The Sun. — London, England, 1825-01-22 00:00:00

A DEFENCE of the PROTESTANT CHURCH from the ATTACK of the MODERN HISTORIAN of the REFORMATION, W. COBBETT. (No. fi.) Mn. EDITOR - While I was writing to you my last communication, I received two numbers of the French Journal L'Etoile, which confirmed my presentiment of the advantage which this profound -Historian was eager to make of the Roman Ca tholic Association and all its sympathies, abroad and at home, more especially in a neighbouring State, ,where they seem to be bringing every thing back as fast as they can to the old regime. This stews his History to be what I first thought it would prove, a piece de circonstance, according to the language of that country, just got up to catch the humour /as it runs, and not a standard piece, which, being written for the sake of truth, descends to posterity among annals almost as im perizhable as Truth itself. No matter—it serves the turn of the Jesuitical writers in L'Etoile, who seize upon it the first moment of its arrival, and hasten to publish quotations from it, pre facing, in their haste, that it is one of the most intelligent Histories of the Reformation yet pub lished, and that present circumstances make it extremely important ; at the same time promising still more quotations to serve their own good Catholic purpose, whose interest must he highly promoted, if this is the real History of the Re. formation. Instead of the Reformation being "an alteration for the better," this Historian contends that it was " an alte ration greatly for the worse, engendered in beastly lust, brought forth its hypocrisy and perfidy, and cherished and fed sty plunder, &c. ;" that it has only triumphed over the religion of our fathers by giving that religion a bad name, by calling it " the Beast," 44 the Man or Sin," and the Scarlet Whore," 46 idolatrous and damnable," when it is acknowledged to have been the Catholic Religion which is defined the Universal, and so called because all Christian people, of every nation, acknowledge it to be _ . the only true religion, and all acknowledge one - - and the same Head of the Church in every part of the world where Christianity was professed. But there came a time when, as L'Etoile helps the Historian out, an apostate Monk protested against the doctrines which they do not under stand -of that Church, which, until now, had peen the only Christian Church : they therefore call themselves Protesters or Protestants. Now to prove all this, after a long declamation _ . and much ribaldry,so little becoming the dignity of History, he begins with stating the origin of the Catholic Church, which he defines as we have seen above. Now this definition is perfectly right of the word " Catholic," which every schoolboy ►oust know to mean Universal; but this histociau is as perfectly wrong in the application of the epithet in this general sense to the Papal Church, be - cause that Church was never in its highest zenith universal, nor was there ever a period when " all acknowledged," wi he states, tc one and the same Head of the Church in every part of the world where Christianity was professed." Hence it is called Roman Catholic, as one of their re ligion used to call himself English Catholic; and the Papists, monopolizing this epithet which in itself defies monopoly, are guilty of as great a BA according to the remark of an eminent Pro testant Divine, as ever issued from the Popes, 9r from the mouths of their fellow Papists in a si,ter country ; as if Rome and the universe could be the same, as Paris and the world are in- the mind of a conceited Frenchman. He ob, serves, also, that the perpetual canting of this term has been, in ages of superstition, one of the most effectual charms upon the weak and credulous, the various factions which have prevailed at dif ferent times assuming the magic of this name to themselves, each one pleading in favour of his own persuasion—l am a Catholic—that is, an Universal, therefore all that I hold must be true, for what every body believes, according to the old adage, must be true; forgetting that this would bo no argument to another who does not 'happen to be of the same opinion with this soi divant Catholic, unless he is one of the ideal philosophers who has reasoned himself into the unreasonable belief that he is nobody, and is mad enough to deny that he is in actual exist ence. But, leaving these ideas and bulls to speak so loudly against themselves, as they will do whenever they are left to themselves, and making no other answer thin was formerly made to these visionaries who denied motion by ac. .rally moving from them, we will endeavour to - give our &finition of the Catholic Church. In vain do we look for this term in the Holy Scriptures. We find it, however, in the Creed, though not even there at first, but inserted in a following age ; so that, if we would know its meanie;, we must refer, as in other cases, to the sense of the Fathers who have made use of it.— 'hey called the Canonical Epistles Catholic, be cause, though addressed to particular Churches, they were to be copied and sent to the different Christian Churches in the world. These were called the Catholic Church, comprehending all , cof these particular Churches, just as each o► . - the latter was called the Ckurch, and com prehended all the congregations of Christians belonging to the several cities or provinces in which it was established. As, wherever there is such a congregation there is a Church, so -the Catholic is the mass of those congregations, as not only the body of Christians now living, •but the whole that ever lived, from the beginning to the end, " the body of Him who is given to be the head over all things to the Church—the -fulness of Him that ftlleth all in all." This body has not yet arrived at that stature and ma t/1g which a-re predicted of it in the age when chr i s lrle world is to become the theatre of iorn. It has been hitherto stinted in its' ;growth 6 `The heavy yoke of Egyptian bondage, a" g alled 6 .^-th e chains and •fetters -of ages of superstition, at, -ages to come may the consummation of t h e prophecy which is to *take the . Churc, indeed ~Catholic, when there shall' not be , an •in the world who is n o t a Christ., l l : l ; still there has :4bresetoenotli establishment, the spirit at a ll times since its . . af0e.,81013 el either iu "Liwu of individuals, to preserve some remnant, however -small, of this sacred body. Wherever two or three of such Christians are assembled together, the Head of the Church has promised to be with them. This promise is not made to any one city or any one congregation, all of Which ar►e Commanded " in honour to prefer, one. another," but to every one, of whatever nation or people, that feared' God and worketh righteousness. belong to that Catholic body, which -is one day " to cover the face of the earth as the waters cover the s► a." Whatever name way be given to them by man, whether Papists or Protestants, 'their name is written in the Book of .Life : or to whatever visible Church they may belong, they are mem bers of the Church invisible—the Holy Family knit together by the bonds of faith and charity here, to enter hereafter into the blessed commu nion of saints in heaven. Papists may arro gate to themselves the title exclusively, because they affect to belong to the Church as it was founded by the Apostles, especially by St. Peter; but the Protestants, believing in no such title, look upon the Papist Church to be founded upon the ruins and corruptions of Christianity, or of the Church which was founded by Christ and his Apostles. It might be said to begin with Peter above the rest of them in order of time, because upon his preaching " so many thousand souls were first converted ;" and that might be the meaning of the promise made to Peter— " upon him as a rock to build the Church," as many of the earlier Fathers understand it to be performed when he first preached the word, by which he might be said to build the Church, which first consisted of 3,000 souls, which, being added " to the disciples already made, con tinued stedfastly in the Apostles• doctrine," and in the exercise of those duties which as Christians they considered themselves bound to perform.— In the course of time, obeying the mandate of their Master, the Apostles went forth to build other Churches in the several nations to which they were sent ; but alt these sprung from one which can only be discerned by the character given of it in the various parts of its sacred Canon,..and not in the words of traditional, or written, or any human authority, which may be appealed to by the different Churches founded since, but by that volume which, as it alone can teach us all things necessary for salvation, so can it alone in form us what is the real Church, visible and in visible, which it so plainly predicts shall prevail in every future age in some parts of the world. CITY TITHES. Yrsterday a Meeting of the , inhabitants of the palish .of Allhallows Barking, was held, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of joining the other parishes of the City of London in their intended application to Parliament for a general Bill to provide stipulated salaries for their Clergymen. The Report of a Committee appointed to confer with the Tithe Committee of the Corporation was then ready. It stated thatthe parish was invited to come forward, and co-operate with the others who contemplated going tbrward to Parliament as an united body, and in doing so they expected the aid of the Cor poration. Mr. DRINKALE, in moving a series of Resolutions, said that if the parish was sure of remaining in its present condition with respect to the Vicar, he should not think of continif for ward on the present occasion, for he believed the parish were generally satisfied with the demands made by that Gentle man, and . whatever grievances might at present exist, he did not think they amounted to such a height as to induce them to apply to Parliament with respect to them. Unhap pily, however, good Vicars were mortal, and e x p er i ence h a d proved, in the City of London, that bad ones were by no means scarce. The measure he proposed was, not to diminish the present allowance to the Vicar, but to fix his stipend, and to guard against the consequence of a possible, and as' things went, probable change for the worse, when, unfortunately for ' the pariah, the Vicar, in the course of nature, should be taken from amongst them. He concluded by moving a series of Resolutions, expressive of the opinion o f th e Meeting, that however great might be the regard entertained by the parish for their Vicar, .yet that the inhabitants ought to unite with their fellow citizens in applying to Parliament to obtain an equitable and permanent arrangement with respect to the future payment of tithes, and the repeal of the statute of 37 Henry VIII. That the claims set up in the several parishes for 2s. 9d. in the pound were the more dangerous, as they were made upon questionable legal authority, which, even if valid, rendered it necessary that the money so raised should be applied to the repairs of the church and the relief of the poor. Mr. HALL, of Wool Quay, rose to second these resol u ti ons ; but before he did so, he objected to the wording of that resolu tion which complimented the Vicar. Compliments to him were unnecessary, and, as far as his experience went, they were un deserved. Ile did not join in the praise given to the Vicar for his moderation, since he had experienced none. He had been charged the entire sum of 2s. 9d. in the pound, and made to pay no less than 2601. per annum for a considerable time, until at last having taken advice, and found upon reference to the Act that he was not obliged to pay more than two-thirds of that sum, even under the Act, he positively refused to p a y any • more tithes whatever, and dared that he would, single handed, try the validity of the Act. Since that time, he had heard no more about the m a tt er , a nd fo r t wo y ears he had paid no tithes. He thought that Clergymen, as men of respectabi lity and education, oughc to be liberally provided for ; but at the same time they ought to be compelled to do their duty, and not to be allowed to take a living from the hard earnings of others without making some return. The lives which they too often led were against the first principles of Christianity, as well as the dictates of a pure conscience. He would do all in hie power in aid of the general measures, and would go with the oppressed parishes into the contest, if he did so singly. Mr. Sierra contended, that from the very low races taken by the Vicar, it was most unjust to proceed with those who were going to Parliament in a hostile manner ag a in s t th e c l erg y. They would act in a manner most discouraging to those who were inclined to exercise their rights with moderation towards their parishioners. He hoped that, the other parishes, which were so severely oppressed, would meet with success; but it would he sufficient time for the inhabitants of this parish to move when they tell into worse hands, which he hoped would not be the case. Ile concluded by moving, as an amendment, that this parish should not join the others in their opposition. - Mr. TENNANT opposed the amendment. He was a warm supporter of the Established Church, as against ignorant and fanatical sectarians. He thought the interests of the Church could in no way be so well supported, and the good-will of the parishioners conciliated towards it, as by g i v i ng th e c l erg y men liberal salaries for their services. The present system of vari able and capricious exactions for the support of the clergy. by creating constant dissensions ' drove numbers to the conventicle. It was said in behalf of the Vicar, that he was moderate in taking no more than 1,3001. per annum, when he might, if he exacted2s. 9d., get 5,000/. Surely it was quite enough to take, when he-never came near them. After some further discussion, the Resolutions were carried by a considerable majority. Last week, in digging in what is called the Abbey-close, at Torksey, near Gainsborough, a stone coffin, with . the cover in a perfect state, and enclosing a human corpse, was found; and close beside it, an urn or jar, contain ing two birds, but which when exposed to the air immediately decomposed. Several portions of the small divisions of a win dow, not above an inch and a quarter broad, containing colour ed glass, were also found, which probably formed a part of the ancient priory.—(Lincoln Mercury.) The Sessions at the , Old Bailey., which used to last a fortnight or longer, are now., by the erec tion of the New Court, concluded in .less than a week. This is a great accommodation to prose cutors and witnesses, as well as a great saving to the county. in their expences. THE GREEKS. ( From the Etoile, dated Thursday. ) ODESSA, DEC. 26. We have letters from Constantinople of the 17th of this month. it seems that the first conference of M. de Minziacky with the Reis Effendi had made a pretty strong impression on that Mi nister, and even on the Divan. They begin to perceive that blind obstinacy cannot lead to any desirable result in politics. It is very certain thatth:! defeat of the Eygptian fleet in the Cretan Sea was followed by such a dispersion that it is now un able to attempt any thing, and will be very fortunate if it regain the port of Aleiandria. But the plan of Mehemet Ali Tas not so ill laid as has been supposed. He could not hope to obtain decisive success by open force, but he had recourse to secret in trigues. It is, in fact, only in this manner that Ipsara fell for a moment into the power of the barbarian ; and it is nearly proved that in the fit of rage which seized Coloctroni, after the triumph of his rivals, that too guilty Greek entered into a correspondence with the 3lusselmans. lie had promised to in troduce them into the heart of the Morea ; but the skill and courage of Canaris and Miz..ulis have baffled all these machina tions. The two Admirals, equally worthy of the name of the modern Themistocles, have saved their country. It is difficult to form an idea of the ardour of the Greek crews on the one hand, and the despondency of the Turkish seamen on the other. So many checks have struck them with terror; several European officers who were present at the late naval actions relate deeds of Greek heroism, which would astonish the world if they were more known. A new humiliation soon followed that which Ibrahim Pacha met with on the 13th of November, on the coast of Candia.— Terrified with the thought of being blockadod for the whole winter in the bay of Alacri, where he was besides exposed to the danger of seeing his fleet burnt altogether, the Egyptians took the desperate resolution to put to sea again in the night of the 24th November. The Greek vessels which were posted to observe him, soon informed Admiral 3liaulis of his depar ture, who pursued him so actively that he overtook him about noon-on the 25th. The Greeks broke at the first moment the Egyptian line, and took 17 vessels, which had fallen to lee ward. P.S.—Letters from Constantinople of the 19th have this moment arrived. They affirm, that after this second defeat, Ibrahim Pacha, with great precipitation, and in extreme dis order, took the course to Alexandria. The victorious Greeks pursued him with equal activity. [From the Journal des Debats of Wednesday.] Conru, DEC. 27. Panos Colocotroni, son of Theodore, having attempted to excite commotion in the canton of Caritenia, in Arcadia, the executive Government at Napoli judged it necessary to de clare him a rebel, and place him out of the protection of the law. In consequence of this determination on the part of Go vernment, he was immediately deserted and put to death by his own soldiers. The merited punishment of this seditious in dividual confirms the tranquillity of the Peloponesus. L'A ni des Lois gives some details respecting the late vic tory gained by the Greeks over the Egyptian fleet in the vici nity of Crete. We learn that the intrepid Constantine Canaris burnt, with three fire-ships which he directed in person, a fri gate of 40 guns and two brigs of war. Admiral 11liaulis made himself master, in this affair, of twenty transports full of troops, who have been taken to Napoli, where they are at present. The most perfect harmony reigns throughout all the countries of Greece. The Government has received the last payment of the loan raised _at London ; and as four or five millions are sufficient for the expences of the next campaign , we may presume the Greeks will undertake it with 'success. Mavrocordato was eXpected from Epirus in the Pelopon nest's. It is supposed that he is charged with a communica tion from Omer Brionis, the Pacha of Janina, who will not have the imprudence to appear at the post of Salonica, where he has been summoned by the Sultan. We are assured that Zahir Abas, Ismael Podez, and Bekir Dgiocador, the most powerful Chiefs of Epirius, are pledged to each other to oppose the admission of every %Isle/. that the Porte may wish to send into their country. Though .11ahometans, they will not hesi tate to join the Greeks, sooner than submit to the yoke of a Turk front Constantinople. _ It is said that the Vi;ier of Egypt, far from assenting to the undertaking of a new campaign, thinks seriously of acting for himself. He has just taken into his pay a number of Officers, amongst whom are mentioned the French Generals Boyer and Lerron, who are endeavouring. it is said, to snatch from the Sultans the Sovereignty of Egypt. (From titCist-ierierancais of Wedorsday.l SMYRNA, DEc. 8. _ _ . The revolt of Colocotroni against the Goverimierit of Na poli di Romania interrupted for a moment the siege of Paints; but it was renewed with redoubled ardour upon the defeat of his troops, and the death of the son of this factious Chief. We do not believe that his party can rally soon. The leaders of the Greeks are, however, far from being united at this moment. The last elections to the Legislative Body, and the appointments to the public functions, have not obtained general approbation. The malcontents found their complaints upon an article of the Constitution, which states, that the Members of the Committee charged with the executive power, are not to .sit for more than one year; and it appears that many individuals have extended their power beyond the term fixed by law. However, as the importance of union is known for the establishing of the safety of all, it has been determined to assemble immediately a new national Congress, with the in tention of taking such measures its may terminate all differences which have arisen amongst the Chiefs, and prevent the disor ders with which the adherents of Colocotroni still menace the State. ( From the COnstitutionnel of Wednesday.) CONSTANTINOPLE, DEC. 14. The position of the Greeks in the i%lorea is extremely favour able; they hope for the speedy reduction of Patras. The last news state, that this fortress is blockaded front the sea by ten Greek ships, and, by land, by 6,000 men. On the other hand, the greatest misunderstanding has broken out amongst the Greeks, after the election of the new Members of the Govern ment. The election of many persons who had before consti tuted a portion of the Government was particularly displeasing to Colocotroni, who relied upon an article of the Constitution, that no person should be a member of the Executive Council for mere than a year. He protected it the most energetic man ner against these new elections, and it was after this protest he in conjunction with Londo, and supported by a numerous party, repaired to Tripolitiza to fight the partisans of the new Execu tive. The result was disastrous to him and lie lost his son in the battle. This event seems to have had a great effect upon his operations. The troops intended for the investment of Patras were moved from their position and repaired to Tripolitza to put an end to the anarchy. The squadron which cruised be fore the fortress has also quitted its station and taken an un known direction.—(Augsburg Gazette.) • ( Extract qf a Letterfrom Zante, dated Dec. 2.) " From the best information I can collect, it would appear that the son of Colocotroni, at the head of 3,000 troops, had made an attack upon Tripolizza, in which, after being repulsed with great loss, he was slain. There are also some other corn motions in other parts of the Morea, and all directed against the Government, no doubt instigated by the military Chiefs, who cannot relish the present attempts of the Government to diminish their power and influence. lam told they demand the ejection of three individuals from the Government, and to know how the money arising from the loan in England has been expended. It is unfortunate that Marrocordato has not yet left Missolonghi for the seat of Government. 44 DEc. 7.—The contents of my letter of the 2d instant I am sorry to have to confirm in every respect. It is, however, very positively asserted from all quarters, that matters have been arranged, and tranquillity again restored. It appears beyond doubt the motives of this tumult were the dismissal of three in dividuals from the Government, and a publication of the ex penditure of the English loan, which was called for by the leading military Chiefs of the Morea ; but whether they have been satisfied on these points, or the check at Tripolizza has caused them to desist, is not ascertained.—We hare advises from the Levant of another victory gained over the Egyptian fleet by the Greeks." ENGLISH and BRISTOL CHANNELS SHIP CANAL. TO TILE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR-Although disliking a public exhibition of my name in the columns of a newspaper, I yet feel myself called upon to offer some reply to a letter which appeared in your Paper of the 19th inst., signed "A. H. Ho Lpswo rrr in which the accuracy of my reports on the Great Ship Canal is called in question. If the respectable " Mayor of Dart mouth" had read the whole of my report, which it would seem he has not done, he would not then, I think, have failed to perceive that the general scope of its reasoning, with reference to the propo:ed Harbour of Beer, applied exclusively to the in sufficient shelter which at present exists for vessels embayed between Portland and the Start Point in strong southerly and south-cast winds ; and that, as Dartmouth is situated so near to the Start, it became quite unnecessary, for the purpose of my argument, to particularize it as an exception ; for, whether I had used the expressions " between Portland and the Start," or between Portland and Dartmouth, the inference which it was my object to deduce would in no way have been affected. Publicly called upon, however, as I now have been, it seems necessary to state, that, according to our latest authorities, Dartmouth Harbour bears N.E. Y E. distant seven miles from the Start Point—(See British Channel Pilot, 1821).—NiThat. ever may be the merits of this Harbour, therefore, in other re. spects (and it is not necessary here to discuss them), it must be evident that it can be of but little use as a place of shelter for vessels to run into, when embayed between Portland and the Start, in southerly gales ; for it is so much in advance from the back and most dangerous part of the Great Bay, comprised be tween these points, that vessels would not be able to reach it from thence, in strong.southerly winds : whereas, the proposed Harbour at Beer is Seated in the deepest recess of the Bay, and will be always approachable by vessels, when caught enibayed in this at present perilous situation. If, moreover, a vessel was so far out in the offing, or to wind ward, as to reach Dartmouth harbour, she would, not impro bably, be able to weather the Start, which would immediately place the port of Plymouth under her lee. In short, a single inspection of the chart of the English Channel will set this matter in a clearer light, and better strew the accuracy of my deductions, than I can possibly do here without it. I hope that Mr. Holdsworth, notwithstanding his very laud able partiality for his own port, will be satisfied with the above explanation ; and that he will rest assured that, in the observations which it became my duty to make in the reports refered to, 1 had no intention whatever to detract from its character, or to impeach the general utility of Dartmouth Harbour, excepting only as a place of refuge for vessels when they were unhappily embayed to leeward of it. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, GEORGE NICHOLLS, Author of " Two Reports on the English- and Bristol Channels Ship Canal." January 21, 1825. UNIVERSITY INTELIAGENCE. Oxronn, J.tx 21.—Saturday last John Mitchell Chapman, of Exeter College, was elected Fellow of Balliol. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS. The Rev. William Perkins, of Lincoln College, has been appointed a Chaplain of Christ Church, in this University. The Rev. William Clark, M.A. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Professor of Anatomy, presented, by the Mas ter and Fellows of that Society, to the Vicarage of Wymes would, Leicestershire, vacated by the cession of the Rev. T. Sheepshanks, M.A. The Rev. IL R. Tamers Smith, B.A. of T r i n i ty Co l lege, Cambridge, to the Rectory of Little Bentley, Essex ; p a t ron , It. Foote, Esq. The Rev. Adolphus Hopkins, B.A. has be en i nst i tute d to the Vicarage of Clent, with the Chapel of Rowley Regis an nexed, in the county of Stafford, and diocese of Worcester, void by the death of the Rev. Jos. Sharpe, the last incumbent there, on the presentation of the King. • The Rev. Thomas Nayler, B.A. of St. John's College, Cambridge (2d son of the late Richard Nayler, Esq. of Glou cester), has been appointed one of the Domestic Chaplains to the Duke of York. The Duke of Clarence has appointed the Rev. E. J. Crawley, A.M. of Bath, to be one of the Chaplains to his Royal High ness's household. The Rev. J. E. Keane, A.M. has been lately appointed by Earl Bathurst Chaplain to the Colony of New South Wales, and its dependencies. DISCOVERIES AT ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL. Among the numerous improvements now mak ing in our Cathedrals, we are happy to find the Archdeacon Dean, and Chapter of this truly interesting fabric have determin ed to restore the interior of the building to its primitive state, a s far as the existing authorities will allow. Mr. Cottingham, the architect employed on the occasion, commenced the improve ments last week by taking down the Corinthian altar-piece, put up at the time of the Reformation, which has brought to view the whole of the original composition of the east end of the choir, consisting of three beautiful gothic arched recesses and windows, in the purest style of the 13th century, and on scraping off the white-wash, the decorations of the high altar appeared in nearly all their pristine glory ; consisting of birds, beasts, fleer: de lye, lilies, crescnts, stars, scroll foliage, fleury-crosses, lace-work borders, &c. arranged in the most beautiful order, and finely contrasted in the colours, which consist of the brightest crimsons, purples, azure*, greens, &c. In addition to this interesting display of architectural ele gance, another antiquarian treasure has been discovered of equal curiosity. This is a monument, with the effigies of one of the early Bishops of Rochester, in his pontihcal robes, judged to be of that period when the arts of sculpture and architecture were at their zenith of splendour, the reign of Ed ward the Third ; when every power of the human mind seemed 'so pre-eminently conspicuous. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at that the workmanship of the statue before us is so excellently brought forward in the crozier, mitre, and robes, which are tastefully disposed and gorgeously enriched—the crozier with gilded foliage, and the mitre in diamond com partments of jewellery work, the execution of which is in the highest degree elaborate. The outer robe is crimson with gold embroidery and jewels; and the under robe purple, relieved by a vest of pink colour with gold fringe. The gloves have jewels, and the shoes are embroidered. A part of the archi tectural decorations of the tomb have also been found ; the beautiful carving, gilding, and colouring of which place them among the most perfect specimens of Gothic arts. Of t hi s elegant monument and its incomparably fine effigy, not the slightest mention has ever been made. It is therefore Lair to con clude that to the various able and laborious antiquaries who have written on the antiquities of this church they were utterly un known. The intense curiosity excited by these discoveries soon filled the choir with a number of the gentry in the neighbour hood of the Cathedral. The Dean and several of the Preben daries were present during the time the workmen were em ployed in taking down the masonry which enclosed this ge nuine specimen of ancient art.—(Kentish Gazette, Jan. 21.) SUDDEN DEATH.-Last evening, about six o'clock, Mr. CHARLES MOLLINER, a compositor in the employ of LUKE HANsA RI) and Sons, printers, of Great Turnstile, Lincoln's Inn-fields, fell down suddenly in a fit of apoplexy and ex pired. A surgeon was promptly in attendance, who attempted to bleed him, but the vital spark was found to be extinct. The deceased was up wards of 60 years of age, had been many years in the above employ and was highly and deservedly respected by all who knew him. It is reported that one of our beautiful country women, who is nearly related to a Noble House, has, from pecuniary embarrassments, engaged herself to sing at the Italian Opera, at Paris. THE COAL TRADE. rin THE SUN of the 11th inst. we inserted the communication of an enlightened Correspondee, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on the Coal Trade : the following is by the same writer] Upon those principles of fairness and equity which charac teriae the proceedings of his Majesty's Government, we do Lot perceive how Ministers can avoid lending a favourable ear to the prayer of the Coal-owners in the North, with regard to a reduced duty upon Coal Coastwise, when the matter is brought before Parliament. The Canal-borne coals have already in terfered prejudicially, and future collision threatens to be still more ruinous to trade. Individuals who have vested immense properties in the Coal Mines of Durham and Northumberland, unless wholesome measures be adopted by the Legislature to give a right direction to the grand system of im proved internal communication, as Rail-ways are now de signated. Only a very few years ago, the Northern Coal owners, or rather those whose mines are situate in the county of Durham, transmitted a Memorial to Government, chewing how great a quantity of coals was annually brought to Boston, in Lincolnshire, and places not far distant, by canal and rail way, at the positive expence of the trade of Sunderland : that is to say, there was a corresponding falling off in the shipments of the Wear. And when it is stated that the quantity e• ceived at Boston, and the other places alluded to, in o - e year was one hundred and twenty thousand four hundred chal_ drons of coals, there is unquestionably something in the stat ment calculated to excite uneasiness, beyond the mere loss sus tained by the Coal-owner. In order to transport the above quantity of coal from the Wear or the Tyne, sixty moderate sized vessels would be required, and 420 sailors, annually. It is obvious, therefore, that the Inland Coal Trade is carried on to the disparagement of some of the great national interests— to wit, the shipping-interest, and the nursery for British sea men. It must be understood, however, that the Northern Coal-owners are not seeking to excite any unjust clamour against their brethren in other parts of the kingdom ; all that they desire—and it is very natural that they should desire it— is to be placed upon an equal footing. But this can nev2r he, as long as the sea-borne coals are subject to a high duty, while the others are comparatively but very slightly taxed. If the [tight Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer will only consent to abate the duty coastwise, there is no doubt but there will he immediately a vastly augmented ratio of business trantactsd, both in the Wear and in the Tyne. In a Petition which is now in course of signature by the Ship-owners of the Port of Sunderland, (and which will be fol lowed up by an energetic appeal from the Coal-owners,) the former very pertinently observe, that—.." During the late war they submitted to the excessive duties on sea-borne coals with out murmuring, being desirous to contribute to the utmost ex tent to the exigencies of the State ; but that as the particular objects for which the duties on coals carried coastwise were im posed, do not now exist, they (the Ship-owners) have for some time past annually anticipated the repeal of such duties, which would unquestionably add to the prosperity of the coal trade, and consequently to that of the nation at large." It were nugatory to make a parade of the great principles of a Free Trade, advocated by the Members of his Majesty's Go vernment, if they shut their eyes to what constitutes so great an anomaly at home. The interests of the Northern Coal owners, from what has been observed; very closely identify themselves with tat important class of the community, the Ship-owners; and there are other reasons, indeed, why it is high time that the unequal competition were done away with . Were the small coals that are collected in such masses, and go to waste at the great collieries in Durham and Northumber land, permitted to be shipped free of duty, thousands of poor families all along the Eastern coast would, during the incle ment winter season, he furnished with that necessary article fuel at less than one-third of the price they are obliged to pay at present, besides the additional employment that would be created for the shipping. Finally, Seriously disposed as the writer of this article be lieves his Majesty's Ministers to be in their effhrts to establish a system of trade both abroad and at home, upon those liberal principles which are best calculated to advance the national welfare, (and for what has been done and is doing in Foreign Commerce they deserve every praise), it is most earnestly and most respectfully submitted, that they can be engaged in no scheme of domestic policy, on the opening of Parliament, of greater moment than that which involves a modified legisla tion---adapted to existing circumstances--on that important branch of home industry, the Coal-Trade. In this great, floe, and enlightened country, the voice of the Senate is generally very much in accordance with public sentiment; and whenever an appeal is made at the National Bar, it is a rare occurrence that he whose cause is just, meets with discomfiture. That transcendently great Statesman, the late Mr. Pitt, it is well known, was a staunch friend to the Northern coal trade, be. cause he was fully sensible how much it contributed to strengthen the sinews of the nation. A Cabinet that professes to follow his footsteps, can, we are persuaded, feel little ;due tance in sanctioning what his master mind approved. INDIA. By the Westmorland, arrived at Liverpool, accounts have been received from Calcutta of the 24th of August. They state that his Majesty's ship Alligator had arrived from Rangoon, with advices to the 26th of July. These represented that our army suffered much by disease ; that all operations had been suspended ; and that the King of Ave had interdicted all communication with the British force, declaring that any bearer of propositions should be shot. The lettera from Calcutta mentions, that Captain GRANT, of the Ling frigate, Commodore on that station, was alarmingly ill, and ()e of them announces;that his decease had actually taken p 1: re. Tl;e Asia, Captain Larrpsav, was loading at Rangoon, London ; and the arrival of that ship may therefore be hourly expected, with further Intelligence from the seat of military operations.—( Times.) Letters have been received, by the Westmorland, from Cal cutta, dated the 19th August. A vessel had arrived there horn Rangoon, just before the Westmorland , tiled, which brought unfavourable reports of the Burmese we 'are. We have seen letters by this conveyance to houses of the first respectability in the City ; but in them, no mention is made of any reverse or misfortune sustained by the British expedition in the Bur mese territory. We know also that the best informed houses at Liverpool have receiv e d no suc h i ntelligence as some of our contemporar e have published as from private letters.--(Bri tish Press.) The following are extracts of a letter received yesterday, dated Calcutta, Aug. 10 :—" The Birmahs are very powerful, and a strong, hardy, and cunning race, different from anyenemies we have met with in this country before, likely to cost us some trouble and a vast outlay before we succeed. What has been done hitherto must go for nothing, after costing the country lace of rupees, and the loss of great part of the army sent to Rangoon; for they have got fever amongst them, and being in want of pro visions, I fear few of them will ever return. It is now found that Ragoon is not the proper place to attack the Birmah Empire, and troops are marching in every direction to take up positions as near Chittagong, the eastern frontier, as possible, that the cam paign may open with the cold weather, and under the imme diate command of Sir E. Paget, the Commander in Chief. Our Governor gives satisfaction to no one ; they could not do better at home than recall him, and give us a man of some talent, or he will do more injury to the country than many clever men will be able to restore." —( Morning Chronicle.) Kemal Ji ••••••••._ .....-..__.-. 3 . tier ver Ditto 4 pet ling. lndi Kitti