A remarkable case of "undue influence" has been decided' this
week. Mr. Henry Hope Morley, one of the sons of the late Mr. Samuel Morley, received under his father's will about £170,000. He was a weak person with epileptic tendencies, and he joined a religious society known as the " close " branch of the Plymouth Brethren, the members of which, so• far as they can, decline all intercourse with the unconverted. Another member of this branch, Mr. W. H. Loughnan, obtained great influence over Mr. H. H. Morley, and it is alleged by Mr. Morley's brothers, received from him no less. than £140,000. Only £50,000 of this amount can be traced ; but it was on Friday decided by the Court of Chancery that. the plaintiff's main contention had been proved, that the defen- dant must restore £50,000 at once, and that inquiry must be in- stituted as to the remainder of the money. No physical coercion was employed on Mr. Morley, the whole " influence," in fact, being that of a strong mind over an unusually feeble one ; but the influence was, in the judgment of the Court, -clearly used for purposes of unjustifiable gain. The "gifts ' were about as voluntary as gifts by a patient to his mesmerist would be.
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