The Sun. — London, England, 1855-12-24 00:00:00

THE SIIN, PROFESSOR LEONE LEVI'S LECTURE ON BANKERS' CHEQUES. A very interesting and novel ceremonial took place at King's College on Friday evening, being the formal closing for the session of Professor Leone Levi's lectures on what may properly be called the learning and litera ture of commerce. It is a curious fact that at the first establishment of the college a professorship of commerce was provided for, and a professor appointed. Lectures were given, but as no one attended they were at last abandoned, and the department remained in abeyance until the fame of Mr. Levi, as a commercial jurist, at tracted public attention to the subject, when his services having been secured, the class was re-opened, and with such success that the learned lecturer has had an at tendance of considerably upwards of one hundred students all through his course. Much of this success is to be attributed to the warm support given to the move ment by Mr. Gilbart, head manager of the London and Westminster Bank, who not only provided prizes for the successful students, but paid for the admission of every gentlemen connected with that great establishment who chose to avail himself of the course. Another gratifying circumstance connected with the introduction of this branch of education into King's College is, that the suc cess of Mr. Levi's lectures induced the Principal of the institution (Dr. Jelf) to establish evening lectures also on English literature and composition, the classics, ma thematics, and others of the higher branches of instruc tion ; and it was announced from the chair on Friday eveninc , that in every case the experiment had been at tended with the most complete success. The business of the evening commenced with the following lecture from Professor Levi, on the subject of bankers' cheques, a topic to which great interest has been given by a recent decision in the Court of Queen's Bench. Professor Levi rose and said—Gentlemen, we have al ways had under consideration the law relating to mer cantile securities as regards bills of exchange, Exchequer bills, dock warrants, Consols, &c. There remains now one instrument of considerable importance in commerce and banking, which cannot be omitted in our present course—that is, bankers' cheques ; and at the cost of leaving what was designated to occupy our attention in 'the last lecture for another occasion we will explain the state of the law on the subject. A cheque is pro perly a bill of exchange addressed to a banker, and paya ble to a certain person or bearer on demand, though the words "on demand" are not often inserted. Cheques are commonly made as follows : £lOO London, Jan. 1, 1856. Pay A. 8., or bearer, one hundred pounds, on account of --- C. D. Messrs, Jones Lloyd and Co. In order that such steps be exempted from stamp duties ..hey must specify the place and date of issue, and must be drawn upon bankers having their place of business within fifteen miles of the locality where the cheques are istied. A cheque is always supposed to be drawn upon a previous deposit of funds, and is an absolute appro priation of so much money in the hands of the bank to the holder of the cheque, to remain there until called for. To illustrate this :—A. cheque was produced in court as having been issued at the Dorchester Old Bank. It was contended that the cheque was void, because it ought to have been dated Dorchester, aad the words Dorchester Old Bank were not equivalent, as they only described the establishment, and did not necessarily im port that the cheque was drawn at Dorchester, though the bank was in fact situated there. But it was decided that the cheque did show to have beef drawn at Dor chester. In another case a cheque was drawn in the fallowing manner : October 12, 1847. Messrs. Knapp, leo., bankers, Abingdon, pay to Mr. Hicks, or bearer, one hundred and seventeen pounds seventeen shillings. 1171. 17s. THOMAS SHARPS. The same exception was male, that as no place where the cheque was issued appeared on the face of it, it was in admissible in evidence for want of a stamp ; and so it was decided that the place mentioned in the cheque was the place where Knapp, &c., carried en their business, and was not the place where the cheque was drawn. The cheque must be dated on or before the day on which it is issued, and it must not direct the payment to be made by a bill or note. The clause requiring a cheque to he issued within 15 miles of the place where the banker carries on business must be carefully attended to, be cause, if issued at a greater distance, if not stamped, it would be illegal, and the person issuing it, and the banker knowingly paying it, would incur the penalty of 1001. each ; and the person knowingly receiving it in payment or as a security incurs a penalty of 201. The place at which a cheque is considered as issued is that where the drawer parts with the possession of it ; and if it be transmitted by him through the post, the place of issuing is that where it is posted. An un stamped cheque drawn and issued as above may be circulated at any dietance from the place of issue with• out affecting its validity. Thus, a cheque drawn in London, upon a London banker, may be sent by post from London to Glasgow, or elsewhere, and negotiated there fur any period. Persons residing beyond the distance of 15 miles from their bankers, whether such residence be occasional or permanent, must affix to such cheques a penny stamp. But when the cheque is issued on stamped paper it may be drawn upon any one, banker or not, and at any distance from the place where it is to be paid, and may also be payable either to hearer or order. If made payable to order, then it must be in dorsed by the payee ; but if the drawee be a banker he is not bound to inquire whether the indorsement is genuine ; and if ho be not a banker it would be suffi cient for hint to be satisfied, before paying the cheque, of the authenticity of the signature of the payee. A cheque cannot be issued for any suns less than 20s. A cheque is not like a promissory note, payable on demand, which is a continuing security, but is intended to be presented speedily. In strictness, it ought to be pre sented the same day, if there be time, and the parties live in the same place, or, if not, within the banking hours of the next day at furthest. Government cheques are not payable at the Bank of England after 3 o'clock. If the parties live at a distance, the draft should be sent by the first post ; and so imperative this is, that it would not be sufficient to prove, in case of delay till the third day, that by such a course the cheque reached the drawee just as Anon. A banker in London who receives a cheque by the General Post is not bound to present it for payment till the following day. The Law Merchant requires that cheques be presented with reasonable diligence, and this is till the close of the bankinghours on the following day. Nor would it make any difference were the cheque to pass through the clearing-house. The clearing-house, I scarcely need to describe, is a place in Lombard-street where the bankers' clerks meet to exchange their ch,queß. The practice is, that each banker sends to the clearing house the cheques upon other bankers, which he receives in the course of the day ; they are there delivered to a clerk of the fir* on which they are drawn (each house having a clerk in attendance there for the purpose), and he enters them in a hook to the credit of the hankers paying them in. When the clock of the clearing. house strikes four, no more cheques are taken, and at the end of the day the clerks settle their balances. If a cheque comes too late for the clearing-house, it is usually sent to the bankers on whom it is drawn, an 1 they mark it with their initials, which is considered as an undertaking to pay it the next day, i'. not being usual for bankers to pay each other after four. It is usual that a banker receiving a cheque upon an other Is bound to pass it at tho clearing-house the same day, if there were time ' • but it appears th a t a c h eque p linat a b an k er ' s, and requiring to be cleared, must be entered in two books at least before it is sent out. It has then to go to the clearing-house, and to be then en tered in a third. - Under these circumstances it is but just to allow the banker till the next day to present the cheque. The number of banking firms who attended the clearing-house in January, 1855, was 26. The amount of transactions passed through the clearing by each bank ing h ous e during 1840 was estimated altogether at 974,580,0001. Returning now to the presentment of cheques, the holder is not entitled to one day more in presenting it, by passing it through his banker's. Te e practical mode in which the question of presentation of cheques presents itself is the effect of the diligence or ne gligence on the drawer and previous holder. For instance, a debtor paid his creditor by a ch e q ue, and the latter on the same day transmitted it to his banker. Tue banker omitted to present it at the clearing-house in time for that day, when it would have been paid , a nd on the next it was dishonoured, the firm on which it was drawn hay ing stopped payment. In this case the drawer would not titled, by discharged, the holder of the cheque being en by the general law, to present it the day after he receives it. When the cheque circulates through several hands, the holder would still have time till the next day to pre sent it. It must be remembered, however, that the liabi lity of the first drawer would not be extended by this ad ditional circulation. To charge him, the cheque must have been presented within the period within which the payee or first holder must have presented it. The next thing respecting cheques is the duty of the banker on the presentation of the cheque. As we have already had occasion to observe, he is under obligation to honour Lis customer's cheque, provided he has funds on hand belonging to Limn. And in that respect the law relat ir?g to cheques differs from the general law regarding bills and notes, by which the drawee is never liable on the bill till Le has accepted it. A cheque differs fi um bills of exchange also in that no days of grace are allowed on it. Where a cheque is handed in to the banker, ho would n' , t render himself responsible by retaining it, provided he retuFns it any ti me before five o'clock of ' the day on which it is drawn, and it would make no difference even if the cheque had been cancelled by mistake, if it be so returned on the same day. Cheques on bankers are not accepted ; payment is made o n p resen t a ti on i n lieu of it. We have already observed th a t th ere i s a cus • torn among bankersin London in their dealings with pay any cheque which is presented each other, not to to give AA answer to the per by or on behalf of another banker . after four O'clock in the afternoon, but merely sun so presenting it whether it . IS a good chequ e or not • d a mark i' and in case the cheque is "PI?" or the person made hon it, either by the person presenting marked cons dared gives the answer. A cheque so as entitled to a priority of payment. on the next d a y, the effe c t o f th a t mar ki n g being have simtlartothe accept ing of a bill, fo r th e b an k er admits thereby to h assets, and to make himself liable to pay. The utmost care needs to be exercised by a banker in paying cheques, because if not genu i ne he could not recover his money back fr om hi s customer, except he be guilty o f gross nc gligence. Thus Hall lent Wagstaffe a cheque on his banker F u ll er for 31. Waastatie altered the 31. into 3001., and F u ll er paid it. 'Fuller insisted on chargisei: Hall with the 3001., on the plea that the forgery was such that common observation could not have detected it. This was true, but yet Fuller bad authority to charge against Hall such sums only as Hall had ordered him to p a y, and here Hall_had only or d ere d hi m to pay 3/, Ful ler thus lost the 2011. In another case, however, a cer- tain Young left a blank chequ e on Grote, his bankers, with his wife, duly signed by him, that she might fig in sum and date accordi n g to what she might want. she wanted 501. 2s. 3d., and by her order Worcester, one of Young's clerks, filled it up accordingly, and showed it to her, and she directed him to get it cashed by Grote. In filling up the cheque, Worcester wrote the word "fifty" with a small initial, and left sufficient space on the left side for introducing any additional word, and he wrote the figures so as to leave space on the left side for any additional figure, and before presenting it Worcester put " three hundred and" before the word fifty, and " 3" before the 5, so as to make it a cheque for 350/. 24. 3d. Grote paid as such. Young would not allow that pay ment, and sued for his balance. Here it was found that gross negligence was committed in suffering Worcester to have possession of the draft, and Young therefore lost the amount. And now we have arrived at the payment of cheques, and to the practice of writing the banker's name across it, and to consider its effects. The practice of crossing cheques appears to have originated at the clear inghouse, the clerks of the different bankers who did busi ness there having been accustomed to write across the cheques the names of their employers, so as to enable the clearing-house clerks to make up their accounts. Originally, therefore, the crossing had nothing to do with the restriction of negotiability, for at the time when this was done the cheques were in the course of payment or presentation for payment, and all their negotiability was at an end. Afterwards it became a common practice to cross cheques which were not in tended to go through the clearing-house at all with the name of a banker, or with the words "and Co." A custom was thus introduced that where a cheque is crossed bankers generally refuse to pay it to any one ex cept a banker, and if they do pay it to a person not a banker, they do pay it at their peril in the event of the party to whom the payment is made not being entitled to receive it. The object of this is to secure the payment not to any particular banker, but to a banker, in order that it may be easily traced for whose use the money was received. It was not intended thereby to at all restrict the circulation or negotiability of the cheque, but merely to compel the holder to present it through a quarter of known respectability and credit. The crossing is therefore a mere memorandum on the face of the cheque, and farms no part of the instrument itself, and in no way alters its effects. But it is altered where the name of a banker or the specific use for which it is intended to be appropriated is introduced, instead of the generic words "and Co. ?" This was the case which created so much interest in 1852. The case was as follows :—A certain Bellaray was trustee of a gentleman named Frank, who died a lunatic, and he had opened an account with Messrs. Coutts and Co. for the purposes of the trust. At the time a suit was pending in Chancery with reference to the trust, in which a Mr. Triston acted as the solicitor for Bellamy. The other parties to the suit were the next of kin of Mr. Frank, and a Mr. Geary acted as solicitor for them. In June, 1845, Mr. Geary brought to Mr. Triston a cheque upon Messrs. Coutte, written out by him for 2,5961. 175., to be signed by Bellamy. It was when delivered to Mr. Triston in the common form. Mr. Triston sent the cheque to Mr. Bellamy at Brighton, who re turned it signed, with the following addition of his own handwriting, namely, at the end of the body of the cheque the words, " General unpaid costs account ;" and crossed as follows :—" Bank of England, for account of Accoun tant-General." Mr. Triston then sent it to the other trustee, Mr. Foster, to be signed by him, and having received it back, delivered it to Geary. Upon the day on which Geary received the cheque he struck out the crossing made by Mr. Bellamy, by running a pen through it, leaving it, however, perfectly legible, and crossed the cheque a second time with the name of Messrs. Gosling and Co. his own bankers, and paid it into their bank to the credit of their own account. Upon the following day the clerk of Messrs. Gosling presented it for payment at Messrs. Coutts' and Co., who paid it, and charged it to the debit of Mr. Bellamy's account. The money was placed by Messrs. Gosling to the credit of Geary in his account with them. He never paid the money to the Accountant- General, and Bellamy was obliged to make it good. Bellamy brought an action against Coutts for the amount, and the question was whether the payment made by Coutts to Geary's banker was valid. Did, or did not, the first crossing to the Bank of England " for account of the Accountant-General" impo=o a duty on Coutts not to pay the cheque except to the Bank of England ? Could such a restriction be imposed at all ? The crossing of a cheque cannot operate as an indorsement to the banker whose Hama is used, because it is not written with any intent to transfer the property in the cheque to him and it wants the essential pa r t o f th e i n d orsement, the delivery of the instrument to the indorses. The cross ing in the name of a banker is not, then, equivalent to a direction by the holder or drawer to the drawee not to pay to the bearer, but to a particular person only, for then the cheque would be altered in a manner which would take it out of the exception of the Stamp Act, which applies to cheques payable to bearer only. There fore the crossing of a cheque with the name of a blanker cannot have the effect of restricting its nego tiability to such banker alone. If it was so, the in stalment would be no longer a cheque. It was thee decided in that case that the payment by Coutts was good. Thus matters stood until lately, when a decision by Lord Campbell, in a case of a cheque of 481.175. 11d., revived the whole question. In this case it appears that a solicitor in St. James's-street intrusted one of their clerks to pay a number of cheques to their account with Dixon and Co., the whole of them being crossed with the name of that firm, though as regards the cheque in question it is doubtful whether the name of Dixon was at all in the cheque. The clerk retained one for 431. 17s. 11d., drawn on Masterman, and got it cashed by a tavern keeper, whose house he frequented. Out of the proceeds he deposited 151. 4s. Id. to his employer's ac count, and then absconded. The solicitor brought an action against the tavern keeper for the balance, because the cheque having been crossed with the name of Dixon and Co., the tavern keeper ought to have refused to cash it. The defence was that full value had been given, and that the tavern keeper had reason to believe the clerk to be a respectable man. Two points were at issue —first, whe ther the hotel keeper could cash the cheque through his own banker whilst it had been crossed Dixon and Co. ; secondly, was the hotel keeper guilty of negligence in taking such a cheque ! As to the first, although some doubt has been expressed as to the existence at all of the name of Dixon in the cheque, Lord Campbell ruled that crossing the cheque with the name of a banker did not, in point of law, affect the negotiability o f th e c h eque. In this respect Baron Parke's decision in 1812 was fully confirmed ; and it is still law that a cheque crossed with the name of a banker, or with the words " and C 0.," does not import a restriction of negotiability to any spe cific bank or account, but that the cheese shall be paid through a banker. The real ground of suck crossing is this : cheques are in their essential character payable to bearer ; they are in many respects treated as bank notes, for which lof late years they have been largely substi tuted ; but like all other things they are liable to be mis laid, or lost, or stolen, and may get into the hands of persons who are not entitled to receive payment of them. It is therefore a great protection to the real owner that there should exist the means of tracing and ascertaining for whose use the money paid on a cheque is received, and to whom the money actually goes. The payment through a banker secures this object. For instance, let us suppose the !customer of a banker to draw and to cross a cheque, intending to pay it to a person to whom lie was indebted, and that afterwards, and before hand ing it over Ito his creditor, he either lost it, or it was stolen from hint ; if this cheque was presented otherwise than through a banker, then, according to the custom or usage, it would not be paid, but if presented by a banker it would. The mere circumstance of the necessity of placing the cheque in the hands of a banker would of itself oppose some impediments to a fraudulent holder in dealing with the cheque, and making it avail able, and the fact that it could at once be traced and ascertained for whose use the proceeds were received would give considerable aid in enabling the drawer to recover book the money, in the event of his being entitled so to do. On the other hand, if the banker disregarded the custom, and paid the cheque to a private individual, that circumstance would no strong evidence against him in the event of his eeking to charge his customer with the payment, if the person actually presenting it was not the lawful holder and bearer of the cheque. But all this precaution has only reference to the time when the cheque is presented for payment, and has nothing to do with the circulation or negotiation of the cheque. This is the other point which has arisen out of the last case, viz., what is the amount of caution which was required of the hotel-keeper in receiving s tell cheque at all. Lord Campbell said that the mere want of caution would not be sufficient to discntitle a party where he had bona fide and for a valuable consideration become the holder of the cheque. This has long been hall by the court. Gross negligence only would not be a sufficient answer where the party has given consideration for the bill. Gross negligence may be the evidence of mala fides, but is not the same thing. The saying of Lord Campbell, " We have changed all that," re ferred to the old doctrine laid down by Lord Tenterden, that proper caution should be exercised in discounting a bill for a man whose name and residence was unknown, the new rule being that no caution need to be proved provided the transaction was bona fide. Where, then, is b t i l e i h e neg . tia ie What Parlia mentt e great r t m f a l n u e l t d a o t f t) they called i p eN r vd e h s i e ul s n pt t o pr r y et s so t e e rmvi legislaten w g ? and thetriemfoerebneot subject hlailwityshall w c e irc h i a il v a e ti w oi h i i o c f a cheque, and its disti nc ti ve h, feature as d p u a t y i a e b s, le s t b o ali be n a t rer, the same to stampfree from the danger attending like documents?esidNeVraetafeaere r i t e h l e . possibility of attaining these tw o d taneously. The law as it stands i s distinctl y under a certain method stood. The crossing only prescribe s to secure caution in tho ultimate pa cheque by causing it to be paid through are generally persons of great respectabil.tybmaenikters of, whothe in capable of lending themselves to anyconcealment suppression of the truth in order to promote Y ' and o fraud. It has been proposed to obtain a law by which, r e assist s jst or whenever a cheque 13 crossed with the name of banker, or the payment of which is appropriated to specific purpose, the banker on whom the cheque is so drawn shall pay it only through the banker, or on ac count only of the object so designated. We need not say that in such case the essential character of cheques, as payable to bearer, would he altogether altered ; but if it be thought so desirable, the provision, doubtless, is very simple, and might easily be reduced into a !vale !lye enactment. And now as to the effect of payment. It is usual to cause the payee, or holder of the cheque, to I write his name across the cheque, or to endorse it. The death of the drawer of the cheque is a countermand of the banker's authority to pay it ; but if the person to whom it is given receives it before the banker has notice of the death of the drawer it cannot be recalled. Cheques on bankers need not be protected. We had occasion to notice that cheques cannot be received in payment of bills or notes. It was indeed the usage in Lon don, when the drawee was a respectable person in trade, to give up the bill and receive his draft, and it was decided in two cases that the el tbe b u a g n b k e e r e e w b a s c ri b no t q e g e u s i b t y e y ono s u o re d d o . ing liut a differ en t rule prevails 4 l aofftenrewg a l negligence c d o i s h b and both the drawers and indorsers would be discharged by the holder of the bill taking a cheque from and de livering up the bill to the acceptor, in case the cheque were not paid. The law relating to banking cheques, bills :of exchange, and other mercantile instruments, must accommodate itself to mercantile practice ; the le gislature or jurisprudence can have but little voice in it. It is always of extreme injury when rules are imposed inconsistent with the wants of commerce, and more espe cially when established customs are suddenly traversed by a legal decision. The best mode of preventing such inconvenience is to cause the customs and even the opi nion and views held by merchants to be well understood. Such opinions and views are generally found to be con sistent with what is cautious, expedient, and just. At the conclusion of the lecture, which was listened to with marked attention, Mr. Levi vacated the chair, and Dr. JELF, principal of the college, proceeded to ad dress a few observations to the audience. Having com plimented Mr. Levi on the very ♦aluable and lucid lec ture they had jut heard, the learned doctor proceeded to say that his being there was a little out of routine, as it was no part of his duty to distribute the prizes on that occasion, but he could not, as the chief executive officer in the institution, deprive him of the pleasure of giving every countenance in hie power to the important object which his friend Professor Levi had in view. (Hear.) He attended first, because he thought the discussion of the subjects which had been brought under their notice dur ing the present course marked a new era, not only in the history of the college, but of the commercial world. For many years, he believed, the commerce of this great country had been carried on by what was familiarly known as the rule of thumb, few knowing the scientific principles by which it was at the bottom governed. Thanks to Mr. Levi, that would now no longer be the case, the subject would be thoroughly opened up; indeed Professor Levi had in his opening lecture given them an outline of what he meant to de, which, if properly car ried out, would give them all intellectual occupation for the rest of their natural lives. (Laughter.) Another rea son why he had pleasure in attending was that this course of lecture■ had led to the establishment of lec tures in the college in various other branches of know ledge, and he was happy to add that all these lectures were attracting large audiences. (Hear.) He had a third reason for attending, and that was to express his cordial thanks to Mr. Gilbert for his warm interest in the course, and generally for his exertions in developing the scienti fic principles of commerce. (Cheers.) Lastly, he had been ►nduced to attend by his respect and esteem for their professor, whose fame as a commercial jurist had in duced the head■ of the college to re-establish a professor ship which bad long remained in abeyance. (Hear.) It would ill become him, in Mr. Levi's presence, to enlarge further on his merits. Suffice it to say, that their professor was a man of continental reputation, and was admitted to be one of the first jurists in com mercial law that the world now possessed. (Hear, hear.) But he (Dr. Jeff) could not let that opportunity pass of thanking Professor Levi for the kind attention and ability he had displayed during the course, and also of warmly acknowledging the attention, diligence, and gentlemanly conduct of all the members of his class. (Cheers.) The prizes, which consisted of books and certificates, were then distributed to the following gen tlemen ; the first eight obtaining books and certificates, the remainder certificates alone—the first prize in every branch being awarded to Mr. William Hutchings :—W. Hutchings, Sweet, Forsaith, Delivalle, Sykes, Butter, Chubb, Ketchlee, Thompson, T. J. Jones, Cndmore, King, Duncan, Cameron, Bird, Cleve!, Hume, Osborne, Jones, and Rose. In presenting the prizes, Mr. Lim took occasion to thank the heads of King's College, for the service ren dered to commerce by the establishment of this branch of education, and to point out that the object was not to bewilder the students with the technicalities of com mercial law, but to ground them in its general principles, which being fended on common sense and justice, every man of common sense could understand. With respect to the cases in which certificates only were given, he trusted that these certificates would have considerable value, and serve as letters of introduction to employ ment in the great establishments of the metropolis. Dr. JELF observed that in other branches of educa tion they had been found highly advantageous as recom mendations to employment. The prizes and certificates having been all distributed, Mr. GILBART rose amid loud cheers to propose a vote of thanks to their Rev. Principal, Dr. Jelf, for his kind attendance on that occasion. It was not every event of his life to which a man could look back with un mingled satisfaction, but be (Mr. Gilbert) could say that his satisfaction with everything connected with the course of lectures just terminated was unmingled and ent re. (Cheers.) It was a pleasure to him to see so numerous an attendance, especially from the establishment with which he was connected,. and he was quite sure that the lectures which bad been delivered would have a power ful effect on all who had had the advantage of hearing them. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that our collegiate institutions generally would follow the good example set by King's College, as literature and commerce were in their best aspects intimately connected with each other. It was commerce that gave to literature its practical utility, and literature to commerce its intellectual en joyments. (Cheers.) He could not overrate the advan tage they had derived from having bad these lectures established in King's College. Had they been com menced in a private building they woald have attracted little attention, but when fostered by one of the most eminent of our educational institutions there was little fear of their ultimate popularity. He repeated that it was a high honour to be permitted to open this class in King's College, and that honour was much enhanced by the presence of their reverend principal on that occa sion. He ha-1 great pleasure then in proposing a vot of thanks to Dr. Jelf, for his attendance and presidency that evening. The vote was carried by acclamation. Dr. JELF briefly acknowledged the vote, and in part ing suggested to the students that although their present studies were most valuable, they might with great ad vantage extend their attention to other branches. There were many classes in the college in Et glieh literature and composition—and what accomplishment, he would ask, was more valuable than that of writing a clear, lucid, Anglo-Saxon letter ? (Hear, hear.) He could assure them that one of the most difficult things in the world was to write a good letter. There were also lec tures on the languages and on mathematics, and his hearers would find that if they gave part of their atten tion to those branches the effect would be to strengthen and brighten their intellect for their favourite study. Lastly, he trusted it would not be considered out of place if he reminded them that out Wednesday evenings there were classes on the best of all studies, that of religion ; and although as occasional students their attendance in these classes was not compulsory, those who think pro per to attend would never have cause to regret having done so. He was not going to preach to them there, for lie was not in the pulpit, but this he would say as a friend, that he would not give three straws for any edu cation in which religion was not the basis and principal element. In conclusion, the learned doctor took a kind and courteous farewell of all present. RESTORATION OF GAMSTON CHURCII. (Front the Rctford Advertiser.) HISTORIC NOTICES OF THE CHURCH. The following extracts from the report of Mr. G. G. Scott, A.R.A., who has just restored the parish church of St. Peter, Gamston, will convey tho best idea that can be given of the original structure, and the changes which have been made in it previous to the present al terations. "This church consists of a nave with south aisle, chancel, and western tower. There has been a north portch which has been destroyed. "The pillars, and four arches, by which the aisle is separated from the nave, and also the chancel arch, are of the end of the 13th century, and of good design. The capitals of the pillars are of a peculiar and curious design. " - The north wall, to half its height, is probably of the same date ; the clerestory having been added at a later period. " The aisle walls are.also probably partly of the same date, though the windows have been inserted later. The north and south doorways are both walled up, but would probably ba•found to agree in date with the earliest portions of the church. ..... "The clerestory and roofs are of the 15th or 16th cen tury, as are the windows generally. " The chancel is a structure of the 16th century, and of a size and height not proportioned to the scale of the church. "The tower is a remarkably fair structure, quite early in the perpendicular style —it is, in fact, much the finest tower in the neighbourhood." These are Mr. Scott's remarks. _ The oldest part of the church now standing is at tributed by Mr. Scott the sod of the 13th century, but a church was existing her(' before the end of the 12th century, as may be seen in Thoroton (art. Mission), where the church of Gainston is confirmed to the Canons of Mattersey, against the abbot and canons of Welbeck, in the year 1192. The founders of the Monastery of Gilbortines, at Mat tersey, were the Lords of Gameton, though they took their name from Mattersey, and were called de Mareeey, or de Marisco. They were the founders of the churches of Bolton, Marishey (Bawtry ?), and Misson, which, as well as atnston, they gave to the Priory of Mattersey ; and " all the right which they claimed in the said isle and churches was confirmed to the Priors and Canons of Mattersey, in 1192." The Priory was founded pro bably about 1180. From the de Mareseys were descended the Monbou chore, Lords of Gainston, whose arms were on the monu mental effigy of a knight lying in the chancel. This knight was probably Sir Nicholas Monboucher, on whom, and his wife Margaret, were settled vast estates in this county, on his marriage in 1366. Ile died in 1385. A son of his, Ralph Monboucher, has been eom memorated on a piece of painted glass, in the window of the chancel, on which might be traced " Orate pro bono state Radulphi." According to a memorandum in the Register, in 1669, by John Davies, Rector, Ralph died without issue, and the family became extinct. As Mr. Scott says, the tower is quite early in the per pendicular style, which style commenced towards the end of the reign of . Edward 111. ( w h o di ed in 1376). s twhich determine when w The it was built from a peculiar tra it in it. We must suppose this part of the chu rc h was b uilt by Sir Nicholas soon afte r his marria g e, or in the course of tower t henext itself 2o w ye il a i rs,at probablytil help eend u of Though it is a handsome stru cture, and h as evidently been built by skilful workmen , it seems, in on e respect, to have been mismanaged. The tower does withnave and chaucel, but is not stand square in clined to an angle of about eight degre es to the nor th of strangelythe west, while the other parts are nearly due east an d west. This deviation cannot have been caused by accident , or carelessness, since it has given ,the workmen much ad ditiOnal trouble to connect the tower with the P&VO at LONVON, MONDAY _EVII, I IIII4 G, DECEMB_E,R 24 1855 . so unconvenient an angle. Why did they depart from the original line? The only answer appears to be this. They made use of the compass to ascertain what they believed to be the true north, and they corrected it by the error, as they conceived, of the original builders. If this be the right answer, the deviation from the true meridian will be in accordance with the variation due at the period in which the tower was built. The variation of the needle from the true meridian was first publicly noticed in 1576 ; and it appears, according to the best calculations that have been made about this variation, and the tables constructed from them, that two dates are attached to the period of eight degrees deviation to the north of west, or east of north (which is the same thing) : viz., 1363 and 1601. Of these two the earlier agrees best with the period assigned by Mr. Scott to the erection of the tower, for he says, "it is quite early in the perpen dicular style," which extends from about 1377 to 1485. We may assume, then, that the tower of Gamston Church was built towards the end of the reign of Edward 111., and, if so, it was probably constructed at the expense of Sir Nicholas Monboucher, who died in 1385. As the descendant of the original founders of the church he was more likely to have taken an interast in its restoration and improvement. When the builders of the tower determined to place it on a different line of meridian from the older part of the church, they no doubt reckoned that it would be neces sary ere long to rebuild the nave and chancel, and that the line which they had adopted would be the one to which the rest of the structure would be made conform. able. Had this happened we should have had a case of orientation, as it is called, differing throughout the whole church from that of the true meridian. As such cases are not unfrequently met with, it is very possible that the cause in all cases may have been the same. By comparing the probable age of the structure, in those instances, with a table of variations (such as has been alluded to) that question might be determined. The reasons usually assigned for these anomalies are by no means satisfactory. Aubrey supposed that the founders of our churches, havi ng " wa t c h e d and prayed all night on the vigil of the dedication, took that point of the horizon where the sun arose for the east ; which is the reason of the great variation of the position of churches as to the due east, and he says that he has " made trial of some churches, and found the length of the church to point to that part of the horizon where the sun arises on the day of that saint to whom it is dedi cated." (Aubrey on Gentilism, quoted in Southey's Common Place Book, iii., p. 372. But this hypothesis is overthrown by " the difference of orientation in churches under the same invocation." (Eland-Book of Ecclosi ology, p. 40.) Mr. Scott says—" The chancel is of the 16th century, and of a size and height by no means proportioned to the scale of the church." In the register is a memorandum by the Rev. John Davies, rector in 1669, which states that on a pane of glass in the window of the church was in,cribed—"Baker, Rectoris de Gamuleton, qui istum cancel's= fieri fecit Ano. Dom. MD. .XVII." As there is a space between D and X, and this date is earlier than might have been expected, it is probable that MDLXVII. was in the original. Another memorandum by Mr. Davies informs us " that the broad flat monument at the upper end of the chancel, on the left hand side, is the tomb of one Mr. Thurland, who was for.nerly Lord of the Towne !" This was the great merchant of that name at Nottingham, who was mayor of Nottingham in 1459, and died in 1497. Thoresby further mentions—" within the rails of the altar on the floor is a grave-stone, on which is re presented a priest consecrating the wine." This is now built into the south wall in an upright position. It is a curious specimen of a peculiar class of incised slabs. Other examples are found in this county in the ruined chapel at Haughton. The recumbent effigy of a priest, now placed on the north side of the altar, is well worthy of notice, though bearing marks of mutilation in former times. He is vested in Chasuble, Albe, Stole, and Maniple. The effigy of a knight at the west end of the aisle is supposed to be that of Sir Nicholas Monboucher, mentioned above. It seems originally to have been in the chancel, and before the Restoration was built into the north wall. Two slabs, inscribed with maltese crosses, were also discovered during the recent repairs —built up into the south wall ; these are probably as early as the 11th cen tury:. This restoration originated with the Duke of New castle, the owner of the whole parish, with the exception of the Rector's glebe. The Duke has contributed two thirds to the restoration of the nave, aisle, and tower, and the rebuilding of the porch. The chancel has beer restored by the Rev. John Twells, the Rector. The whole building has had new roofs, and the walls have been put into thorough repair and renewed in many places. The windows have been new glazed by Welch, of Retford. The naive and aisle have been relaid with small black and red tiles. The chancel has been floored with decorated tiles made by Minton. The sittings art open, of a plain and substantial character, and entirely composed of oak. The pulpit, of a bold and handsome character, is of oak, on a stone basement. The desk is open and placed opposite to the pulpit. The chancel seats are of a suitable character and are placed stall wise. The communion rails, made from a design by Mr. Scott, are executed by Skidmore, of Coventry, who ha also supplied the chancel corona and the standards for lighting the church. The edifice has been effectually heated with hot air by Haden, of Trowbridge, at the joint expense of the parish and the rector. A handsome crimson velvet communion cloth with aa embroidered monogram, and a beautiful border of vine-leaf pattern. has been presented to the church by the parishioners. The pulpit cushion is the gift of one of the churchwar dens (Mr. Wm. Rogers). These and the other articles of church furniture are supplied by Jones and Willis, of Birmingham. The Commandments have, with great judgment, been placed on a large space of the wall above the chancel arch, in old English character, by Cassells, of London. A text from 2 Chronicles vi. 40, run' round the chancel arch, "Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in thi s pl ace ." The whole restoration has been conducted from the plans and designs of Mr. G. G. Scott, under the able and assiduous superintendence of Mr. J. M. Johnston, the clerk of the works. Messrs. Lee and Webster were the contractors for the whole restoration. The whole expense has been for the church about 1,6201., chancel 4151.-2,035/. for the whole restoration. Divine services ceased to be celebrated after Sunday, August 20th, 1854—sixteen months being occupi e d i n the restoration. The money is raised by the parishioners in church rates, of about ls. 2d. in the pound, extending over about 4 years from the commencement. METROPOLITAN BOAI tD OP WORKS. [A. portion of the following appeared in our impres sion of Saturday.] The adjourned meeting of t'b a members of this board for the election of a chairman took place on Saturday at Burlington-house. Mr. Nicholay, chairman pro tem., in the chair. There was a full attendanoo of the members of the board, but few of the public w( it e present. The list of candidates contained the names of 18 gen tlemen. Mr. WILKINSON (hon. secretaT y) read the minutes of the former meeting, which were ca .nfirmed by the meeting. A letter was read from Sir B. Hall, in answer to an application to him by the hon. secretary, for the pur pose of permitting the use of II ;urlington.house for the meetings of the board till furth r notice, and a vote of thanks was in accordance pa: is ed to the hon. baronet for his kind permission. The names of the members .of the board were then called over, and but five only' A sr ere found to be present. Mr. CHAS. FEW rose, and swas proceeding to make some remarks relative to the proceedings of the last meeting respecting the salary ito be paid to the chair man, but was reminded by The CHAD:MAN that the fiin thing to be done at this meeting was to elect a chairman. Mr. FEW then withdrew his re 'marks till a subsequent period of the meeting. Sir J. SHELLEY called attention i to a letter he had for warded to the chairman, retiring from the election of the chairmanship, in consequence chf the resolution passed at the former meeting, believing a gentleman who was a member of Parliament would not be eligible. He therefore preferred retaining his position as a member of Parliament than becoming at the expense of that seat the chairman of the board. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR said he considered Sir J. Shelley misunderstood the intention of the boarmi. No objection would be made to a member of Parliament as chairman if he possessed the required qualification for the office. Sir J. SHELLEY said he had not canvassed for a single vote. If he had known at the former meeting that Mr. Roebuck would have become a candidate, he (Sir J. Shelley) would not have had the presumption to have offered himself a candidate in opposition to that gentleman. A letter was then read from Sir John Shelley, M.P., addressed to the Chairman, intimating a wish that his name might not appear in the list of candidates, and as signing as a reason for that request the resolution come to by the board at their meeting on Wednesday, the effect of which was, as it appeared to him, that no one engaged in the public service was eligible for the ape pointment. . _ Sir J. SHELLEY staid ha still svithdrev► his name. The Hon. SECRETARY then read the following list of gentlemen who had forwarded their names as candidates for the off 3e of Chairman :—Afessrs. Barker, Booth, Buckton, Burch, G. F. Carden, Sir C. C. D'Crospeigny, Mr. Corrie, Deputy Harrison, Messrs. T. Hawes, R . Jebb, W. J. Neale (barri3te4. G. Offer, Hon. Joseph Percy, M.P., J. A. Roebuck, M.P., A. Symonds, J. Thwo.ites, and T. Turner. Mr. BIKER withdrew his name, and the following gentlemen having no mover or seconder, were erased from the list :—Messrs. Booth, G. H. Buckston, Sir C. C. D'Crespeigny, Neale, and Symonds. Sir J. SHELLEY moved, and Mr. CHALUERS seconded, Mr. G. F. Carden. Sir J. SHELLEY moved, and Major LYON seconded, Mr. Corrie. Mr. HALL moved, and Sir J. SHELLEY seconded, Mr. Deputy Harrison. Sir J. &CRUET proposed, and Mr. MORLAND seconded, Mr. T. Ha wes. Mr. HUNT proposed, and Mr. PASCAL seconded, Mr. Jebb. Mr. HOSE moved, and Mr. Scow seconded, Mr. Offer, who, however, withdrew with the consent of the meeting. Major LYON proposed, and Mr. CHALILERS seconded, the Hon. P. J. Percy, M.P. Major LYON proposed, and Mr. HUNT seconded, Mr. Roebuck, M.P. Mr. DIPFANGER moved,and Mr. COLUMN seconded, Mr. Thwaites. Captain Bunninf moved, and Mr. CORRIE seconded, Mr. Turner. Mr. FEW was then called on, and said it appeared to him that the feeling of the last meeting was worthy of consideration, to get a modification of the clause relative to the payment of the Chairman, and moved the following resolution :—" That before proceeding to elect a chairman, this board desires to record its opi nion that it is expedient that the provisions in the Act (18 and 19 Vic. c. 1201, c 3n:welling the election of a paid chairman should be repealed, and that any candi- date for that office be required to give a pledge, th tt if elected he will resign his position as chairman in the event of Parliament repealing the provision in question. (Cries of "Oh, oh.") The CHAIRMAN ruled that the resolution could not then be entertained. The ehairman must be first elected before they could proceed with other business. The Hon. SECRETARY then read the application of Mr. Carden, and called upon the mover and seconder of that gentleman to address the meeting in favour of his claims, but those gentlemen declined ; and Mr. Carden having been called on, addressed the meeting in support of his claims to the office. Major LTON, the seconder of Mr. Corrie, said a few words in support of that gentleman. Mr. ConniE asked the support of the board on the grounds of his being a professional gentleman, be• cause points would daily arise requiring the gen tleman who filled the office of chairman to hare a knowledge of law, to prevent mistakes from occurring. If not a qualification, they would, he trusted, be of opinion it was not a disqualification his being a lawyer. Secondly, that his present position as a magistrate and his abilities to fill that office were proof of his capacity to discharge the duties that would de volve on their chairman. He considered the ao; unless modifications were made in it by Parliament would ulti mately increase the amount at present paid by the rate payers. He thought the chairman should be a gentle man unconnected with the representation of the country. If they elected him he would devote the whole of his life to effectually discharging the duties of the offile. Ile valued the position the office would confer on the holder more than the salary. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR asked Mr. Corns if he were elected whether he would resign his present office as police ma. gistrate ? Mr. ConnlE—Yes. Mr. HALL urged Mr. Deputy Harrison's claim: to the ace as being a u3eful man. That gentleman hal been for years connected with public boards and had had - perienco as a member of that board, who had carried out considerable improvements in the City of London. He was also one of the Commissioners of Sowers for the City. He was a man of strong common sense and emi lently qualified for the office. Sir J. SHELLEY the seconder was called on to address the meeting in his favour, but declined, stating he only seconded Mr. Deputy Harrison as a matter o fora. Mr. Deputy HARAISoN said he looked upon his no mination to that 'Tice as a desire on the part of those 4entlemen to pay a compliment to the City of London. He detailed his experienos on public works connected with the City of London, from the re-building of Lon don•bridge to the present time. Objections might be taken to his appointment to the chair from his being in business, but if they elected him he promised them faith fully that ho would devote the whole of his time to the duties of the office, Mr. T. HAWES' (a former chairman of the Metropoli tan Commissioners of Sewers) name was next placed be fore the meeting►, and a letterifrom.the candidate, stating his qqalifications for the office, was read by the hon. secretary.`: Mr. MOIRLAND, his seconder, having introduced him to the meeting in a few words, Mr. riAwEs as briefly addressed the meeting, pledging himself efficiently to discharge the duties of the office. Mr. HUNT advocated the claims of Mr. Jebb, Chair man of the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers, to hie appointment to the office of Chairman of the Metro politan Board of Works. That gentleman must he better acquainted with the various schemes and plans tkat had been brought forward relative to the carry ing out of works such as would devolve on them than those gentlemen who had been proposed for the office unconnected with that Commission. Mr. PASCAL also advocated Mr. Jebb's claims to the appointment. Mr. .TEue, in addressing the meeting, begged to dis abuse the minds of the board from certain statements that had been made relative to who he was. He was a distant relation of Colonel Jebb not his son. He was Chairman of the Metropolitan Com mission of Sewers, and repudiated having used his influence as tutor to the Duke of Cambridge to ob tain this appointment, assuring them that he relied alone on his qualifications to fill that office to obtain their suffrages. He was by profession a barrister. His special claim on them arose from his thorough knowledge of the sewerage and drainage of the metropolis. He thought it presumption on the part of any person not civil engineer to put hi , =elf forward as the head of any Particular party relatil /e to the superiority of any one system of sewerage a ,nd drainage over the others. The Hon. SECRE',.CARY said that by mistake the name of Mr. Arthur Itc,se had been omitted from the list. Mr. FEW mo - red, and Mr. DREW seconded, the nomi nation of that gentleman. Mr. CHALMERS, the seconder of the Hon. J. Percy, M.P., urged leis claims as a gentleman of ability, energy, and integrity. That gentleman was absent, not knowing the various candidates were expectel to be present to state their opinion s to the board. Major LYON, in proposing Mr. Roebuck, said they wanted the best mon they could find to fill the office of chairman, no matter who he was or where he came from—a gentlemaia possessed of integrity, honesty, tact, and time to bring to the discharge of the important duties of that office. At the former meeting of the board it was considered by many that it would be a disgrace to the members of the board to go out of the board to find a chairman. He thought they bad since seen that that was a mistake, and it would be an error, then, attempting to take a gentleman from themselves. It was, therefore, from no want of respect to them that he and others sug gested taking Mr. Percy, Mr. Itoebink, or Mr. Baring. The latter gentleman had declined the office. He thought it was objectionable, then, taking a member of Parliament for either of the metropolitan boroughs, or a gentleman con nected with the Government. He thought this first objection did not affect Mr. Roebuck, and with regard to the lat ter, be (Major Lyon) believed him to be less influenced by a Government than any other they could select. (Hear.) It had been said, "Take care in doing a kind ness to Mr. Roebuck you do not inflict a cruelty on him ;" but he was happy to say that that gentleman had in formed him he never felt better in his life than be did then. He believed Mr. Roebuck to be a gentleman of business habits, and capable of presiding over any public body. Mr. ROEBUCK said, that he had not solicited this office, but had been asked to come forward, and had done so with rather bad feelings on his mind. Hitherto when he had had to appeal to the suffrages of the people, no man had been able to say that he had had any other personal consideration in that appeal than an honest ambition to fill the office of a representative, and which should only distinguish every gentleman who aspired for such an honour. (Hear.) He had served the country for 23 years without pay or reward, and he certainly had felt a little hesitation at accepting that office from the pain it had given him of pay being attached to it, having hoped that his life would have been passed without the slightest possibility of any imputation being made on him of being influenced by place. (Hear.) Still, how ever, he thought circumstances justified his makiag that appeal to them that day to fill the office of their chairman, because that board was a great experi ment at self-legislation. Hitherto the elective body had been confined to the legislation for the country, but here they had an executive one, and it had been always said by the enemies of the people that they were unable to govern themselves in an executive man ner. (Hear.) He believed there were many diffi culties presented themselves to them in doing so, and it seemed to him that a man who had given up the whole of his time to the business of Government was a man eminently qualified to take the lead as their chairman i❑ propounding a scheme of self. government in execu tive affairs. It might be said that he had not that ca pacity for business that their chairman ought to pos sess, but it appeared to him that his education that of a lawyer and a legislator give him that qualification. Their duties would be to do certain things, but before that to weigh and understand evidence that would be brought before them, and the man who had been trained during the whole of his life to the investigation of evi dence was the man for that purpose. (Hear.) The hon. and learned gentleman then referred t• the many thorny investigations he had conducted to show his business habits, especially that relative to the corrupt compro mises made at elections (which he conducted without a division in the committee), and that of the committee on the army before Sebastopol, in the course of which the committee only divided twice. (Hear.) After alluding to some other matters, and that his health permitted his undertaking the duties of the office ho said he would cheerfully devote his time to them if they elected him, but not at the expense of his seat as a representative of the people. It he were called on to give up one, he would resign all pretensions to fill their chair. (Cheers.) The various gentlemen who proposed and seconded the remaining gentlemen addressed the meeting in sup_ port of their claims, after which these gentlemen ex pressed their views on the duties of the office, and the manner in which they should be carried out. Mr. Tawaries remarked that, if elected, he would make arrangements to devote his whole time to the duties. Some difference of feeling existing whether the board should at once proceed to the election or adjourn to Wednesday, a resolution was proposed for the immediate election. The board divided, when the numbers were—For the resolution, 21 ; against it, G. The Beard then proceeded with the election, after various absurd propositions bad been put to the meeting as to the best course to pursue to reduce the number of candidates to two. Ultimately the names were pat singly. Each of the candidates whose name was put to the vote denied being connected with the Metropolitan Sewage Company. A show of hands was taken seven different times, and the following was the result : Ist 2d 3d. 4th. sth. 6th. 7th. Fi. Mr. John Thwaites 26 show. 25 . 26 23 26 21 26 30 41 Mr. Deputy Harrison 17 15 16 16 16 16 13 Mr. J. Roebuck, M.P. 17 19 18 17 17 13 Mr. Thomas Turner 14 13 12 12 11 Mr. Richard Jebb l9 11 13 11 Mr. William Corrie 12 13 11 Mr. T. Hawes 9 8 Hon. J. Percy, M.P 4 Mr. G. F. Carden...., 0 Mr. Arthur Rosa 0 The election of chairman therefore fell upon Mr. Thwaites. THE RE-OPENING. The re-opening of the church took place last Thursday (Dec. 20th), on a fine bright December day. Before eleven o clock (the hour of morning service) the church was filled by a most respectable c ongregat i on, number ing, amongst other distinguished persons, his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, Lady Sti , an Clinton, Lord Albert Clinton, Lady Newark, Lady Annora Wynn, !Mrs. Bridgeman Simpson, Hon. and Rev. Mr. Howard, Mrs. W. F. I33ring, Mrs. Huntsman, Mrs. Dawkins, W. J. Picken, Esq., Rev. C. W. Eyre, Rev. J. and Mrs. Mickle, Rev. C. and Mrs. Hodge, Rev. H. T. Daniel, Rev. G. W. and Mr s . Brameld, Rev. H. P. Cheeshire , Rev. H. C. Mitchinson, Rev. T. Mitchinson (atiring ton), Rev. E. H. Dawkins, Rev. Arthur Brook, Rev. W. A. Plumptroe, Rev. Joshua I3rooke (Cotten Bassett), Rev. H. and Mrs. Marsh, Rev. E. Twells, Rev.J.Ta ells, Rev. C. Postlewaite, Rev. J. Potter(Ellington), Rev. J. and Mrs. Nash (Weston), Rev. J. Cane (Perlethorpe), G. Marshall, Esq., Miss Marshall, Mrs. S. Marshall, Miss Frankland, niece of the late Sir John Franklin (Clifton near Bristol), Mrs. and J. Denzian, Esq., the Mi sses Hurt, the Misses Hutchinson, Mrs. and H. Hewing, Esq., Mr. and Miss Closes, Mrs. Lister (011erton), and the Misses Swan, Councillors Howe and Beeley, Mrs. and Miss King (Kingsaugh), Mrs. Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis (Eaton), Mrs. Holmes, Messrr.E.Hodg- R. Baker, R. Rogers , W. Rogers, J. Roberts, J. Lee kinson, J.Wightinan, J. Dennett, R. Morto n , J.N or tb, (contractor for the restoration of the church), &c., &c. The tower has been curtained off from the body of the church, and is used as a vestry ; and here the clergy and the East Retford Voluntary Choir assembled, and (duly vested in surplices, &c.,) walked in procession to their places in the chancel. Morning prayers were said by the Rev. E. Twelle,—the lessons being read by the Reve.H. Daniel, and J. Brooke (of Colton Basset). The com munion service was taken by the Rev. John Twells, Rector—the Rev. Arthur Brook (of Retford) and the Rev. Joshua Brook acting as epistler and gospeller. The choir of our parish church sang with great judgment, taste, and feeling, and were ably accom panied on a harmonium by Mr. Dixon, the organist. All praise is doe to them for the able assistance they so kindly rendered in the services of the day. The sermon was preached by the Rev. H. A. Marsh, vicar of Tux ford, from Psalm xiviii. 12 and 13—" Walk about Sion, go round about her, and tell the towers thereof ;—mark well her bulwarks, consider her houses—that ye may tell them that come after." The collection at the Offertory amounted to 611. 14s. 54d. After morning service, the Duke of Newcastle and a large party partook of lunch at the rectory. The afternoon service commenced at half-past three o'clock, and the church was even more crowded than in the morning. The effect of the lights throughout the church—especially the corona of nine lights in the chan cel, was very striking as evening drew on. Evening prayer was said by the Rev. H. C. Mitchin son ; the lessens read by the Revs. G. W. Brameld and C. Postlethwaite. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Edward Twells, from Nehemiah xiii. 14—" Re member me, 0 my God, concerning this ; and wipe not out the good deeds that I have done for the House of my God, and for the offices thereof." The collection was made during the singing of the 149th Psalm, and amounted to 331. 13s. 30. Total collection through the day, 951. 7e. Bd. BRITISH ANTI-TOBACCO SOCIFITY.—On Wednesday (ironing, the 19th inst., the second of a course of meet ings for the promotion of the objects of this society was held in Shaftesbury Hall, Aldersgate.street, under the presidency of James Hinton, Esq., M.R.C.S. The topic submitted for consideration was : "The use of tobacco antagonietie to the physcial and social well-being of man." The meeting was addressed by Dr. Lee, of Hartwell-park ; Dr. Carr, and Messrs. Engel!, Edwards, Wainwright, Tagg, and Jackson. It was urged that the maintenance of health was contingent on the obser vance of the laws of our nature, and that by the we of tobacco those laws were infringed. The use of tobacco also interfered with the proper employment of time, ta lent., and p ecun i ar y resources , an d l e d t o a vast amount of intemperance in drink. Instaaces were given of striking benefits expe r i ence d by those who had beenin duced to discontinue it. At the close of the meeting the secretary of the society announced that Dr. Lee, and Dr. Cook e , o f T r i n i ty - square , h a d p ro mi s ed to pre side at future meetings. RESIGNATION OF SIR J. SHELLEY. Sir J. &MUT, M.P., said the permanent chairman of the board having been now appointed, he felt it a duty incumbent upon him to resign his position as a member of the board. There was an incident connected with his election for the parish of St. James's, West minster, which made his election at least doubtful ; and after a consideration of the circumstances, and believing that it would be upon the whole better for the interests of the parish of St. James that be should withdraw from the board, ho would now tender his resignation in writing. _ Mr.Th'IFFANGER doubted whether Sir John Shelley could resign legally before the let of January, as the board did not actually commenee its funotions until that day. Sir J. Srizr.trr said, if that were so, he hhould con tent himself with now giving notice that on the first sit ting of the board in January he should place his resigna tion in writing in the chairman's bands. Mr. THWAITES thanked the Board for the honour con ferred o❑ him, promising them ho would do his utmost to discharge the duties of the office. The meeting shortly after separated, arrangements having previously been made for the next meeting of the Board on the Ist of January. STATE OF TRADE. (From the Manchester Guardian of Saturday.) 14ANCIIESTE11, Dec. 21.—As th• week advanced the quietness reported in our Wednesday's publication has be come more apparent. Spinners have found the home con sumers buying only to a- moderato extent, the India mer chants disappointing their expectations, and the Germans keeping aloof on accountof the frost. As to prices, we may remark generally that there is no alteration, beyond that trifling difference here and there which always accompa nies even a slight abatement of activity. The American season being closed, certain kinds of printing cloths, par ticularly 27-inch 66 reeds, are now dull and somewhat weak in price ; and this remark applies equally to mixed fabrics for the same quarter. For other quarters, how ever, 26-inch printers are in fair request at steady rates, as are also 36 inch shirtings. The better qualities of domestics are inanimate, as indeed are most cloths just now that are more especially prepared for the home mar ket, very much because the buyers are preparing to take stock. LEICESTER, Dec. 21.—The advance in the wool mar• ket, and especially the high prices required for skin combing, has rendered an advance of a halfpenny per lb. on worsted yarns quite imperative, and stocks being low in the spinners' hands, it must be acceded to in any new purchases made for the new year. • WOOLLEN TRADE. (From, the Leeds Mercury of Saturday.) LEEDS, Dec. 21.--W e have to report a considerable improvement in the woollen trade this week. There has been a good attendance of buyers. Some of the largest houses in London, Scotland, and Ireland, have had their representatives here during the last few days, and in come instances they have purchased freely. The present seasonable weather has also brought a good many small orders for heavy goods from the country drapers, which, together with the wholesale purchases, have given considerable activity to business in the ware houses. LElCESTER.—Considering the falling off of Govern ment orders and the near approach of Christmas, there is more doing than usual at this season, especially in the fancy hosiery branch, which the present weather coming before Christmas always improves. The advance in the wool market, and especially the high prices required for skin combing, have rendered an advance of a halfpenny per lb. on worsted yarns quite imperative, and stocks being low iu the spinners' hands, it must be acceded to in any new purchase made for the new year, MONEY ORDERS FOR THE ARMY IN THE CRIMEA. GENERAL Posy•OFFICE, Dec., 1855. The Postmaster General having authorised the officers of the British Army Post-effice stationed at Constantinople, Scutari Hospital, Head• Quarters of the British army (Crimea), and Balakava, to draw Money Orders on the several post-offices in the United Kingdom at which Money Orders are paid, postmasters are instructed to pay all such orders whenever the neces sary advice, made out in conformity with the standing regulations, and on the usual printed form, has reached their hands. This regulation is confined to the issue of Money Or ders, and, consequently, no Orders must be drawn upon the offices above•mentioned. ROWLAND HILL, Secretary. Country Markets. HADDINGTON CORN MARKET —Du. 21. II US A.T . BARLIT OATS. 111.10. First 924 04 455 Od 33s Od 56. 0! Second 77's 64 415 44 30s 9d 47s 3,1 Third 6os Od 31s Od 26s Od 454 Oi Total quantity of wheat in market, 420 qrs., 403 sold ~ PI barley ~ 145 qrs., 843 sold PP PP oats ,; 434 qrs., 421 sold ~ 11, „ beans 72 qrs., 67 sold AVERAGES PER IMPERIAL QUARTER. Wheat, 3/. 17 6 10-12ths 1 Barley, ...21. 1 4 3.l2ths Oats, ... 11. 10 9 8-12tha J Beaus, .....21. 7 8 o.l2tbs DALKEITH GRAIN MARKET—Dza. 20 . Qrs. Best. Current. 344 Wheat 82s Od 006 Od 1251 Oats 32s 8d ON Od ..... .... 1176 Barley 4ss Od oos Od 35 Pons & beans 53s Od oos Od Inferior. 40s Od 223 8d , 32s 6d 44s Od ABERDEEN-DEC. Potato oats 28s Od to 28s 6d Common oats 26s Od to 27 a Od 1401bs per bushel Bore 39s Od to 395 6d 1 531b5 Barley 395 Od to 395 fid Wheat, red (spring)64s Od to 685 Od 1•621b5 • , white 7os Od to 77 s Od ~ Oatmeal 22s 3d to 235 6d per boll. ,: ~ • Flour 61s Od to 63s Od per sack. PROVISION MARKET. . , Beef, per lb 6d to 9d I Butter, p lb. Or 10d to . lid Mutton, per lb 6d to 8d I Eggs, p doz. is Od to is 61 Veal, per lb 6d to 9d Hens, p pair 3s 6d to 4s Od Pork, per 5t...5s 6d to 5s 9d I Chickenm,do. 2s Od to 2s 6d Salmon, per lb Os to Om I Ducks, do., 2s 6d to 3s Od Grouse, per brace Os to Os Ducklings,do Os Od to Ov Od Tallow, p stone, 6s6d to 6s 9d Turkeys, each' , l t'd to 6s Od Potatoes, pr peck, 6d to 7d Geese, do., 4s Od to sf. Od. Butter for exportation (present cure) per cwt.Bos Od to 84s Eggs, wholesale price, per dozes ... 9d to 10 RETAIL PRICES. Flour Oatmeal,l4lb Os Od to 2n 4d I „ dust, Os toOs 10d Bereuieal Os Od to 2s 2d I , per lb 2d to 2g . Peasemeal... Os Od t0 . 26 . 10d Sid's, 4-lb. 10af...10d. 12-Ib. 10af...5d. Cheese, per imperial stone, 3s to 3s. 6d. DUBLIN-DEC. 22. White wheat, 42s Od to 44s 6d ; red ditto, 38e to 43% Od ; barley, 16s Od to 23s 6d ; oats, 15s Od to 17s Od ; rapeseedt 40e Od to 41s Od per lira; oatmeal, 16a Od to 18s Od ; bakers' flour, 25s 6d to 29a Od per swt ; Indiaucorn,463 Od to j as per 4801bs. SEA BORNE MAILS. (1: signifies that the mails are sent from the General ?at•o®s ' • y the night—and M by the morning—despatch.) Day when mad. ~, ! Fr om what When COWSTRIEB. in General Post- Port due 12 Ofllco, London.. Dispatched. t.•Prillaa., --- --........ --•••••••••. America(byllrit.pack)N Every Friday •• • • Li verpool ... ec. 31 - imeries. (by United Ste . packet) ..........N •••••• • • Liverpool ... Dec. 24 ' kmerica (by U. States packet) .......... N os •• •e •• • • Southamptor Dee. 29 Australia (via South- , ampton) ..........M •.••• •• • • • • Southampton Ditto (via Marseilles) N • • • •• • • • • • • Dover ..... Ditto (via Cape of Goad Hope) ............N( •• ..... ...• ... Uncertain Africa (West Coa6t) .. Nl3d of the month.. Plymonth .. Jan. (1 Alexandria.-- ..Ni B . 9 . 24, it 30 01m. Dover ...... Alexandria ..........Al,4th & 20th of moti.lsoutharnptonl Bahamas ...........Ml l 7th of the mon th 'Southamptor Seiglum ...........N DallY• ••••• • • Dover ...... Dilly Brazil .............•M 9th of the month.. Sonthamp i or, Jan. IS Buenos Ayres.... ....31 9th of the month.. Southamston Jan. IS Capo of Good Hope ..N 'Various port. Uncertabl Cape of Good Hope .. N C oro do Verde .. _lv 1 9th of the month ' etouthomp(on jam 13 Ceylon (see India) Ceylon .... .. .... .... N 1 • Channel Islas— .. ——NI X" •,Wed.,Bcr rid. Southampton Th.gat Chi 11.............. „ m ad & 17th of mime' Southamptot,, China .... . Constantinople ......N1 2 , 1 3• 111 , 2 3,&28 °fin Dover .... .. Constantinople ..., „ „ 4th fic 20th of mon.,Saathamptor. Cont. of Europe 31 & N' Twice daily ••• • • Dover ...... Tericadliai Egypt (see India) France ........ hi & N 'Twice dattlY • • • • . • Dover ...... l'lrleodaili libraltar .......... Id !4, 2.17,20, 27 •f m South a mpt or Greece (see India) Groytown ......., Id 2ticl & 17th of mon. Routbamptoi Ramburgh „ „ ~N Tuesday & Friday L0nd0n..... tt ilavannah ..........M I2nd of the mouth S ou th am pt en J an . I. .... Holland . ...... .....11 Dail,' • • • • • • • • I).mar ....... nail. aonchira , .......... m 17t4 ,'the month. Southampton l6thofinod India (TiaSouthampt.)ll 4th t 20th ef moo. Ply mou th .. J an. 4 India (via Marsoilles)sl ~ 9 th& 25th of month Dover .... •• I • lonian Islas (see India)l2, 17, &27 of mon D0ver...... . . t. Ireland ........31 & NlTWice dilly • • .. •• Holy head ... TwiesidnlV tab0n..............5 . 117, 9, 17, k 27 of m. Southampton Jan. IS Madeira ............ pi ,9th of the month Southamptoe wadeira ............ s 23cl of month •• .. Liverpool ... Stilts (see India) Malta ............ ,p; ! if, 18, &28 of mon. Done ..... , Jan. 4 Mauritius (see India) Mauritius ..........N 14th of the month Mexico ............m Ind of the month.. Southampton jam 1 Nap1e....... ........N3thlsth2fithormon. Dover ...... N ew G rana d a ......1.1 24 & 17th of month Southampton Now Zoaland... • ....ißy private slip .. Various port , Untertib . n o m State, .. .. .. .. By kth iiith2Sthofmon. Dover ...... Peninsula r ..........M 1 thl7thThhormon. Aouthampton Porn ..............m 2d & 27th of mon. Southamptcsi Port Natal ..........N fly private ship... Various ports Meaty* Sicily .. , thlith 2 ithofmon, Dover ...... ~..........N I T uscany ............ N IS' hlikth23thoffnon.lDover ...... Vonezuelt ...... .... M' 24 a 17 th 01, 2 0 ntb Southampton I &14 ma Van Dletnon'sLand (sof Australia) ........ W es t I n di es ........ m 2(lk 17th o i month Southamptoni 1 & 18 miS L 1 &to ma i ___. When any of these dates fall on a Sunday, the malls will be di' 'patched on the following day, witk the exception of the India MIS Southampton), and the Malta, both at which will be despatched the preceding day. [ADVERTIMEMNNT.I SIG.? AND HHARINGI.—DIUTMISS ASV DRFISCIIVB VISION RELlgalli. Messrs. S. and B. Solomon's opticians, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, Observe--oppo• site the York Hotel. Deafness—New Discorery.—Tho Organic Vibrator, an extraordinary powerful, small, newly invented instrument for deafness, entirely different from an others, to surpass anything of the kind that has been, or probably ever can be, produced. Being of the sante oolong' as the skin, is not perceptible ; it enables deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at public aasemblies • the nu" pleasant sensation of singing noi ses i n th e ears is entirely re moved; and it affords all the assistance that possibly could be desired.—Newly -constructed Spectacle Lenses of the great , ' est transparent power. The valuable advantage derive 4 from this invention is, that vision becoming impaired ill preserved and strengthened, and very aged persons ore enabled to employ their sight at the most minute oec*' pation-- can see With these lenses of a much lees magnify ing power—and they do not require the frequent changes to the dangerous effects of bather powerful assistance. By ber Majesty's Royal Letters Patent for valuable and extraordinary improvements in the most powerful and brilliant Telescopes, Camp, Racecourse, Opera, and Per. spective Glasses, to know the distances of objects 'Jewett through them—of great importance to the army, navy. and others. These telescopes possess such extraordinary powers that some three and a-half inches, with an extra eye. piece, F 111 show distinctly Jupiter's moons, Paturn's rings and the double stars ; with the same telescope can be soon a person's countenance three miles and a half distant. and an object from 16 to 20 miles. They are of larger and a sizes, with increasini powers accordingl y ; while their vary lug rom 4 to 6 inches enable us t o di scover more than the above, and the Georgian :with his 6 sat e ll it es , Ate.—The Royal Exhibition, 1851.—Valuable, newly-invented, very small, powerful waistcoat-pocket glass,the size of a walnut, by which a person can be seen and known 1i miles distant; they answet every purpose on the race-course, and at the opera helm*, country scenery, and ships are clearly seen at 8 to 10 miles.. They are invaluable for shooting, deer-stalking, yachting, to sportsmen, gentlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. Opera ' race-course, camp, and perspective glasses, with wonderful power.-39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Observe--oppeatta the York Hotel. BIRTTEB. OT A SON. O❑ the 22d inst., at the Vicarage, Woking, the wife of the Rev. Perceval Laurence. On the 21st inst., Mrs. Edward Moor, 8, Aso Mario• lane, city. OP • DM: METIER. On the 16th inst., at Maretimo, Black Rock, the Mar chioness of Kildare. On the 22d inst., at 4, Glocester-place, Portman-KIWI. the lady of Charles Browning, Esq. MARZIED. On the 20th inst., at St. Mary's, Bryanston-square, Evan H. Baillie, Esq., of Glocester-place. Portrean-square, to Emma, widow of the late Lieut.-C o l. B a in's, of the BOur bay Army, and youngest daughter of the late Major-Gen. Sir William Douglas, K.C.H., of Timperdean, Roxburgh shire. On the 20th inst., at St. Giles's Church, Camberwell. Mr. Edmund James, of Brynmawr, Brecon, to Lacy M ar ia, second daughter of the late M. Oliver, Esq., of Fleet-street. DIED. On the 22d ins 'et-oea fil fi e ' e, W an i d lli p a r m ino ß ip il a d l d el le r i k Esq., of the Paymaster a in the Pay-office at th e Ro yal Dockyard, Ch a th am , ag ed at. O n the 22d inst., Henry, eld es t son of Mr. Henry Bald' - t G e ll n a e llaP ral win, o f Albany House, Barnshury-park, and 101, Cheer sale, aged 26. On the 21st inst., Philip H. S. Cplson, surgeon, otHaak• ney-road. On the 19th inst., at Silver Villas, Islewotth, Richard Kidd, Esq., aged 73. On the 19th inst., at 17, Whitehead's-grove, Chelsea, Henry R c b er t Middleton, Emq., aged 55. On the 21st ult., at Cairo, the Rev. Edward Place Dewar, minister of Auchtergavin, Perthshire, and eldest son of the Very Rev. Principal Dewar, Marischal College, Aber doen, LONDCN : Printed and Published by MURDO TOIJNk) of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, Nn. 112, Strand, in the Preeinet of the Savoy, In the taunt"' ° f Middlesix, M9aday s Dconaber 24,.184if 1 I 1 I Comr lJ de Established bor, 185; liability c Scribed. Capital -Tv In Two The, 41 12b.RT% of Mssars. 3IF 'Robert Ke:i County B , 1 4 Comto,D '''acossin, A bailie, Pa F rederic To Edwin Chad kilgnstin Di Paris. _ .- Ilar7io i Dil 411 1. Har'rissc i n Parix t n• London_ The undon 'lf the omnib gating in m Working the If in Paris fleeted with i 'notion, it is treater impo Not only v of Working tl '_ing well or 4tr iPly suppl 3 Y' to with nte runniu " I 'Portant im profitabt the Gerant ;.. e, L o o r n a d l r iy es 1 1 ,w entlemen,- IL each in " 4 ! the dop es , L 14 115 bankers ' fli ng 3/. up 1,4 e. ; 1 , 1, e above a %linty B 4tl::Voer of elm nisli a rece N B.—Fort ` l tapany's Te Zheaniemn O e n eoyf The indiu Venture h `: the public v tangementm of himself E , Pectfully sc eunsidering ‘' the British favours, ha' Lyceum Thf friendship a 2 %vith, it see t' Ude, to att that public, self or other I fter all, an In Pa In Lc 1