The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-30 00:00:00

I I ELECTION MO VEMEN TS. (Faosi A CORRESPONDENT.) ASHBURTON, JUNE 29.—Quite unexpectedly a change in the representation of this borough will take place, our highly respected Member, to the regret of all political parties in the town, having intimated his intention of resigning previous to the ensuing el,ction, it being his intention to contest Ross-shire with Mr. Mackenzie ; but although Ashburton will have lost the proud honour of having James Matheson, Esq., for its representative, it appears the honoured name of Matheson will still in all probability be associated with the representation of this ancient borough, in the person of Lieut.-Colonel T. Matheson, the respected brother of the present repre sentative, who arrived here on Saturday evening last, and on Monday a public meeting of the electors took place at the Assembly Rooms, London Inn, J. Sparke Amery, Esq., portreeve, in the chair. The new candi date spoke on the leading political questions of the day to the complete satisfaction of the electors assembled. This day (Tuesday) a canvass has taken place, and we believe there is but little doubt of Colonel Matheson's return. He is evidently a gentleman of observation and experience, and a staunch advocate for reform. The following addresses have been issued:— "TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF ASHBURTON. " Gentlemen,—An early dissolution of Parliament being now expected, I beg to announce to you, with many regrets, what I do not intend to offer myself as a candidate for your suffrages at the next election. " Be assured it is no light circumstance that could in duce me to fbrego the prospect of renewing a connexion which your confidence and kindness have rendered so agreeable to me. But having been requested to stand for the combined counties of Ross and Cromarty (in the former of which I chiefly reside), I have considered it a public duty not to refuse my co-operation in the endea vour making by a numerous body of my brother electors, to secure the support of so influential a constituency to the cause of good government and liberal institutions— & cause in which you take so lively an interest that I am sure, though distant from you, I shall carry with me your best wishes and sympathies. " Although I shall thus cease to be your representa tive in Parliament, I shall always continue to be con nected with you by local ties, and still more bound to you by feelings of gratitude for acts of kindness received at your hands. The general interests, therefore, of your borough, the improvement of its trade, the employment of its working classes, and the promotion of the welfare of its inhabitants, collectively and individually, will ever command my best services and attention. " I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, " Your most faithful and obliged servant, " JAMES MATHESON. "13, Cleveland-row, London, June 26, 1847." "TO THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF ASHBURTON. " Gentlemen,—Your present Member Mr. Matheson, pressed by a strong and earnest appeal from the friends of the Liberal cause in Ross-shire, has been induced to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of that county, at the approaching election. " Actuated by a desire to promote and uphold those political principles which have ever been avowed by the electors of Ashburton, I venture to offer myself to your notice, to fill that vacancy which the retirement of my brother will create. Whilst on the principal question of public policy my opinions accord with those of her Ma jesty's present advisers, I deem it the paramount duty of a representative of the people to bring to the considera tion of every subject the exercise of an independent mind and unbiassed judgment. "I shall have much pleasure in more fully declaring my political opinions, and should they receive your sanc tion, I will take the earliest opportunity of soliciting your suffrages. " I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen, "Your most obedient faithful servant, " THOMAS MATHESON. "Ashburton, June 28th, 1847." MELANCHOLY ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE BY A HIGHLY RESPECTABLE YOUNG MARRIED FEMALE.—About six o'clock last evening a most lamentable attempt at suicide was made by Mrs. Mosely, aged 24, of IV°. 36, Alfred street, Camden-town. It appears that at that period Mr. Mosely had just gone out, and the unfortunate creature, having lately become very despondent, though she assigned no reason to any one for her depression, procured some laudanum and drank off a most powerful dose, and then called out aloud that she had poisoned herself. The servant and others, however, soon came to her assistance, and police-constables 113 and 201 of the S division were called forward, and the poor creature Was immediately conveyed to the University College Bospital, and placed under the care of Dr. Thompson, one of the resident physicians; but she remains in a very precarious state. She had not long been united to her husband, and the cause of her making the rash attempt remains as yet a mystery. ALARMING FIRES.—Two fires occurred yesterday morning. One between two and three o'clock, at 229, High-street, Shoreditch, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Banks, tallow chandler and melter. It originated in the melting-house at the rear of the main buildinu. The engines of the London Brigade and West of England Company attended, and the fire was soon extinguished, but not before the stock in trade and the premises were damaged very considerably. The other fire took place at 24, Gun-street, Spitalfields, belonging to Mr. J. Saun ders, general dealer. The engines were prompt in their attendance, but considerable damage was done before the fire could be subdued. RUMOURED DESIGN ON THE LIFE OF THE KING OF DENNARK.—Letters and journals from Copenhagen of the 20th and 21st do not say a syllable to induce us to ' attach credit to the statement of the Cologne Gazette, of a man having been found in the ante-chamber of the King armed with loaded pistols and a poniard. The statement must therefore be considered devoid of truth. --Galignani. REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF BREAD.—Yesterday there was a general reduction of one halfpenny in the price of the 41b. loaf throughout the different metropo litan districts, the high-priced bakers charging 1 ld., second quality 9id., household 9d. and Bd. the 41b. loaf; rye bread is 7d. the loaf, and Indian corn 2d. the lb. SUGARED MEDICINES.—A singular mode of prepar ing medicines appears to have been recently adopted in Prance, by covering the most nauseous descriptions of them with sugar in a confectioned and highly-finished state, so as to represent sugar-plums and comfits, and to deceive any persons as to their exact quality and real substance. This is now extended from small kinds of confectionary to articles of a larger description, equalling the size of sugared almonds, as they are called, and containing a very considerable quantity of the medicinal properties which it may be intended to incorporate, or rather conceal therein, and in this state are imported into this country for immediate use. DANGEROUS RIOT.—An affray of a very serious and threatening character occurred yesterday at Ken sington Park, Notting-hill, arising out of an attempt made to revive there the fair which was held in Hyde Park in 1838, in honour of her Majesty's coronation, and the resistance made to the undertaking on the part of the owners of the property. Notwithstanding this Opposition, the speculators succeeded in erecting a Variety of vans, shows, and booths, and as the police bad reason to believe that this occupation of the land Would not be submitted to quietly, and that precautions Were necessary to preserve the peace, an inspector and about 50 constables were on the spot at an early hour yesterday morning, and soon after the agent of the ground landlord appeared upon the scene, with about 100 labourers, to insist upon payment of a SUM Of 1301., due to the landlord by the occupying tenant, ldin who had underlet the g round to the p ersons now h posses sion. The at tendants were armed with g hammers, hatchets, &c., for the purp ose of dismantlin g th e tempo rary erections, in case of refusal, and were provided with horses and carts to convey them away. The aspect Of affairs now became very alarming, one man having shown a strong determination to use a loaded gun if moiested, and another, the proprietor of a travellingother menajerie, to let lo ose the lions, tigers, an fero c i o us animals amongst the crowd, if his property was interfered with. It was found necessary to send for a reinforcement of p olice ; but at length, by tout of earnest remonstrances with both parties, a compromise was effected, and the showmen were allowed to retain possession of the ground for the day, on their promise to Vacate it at an early hour this morning. FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.—BRISTOL, JUNE 29.—A frightful accident occurred to-day at the factory of liicssrs. J. and S. Fry, the extensive chocolate manufac- Myers, Union-street, in this city. The Messrs. Fry are the , manufacturers of Churchman's milk chocolate and Briato. l patent cocoa, and in the grinding and compres sion o f the cocoa powerful machinery worked by steam is a we ]. To-day, at about twelve o'clock, as one of the men in the factory, named William Robyn, was employed in oiling some parts of the engine, his shirt sleeve and some other portions of his clothes were caught by a wheel, and his person drawn rapidly into the machinery. The poor man alarmed the factory with his cries, but be fore the engine could be stopped he experienced injuries of the most dreadful nature ; his ribs were broken and his abdomen torn open, and the intestines drawn out and wound round the wheels and strap of the engine. The machinery was stopped as speedily as possible, and mes sengers were dispatched in search of medical aid. Within a few minutes Dr. O'Brien, one of the physicians ca St. Peter's Hospital, and several other members of tlke medical staff of the hospital, were upon the spot, and 1, ‘azing disengaged the body from the wheels, rendered all tile assistance in their power. The poor man, how ever, ,lies in a hopeless state, and it is evident that death must VeedilY terminate his sufferings. THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPII.—On Monday a man entered the Wolverton station of t he London and Northern , 'iailway, and took a third-class ticket for Bir mingham, t. he train started, and had nearly arrived at 1 31isworth, a L tistance of ten miles, when a police-cfficer inquired of the station-master at Wolverton what parties had taken ticke ta at that station by the last train. On the information .')eing afforded him the officer was led to believe that a p s . r so a suspected of a robbery that was committed in the neighbourhood the previous evening had proceeded with his booty by that train. The elec tric telegraph from NVolverton to Blisworth was imme diately put into use, ana the necessary information sent thither. On the arrival of the train at Blisworth, the carriages were inspected, and a :Jerson answering the de scription found. He was apprehended, and the stolen goods were found in his luggage,- The prisoner was ,brought ba c k by the next train to \ Volverton , and safel y lodged the same evening in the Ayleothury Gaol. THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT ort THE CROYDON laLWAY.—Yesterday an inquest was held by Mr. W. Ca rter, at the Crooked Billet, Penge-common, as to the !lea, th of Mr. George Joseph Buekmaster, the s .n of the land, 'ord of the Annerley Arms Tavern, who was killed by ai i engine on the Croydon Railway on Thursday evenin g last. The particulars of this case have so re cently appeared that it is unnecessary to go into the evi cle:c e, a lid the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental tieatto LITER. %TURE• LONDON, DR. CHALMERS ON THE EDUCA- TIONAL QUESTION. THE POACHER'S WIFE. By Charlton Carew. 2 Vols. This is, in many respects, a powerfully-written work. The author is imbued with the most deter mined hostility to the game laws; his every energy is directed to exposing the evils with which they are pregnant, the frightful consequences that are too often occasioned by their operation. In order to effect this, his great object, he tells a simple tale of woman's love, and woman's trials, commencing at the point where novels generally terminate—" her mar riage." Dinah Mountford has loved not wisely, but too well. She has given herself to the object of her heart's young affections, Locksley, the son of a neigh bouring tradesman, who, having devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, had formerly been a welcome guest, but who, on the failure of his father, the sale of the farm, and the reduction of the family from comfort and comparative affluence to little better than absolute beggary, had been re jected by her worldly-minded uncle, and forbidden the house. She, however, remained faithful ; and, although dependent on that uncle who could with hold the fortune bequeathed by her father if she marrit, i without his consent, and who wished her to receive the addresses of Snipe, head gamekeeper to Sir Ralph Oldham, a wealthy landowner in the county, she united her fortunes with those of the penniless Locksley. The indignant uncle forbade her his house, and vowed never again to see her ; but, when dying, is induced by a true friend to relent, and invite his niece to come to him. That friend (Mr. Fellowes) undertakes to be the messenger, but is unfortunately killed on the road, and the niece, who by her uncle's death has become entitled to 1,000/., remains ignorant of her good fortune, and suffering under the most pinching poverty. Three poachers are next introduced, drink ing at the village ale house, waiting for Locksley, who driven by the pressure of his circumstances, has reluctantly consented to join them on the night in question. The poaching scene is most graphically delineated ; their expedition has been very successful, and they agree to return to the "Fox in Cover" by different routes. Locksley, who is full of painful reflections at his debfit in crime, is alarmed by a loud outcry, and finds his quondam companions engaged in rifling the carriage of Sir Ralph Oldham, the Load of the Manor, on which they have just been poaching. One of them has just prostrated Sir Ralph's eldest son, and is about to murder him, when Locksley interferes, and saves him first from the would-be assassin, and subse quently from his savage dog, who was about fastening his fangs in his throat. Scarcely, however, has he achieved this rescue, when he is seized on by his former rival and inveterate enemy Snipe, who, in place of vindicating his character as he might have done, and acquitting him from all the charges, so arranges matters that the evidences of his guilt appear quite conclusive. He is borne to gaol, and while there is visited by a person who urges him to effect his escape, and furnishes him with the means of doing so. This is a Mr. Vaughan, the sub-editor of a country newspaper, who having discovered that Mrs. Locksley is entitled to so large a fortune, con ceives a plan of marrying her after getting rid of Locksley. He thinks his guilt will be aggra vated by prison breaking. Hence he advises him to do so, and the moment the escape is effected, he gives information to the gaol authorities. Locksley re turns to his cottage, and while there, Snipe comes to persecute Mrs. Locksley with his odious addresses. Locksley, of course, rescues his wife, and has dis armed Snipe of his gun, when the prison authorities, who have come in pursuit, knock at the door. Locks ley rushes out at the window, closely followed by the party, and a close chase ensues. This is given in the most spirited manner. We shall give a brief extract " Again he looked round ; his pursuer was within a dozen yards of him, while the rest of the party were heard shouting some way behind. Both men exerted themselves to the utmost, and kept a straight onward course, undismayed by the thorny bushes through which they dashed, leaving many a sanguine trace thereon. But still no advantage was gained by either ; the same relative distance was preserved between them, till, as they were rushing down a steep declivity, Locksley slackened his pace, and catching hold of the branches of some shrubs, suddenly stopped. His pursuer at tempted to do the same, but Locksley, turning quickly upon him, tripped the man up, and sent him headlong down the hill. "At this minute, the moon was again momentarily , obscured by masses of clouds, which drove on, pile upon pile, at one time looking like a huge black mountain rearing its " monstrous heed" into the firmament, at the next scattered far away by the fury of the wind. The fsigitive paused and listened. No sound save that of the wind broke upon his ear. " I'm freed from the blood-bounds,' thought he, 'though for how long I know not. What course shall I take ? I know not where I am, or which way to turn to find a place of safety. Oh ! what is life worth to me! Men hunt me and shoot at me as though I were a savage beast. And lam a savage beast,' he cried aloud, with fierce emphasis ; savage as the hungry tiger ; and I'll tear into pieces my fellow beast if he dares lay his paw on me. lam no longer a man ; I hate all men as all men hate me. Curses on them all !' " His uplifted arms and dilated eyes gave him the ap pearance of some prophet of old, thundering his anathe mas out upon the world. An instant after, and his thoughts dwelt upon his wife and child. The fiend had fled, and Locksley fell toweringly to the earth, while his own unholy words rung in his ears. " Ah! what sound is that? Up again, Locksley: you are a man once more, and must not yield while you are such. They're close upon you—dash down the hill— stay not a moment —away " The treacherous moon broke out again as Locksley sprang forward, closely followed by three men. The wind was with them, so the speed with which they went down the hill was absolutely terrific. A narrow stream ran at the bottom. None of the men knew the ground they were traversing; but directly Locksley arrived at its borders, he saw the smooth though rapid current, and in an instant knew its great depth. He paused not, however, but plunged into the chill water, and struggling to the opposite bank, caught hold of some grass, and tried to drag himself up. But the bank was steep and slippery, and in his first attempt he failed, falling back into the stream. He heard a cry and a heavy splash, and the next instant he was seized by a strong hand, and ' drag"ed beneath the water. " A desperate struggle now took place between the two men; they sunk and rose again, entwined in a fierce embrace, till Locksley, freeing one hand, caught his op ponent by the throat, and forced him to loose his hold. Another tremendous effort, and he clambered up the bank, barely a moment, however, before his adversary had done the like. The rest of the party had crossed the stream where it was less deep, and the pursuit began afresh, with a more savage earnestness even than before." The following paper, the last composition on an) public matter which emanated from the pen of Dr Chalmers, will be perused with deep interest by al , our readers, both from the vast importance of thu subject discussed, and the sad consideration that the voice which could so wisely enunciate regarding this and every other topic of practical bearing on the well being of man, will be heard among us no more for ever. The paper originated in a conversation which took place in London on the national education scheme, between the lamented deceased and the Hon. Fox Maule, when the latter, struck by the breadth and general applicability of the Doctor's views, urged him to commit them to writing. Dr. Chalmers did so whilst at Whitfield, Gloucestershire, on his way home ; and the following valuable document—emi nently practical in its nature, and suited, we should think, in a country such as Scotland, to unite the suffrages of the majority in all denominations—was the result. For our own part, we regard it as a legacy of sound, well-weighed advice to our Church and country, to which both would do well to serve themselves heir : " It were the best state of things, that we had a Parliament sufficiently theological to discriminate be tween the right and the wrong in religion, and to en courage or endow accordingly. But failing this, it seems to us the next best thing, that, in any public measure for helping on the education of the people, Government were to abstain from introducing the element of religion at all into their part of the scheme, and this, not because they hold the matter to he insignificant—the contrary might be strongly impressed in the preamble of their Act; but on the ground that, in the present divided state of the Christian world, they would take no cognizance of sect, because they would attempt no control over the religion of applicants for aid—leaving this matter entire to the parties who had to do with the erection and management of the schools which they had been called upon to assist. A grant by the State upon this footing might be regarded as being appro priately and exclusively the expression of their value for a good secular education. " The confinement for the time being of any Go vernment measure for schools to this object we hold to be an imputation, not so much on the present state of our Legislature, as on the present state of the Christian world, now broken up into sects and parties innumerable, and seemingly incapable of any effort for so healing these wretched divisions as to present the rulers of our country with aught like such a clear and unequivocal majority in favour of what is good and true, as might at once determine them to fix upon and to espouse it. "It is this which has encompassed the Govern ment with difficulties, from which we can see no other method of extrication than the one which we have ventured to suggest. And as there seems no reason why, because of these unresolved differences, a public measure for the health of all—for the recrea tion of all—for the economic advancement of all— should be held in abeyance, there seems as little rea son why, because of these differences, a public measure for raising the general intelligence of all should be held in abeyance. Let the men, therefore, of all churches and all denominations alike, hail sucha mea sure, whether as carried into effect by a good educa tion in letters or in any of the sciences ; and, mean while, in these very seminaries, let that education in religion which the Legislature abstains from pro viding for, be provided for as freely and amply as they will by those who have undertaken the charge of them. " We should hope, as the result of such a scheme, for a most wholesome rivalship on the part of many in tne great aim of rearing, on the basis of their respec tive systems, a moral and Christian population, well taught in the principles and doctrines of the Gospel, along with being well taught in the lessons of ordi nary scholarship. Although no attempt should be made to regulate or to enforce the lessons of religion in the inner hall of legislation, this will not prevent, but rather stimulate, to a greater earnestness in the contest between truth and falsehood—between light and darkness—in the outer field of society ; nor will the result of such a contest in favour of what is right and good be at all the more unlikely, that the families of the land have been raised by the helping hand of the State to a higher platform than before, whether as respects their health, or their physical comfort, or their economic condition, or, last of all, their place in the scale of intelligence and learning. " Religion would, under such a system, be the immediate product, not of legislation, but of the Christian and philanthropic zeal which prevailed throughout society at large. But it is well when what legislation does for the fulfilment of its object tends not to the impediment, but rather, we appre hend, to the furtherance of those greater and higher objects which are in the contemplation of those whose desire are chiefly set on the immortal well being of man. " On the basis of these general views, I have two remarks to offer regarding the Government scheme of education. 1. I should not require a certificate of satis faction with the religious progress of the scholars from the managers of the schools, in order to their receiving the Government aid. Such a certificate from Unitarians or Catholics implies the direct sanc tion or countenance by Government to their re spective creeds, and the responsibility, not of allow ing, but, more than this, of requiring, that these shall be taught to the children who attend. A bare allowance is but a general toleration, but a require ment involves in it all the mischief, and, I would add, the guilt, of an indiscriminate endowment for truth and error. " 2. I would suffer parents or natural guardians to select what parts of the education they wanted for their children. I would not force arithmetic upon them, if all they wanted was writing and reading ; and as little would I force the catechism, or any part of the religious instruction that was given in the school, if all they wanted was a secular education. That the managers in the Church of England schools shall have the power to impose their Catechism upon the children of Dissenters, and, still more, to compel their attendance on Church, I regard as among the worst parts of the scheme. " The above observations, it will be seen, meet any questions which might be put in regard to the ap plicability of the scheme to Scotland, or in regard to the use of the Douay version in Roman Catholic schools. " I cannot conclude without expressing my despair of any great or general good being effected in the way of Christianizing our population, but through the medium of a Government themselves Christian, and endowing the true religion, which I hold to be their imperative duty, not because it is the religion of the many, but because it is true. " The scheme on which I have now ventured to offer these few observations I should like to be adopted, not because it is absolutely the best, but only the best in existing circumstances. " The endowment of the Catholic religion by the State I should deprecate, as being ruintohursoutgoh the country in all its i n t eres t s . Still , Id o not l oo k f or the general Chri s ti an ity o f th e people but medium of the Christianity of their rulers. This is a lesson taught historically in scripture by what we read there of the influence which the personal cha racter of the Jewish monarchs had on the moral and religious state of their subjects—it is taught experi mentally by the impotence, now fully established, of the voluntary principle—and last, and most decisive of all, it is taught prophetically in the book of Reve lation, when told that then will the kingdoms of the earth—(Basileiai, or governing powers)—become the kingdoms of our Lord Jesus Christ; or the Govern ments of the earth become Christian Governments. (Signed) "THOMAS CHALMERS." Eventually he gets away from his pursuers, after a hundred " hair-breadth 'scapes." Snipe, however, has been shot during the pursuit by Vaughan, who supposed him to be Locksley, but the murder is uni versally ascribed to the latter, for whose apprehension a large reward is offered. ea r e 1 and destitute.ess, Mrs. Locksley, after the housescape of her husband, is driven from her cottage, tes t who fallssufferingsand gh test thereto, privations iaid along with her child,victim si even the most benevolent refusing the when they hear that she is connected with Locksley, the poacher, prison breaker, and murderer. Ulti mately she is restored to affluence and comfort, her husband's character vindicated from the unjust impu tations that had been levelled against it. Vaughan, who is arrested for large embezzlement, commits suicide, first making a clean breast of it, and leaving a written confession of his crimes, and all ends happily. Locksley becomes assistant to the land steward of Sir Arthur Oldham, who has suc ceeded to his father's title and estate on his being shot during a battue by Lord Plaistic. There are very many powerfully written scenes in these volumes, and the author manifestly possesses great enthusiasm and ability, from which the most favourable results may be augured when he possesses a little more experience ; his faults are those of a young writer, and such as will be corrected by time, while his more favourable points, his originality, his vivid powers of delineation, will be ripened and matured by the same influence. should he devote the necessary care to his future productions, and coolly and dispassionately examine and repress the luxuriance of his fancy, we doubt not that he will attain a high position amongst the most popular authors of the The Observer, of Sunday,. June 27, contain nearly two folio columns of particulars of the opening of the Trent Valley Railway> ou the afternoon of Satur day, at Tamwarth, speech of Sir Robert Peel, &c. The Observer also contained near three columns of a report of the proceedings of the C o mmissioners of the National Exhibiti on o f W or ks of Art at Westm ins t e r-hall, with a short critique on 46 of the splendid pictures, the pre miums, and to whom awarded —war in China, three columns—fracas at the Opera, Hon. G. De Grey and E. Frith, Esq., a folio column —a column and a half of the funds and ra il ways — a co lumn and a half of births, mar riages, and deaths—aboat 100 miscellaneous ,advertise ments, including a column of public amusements for the coming domestic,. chiefly original. Price of the Observer 6d. week, and 23 folio columns of news, foreign and There is scarcely a club-house, institution, library, or . news-room in all England, Scotland, Ireland, the. Cont inent, East . and West Indies or America, in which the . Observer . is not taken in, and in many instances dupli cate copies. The extensi ve p u bli ca tion of the Ob server commences at six, and concludes at ten on Sunday morn ings, at No. 170, Strand. A Monday edition of the Observer, best adapted for th e countr y and abroad , is regularly published at four o'clock on Monday afternoon. CONSECRATION OF THE NEW COLONIAL BISHOPS. —Yesterday the four new Bishop s o f Melbourne, Ade laide, Cape Town, and Newcastle were publicly conse crated in Westminster Abbey, previous to their depar ture for their respective dioceses, in the presence of a numerous assemblage of persons. FUNERAL or D. LTNcii.—At one o'clock yester day the remains of this gentleman were deposited in their last resting place, in the Cemetery, Lower Nor wood. The funeral was strictly private. Itained ZENON, BY THE REV. R. COBBOLD.—The author of this work is already favourably known to the public, by the Histories of Margaret Catchpole and Mary Anne Wellington. These works have become exceed ingly popular, and have earned for their writer a well deserved reputation. He now appears before the public as the author of an historical narrative, selected from an era and a class of people whose manners and customs are less known than those of modern nations. The scene of his story is Rome, and the age, that of Domitian. His leading object is to pourtray the sufferings of the early Christians under the persecutions of the Roman Em perors. His secondary purpose is to describe the man ners and picturesque early life of the Romans. In his double capacity of a clergyman and a scholar, he appears to possess the necessary talents and information to ac complish both these ends in a manner very pleasing and satisfactory to the general reader. The incidents of the work are at once various and striking, and moral and religious truths of great importance are both simply and ' powerfully expressed. The work has afforded us so much pleasure that we can sincerely recommend it to our readers.—Messenger. NOBLE CONDUCT.—The Adventurers in Wheal Ruby Mine have ordered their workmen to be supplied with best bag flour, to the amount of 251. per week, at a dis count of 25 per cent. on the cost price. The adventurers have also agreed to take payment for the flour at such times as the earnings of their work people will permit. — D evonport Independent. The Faubourg St. Germain has been thrown into consternation by the resolve of the young and beautiful Princess La Tremouille to appear on the stage ! Every effort has been used to dissuade her—but in vain. She persists in her determination to make a debut at the Theatre Francais, in one of Rachel's parts, on the day that she becomes of age ; and if, through the influence of her family, the doors of the Francais should be el,ssed against her, she has declared her intention to ap• pear at the French Theatre in Loudon or St. Peters- Aftonblad, a Stockholm paper, bur j g E .— Ns ß y y iy i ll i t N on D. G — a T ze h tt e e. contains a letter purporting to be from the Swedish Nightingale, and contradicting the statement made by some of the Scandinavian journals, that she is to re ceive bank-notes to the tune of 12,0001. in exchange for the silvery notes she warbles forth during the present season. The real amount is given in the letter as 2,0001. WEONESDAY EVEI , 4IN'G, JUNE so, 1847„ REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF LONDON. A very numerous met ting was held yesterday after noon, at the London Tavern, to decide on the choice of four Liberal candidates fir the representation of the city of London at the neat general election. Sir Geo. Larpent, Bart., and Baron Rothschild, the two new can didates, were present. MATTHEW FORSTER, Esq., M.P., who presided, in opening the proceedings, said that the meeting had been called together by the Business Committee of the Libe ral Registration Association, who had drawn up a state ment, which he should call upon the Hon. Secretary to read to the meeting. The Secretary then read the statement,which proposed Lord John Russell, Mr. Pattison, Sir George Larpent, and Baron Lionel Rothschild. It was then moved and agreed to, that the statement be received. THomsoN HANREY, jun., Esq., then proposed, and P. A. TAYLOR, Esq., seconded a resolution, approving of the four candidates named. Mr. D. W. WIRE suggested that the candidates should be nominated seriatim, not jointly, for there might be an objection to some that did not apply to others. The CHAIRMAN observed, that the electors would not be bound by the resolution, and he should, therefore, put it in the form in which it was proposed. The resolution having passed, Sir GEORGE LARPENT came forward amidst loud cheers. After expressing his firm adherence to the principles of free trade and reform, he went on to say, — Some gentlemen had asked what he thought of the Go vernment education scheme. He had no desire to con ceal his sentiments upon that or any other subject. Now, with respect to the religious part of the educational scheme, he freely confessed that it appeared to him to be only just that all who con tributed to the national taxation should share in all the advantages resulting from a national grant. — (Cheers.) He did not conceive that he was bound to give specific pledges, but he was desirous to express his opinions generally. Then, as to the endowment of the Roman Catholic priesthood, which was another point upon which he was expected to state his views, he should say that if the state of Ireland was such as to call for an improved system of education for the Catholic priesthood, means to that end should be provided, but, in that case, he conceived that the funds should be taken out of the Irish Church property, and not from the Con solidated Fund.—(llear, hear, and cheers.) These were his opinions. In conclusion, he trusted that the Liberal party would not fail to support a Government which had done so much for the advancement of Liberal prin ciples. Baron ROTHSCHILD next presented himself, and was received with vehement applause. He commenced by observing that, from his habits of life, his political opinions were not so well known as those of the Hon. Gentleman who preceded him. He had, however, passed the greater part of his life in the city of London, and was not unmindful of its interests. He was favourable to Liberal principles in every respect. In 1839 he had given his signature to the petition for free trade, and he would freely cooperate with those who sought to develop and carry out that system, being well assured that in the end it would be found eminently advantageous to this country. Of course, no one could have foreseen the ca lamity which impeded its progress, but the effects of free trade were already perceptible in our increased revenue, and should there be an abundant harvest, we should see better times. In the position he held it must na turally be supposed that he was an advocate for liberty of conscience. That liberty which he claimed for him self he would impart to others. With respect to educa tion, he was of opinion that it could not be too widely diffused, without distinction of creed. If the Liberal party only pulled together, the issue could not be doubtful.—(Cheers.) After a long and somewhat desultory discussion, it was resolved that the Registration Association resolve itself into a general election committee, to take such steps as may secure the joint return of the four Liberal candidates named in the resolution. Thanks having been voted to the chairman, the meeting separated. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. WINCIIESTER RACES—TUESDAY. The Great Produce Stakes, of 50 sovs. each, h ft. New mile. Mr. Gully's Tantivy, Bst 91b (A. Day) 1 Sir J. Hawley's Miami, Bst 101 b 2 6t04 on Miami. Won by half a length. The Original llampshire Stakes of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft, and 5 only if declared. Two miles and a dis. Sir R. Pigot na Miss Elia, 5 yrs, Bst 91b .........(A. Day) 1 Mr. Etwall's Buscot Buck, 6 yrs, 7st 71b 2 Mr. Isaac Day's Kismet, 4 yrs, 7st 51b Mr. R. King na Ferney, 4 yrs, 6st 111 b ... 4 Won easy by two lengths. The Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, and 25 added, gentlemen riders, one mile, were won, in five heats, by Mr. Osbaldeston's f by Lanercost, out of Mountain Sylph's dam, 3 yrs, 7st 131 b (S. Mann), beating Mr. Sadler's Antagonist, 3 yrs, 7st 131 b, and several others. The Queeen's Plate of 100 guineas. Heats, two miles. Mr. John Day's The Hero, 4 yrs, 9st llb ... (A. Day) 1 1 Mr. Elwes's Bourton, 4 yrs, 9st Ilb Captain Delme's Silver Eel, 3 yrs, ist 51b 10 to lon Hero. Won in a canter. INTELLIGENCE EXTRA. NEWMARKET FIRST OCTOBER MEETING, 1847. WEDNESDAY. Duke of Bedford's Villiers, Bst 81b, agst Colonel Peel's Isis, 7st 71b ; last half of AU. M. 200 ; h ft. NEWMARKET SECOND OCTOBER MEETING, 1847. MONDAY. Lord Orford's Craftsman (Angelina colt) agst Mr. Gre ville's Mirmillo, ist 111 b ; D.M. ; 240, h ft. WEDNESDAY. Lord Orford's Craftsman, Bst 51h, agst Lord Chesterfield's Lady Lurewell, 7st 51b; D.M.; 100, h ft. Mr. Marson's The Cardinal's Niece, Bst 71b, agst the Duke of 'Bedford's Fistiana, Bst 21b ; first half of Ab. M. ; 100, h ft. BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—TUESDAY. GOODWOOD STAKES.-8 to lagst Stultz— 11 to 1 agst Vampyre— 20 to 1 agst Burgundy (t)-20 to 1 agst Miss Ells (t)-25 to 1 agst Martext (t). GOODWOOD CUP.-2 to 1 agst The Hero (t)-8 to 1 agst Eryx (t)-11 to 1 agst Fitz-Emilius-12 to 1 agst Wolfdog —l6 to 1 agst Burgundy. LIVERPOOL CUP.-100 to 7 agst Conyngham (take 16 to 1)-20 to 1 agst Mr. Martin (t). DONCASTER ST. LEGER.-5 to 2 agst Cossack-11 to 2 agst Van Tromp-11 to 1 agst Mr. Martin-11 to 1 agst Foreclosure-12 to 1 agst Red Hart-2S to 1 agst Eryx. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by her Majesty the Queen of the Belgians, honoured the per formances at Her Majesty's Theatre yesterday evening with their presence. The royal suite comprised the Countess of Desart, the Countess Vilain XIV., Lady Caroline Cocks, Lord Byron, Lord Alfred Paget, Colonel Bouverie, and Major the Baron Moerkerke. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager's box was occupied by Lord and Lady Curzon and Mr. Stuart. There were also present his Royal Highness Prince George, his Imperial Highness the Prince of Oldenburg and suite, his Royal Highness Don Miguel and suite, the Duke of Wellington, the Prince Louis Napoleon, the Princess Tuka Gagarin, the Prince Troubetskoi, the Prince Dubesque, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, the Mar chioness of Westmeath, the Marquis of Huntley, the Countess of Camperdown and Lady Elizabeth Duncombe, the Chevalier Corra Dasa, the Earl of Falmouth, the Earl of Munster, Baron Nicolay, Viscount Somerton, the Count de Barka, the Hanoverian Minister, M. C. De Koudriaffsky, Lady Colborne, Lady and Miss Canning, Lady C. Sandford, Lady Woodford, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, Sir George and Lady Palmer, Miss Fitzroy Somerset, Lady Willoughby d'Eroaby, the Hon. Mr. Arbuthnot, Captain the Hon. James Macdonald, the Hon. R. Curzon, Mr. Herbert de Burgh, Mr. C. W. Packe, M.P., Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, &c. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT-GAJTEN. —Their Royal Highnesses the _Duchess of Cambridge and th e Princess mary, attended by the Baroness Hammerste in and Mr. Mildmay, .honoured the Royal Italian Opera yesterday evening with their presence. There were also present the Danish Minister and the Countess Reventlow, the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, the Duchess Dowager of Bedford and Lady Rachel Russell, the Marquis and Marchioness of Ailesbury, Marquis of Donegal, Marquis of Kildare, Countess Cornwallis, Countess of Chesterfield, Earl and Countess of Wilton, Earl of Cadogan and the Ladies Cadogan, Count Louis de Noailles, Countess of Lovelace, Earl Grosvenor, Earl Grenville, Earl Bruce, Viscount and Viscountess Castle reagh and Lady Dalmeny, Viscount Cantalupe, Viscount Clifden, Viscount Dillon, Viscount and Viscountess Newport, Lord and Lady Ernest Bruce, Lord Forester, Lord Foley, the Hon. Miss Foley, and the Hon. Mr. Foley, Lord Otho Fitzgerald, Lord and Lady Carington, :Lord Henry Lennox, Lord Yarborough, Lord and Lady William Powlett, Mr. and Lady Caroline Maxse, Lady Wilmot Horton, Hon. Arthur Upton, Hon. C. Neville, Hon. H. Neville, Hon. John Fortescue, Sir John and Lady Pollen, Sir H. Webb, Sir William do Bathe, Sir John Campbell, K.C.T.S., and Lady Camp bell, Sir Frederick Trench, Sir Alexander and Lady Spearman, Sir Samuel and Lady Scott, Sir Bellingham and Lady Graham, Sir Richard Paul and Lady Jodrell, Sir William Ball, Hon. C. C. Cavendish and the Hon. Misses Cavendish, Lieutenant-General Sir John Buchan, Hon. Mrs. Vaughan, Hon. Mr. and Miss Tollemache, Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Anson, Sir Michael Shaw Stuart, Sir Ralph Howard and Lady Howard, lion. Cecil Forester, M.P., Lady Douglas, Lady Goldsmid, Sir George and Lady Houlton, Sir Charles Marshall, Lady Bulkeley, Sir Jasper and Lady Atkinson, Lady Domvile, Sir Richard and Lady Gill, Lady Maclean, Colonel Mure, M.P., Mr. Henry Baring, M.P., Mr. Thomas Baring, M.P., Mr. Wilshire, M.P., Mr. E. Davis Protheroe, M.P., Mr. C. P. Leslie, M.P., the Ladies Walpole, Colonel Thomas Wood, M.P., Mr. Charles Baring Wall, M.P., Mr. Standish, Mr. Frank Mills, &c. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN HORSEMONGER-LANE.— Last evening, about five o'clock, a rapidly destructive fire broke out in the carpenters' workshops belonging to Messrs. Walker and Soper, situate at No. 1, Union square, Horsemonger-lane. The flames when first per ceived were raging in the lower floor amongst a large quantity of cut timber. The foreman, the only person on the spot, made an attempt to subdue the fire by pouring buckets of water on it ; but such a powerful ascendancy had the destructive element already obtained that it defied his utmost exertions, and in the space of a few minutes the building became fired from bottom to top, the flames from which speedily communicated to the timber-yard at the back, The Brigade and West of England engines promptly attended, and no time being lost in setting them to work, the firemen laboured with out intermission until half-past six o'clock, when they got the fire entirely extinguished. By that period the building was gutted, and the valuable stock of timber in the yard was partially consumed. The total damage is considerable, for at the time of the outbreak there was a 2,0001. contract on the premises, and 11 workmen have lost the whole of their tools. Messrs. Walker and Soper were insured in the Phoenix Fire-office. The wheat looks very well, and the ear is just beginning to flower. The potato crop is magnificent, and free from disease—Jersey Timcs. T}l E COURT CIRCtLAR. The Queen held a Court yesterdai afternoon at Buck ingham Palace. I lien- Imperial Highnesses Prince Peter and the Princess of Oldenburgh, had an arrlienee of the Queen. Choir Imperial Highnesses were introduced by Viscount Palmerston, G.C.8., her Majesty's Irincipal Secretary,of state for Foreign Affuirs, and conducted by Colonel ,he Hon. Sir E. Cast, K C.H., her Majesty's Master of he Ceremonies. M. de Koudriathky, of the Russian negation. attended their Imperial iighnesses. The Hon. William Temple, het Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court cf Naples, was presented to the Queen, at an audience, by 7iscount Palmerston, m his arrival from Naples, on temporary leave of absence. The Queen gave audience to Viscount Palmerston. tier Majesty was attended by Lord Byron, Lord in Naiting, and Sir Edward Bowate, Groom in Waiting. His Royal Highness Prince Aliert presided yesterday afternoon at a meeting of the Connaission for promoting and encouraging the Fine Arts in the rebuilding the Palace of Westminster. His Royal Highness arrived it the New Palace at a luarter before three o'clock, attended by his Equerry in Waiting Colonel Bouverie. The Oommissioners present vere the Marquis of Lansdowne, viscount Canning, Vis !ount Mahon, Viscount Morpeti, Lord John Russell, Lord Colborne, Lord Ashburton the Right Hon. the speaker, Mr. Hallam,Mr. Wyse,and Mr. Rogers. The Secretary, Mr. Eastlake, wa s in attendance. The meeting broke up at six o'clock. Her Majesty and the Queen of he Belgians, accompa nied by the Princess Royal and the Princess Alice, wok an airing in an open carnage yesterday. The Equerry in Waiting, Lord Alfrd Paget, attended on iorst,back. The Queen and Prince Alber, accompanied by the Queen of the Belgians, honouredhc . r Majesty's Theatre ,vith their presence last evening. The royal suite con sisted of the Countess of Desart Countess Vanderstra ten, Lady Carolina Cocks, Lord Byron, Major de bloer kerke, Lord Alfred Paget, and Colonel Bouverie. The Countess of Desart las succeeded the Mar chioness of Douro as the Lady in waiting to the Queen. Their Royal Highnesses the lereditary Grand Duke Ind Grand Duchess of Saxe-Weimar left town yester day morning, on a tour of visits to different Noblemen. Their Royal Highnesses left :vlarlborough House, the residence of her Majesty the Queen Dowager, shortly before nine o'clock, attended by the Countess of Aspen • berg, Count do Beust, and Baron de Ziegesar, and proceeded to the terminus of the London and North- Western Railway, in Euston-scuare. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, attended by Miss Seymour and Earl Howe, left town yesterday morning for her residence Bushy Home, Bushy Park. Her Majesty returned to Marlborough House in the evening. His Royal Highness the Dukeof Cambridge honoured the Right Hon. Sir William Fremantle with his com pany at dinner yesterday evening at his residence in Stanhope-street. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, at tended by Baroness Hammersteir, honoured the per formance at the Royal Italian Opera House with her presence yesterday evening. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the Foreign office. The Ministers present were lord John Russell, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Minto, Sir George Grey, Earl Grey, the Chancellor (3:' the Exchequer, Earl of Auckland, Sir John Hobhouse, the Earl of Claren don, Lord Campbell, Viscount Morpeth, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Right Hon. T. B. Macaulay, and the Right Hon. H. Labouchere. The Council sat two hours. The British Museum Commissioners held their first meeting yesterday at Gwydyr Home, Whitehall. The Commissioners present were the Eall of Ellesmere, the Bishop of Norwich, Lord Langdale, Lord Wrottesley, the Lord Advocate, Mr. Hume, M.P., Mr. R. M. Milnes, ind Mr. Samuel Rogers. Mr. Wickham, Chairman of the Stamps and Taxes, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday. The Master General of the Ordnance had Also an interview with the Right Hon. Baronet at his official residence in Downing-street. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury consecrated yesterday, in Westminster Abbey, the four new Colo nial Bishops, viz., the Bishop of the Cape of Good Hope, the Bishop of Newcastle (Australia), the Bishop of Adelaide, and the Bishop of Melbourne. THE EX-PREMIER. The ex-Premier is now in his glory. Exempt from the responsibilities of office and the assaults of Opposi tion, from the reluctant hostility of Sir It. Inglis, and the unsparing wild-fire of Disraeli—from the taunts of the forsaken and the irony of the outdone—and, better than ill besides, delivered from the necessity of making and 'istening to Parliamentary speeches in a sultry June, Sir Robert has betaken himself to the most inglorious tranquillity of Tamworth and the unoppressive festivi ties of the Trent Valley. There, amid scenes which soothe and listeners who applaud, docile admirers or silent foes, he consecrates the altar of Peace with an appropriate sacrifice to Commerce. The undertaking which he began in 1845 he consummates in 1847. The rails are laid, the works are completed, and the car• riages have run on the very soil of which he turned the first sod in that memorable year. What a contrast between the inauguration of that day and the celebration of last Saturday I Not more unlike is June to November, cloud to sunshine, and fog to fruitage—than are the recollections, the hopes, the fears, and the anticipations of the one occasion to those of the other. In the one all is light and cheer ful ; in the other all was heavy, full of fears, full of doubts, and, may be, full of suffering. On the one loomed the dark cloud of a coming famine and the dilemma of an inevitable apostacy. A party was to be abandoned for a principle ; or a principle maintained at the cost of a convulsion. The question at issue was formidable ; the mental conflict which arose from it tremendous. To be twice a recreant is given to few Ministers with impunity. But to be a recreant after restored confidence and renewed allegiance, can be ex pected by none without temerity. Yet this was the question—to desert Protection or to brave the people ; to stand by the Corn-laws, or to be twitted with abetting famine ; to be patted on the back by Mr. Newdegate and the " territorial interest," or to bo saluted by Mr. Cobden and " the great towns ;"—more than this ; to be statesman like and provident at the expense of pledges, or staunch at the expense of statesmanship—this it was which brooded heavily on the mind of the Premier Peel. It spoke in every syllable, it sounded in every tone of his tongue and every effort of his spade. It added intensity to his gout, and ponderousness to his commonplaces. His mind was not in the Trent Valley, but on those dusky and smoky towns, to whose anxious and tumul tuous multitudes the Trent Valley line was but an in strument of the multiform traffic, the vital interests of which were then at stake. All then was uncertain, lowering, and oppressive. But the change is now com plete. The times and seasons are not the same. The scene is not the same. The man is not the same. The verdure of teeming spring and the buoyancy of elastic youth are eloquent in every gesture and every tone of the enfranchised Premier. The fetters are off his hands and the gloom off his mind. He grows young again in the meadows of the Trent and the proxi mity of Tamworth. Tho Parliamentary garb is still about him, but it is loosely and pleasingly worn. He has only one dilemma, and that is, the absence of a dilemma. lie has not his three courses to pursue. There is only one before him, to return thanks on his health being drunk. This, indeed, he diverts from its obvious directness; but his obliquity is neither unnatural nor ungraceful. He makes the acknowledgment of a compliment the vehicle of antiquarian instruction and historical associations. He digresses from himself to NIL Stephenson, and from Mr. Stephenson to Agricola, with a rapidity which is startling, rather from the junc tion of their names than the contrast of their actions. But the ea,teeietiou is pleasing not only in itself, but because it shows that thirty and odd years of public life have not made Sir Robert forget his radius, and that his poetry has not been repressed by the tug and wear of a long political warfare. There is one point of his speech which, in our admiration of his classical and poetical raptures, we were nearly overlooking, and yet it is too characteristic to escape notice. Speaking of the work the consummation of which he was then watching, he says, " I have given it my support, because I felt confi dent that it must ultimately be completed." This is candour and self-knowledge. It explains a twofold desertion and a twice-braved obloquy. Hereafter, we are confident it will explain a course wherein success may be achieved without obloquy and without desertion. Unless we have much mistaken the character of Sir Robert, he will henceforth be found on the side which is destined to be "ultimately successful." The solemnity at which he assisted was favourable to good nature; and good nature is rife of compliments. Accordingly Sir R. Peel complimented everybody. Contractors, engineers, and navvies came in for his good word. The Manches ter men were lauded for their energy. Mr. Stephenson was the antitype of Julius Agricola ; so also — for want of another prototype—was air. Bras. say. The day which saw a direct road commenced under Roman auspices from London to Chester, was contrasted with the day which will see London, Ches ter, and Wales, or Scotland, all connected together by a more close and far more expeditious route, The com mercial interests which this communication will serve, and the social benefits which it will confer, were elo quently dilated on; nor, while he descanted on the ra pidity with which London could communicate her wants to Manchester, or Manchester satisfy the demands of London, and likewise on the certainty and velocity with which our few and scanty garrisons in the north could transmit their armed succours to the invaded south, did he forget Ireland; Ireland would be brought nearer. Some, perhaps, of his audience may have felt that she was near enough already. But Sir Robert was too sanguine to think of aught evil. Plague, famine, and begging fled before his imagina tive view of wealth, commerce, and comfort. What he would not realise they would not remember. So, the leader of her Majesty's Opposition (by courtesy) has dexterously seized another opportunity o f wa fting his kindly sympathies to Ireland from the midst of an assembly which recent events might be supposed t o have rendered rather sulky towards the sister isle. I t was a happy spirit which breathed in his words. May his experience justify his hope ! In office he failed where all others have failed equally. Out of office he has time, and we are glad to see a wish, for study. We will, there fore, refer him to his favourite model, and trust that a Minister " under four sovereigns," may, at the close of his career, discover that which was early known t o the deputy of one Emperor, Legione and ct modicis aux iliis obtineri Hibernian posse.—Times. EXTRAORDINARY HEAT OF THE WEATHER,—On Monday the barometer at the Royal Humane Society's receiving• house, in Hyde-park, stood from eleven, A.M., to five P.M., in the sun at 101 deg. of Fahrenheit, and in the shade at 83 deg. BRIGHTON AND CONTINENTAL STEAM-PACKET COMPANY. (From the Sussex Advertiser.) We last week gave a brief but interesting account of the trial performances of the Brighton, one of the splendid steamers built for the " Brighton and Conti nental Steam-packet Company," and intended to run between Newhaven, Dieppe, and .11avre. For that ac count we were indebted to a friend, but we have this week had the privilege, through the courtesy of the Hon. Captain Hotham, one of the directors of the com pany, of ourselves witnessing the admirable powers not only of the Brighton, but of its, in every respect, twin sister, the Dieppe. To our readers in this dis trict the first introduction of these vessels to the " wide waters of the deep" will naturally be a matter of much interest, and we therefore propose to give a description of the passage on Friday past, when the Brighton and; the Dieppe left their moorings at Limehouse and Blackwall to take up their station at Shoreham, whence they will run to Dieppe and Havre, until such time as the needful arrangements at Newhaven are com pleted. In terming these boats twin sisters, we are speaking with perfect accuracy, for they are precisely similar in their build, their admeasurement, their engines, their machinery, in fact, in every respect, even to the most un important item in their fittings. Under such circum stances it is only natural that there should not be—nor is there—any perceptible difference in their power, as will appear from the following account of their passage. It may not be out of place here to remark as to the care which has been evinced for the passenger accommoda tion in these vessels. The cabins are lofty, roomy, and well lighted, and are fitted up with every attention both to comfort and appearance. The ladies' cabin is parti cularly elegant in its appointments. The ceiling is dead white, with handsome ornamental mouldings of white and gold, contrasting well with the doors and sides, which are of polished mahogany, pannelled with bird's-eye maple. The easy chairs, luxurious sofas, mirrors, lamps, marble chimney-piece, and polished steel stove of appropriate size and design, all impart an appearance of comfort and elegance to this apartment, which brings to mind the boudoir rather than the cabin. In addition to the two principal cabins is a small private cabin, adapted for a family wishing for seclusion, and a most comfort able little " snuggery" for a whist party, or any other small and select reunion. The sleeping berths are com modiously arranged and adapted to the demands of a far longer passage than that for which these boats are in tended. The Brighton was lying at Blackwall, and at four o'clock, having taken in her supply of coal—or rather of the patent fuel, recently invented—proceeded to Lime. house in search of her consort, the Dieppe, which was moored in Limehouse reach. On board the Brighton were Captain Hotham and Joseph Thompson, Esq., two of the directors of the Brighton and Continental Steam packet Company; J. B. Jackson, Esq., as guest of the latter gentleman; and Mr. Hawtree, of the firm of Penn and Co., the celebrated engineers (with whose engines both the Brighton and the Dieppe are fitted), the vessel being under the command of Captain Scott. At a quarter past five, the vessels being all in readiness, and having made Blackwall again, started finally from that point on their voyage. Owing to the lateness of the hour, the ebb was lost and the lowness of the tide was such as to preclude any very great speed being at tempted. Still both vessels progressed at a rapid rate, and before six o'clock Erith Pier and the Powder Maga zine at Purfleet were passed. At the trial mile opposite the Long Reach Tavern, we were, however, anxious to ascertain the precise rate at which the vessels were going, and on timing them to the next mile post, it was found that the distance had been completed in exactly four minutes and twenty seconds, being within a mere frac tion of fourteen miles an hour, with a head wind, shallow water, and tide just turned. In Long Reach the vessels lay to for some half dozen minutes while taking on board their powder, after which they again proceeded on their voyage. Hythe was soon passed, and here we had a ca pital view of Ingriss Abbey, the seat of Alderman Har mer, said to be built with the stone of Old London bridge. In an hour and thirteen minutes from the time of starting we were off Gravesend. We may here stop to confirm the remark made by our correspondent last week as to the almost entire freedom of the Brighton from all vibratory or oscillatory motion. Though pass ing through the water at so rapid a rate, she was as "steady as old Time," as one of the crew observed—a quality greatly affecting the comfort of a passenger, whether on deck or below. It would be tedious to the reader to particularise the periods at which we made the various " points" of the voyage; suffice it to say, that at eight o'clock we passed the Nore Light, and that at a quarter to ten, precisely four hours and a half from the time of leaving Blackwall (inclusive of stoppages), we were off Margate. Here we lay to for the night, amply satisfied with the manner in which the vessel had accom plished her voyage. At five next morning orders were given to weigh anchor, and the " two sisters" set out again—this time in search of adventures, Captain Hotham and the gallant commanders of these splendid vessels having on the previous night held a council of war, and having determined to get round to Folkestone, in order to have a trial of speed with the boat for Boulogne, which that invaluable mentor, "Bradshaw, " chronicled as starting from Folkestone at eight o'clock. On reaching the latter place we parted with Mr. Hawtree, who was compelled to be in town by a certain hour, and having duly dis patched the important business of breakfasting, we waited somewhat impatiently for the appearance of the Clementine, on board of whom it was plain that the preparations for the voyage were nearly completed. At length up went the " blue Peter," and the wished-for moment arrived, the Clementine steaming gallantly out of the harbour, and directing her course towards Bou logne. At this time (eight minutes past eight) the Brighton and the Dieppe were pretty close in shore, and when the Clementine had got into her right course, they " waited upon her" on either side. This state of things, however, did not last long, for although the Clementine did not yield without a struggle, in ten minutes' time she was distanced a distance which was steadily but rapidly increased, in spite of her having her sails set, while neither of her opponents had an inch of canvass out. At the end of a trifle short of fifty minutes we encountered the ally of the Clementine, making her voyage from the opposite coast. At this time it was calculated by those on board that we were from twelve to thirteen miles from the English shore, and that we were from two-and-a-half to three miles in advance of the Clementine. On meeting the Prince Ernest, for such was the steamer from Bou logne, the Brighton made a sweep so as to give the Prince about half a mile " law," the Dieppe getting round in time to get a nearer start with his Highness. It was soon perceptible, that, however, in " earnest" he might be, the Prince must share the sad fate of his fair friend Clementine ; a very short time sufficed to bring up the Brighton alongside, and a few minutes more left the Prince to bewail his lot. By the time we had again reached Folkestone it was a quarter to ten. Here both the Brighton and Dieppe tacked round and returned towards the Prince, before whom they crossed, making, by way of salute, such obeisance as we believe is termed in nautical phrase " dipping" their colours. At the moment Prince Ernest entered the mouth of the harbour it wanted but six minntes to ten, showing that in addition to the half mile of " law," which we had given at start ing, the Brighton had got home nine minutes in advance of her opponent. This result strictly bears out the former calculation made as to the Clementine, viz., as to our having beaten her by a distance of between two and a half and three miles. Having accomplished this triumph, the victorious vessels steered westward towards their destination. In precisely one hour we made Dungeness, and at twelve o'clock were passing iu front of H as tings and sc. Leonards, on whose shores sec,e collected crowds of spectators, in honour of whom both vessels fired a salute. On leaving Folkestone we had encountered a slight breeze from the west ward, which gradually gained strength as we progressed in that direction, and on rounding Beachy Head, at a little past one o'clock„ the breeze stiffened into what sailors call " half a gale," but which, according to our " land-lubbers' " estimate, we should have been disposed to rate as a stiff breeze, it being, moreover, dead ahead of us. However, both vessels sped steadily onwards, walking through the water in admirable style, and keeping so 'close to each other, that it was impossible to decide which was the faster of the two. If there be any difference, it is perhaps in favour of the Dieppe, but as the steam of her consort was not up during the only period where the former seemed to gain a slight advantage, that circumstance would amply account for the very slight and temporary difference once attained during the morning. On passing East bourne the signal gun again sent forth a salute from its brazen throat, while on reaching Newhaven harbour both steamers paid a similar tribute of respect to the scene of their future labours. Precisely at a quarter past two we were closely in front of the Chain Pier, Brighton, but there was too much sea, as well as too much wind out to allow of landing there ; the vessels, consequently," proceeded to Shoreham, opposite the harbour of which they were at 35 minutes past two, thus running the dis tance between the pier and the harbour in precisely 20 minutes. Owing to the state of the tide, both vessels ran on to Worthing, whence they returned in due course, but were obliged to lay to till the tide was sufficiently in to enable them to enter the harbour. Thus passed the first voyage of the Brighton and the Dieppe, and we earnestly trust that the success which has attended their early efforts may await on their fu ture course. .4t present, we believe, we may confidently assert, that they are the fastest boats which have been constructed. It is whispered that the Newhaven, which is in the course of completion, will however sur pass them. In the present age of exertion and enter prise, it is apparently impossible to place any limits as to what science and skill can or cannot effect ; but if the builder of the Newhaven achieve a victory over the splendid boats we have above spoken of, he will richly deserve all the success he may gain. For the present the Brighton and Continental Steam Com pany's boats will run from Shoreham to Dieppe and Havre, but so soon as the railroad from Newhaven is . opened, and the other necessary arrangements are completed, they will take up their permanent station at Newhaven. By means of these boats and through the facilities afforded by the railway on this, and those on the opposite shore, the most direct communication be tween the great capitals of England and France will now be opened. It is only in strict accordance with the spirit of the times that an enterprize, having such an object in view, should be pre-eminently successful. That such a result may attend the exertions of the Brighton and Con tinental Steam-packet Company is our earnest h o p e—a hope in which we shall, we feel assured, be joined, not only by those to whom the prosperity of this district is a matter of deep interest, but also by t h e public at large. In saying thi s mush it forms no part of our view to ad vocate the interests of this company as against those of any other body. We esteem the new route as one which, from its facilities, will create, as it were, a new class of passengers; it will naturally also greatly augment, as facilities ever do, the traffic between this country and the Continent, while the spirit of enterprise which this fresh born competition will induce, will, 'again, naturally` iall further extend those facilities. As they augment—as pleasure or business sends its thousands to neighbouring shores, wafting a greeting from their native land—sa the means increase of exchanging the products of one soil for the produce of the skill and industry of another, so will the fierce passions of men be stayed, and the great aim and end of civilization be advanced in the dissemi nation of that bless e d principle, " Peace and goodw il l towards all meta." AMERICAN AFFAIRS. NEW YORK, JUNE 15. Among other topics the Mexican war continues to be the subject of conflicting opinions, and of much dis cussion in what may be termed well-informed circles. The great question is, shall we soon " conquer a peace?" To such an interrogatory we can only reply, the armies of the United States continue to be victorious. When ever and wherever they strike, they are triumphant ; but yet all is doubt and uncertainty as to when the war will terminate, and what will be the character of the negotiation. In my last letter I stated substantially what I believed to t,e the p..licy of Mr. and his constitutional ad visers. Nothing has ()centred to change tnat opinion. It be recollected, that from the commencement of the war I have apprehended that 4 would have been protracted, and of lung continuance. nis °Pinion Was based upon two facts,--first, a personal knowiedge of the temper, disposition, and wishes of the President; second, the great difficulty of conquering and xeducing to " passive obedience anti nun-resistance " eveu dis tracted and divided people. In the remarks which I have mace on the subje.nt did not, and do not, mean to convey the idea, that ti: , o Administration may not change its views, and with that change its policy. After the Oregon leap from 54 deg. 40 min. to 49 deg., it would be idle to say that nothing of the kind could reasonably be anticipated. The recent movements of Mr. Polk indicate some change, or rather a fixed determination to pursue a policy which he hopes will promote the object nearest his heart—a re-election to the Presidency. That ob ject was in a measure the cause of the present war, and it may tend to promote a peace. To it every other measure must be made subservient, if not sacrificed. There is now, it is said and believed, a mission of peace in Mexico, consisting of General Scott and Mr. Twist. The terms, it is confidently asserted, are of the most liberal character, honourable alike to Mexico and the United States. Here I pause, I doubt—nay, more, I am an unbeliever, because it is some months too early to have a great influence on the presidential election. It affords, however, an opportunity for the display of management. It is well known that the Administration dread the political influence and power of Generals Scott and Taylor, and would, therefore, willingly promote any measure that would tend to lessen the influence of either or both these military chieftains. It is very generally believed, that the Executive is now countenancing an intrigue to place these gallant and accomplished sol diers in a hostile attitude, whereby both may be in jured. This rumour is so general that no one but a confirmed sceptic seems to express any doubt of its truth. I continue, therefore, to think, notwithstanding public opinion to thei contrary, that there is no prospect of an early peace. The Administration are strongly impressed with the idea, that by means of a military tariff in Mexico they will be enabled to collect sufficient money, through the Custom-houses which they will establish, to support an army of 20,000 men. But, in the last resort, the church property must make up the deficiency. Through the official journal at Washington (the Union) a feeler was thrown out, in relation to the wealth, &c., of the Catho lic churches, &c., which seemed to shock the American community ; whereupon the Union retreated into its shell, and denied that the article was written with the knowledge and approbation of Mr. Polk. Now, every person in this country, who understands the oonnexioq between the President and the Union considers this denial puerile, and of no force. In short, it is not be. lieved. You will perceive that by the contemplated measure of seizing all the revenue of Mexico for the support of an American standing army of 20,000 or 30,000 men, without the knowledge or consent of Congress, you open a new and alarming constitutional question. It is not my intention at present to discuss it. But it may be asked, if this is permitted or countenanced, what becomes of the constitutional provision against such an army? With a disciplined force of 30,000 men on our southern border, what might not an usurper with such a body at his command suddenly effect? Strange as it may appear, ex-President Tyler is once more endeavouring to force himself into notice. For the last two years he has lived in complete retirement—per haps it would be more correct to say, in obscurity. No man ever more effectually sacrificed himself to a ridicu lous vanity and a still more unpardonable ambition. For these and other sins he has sorely suffered. Yon will find in the public journals a late letter from him evinc ing, to use the mildest phrase, a total want of memory. li perceive it stated in a Virginia paper, that on or about the day that a dinner was to be given Mr. Webster in Richmond, Mr. Tyler visited that city in the expecta tion of being invited to meet at the festive board his former Secretary of State. But no such invitation was tendered Mr. Tyler. To comment on such an occurrence would be unkind. It shows, however, the abiding force ee public opinion. - By an arrival at New Orleans advices have been re ceived from Vera Cruz to the Ist inst., and f;•om Brazos to the 4th. General Twiggs had entered Puebla on the 29th ult. General Scotned left Jalapa with 6,000 troops, but wh, ther he would procet d forthwith to the city of Mexico was not known, and considered doubtful. About 3,000 Mexican troops were said to be in the capital. Santa Anna had resigned the Presidency on tho 28th ; but whether his resignation would be accepted was not stated. lie was superintending, personally, the fortifi cations erecting at Guadeloupe and Majioaeczingo, near the suburbs. Nothing new from General Taylor. After much mortification and disappointment to the parties concerned, the United States frigate Macedonian has sailed on her benevolent mission of relief to suffer ing humanity. She is, as lam informed, well freighted. On the merits or demerits of the controversy which caused her detention I have no opinion to give. Sh e has my most ardent and sincere hope that she may have a rapid and safe passage, and that her officers and crew may return in health to their native lend. The President of the United States is expected shortly to visit this city. The precise time is not fixed—pro bably between the 20th and 30th of this month. He will be welcomed and received by a Whig corporation, and other citizens, with the courtesy and distinction to which his exalted station entitles him. Sterling bills, rather inactive, at 6 to 6i per cent. Flour in moderate demand, on a firm market, at 8 dolls. 25c. to 8 dolls. 75c. Money abundant and cheap. A GENEVESE TRAVELLER. —Times. THE DISTRESSED SCOTCH AND IRISH.--011 th e 27th April last Mr. Buckstone's favourite comedy o f Married Life, with the farce of Advice Gratis, was per formed at the Victoria Theatre, Meerut, by amateurs, assisted by the amateurs of the Queen's Royal Lancers, for the benefit of the distressed Scotch and Irish, when the amount of 450 rupees was taken at the doors. FREE PORTERS OF THE CITY OF LONDON.—Yester day London -bride, w porters of the Ci ty ty me w e a t s inf eld o f the t th e g general Bridge-housebod of n o f t r e e l e , - c b r r o idge C ,for the purpose of petiti oning the Cowl of Common Council with respect to an infringement of' their privileges by the various dock companies on the north bank of the Thames. Alderman Johnston pre. sided on the occasion; and among the speakers were Mr. Wire, Mr. Payne, and several members of the fellow. ship. It appears that by the custom of the port of London, the free porters have had secured to them the privilege of porterage and measureage of all coals, grain, salt, and fruit imported or exported from the north bank of the River Thames between Staines (above London bridge) and Yantlet, near Sheerness, below it. Since the formation of the docks, however, the free porters have been excluded from them, and the dock companies,, while retaining the services of the measurers, who are members of the fellowship, have employed for porterage servants of their own. It was of this infringement of their privilege that the free porters met yesterday to complain by petition addressed to the Court of Common Council. The number of the body is stated to be nearly 3,000, and there is a general fund for the support of aged and infirm members, considerable in amount; but their exclusion from the docks has, it is said, deprived them of the means of earning a competent livelihood. Resolutions adopting the petition to the Court of Cona. mon Council, and providing for th e energe ti c prosecution of their claims, were carried by the meeting, which broke up after the usual vote of thanks to the chairman. MEETING OF ROMAN CATHOLICS.—Last night a very large and respectable meeting of Roman Catholics of London was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, for the purpose of forming an association for the ra, moval of Catholic disabilities and grievances. The Re' Dr. Morris, Bishop of Troy, presided, and was supported by a large number of Roman C a th o li c ladies, noblemen, clergymen, and gentlemen. The Right Rev. Prelate opened the proceedings in a short address. The Rev, Dr. Moore proposed the first resolution, " That the Catholics of Great Britain and its colonies are exposed to many grievous oppressions, some of them of such a nature as to peril the everla s t ing we lf are of thousands; that against these, though admitted to be at variance with justice, and even the avowed principles of modem legislation, the Catholic has no adequate defence or Pro' tection ; that therefore it is their bounden duty to pro. cure by all lawful means the due administration of tbotio laws which are just and a speedy reeal of those whist themselves Lucas proposed are unjust ; an d t h at the Catholics o f the metropolis are more partic u l ar l y called upon mo re strenuously to, Mr. , exert the second resolution, " That the.op pression under which the Catholics suffer, though gtley i ous to them as citizens a nd sub j ects, ar e more especial l y most spiritual souls, a n d however degradation entail right thousand theousa nd an d needful it may be to seek redress through mean s o f eas y access, yet our hopes of success p re founded in, God. This meeting, therefore, hears with satisfacticas of the proposed establishment of an a ssoc i at i on f or ost e u l p t on by so reason many London, under the protection of our Blessed Lady," &c. A committee was then appointed for carrying oat the object of the association. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings, which did not termi nate until midnight. UNUSUAL BESTOWAL OF MATERNAL SOLICITUDIII —ln the plantation near to Foulden-house is a starling's nest, containing four unfledged warblers, which by some casualty have been deprived of their natural guardian, but by a freak of compassion, have been adopted by a crow. The sable philanthropist is seen regularly to pre. ceed to the nest, and supply his tiny prows*** wiSks suitable nutriment.—Berwiek Advertiser.