The Sun. — London, England, 1844-12-26 00:00:00

gl ect 01 0 79 ILS9 164 le feelo.6ling c•Ce ° t in , an a Xs, rh b . °" l. s u- Pp 10,10 !e 511 ou a re bat are Aki SPEECH OF THE KING OF THE FRENCH. We have received from our Paris correspondent a letter, dated Tuesday, five o'clock, communicating a le rY full outline of the King of the French's Speech, 4..., belepoken at the opening of the Chambers this day, and Which we hasten to lay before our readers in full confidence of its correctness : " The King's Speech will commence with an ex- P l 'ession of his Majesty's pleasure at again finding himielf surrounded by the 'representatives of the People. _ " His Majesty will recal to mind that at the close of the last session, in consequence of the instigation 2 f an enemy, vanquished, but not put down , the rrench possessions in Africa had been seriously Corned ; that France had, in this circumstance, given ritoaf of forbearance before she had recourse to hosti ies, but when commenced, victory promptly fol l°Wed the declaration • of war ; and yet again his Government so acted as to afford proof of his desire t 4) maintain peace. " The King will felicitate himself and his country that the grave differences which had nearly arisen between his own Government and that of Great Britain had been smoothed away; thanks to the mo deration and goodwill felt by both Governments. " His Majesty will refer to the generous hospi tality with which he was surrounded in England, to the gracious reception given to him by the Queen of Great Britain. He will express his con gratulations, not only on his own account, but that of } lli country, that he had been the object of the most rerdial and flattering attentions, as well upon the tut of the Sovereign of England as of the English People ; and he will add his hope that these reciprocal 'augments of esteem and friendship will contribute to the maintenace of good relations between the two Nintries, as well as to general peace, that great • blessing of humanity. " The King will announce that the state of credit 111 Prance is most prosperous, and that the budget Will present a surplus of receipts over expenses. "That new projects of law relating to railways be submitted to the Chambers, while those pre iously submitted will be taken up and advanced.: "The King will express his pleasure at the mar llage of his son the Duc d'Aumale with a Princess of Naples, and declare his devotion and that of his sons to the interests of France. "The King will terminate with a general expres -111% counting upon the loyal co - operation of the ueputies and Peers of France." Our correspondent adds that there will not, as he °l4 learned, be any particular reference to Spain or t ° Greece. Re further states that M. Billault, already famous is th e advocate of the Nantes slaveholders, will be the mouthpiece of the Opposition, so far as relates to 'adea against England, about the right of search 4114 occupation of Otaheitie. M. Thiers, holding his Peace by virtue of the late French version of the ce lebrated Lichfield House compact, in imitation of ,which Lord Palmerston swallows his griefs adminis leted by M. Thiers, as he formerly did Mr. O'Connell's °ll trages. a The Morning Chronicle received in Paris on Mon `l43? rather surprised the public by its peculiar inti -1,1,1!Icy with the tactics arranged in the camp of the "PPositio n , and which, no doubt, were described upon eo rnPetent authority.—Herald. I MPORTANT NEWS FROM PERU. BOMBARDMENT OF THE GOVERNOR'S IOUSE BY A BRITISH MAN-OF-WAR. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY NIGHT. L A 'vessel from South America, bound to Liverpool Put into the Cove of Cork, where she is detained' the p reva ili ng eas t er ly w i n d s . L e tt e rs have b een : t warded on to the owners here, representing that an tit rage had been committed oa the British Consul re sident at Arica, and that the authorities of the ?own !ere the parties; the outrage is mentioned as being of grossest description. The British squadron en d in the blockade of Islay had information of the v,; tr a op ge communicated by Mr. Wilson, the insulted Qui, and her Majesty's ship Ta lbot was imme to dispatched to Arica. I t is s aid that water was 44 44 4, this vessel. Our Peruvian Minister, Mr. sid A 1 48 thappened to be on board the Talbot, and con redde- the circumstances of the case so flagrant as to Aland an immediate apology, which was required in le name of the British Government by the corn ' blander of the Talbot. The apology being refused, the Talbot opened fire on the Governor's residence ; several shells were thrown in, and this was repre lented as being only a beginning, and that the town could be bombarded. This prompt mode of dealing br ought the authorities to better behaviour—an ample apology was given, and tranquillity at once restored. 1. is not mentioned whether any persons were killed E nglish the :shells thrown from the Talbot. All the '''' 4 bglish r es id en t s a t Arica were well looked after and t 1 ken on board previous to opening fire ; but when matters were settled they went on shore again. 11 : 11 E LATE EARL OF LIMERICK. 0 1411 1Batca, DEC. 3.—The great bell of the Cathe -1 has been tolling at intervals , and every shop has 4 clos e d h ere s i nce S a t u rd a y last, from respect to r. e . 11 1emory of the late Earl of Limerick, whose h gl ? I llY have for generations hack been the great pro ' etletors in this vicinity, and benefactors to the city. t l 'he remains of the Noble Lord were brought from h - gland to Limerick House, on Saturday evening, in 14 ;fnly caparisoned hearse, drawn by six black horses, followed by a train of carriages. On Sunday to rloon the body laid in state in the great dining -14,t1111 which was covered with black cloth, and illu er4ted by immense wax tapers placed in -silver delabra round the bier. It is computed that be -1 e n two and three thousand respectably-dressed v,, s °ns ! of whom many were attired in mourning, here admitted to pass through the apartments to view ceremonials, so great is the attachment felt here t this Ancient family, by whom some of our first til 4 ,,ritable institutions have been originally founded 41 `, l ,,,ndowed. his morning, at ten o'clock, a grand funeral ser kee was performed in the Cathedral, the dignitaries th e ting the body at the great western entrance, and rile NI service being chanted by the choir. After th e Prayers and anthem in the body of the cathedral, 14 t preceded by a pursuivant bearing the coro tOn a cushion, was moved in procession to the Per r y rand' tiel, in the south aisle, the organ playing Mozartl)s ~ Requiem, and was there solemnly deposited .tae side of the three preceding Lords Glentworth. treat number of the nobility and gentry connected tt l , the deceased noblemen were present, or sent it rilo lr carriages to attend at this solemn ceremony, nget whom were Viscountess Glenthworth, Lord % t4 lteagl e , Sir Henry Calder, Bart., Sir Peter Pole, ti t 1 1 ) . 4 t J. de la Feld, George Russell, Esq., Sir A. (.1: ore, Bart., the Earl of Dunraven, the Earl of 11;: t es William Maunsell, Esq., Sir Richard Bourke, t Archdeacon Maunsell, and many others. 1, 4 stated that the late Earl has left a bequest of to be distributed amongst the di ff erent charities .uls city. IPrESIAN WELL OF GRENELLE is Ibe most remarkable example of an Artesian well th at k recently formed at Grenelle, a suburb at the of llt 'West of Paris, where there was a great want to Witter. It cost eight years of difficult labour of Perforate. The surface at Grenelle consists g r avel, p e bbl es , an d fragments of rock, which ar t s, been deposited by the waters at some period 4, t e : rior t o any hi stor i ca l recor d. B e l ow thi s l a y er o f ifi r : tllB , it was known to the engineer, by geological (i r Z et ,i° ll , as well as previous experience, that at th e - i lm i 1 n, marl and clay would be found, instead of at,Ceston e which generally forms the immediately abutnt stratum. Ile was aware that he had to bore she 440 440 yards deep before he should arrive at the lie o .",of water w hich flows in the gravel below the be-,fte, and supplies the wells of St. Ouen, St. the - 1 1 3 81 ,nd Stains. Underneath the marl and the clay tl at , c illog rods had to perforate pure gravel, plastic k e i," and finally c h a lk, w hi c h forms the bottom of the ti orl e f ral tertiary basin, as we have seen. No calcula -414 r 'rn geological data could determine the thick (if 1 ,: 5 f this stratum of chalk, which, from its powers ate q:stance, might present an almost insuperable ob of e i,! e , The experience acquired in boring the wells v e 7 et ir, flo'neo l and Tours, was in this respect but to b e Y Imperfect gi:de. But supposing this obstacle pater vercome, was he sure of finding a supply of below this masa of chalk ? In the first place, the stratall below the chalk nossooed, as we shall see, all the t s , o e3 ;arY conditions for pxodfinrg Artesian springs, perve.LY, successive layers of clay qatd gravel, or of tell s r is and impervious beds. M. Malt corificlentlY Ar his former experience with Grenelle. M. ‘ -‘, 41 10,, 5a had shown that the water Of the spring here neCessarily rise to the surface, becattse in the feel`, 4lbeuf, which i s near ly , 9 yards above the of th e b `' , L% the water rises from 27 to 29 yards 4G ° , " the le vel `h-kLearth, and, consequently, from orifi‘ e ° 2 B Yards above as the sth e °f th e b o the -eu level. Now, „Iv 34 yards above , ev re at Grenelle on, el • springy ) it follows, that if the identi,.. be met with, the water must rise above the earth's surface at Grenelle. But one other condition is requisite to ensure the rising of the water in en Artesian well, namely, that the feeding level of infiltration should be higher than the orifice in the bore above which the water is to ascend. Thi , z, however, turned out to be the case of the borings of the wells at Rouen, Elbeuf, and Tours, where abundant supplies of water had been found below the chalk, between similar strata of clay and gravel. The necessary works were commenced with boring rods about 9 yards long, attached to each other, and which could be raised or lowered by mechanical power, while an ingenious method was adopted for giving them a rotary motion. che diameter of the bore was about 6 inches. The instrument affixed to the end of the lowest boring-rod was changed according to the different strata which were successively attacked ; the form suited for passing through the softer materials near the surface being unsuitable for boring through the chalk and flint, as a hollow tube was used for the former, while a chisel-shaped tool was employed to penetrate the latter. The size of the rods was lessened as the depth increased ; and, since the subterranean water was not reached as soon as was expected, it be came requisite to enlarge five several times the dia meter of the bore, in order to permit the work to be successfully prosecuted. Accidents occurred which tried the patience of the projectors. In May, 1837, when the boring had extended down to a depth of 418 yards, the hollow tube, with nearly 90 yards of the long rods attached to it, broke, and fell to the bottom of the hole, whence it became necessary to extract the broken parts before any further progress could be made. The difficulty of accomplishing this task may be conceived; for the different fragments were not all extracted until after the constant labour of 15 months. Again, in April, 1840, in passing through the chalk, the chisel attached to the boring-rod got detached, and, before it could be recovered, several months were spent in digging round about it. A similar occur rence created an obstacle which impeded the work for three months; but, instead of withdrawing the detached part, it was forcibly driven down among the stratum of gravel. At length, in February, 1841, after eight years' labour, the rods suddenly descended several yards, having pierced into the vault of the subterranean waters so long sought after by the in defatigable engineer. A few hours afterwards he was rewarded for all his anxious toils • for lo ! the water rose to the surface, and discharged itself at the rate of 600,000 gallons per hour ! The depth reached down was 602 yards, or about three times the height of St. Paul's. The pipe by which the water reaches the surface has been recently carried to a height nearly level with the source of supply. The portion of the pipe above the ground is surrounded with a monumental pagoda of ornamental carpentry, and it discharges a circular cascade of clear water continually into a circular iron reservoir, to be thence conveyed by a lateral pipe to the ground. The water is well adapted for all domestic uses, and it will be unfailing, being supplied from the infiltra tion of a surface of country nearly 200 miles in dia meter. The Artesian wells of Elbeuf, Rouen, and Tours, which were formed many years ago, overflow in never-varying streams ; and the ancient Artesian well at Lillers, in the Pas de Calais, has for about seven centuries furnished a constant and equable supply. The opportunity of ascertaining the temperature of the earth at different depths was not neglected during the progress of the works at Grenelle. Thermometers placed at a depth of 30 yards in the wells of the Paris Observatory invariably stand at 53 deg. Fahrenheit. In the well at Grenelle the thermometer indicated 74 deg. F. at a depth of 442 yards, and at 550 yards it stood at 79 deg. At the depth finally arrived at of 602 yards, the temperature of the water which rose to the surface was 81 leg., corroborating previous calculations on the subject. For a descent of 572 yards there is an increase of temperature equal to 28 deg. F., which is 20 . 4 yards, or 61.2 feet for each de gree of that scale. Now that the skilful labour of so many years is terminated, the Parisians regret that the subterranean sheet of water had not lain 1,000 yards beneath the surface, that they might have had an overflowing stream of water at 104 deg., to fur nish a cheap supply to their numerous hot-bath esta blishments.—Dr. Ure's Supplement to his Dictionary of Arts, Man: factures, and Mines. MAJOR-GENERAL PASLEY'S OPE RATIONS AT SPITHEAD. In our former notices of the operations against the wreck of the Edgar we described all that had been done from the commencement in May last till the 23d of August, on which day two guns were sent up. We shall now continue our narrative to the end of Octo ber, when the diving, that had been carried on with the utmost vigour, five military divers generally and one naval diver often being employed, was discon tinued as a matter of necessity, though the sanguilie expectation of recovering the whole of the guns that had been entertained at the beginning of the season was not realised. After the day before mentioned, the divers were occupied for a fortnight in getting up timber from the hull of the wreck, and the half-anchor creeper and rake were frequently drawn across the shoal in which it had been imbedded, whilst a couple of boats were employed in sweeping all round whenever the weather permitted, in order to discover the re maining guns, if possible. This method not being so satisfactory as at first, when the re mains of the wreck and guns were more abundant, divers were afterwards sent down, one from each of the launches, to walk about the bottom in va rious directions to endeavour to discover guns, whilst the others were employed in getting up the timber of the hull. By this method several guns were ob tained ; but this also failing, a new system of sweeping by divers walking along the bottom occurred to Lieu tenant Barlow, which was tried for the first time on the 19th of September, and continued till the end of the season, whenever the weather permitted, the ar rangements being as follows :—Two guiding lines, each sixty fathoms in length, and twenty fathoms apart, were sunk parallel to each other, in the direc tion of the run of the tide, by means of pigs of ballast at their ends, to each of which a buoy and buoy-line were attached to mark its position. Two divers, Corporal Jones, of the Royal, and Private Sticklen, of the East India Company's Sappers and Miners, de scended each to his respective guilding-line, from a launch in which his air pump and attendants were placed, and moved along the bottom from west to east and back, or vice versa, according to the tide, parallel to one another, each holding in his near hand the end of a sweep rope and chain, which dragged along the bottom between them, whilst in his far hand he held the line that guided him in his course. At the same time the two launches above were warped along in the same direction as their respec spective divers, by whom their motions were regu lated according to preconcerted signals. This mode of sweeping was much more sensitive than the former, as any very small object, such as a stone or piece of wood, that would have escaped observation entirely in sweeping from boats, was immediately felt by the divers, who made the signal for the launches to stop, and then walked towards it until they met at the spot. This progress was very fatiguing, as it took them an hour to sweep from one end of their guiding lines to the other, though a distance only of sixty fathoms, as before mentioned. The second day that they carried on thin process those two excellent divers fell in with a leaden scupper of the Edgar, and a sinker or large mooring -stone, of one of the old wreck-buoys, though at a distance of ninety fathoms to the northward of the position of the shoal in which the hull was imbedded. On the 23d of September, whilst sweeping to the northward of the Success frigate hulk, Corporal Jones slung another buoy stone ; and in the evening he was employed about an hour after dark in slinging and sending up what proved to be one of the anchors of the Edgar, hav ing the two palms and the stock broken off, so that it nearly resembled the form of the broad arrow marked on Government stores. The ex treme distance between the ends of the broken arms was a little more than five feet, whilst the dia meter of the shank varied from about 8 to 10i inches; its length, as measured from the broken end to the crown, being 6 feet 2 inches. This curious relic, found about 120 fathoms to the north and eastward of the same shoal, shows the violence with which it must have been propelled by 'the explosion of the ship's magazines ; but this was proved in a still more striking manner on the 28th of the same month, when, after having swept before day, by a beautiful moonlight, without success, Corporal Jones and his assistant, on resuming the same process in the fore noon tide, sent up what proved to be a large frag ment of an 18-pounder gun, 7 feet in length, which they found about 160 fathoms to the north and east ward of the position of the hull, whilst the first group or nest of guns of the Edgar, as the seamen termed them, nearly :twenty in number, had been found 80 fathoms to the southward of the same spot; so that, making allowance for the difference of bear ing, this isolated gun, launched into the air from the larboard side of the wreck of the Edgar, must have fallen at the distance of 200 fathoms from the group of guns that were thrown from her starboard side. From that time nothing of importance occurred till the sth of October, when privates Sticklen and Herbert, of the East India Company's service, who were employed sweeping about thirty fathoms south-east of the position of the hull, discovered and sent up two guns, a 12-pounder and a 32-pounder. Next day Corporal Jones and private Sticklen sent up one iron 12-pounder and a fragment of another seven feet in length, and the tide ran so strong during part of the time they were employed about this frag ment, that private Sticklen was obliged to hold Cor poral Jones to prevent him from being carried away, whilst the latter was digging round it with a spade, and afterwards slinging it, which they did not ac complish until half-past eight o'clock in the .erening, after having remained nearly four hours under water without intermission. On the day following they were egaally successful, sending up a 12-pounder and a 6-pounder, and on the 11th Corporal Jones sent up . . . . another 12-pounder. At this time the divers gene rally worked three slack tides, as in the middle of summer, so that they were often out before daylight and when anything interesting occurred, they conti nued their work long after dark. The weather had frequently bsen so tempestuous as to oblige them to suspend their labours, but particularly on Monday, the 14th of October, when a violent gale set into the har bour, accompanied by such a swell, that Major-Gene ral Pasley, who came from London on that day to inspect the work, was obliged to return in the even ing, without having been able to get out to Spithead in his boat. Next morning the weather was still too boisterous for sweeping, but the diving over the hull was resumed, and three slack tides were worked with great zeal. This day her Majesty passed alongside of the Success frigate hulk in her steam yacht on her way to visit the French war steamer Gomer, which had anchored near the same spot ; and as this took place during the interval between the first two slack tides, when the men employed in these operations were not at work, they saluted her Majesty and Prince Albert with hearty and loyal cheers, but not with manned yards, as the Success frigate, though cele brated in our naval history in former times, had neither mast nor yard at this period. On the 18th of October Corporal Jones was sent for with his diving apparatus to recover the mooring bridles by which the Gomer had been anchored in Portsmouth harbour, which by some accident had gone to the bottom on being cast off when that ship got under weigh. These he slung and sent up in half an hour, without even losing one of the regular slack tides at Spithead, though the usual mode of sweeping for them with boats, under the direction of the Master Attendant of the Dockyard, had been repeatedly tried and failed. "This is one amongst many proofs of the superior uti lity of helmet diving. On the 28th of - October, Major-General Pasley paid his last visit of inspection to Spithead, and find ing that the divers could not go on much longer, as the water was becoming too cold for them to work with comfort, he directed Lieutenant Barlow to con tinue the sweeping for guns only one day more, after which he was to go into harbour and break up the whole establishment ; which was done accord ingly. By this time the great mass of woodwork of the hull had been entirely removed, together with the greater part of the sheel in which it was embedded, the general height of which hal been reduced more than ten feet. Amongst the large timbers brought up were several pieces of the keel, measuring in all 72 feet 3 inches, out of 124 feet, its original length. The quantity of powder exploded during the whole season in small charges, placed by the divers and fired by the voltaic battery, was 6,222 lbs. A few of the largest charges consisted of about 130 lbs. each. None of the others exceeded_ 50 lbs.; many were smaller. After the Success frigate and the two mooring lighters had been towed into harbour, the stores were delivered into the dockyard, and on Saturday, the 2d of November, Lieutenant Barlow conducted his de tachment of Sappers and Miners to London by the South-Western Railway, whence he took the Royal Sappers and Miners to Woolwich by steam-boats, and sent the East India Company's men by the Eastern- Counties Railway to their depot, - at Warley, in Essex, the same evening ; both parties thus performing in one day a journey which, in former times, would have re - quired at least five or six days' march. On the Ist of September, Quartermaster Germain and a second party of volunteer seamen from her Ma jesty's ship Excellent had been sent out to Spithead to practise diving, which- they did till the end of the season, under the direction of Lieutenant Barlow, and gave no less satisfaction by their zeal, good conduct, and improvement, than the first party of men from the same ship had done, Besides Lieutenant Fair holme, of the Excellent, Lieutenant Peel, R.N., also practised diving this season, before he sailed for South America in the Collingwood, as had previously been done by Lieutenant Barlow himself. Major- General Pasley, who was prevented by his duties as Government Inspector-General of Railways from giving so much personal. attention to the operations at Spithead as in former years, was so ably seconded by Lieutenant Barlow, the executive engineer, and all the men employed, whether Sappers and Miners, riggers, or naval pensioners, of whom that officer reported most favourably, and the service was so efficiently promoted by the aid afforded from the dockyard, by order of the Admiral Superintendent, that the General had no cause to regret his own ab sence from the scene of action. The Master-General and Board of Ordnance have approved of a portion of the guns recovered from the Edgar being preserved as memorials, at the principal ordnance stations, and also at the East India Com pany's depot, at Warley, and at their military semi nary at Addiscombe, the guns having been recovered by military divers of the Sappers and Miners of both services ; and the Admiralty have approved of pieces of the keel, &c., both of the Royal George and the Edgar, being preserved in her Majesty's dockyards, or in public museums. The original armament of the Edgar was 70 pieces of ordnance, of which 54 whole guns and five frag ments have been recovered in the course of Major- General Pasley's operations, each of the latter being usually the breech part of the gun, broken off in front of the trunnions, and therefore larger and heavier than the corresponding part of the same gun at the bottom. The first guns of the Edgar lay in groups or masses near the same spot, and there was no trouble in find ing them by the common process of sweeping from boats, but the last guns were at such great distances apart, and discovered with so much difficulty, that if we were not possessed of an authentic account of the number, it would be natural to conclude that all were got up; instead of which it is known, from the records of the Ordnance Department, that 11 whole guns and five fragments are still at the bottom ; and, judg ing by those already found, none of which were en tirely buried under the mud, it is to be presumed that the guns and fragments which still remain must also lie nearly on the level of the surface of the bottom ; and, consequently, though the chances are perhaps 1,000 to 1 against the contingency, yet, however im probable, it is net impossible that a man-of-war's an chor being cast at this part of Spithead might strike one of them. A doubt, therefore, naturally suggested itself, whether the safety of a ship would thereby be endan gered, which having been submitted to the Lords of the Admiralty by Major-General Pasley, in his report of the concluding operation of the season, as a naval ques tion upon which he would not presume to give an opinion himself, but upon which it would depend whether his operations should finally close, or be re sumed next summer on a small scale, their Lordships decided that the anchorage at Spithead might now be considered safe, in spite of those guns. In fact every man-of-war is provided with more-ianchors than one, so that if the first, in being cast at this part of Spit head, should strike on ono of the Edgar's guns, and thereby be broken or rendered unserviceable, which is very doubtful, the spot would be marked by a buoy, and in the meantime a second anchor would be dropped, which in such good anchoring ground would be sure to hold ; and a naval diver from her Majesty's ship Excellent, where the practice of helmet diving will be kept up, might be sent for, who would remove the gun, as well as the injured anchor, if necessary, with ease. The goodness of the anchorage of the port of Spit head, hitherto obstructed by the wreck of the Edgar, was sufficiently proved by the circumstance of the Success frigate hulk and the two mooring lighters having been securely anchored there for Six months last summer, though such very violent gales prevailed from time to time that it was often impossible for the men to work, and the communication with the shore was suspended ; but, though the anchoring ground of the Edgar may therefore be considered as good as that of the Royal George, yet the latter would be preferred for a man-of-war coming to Spit head, as it is nearer to the harbour and town of Portsmouth as well as to the dockyard, and con sequently more convenient than the former; but in the event of Spithead again becoming the rendezvous of a large British fleet, which must necessarily be the case sooner or later, the one would not be more im portant than the other. Upon the whole, the removal of these two wrecks from Spithead, which has cleared the whole of that excellent anchorage, and rendered it available for the use of the Royal Navy, may be allowed to be an im • portant national object, though it has been attended with greater difficulty, and a much greater expen diture of money, labour, and time, than was originally contemplated by the officer with whom the plan originated, and by whom it has been successfully carried into effect, after the incessant labour of five successive summers and part of another, under the auspices of the Lords of the Admiralty, and at the expense of that department, aided by the valuable services of officers and men supplied from the Royal Engineer Department by permission of the Master- General and Board of Ordnance, and of volunteers of the East India Company's Sappers and Miners. A BRAVE FELLOW.—A grenadier of the 47th re giment, named Viriville, was remarked for his, daring and coolness at the late fire in the Rue Cadet. When on the roof of the burning building, finding it impos sible to retain his position on account of the intense heat, he passed a pump-hose round his neck, and then, by means of a ladder with hooks at the ends, he got on the roof of a neighbouring house, and by his presence of mind prevented the flames from communicating with it. This brave fellow has before on several occasions distin guished himself by acts of courage and devotedness. In 1839 he saved a woman and child from drowning in the Canal St. Martin : and in 1843, on the occasion of a fire breaking out in the Rue Ventadour, hearing that a man had' remained in a room of the burning house, he rushed into the flames, and, after some minutes' absence, re-ap peared, bringing the person for whom he exposed his life safely out.—Gali9nani. THY SUN, LONDON, TITUItSDAir E-VVIONG, DECEMBER 26. 1841. CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES. The Queen Dowager is surrounded by a select party at Witley Court, Worcestershire Their Serene Highnesses Prince Ernest of Hesse Phillipsthal and Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar have arrived there to pass the Christmas with their illustrious relative. As was the case last year, the poor of that neighbour hood have partaken of her Majesty's extended boun ties, having been supplied with many comforts to ren der this festive period of the year one of enjoyment. Her Majesty's health continues satisfactory. The Duke of Rutland has a numerous circle as sembled at Belvior Castle, Leicestershire, participating in the pleasures of Christmas. In addition to the Marquis of Granby, Lords John and George Man ners, Lady Adeliza Manners, Lord Charles Manners, &c., Earl and Lady Katherine Jermyn, Lord Fores ter, and Mr. A. and Lady Elizabeth Drummond have joined the party. The Archbishop of York is at Bishopsthorpe, near York, surrounded by a select family circle. Sir J. V. B. and Lady Johnstone and Miss Johnstone are there. His Grace, in the beginning of the week, caused his us ua l bounties to be distributed amongst the necessitous families of Bishopsthorpe and York, and by his instructions the poor families on the family estate in Oxfordshire have not been forgotten. The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, at Alnwick Castle, have observed the customary bene volence to the numerous aged and infirm poor, by a considerate distribution of excellent cheer, in beef, bread, &c. It is generally caiculated that above 100 poor families are relieved every Christmas, besides other extensive charities in the shape of warm clothing, which is liberally distributed to the deserving poor. The Marquis of Anglesey has a numerous family party met at Beaudesert : the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Viscount and Viscountess Sydney, Earl and Countess Cadogan, and Ladies Augusta and Honoria Cadogan ; the Earl of Uxbridge and Ladies Paget; Lord Alfred Paget, Lord George Paget, &c. &c., have arrived there for the Christmas holidays. The Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster have the Earl and Countess of Grosvenor and family, &c., passing the Christmas at Eaton Hall, Cheshire, that holiday keing kept up at that splendid seat in the true old English style. On Monday last the Marquis and Marchioness made their annual visit to the Grosvenor schools at Cheshire, established thirty years ago, by the munificence of the Noble Marquis, for the education of children of both sexes. After the customary examination, at which the Bishop of Chester, and many of the local clergy and gentry were present, and an award of prizes by the Marquis and Marchioness, the whole of the scholars were bountifully regaled with roast beef and plum pudding. Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston's party, at Broadlands, assembled on Monday and Tuesday last. Lord and Lady Ashley have arrived there from the Earl of Shaftesbury's seat in Dorsetshire, and the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby, Lady Hol land, &c., have arrived from town. Sir Robert and Lady Peel have a select party at Drayton Manor. The circle is confined to the diffe rent connexions of their family. CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS. " Christmas comes but once a year !" This is one of those satisfactory apothegms which there is no gainsaying, and though it might, perhaps, be as truly applied to other seasons, yet Christmas has appro priated it exclusively ; therefore, this undeniable fact is made an especial season why, for this once, every one should indulge in the festivities within his reach. There are few modes more agreeable of spending a " merry Christmas," and none more harmless, than in visiting the exhibitions, of which so many open their 'portals in the metropolis ; and at this season, also, there is generally some extra attractions to make them the better worth seeing. We shall, therefore, as it is our wont to do, present a catalogue raisonne of the whole. _ . _ _ THE PANORAMAS. Though science has yet failed to construct Fortu natus's telescope through which may be seen any spot that the spectator desires to behold, we are at least able to view, by walking to Leicester-square, many of the scenes on the face of the globe that are generally interesting. To the admirable panorama of Hong-Kong and Baden Baden, Mr. Burford has this week added a view of Naples, from the bay, by moon light, during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This is, we believe, the first time that the effect of moon light Ills been attempted to be represented in a pano rama. As the painting is entirely on the surface presented to the spectator, and is seen altogether by reflected light instead of the light being partly trans mitted through the material as in a diorama, it is much more difficult to render the effect of moonlight and of self-luminous bodies than when the artist has the power of concentrating lights on particular objects behind. Mr. Burford has, however, overcome the difficulty successfully in the greater portion of his design, and he has very artistically contrivel to avail himself of the glare of the volcanic flames for the pur pose of giving the effect which the light of the moon alone might have been inadequate to produce. THE DIORAMA. The beautiful paintings of the church of Notre Dame and the Abbey of St. Ouen, with the extra ordinary and almost miraculous effects of varying light and shade, have on more than one occasion been noticed in this journal; it is, therefore, only neces sary now to remind all sight-seers that these paintings remain open for only a short time longer, and that if they fail to take advantage of the present opportu nity they will have to regret not having witnessed two of the most attractive and extraordinary views that even this exhibition has ever presented. THE COSMORAMA. This long-established favourite exhibition continues to maintain its ground amidst numerous competitors, and the proprietors endeavour to make improvements suitable to the advancement and acquirements of public taste. There are eight views, which, being seen through large and powerful lenses, appear to be of the natural size, and present may objects of in terest with great fideli ty. _ Th e presen t su bj ec t s are the colossal statues of Memnon on the plain of Thebes, o oy the exterior of the Pantheon at Rome by moonlight, Le Hier of r the exterior and the in terior Vesuvius, the Lake of '.Chun, in Switzerland, and the Elippodrome at Constantinople. In some of these the e de St. Glace, p e ter,s in at S R av m and Eruption of Mount effects of varying lights and shadows are represented in imitation of the diorama, CHINESE COLLECTION. A visit to the Chinese Museum at Hyde Park corner will convey a better idea of the people, their habits, and customs, and the manufactures of China than some years since could have been obtained by such a peep into the celestial empire as was :,then allowed to those who actually took a six months' voyage to that mysterious land. Be it by day or by night, the visitor will he amply gratified and in structed; but if the keen and frosty air of a winter's night be not an obstacle, we recommend seeing the emporium'of Most that is curious and beautiful and strange in China by the artificial light of hundreds of Chinese lanterns, with the additional attraction of a good musical band, and the illuminated monster dragon that presides every evening during Christmas over the imperial dragon fete. MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION. Sterling, indeed must be the merit of an exhibition in London which maintains its popularity season a ft e r season—that remains till fresh generations rise up to go and see, for the first time; the most perfect exhibition of waxwork that was ever presented, and till those who are growing old repair there to recal past delightful recollections, and to be placed au courant, with the present improvements and additions. Very recently two important accessions have been made in the figures of George I. and George 11., in their coronation robes. They are placed within the reception-room at the end of the large saloon, which George IV. and his coronation robes formerly occu pied alone. His ancestors now share with him this peculiar room of state, and add much to its brilliant effect. NVe so recently noticed the late addition of Napoleon's carriage and the other mementos of the former Emperor of France, that is is unnecessary now to do more than remind those who have not yet seen these interesting and beautiful relics of departed greatness that they now form a part of Madame russaud's unequalled exhibition. POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. This excellent institution has made some alteration in its programme to suit the Christmas visitors. A new collection of dissolving views is exhibited, and the proteoscepe, or mode of showing opaque objects with the hydro-oxygen microscope, has been improved, so that now one image dissolves into another with most curious effect. A new application of the micro scope has been introduced, called the cromatrepe, wherein a variety of brilliantly coloured figures are seen revolving and constantly varying their forms in most beautiful patterns. The whole models in the institution have been recently re-arranged, and nume rous new ones have be m added, whilst the old favourites remain. On two evenings of the week, during the holiday season, Mr. Horn delivers lectures on music ; and every day lectures on attractive subjects, and illustrated by brilliant experiments, are delivered. THE ADELAIDE GALLERY. The curriculum of amusement and instruction at this institution has also been specially arranged for Christmas, and with even greater regard to the enter tainment of the year than the Polytechnic. Science for the time holds company with magic and music. A. conjuror diversifies the lectures on chemistry and astronomy by showing the deceptions of art, and the properties of different bodies in colouring flame are exhibited in brilliant fireworks. There are also dis solving views, the microscope, and some mechanical wonders to amuse, whilst the electrical eels continue to shock with their usual force. At night the en tertainments consist of " Concerts a la Jullien," in which, forty performers are engaged. BRITISH MUSEUM. This national repository of curiosities, and of re mains or the works of nature and art, comprising the productions of the present time and those of ages long past, even beyond the creation of man, will not fail to have its crowd of visitors at this season. The collections of specimens of natural history, and the gallery of antiquities, are the parts of the Museum now in the most perfect order—and, compared with former years, the Museum is, in these departments, far better than it was ; nevertheless, the confusion produced by the new buildings, and the never-ending arrangements, give the stranger an unfavourable idea of this great national establishment. A short winter's day is over before one half the objects worthy of notice can be examined. For those, therefore, whose time is limited, it will be better to walk first through all the rooms and return to those that most interest them, for to see all in one day is impossible. NATIONAL GALLERY. The charm of " nothing to pay" operates wonder fully, perhaps as much from its novelty as from the parsimony of the public at holiday times, consequently the National Gallery is always crowded at these seasons. There have been no important additions of late; but the many productions of the best ancient masters in the collection may be admired again and again, whenever opportunity occurs, as at this time of general holiday. THE WEATHER—THE PARKS, Sic. The wind throughout Tuesday was exceedingly variable, but blowing chiefly from the eastward, though occasionally due south. The weather was of an undecided character, the temperature being too high for the continuance of the frost, but notwith• standing that some slight rain fell about eight o'clock, when the moon changed, yet a cold easterly wind prevailed, and the mercury was at 35 degrees ; yet shortly after midnight it descended to the freezing point, and during the night the various waters were slightly skimmed over with ice. Yesterday morning, at seven o'clock, the thermometer, at the Royal Humane Society's Receiving-house, in Hyde-park, stood at 34 degrees ; and at eight o'clock last night it was 33 degrees, the wind during the day blew chiefly from the east, and was occasionally very cold and piercing, though somewhat milder than the three days preceding. The atmosphere, however, was rather . . hazy, and apparently humid, giving indication of a thaw. It being a holiday, and the weather rather fine and dry for the season, a considerable number of persons congregated in the vicinity of the ornamental waters of the metropolitan royal parks, some being engaged in the amusement of skating, and others promenaling as spectators. _ _ On the Round Pond and Long Water, Kensing ton-gardens, there were, during the day, about 4,000 skaters and sliders who were disporting themselves upon the ice which had not been melted from the first frost of this season, and which the frost of these last few days had rendered sufficiently firm. No accident occurred. In the Regent's Park there were about 5,000 skaters and sliders in the course of the day, though the ice was only about two and a half inches thick, and in so very dangerous a condition that the Humane Society had deemed it necessary to engage extra men; but still they could not keep persons on terra firma. In attempting to do this they were partly prevented by a gang of fellows connected with pick pockets, who, for the sake of obtaining plunder by the confusion consequent upon accidents, were continu ally urging persons to go on, saying it was perfectly safe. About half-past eleven o'clock Mr. Clements, coal-merchant, of William-street, Hampstead-road, with his infant son, aged two years, were, while walking across the ice, suddenly immersed in eight feet water. Mr. Clements, who is a good swimmer, had the presence of mind to hold the infant out of the water in one hand, until rescued by icemen Juhn Hall and Joseph Knight, with the aid of an ice sledge and ladder. The child was conveyed to the marquee, placed in a warm bath, and a ft erwards in a warm bed. Such attention the father declined, and, shortly after, with the child enveloped in blankets, placed it in Mr. Shires , hire s c o a f b , Grove. and street, conveyed it L is s home. on .g A r o t v o e n , e became clock a me immersed in seven feet water, and was promptly res cued by iceman Clapson. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY. - The Queen, Prince Albert, the Duchess of Kent, the ladies and gentle men of the Court, and the domestic household, at tended Divine service this morning, in the private ehapel of the Castle. The Holy Communion was afterwards adminis tered. The Hon. and Rev. Charles Leslie Courtenay officiated. Her Majesty and Prince Albert took their accus tomed exercise in the course of the day. The Rev. Dr. Sleath preached the sermon yester day morning, in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Rev. Dr. Wesley and the Rev. Dr. Dakins offi ciated at the service. The anthem was " Behold I bring you glad tidings" (Purcell). The Mar chioness of Westmeath, Lord and Lady Wharncliffe, and Lord Charles Fitzroy, were among the nobility present. FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE. DEPARTURES. The Hon. Sydney Herbert, M.P., from the Admiralty, on a visit to the Dowager Countess of Pembroke, at Wilton House ; Colonel and Miss Colvile, for Windsor ; Mr. and Mrs. D. Heming, from Fenton's Hotel, St. James's-street ; Colonel French, for Brighton ; the Rev. E. R. Eardley Wilmot, for ditto ; Lord Thurlow and the Hon. Captain Thurlow, from the Burlington Hotel, Cork-street, for Ashfield Lodge, Suffolk ; Lieutenant- Colonel Clitherow (Coldstream Guards), on a visiting tour in Norfolk. CHANGES. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., M.P., from Wynn stay, Denbighshire. on a visiting tour ; Sir Henry and Lady Webster and family, at Westfield Lodge, from Brunswick-terrace, Brighton ; Lord and Lady Delamere and the Hon. Miss Cholmondeley, at the Vale Royal, Cheshire, from Denbighshire ; Sir J. Cunningham Fairlie, Bart., at his seat, in Ayrshire, from a visit to Mr. Wallace, M.P., at Kelly, Renfrewshite ; the Hon. J. N. Delaval Ashley (2d Life Guards), at Lord Hast ings' seat, Melton Constable, Norfolk, from a tour ; Capt., Pechell, M.P., at Castle Goring, Sussex, from Brighton ; Lord and Lady Abinger and the Hon. Miss Scarlett, from a visiting tour in Norfolk, for their seat in Sussex ; the Bishop of Oxford and Lady Harriet Begot, at Blithfield, Staffordshire, from the Deanery, Canter bury. THE FRENCH CHURCH. The history of the Church of France, since the period of the great Revolution to the present day, is fraught with instruction to all who would learn by what human means the power of religion may most effectually be extended and established. Its various vicissitudes, whether of deep depression or transitory influence, alike impress on us a conviction of the deep and indestructible influence of Christian faith, when left to its own unaided operation on the human heart. But they also show us that the most effectual ob stacle to this good influence is generally created by the ambition and errors of the clergy, and by their being permitted to interfere in political concerns. The vitality of Christianity was never more signally exhibited than in the stronghold which it was found to have on the French nation after the long proscrip tion and complete spoliation to which it had been sub jected during the Revolution. After its churches had for ten years been desecrated, its priesthood driven into exile, its services discontinued, its holy days blotted out of the calendar, the French peasant was still found retaining the faith of his fathers and his childhood. A deep sense of this fact induced Napoleon to re-establish the Catholic Church as one of the institutions of the country. But it suited neither his love of power nor his deference for the feelings of revolutionary France, to restore to the priesthood the splendour or power which they had enjoyed under the old regime. During his reign, therefore, their lot was one of modest competence and political obscurity. In retirement they devoted them selves to the labours of their sacred calling ; and, in spite of the force of recent prejudices and recollections, they succeeded in recovering a considerable amount of influence over the national mind. The Restoration came, and the first act of the re stored Bourbons was to re-establish the ancient con nexion between the altar and the throne. Wealth and honours were heaped on the clergy of the Estab lished Church ; and they were not only called upon to bear an ostensible part in the ceremonies of the Court and the councils of the State, but a more substan tial authority was secured to them by the secret in fluence which they were allowed to exercise in all politi cal matters. From the bishops:and confessors who guided the secret deliberations of the " Pavillon Marsan," down to the curate of the remotest village, the clergy became the chief agents of polical intrigue, and distributed almost the entire patronage of the Crown. From the hour in which power and importance were thus conferred on them, is to be dated the total and almost immediate loss of all hold on the na tional mind. Thoughout France the clergy be came the objects of general distrust and hatred; and, what was worse, the obloquy which they had called down on their own heads was extended to the religion which they taught. From 1815 to 1830 a feeling of irreligion or deism pervaded France ; and while the higher literature of the country exhibited the most marked re-action against the philosophy of the eighteenth century, the creed of the people ex hibited the fanatical infidelity of the period of the Revolution. The Revolution of 1830 was celebrated throughout France as a triumph of the people, not less over priestly . influence than over arbitrary. power. The very existence of the national church was for some time in danger ; and it purchased its safety only by the abandonment of all political power, and of a considerable portion of its income, The priests, ter rified by the of the people, and opposed to I the reigning dynasty, had no alternative but that of retiring from politics, and applying their undi vided energies to their sacred duties. From that time until within a very recent period, the growth of their influence was as rapid and as steady as its effects were wholesome. A religious spirit appeared to extend itself thronhout all classes of the com munity ; the tone of scepticism and mockery be came unfashionable ; a respect for religion was professed even where belief was not avowed; the churches began to be filled ; and it was a novel sub ject of triumph to the clergy of Paris that even in that capital of civilization and dissipation, at least half of the congregation in every church was composed of men. A sudden taste for building, repairing, and beautifying churches struck the eyes of every traveller as indicative of this remarkable change in the national feeling. Nor were there wanting to the clergy some indica tions of returning favour on the part of the Court as well as of the people. The Queen of the French fur thered the efforts of the clergy with the zeal of a firm and ardent faith ; and it became apparent that the Kin g himself was animated by a sincere conviction that by showing favour to the clergy he might pro mote the interests of his dynasty. In fine, a year ago the state of Fr ance a ff or d e d the most satisfactory prospect to the friends of religion. There could be no doubt of the existence of a more extensive and whole. some state of religious feeling than had prevailed since the revolution of 1789; and the most sanguine hopes might reasonably have been entertained that, by the continued zeal and moderation of the clergy, the good work which they had so successfully begun might be carried to a happy issue. A year ago ! It was just a year ago that the incon ceivable rashness of the heads of the French clergy destroyed in a few days the labours of the past and the hopes of the future. Elated by the palpable evi dences of the extended influence of religion and in creased consideration for themselves, they seem to have imagined that the time was come for asserting with safety the pretensions which they had so long been compelled to withhold. The wise counsels which in general regulate the policy of the Roman Catholic clergy, have at all times been liable to be marred by the rashness of individual members of a hierarchy, whose duties and associations are apt, at least in con tinental countries, to render them alien to the sympa thies and opinions of their fellow-countrymen. But never were the evil consequences of this defect more signally exhibited than on the occasion on which the bishops of the French - Church thought fit to make their re-entry in the arena of politics, and to make the question of education the subject of their agita tion. It is not to be denied that the clergy had some grounds for proposing reforms in the national sys tem of education at a time at which, independently of them, the subject was to be brought under the consideration of the Legislature. In spite of the boasted improvements which philosophy had intro duced into education, it is now universally admitted that, as far as elementary teaching was concerned, the system adopted in the schools of the clergy had been more successful than any other that had been tried in France. The clergy had a perfect right to demand a freer play for the experiment of their own system than was allowed by the restrictions of the existing law; and public opinion would undoubtedly have gone with them, had they urged with temper the liberty of education. But, instead of doing this, all of a sudden, and as if by concert, bishops in various parts of France startled the public with man demens and letters containing the most unprovoked and outrageous attacks on the existing system of education and all concerned in it. They denounced the system as atheistical ; held up individual profes sors to obloquy as notorious infidels ; exhorted their flocks to agitation against the law ; and went so far as to declare that they would withdraw the chaplains from the "infidel" colleges and academies. There was no question on which a similar movement would have brought the clergy into collision with prejudices so fatal to their influence. The con nexion of education with the clergy naturally re vived the idea of the Jesuits; and all France was agitated from one end to the other with a notion that men whom they regard as the eternal enemies of human progress were to be re-invested with the power of fashioning the youthful mind to bondage. Suddenly the work of thirteen years seemed to be undone ; the fears and animosities of the days of Charles X. started again into existence; the priests became again the objects of popular indignation, and it is too much to be feared that religion itself has been once 3 more confounded with its teachers in the public dislike. An irreligious reaction has been gaining strength in France for the last twelve months ; the exterior of Christian observance has lost its tone of fashion ; Voltaire is restored to honour ; and if you wish to ensure the circulation of a novel, you must fill it with monstrous fables of the ma chinations of priests, and the dark villany of Jesuits ! Political parties have unfortunately seized hold of these religious strifes, and mixed them up with the contest for office. In the Bill which last session passed the Chamber of Peers, and ss ill in the ensuing form an early subject of discussion in the De puties, the Ministry endeavoured to moderate be tween the contending parties, and do justice to each. M. Thiers, who was entrusted with the report of the Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, saw his opportunity, and turned it to account. In the very able report which he presented at the close of last. session, he contrived, with great semblance of fairness and reason, to throw himself entirely into the current of popular feeling, to stimulate the prevalent sus picions and animosities against the clergy, and by almost imperceptible insinuations to involve the King and his Ministers in the unpopularity of the Jesuits. The utmost success attended his efforts. He and M. Cousin have become the most popular men in France. Nor do they mean to quit their hold of this question. They know that an inbread jealousy of the clergy pervades every portion of the middle classes of France; and that feeling, if once roused into full activity, would enlist on their side more than half of the Con servative supporters of M. Guizot. If; by keeping the Minister to his proposal of last year, they can apparently place him on the side of the clergy, they deem, and rightly deem, their victory secure. And hence, as we said a few days since, the present posi tion of the education question is the foundation of a large portion of their hope of defeating the Minister in the ensuing session.—Chronicle. THE BISHOP OF EXETER AND THE BISHOP OF WORCESTER. The dispute between the bishop and residentiaries of Exeter is relieved by contrast with the Bishop of Worcester's admirable and well-timed charge to the candidates for ordination. We have, in the first in stance, a bishop at war with his dignitaries ; in the second, another bishop expressing sentiments con trary to the Bishop of Exeter, and that, too, on the very questions that are fraught with so much interest at this time, and have created so much excitement among the laity, as well as among the clergy. All this is fresh cause for dissatisfaction and regret ; but we must not forget that it is the consequence solely of an attempt to revive obsolete and antiquated usages in which the people have firmly and properly refused to coincide. NVe have never assumed that a congre gation are to dictate to their teacher, or a vestry to prescribe to the clergyman what doctrine or discipline he should maintain ; indeed, we never yet heard of such an attempt, as it has always been supposed a settled matter that the Prayer-book is the rule of worship, and the articles and homilies (generally) the true standard of faith for the Church of England. But we do think that the question is alto gether distinct and of a very different character when a body of the clergy take upon themselves to alter the forms of Divine service, so long, so universally, and so beneficially adopted, and introduce what are con fessedly so many novelties ; and, by the aid of strong sermons and incessant personal agitation, try to gain over their parishioners to their measures, or set them at defiance if they do not succeed. This was borne with considerable patience for a while, till the pros pect of one encroachment upon another induced the lay members of the Church to discuss the subject se riously among themselves ; and when they found that so little hope was there of the abandonment of these usages, that they were even authorised and enjoined by episcopal mandate, then, and not before, they be took themselves to public meetings, and showed a decisive but respe c tf u l o pp os iti on t o the obnoxious in novation. This has now gone on for some time— quite long enough certainly to have softened the as perities of wilful rule, and taught reason where no thing but prepossession could before be heard. The Bishop of Exeter, however, finds in all this disaffection only a motive to persevere in his intention, as a duty which he dares not evade. Let us see how the observances for which he is content to run this fearful risk are regarded by his Rev. Brethren on the bench. his first point is the continued wearing of the surplice. On Saturday last the Bishop of Worcester, while addressing the candidates for ordi nation at their final examination, with a manliness of avowal that claims our freest praise, openly declares, in respect to the habit in which they ought to preach, " This is a question so utterly unimportant that I have nevec hitherto thought it worth while to express my opinion on the subject." Nay, he advises them, for fear of offence, " to continue the practice which has so long prevailed, of preaching in their academical habit, even though by so doing" they " deviate from the precise directions of the rubric." He argues, in deed, and with great clearness, that the sermon never did, and never could, according to the rubric, form part of the Communion-service ; and he further ob serves, that had the surplice ever :been in general use for preaching, we should have found some remnant of it in one or both of the Universities; but such is not the case. Again, the Bishop of Exeter ea,lva the use of the prayer for the Church militant, as strin gently required by the ruhrio ; the Bishop of Worms ter conceives the yarlow, rubrics to be "certainly incon. sistent," and uses the fact that this prayer hal really been discontinued as a proof that tilo surplice WAS 119 t ~' ~. • i . , worn in the pulpit. He even supposes : 4)4e Tti4o , litA L _l the omission of the prayer was the 'use 4. tini ' '' ,sel the pulpit, which rendered it awkwa W tii.jisiyii , e_ ,,szvt tc ......,,eth to change it for the surplice. Th IViikni 04 4 '7' : at all hazards, would compel tlit t o i t toff-6 - Offertory. The Bishop of WorceSl - INAAllig, with the consent of the congregation, but not with out, it might be fairly employed on behalf of our Church Societies. The " consent of the congrega tion " he holds to be " a material element in the pro priety of adopting such a practice," and that the clergy have no " right to force upon a congregation without their consent what is not strictly legal." He quotes, too, the important decision of Sir L. Powys, to which we first called attention, as a sufficient proof that it is not legal to apply it to any other purpose but the relief of the poor of the parish. llere, therefore, the Church is at a stand. A clergyman ordained or beneficed in the diocese of Exeter would be required to use the surplice, prayer for the Church militant, and Offertory. If transferred to, or promoted in, the diocese of Worcester, he must use the gown for preaching, and leave out the prayer for the Church militant and the Of fertory. A report has indeed reached us that Dr. Phill- Potts, from respect to the hostile feeling it has en gendered, condescends to the wishes of the laity in declining to insist upon the surplice. We hope it is true, and we trust also he will not repeat the offen sive expressions by which he designates the respectful remonstrances that have reached him. A clergyman of his diocese, in forwarding some parochial resolu tions on the subject, has addressed to him a very earnest, and, at the same time, a properly deferential letter to second their entreaties. His Lordship can not, we think, long resist the tide of objection and remonstrance now so obvious. Some strange mis representation, we have reason to believe, led him into the error of the postscript that was apkc.ended to the first issue of his letter to the Dean of Exeter. Surely he must now know something of the danger of taking too much for granted, or accrediting all that he is told, and thereby being convicted of errors which it is very difficult to explain or repair. He believed what his prebendaries asserted, and otit came his pastoral letter. He heard some curious tale of a clergyman preaching in a great-coat, and put it in print. It was all a mistake, and he called in the impression of h' pamphlet. Will he still remain obdurate on his former and more perilous misap prehension ? J.e has had proof enough, and more than enough, o undeceive him. Let him recal his inj unctions, f id insure peace and uniformity together. —Times. THE C iSE OF MR. C. C. WILSON. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) JERSEY, DEC. B.—lt is strange that, notwithstand ing the high and varied talent employed on the press, such gross ignorance should prevail respecting our laws and the working of them. This ignorance seems to extend to everything respecting us. The other day The Sun gave us Napier for our Lieutenant-Governor, whereas he is Governor of Guernsey. None of th e English papers seem to be aware that Mr. Wilson was condemned to pay a fine of 101., whilst the law only sanctions one of about half-a-crown (supposing him guilty of contempt, and the court a competent one). Notice has been served upon the jurats who met and concocted the resistance to the habeas, that applications will be made to the Queen's Bench for a rule calling upon them to show cause why criminal informations should not be fi!ed against them. If Lord Denman does not shirk the case, the battle will soon be fought in earnest, for the " Wilson Fund" is going on glo riously—one gentleman sent him 501. last week. If a writ of quo warranto is applied for and fairly argued, it will be found that our jurats have no legal right to sit as a court. Before many months have passed we shall excite even more attention than we have already done. The writer of a letter to a London paper stated he " could safely affirm that the pro ceedings are very much less costly than in England." Last Wednesday week a cause occupied our court, in which the amount litigated was only eight shillings ; it was sent " to proof," and the costs will amount to 401. or 501.. before it is finally decided! This is cheap, is it not ? It is very remarkable that Mr. La Breton's affidavit (upon which Thesiger moved for a rule to show cause why a writ of supersedeas should not be issued), does not contain any answer to Mr. Wilson's. . • • • . . • One of the most learned and talented advocates of our court (I may say the most learned one), Mr.—, who is a Jerseyman, stated openly in th e carat last week, during a stormy debate, " If Government were to send a lawyer to watch the proceedi ngs o f t hi s court, I do not hesitate to say that the whole concern would be capsized, for it is utterly impossible to obtain anything like justice at the hands of such a tribunal." THE POACHING AFFRAY AT CROOME. DEATH OF ONE OF THE KEEPERS. WORCESTER, TUESDAY EVENING.—The unfortu nate gamekeeper, Thomas Staite, who. was so inhu manly beaten by the gang of poachers at Croome on the morning of the 21st inst., has (as we anticipated) died from the injuries received. After the operation of trepanning, which was performed with great skill on Saturday, the poor fellow lingered in a hopeless condition until ten o'clock this morning (Tuesday), when death put an end to his sufferings, to which it Has supposed, however, he could not have been. acutely sensible, the unfortunate man's brain having received considerable injury. The inquest on the body of the .ill-fated deceased is appointed to be held at the Worcester Infirmary on Friday next, before J. 13. Hyde, Esq., the coroner for thi s c it y . Th e rumour (mentiond in my last communication) that one of the poachers had been captured proves correct,. His name is Joseph Turvey, he is a native of Per , - shore, in which town it is thought a large portion o r the gang reside. On Saturday (he was taken on Friday night) Turvey was conveyed by Peden!, (one of the superintendents of the Worcestershire consta bulary) to Upton-on-Severn, where he underwent an examination before E. G. Stone, Esq., a county ma gistrate, and was identified by some of poor Staites companions as one of the party which attacked them on Friday morning. It is said that Turvey is the only one of the party who is positively known, and one feature in his favour is the fact that he dissuaded his companions from carrying into execution a threat which they made to throw the maimed keepers into a pool. A representation has been made to the Home Secretary that it would be desirable for Government to add 501. to the sum already ofiered by the Earl of Coventry's trustees (501.) for conviction of the guilty parties. DINTRUCTIVE FlRE.—Yesterday (Christmay-dny) morning about half-past 3 o'clock a fire was discovered by the police-constable on the beat, raging in the exten sive workshops belon g i ng t o Mr. Mich ael 'Mahoney, cabinet-maker, 31, High-street, Hoxton Old Town. In formation of the occurrence was without delay furnished to the several engine stations, and in a very short space of time five brigade engines and the West of England were on the spot. The one from Whitecross-street and another from Jeffery's-square, under the direction of Mr. Crookland, were speedily got to work ; and an abundant supply of water from the mains of the New River Com pany being readily furnished, the fire was confined to the building in which it originated. Before it was ex tinguished, however, the whole of the workshops, 40 feet long by 16 broad, with the contents and roof, were destroyed. Fortunately, the building was detached, or the damage would have been still more serious, from the great body of fire in the building, and the great heat of the walls during the fire. The premises are insured in the West of England office. The origin of the fire is unknown. SUCCESS OF THE PENNY•A-MILE SYSTEM.—The alteration meee in the fares and accommodation of the, Eastern Counties Railway has been attended with the greatest success. Already two large omnibuses and a coach hare started in conjunction with the Company running tram Ipswich to Colchester, and scarcely a day passes without every one of them being filled with pas sengers. In addition to these, a number of fast coaches run from Norwich and various other towns in the die. trict, and it is anticipated a few weeks more will see others on the road. The inhabitants of Ipswich look upon this as a surprising change, and no wonder, when it is considered that only two coaches passed through the town some few years back. As the spring ap proaches three or four more conveyances will be startec% and seeing that the experience of the last six weeks ju's tifies the belief that the passenger traffic will, before that time, have been nearly doubled, there can be little doubt they will turn out profitable speculations. THE REFUGE FOB THE DESTITUTE.—ThEAMII42 OP THE Pooll.—Yesterday being Christmas-day, the 14 mates of the Asylum for the Refu ge o f t h e Destitute, it Plavhouse-yard, Whitecross-street, St. L u k e ' s, receiv ed. the - following entertainment at the expense of the Society, exclusive of a butt of beer, which was forwarded tuitously by the Messrs. Whitbread and Co., the brewen. Chiswell-street, There were 450 of the hotumiess poor. men, women, and children, each of whom had one pound of bread and half a pound of boiled beet;, with a pint off beer, for dinner. In the afternoon the men also had • cup of coffee, and the women and children coffee and buns, with cheese at supper. Mr. Edwards, the Chair man of the Committee of the Institution ; the Secretary, Mr. Sard ; and the Superintendent, were present during the distribution of the meals, thentmost order being ob served by the numerous recipients. In the forenoon Divine service was performed by the Rev. T. W. Edwards, the chaplain to the Institution, at which the Chairman attended. At this asylum, since the 7th of December, 1,683 of the destitute poor have been ad nsitted, the most of whom have been in repeatedly. At the asylums of the Society in Glasshouse street, East Smithfield, and Ogle- street, St. Marylebone, the inmates, amounting to tietwven 600 and TOO, were also bountifully regaled i , ik similar way, Last' yew( thn Society ex pendi..d above 6,0004 in its benevolent objects, but its receipts amounted to no more than 2;5004 ; it was, in consequence, obliged to draw upon its funds. Lpayn ' s.--The business of the Underwriting nie partment of this establishment commenced, at the Way Royal Exchange for the first time, this morning, Th • area for the transaction of public business, is expect e d to be opened to merchants on tip let of January. _ t 7