Cases - Dashwood V. Jermyn

(12 Chancery Division, 776) Captain Dashwood, who had been In the service of the Queen, Sick of "Eyes front" and "Attention," Came to London on his pension. At the "Portland" as he stayed, Firm the friendship that he made With one William Richards, who Put up at the "Portland" too. Passed six years, then he was wrapped in Love's embraces, vanquished captain! "Yes," he cried, "I will; no bar shall Stop my wedding Edith Marshall." But there was a bar, 'twas that He was poorer than a rat; Indian pensions do not run More than just enough for one. Edith, too, had not a cent, Who would pay the rates and rent? Two more years, and Richards moved (He perchance had sometime loved), Promised them an income clear, 'Twas five hundred pounds a year For his life; when he was dead, Then ten thousand pounds instead. This to Dashwood in a letter Wrote he, deeming it was better They should marry soon while he Lived their happiness to see. 'Twas a modest sum, but marriage May be blest without a carriage, Forty pounds a month and more Keep the wolf from near the door. So they wed for worse or better, On the faith of Richards' letter. Scarcely was a quarter's payment Due when mourning was their raiment. Richards died. Alas! no cash would Find its way to Captain Dashwood. Dashwood's head began to swim-- Not a shilling left to him! "Ha, I'll have it still," cried he; "Justice dwells in Chancery." So the case was straightway taken To the court of V.-C. Bacon. Vainly Dashwood cash expended The executors defended, Claiming that what Richards wrote Was not worth a five-pound note; First because the dead testator Well, not wisely, loved the "cratur," More than that, had often been In delirium tremens seen; Secondly, because he signed When he did not know his mind; Third, because pollicitation Is not good consideration. Law, of justice independent, Gave its judgment for defendant. Poorer than he was at first, That unhappy plaintiff cursed, With a special satisfaction Cursed the day he brought his action. Would that he'd in India tarried! Would that he had never married! He, alas, is tied for life Pauper to a pauper wife, Scarce consoled that on his name Equity reports shower fame, Bearing down to endless ages Dashwood's story on their pages.