The Sun. — London, England, 1844-12-03 00:00:00

~..r - r ' R URIC. by sefer s i turn'? si inter!' 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OF COMMON PRAYER.-By LIENRY LORD BISHOP. OF EXETER. " Bishopstowe, Nov. 19. "'Rev. arid Dear Brethren,—l address you on a subject of very deep interest to us all—the diversity of Practic'e in the worship of Almighty God—which, in concurrence with other unhappy causes, has threatened to involve us in a state of painful, I had almost said perilous, disunion. " That the mischief has not been felt so strongly in this diocese as in some others, while it calls for our *special thankfulness to Almighty God, may, we hope, be ascribed in no small measure to warm and steady attachment to the Church on the part of the ,Isity, and not less, I rejoice in thinking, to the gene resuberness and discretion of you, the clergy. " But even here we are very far from being ex empt from the common evil. There are parishes in Devonshire, and still more in Cornwall, in which grave misunderstandings have arisen between the Minister and the people, from causes for .which aeither he nor they have been primarily responsible. " Discussions of important principles in other parts of the Church, though they found among us no vehe- I nent partisans on either side, have led, in several in stances, to very painful results. Vhile they have ex cited in many of the clergy a livelier sense of the re sPonsibility imposed on them by their engagements to the Church, and have made them solicitous to follow out its requisitions to their full extent; they have at the same time indisposed the laity to the reception of any change, by exhibiting too many instances of the fatal consequences of change, introduced, as it has el sewhere been, by private individuals, whether from simple desire of novelty, or as part of a systematic attempt to bring back our Church nearer to the cor tuPt usages from which it was reformed. " It was therefore actual experience of great, and Pressing, and growing evils, which recently induced Ine to have recourse to the unusual, but strictly canonical, expedient of seeking the advice of those ‘', ll ° B e office and standing, and I may truly add those high personal qualifications, pre-eminently fit them to form the Council of their Bishop. " Sixteen members of the General Chapter of the Cathedral of Exeter, together with the Archdeacons of Totnes and Barnstaple (the Archdeacon of Corn . Wall being unfortunately absent through illness), met In the Chapter-room, and gave me the benefit of their I : l ted deliberations. Another distinguished pre -0417 (reluctantly detained by sickness) sent to us .", 13 judgment, f oun d e d on l o ng experience in one of i ce most populous and important districts in Corn- " They were unanimous in deploring existing evils, inn i.lo apprehending greater, if some timely check be not applied. And, if they were not unanimous in ad vising what that check should be, this very want of nanitnity gave to me the advantage of more fully b e aring all that could be urged by able and expe rienced men on either side. After a discussion of t hree hour s more than two-thirds of the whole num b , e r agreed in advising me, that the only proper, and, tinder God, the only effectual remedy, appeared to he, at once to restrain all undue change, and to look to the law as our sole guide. Of that law, the law that ° the whole Church of England, including under Comprehensive term not the pastors and teachers alone, but the people also—that is, the State—of that One main and leading object, since the Reforma t`", has ever been to establish uniformity of public 131613 'ers, and administration of sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies.' This object, good in itself, becomes inestimable, BZnea weolook to the evils which it alone can prevent. ut uniformit y , it i s man if es t, can on ly b e secure d by if l in g down o ne ru l e . Thi s the law has done. And, tpe e soetices, i s of time me have introduced some relaxations in Practice, in the great evils we now deplore, a:i l l : C onvincing proof that the true remedy for those van- Must be sought in returning to a faithful obser i ea of the Act of Uniformity. have at ACt has, in truth, 'every claim a law can Men. bn the dutiful and cordial obedience of Church and B ased on the soundest principles, recognizing the liturgy itself to be purely spiritual 111 ,; itB origin, and a pplyi ng t e mporal sanctions only to euforce the use of it, this illustrious statute bears on itn t he charact er _ o f a so l emn compac t ; b y w hi c h th e r ', hn reh, having P rovidel for the nation a p u re form of ' h ristnt` worship, received for that form the assured p r otection and support of the Crown, and all the e states of the realm ; a statute which, for this very rea son,, is holden to be essential and fundamental,' andlB so declared to be in the great Constitutional T ett the Act of Union between the realms of Eng land and Scotland. " Now, I do not say, that every departure from a nY Minute direction of th 3 Book of Common Prayer enshrined a s it i s i n this fuldamental law, deserves to b e stigmatised as a violation of the national compact; ~1 1t I lay, that the duty of strict obedience to it can cl be too strongly felt by any—least of all, by the I . this duty we pledged ourselves in our : din ation 'VOWS. We renewed that pledge, as often - undertook the cure of souls, or were otherwise admitted to serve in any office in the house of God f ? the stri ct fulfilment, therefore, of that duty, no 42441 minister of Gcd's Word will think it a hard arauiP that hi s Bi shop s h ou ld now reca l hi m . H e w ill at t r , ll 7 l gladly recognise the fitness of recurring to it: I"me of general doubt and difficulty, as the one, °nly rule, by which our practice in Public r aXer can be honestly or safely regulated. eu t ` And whil e a w illi ng an d h ear ty o b e di ence i s th u s ar afid ' i ntly anticipated from the clergy, can we ap tpend l ess ready acquiescence in the same course h a t" Part of the laity ? Assuredly not—provided eh we previ ous l y i ns t ruc t th e m in the nature of the ar e ' n .ges Introduced, and of the reason for which they ntroduced—not from love of change, but to pre fort ch ange —to enable us, at length, to find a rest Us °Urs amidst the fl uctuation of usages around Lovesfind it in strict obedience to the law. st a i b t i Veed I add, that this very purpose of ensuring is th e Y, as well as uniformity in our public worship, ch ti .:,",erY end. and object of the statute, as thus de- in its preamble—' In regard that nothing cun (*big, more to the settling of the peace of this nation of ~e ° IS desired of all good men), nor to the honour t h eir religion and the propagation thereof, than an A lts, al agreement in the public worship of vtitba"t7 God ; and to the intent that every person s v b ich M this r ea l m ma y c ert a inly know the rule to h is to conform in public worship, and admi ra44, "o t n of th e sacramen t s , a nd other rites and cere of4l the Church of England.' i n t},:t . these reasons I scruple not to address you all I Wni e t, la nguage of most earnest entreaty—entreaty of fo" thankfully acknowledge, after the experience but w ar is t . e en years, you have never yet disregarded , th an C'eh I now put forth with far greater anxi ety With ,:ver befor e t es tifi e d—that you will all concur us in discountenancing every attempt to divide peatet? Parties, by rendering a steady, uniform, and ei0, 11 . 1 o bectence to the laws of the Church, espe- In all that relates to the public worship of of guts. God, as enjoined in the Rubric of the Book X a d d n nnon Prayer. If to this my earnest entreaty city 1 1 5 lam bound t o add, the language of autho the f „1 11 order, y ou w ill, I am sure , s ee in it only act 9 r sanction and support of your own desire to duty conformity with your own deep feeling of your L t i t i I abstain at present from entering into details. and f i Zt, h o:ivsver, say that I advise a very cautious th e i o . t uearing tone in all that respects the duty of y ou 1 a Y, as laid d own i n the Ru b r i c. F or instance— offertore Fund to read a t l eas t one sentence of the rem Y w henever the Communion service shall be e b cp. ,, lila it is l e ft t o your discretion whether you e , seo 7 read more, in other words, whether you should ce a collection. in "yr , In every church in which the congregation ez4 t e n . e ral is prepared to regard the collection as the of offe la r e . °f a high Christian privilege—the privilege there l lng to God— o f giving to him of his own — vise that a collection be always made. But wher ev a bethisttehir 7 the pervading tone and feeling is not yet of itod, w r t n h order, be patient; strive, but strive gently, t. elninpdrayer to God, to raise your people to a 44,41n0t debeeei ti a d o ie d es till they have attained to it, shock I . l r prej ; irritate not their selfishness, it their worldly-mindedness. Only let them , ve themselves ; let them see and feel that you I ,7e a ): not theirs, but them.' Tell them the truth in '" 1 1 and leave the rest to God. it i ' ,9 n e further ca ut i on I would add, though I hope almost needless. Whil of t h e „ e I urge you to return to a full observance ~...,it.ubric—falling short of your prescribed part twig—beware of exceeding it. The peculiar Pang of of the times, as well as the prevailing tone of ;ZI;•9 :pinion, call upon you most powerfully, as you ~,,b`"Q void being in the number of them through vat"lio off ences come,' t o f or b ear a ll unnecessary inno te..s n th e sPeeially as I h ave recent l y h a d occasion to civ at Worn kind of innovation, the revival of obsolete us,lges not required by law, which are asso ciated in the minds of the people with the supersti tions and corruptions or• Rome. " This letter will reach you through your Deans Rural ; and I advise you to communicate together in your several deaneries ; thus of yourselves you will on most points come to an accordance. Should doubts arise, the Preface to the Book of Common Prayer, concerning the service of the Church,' tells you how to act. You are to have recourse to your Bishop, who, if he be in doubt himself, is ' to send to the Archbishop for the resolution thereof.' " I also advise that you make no deviation from the mode in which you may be now severally in the habit of performing Divine service, until there shall have been an opportunity of collating the different practices and propositions of the different.deaneries. " We may too, perhaps, be thus enabled to profit by the construction put on the rubrics in other dioceses, if any similar consideration of the matter meanwhile be had elsewhere. " One great advantage must arise from this delay, that it will enable us to make all the change, which shall be found necessary, at once, and thus to avoid • future change. " A very few months at the utmost will more than suffice to enable you to bring all questions to a deci sion. Should it be necessary for me to explain the grounds of the resolution of any of• the • doubts sub mitted to me, an opportunity will soon be afforded, if it please God that 1 have health and strength to hold my visitation in the next year, which it is my present intention to commence immediately after my ordina tion on Trinity Sunday. " There is one diversity," for the quieting and appeasing of which' I will now take order.' This I feel myself cared upon to do, because, unhappily, the 'diversity' to which I refer is regarded by many of the people as exhibiting the badges of party, on one side, at least, if not on both. It cannot, there fore, too soon be settled. " I refer to the use of the surplice in preaching, a matter so inconsiderable, that it could not, of itself, excite any strong feeling in any reasonable man. But the more unimportant it is in itself, the more mani fest is the necessity of stripping it of that factitious importance which is given to it by its being made the symbol of disunion. This can be done only by re quiring that there be no longer any diversity, that all either use or disuse • the surplice when they preach. "If there were no law, one way or the other, there might be difficulty in deciding which to require. But the law, on due investigation, is clear ; however com plicated may be the inquiry which is necessary to as certain it. "That law, beyond all question hich can now arise, requires that the surplice be always used in the sermon, which is part of the communion service • and as to all other times, whenever a serm on is part of the ministration of the parochial clergy, there "is so little reason for question, that I resolve the doubt, by re quiring (as it was. required in the diocese in which my own ministerial life was passed, the diocese of Durham, and there by the order of one of its most distinguished prelates, and of our most eminent ri tualists, Bishop Cosin) that the surplice be always used. " There remains one matter on which there is no rubrical direction, as it was not contemplated when the Book of Common Prayer was compiled :—I mean the sermon at the time of evening prayer. The power of the Bishop to order it rests on a modern statute, which does not control his discretion in ordering how it is to be introduced. I therefore direct (and Ido so with the express sanction of his Grace the Arch bishop), that, where there is a sermon in the even in g , it be delivered after evening prayer, in the accustomed manner—that is, preceded by a collect (unless the bidding prayer be used), and the Lord's Prayer, and followed by the blessing. I hope it is unnecessary for me to add, that there must be no prayer of your own composing either before or after the sermon. " I conclude with entreating you to join with me in fervent prayer to Him ' who is the author of peace and lover of concord,' that He will accept and bless this our humble endeavour to promote peace and concord among us within his own house, and in his own immediate service.—l am, reverend and dear brethren, your affectionate friend and brother, " H. EXETER. " P.S. I avail myself of this opportunity to suggest a different subject to you—that you apprise me, some time before my visitation, of any matters of moment in your several parishes which may require special consideration when we meet." DISTRESSED NEEDLE-WOMEN. A public meeting of the Society for the Protection and Employment of Distressed Needle-women and for clothing the poor, was held yesterday afternoon at Willis's Rooms, St. James's. The Right Hon. Lord Ashley, M.P., presided. There were several noblemen and gentlemen on the platform, and we observed many ladies of distinction in the body of the meeting. Mr. Roper (the Honorary Secretary) read the first annual report of the Committee, which stated— " That every precaution had been taken to avoid de creasing the funds unnecessarily ; and it can only re quire to be known the good that has been effected by such limited funds fur tbopublic to continue their sup port of this Institution. Although the Society had been established only nine months, the Committee felt confi dent that the benefits of the charity would be extended, and the Society prove to be one of the most useful and philanthropic institutions in the metropolis. Since the establishment of the institution not one instance had occurred of work being detained by the persons em ployed ; thus exemplifying, that a fair price for work done was the surest preventive of workpeople pawning goods entrusted to their care. Many of the class of females employed by this institution wore persons who had moved in a superior sphere of society, and who were anxious to hide their miseries from the public eye. " The number of day workers recommended from the Institution, and engaged at wages not less than nine shillings per week, are Upholsterers Assistant dressmakers Shirtmakers lB3 Staymakers 27 Laceworkers Shoebinders Stockmakers Flowermakers 2B Needlewomen to private families Cloakmakers -975 Showing that 975 females of good character have been recommended by the Institution since it was established, independently of those to whom work has been furnished. This number, however, is only about one-third of the applications that have been made to the Institution by respectable and unemployed females. The Committee only ask one-third of the support for their own country women that is so benevolently bestowed upon foreigners, who no doubt well deserve the support that is given them by a British nation. This Society will give full protection to the benevolent from the frauds practised by what is termed the " begging-letter system," as many females make it a practice, and, indeed, some a living, by calling upon the charitable with a long statement of their wants. If they really are deserving, their miseries will be removed by employment being given them by this Institution. " Amongst the work-people employed by the Society, and now earning 9s. per week, are a number of persons who were obliged to make shirts from lid. to (seldom exceeding) Is. per shirt. But this payment was made by the person termed the middle-woman,' who, in fact, gets the best remuneration, for she takes a large quan tity of work from the shop or workhouse, and emplo)s as many hands as she can procure, who will work at the lowest price ; thus dealing out to those poor creatures work at a rate almost impossible for them to exist upon, and not exceeding 2s. per week. The rate of prices that have been paid by the Institution are from 2s. to 3s. 6d. per shirt. " It has been stated that the Metropolitan Visiting and Relief Association would be the means of assisting the unemployed needlewomen ; but there is a material dis tinction between the one society and the other, the des titute poor being generally persons reared up in humble life and accustomed to labour, whilst the sempstresses are in most instances daughters of parents who have moved in a different station of society, and who suffer the most acute privations in silence." The Secretary stated that the Committee had to ac knowledge the receipt of several contributions of goods to the Society, such as flannel, shirting, needles, sewing cotton, &c. It appeared that the cash received in do nations already amounted to nearly 5001., and that 336/. worth of needlework had been sent in to the Society, making a total of 7921., 5001. of which had been paid by the Society in the shape of wages. After defraying all necessary expenses there remained a balance in hand of nearly 4001. The following notification has been put forth by the Committee : " That all work sent to the Society shall be charged at the following prices, viz. : s. d. s. d. A trimmed shirt A plain ditto • 1 8 to 2 6 A boy's ditto 1 4 to 2 0 A shift A night shift . 1 3 to 2 6 A night jacket 0 8 to 2 0 Petticoats 0 6 to 2 6 Sheets, per pair Pillow .cases, per pair 0 6 to 1 0 Towels„ per dozen Dusters, ditto Cambric pocket handkerchiefs, ditto Common ditto, ditto 1 oto 1 6 Table-cloths, each Neck-handkerchiefs, per doze n Napkins' per dozen Children's shifts .............................. 0 6 to 1 0 Pinbefores 0 4 to 1 0 Children's petticoats Frocks Marking, per dozen ........................... 0 3 to 0 6 Hemming, per yard ........................... 0 Oi to 0 1 "No charge made for cotton or thread. All work to be washed and cut out before it is sent, and, if required, a pa!tern with it. An extra charge of 3d per shirt is made, if cut out at the office. " The work is done for ready money only, and no ar ticle allowed to be given out till paid for. The super intendent is empowered to receive the amount, and to gives receipt if required." The repo rt having been read, The Hon. WILLIAM COWPER moved that it be re ceived and adopted. Mr. Aldermen FAREBROTHER seconded the motion. The Noble CIIAIRMAN said that, before he put the question to the meeting, he wished to call their attention to the special object for which they were then assembled. It would, however, be unnecessary for him to enter into a sta'ement of the circumstances which rendered the ex istence of such a society as the present necessary in so great a metropolis as this. The destitution and distress which prevailed among the class who were employed in needle work was too obvious to need any lengthened detail. It was impossible to take up any one of the daily journals without seeing a record of the cruel and har rowing sufferings which that portion of our fellow-crea tures have endured. The report they had heard read showed, however, the great good that might be effected by such and similar institutions as this, and demonstrated that, by their energetic efforts, it was in their power to ameliorate much of the sufferings of those who were the immediate objects of this Society ; but the more especial purpose for which this meeting had been called, was to stimulate the charitable portion of the public to provide funds to meet the necessities of the coming win ter. This was a period of the year which pressed most heavily upon those suffering under destitution. They were upon the close of the old year, and at the beginning of the new ; and it did so happen that about this time there was almost invariably such a stagnation, to which they whom God had blessed with affluence were vary little alive, but to which those who lived upon their labour were most alive, and felt most acutely. This Society , was founded for the purpose of carrying out a grand and unquestionable truth, that the labourer was worthy of his hire,—(Cheers.) He held in his hand a state ment of various suggestions of means by which that desirable end might be attained, but the Committee had rejected many of them on account of the difficulties that would attend their adoption. Seme persons had proposed taking a large building, and disposing of the goods fabricated by the needle- women employed by the Society. But this was considered likely to make the remedy worse than the evil, because it would interfere with the interest of the general trader. Again, it had been proposed by some that large houses should be erected, where the women should assemble and work together, but to this there were many grave objections. In all the charity which they proposed to bestow, in all the advantages they took upon themselves to give,' it was their object to do all that in them lay, to encourage that mainstay of the social system—that institution of God himself—the domestic—that system by which the woman might be kept at home, there to learn and exer cise the high and holy calling of a wife and a mother.— (Cheers.) It was likewise the object of this Society to obtain for all those who might be employed by means of its funds, a remuneration of at least 9s. a week, with mo derate hours of work. Some persons had said the Society ought not to confine the amount of remuneration to 9s. It was by no means the wish of the Society to limit it to that sum,:much less did he intend to affirm that 9s. was an adequate remuneration for a mother of a family ; but the object of the Society in putting the remuneration at that limit was to prevent a greater evil ; for the Committee felt:that if they were to contribute more than that sum, they would, in many instances, be creating the evil they sought to remove, for they would be possibly- enabling a party to set up an establishment in which some wretched girl, taken from the workhouse, might he made to undergo the very privations which that party was now herself enduring, and from which it was theobject of the Society to rescue her altogether. (Cheers.) Another object of the Institution was, to sup ply the poor with medical aid; and in that very little diffi culty would be found; for his experience had convinced him that medical men were ever ready to offer their services in the cause of charity ; proving,:as he had always found, that their profession was characterised by everything that was kind, generous, and self-denying.—(Cheers.) He wished to advert briefly to an objection which had been urged against the Society by persons who had expe rienced disappointment, in not having the objects of their recommendation assisted. Now it did sometimes happen that persons were sent to the Institution who were either aged or unskilful in their business. But, although such persons were entitled to every charitable consideration, still a committee in administering the contributions of a charitable fund must be guided, and act upon, certain specific rules. Now, this Society was specially founded for the purpose of giving aid to professional needle women, who had no other means of subsistence, and who were the only really skilful workers in that business. In some instances work had been given persons who were inadequate to its performance, and the consequence had been that those who had sent the work were much dis-' satisfied with the mode of its execution. It was by no means the intention of the Institution to interfere with the trade in general, or with the shopkeepers in par ticular. The great wholesale dealers in many instances had given the Society their most effective support, and the Committee never thought of doing anything, directly or indirectly, that could do injury to such parties. If, however, injury should happen to fall upon other parties —upon those whose object it was to grind the very faces of the poor, he did not think there was any one in that meeting who would feel the slightest compassion for their loss.—(Cheers.) But he was most anxious to impress upon the meeting that which he felt very deeply himself, namely, the great evils that were arising in all directions from that constant and unceasing effort on the part of every one, to get every single thing—he meant not the trifles of life, for them the did not care, but every neces sary that could be done for them by a human being at the very minimum of remuneration—at the very smallest• amount that would keep any mortal, being just within the limits of this side of the grave. Look at some of the cases where women have been ground down to the lowest amount of remuneration that could sustain human exist ence. He himself knew of an instance of a woman who had worked twenty hours a day, day after day, without in termission—(llear)—but what was it that worked them down to this wretched condition ? First, there was the workhouse.—(Hear, hear.) Work was taken in at those places to a very great extent, to be performed by parties who were maintained at the public expense. These per sons often made shirts at a Id., and even sometimes at a id. apiece, and thus the public fund raised to relieve the poor was brought into competition with these wretched sempetresses, who were struggling to support themselves and their children, from the very houses that were held up as pieces of terror to them ; and yet those very houses were made the instruments of their ruin. —(Hear, hear.) To put an end to this system was the first remedy to be applied. lie did not mean to say that work ought not to be performed in workhouses ; but, if it were so, either let it be confined to supplying the wants of the inmates themselves, or else taken in at the market rate of re muneratior, so that no undue advantage should be given —not to the poor people themselves, who do work in those houses, but to the public, by the diminution of the rates—that advantage being purchased by the enor mous sufferings of those wretched creatures whose cause you are now met to support.—(Hear, hear.) The same argument which applied to workhouses would also apply to prisons, and the same remedy was equally applicable to both. He, in company with Alderman Farebrother and their worthy Secretary, had the honour of waiting upon Sir James Graham upon this subject, and that Right Hon. Baronet was pleased to express deep sym pathy with the sufferings of the needle women, and pro mised he would do his best to abate the mischief arising from the causes which he (Lord Ashley) had been stat ing. Aye, but there was another description of place in which much mischief was done—he meant the schools of the metropolis.—(Hear ' hear.) Work was taken in at the charity schools and done upon terms most inade quately remunerative. It had frequently happened that when applications were made at the house of this Society to know upon what terms work would be done, and when those terms have been stated at the lowest possible amount that it would give, he would not say an ade quate, but a decent remuneration, the parties had gone away, saying they could take their work to the schools and there have it done for next to nothing.—(Hear.) And this was what was called charity !—(Hear, hear.) Before he sat down he was happy to have it in his power to announce that her Gracious Majesty had permitted him to declare that she would con tribute to the funds of this Society to the amount of 50L—(Loud cheering.) He felt assured that meeting would express its hearty gratitude for the mu nificence and charity of their beloved Sovereign.—(Loud cheers.) Another illustrious lady, the Queen Dowager,- had empowered him to add a second donation of 101.— (Cheers.) And, moreover, she had given them the pri vilege of enjoying her name as the patroness of this In stitution.—(Cheers.) He had also to announce that Prince Albert had empowered him to say that he would be a contributor to the amount of 251., and he accompa, nied his donation with the expression of sympathy and kindness for the objects of the Institution. He (Lord Ashley) hoped that these royal examples would stimu late the public, for it was to the public, through this meeting, that they made their appeal, appealing, also, for assistance from the public press, which always showed itself forward and zealous in advocating the cause of the destitute and the oppressed. He did hope that these royal examples would stimulate all parties to come for ward and do something effectively for the relief of the present destitution that prevailed among so large a class of their fellow -creatures.—(Cheers.) It is hopeless (said his Lordship), nay, it is useless, to attempt any social or moral improvement of those classes so long as they re main in their present state of destitution and suffering. (Cheers.) Food and raiment are indispensable prelimi naries, and unless these demands of nature be supplied, it is vain, it is almost cruel, to talk of amelioration.— (Hear, hear.) Just consider what a multitude of women are concerned in this appeal. There are many mothers of families who are whody unable to make provision for the proper discharge of any one of the maternal duties. Neither at home nor at school is there any possibility for their offspring to undergo any domestic or religious training. I have often said, and I do venture to say again, and I will say it even to satiety, that the women of a country are the chief sources of its virtue and of its vice, and that unless something be done to raise this class from their present state of destitution and disgrace, there will be very little hope for the prosperity of the British empire. —(Cheers.) When the Emperor Napo. leon asked Madame Campen what he should do for the benefit of France, that excellent woman replied, " T ra i n up for us a race of mothers." 'This is as true as holy writ, because it is derived from it ; and I do hope that from this day we shall be doing something e ff ect i ve towards that great consummation, and that we shall not be content to say , "Be ye warmed, and be ye fed," but that if a brother or sister be naked, we shall at once' be ready joyfully to acknowledge the relationship, an d prove that we are the children of one common Father. The report was then received and adopted. Mr. Alderman FAREBROTIIER observed, that as her Majesty the Queen Dowager had graciously Conde. wended to become the patron of this Institution, their noble friend in the chair was necessarily superseded. The first thing, therefore, they had to do was to request his Lordship to accept the office of n ice-patron ; he ac cordingly moved that Lord Ashley be vice-patron of the Society. Mr. REDMAYNII seconded the resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the meeting. :WS THE SUN, LONDON, TiftSDA:Y -VENING, DECEMBER The Noble CHAIRMAN expressed • his readiness to ac cept the honour the meeting had conferred upon him. • The Hon. W. C OW P ER , M.P., the n rose to move a re solution, pledgng the meeting to use their utmost endeavours to promote the interest of the Society, which had such strong claims upon the public support. No class of persons, in his opinion, was more entitled 'to commiseration than the needle-women—they were more susceptible to misery than persons belonging to the lowest class, because they were generally persons or better education reduced to a condition of destitution. The competition among them was enormous. This .was taken the taken advantage of, an d th e y were com pelled to toil day and night for a pitt ance th at wou ld h ar dly sustain life. The cruelty of thei r case was , th a t th e y did not receive the full amount paid by th e t ra d er f o r the labour be st"treadderAan he l m d d aemp wom s t a r n e stst,e and dd took k the between greaterth e mas ter por tion of the money actually paid for the labour. 'rho object of this Society was to remedy this evil, by secur ing to the person who actually gave the labour a fair proportion of the wages paid for it. The Society would not at all interfere with the wholesale or retail trader ; bat it might perhaps curtail the unjust gains of the in • termediate parties ; and possibly might supersede the " middle-women and middle-men" altogether. Those who gave a halfpenny and a penny for making a shirt, must be making their fbrtunes out of the blood and sinews of their fellow-creatures. By restoring to the sempstresses that to which they were entitled, full and fair wages, the Society aimed to do justice rather than to bestow alms. They were a friendless, helpless, and destitute class, and being near to the doors of the wealthy, aid could be afforded them more promptly and effectually than to those in remote regions, on• whose behalf the thoughts and imaginations of the benevolent were oftentimes sought to be excited.—(Cheers,) JUUEN JEFFREYS, E:q., seconded the resolution. Some politico-economical objections had been made to this Society. It was said that poverty must always abound, and that the real remedy was for the persons suffer- ing to manage not to multiply their numbers. But it should be borne in mind that women laboured under great disadvantages. They could form no union societies; they could bold no periodical meetings, to confer upon what affected their interests ; they had no strikes for wages ; and thus they were powerless as to effecting any remedy for the evils they suffered under. If the hours of labour of women were limited to ten a day, it was his belief that there would not be a sufficient number in the metropolis • to supply the demand in the labour market. What was required, however, was to create such an extra demand for the labour of women, as should lessen the present lengthened hours of work, and in crease, by some amount, the present rate of wages. This he thought might be done by this Society, as it would afford temporary employment to the extra bands, leaving the rest to work moderate hours at full wages. It was astonishing how greatly one or two redundant hands affect the interests of a larg e number of workers. An excess of one in fifty would introduce a state of compe tition prejudicial to the whole body. The present Insti tution would remedy that evil, and therefore he cordially gave it his support. The resolution was then put and carried. Mr. REDMAYNE moved the appointment of a Committee to administer the funds of the Society. He considered it the duty of all who were in circumstances to do so, to stand by those who could not protect themselves, which was the case with the unhappy objects of this Institution. All parties were now studying to curtail the hours bf. business and labour, for not only were the warehouse men closing their establishments at one o'clock on Sa turday, but the carriers would not receive goods after three o'clock on that day. Women, however, could not combine to procure relaxations of that nature. He should like to see *cod strike:amongst the needlewomen, for he thought it would be productive of great benefit. It was said by some, that it was vain to undertake such objects as the present, because the evil was too deeply seated to be removed by any efforts thit these societies could make ; but it was a suffi cient answer to say that, if they could not remove the whole ma-s of misery that existed, they would very much diminish its amount. As Christian men and women it was their duty to do something, and he was sure the ladies of England, when they sat by their fire sides and reflected upon the privations and sufferings of the numbers of femals who were compelled to ply the midnight needle, would feel a wish that they could put an end to all employment of so cruel a description, Dr. PENFOLD seconded the resolution, and it was car ried unanimously. Letters were read from the Earls of Mountcashel and Hardwicke, the Bishop of Llandaff, and others, express ing regret for their unavoidable absence, and declaring their sympathy in the objects of the Society. A list of subscriptions was also read. Alderman FA.REDROTEIER said that as the business of the day was about to conclude, he wss quite satisfied that the meeting would be unwilling to separate without offering to the noble Chairman their best thanks for his generous services, and for the courteous manner in which he had conducted himself in the chair. As President of the Society, he begged to say a few words upon the pur poses for which it was intended. He would not occupy the time or harrow the feelings of the meeting by nar rating the many cases of distress which had come before him as a magistrate ; but perhaps it was in consequence of some of those eases that the present Institution was founded. He never professed to thank, and he never should thank, an enlightened British public for contri buting their money for purposes of benevolence • he rather congratulated them upon possessing the privilege of bestowing a portion of their superfluities upon needy and deserving objects. We were all dependent upon each other, from the highest to the lowest. The rich not ive without the middleman, nor the middleman without the poor person. It was our duty to give corn fort to the afflicted, to wipe away the tear from the eye of the widovired mother, and to enable her to protect her children and to nurture them in kindness and affection, and with the benefit of her sound instruction and admo nition. He moved the cordial thanks of the meeting to Lord Ashley for his able and judicious services, and for the courteous manner in which he had conducted himself in the chair. The Rev. JOSEPH BROWNE seconded the motion, and exhorted all present to remember, after they left that room, the resolution to which they had voluntarily come, to do all in their power to promote the purposes of the Society. Lord ASHLEY said Alderman Farebrother had laid down in such excellent and unanswerable terms the prin ciple that none are entitled to thanks for the perform ance of their duty, that he felt embarrassed how to re ceive the thanks of the meeting for the slight trouble he had taken in this cause. He did feel that very little thanks were due for therformance of a d ut y im p osed upon us by the responsib ility of our situation. If, in deed, we thought that we came into the world by chance, it would be all well and good ; but if we were placed here for an especial purpose, and if our existence was a gift which was to be accounted for, there certainly were little thanks due for the discharge of duties so impera tive. At the same time, he was not indifferent—far from it—to the thanks of his fellow-citizens. Be con sidered it not only as an honour which ought to be highly prized, but as a resolution on the part of those who offered it to co-operate with h im in his e ffort s for the general amelioration of the c ondition of m an ki nd, and in that sense he thanked the meetin g hearti ly, an d e he should, with God's blessing, so long as he . h of th s power, do all he could to remove some of the evils hi s ellow-creatures. The meeting then broke up. - - - PRE S L B O Y R T D E E A y N E A D s BDuRREyS .S TO On Friday an address was presented to Lord s Presbyterian..dteopilu, n t . ati on from ,h e c following lroc t n gG recentlyei s n e t r h a e l assembledri T e e p yt Assemblye o sb f his rYa f E bC x yt c oh e oe l ka l ency. It is much more guarded than his reply, a month or two since, to the Remon strant or Unitarian Synod, to whom he gave an assu • ranee that his mission in Ireland was one of general conciliation : " Gentlemen of the General Assembly of the Pres byterian Church in Ireland,—Your address of con gratulation upon my arrival in this country, and the flattering terms in which these congratulations are conveyed, demand my warmest acknowledgments. "There can be no doubt, gentlemen, but that the Presbyterians of this country, under your spiritual jurisdiction, have been distinguished for their enter prising and industrious habits—for their moral and peaceable conduct—and for their hereditary attach ment to the House of Brunswick. " Your patriotism and steady loyalty—your zeal for the prosperity and unity of these kingdoms—will ever receive that royal approbation which secures you in the enjoyment of your religious privileges, and which, as you are pleased to state, greatly assists and encourages you in the discharge of the duties of your sacred calling. " I rely with confidence, gentlemen, upon the as surance you give me of your determidation to assist me, by every means in your power, in the arduous duties which have been entrusted to me. As her Most Gracious Majesty's representative in this country, I can have no other wish than to secure to each the free exercise of his religious opinions and worship—to disseminate in as wide a circle as pos sible the advantages of moral as well as of general in struction—and to contribute in every possible way to the development of that industrial prosperity of which so many encouraging symptoms are daily manifesting themselves in every part of this beautiful kingdom. " HEYTESBURY." SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLIt SHOW.- The exhibi tion this year, it is believed, will exceed, both in the quantity as well as quality of the stock, that of any pre ceding one, and in order to afford facilities for such in crease, not only have the proprietors of the bazaar' had removed an extensive stabling which formerly occupied the north-western corner of the grand marquee, but the entire of the spacious carriage departMent (only a small slip thereof being appropriated formerly) has been placed at the disposal of the Club. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Duke of Richmond, and Earl Spencer. have made entries as competitors in various descriptions of stock. HER MAJESTY'S BUCK HOUNDS.—A small field, numbering between 40 and 50, were at the meet, yester day, at Brick-bridge, where the stag was uncarted be tween eleven and twelve o'clock, going away to Thatchen end, nearly to the windmill, whence it doubled back to Brick-bridge, on to the Hayes, making for .Hay-hill, Hawthorn-hill, and Warfield Church, to Winkfield=row and Hatchet-lane, and was taken at Sawyer's -gate, near . Sunninghill, after a run of little more than an heur. It was all road hunting to the take, after leaving Wink field. The nlopet on Friday will be at the One Pin, at Iledgerley, COURT CIRCULAR. Wrcnsoa, MoNDAT.—The Chapter of the Order of the Garter, fixed for the 12th inst., at Windsor Castle, Nsil: be held on that day, but the intended Banquet in St. George's Hall in the evening will not be given, in consequence of the decease of her late Royal High ness the Princess Sophia Matilda. '1 he Queen and the Duchess of Saxe Coburg and Gotha walked for some time within the precincts of the Castle grounds this morning. The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, were taken an airing to-day in the pleasure-grounds adjacent to the Castle. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent returned to her residence, Frogmore House, on Saturday even ing, after paving a visit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of (11oucester, in town. The Duchess of Cambridge arrived in town yester day from Kew, and visited her ißoyld highness the Duchess of Gloucester. Sir James Graham had an ; interview with Sir R. Peel yesterday. The Committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most. lion. Privy Council for the affairs of Guernsey and Jersey had a meeting yesterday in the Council ChaMber, for the purpose of considering a petition of the States of the Island of Guernsey, praying her Majesty's confirmation of a project of reform in the Constitution of the said State's. Mr. Burge, Q C., and the Hon. James Wortley, Q.C., were heard in support of the petition from the States. The latter gentleman had not concluded his address at four o'clock, when their Lordships rose, and adjourned the case until this day. Th• Lords present were the Lord President, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Mr. Baron Parke, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Corn wall, and the Judge of the Admiralty Court. The lion. Wm. Bathurst was Clerk of the Council in Waiting. SIR JOHN SEALE, M.P. Our obituary records the death of Sir John Seale, Bart., the representative of Dartmouth. Sir John first entered Parliament, being then Colonel Seale, in 1832, and from the commencement till the close of his career, was a consistent liberal politician. He took an active part in promoting corporation reform, and labonred as• siduously in favour of free trade. For several sessions, beginning in 1838, he brought forward a measure to per mit the grinding of foreign corn in bond, and he had at length .the pleasure of seeing his plan carried into exe cution. We have no recollection of his taking a pro minent part on any other question, but he attended well to his Parliamentary duties, and was rarely absent when a liberal question was to be supported, or an invasion of the public liberties defeated. Sir John was descended from a good family, which has been long settled in Devonshire, where it has consider able property and influence, and some church patronage. lie was Colonel of the South Devon Militia, and was created a baronet under Lord Melbourne's administra tion in 1833, an honour which his standing in his native county and his public services well deserved. In 1804, he married the daughter of Sir Paul Jcddrel, and has left behind him a numerous family. At the time of his ' decease ho was in his sixtieth year, and is succeeded in his title and estates by his eldest son, born in 1806. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S.-TESTERDAY. An expectation that something would be done towards the settlement of the late Mr. Crockford's Derby account, drew a much larger attendance than is usual at this dull season, but, as far as the object in view was concerned, to no purpose whatever, the guarantee required by the Jockey Club mandate not having been forthcoming, and not a sixpence having changed hands. On the coming Derby, business was moderately brisk, and more par ticularly on Young Eclipse, Pam, Ides, Anti-Repealer, and the Rebecca colt, Young Eclipse being the " lion of the day"—(it was mentioned—truly or not we do not take upon ourselves to state—that this horse has left Coleman's stables for Kent's)—the extent to which they were benefited by the support of several active partisans is sufficiently explained by the table of prices given underneath. Alarm was backed for about 300/. ; the Cobweb colt, in two or three places, at 17 and 18 to 1; Kedger at 18, 19, and 20 to 1 ; and several outsiders at liberal odds. 1,500 to 100 was laid against Forth's lot, John Davis included. Closing prices : CHESTER CUP. 1000 to 25 agst Mr. Irwin's Foig-a•ballagh—taken 1000 to 25 agst Mr. Plummer's Alice Hawthorn—t. 1000 to 25 agst Mr. Robinson's Morpeth—taken 5000 to 100 agst Mr. W. Scott's Agriculturist—taken. It is desirable to state that all bets laid on this race, unless otherwise stipulated, are understood to be not only p.p., but named or mot named. DARBY. II to l agst Mr. Greville's Alarm—taken 16 to 1 agst Col. Peel's Cobweb colt lit to 1 agst Colonel Anson's Kedger 22 to 1 agst Mr. Coleman's Young Eclipse—taken 1000 to 45 agst Lord Chesterfield's Pam—taken 2000 to 90 agst Lord Stradbroke's Idas—t. and aft off. 25 to 1 agst Mr. Jaques's Anti-Repealer—taken 30 to 1 agst Mr. A. Johnstone's Rebecca colt—taken 33 to 1 agst Mr. Gully's Weatherbit 35 to 1 agst Mr. Ilesseltine's Fitzallen 40 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Laird o' Cockpen—t 40 to 1 agst Mr. Irwin's Connaught Ranger—taken 40 to 1 agst Mr. Merry's Collier 20,00 to 45 agst Lord Glasgow's Miss Whip colt—t 3000 to 60 agst Lord Eglinton's Lycurgus-taken 1000 to 20 agst Mr. Forth's Lady Berners colt—taken 2000 to 20 agst Colonel Cradock's Jinglepot—taken 1000 to 10 agst Lord Vernlam's Christina colt—taken 1000 to 10 agst Mr. Bradshaw's Manasseh—taken. COURSING. The Epsom Coursing Meeting will take place to-mor row and Thursday; Mr. E. Wright will officiate as Judge. SOUTH LANCASHIRE (SOUTHPORT) MEET- ING, Nov. 27 AND 28. The Scarisbrick Cup (16 dogs) was won by Mr. Petit iean's Chairman (late Birdcatcher); his Birdlime ran up. The Fleetwood Cup (16 dogs) was won by Mr. Reade's Rogue-me-no-more ; Mr. Robinson's Stella ran up. The Church-town Stakes (16 dogs) was won; by Mr. Bake's Director (late Bird's-eye) ; Mr. Robinson's Em press ran up. The Crosseus Stakes (8 dogs) were won by Mr. Slater's Scot ; Mr. hunt's Harkaway ran up. The Blowick Stakes (4 dogs) were won by Mr. Bake's Butterfly ; Mr. Peacock's Alarum ran up. The Port Stakes (4 dogs) were won by Mr. Slater's Scrutator ; Mr. Coupe's Young Mat ran up. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin, — ln reply to the article in youti'paper of this day, headed "'Transfer of Licenses, Exorbitant and Illegal F ee s," I beg to inform you that the next meeting of magistrates for the Tower Division, will be held at the Court-house, Osborne-street, Whitechspel, on Monday, the IGth instant, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon pre cisely ; and that I am prepared to meet any charge Mr. N. or any other person may think proper to bring against me on the subject. Yours, &c. THOMAS REYNOLDS, High Constable. No. 208, Brick-lane, Dec. 2. LOSS OF AN AMERICAN LINER TWENTY-TWO PERSONS DROWNED. By the Hibernia mail steamer letters have come to hand wish the melancholy intelligence of the shipwreck and total loss of the ship Elizabeth, Captain Paton, com mander, belonging to Liverpool, with, it is much appre hended, the sacrifice of 22 persons, including the corn mender, the chief mate, several of the crew, and many passengers. The particulars received state that the vessel was on a passage to New Orleans, having on board for that port 16 passengers, of whom there were a number of lathes. On the night of the 4th of October they experienced terrible weather. The u ind blew a heavy gale from the westward. Every precaution was taken by the captain, who was a weather-beaten old tar, and a most experienced man, to avoid accidents ; however, on the following day the gale increased to a hurricane, and shortly the main and wizen masts were carried overboard by its awful violence. During the succeeding night matters became most pitiable. It was discovered she had sprung a severe leak, and that she would shortly founder was inevitable. The pumps were then resorted to, and all hands, passengers and all, worked vigorously to save the ship, but there was no hope and the captain, perceiving the dangerous position of his vessel, ordered the boats to be launched and the men to save themselves, which they had scarcely accomplished, and the crew and the passengers got into them, before - it was discovered that the ship was settling fast, and before many minutes had elapsed she went down in deep water. All the boats, three in number, now pulled towards the westward, hoping they might meet with some passing vessel, and it was resolved they should continue as close to each other as practicable. Such, however, was not to be the case, for - before many hours had transpired the violence of a tremendous sea drove them far apart. Two boats have since been picked up, the first six days after the occurrence, at Sisale, having been without provisions and water, and the other by a French brig, which landed them at Vera Cruz, in a dreadful state of ex haustion. The third boat, the launch, has not been since heard of, and it being full of people, twenty-two in number, including the worthy captain, mate, and many of the passengers, it is fearfully expected that she was capsised and all were drowned. IMPERIAL PRPSENTS.—We understand that at the close of the past week (Friday last) a great number of cases were landed at the Custom-house, having been brought from Cronstadt. They all contain presents from the Emperor of Russia, said to be of extraordinary value. There are no less than twenty packages for her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, four or five of the cases, with their contents, weighing each above a ton. Sir R. Peel, the Duke of Devonshire, and the Duke of Buccleuch, have had also several large cases; the whole amounting to about thirty. We cannot state 1 the precise nature of the Imrerial gifts, but we hear that the Queen has had forwarded some superb malachite vases of great valuo, and some of the cases are stated to be valued at 10,0001. THE MAILS TO SCILLY.—On Sunday, the 17th in stant, about three, p.m., a fishing boat from Mousehole arrived with a mail from Penzance, a month exactly having intervened since the receipt of the previous one. IThe boat.took the return mail about six o'clock the same evening, and, as was naturally supposed, sailed direct for Penzance; but we have been credibly informed that she I. actually proceeded to her customary employment of fish bag, with her Majesty's mail on board, and . was success- lfnl in taking a good catch of fish. What time the mail was landed at kenzance we have been unable to learn. j Wed Briton. 3, 1814. OF FRANCE. BRITISH COLONY IN THE SOUTH MARSEILLES, Nov. 28.—Lord Brougham, and his friend Mr. Leader, Member for Westminster, arrived a short time back at their delightful residence at Cannes. Lord Brougham is busily engaged in the correction of the proof sheets of his great work on the French Revo lution. This work is very extensive apparently, and will be published on the return of the Noble Lord to London. He will leave his country seat in Provence so as to be present at the opening of Parliament. Mr. Leader is engaged with his magniffeent building, the foundations of which are laid. This edifice, the plan of which is on a scale of grandeur, magnificence, and elegance hitherto unheard of in the south of France, will probably be completed in a year, the work being for warded with all possible dispatch. General Harrison, the Marquis of Clanricarde, Col- Haddington, Sir Dunstan Lower, Sir Arthur Nelson. the Duchess of Bedford, &c., have severally visited the Noble Peer and his friend, who have succeeded in making Cannes a fashionable English colony. Mr. Leader is frequently in our environs, with the in tention, as he himself says, of purchasing largely in the Delta of the fertile plain of Luval, situate near the forest lands, of which he has lately become the proprietor. It would ; indeed, be difficult to find a spot more cal culated to arrest the attention of a capitalist. Admirable climate, rare fertility, rivers, canals, ponds, forests, meadows—everything, in short, fitted to win the admira tion of an agriculturist is found united hero /call the most beautiful scenery. Many English families have formed the project of building in the neighbourhood of the colony of Cannes. Lord Brougham does the honours in magnificent style. THE FRLNCH NAVY. The following article appears in the Quotidienne (a paper that supports the Bourbon dynasty), for the purpose of showing how France lost all her maritime power when she cast off the old race of kings. It is a curious document, and admits certain facts with re gard to the victories of the English navy, which Na poleon kept with the utmost care from public view : "We have already shown what the naval forces of France are in 1844. They are very much fallen off from what they were fifty years ago. Louis XVI , it is true, did not go to Windsor; he would have spurned the idea of uniting two rival nations by the puerile knot of a garter; but he forced the Britannic Plenipotentiaries to come to Paris and sign an act of renunciation of the finest jewel in the crown of George 111., viz., an entire continent. The French fleet on the Ist of October, 1792, _reckoned 86 ships of the line, of which 39 be longed to Brest, 10 to Lorient, 13 to Rochefort, and 24 to Toulon. Three of these were of 120 guns ; rive of 110 ; ten of 80 ; sixty-seven of 74 ; and one of sixty four guns. War broke out. The imperious tyranny of the Commissioners of the Convention, the timid hesita tions of some of the Admirals, the ill-conceived and un connected instructions sent from Paris, by men who knew nothing of navigation, and a concurrence of cir cumstances, subjected our squadrons to great disasters, although the courage of our naval heroes never for one moment failed. Our losses were enormous. It is pain ful to recal them, but it is the duty of history, and we have before us official documents of them which ought not to be concealed, as being fecund in profitable lessons; experience thus dearly bought should ever be brought into use. In 1793—we had thirteen ships of the line, and nine frigates taken or destroyed at Toulon, and five frigates taken elsewhere. 1794—Six ships taken or sunk ; eight frigates taken. 1795—Five ships taken or burnt ; six frigates taken. 1795—Seven frigates taken. 1797—Three frigates taken. 1798—Thirteen ships taken or destroyed (eleven at Aboukir) ; ten frigates taken, and two destroyed. 1799—Six frigates taken. 1800—Two ships and six frigates taken. 1801—Two ships and ten frigates taken. 1803—One ship and six frigates taken. 1805—Fourteen ships taken or destroyed (Trafalgar) ; four frigates taken. 1808—Six ships and one frigate forced to surrender at Cadiz ; two frigates taken. 1809—Six ships and seven frigates destroyed, and seven frigates taken. 1810—Eight frigates taken. 1811—Three frigates taken; two destroyed. 1812—One ship taken; two frigates destroyed. 1813—Two frigates taken. 1814—Seven frigates taken, 1815—One frigate taken. The losses of France during these twenty-three years amounted to 91 ships of the line and 177 frigates, com prising 11 ships and as many frigates wrecked, or burnt by accident. Out of GO ships taken, 41 were added to the British navy; and out of 137 frigates taken, 108 had the same fate. These reverses on the ocean, how ever, did not prevent France from being triumphant on the Continent, and her victories on land compelled dif ferent nations to add their squadrons to hers, but her al lies were equally unfortunate. Their losses were— Holland-22 ships of the line, and 40 frigates. Spain-21 ships and 22 frigates. Denmark-20 ships and 10 frigates. And yet all these successes of Great Britain were purchased by her at a ♦ery easy rate. She had only seven ships of the lino taken from her, viz. the Alexander, in 1794 ; the Censeur and Berwick, in 1795; the Leander, in 1798 ; the Hannibal and Swiftsure in 1801 ; and the Calcutta in 1805. She had also to record the capture of 12 of her frigates. One of these was by a deed the most glorious in our naval an aids. On 14th December, 1798, the Ambuscade was boarded and taken by our sloop the Bayonnaise, of very inferior force. The preponderance of the naval strength of Great Britain is further shown by the following state ment : At the end of 1794 she had 117 ships of the line, of which 85 were in commission. In 1802 she had 126 ships of the line, of which 104 were in commission. In 1809, 127 ships, of which 113 were in commission ; and in 1813, 124 ships, of which 102 were in commis sion. The totals of her effective navy were, at the end of 1793, 411 ♦essels of war, measuring together 402,000 tons ; 135 of these were in commission. In 1798 she had 696, measuring 581,000 tons, and of these vessels 451 were in commission. In 1809 she had 1,061, measuring 858,000 tons, and 709 of these vessels were in commission ; and in 1813 she had 1,009 vessels of war, measuring together 870,000 tons ; 613 of these vessels were in commission. Thus in twenty years England, to insure to herself the absolute dominion of the seas, more than doubled the numbers of her naval force." COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' PROTECTION SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR OF .THE SUN. SlR,—Your insertion of the letters signed " A Bag man,7 " A Modern Commercial Traveller," " A Com mercial Traveller, but no Teetotaller," and the " Secre tary of the Commercial Travellers', Protection Society," (who, by-the-bye, seems ashamed to sign his name) in The Sun of Saturday last, demands the warmest thanks of every firm sending out commercial travellers, as it at once shows the great saving that may be effected in the present liberal allowance for " travelling expenses," which is a very serious item in these days of severe com petition, and consequently diminished profits. The only extra charge those harpies, the landlords, could make would be 6d. for dinner, and as the pint of " wine" and the glass of " ardent spirits" would cost 3s. Gd., there would be a clear saving of 21s. per week, which, with a house sending out four or five travellers, would effect a saving of some 200 or 300 pounds per an num—as I cannot for a moment imagine such nice pimple as your Correspondents would appropriate a sum of money allowed them for the travelling expenses of the house to any other purpose. I therefore beg to express my thanks to you and your Correspondents for this valuable information, although I am fearful before we can realise any great benefit we must procure a set of travellers who require a chairman, treasurer, and secretary to protect them, and who con scientiously believe that taking a pint of wine at dinner and a glass of grog at night constitutes a drunkard. I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, A TRAVELLING 1' ARTNER. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sia,—The cant and humbug of the present day ap pears making its entrance into the Commercial Room. There is no necessity, that I can see, for chairman, se cretary, &c., to the "Commercial Travellers' Protection Society." Let all who are of their way of thinking associate together, and not annoy the great portion of their fellow-travellers. As to the vicious system, blighting the prospects indulged in by a fond parent, those who 'Cannot take care of themselves had better have their " anxious parent" with them. The fact is, it is to save money that this humbug is commenced. Houses who send out gentlemen to represent them, sup port them as gentlemen, and whose conduct deserves their confidence, are to be annoyed by " modern com mercial men," who are generally sent out by third-rate houses, at a few shillings per day. The landlord is to furnish them, in some measure, at the expense of the liberal portion of the commercial body—and, I am proud to say, the greater number may be classed so—for your " teetotallers' are, from observation, " tremendous heavy feeders. I do, likewise, most distinctly deny the fact of " A Young Commercial," " that every one is compelled to drink his pint of wine ;" every day's experience proves the contrary. The Society spoken of appears to wish to ride is " first-class carriages," at " second class fares." Ido hope the rational and social comforts of the Commercial Room may long continue. Let this now Society enjoy its comforts and advantages, but not by interfering with the present usages of the road.— I re main, Sir, yours respectfully, ONE WHO CAN USE, AND NOT ABUSE, THE COMFORTS OF LIFE. Salisbury, Dec. 1, 1844. [We have received several other letters on the same subject, and among them one from a Correspondent, who signs himself " Vinclex," complaining of the great space in the paper already devoted to the controversy, while, forgetting the point with which he sets out, he fills more than two large pages with a disquisition on teetotalism. He, therefore, cannot blame us for omitting his letter ; but, indeed, enough• has already appeared to satisfy both parties.—En. Sun.] FIRE orr TOPPING'S WHARF.— This morning, k about half-past twelve o'clock, a very alarming fire broke out in a schooner lying off Topping's wharf. The land engines and firemen were soon in attendance of the A and .8 sections of the London establishment, as well as a party of the Thames police, and with the united exertions of those on board, though with the ut most difficulty, the fire was soon extinguished; not, how ever until great damage waa done to the cargo onboard. THE LATE RAILWAY ACCID EN T NEAR. NOTTINGHAM. ADJOURNED INQUEST ON MR. YARNALLS. NorriNuliAm, De.c. 2.—This inquiry was resumed this morning, at hal , -past ten o'clock, infthe grand jury room of the County Hall, in which place it will be con tinued to the close, as affording greater convenie Ice and facility to all persons concerned, than the Eque,t-rocra at Lenton. Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Youle, and Mr. Ellice, Directors, were present ; we also noticed Mr. Clarke, geaeral super intendent ; and Mr. Rirtley, superintendent of the loco motive department. Messrs. Wadsworth an - 1 Patchitt, solicitors, attended on behalf of tSe Railway Company ; and Mr. Cursham, solicitor, appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of Mr. Lightfoot. John Longden, the guard of the up train, and who was so much injured by the collision, was the first witness examined. _ Henry Youle, Esq., a Director at Nottingham end, was next examined ; George Mitchell, an assistant guard and ticket collector, and Joseph England, a passenl.:er, also gave evidence ; but as most of those persons were examined on the other inquest, consequently there :;s nothing in their statements that could be new or inte resting. At three o'clock the jury agreed to adjourn for an hour. Shortly after four the jury again took their seats, and the evidence of John Chadbourn, of Pinx ton, a passenger at the time of the collision, was being taken, but not concluded when this report left. Mr. Clarke, Mr. Kirtley, and some three or four other witnesses, being yet to be examined, it is not at all likely that the inquiry can terminate to-night. In consequence of the verdict which the town jury returned on Friday night, the Coroner issued his warrant for Mr. Lightfoot's apprehension, on Saturday morning, at nine o'clock, but Mr. Lightfoot had, ti the mean time, gone out of the way ; it is understood to be his intention to surrender on the 13th instant, on which day the winter assizes for the town of Nottingham comme: , ce ; he will then take his trial fur the grave offence with which he is charged. There is a very general feeling of commiseration fur Mr. Lightfoot. The mayor and some other influential inhabitants are to have a private meeting to• morrow morning, at eleven o'clock, fur the purpose of getting up a public demonstration in his behalf ; after which an address, of which the following is a copy, will be for warded to the Directors, and signed by most of the nobility, gentry, clergy, and other inhabitants of the town and county of Nottingham : TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDLAND RAIL- WAY COMPANY. " Gentlemen,—We, the undersigned inhabitants of the town and county of Nottingham, fully convinced of the truth of what almost every day's experience illustrates, that no human finTsight or sagacity can in all instances avert disaster—must regard Mr. Robert Lightfoot, in your employ, as altogether morally guiltless on a recent occasion,•whatevix may have been the unhappy conse quences of those measure which he so zealously, and with imminent hazard to his own life, adopted for good. We, therefore, at this crisis, feel it a duty no less grateful than imperative, to respectfully express to you our unabated confidence in Mr. Lightfoot, and to add our earnest hope that that their may be no forfeiture of the high position which, we have reason to believe, as a servant, he has ever occupied in your esteem. " We have the honour to be, Gentlemen. " Your very obedient servants." (Here follow the signatures.) We regret to say that Mr. Roberts, the gentleman who underwent amputation of the right leg on the day succeeding the accident, was delirious throughout yester day, and his dissolution was looked for hourly. 7o•day he has again slightly relied, but very little hope, indeed, exists that any ultimate change for the better can take place. His medical attendants are unremitting in their attention to him, and this morning he has been placed on a water bed, as the least pressure upon any part of his frame induces intense suffering. Mr. Bosvlstridge, the landlord of the Three Horse Shoes, was also considered dangerously ill yesterday, but a slight improvement in his state has been observed since then. A young lady named Gretton, is still seriously ill, but all the other patients are going on favourably. ATROCIOUS ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION. (From the Kelso Chronicle.) This neighbourhood, long remarkable for the quiet and peaceable character of its inhabitants, became, on Friday, the 22d inst., the scene of dastardly and atro cious bloodshed, under circumstances of a very painful nature. The victim of this cowardly and cold-blooded attempt at assassination is James Cockburn, a farm servaet at Quixw•ood, in the pat i. h of Abbey St. Rathani, ho was on that night to have been married to Jean Steel, or Rankin, widow of the late John Rankin, and residing at Lintlaw, in the adjoining parish of Buncle. The bride and bridegroom were to have met at Dunse in the evening, in order to have had their nuptials cele brated by the Rev. C. Miller, of the Second Secession Church. The bridegroom, with an acquaintance, of the name of James Youl, was proceeding to the place of mt eting in Dunse, from his residence at Quixwood, and when at a place calls d Preston Clough, about half a mile to the north of Preston, at about half-past five o'clock in the afternoon, was fired at with a gun or pistol from the plantation adjoining the east side of the road, or from behind a whin-bush on the road-side next the planta tion. The shot took effect in the back, and the piece being heavily charged, he instantly fell. Youl also received sonic of the shots in his arm ; and being stunned by the murderoUs attack, and seeing Cockburn f.ll, he fled to Pretton for assistance and protection to himself and Cockburn—having procured whieh, and returning immediately to the spot, Cockburn was found as he fell, but there was no trace of the murderer. Ile was now conveyed to the nearest house at Preston, and medical assistance and the proper authorities stilt fur from Dunse. On an examination of his wounds, 1 - :e was found to have received ai,out 160 slug and round shot in the back, which was dreadfully lacerated. On recovering sensation, lie was heard to say " that it was a poor re venge ;" and when asked if he suspected any one to have done the deed, he said that he thought it would be John Johnston, who presently resides with Joan Rankin, as hind to her, the bride to whom he was to have been married. Johnston was at that time in the room, and was then apprehended, but was then thought to be in nocent, as some came forward and said they knew hint to have been elsewhere when the shot was fired. Since then he has been placed under examination, and re manded for some days until further evidence be pro duced. The bride and bridesmaid had arrived previously in Dunse, and were waiting the arrival of the bridegroom and his friends, when intelligence of the deed reached them. The friends of the bride, on hearing it, saw the propriety of being cautious at such a time in communi cating it abruptly to her; they, therefore, sent for the Rev. Mr. Riddell, who, in a calm and suitable manner, made her aware of what had befallen her intended hus band. The p' or woman, on learning it, was sorely dis tressed. It is not our business to surmise who may be the guilty party at the present time. Johnston is in the hands of the authorities, and if there be evidence at all against him, he must stand at the bar of his country to answer for the deed. IVe understand that up to this time James Cockburn is in a very dangerous condition, and not expected to survive. Some of the shots have been extracted, but there are still above 100 lodged in his body. A further examination of Johnston took place on Wednesday, when he was committed for trial. From what can be learned, he had borrowed a gun from some person in Chirnside about three weeks ago, which he denies. The person from whom he got the gun is to be examined. A lar,;e concourse of people turned out to see him pass from the Town-hall to the prison. When he made his appearance, he looked unconcerned, and urned round and gave a stare. THE ROYAI7EXCUANGE.—The arrangements have now all been completed, as we are given to understand, for giving possession of the various parts of this great work. All the shops and offices are let, and the agree ments have been signed by the tenants, many of- whom are in possession, and are fitting them up with consider able taste and effect.' In Lloyd's subscribers'-room there will be mahogany seats and tables fur the subscribers, between 800 and 900 in number ; and in the commer cial or club-room, similar seats -and tables are to be placed for the accommodation of 300 or 400 persons. Round the room, and in appropriate stands, will be laid the journals and newspapers from all parts of the a orld. In the merchants' area the tessellated pavement has been entirely removed, and the surface is now covered with an exceedingly hard and smooth coating of the asphalte of Seysel of a uniform and pleasing colour. The Gresham Committee at first proposed to open this are a fur the use of the merchants yesterday, or on Monday next ; but at a meeting of that body on Saturday, they considered that it would be more advisable to bring all the compartments of the building into use at one time, and that probably it would on the whole be more con venient to give a somewhat longer notice, and to allow the public to pass through for some days previously, so that business persons might not be interfered with by the intenseness of a natural public curiosity. The merchants' area will, therefore, it is confidently reported, be given up to the merchants on the Ist of January, and com plete access will be given to all public portions of the building a week or ten days previously. TUB GORGON STEAM-SLOOP.—Extract of a letter from an officer on board her Majesty's steamer Gorgon, dated Monte Video, Sept. 22, 1844:—" We are still the beach, although not quite is fixture here, as we have moved the ship 21 inches, and are as confident and per severing as ever, though I cannot say when we shall get off, yet I feel sure that before long we shall succeed. We have built immense oblong boxes (in nautical phrase termed camels), and have secured them under water to the ship's sides ; they weigh her up about 220 tons, end we have got more anchors and purchases to haul off by, and have done everything to insure success, &c., save the time and labour of taking the engine out. I dare say you can fancy a ship stuck into a sandy beach, and the sand dug away from all round her and deep water, so that large boats could go round her : such is our posi tion. There are no regular tides here ; the natives know as littlo of ebb and flo od as n e g roes do of ice or snow. The rise and fall of the river is regulated entirely by the winds and rain, and Iv:e expect some gales at the equinox, and with them high tides. It the equinoctial gales pass away, we shall not have others, or expect high tides until our summer (which is your winter) has passed aw ay. Our labour has been incessant and well directed, as the enormous mounds of sand we h ave raised up tes tify ; more than 7,000 tons will mark the spot for many a year where the Gorgon was on shore, and afford ample proof to the wondering natives of the energy andper.e vet ance of iiiitish • Hearts of Oak.' I am not- aware that a similar attempt to recover so large a vessel from off a dead lee shore, so deeply embedded in sand, has ever been attempted. The French got a frigate on shore in this river a few years ago, and after five months' labour they were about to give her up, when the water rose unexpectedly and floated her off ; but I fancy her ' position was very different from _ours. -Hampshire Telegraph.