The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-22 00:00:00

OPENING OP A PROTESTANT CHURCH IN

NAPLES.

The Naples correspondent of the Times, w.iting
oa the 16th, records an event of high interest to the British
community in Naples—the laying the first stone of an Eng-
lish protestant church. Two years or so have passed since
Garibaldi presented • piece of land for the site of the
building, a gift which, after the lapse of some time and after
various vicissitude', was, through the powerful influence of
Baron Ricasoli, confirmed by the government of Victor Em-
manueL It lies in the Strada San Pasquale, at the back of
the Riviera di Chiaja, a quiet yet central spot. It was a
bright cold rfilorning on the 15th, and there was •
strong muster of English visitors and residents on the
spot, with whom were intermingled • few Italians.
Oa the north-west side of the future "Christian church"—
the first, by the by, that will ever have been erected for
protestant worship in Southern Italy—a small temporary
building had been thrown up, covered over, as the fashion
is, with tricoloured hangings, and surmounted by the
British and Italian flags. In the interior of the building,
too, there was the crew of Savoy worked in the
tapestry. The proceedings opened with • prayer by the
chaplain, the Rev. Pelham Maitland, and some little
wonder was created by the fact that the next great
act of the day was not performed by her Ma-
jesty's consul, who represents the British govern-
meet in Naples, and on whom devolved that duty, more
especially as the government guarantees a certain sum
annually for the support of the chaplain. Mr. Bonham was
in Turin ; but whatever might have been the reasons for
the nonobservance of so obvious • compliment to our
government, an admirable substitute was found in the
Duchess of St. Arpino. Au English lady by birth she has,
though married to • Neapolitan nobleman, clung to her
church and religion even when the times were evil ; sod it
was deemed • suitable acknowledgment to ask her to lay the
Ent stone of this English protestant church. A member of
the committee addressed the duchess to the following
effect :—" She bad been requested by the committee to act
on that occasion, not in consequence of her high social posi-
tion, hut of her sdherenoe to the faith of her fathers in
those when firmness wee • greater virtue. Another mo-
tive, too, had influenced them, and that was a desire to
acknowledge through her husband—an Italian and a liberal-
minded nobleman—the sympathy which they bad received
from the Italian nation, more especially from that great
and good man who conquered the liberties of this southern
province, and from the Sovereign who so honestly maintains
the civil and religious liberties of his people." The
duchess very briefly and gracefully replied :—" It is
difficult for me to find words to exam= the
pleasure it has given me in having been selected by
the committee to lay the foundation-stone of the
first protestant church in Southern Italy. I must also thank
the committee and express to them the gratification I feel
at this flattering proof of their regard. lam sure that it
is • day that will be long remembered in every heart to
which the protestant religion is dear, and with thankful-
sea to the Almighty that He has permitted us to belong to
so pure • church." The architect, Mr. Smith, who is well
known as the builder of several protestant churches on the
Continent, and very recently of one at Nice, which was
opened at the beginning of the month, then presented the
trowel to the duchess. Among those presere his Se-
ofgh Captain the Plume Leiniogennt ,
th were
Duchess
Sutherland, Lady Strachao, the lion. Mrs. Howley and
her daughter, the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. de Grey, Lady Sarah
Maitland and Colonel Maitland, besides& host of others more
or less distinguished, who took • lively interest in the cere-
mony.
Already 3,4001. has been collected for this building, but
probably 1,0331. more will be wanted--a sum which the
friends of religious liberty wlll undoubtedly soon make up.

The Dublin Freeman states that Mr. Edward
Loving*, of the Irish bar, has been appointed one of the new
Indian judges, with a salary of 5,000/. per annum, and •
retiring salary of 1,2001. Mr. Levinge is well known by his
profession as the author of the "Irish Justice of the
Peace," • woe: of rousicierable merit. The learned gentle.
man (who was celled to the bar in 1848) is highly thought of
in bis profession awl much respected. He is a younger bro.
their of Sir Richard Wriage, Bart, M.P. for Westmeath, of
SoOokdria Castle.