text:  Already the fatal intelligence had been communicated by the attorneys of John Julius Altham to those of the astonished man who though still convinced of the goodness of his cause (which on the strength of certain various statutes affecting such a case he was advised to contest to the utmost ) foresaw a long vexatious and expensive lawsuit that would certainly last his life and prevent the possibility of one moment's enjoyment of the estate from which he had received the usual notice of ejection