APPEAL from the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of New Jersey.

This is a suit in equity by George Crouch against William Roemer to prevent the infringement by the latter of reissued letters-patent No. 4289, granted March 7, 1871, to the complainant for an improvement in straps for shawls.

Among the defences set up by the respondent was the want of novelty and the prior public use of the invention described in the letters. The remaining facts are stated in the opinion of the court.

The court below sustained the defence and dismissed the bill. Crouch thereupon appealed.

Mr. E. B. Barnum for the appellant.

Mr. Arthur v. Briesen, contra.

MR. CHIEF JUSTICE WAITE delivered the opinion of the court.