorthreeweeksago，"thatIhadtheannuityfromLordMelbourne’sfamily，andofhisdisinclinationtocontinuemyallowance"foronehour"
afterheknewthatfact；notperceiving，inhisblindefforttoprovemebase，insteadofhimself，——thathisowndataconfoundedhim：——thatthesimplestofhisreadersmightPage109
ask，——"howcamethatwhichyousayyouhadonlyknownthreeweeks，tobeyourreasonforbreachoffaithmorethanayearandahalfago？
Howcomesthedateofyourbreachoffaithtobe，——nottheknowledgeofthatfact，buttheknowledgeofyourwife’slegacyfromhermother？HowcameyouprominentlytobringforwardthismatterofLordMelbourne’sunsecuredannuity，asthecauseofyourconductinMarch，1852，whenyounowassureus，youonlybecameawareofitwhileexaminingyourwife’sprivateaccountatherbankers，inAugust，1853？Youexaminedthataccountinordertodefendactionsbroughtbyyourwife’screditors？Youwerethenalreadydisputingthecontractatlawwithher？Onwhatplea？CertainlynotonthepleaofLordMelbourne’sannuity，foryousayyoudidnotknowshehadit。Youwerepreparingyourdefencewithoutthatadditionalfact？Youlearnedit，——toyourgreat"surprise"，——onlytwoorthreeweeksbeforetheaction？Thatisyourstatement。Andthatbeingyourstatement，isitpossibleyoudonotsee，thatyouhaveprovedyourwife’scase？Thatyouhaveproved，thattheMelbourneannuitywasnotyourreason（ifindeed，anyreasoncouldjustifydishonesty）；thathermother’slegacywasyourreason；andthatbeingjustlyconsciousoftheshameyourrealdefencewouldentailuponyou，yousubstitutedafictitiousdefence，whichyouthoughtmightthrowshameuponher；andprevent，byitsconfuseddetails，thatpubliccondemnationofyourfraud，whichyoufeltmustotherwiseincur。"
Therearefiftyothersuchdiscrepancies，butIwillnotenterintothem；IwillnotanswerMrNorton’slettertwice。IsolemnlydeclarehisassertionsrespectingLordMelbourne，mymother，mybrother，andmysons，tobeall，——altogether，andequally，UNTRUE；andasmysonscannotbeexpectedpubliclytocontradicthim，Icanonlyhopethatwhatissaidrespectingthem，willbeweighedinthescalewithallthatissaid（andutterlydisproved），ofothers。
Iwillnotdiscusshiscruelmentionofthem：bitterasthetemptationis。IgivemyPage110
answertoMrNorton’sletterasitappearedinthepapersatthetime。Itcontainssomuchrepetitionofwhathasbeenalreadymorefullyrecordedinthispamphlet，thatIprintitratherasarecordofwhatmyanswerwas，thanfromthenecessityofitsdelayingthereaderinthisplace。Iwouldmerelycallattentiontothepassagemarkedwiththreeasterisks***page120（disprovingMrNorton’sastonishingassertionthatLordMelbournegavehimhisMagistracybeforehewasacquaintedwithme）；
andIwouldbegespecialnoticeoftheletterswhichimmediatelyfollowmine。
TotheEditorofthe’Times。’
Sir，——OnWednesdaythe24thult。，alongletterfromMrNortonappearedinthecolumnsofthe’Times。’
IdidnotexpectevertofeelthankfulforanythingMrNortonwouldsayofme；butIdofeelmostdeeplythankfulthathewroteandpublishedthatletter。Hehasnowdeliberatelygiventotheworld，onhisownauthority，andunderhisownsignature，thathistorywhichIhavealwaysrefrainedfromgiving，beyondthecircleofmyownfriends；andhehasthusgivenmeanopportunityofrefutingslander，ofwhichIshouldsoonerhaveavailedmyself，butthattodosocompletely，Ihavebeenobligedtolookthroughamassofpapersandcorrespondence，andIhavebeentooill，sincethedayIhadtoappearintheCountyCourttomaketherequisiteexertion。
Ipassoverthechargebroughtagainstme，thereandinMrNorton’sletter，ofextravaganceinmyarrangementsforahomeformysonsandmyself。Thechargecomesillfromonewhoowesme687l。，andwhodoesnotevendenythedebt，butmerelysayshecannotbecompelledtopayit，because，aswasstatedinCourt，heisnotboundbylaw，butonly"asamanofhonour。"Ipasstheludicrousattempttofixmyfluctuatingincomeat1，500l。ayear，by"setting"myliterarygainsatapermanent500l。annually。WillMrNortonandhiscounselpayit，aswellas"set"it？Willtheyensuremehealth，strength，leisure，andtheframeofmindfitforsocalmanoccupation？WilltheyPage111
statewhattheythinkmyincomefromliterarylabourforthepresentyearislikelytobe，intheturmoil，distress，andscandaltheyhavebroughtuponme？Ipassthemanifestmis—statementofMrNorton’sownincome，whichIcouldprove，bymymarriagesettlements，astatementofhisformerreceiverofrents，hisownletters，andmyownknowledge，tobenearlydoublewhatheasserteditwas。Withallthat，"theworld"hasnothingtodo；andifMrNortonhadconfinedhimselftoourpecuniarydispute，therewouldhavebeennonecessityforpubliccomplaintorprivatesorrow。
ThechargeIpubliclybringagainstMrNorton（whohasbroughtsomanyagainstme）isafargraverchargethananyinjusticeinpecuniarymatters。Icomplain，thattwiceinmylifehehasendeavoured，onafalsepretence，torobmeofmyreputation。
In1836Ihadaquarrelwithmyhusband。OurcauseofquarrelwaswhetherIshould，orshouldnot，takemychildrentothehouseofmybrother，whowouldnotreceivemyhusband。
Ipersisted。Myhusbandbaffledmebysendingmychildrentothewomanwhohassincelefthimherproperty，whothreatenedtogivemeintothehandsofthepolicewhenIwenttoclaimthen，andIlefttownaloneformybrother’scountryseat。Suchbeingourrealquarrel，IchargeMrNortonwithcontrivingthatthewholeworldshouldbelieve（astheydidbelieve）
thatmymisconducthadbrokenupourhome，thatIwasanunfaithfulwife，andthatmyloverwasLordMelbourne。HebroughtanactionagainstLordMelbourne。Thewitnessesforthatactionwereprovedontrialtobeofthelowestandmostdegradedclass。Thechiefwitnesswasadrunkendiscardedgroom，whowasthenarag—sellerinMonmouthstreet：bothheandotherswereprovedtohavebeensentdowntoLordGrantley’splace，andtohavereceivedaweeklystipendfromhisagentwhilethere。Thetrialwasbroughtin1836；nevertheless，noevidencewasofferedaftertheyear1833；theservantslivingwithusatthetimewerenotcalled；nothingwasheardbutthewitnessingoftherag—sellerPage112
andhiscompanions，whoadmittedinCourtthattheyhadreceivedmoney。Inspiteofallwhichstrangeadvantages，andthefactthatawomanisnotallowedtodefendherselfintheseactions，theverdictwentagainstMrNorton。
Inthispresentyearof1853
Ihaveaquarrelwithmyhusband。Ourquarrelis，whetherIshall，orshallnot，becompelledtocedeaportionofmymother’sbequest。Irefuse。MrNortoninsists。Irashlycountonbeingcertaintoobtainacompulsoryfulfillmentofouragreement；whichIimaginedtobebinding。Ifindmyself，onmyreturntoEngland，withoutfundstomeetmyEnglishcreditors。I
stoponeactionagainstmyhusbandatmyownexpense。IwritetoMrNorton’sownsolicitor，intheforlornhopethatMrNortonisactingagainstadvice。
IcomeintoCourtagainstmywill，uponsubpoena，compelledtoappear，toprovethedebtandagreement。MrNortonmeetsmethere，inperson，andbycounsel，oncemoretofighthisbattleagainstmewithcrueltreachery，oncemoretoraisetheghostofthatdepartedslander，andtocontrivethatthewholeworldshallbelieve（astheydobelieve），thatLordMelbournewasagainthesubjectofourquarrel：thatsomepledge，stipulation，orpromisewasmadeandbrokenbyme，andthatthatisMrNorton’sexcuseforhisbreachofcovenant。Irebutthatimputationonoath，andbyprovedfacts；andMrNortonpublishes，inthe’Times’newspaper，twocolumnsofabuseofthedeadandliving，includingcoarseanecdotesofthemotherofhisgrownupsons，which，eveniftrue（whichtheyarenot），hehimselfdatesbacktothetimewhenwehad’"anonlychild，"thatis，twentyyearsago。Shalltheverdictnotoncemorebeagainsthim？
Iwasyoungwhenthisslanderwasfirstraised；mychildrenwereinfants。Iwasoneofanumerousandaffectionatefamily；Ihadkindfriendsandagoodcause。Istruggledlikeadrowningpersonagainstdisgrace，andreachedtheshore。Alreadythesemiserableaffairswerehalf—forgottenbytheworld；andinliteraryoccupation，devotiontomysons，andthefirmfriendshipPage113
ofthosewhoknewmyrealstory，Ithoughttohavespentthefutureofastormypast。MrNortonhasnotpermittedthis。Oncemorehehasdraggedmeintoshamefulpublicity；butonhisownletterIwillrestmyjustification，nowandforever！
MrNortonsays，hecomesforward"asamagistrate，andanadministratorofjustice，"toprovehehasbeenjust，also，inhisprivateaffairs。Inthatcapacity，andwiththatview，heproceedstomakethefollowingadmissions：headmitsthatwedidnotpartonLordMelbourne’saccount；andthatbeforeheevermadeLordMelbournedefendantintheactionin1836，hehadalreadyendeavouredtoestablishacase，firstagainstonegentleman，andthen——IgiveMrNorton’sownprintedwords：——
"Andthenrespectingoneortwoothers，butnosufficientevidencewasfound。Thenanegotiationforaseparationwasenteredupon。"
Inallthatfollowed，hesayshewasguidedbytheadviceofSirW。Follett。SirW。Follettisdead；
but，fortunately，hasleftonrecordhiscontradictionofthisfalsehood，asanyonemayascertainbyreferencetothe’Times’ofJune25，1836，whereitiscontradicted，onauthority，byMessrsCurrieandWoodgate。
IhavealsoaprivateletterfromSirW。Follett（whomIwrotetoreproach），expresslyrepudiatingtheideaofhavingadvisedmyhusband。"Iwashiscounsel，"hesays，"nothisadviser。"Perhapsnothingcanbettermarktheopinionofthetrialof1836thantheanxietyshownbyallpartiestodisavowtheirshareinit。
MrNortonadmitsthat——afterthispublictrial，andtheseprivateeffortstoestablishcourtcasesagainst"oneortwoothers"——"Itistruethatin1837wecontemplatedareunion，"
andthatthemiserablejestbetweenuswas（onaccountofmyhavingfearedtomeethiminanemptyhouse，asheproposed），thatweadoptedinourcorrespondencethesignaturesofamanandwoman，theformerofwhomhadbeenhung，forluringthelattertohishouse，andtheremurderingher。
Hefeelsthatthisrequiresalittleexplanation，andproceedstosay：——
"Myownconduct，Iadmit，atthattimewasweakandvacil—Page114
latingintheextreme。IhadlovedhertomadnessforthreeorfouryearsbeforeImarriedher，andafterwewereunitedshehadallpoweroverme。"
Iwasaveryyounggirlatschool，whenMrNortonproposedforme。Iwasalwaysmaltreatedbyhimfromtheearliestperiodofourmarriage。Ipartedfromhimin1833，andin1835，asmyfamilycanwitness，forviolencesuchasisbroughtbeforepolice—courts；andIreturnedtohimonhisownpassionateentreatythatInot"crush"but"forgivehim，"andthathe"wentonhiskneestomeforpardon。"Iwassafeoutofhispower，andmyreputationunsullied，whenhemadethisprayer；Ireturned，andfivemonthsafterthisletterwewereagaindefinitivelyparted。Thatpartingwasfollowedbytheattemptpubliclytodisgraceme。Afterthatpublicdisgrace，hedid，asheadmits，askmetoreturntohim。Butthatisnotashewouldhavetheworldbelieve，hisonly"vacillating"attemptatreconciliation。Myhusband，whopretendstohavelovedmesotenderly，andthrownmeoffsocompletely，didneitheronenortheother。Hemaltreatedmewhilewithhim；andhehasbeeninalmostconstantcorrespondencewithme，andoccasionallyavisitoratmyhouse，downtothewinteroftheyear1850。Wouldanyonebelievethattwoyearsafter"ourreunionwasrenderedimpossible，"hewroteletterafterletterendeavouringtoarrangeforourlivingtogetheragain，andspeaksof"shieldingmeinahusband’sarms？"Thatatthetimehealludesto，hewasendeavouringtoresistmypetitiontotheChancellortoregainpossessionofmychildren；thathethengavehissolemnwordofhonourtoMrHardwicke，abrothermagistrate，thathehadnotbeenraisingafreshscandalagainstme；thatheneverventuredtodefendmypetitiontotheChancellor；thatinhisletters，twoyearssubsequently，hebegsme，withcoaxingexpressions，tocallinallcopiesofapamphletcontainingourstrangecorrespondence；andinoneoftheselettersof1842，speaksofhimselfas"yourGeordieofformerandhappieryears！"Thatnotonlythen，butinalltheyearssince，Icanproducelettersmoreorlessfriendlyandaffectionate；askingservicesofme；thankingmePage115
forservinghim；announcingthemarriageofhissister；fullofphrasesofjestingandaffection；manybeginning"DearCarry"and"DearestCarry；"anxiousaboutme；complimentingme；asking"howmytravellingalonecanbeobviated；"finally（forIwearyovertheseinstancesofcaprice），inApril，1846，hebegins：——"Yourkindletter，writteninthegoodoldspirit，whichshouldneverhavebeenbroken————；"andonChristmas—day，1846，exactlytenyearsandsixmonthsafterthetrial，andsixyearsaftermypetitiontotheChancellor，hehopesmyhealthis"crisplikethefrost"——praisesmybrother——signshimself"Yoursever"——andinanotherletterbegsIwillembracetheboys"forabsentmeaswellasforyourself！"Isitpossibletoconceive，thatinthefaceofallthis，MrNortoncansodependonmynotansweringhim，astoventuretoprintsuchmis—statements？Isitpossiblehedoesnotseethattheyleavehiminthisposition：eitherhedisbelievesthesecalumnies，whichneverthelesshereiteratestomyinjurywhenitsuitshim；or，believingmetobeabadwoman，hewishesmetoreturnhome？
Itisindeeddifficulttochoosewhichalternativeshallsavehishonour！
TheadmissionshemakesrespectingthelateproceedingsintheCountyCourtareasextraordinaryashisassertions。
Noonecanreadtheevidenceandnotconclude，thatMrNortonbrokefaithwithme，becauseIbrokesomestipulationmadewithhim，andthatthatstipulationwasrespectingmoneyfromLordMelbourne。Iwascross—examinedonthispointinamannerimpossibletoendure，byMrNorton’scounsel，whoputthequestiontomefivetimeswithlittlevariation，andwhenforthefifthtimeIhadanswered，onmyoath，thattherewasnosuchstipulation，saidsneeringly，"Well，Iamboundtotakeyouranswer。"NowreadMrNorton’sadmissioninhislettertothe’Times’：——
"Shewasquitecorrectincourtwhenshesworethathernon—receptionoftheannuityfromLordMelbourneformednopartoftheconditionsuponwhichthatagreementwascometo。
Ineversaiditdid。"……"Itistrue，therefore，thattheagreementof1848，toallow500l。ayear，wasnotconditionalPage116
upontherelinquishmentofanallowancefromLordMelbourne’sestate。ItisnottruethatIeversaidorsuggestedthecontrary。"……
"Theconfusionthatprevailedatthetrialrendereditimpossibleformeeventoexplainthemattertomycounsel，andhencearosethatpartofthecross—examinationwhichimpliedthatapledgehadbeengivenbeforethesigningofthememorandum。"
MrNortonisunluckyinhischoiceoflegalassistance。WhenIsaidthatmycopyrightshadbeenclaimed——the"benefitofwhich，"hesays，"shehasalwaysbeenallowedtoenjoy"——hethrewtheblameonhissolicitor，whohadsubpoenaedthepublishers；andwhenIcomplainofbeingallbutaccusedofperjury，hesaysitwasthemistakeofhiscounsel，towhomhecouldnotexplainthematter——thoughhesatbyhisside，andsuggestedinanunder—tonealmosteveryquestionthatwasaskedmeinCourt。NeverthelessitiscertainMrNortondidmakethisassertion，whichhenowsayshedidnotmake。Hereistheprintedreport，asgiveninthepapers：——
"MrNorton——Theannuityof500l。wasgivenbymeonlyonthisbasis。Iwouldnothavegiventhissum，oronefarthing，ifshehadnotgivenmethemostsolemnassurancethatshewouldnotreceiveoneshillingfromLordMelbourne。"
"MrsNorton——Istandhereonmyoath，andIsaythatthatisfalse。"
Thereportsmaybe，andare，inmanyrespects，verballyinaccurate；butMrNortonmadetheassertioninCourtwhichhenowdenieshavingmade；thatthewholecross—examinationturneduponit；thatallpubliccommentandopinionhasturneduponit；
thatitstoodashisexcuseforbreakinghiscovenant；thatitwasatoncehisanswerandaccusation，inreplytoanyclaimuponhim，isincontrovertible；
andIsoclearlyunderstoodit（aseveryoneelseunderstoodit）tobehisanswertothechargeofbreakingtheagreement，thatassoonasIhadreadovertheevidencenextmorning，Isentalettertothe’Times，’provingthat，asLordMelbournewasnotdeadatthetimetheagreementwasmade，thestipulationcouldnothaveexisted。MrNortonnowsayshenever"saidorsuggestedthecontrary。"Iwascruellyandinsultinglycross—examineduponit，butthatwasonlyPage117
onaccountofcounselknowingnothingofthematter。Now，readMrNorton’sownaccountofthedrawingupofthisdisputedagreement。HeADMITS，thatbeingdesirousofborrowingthetrust—fundsettledonmeandmysonsincaseofmywidowhood，hefound——
"Thatthetrusteescouldnotlendthetrust—moneywithoutthepermissionofMrsNortonandmyselfinwriting，andheinformedme，further，thatshewouldnotgiveherpermissionunlessIconsentedtogiveheranadditionof100l。toherallowance，makingit500l。insteadof400l。Iwasdrivenintoacornerbythisunexpecteddiscovery，andIhadtosubmittotheaddition。"
Whataddition？ifasheaffirmsinthenextbreath，heknewtheagreement"wasnotbinding，"andthathecouldbreakitatpleasure？Andifitcouldbebrokenatpleasure，andboundnoone，whydidwesignit？Hehimselfestablishesthereasonwhy；
andprovesbyhisownstatement，justgiven，thatinsteadofitsbeinganagreementbasedonthestipulationthatIshouldhavenootherresources，itwasamatterofbargain，forhisowninterest；andsogreatdidheconsidertheadvantagetohimself，thathewaswillingtogiveforit（ortoseemtogiveforit）anextra100l。ayearforlife！Inmakingthisapparentconcession，however，hesaysheknew，evenatthetime，thatitwasonlyapparent。HesaysthatIcertainlywishedtomakeit"abindingdocument，byfindingtrustees，butfailedtodoso，asnotoneofherrelationsorfriendswouldbecomehersurety。"Ibeg，onbehalfof"relationsandfriends，"
tocontradictthis。Isignedwithoutsureties，becauseIreceivedfromSirF。Thesiger（who，atmyearnestrequest，consentedtoseeMrNortonathischambersonthisbusiness），aletterdated8August，1848，inwhichhestatedthatMrNortonwouldgivemeadeed，"withoutrequiringguarantees。"
NorhadIpreviouslynamed，orthoughtofnaming，anybutonememberofmyfamily，whomIhadnotevenconsultedastohiswillingnesstobemixedupwithMrNorton’saffairs。
Havinggivenhisaccountofthemakingofthecovenant，MrNortonthusgiveshisaccountofthebreakingofit：——
Page118
"IlearntthatMrsNortonhadbeenleft500l。perannumbyhermother，fromwhomIwasnotawarethatshehadanyexpectations。Ithenproposedtoherareductionofherallowance，whichshewouldnotaccedeto；and，aftershehadreceivedhermother’slegacyandforsometimeenjoyedit，Ididreduceit"……"I
did，in1851，uponMrsNorton’sincomebeingincreasedby500l。ayearuponhermother’sdeath，whileminewas，fromvariouscauses，diminished，proposetoreduceit。"
Byhisownadmission，then，nostipulationrespectingLordMelbournewasmade；andnomentionofhimwasmadeinMrNorton’slettertome；whichletterdistinctlystates，thatmybrother’ssolicitorhavinginformedhimIhadmymother’slegacy，thereforehewillbreaktheagreement。Hedoesnotsay，"youhavehadmoneygiventoyoubyLordMelbourne’sfamily，thereforeIstopyourallowance。"Hesays，"youhavegotalegacyfromyourmother；shareitwithme，orIwillforceyoutoshareit，bynon—paymentofwhatIoweyou；"norwasit"afterIhadenjoyeditsometime，"butonthecontrary，attheexactdateofthereceiptofmymother’sproperty，thatMrNortonfulfilledhisthreat：
andasheexpresslysaysthathedidnotknow，tillhesawmybankers’
account，thatIhadLordMelbourne’sbequest——headmitsthatmymother’sannuitywashisonlyreason。
Nowthisagreement，aboutwhichsomuchhasbeensaid，wasbasedonthesinglestipulation，notthatIshouldbericher，butthatheshouldbepoorer；poorerbyonethousanda—year，beingthevalueoftheofficetowhichhewasnamedbyLordMelbourne。
Mybeingrichercertainlydidnotmakehimpoorer；onthecontrary，atmymother’sdeath，thesmallportionIderivedfrommyfatherwenttohim，andnottome。Hegiveshisownaccountofmypreviousconductinmoneymatters；mostplausibly，andmostfalsely；theexactandwitnessedtruthbeing，thatduringthetwoyears1836and1837，IhadnotonesinglefarthingfromMrNorton；thathethenemployedSirJohnBayley，whohadbeenhiscounsel，toarbitrateastomyallowanceandallothermatters；thathewouldnotabidebythearbitration；madewhatallowancehepleased；andadvertisedme（toguardhimselffromfurtherliability）inthepublicpapers——Page119
being，Ibelieve，theonlypersonofhisownrankinlifewhoeveradoptedsuchameasure。IcopytwosentencesfromadeclarationwithwhichSirJohnBayleyhaslatelyfurnishedme，incontradictionatonceofthewholefabricationrespectingmyconductinthesematters：——
"IwasappointedarbitratoronMrNorton’sbehalf，intheyear1837，havingbeencounselforhim；andthusbecameintimatelyacquaintedwiththecircumstancesofthesedisputes。
MrNortongavemeatthattimeawrittenpromisetoabidebymydecision。
Hebrokehispromise，andrefusedtoholdhimselfboundbythepledgesgiven。"……"IconsiderMrNorton’sconducttohiswife，sofarasithascomeundermyknowledgeandcognisance，tohavebeenmarkedwiththegrossestcruelty，injustice，andinconsistency。"
ItiswithpainIapproachthatpartofMrNorton’sletterinwhichhehaschosentomakereferencetoourson。Ithinkmysons’namesshouldhavebeenheldsacredinthisdrearyquarrel；whichbeganintheirchildhood，andwhichtheirmanhoodfindsunreconciled。MysonisnotyetinEngland；norwasheinEnglandatthetimeMrNortonstateshehadthesecommunicationswithhim。IutterlydenythatIevermadehimthechannelofafalsehoodtohisfather；andIdenythatIeversaidorimpliedthatitwas"aninsult"tobesupposedtobeaidedbyLordMelbourne’sfamily。Ididsay（andperhapsotherswillagreewithme）thatitwasthecoarsestofinsultswhenMrNortontalkedoftheseaffairstomyson；thatIrefusedtodiscussthemwithhim；thatIdeniedMrNorton’srighttoquestionme，hehavingboundhimself"stringently，"
inwritingtomysolicitor，nevermoretointerfereinmyaffairsfromthedateoftheagreement；andMrLemanhasaletterfrommewrittenatthattime，statingthatIconsenttoMrNorton’sproposals——"mainlybecauseitisintolerabletometohavemysontalkovermattersfromhisfather。"
ThatMrNortonprotestedafterwards，——eitherrespectingabequestfromLordMelbourne，ormymother’slegacy，——onlyprovesthetruthofmywarningtoMrLeman，thatifitwerepossibleforMrNortontofindanexcuseforbreakinghisword，hewouldbreakit；ashehaddonetoSirJohnBayley。
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WithrespecttoLordMelbourne，——threeyearsafterthedateMrNortonhimselfassignstotheanecdotehehasthoughtfittopublish，hewritesthus，speakingofthewomanwhoafterwardslefthimtheYorkshireproperty，andwhohadinvitedhimtodine：——
"Isentheracivilexcuse，whichwasansweredbyathoroughlove—letter；indeeditishightimethatIshouldsanctiontoaremarkingworldyourpenchantforoldmen，bysufferingthisantiquefaux—pas。"
Thepost—markofthatletterisAugust8，1834。IdonotknowifMrNortonwillpersistthatitistheremarkofajealoushusband。InJanuary，andinFebruary，1836（thatis，onemonthbeforeourfinalseparation），MrNortonspeaksof"theunparalleledkindnessofLordMelbourne；"andstrenuouslyurgesmetowritetohimtopresstheappointmentofafriend。Iwillnotenterintothefabuloushistoryoftheletters；MrNortonforgetsthatashewasthen，byhisownadmission，occupiedon"oneortwoother"names，itcouldnotbeforeseenthatthesenotesfromLordMelbournewouldbeimportant；andthewholeofthatstatementisfalse。Withtheexceptionofmyself，mostofthepersonsMrNortonmalignsaredead，andcannotanswerhim。LordMelbourneisnolongerheretogivehiswordofhonourthatthemanheservedwhenlivinghasstatedthatwhichisuntrueofhismemory；butIcanveryclearlycontradictMrNortonastoonestatement，andIdosotoshowwhatcredencemaybegiventoothers。
Becomingapparentlyuneasyastoanyremarkswhichmaybemadeontheaffectationoflookingwithabhorrenceonmyacceptanceofaid，whilehehimselfreceivesonethousandayearfromLordMelbourne’sappointment，MrNortonassertsasfollows：***
"LordMelbournepromisedmetheappointmentofpolicemagistratebeforehevisitedatourhouse，orbefore，Ibelieve，heevenknewMrsNorton。"
Andhegivesthisveryplausiblereason：
"LordEldonhadappointedmeCommissionerofBankruptsin1827，andwhensuchappointmentwasabolishedbytheconstructionoftheBankruptcyCourtin1830or1831，IconsideredthatIhadsomeclaimontheHomeSecretary，havingreceivednocompensationforthelossofmysituation。"
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Boththesesentencesaredirectlycontrarytotherealfacts。
ByMrNorton’sexpresswishanddesire，IwroteatthattimenotonlytoLordMelbourne，buttoallthosefriendsIthoughtmightserveus。IwrotetoLordHolland，LordLansdowne，theDukeofDevonshire，andothers，tomakeinterestwithLordBrougham（thenLordChancellor）togetMrNortonalegalappointment。Thisnotappearingprobable，weaskedforaCommissionershipofExciseorCustoms。Wedidnotsucceedinthissecondrequestanymorethanthefirst；butwhenMrWyatt，apolicemagistrate，died，LordMelbournewrotetometoofferthevacantmagistracy。Onthe18thApril，1831，LordMelbournewrotemewordthattheChancellorhadsenthissecretarytoinquirerespectingthismatter；
andhadintimatedthatheshouldexpectMrNortontoresignhisCommissionershipofBankrupts；LordMelbourneadded，"thisisnotsoagreeable，butstillwastobeexpected，andisperhapsnotunfairinthesereformingtimes，andImentionitthatyoumaynotbesurprisedwhenyoureceivetheintelligence。"
MrNortonwasdisappointed，anddemurred；hedesiredtoholdbothappointments；IwroteagaintoLordMelbournetostatethis，andreceivedinreplythefollowingnote：
"HouseofLords，Quarter—pastFive。
"Takemyadvice，andmakeNortonwritealineimmediatelytotheLordChancellor，givinguphisCommissionership。
Whatyoucannotkeep，itisalwaysbesttogiveupwithagoodgrace。——Yoursfaithfully，"Melbourne。"
Thestatement，therefore，madebyMrNorton，isentirelyfictitious；andifInoticeit，itistoaskwhatreliancecanbeplacedonalltheothermis—statementsinwhichblindwrath，imperfectmemory，andutterirresolutionhaveinvolvedhim？
MrNortoncallshispublishedlettera"vindication："amanofkeenermoralperceptionswouldhavefelt，whenhewroteit，thathewasnotwritinghisDEFENCE——buthisCONFESSION。
Frombeginningtoenditisatissueofdegradingadmissions，orincorrectassertions：ofwhichcontradiction，Iamthankfultosay，doesnotrestonmyhelplessdenial，butontheclearestdisproof。
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MrNortonadmitsthatwedidnotpartonLordMelbourne’saccountin1836，butthathetookthen，ashetakesnow，anyslanderhecouldfind，toinvolvemeinundeservedshameanddisgrace。Headmitsthathesolicitedmyreturnafterthetrial，inafamiliar，jesting，andcaressingcorrespondence，——evenwhileherepeatsastruethegrossslandersof17yearsago。HeadmitsthathehadnostipulationwhateverwithmeaboutLordMelbourne，onthisdisputedagreement；andhedeniesthatheever"saidorsuggested"thathehadanysuchstipulation。
Sucharehisadmissions。Iturntohisassertions。
MrNorton’sappointmentwasnotgivenorpromisedbyLordMelbournebeforeheknewmeorvisitedatourhouse，but，onthecontrary，aftercorrespondenceandintimacy；anditwasnotgivenascompensationforthelossofhisCommissionershipofBankruptcy，onthecontrary，theChancellorinsistedoncontrollinghisownpatronage，andgavenoticethatMrNortonshouldnotbepermittedtoholdbothappointments。
Ididnotputmyhusbandtoneedlesstormentandexpensebyextravaganceandactionsfrommytradespeople；
onthecontrary，hebrokehissolemnwrittenpledgewithhisownreferee，SirJohnBayley，andadvertisedmeinthenewspapers，asSirJohnBayleycanprove。SirW。Follettdidnotadvisethetrial，orthemeasurestakenbyMrNorton；onthecontrary，hepubliclydisavowedhimassoonasthetrialwasover，astheletterofMessrsCurrieandWoodgateisextanttoprove。MrNortonhasnotprovedbyhisletterthathehasbeen"justinhisprivateaffairs，"butonthecontrary，hehasprovedhimselfascruellyunjustasanymaneverwas，bymeetingatrueclaimwithaseriesoflibellousaccusations，rakedupfromthepast，toslanderthelivingandthedead。
Iamcontentthattheseaccusationsshouldbetakenattheirworth；MrNorton’swordhasbeentoorecklesslypledgedonmatterseasyofdisproof，tobetrustedwhereevidenceiswanting，andnothingpossiblebutdenial。Isayagain，thathenceforthandforever，IrestmyjustificationonthispublishedconfessionofMrNorton’s；onitsglaringcontradictionsinallmatterstoPage123
whichitrefers；onitsstrangeadmissionsasregardshisconducttowardsme。Evenontheshowingofthatconfusedletter，ourstorystandsthus：——thatafterbringingadivorcetrialinwhichhehimselfsolittlebelievedthathewooedmehomeagainthenextyear，herevivestheslanderwhichanEnglishjury，thepledgedwordofthedeceased，andhisownrecalhadrefuted，withthebitterestexpressionsandfalseaccusationsbothagainsthiswifeandhisdeadpatron。Thathehasdonethisinthecourseofdefencetoacommonactionfordebt；thesimplequestionbeing，whetherhewasorwasnotboundtoprovideandsetapartforabodyoftradesmenthesumof687l。，thesecurityforsuchsumbeinganagreementdrawnoutformallybyasolicitor；athisownurgentrequest；toprocureanarrangementhedesired；signedbyhisownhand；andwitnessedbytwootherpersons。
Thathecannotassertthathehadanystipulationwhateverwithme，respectingLordMelbourne；myexpectationsfrommymother；ormyliteraryresources（allthreeofwhichhegaveashisexcuse）；neithercanhedeny，thatastheagreementembracedthecontingencyofhisbecomingLordGrantley，itwasintendedtobepermanent。Icomplainthattheoriginalsimplequestionhasbeencunninglylostandcovered，bytheoverwhelmingscandalofMrNorton’sfalsedefence。Iresent，nothistreacheryatthebrokenagreement，buthisattempttoraisethelaidghostofadeadslandertoshameme。
Iresisteditwithpassionatedespair，because，letawomanstruggleasshewill，fairfameisblotted，andfairnameislost，notbythefact，buttheaccusation；andIfeelitmorenoweventhanin1836，becausethenmychildrenwereinfantsanditcouldnotgrievethem。ThosewhohavecommentedontheexasperationwithwhichIansweredinCourt，woulddowelltorememberthatIstoodthere，answeringquestionsonoathwhichhadnopossiblebearingonthecase；wellknowingthosequestionstobeputwiththeexpressviewandpurposeofdefamingme；knowingthechargesimpliedbythosequestionstobefalse；knowing（themostdespairingknowledgeofall）thatMrNortonPage124
knewtheywerefalse，evenwhileheputthem；andthat，insteadofbeingallowedtoprovethedebtandagreement，Iwasoncemorebeinginsultedwiththeechoofthetrialof1836，withaslittlejustcausefortheinsult。
Itissaid，whyallthisscandalforamiserablematterofafewhundredpounds？betteranysacrificethansuchastruggle。Verytrue；butwhenthispettystrugglewasundertaken，nohumanbeingcouldhaveforeseenthefalsehoodwithwhichitwastobemet，andoutofwhichthisscandalwastogrow。Others，judgingwherenonecanjudgewhodonotknowourhistory，wonderIdidnotquietlytakewhatMrNortonassertsheoffered。Forthat，IcanonlyappealtoSirJohnBayley，andtotheevidenceofMrNorton’spresentconduct。IfMrNortonwouldnotbeboundbyhiswrittenpledgegiventoSirJohnBayleyin1837，norbytheformaldocumentdrawnupbyMrLemanin1848，isitcrediblethathewouldbeboundbyamereassertionthathewouldorwouldnotplacesuchandsuchsums？
Ihavedone。Therewillalwaysbethosetowhomaslanderisprecious；andwhocannotbeartohaveitrefuted。Therearealsothoseinwhoseeyestheaccusationofawomanishercondemnation，andwhocarelittlewhetherherstorybefalseortrue，solongasthereisorwasastoryabouther。Butjusterminds，whowillpauseandreviewthecircumstancesMrNortonhimselfhaspublished，willperhapsthinkthefateofthatwomanahardone，——whomneithertheverdictofajury，northesolemndenialofavoicefromthedead，northepetitionofherhusbandforareconciliationandoblivionofthepast，canclearfromachargealwaysandutterlyuntrue。Ididnotdeservethescandalof1836，andIdonotdeservethescandalof1853。LordMelbournedidnottemptmethentobreakmyweddedfaith；andhisnamehasnotnowbeenthegroundofabrokenstipulation。OnMrNorton’sownletterIamcontentthatpeopleshouldjudgeusboth。Manyfriendshavewishedmetopassoverthatletterindisdainfulsilence，asrefutingitself；andperhaps，ifIwerehappyenoughtobeobscureandunknown，thatwouldbemyPage125
course。ButIhaveapositionseparatefrommywoman’sdestiny；
Iamknownasawriter；andIwillnotpermititthatMrNorton’slettershallremainontheJournalsofGreatBritain，astheuncontradictedrecordofmyactions。Iwill，asfarasIamable，defendanamewhichmighthavebeenonlyfavourablyknown，butwhichmyhusbandhasrenderednotorious。
ThelittleworldofmychancereadersmaysayofmeafterIamdeadandgone，andmystrugglesoverandforgotten——"Thewomanwhowrotethisbookhadanunhappyhistory；"buttheyshallnotsay——"Thewomanwhowrotethisbookwasaprofligateandmercenaryhypocrite。"Sincemyonegiftofwritinggivesmefriendsamongstrangers，Iappealtotheopinionofstrangersaswellasthatoffriends。Since，inhoweverboundedandnarrowadegree，thereisachancethatImayberememberedafterdeath，Iwillnothavemywholelifemisrepresented。Letthosewomenwhohavethetruewoman’slot，ofbeingunknownoutofthecircleoftheirhomes，thankGodforthatblessing：itisablessing；butforme，publicityisnolongeramatterofchoice。Defenceispossibletome——notsilence。AndImustremindthosewhothinktherightofahusbandsoindefeasible，thatawifeoughtrathertosubmittothemartyrdomofherreputation，thanbejustifiedathisexpense，thatIhaverefrained。AllIstatenow，Imighthavestatedatanytimeduringthepastunhappyyears；andIneverdidpubliclystateittillnow——now，whenIfindMrNortonslanderingthemotherofhissons，bycoarseanecdotessignedwithhisnameandpublishedbyhisauthority；
endeavouringthustooverwhelmmewithinfamy，fornooffencebutthatofhavingrashlyassertedaclaimuponhim，whichwasfoundnottobevalidinlaw，butonlybindingonhim"asamanofhonour。"
CAROLINENORTON
MrNortonansweredthatletter。Heanswereditbyadmitting（whatindeedhecouldnotdeny）thefalsehoodrespectingtheappointmentLordMelbournegavehim，whichIhaddisprovedbyLordMelbourne’sownletters；hecalledthatbold，cunning，anddeliberateexplanationofhisacceptanceofPage126
favours，a"mistake。"Hesaid：——"Ihadnot，atthetimeofwritingmyformerletter，refreshedmymemorybyreferencetodocumentsconnectedwiththispoint，and，inwritingaboutatransactionwhichhappenedupwardsof22yearsago，IwasledintothismostunintentionalMISTAKE。"
Buthereiteratedother"mistakes"aboutothertransactions，whichhappenednotsomanyyearsago。Hepublished（toprovethathehadbroughttheactionagainstLordMelbournebySirW。Follett’sadvice）minutesofaconsultationnotedbyhissolicitor，MrCurrie：inwhichMrCurrieadmitted，thatSirW。Follettsaid，hedoubtedmuchifaverdictcouldbegot，aswitnessesofthedescriptionMrNortonhadprocured"weresolikelytobreakdownoncross—examination；"thatitwouldbe"importanttoprove，byabetterclassofwitnesses，"theextremeintimacywithLordMelbourne；andthataconferencehadbeenafterwardsheld，astothenecessityoftakingsomestep，ratherthanadmit（bynotproceeding）thatthechargewasgroundless。
Onsoslenderachancedidthemock—trialturn！
MrNortonalsopublishedtheopinionsandlettersofSirJohnBayleyatandafterthetrial；toprove，ashesaid，thatSirJohn’sopinionwasthenatvariancewiththeonerecentlyexpressedinmyfavour。SirJohnwasinScotlandwhenthissecondbatchofslandersappeared；Ithereforewrotetohim；and，afterbrieflycommenting，myself，onMrNorton’sfreshattack，Ire—printedthispublicdenialmadeatthetime，todisproveSirW。Follett’sshareinatransactionhehadexpresslydisclaimed。
Extractfromthe’Times’
ofJune25，1836。——
"TotheEditorofthe’Times。’
"Sir，——Havingseeninthe’Times’ofthismorningthattheactionof’Nortonv。LordMelbourne’wasadvised’bytheableanduprightcounselwhoconductedit，’wethinkitisduetoSirWilliamFolletttostatethattheactionwasNOTbroughtunderhisadvice；andthatalthoughhewasretainedsofarbackasthe25thofAprillast，theevidencewasnotincompletestateforPage127
hisbrieftobedeliveredtohimuntilthe14thofJuneinst。，andwhennocoursewasopentothepartiesbuttoproceedwiththetrialofthecause，whichhadbeenfixedforthepresentsittings。
"Weare，Sir，yourmostobedientservants，（Signed）"CURRIEandWOODGATE。
"Lincoln’sinn，June25，1836。"
SirJohnBayleyansweredmyappealtohim，asIhadhopedandexpected；hecameforwardandpubliclycontradicted，inhisownperson，thetissueofmis—statementsbywhichMrNortonsoughttocrushme；andIconsiderthatIowetothatmanlyandfrankupholding，theonlyapproachtojusticeIhaveeverbeenabletoobtain。Igivehisletter，asitappearedinthejournalsoftheday。
"TotheEditor。
"Sir，——AbsencefromLondon，andasevereprivatesorrow，havepreventedmysoonernoticingcertainletterswhichhavelatelyappearedinthepublicjournals，inwhichmynamehasbeenmostimproperlyintroducedbyMrNorton，whohasthoughtfittopublishhiscopyofacaselaidbeforemeformyopinion，in1836，andaletterofminetohissolicitor，dated9thJan，。1837。HepublishesthesedocumentstoprovethatmyopinionthenwasatvariancewithonewhichIhadmorerecentlyexpressed；namely，thathisconducttohiswife’hasbeenmarkedwiththegrossestcruelty，injustice，andinconsistency。’
IfMrNorton’sremarksonthealterationinmyopinionshadbeenmerelyintendedtoimpeachmyjudgment，Ishouldnothavecondescendedtonoticethem；butasheintendsthepublictoinferthatMrsNortonmaybeunworthyofthelateropinionwithcircumstanceshaveleadmetoform，andhehimselfundeservingofthecensureIpasseduponhisconducttowardsher，IconsiderIwouldbeactingthepartofacoward，ifIrefrainedfromcomingforwardtostatethetruth，howeverdisagreeablethisenforcedpublicitymaybe，——nay，mustbe，——toanymanwhohasmerelyendeavouredtodohisdutyfairlyandfearlessly，asagentlemanandamanofhonour，betweenpartiesutterlyunconnectedwithhim。
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"IfMrNorton’sobjectinpublishingmyletterandopinionhadbeenthedevelopmentoftruth，hewouldnothaveleftunstated，factswhichclearlyaccountformychangeofopinion。Ashehasthoughtfittosuppressthesefacts，Iwillsupplythem。
"Whentheopinionofthe3rdOctober，1836，andtheletterofthe9thJanuary，1837，werewrittenbyme，Iwasactingashiscounsel；andonhisexpartestatements，inthefirmbeliefthateveryassertionhemadetomewastrueandcapableofproof，IwrotethatletterandIgavethatopinion。
"Sometimeintheyear1837，andsubsequentlytomylettertoMrCurrie，mypositionwaschanged。I
ceasedtobeMrNorton’scounsel，andallpreviousattemptsatreconciliationorarrangementbetweenhimandMrsNortonhavingfailed，I，atMrNorton’searnestsolicitation，tookuponmyselfthearduousandthanklessofficeofarbitrator，providingthatMrsNortonwouldpermitmetoactinthatcapacityonherbehalf。Ididnotexpectthatshewouldeverconsenttothis，fromthepositionIhadheldascounselforherhusband，andtheimpressionshenecessarilymusthaveentertainedthatIwasprejudicedagainsther。Toherhonourandcredit，however，sheatonceaccededtoMrNorton’srequest。Ireceivedbothfromherandherhusbandwrittenassurancesthattheywouldabidebymydecision，whateveritmightbe，andonthesetermsIenteredonmydifficulttask。Ithen，forthefirsttime，learntMrsNorton’ssideofthequestion。Ifound（notfromherassertions，butbydocumentaryproofsinherpossession）thatIhadbeenadvisingMrNorton，notonhisrealcase，butonaseriesofinventedfableswhichhehadstrungtogetherandconsultedmeupon。NearlyeverystatementhehadmadetometurnedouttobeUNTRUE。IfoundMrsNortonanxiousonlyononepoint，andnearlybroken—heartedaboutit；namely，therestorationofherchildren。Shetreatedherpecuniaryaffairsasamatterofperfectindifference，andleftmetoarrangethemwithMrNortonasIthoughtfit。Ifoundherhusband，onthecontrary，anxiousonlyaboutthepecuniarypartofthearrangement，andsoPage129
obviouslymakingtheloveofthemotherforheroffspringameansofbarterandbargain，thatIwrotetohimIcouldbe’nopartytoanyarrangementwhichmadeMoneythepriceofMrsNorton’sfairandhonourableaccesstoherchildren。’Ifoundhishistoryofherexpensesandextravagancestobeuntrue；andthatevenwhilehemadethatcomplaint，hehaddetainedallherwardrobe，jewellery，andbooks；inshort，everyarticleofherpersonalproperty，underthreatofsellingthem。Iadvisedthatthesethingsshouldbegivenup，butMrNortonwouldnotconsenttodoso。ItoldhimfranklyIdidnotthinkheoughtevertohaveretainedthem。IfoundMrsNortonhadofferedtopayherownbills，andthatMrNorton’ssolicitorhadreplied，thattherewasnoundertaking，evenifshedidpayherbills，thatherpropertywouldbereturnedtoher。Ifound，underMrNorton’sownhandwriting，confessionsofthegrossestpersonalviolencetowardshiswife，andthatononeoccasionhehadkickedthedrawing—roomdoorfromitshinges，anddraggedheroutoftheroombyforce——shebeingthenenceinteofheryoungestson。Iwrotetohimtosay，that，inspiteoftheseinjuries（supportedbytheclearestpossibleproofunderhisownhandwriting）IfoundMrsNorton’reasonable，’——’tractable，’——’veryforbearing，indeedinherexpressionstowardshim，’——anxioustosatisfyhim，’forthechildren’ssake；’writingtome，insteadofabusinghim，thatshedesired’heartily，vainly，andsorrowfully，tobeatpeacewiththechildren’sfather。’Ifoundthatthetakingawayofthosechildrenhadbeentherealgroundofquarrel，andthatnotonlyMrNortonthrewtheblameofthesubsequenttrialonhisadvisors，anddeclaredthatthetrialwasbrought’againsthisjudgment，’butthatoneofhisangriestgroundsofcomplaintagainsthiswifewas，thatshehadsaidshe’neverwouldreturntohim；’that，asheexpressedit，shedidnot’honestlyintendtoreturntohim，’whenheaskedher；thathissisterandotherfriendshadtoldhimso：inanswertowhichcomplaintIwrotehimword，thatMrsNortondidintendtohavereturned，butadmittedshehadsaidtohissister，"Itwouldbeforherchildren’sPage130
sake。’Ifound，evenwhilemakingthisangrycomplaint，andwhileendeavouringtocometoterms，heretainedcertainpocket—books，andMS。