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pensation in my home, it was not to be supposed I would give them up without a struggle, because it was so "written in the bond" of the English law. Ceaselessly, restlessly, perseveringly, I strove; and, fortunately for me, other cases of hardship had already drawn attention to the necessity of some reform on this subject; especially the case of a Mrs Greenhill, in which Serjeant Talfourd (now Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd) had been professionally concerned. A new "Infant Custody Bill" was brought forward by the learned Serjeant; and passed, after a struggle of three years, by a majority of four to one. As soon as it had passed, I prepared affidavits to lay before the Chancellor; and again Mr Norton narrowly escaped exposure. Among the persons on whom I depended as a witness of past events was the Right Hon. Edward Ellice. When he was applied to for an affidavit, he thought it a merciful wisdom to warn Mr Norton of what he could prove, and to endeavour to prevent the raking-up of affairs which had begun to be forgotten by the public. Mr Norton answered boldly:—
* * * * * "I have long looked to the threatened proceedings as the only mode of attaining a settlement, and of unmasking the repeated unwarrantable and hitherto unresisted attacks which have been perseveringly made on my character for some years."
But when he had had an interview with Mr Ellice; and had learned what that friend was expected to prove, he hastily retracted; and signified to me through his lawyers that it was unnecessary for me to present a petition on affidavit, as he yielded the point, and would not defend himself.
He yielded,—simply so far as the law would have compelled him, and as was necessary to save himself from the threatened and certain exposure which my appeal under the new law would have entailed. I saw my children in the most formal and comfortless manner. There was no mercy or generosity. I expected none, He even made it a personal quarrel with
