The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-05 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 5, 1851.

FATHER GAVAZZI'S EIGHTEENTH ORA-
TION YESTERDAY, LN THE PRINCESS'S
CONCERT HALL

WORKS OF SUPEItEItOGATION."

Simplicity is the characteristic of the great, the
beautiful, and the true in all the works of nature and
nature's God; an artificial intermixture of incohe-
rent and extravagant embellishments is invariably
indicative of the false, the fictitious, and the fraudu-
lent. The worship of Christianity dispelled the fan-
ciful fascinations of eltusic paganism by the stern
and unadorned majesty of its simple sublimity, and
unencumbered with the borrowed appendages of sub-
sequent centuries, its primitive contrast with the
clumsy chaos of conflicting idolatries revealed at
once the divinity of its origin. The handmaid of
heaven was recognised by her intrinsic beauty, not
less than the absence of meretricious attire or adven-
titious accoutrements; and when she won the world's

homage, in an age of intellectual superiority, it
the victory of pure and perfect religion over mani-
fold and discordant superstitions.
Such was the Christian church in its youthful ap-
parition amid the surrounding influences of a pom-
pous ritual and a gorgeous liturgy, which shrank
abashed and discomfited at the rebuke its godlike
simplicity administered. Seek not for this beautiful
ideal in the modern harridan that has gathered
during the lapse of ages all-the faded finery of long
decayed delusions to decorate her anility ; nor among
the accumulated disfigurements which years have
heaped on this foul impersonation, are the marks and
attributes of imposture more conspicuous in any view
than in the glance at these works which are called of
"supererogation."
Foremost among these were permanent and com-
pulsory vows. He had dwelt on this topic already
and would dismiss it briefly. Few were the instances
of such solemn engagements in the old law, still
fewer were the warrants for any such in the gospel.
That of Jephtha furnished hint with an opportunity
of placing tui a forcible light the immolation of tender
votaries, whom the Council of Trent deemed compe-
tent to contract a life-long obligation at the age of
lv twee. Sixteen was the epoch at which a boy
was pronounced lawfully capable of similar
suicide. In Italy the indentures of so awful
a covenant were consummated thus early by
ninety captives out of every hundred held
in such irrevocable bonds. Ile drew an im-
pressive picture of the various family struggles and
domestic manoeuvres, which under spiritual manage-
ment brought about the ultimate Incarceration for
life of reluctant or self-sacrificing maidenhood, and
was nut less outspoken in his indication of the variety
of motives, all foreign to the generally assumed im-
pulse, operating on the youth of his country in their
enlistment among the cowled or tonsured ranks of
the population. As to "poverty" in the sense of an
evangelical counsel, it was principally to escape
from it, that conventual laziness became the resort
and resource of the majority; the plough, the anvil,
or the loom, was ignominiously shirked fur an unpro-
ductive livelihood at the expense of the labouring
community. Uneducated themselves, they took no
part in the work of natimuileducation, the most im-
portant occurrence in the routine of convent life,
being to most of them the sound of the dinner bell.
Then came the fantastic distinctions of food, some
alimentary substances being held to possess sancti-
monious efficacy, to the manifest disregard of gospel
guidance WI to " forbidden meats" and similar pharisaic
externals. To vow " obedience " were a justifiable pro-
mise if it only involved subjection to the laws of
God and of society, strict and habitual compliance
with which form but a secondary claim on the
devotee's deference, his main duty being construed
into the accomplishment of puerile or capricious
injunctions at the bidding of hypocrisy and fanati-
cism. When Antony originated monasticism in the
eastern church, and Benedict reproduced in the west
that oriental institution, neither of its great founders
sou..,ht inspiration from the papacy in the first esta-
blishment of crenobital rule. But the Popes were on
the alert to pounce on a prey so suitable to their
maw, and after a few centuries of independent
exiatenae religious orders assumed under their con-
trol the form of an embodied militia, no longer di-
rected to the abstract cultivation of piety or the till-
age of neglected solitudes, but to the practical en-
slavement of Christianity and the promotion of
their usurped pretensions to unlimited authority.
A dispensing power in the matter of these vows,
originally understood as made to God alone, was put
forward as inherent in the Popedom—a clear confes-
sion of the merely human and sublunary construction
of the whole system.
Diemissing this branch of the subject, the speaker
addressed himself to a host of observances which had
gradually been introduced into the worship of Christ,
and principally with regard to the great symbol of
commemoration, the "breaking of bread," which was
to perpetuate in the assemblies of the faithful the
" remembrance of Him," but which had assumed a
character totally at variance with the plain purport
of its primitive introduction. If Paul were to revisit
the scene of his labours, he would fail to recognise the
continuance of his teaching, but would at Rome, as of
old at Athens, "perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious, for as I passed by and beheld your de-
votions I found an alter to the unknown god, whom
therefore ye ignorantly worship. Him I declare unto
you." He referred to the strange and unwarrantable
ceremonies and performances of which the sacred
mystery of the last supper was assumed to be the
groundwork, without presenting the slightest analogy-
to that simple and affecting banquet of remembrance.
From this too prominent perversion of a 'wind.
pal element in the simplicity of Christian worship,
he passed to minor practices of capricious and un-
authorised devotion, stations of the cross, forty
hours' prayers, novenas and triduums (familiar
usages in pagan antiquity), the month of May dedi-
cated to the "Queen of Heaven," and a multitude of
devices to which the teeming brain of successive
visionaries had given birth, and legendary erudition
could alone elucidate. The life of St. Elizabeth of
Hungary was au exemplification of these dismal and
frequently inhuman performances, newly disinterred
from their medimval sepulchre by the gloomy resur-
rectionist Montalembert, and paraded in the noonday
of civilisation as fit accompaniments to the lugubn-
ous farce of replunging Europe into the slavery and
degradation of the period they characterised. The
country of the heroic Kossuth scorns such a chroni-
cler of its imperishable glories. A crowd of parallel
instances of distorted devotion were brought forward
by the orator in corroboration of his views as to the
blending of theories and practices, now confined to
the vilest fakirs in India, with the simple
morality of the Gospel, through the instrumentality
of what are called works of supererogation. The
form of prayer specially bequeathed by our Lord him-
self was, by the Invention called a " rosary," merged
into an endless repetition of an invocation to the
Virgin, a formula of incantation commended to pos-
terity by- the suggestive fact of its having been the
prelude to the massacre of 30,000 Albigenses, and
the shiboleth by which Dominic led on Simon de
Montfort to a hecatomb of slaughter. In Italian
households, where it is the yrevalent domestic de-
votion, a chapter of the New Testament is never
read, and the lessons of the sacred page totally. lost,
as if never written for the guidance of Christian
families. He proceeded to describe the sort of
itinerant attempts at evangelisation called " Mis-
sions," the leading features of which are identical
with the camp "revivals" of transatlantic fana-
ticism, and, from his own observation of the results,
anything but conducive to practical amelioration.
He referred to the statistics of the local fouudling
hospitals in coincidence with these festivals and pil-
grimages as matters of notoriety.
The celebration of what are called jubilees afforded
an occasion for treating historically of this device of
Boniface VIII. in 1299, and the financial schemes in
which it originated, the religious orgies it promoted,
and the tendency of all such manoeuvres to impress
the ignorant with the indispensable predominance of
the Popedom in the economy of salvation The late
effort of Pio Nono to get up a pious enthusiasm, after
the fashion of his predecessors, on the recurrence of
the semisecular year of 1830, had utterly failed
throughout the Italian Peninsula, and though he
eorth one hand filled with indulgences, the other
was too palpably armed with the cudgel of the Croat
to attract the approach of his countrymen. He has
had better luck in a e, and the Ussters boasts of
his success among the faithful at Toulon,. from which
disastrous seaport the fratricidal expedition set sail
for the destruction of Italy. Is there no guilt to be
Massed for, no expiation to be sought bebeforehe.avea
for the perjured onslaught on a nationahty.erbtek a
solemnly sworn constitution forbad France to violate
by her =provoked and unprincipled signing'?

Does no fearful responsibility bow down in aggregate
remorse the murderers of Italian freedom ?

And the Lord mid unto Cain, where is Abel brother?
And he said, I know not, on I my brother's keeper?
And he quid, what havt thou done? The voice of thy
brother'a blood crieth unto me front the ground.
The closing portion of the father's discourse had
reference to the jubilee of civilisation now holden in
this great centre of the world's liberty, industry, and
progress. The gorgeous vocabulary, of which he is
such a master, was exhausted in depicturing the
Pellucid Palace, its contents, its suggestions, and its
concomitants; but we found it a hopeless attempt to
reproduce the grandeur and copiousness of his
vigorous peroration.

FINE ARTS.

THE ROYAL ACADEMY.
(mom.) NOTICE.)

One of the most striking and unmistakeable features
in the present Exhibition, is, that whilst a vast stride
has been accomplished in all that more immediately
relates to technicalities of handling and dexteritics
of touch, the aims and true scope of higk art have
been well nigh lost sight of. A rapid glance over the
pictures which adorn the " line," or arc in close con-
tiguity to it, prove that while surpassing the
Dutch and Flemish painters at all points wherein
the mere scientific use of the palette is con-
cerned, there has scarcely been a corresponding
elevation of thought or theme. There ate
one or two exceptions, however, and to Mr.
T. Brigstocke we are indebted for a remark-
able portrait of " Iliseminence Cardinal Wiseman,"
who is represented in full canonicals as Archbishop of
Westminster • the shades of Dunstan, Anselm, and
Thomas-i-Becket shrink into insignificance before
the brilliancy of this effigy. Immediately opposite to
this is the large, life-size, and masterly composition
of " Chaucer reading his l'ocm at the Court of Ed-
ward III," by M. Brown (380).
Mr. P. F. Poole, whose composition of the " Goths
in Italy," (344) seems the pictorial version of those
orgies, which are so graphically described in Mr.
Collins romance of " Antonina," and doubtless sug-
gested the subject, if not the actual scene. Yet no
particular prominence is given to any one
figure by the aid of which one could single
out that of Alaric. In massive shadows and bright
bursts of light, in the delineation of the nude form,
Mr. Poole has equalled his best works; this, however,
as usual; is marred by an aberrative use of perspective
in the forms and countenances as well as relative sizes

of the component figures of the scenes ; some men, if
placed in an upright position, would be eight feet high,
while women appear to measure only four. This
palpable discrepancy scares one, and in a measure
defeats the harmony of the composition. The way
iu which the scene is lit up from the hinder
part of the composition is extremely masterly.
This is acting in the inverse ratio of Mr.
J. C. Hook, who succeeds in pouring streams of light
into his composition, with the true Venetian tradi-
tions. His picture entitled " The Rescue of the
Brides of Venice" (361), is a pleasing embodiment
of the legend. Somehow the pirates are represented
as most complaisant and seemingly harmless. The
timid virgins are painted with freshness of complexion
and dainty apparel worthy of Etty in his best',
days. Mr. Cope has ever shown himself as well
equal to meet the most cheerful as well as the
most calamitous events of past history, with his
genial pencil. It cannot be said that he is as suc-
cessful as usual this year in (381) " Laurence Saun-
ders, the second of the protestant martyrs."
Neither is Mr. Pickergill in force this year,
whose success in Westminster Hall seems
to have enervated his faculties (399). " Rinaldo
destroys the myrtle in the enchanted forest," ex-
hibits women fluttering in mid air like birds in a
cage, seemingly anxious to breathe a little fresh and
pure air such us that in the landscape of Mr. Cres-
wick, close by, called "Over the sands" (416). The
sun-set and its flicker over smooth whirlpools and
rough shingle, has been unsurpassed, even by l)anby,
who, by the bye, has also a sun-set, but a winter out
—both dyes are secrets which the painters and nature
alone divulge. Mr. Rcdgrave has this year boldly
usurped the title of landscape painter, with, never-
theless, in at Flight from Egypt," a lingering affec-
tion for his first style (443).
" The Poet's Study " will be recognised by all who
frequent the forest thicket as most truthful in all its
sublimity of detail. To none could we better appeal
to vindicate the assertion than Mr. Hunt, whose S hake-
sperian "
composition of " Valentine rescuing Sylvia
from Proteu.s(3'J4), has the parched appearance of
autumn in the woods, whereas Mr. ltedgrave sins in
the opposite extreme of pea greens. 11 ith a faint
concession to public remonstrance, Mr. Hunt's com-
position is the pivot on which pre-Raphaelism is to
uphold itself for a season. The figure of Julia is
happily conceived, though scarcely sufficiently form-
ing part and parcel of the composition, a blemish
most assuredly not referrible to the poet who, on the
contrary, has coupled the groups with the utmost care.
The drawings of the kneeling figures are admirable.
At the very antipodes of this performance may be
placed the picture from the Merchant of Venice by
Frank Stone, " Bassani° receiving a letter announc-
ing Antonio's losses and perils" (696), shows an over
lavish of those greys of which Mr. Hunt is singe.
larly chary ; colourists know the full value of this
pearly tint, but also seek to avoid its abusive use.
As a master of feminine beauty, Mr. F. Stone has
ever been held an adept, and though partial to cer-
tain stereotype beauties of his own, the present pic-
ture shows a more energetic assumption of individual
character than usual. Mr. Goodall also socks to
give a truce to his rustic figures by partially donning
them with suits of clothes of the period of Charles 11.
Whether approaching most to the reality or the mas-
querade it is difficult to decide. Even the well-
known country porch wears an unwonted ap-
pearance by being thrust into the shade.
Many passages, however, of the " Raising the May-
pole " (352) are marked by singularly gracetul
touches. On those who are masters of light comedy
the severe outline of Mr. Armitage's " Samson"
seems to look with that stern spirit which called
forth the ejaculation of Buonarotti somewhat to the
effect that oil-painting was made for old women. If
rumour is correct, as she is proverbially, this work
was intended as an essay of the magic powers of the
flint-glass medium, supposed to be the Alexandrine
borax of antiquity. The colour is nil, or rather it is
that of those woiidrous cartoons, in which colour was
only made subservient to the clearer definition of out-
line. The figure of Samson seems, in spite of its
diminutive shape, almost to have stalked out of the
Sixtine Chapel, as do the listless groups of Philistines
collected round him.
Another persecuted individual, towards whose
misfortune Mr. Ward, like the numerous historians
of the age, attracts our sympathy, is that of Louis
XVI. and his family in the Temple. Mr. Ward has
banished lemon-yellow from the list of his pigment,
and the result is most satisfactory.
Those who seek the graceful in portraiture may
look at
.(190) Mrs. Livesay, by F. Grant, a worthy
compaaion of that of " Mi s Singleton," so much no-
llced a year or two ago.

A CIUMBER OP COMMERCE has just been esta-
blished at Southampton. The leading subjects which
are now engaging the attention of the chamber
are as follows:—lit. The establishment of Southanip-

ton as one of the ports for government emigra-
tion ; which very desirable result there is every rea-
son to think will very soon be realised. 2nd. Assisting the
London Association in their endeavours to remove many of
the present unnecessary restrictions of the Custom Huuse,
on the transit of both passengers and merchandise.. 3rd.
' The further promotion of a Transatlantic packet trade, not
only to the 1.. tilted States, but also to British America, and
more especially to Halifax. ith. Attracting the attention
of capitalists, and men of enterprise, to the vast amount of
water-power existing in this neighbourhood, now running
to waste; to the extensive valleys, irrigated by never fail-
ing streams, exhibiting some of the finest bleaching grounds
in the world, contiguous to Southampton, while millions of
yards of goods, annually, are sent from the North of Eng-
land to less eligible grounds in Ireland ; and also to tracts
of land, at no great distance above Southampton, peculiarly
suited to the growth of flax, the cultivation of which
would afford full employment to a large juvenile and adult
population.
- -

• -
LICENSED VICTOALLZAS Aan.trat.—At a monthly
meeting of the board of management, holden at the asylum
April 11, lsdl, it was unanimously resolved,—" That the
beat thanks of the chairman and board of management on
behalf of the donors at large are due and the same are most
sincerely tended to the proprietors of the Daily New for
their great kindness in supplying gratuitously a ropy of
their newspaper daily for the usa of the inmates in the
library of the institution." (A true extract.)—Thomas
Jones, Secretary.-1. King's Arms Yard, Coleman-street,
Nay 3,1831.

HORTItULTURAL SOCIETY.

The first exhibition of fruits and flowers of the
Horticultural Society was held on Saturday in the grounds
at Chiswick. The weather was storing the morning cold
and unirenial, and about 12 o'clock the rain fell heavily,
and continued utmost without interini,sion till 3 o'clock,
completely saturating the turf, and destroying all hopes of
a fashionable promenade. The show of flowers Wig much
smaller than usual. The hand of the Coldstream, the Ist
Life Guards, and the Royal Horse Guards were in attend-
ance, and used their beat exertions to enliven and amuse
tho visitors.

AWARD OT vim JVDOBS.
CLASS I.
Fancy Pelargoniums—Certificate of e reellenee,Mr. Ayres;
large silver m..dal, Mr. Ambrose.
Cinerarias (in sildnch pots)—Silver Knightian. Mr.
Robinson; silver Banksian, Mr. Funcourt. Mr. Lane would
have had a certificate if he had complied with the regu-
lations.

CLASS tt.
Stove or Greenhoule Plants (in collections of 20)—Large
gold medal, Mr. Mvy; gold knightion, Mr. Cole; gold
Banksian, Mr. Frazer; large silver, Messrs. Pamplin.
Stove or Greenhouse Plants (in collections of 15)—Gold
Knightian, Mr. Green ; gold Banksian, Mr. Taylor.
Stove or Greenhouso Plants (in collections of- 10)—Gold
Banksian, Mr. Canon; large silver gilt, Mr. Speckle; cer-
tificate of excellence, Mr. Croxford ; large silver, Mr. Wil-
liams; silver Knightian, Mr. Dodd; silver Banksian, Mr.
Over; silver Ilunksian, Mr. Watson.
Stove or Greenhouse Plants (in collections of six)—Large
silver gilt, Mr. Kinghorn ; certificate of excellence, Mr.
Hump; large silver, Mr. Stewart; silver Knightian, Mr.
Stanley.
Exotic Orchid. (in collection. of 20)—Large gold medal,
Mr. Mvlain ; gold knightian, Mr. Blake; gold Banksian,
Mr. William..
Exotic Orchids (in collections of ls)—Gold Banksian, Mr.
Bitch ; large silver gilt, Messrs. Itolliraon.
Exotic Orchids (in collection. of 10)—Gold Banksian, Mr.
Franklin ; large silver gilt, Mr. Carson.
Epacriler (in sixes)—Certificate of excellence, Mr. Smith.
Ileliehrysums—Certificate of excellence, Mr. Taylor ;
large silver, Mr. Green.

CLASS In.
Pino apples in single specimens (Queen's)—Large silver,
Mr. Brav, 311,. 3oz. ; silver Knightian,Mr. Barnes.
Rarities, Cayenne', Sugar Loafs, Black JainalCSA, Ota-
belles, &e.—Large silver, Mr. Davis, gardener to Lady
Bridport, for two black frame pines in a pot ; silver
Knightian' Mr. Barnes (prickly cayenne, 41h. lflos.): silver
Banksian, Mr. Fleming (black Antigua, 311 b).
Providences—Large silver, Mr. Davis, gardener to Lord
Boston (81b.40z.); silver Knightian, Mr. Jackson (71b.90z.);
silver Bunksian Mr. Bray (.51b. los.).
Grapes (iu three bunches for private glowers and six
bunches for market gardeners)—Black Hamburg : Large
silver, Mr. Fleming; silver Knightian, Mr. l'arsons ; silver
Banksian, Mr. Bain ; large silver, Mr. Davis, market ,r-
-dener, Oak-bill ; silver Knightian, Mr. W. Davis, market
gardener, Stoat-green.
White Museaslines, or Sweetwatcrs—Large silver, Mr.
Jackson (Dutch sweet water); large silver, Mr. Daris,market
gardener, Oak-hill (ditto).
Frontignans, or other sorts distinct from the foregoing—
Large silver, Mr. Bain (white frontignan).
Apples and pears of the previous year—Silver Banksian,
Mr. Snow; certificate, Mr. Stanley.
Cherries (in dishes of llb. each)—Black, silver Banksian,
Mr. Ingram; certificate, Mr. Fleming.
Strawberries. Keen's seedling and similar kinds—Silver
Banksian, Mr. Turnbull; certificate, Mr. Elliot; silver
Banksian, Mr. Smith, market gardener, Mogden.lane.
Melons, the best flavoured—Silver Knightian, Mr. J.
Grant; silver Buuksian, Mr. Itobertsou.

CLABS IV.

.•.
Greenhouse azaleas (in twelves)—Gold Banksian, Mr.
Green; large silver gilt, Mr. May.
Greenhouse azaleas (in sixes)—Large silver gilt, Mr.
Carson ; certificate of excellence, Mr. Frazer.
Indian Ithododendrons—Gold Banksian, Mr. bison.
Tall Cacti—Large silver gilt, Mr. Green.
Alpines (in twelves)—Certificate, Mr. \V. Turner.
Single Bpecimens—Nledivilla Magnificans, certificate of
excellence, Messrs. Veitch; Erica Elegans, large silver,
Nlessrs. Veitch ; Erica Sindryana, Mr. J. B. Graham;
Padigofera Dveora, silver Banksian, Mr. lvisou ; Ixora Grit-
fithia, silver Banksian, Mr. Green.
Miscellaneous subjects—Nepenthis Rafflesiona, silver
Knightian, Messrs. Veitch; Nepeuthis Sanguinea, gold
Banksian, Messrs. Veitch ; Amaryllids, gold Banksian, Mr.
llowick ; Auriculas, certificate, Mr. \Vilifier ; Lycopods,
certificate, Mr. Wouley ; Epyphillum Speciosum, certificate,
Kr. G. W. Hoyle.

CLASIS V.
Roses in pots (in collections of twelves)—Gold Banksian,
Mr. Terry; silver gilt, Mr. Iteser ; certificate of excellence,
Mr. A. C. Rowland; gold Banksian, Mr. Francis; silver
gilt, Mr. Paul; certificate of excellence, Mr. Lane.
Cape Heaths (in collections of ten)—bold Banksian, Mr.
Smith, gardener to Mr. Quilter ; silver gilt, Mr. Cole ; gold
Banksian, Messrs. Rollisson ; silver gilt, Mr. Epps; cer-
tificate of excellence, Mr. Fairhairn.
Cape Heaths (in eleven-inch pots).—Silver gilt, Mr.
Smith; certificate of excellence, Mr. Over; large silver,
Mr. Cole; silver Knightiao, Mr. Moser; silver gilt, Mr.
Itollisson ; certificate of excellence, Mr. Epps.
Cape Heaths (in eight-inch pots).—Ccrtifleate of creel-
lence, Mr. South; large silver, blr.Taylor ; silver Knightlan,
Mr. ltollisson.
Species of Pelargonium.—Certificate of excellence, Mr.
Itoser.

CLAW' vt.
New Plants in Flower.—Large silver gilt, Cantua De-
penclens Mr. Veitch ; certificate, Deutzia Gracilis, Mr.
Baumann; large silver, Aerides Speciosa, Mr. Loddidge ;
silver Knightian, Allemande Nerryeia, Mr. Cole; silver
Knightian, Lcelia Speciosa, Mr. Henderson; silver Banksian,
Nichopilis Coceinea, Mr. Carson ; silver Banksian,
Pemilea Nieperryania, Mr. May; certificates, Lycaste Spe-
ciosa, Mr. Luddidge; Epidendrum Speciosa, Mr. Franklin.

LITERARY ASSOCIATION OF THE FRIENDS

OF POLAND.

The nineteenth anniversary meeting of this in-
stitution was held on Saturday, at the Sussex Chambers,
Duke-street, St. Jams's, and was moat numerously at-
tended. The chair was taken by Lord Delmee Cot rio
Sri:ma, M.l'. (chairman of the council).
The noble CHAIRMAN said they were met according
to annual custom to celebrate the anniversary of their insti-
tution on that the 3rd of May (hear); and ho believed it
was his duty, without further preface, to call upon the
honorary secretary to read the report of their proceedinipt
and progress during the past year.
The SECUETAILY (Mr. Birkbeck) having read the
report,
The Rev. Dr. WORTHINGTON, in rising to move
" That the report now read be received and adopted, and
that it be printed and circulated under the direction of
the committee," regretted that the report did not
present very cheering circumstances at this pe-
riod ; but, at the sonic time, he might say that the
friends of the Poles yet hoped to congratulate them on the
restoration of their nationality and independence. He could
not say he saw an immediate prospect of the renovation or
restoration of the ancient kingdom of Poland; but he
trusted much to the feelings of all nations, which were
based on the principles of freedom; fur he found throughout
Europe there was an increasing love of constitutional, and
not of arbitrary governments. (Applause.)
The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Dr. Worthing-
ton, Mr. Scholefield, M.P., the Earl of Ilarrowby, Mr.
Monckton Mim es, M.P., Mr. Chisholm Anstey, M.P., Mr.
Mowatt, Lord Beaumont, Mr. Urquhart, M.P., &c.,
who passed in review the social and political aspect of the
continental states, more especially with reference to thu
prospects of seeing revived the liberty and independence of
Poland.
A resolution moved by the Earl of HARROWBY, and
seconded by Mr. MONCKTON MILNES, was unani-
mously carried, by which the meeting declared that the
proposed incorporation of Galicia into the Germanic Con-
federation was a flagrant violation of the indefeasible rights
of the Polish nation, as well as of the provisions of the
treaty of Vienna.
Mr. CHISHOLM ANSTEY revived the question of the
annihilation of Cracow, and protested against the incorpo-
ration of the duchy of Posen into Prussia Proper.
Lord BEAUMOFT agreed with him, and lamented that
the wrongs of Poland seemed to accumulate. Year after
year at their meetings there was always some new injustice
of which they had to complain. But, as their wrongs in-
creased, the stronger were the claims of the Poles to the
generosity of the English public.
Various resolutsons relating to the management of the
association were passed, and a cordial vote of thanks was
accorded to the noble chairman for his increasing efforts to
benefit the condition of the Polish nation.
The meeting then dispersed.

NATIONAL EDUCATION.—The following petition to
the House of Commons has obtained a very large number
of signatures iu Birmingham :—" That it is the opinion of
your petitioners, that in order to diminish intemperance,
misery, and crime, and to promote morality and the best
interests of all classes a large extension of education among
the people is necessary. That the principle on which the
assistance of the state is at present extended for educa-
tional purpoaes is manifestly erroneous, inasmuch as aid is
given in an inverse ratio to the necessities of the people,
and is conveyed chiefly through the medium of the various
religious denominations, and it therefore must be partial in
its effects, and it must fail to reach a large, and that the
most degraded portion of the community, while it tends to
perpetuate and embitter the spirit of sectarianism. That
any system of public schools likely to be generally accept-
able to the people of this country, and to meet the compli-
cated difficulties of the question must be supported by local
rates, and managed by local authorities elected by the rate-
payers especially for that purpose, with right of free admis-
sion to all under suitable regulations and without religious
distinctions. That in order that the rights of conscience
may be effectually secured it should be a fundamental rule
that nothing Should be taught in any of the said schools
which favours the peculiar tenets of any religious sect or
denomination. That this system instead of injuriously
affecting the interests of religion, would materially aid the
efforts of the teacher of religion, and would do much to
soften the asperities and remove the prejudices of sects
and parties. Your petitioner therefore pray that an act
may be passed by your honourable house for the estah/lak.
twat of • ousel system of 'ocular inelreetion to be. Imp.
Ported by INlll.llltes (levied as die rune assessment us the
poor-rate), and managed by local authorities aleotet by the
ratepayers specially fog the pupas."

THE FATAL COLLISION ON THE CHESHIRE

JUNCTION RAILWAY.

The inquest on the unfortunate persons killed in
the tunnel between Frodsharn and Sutton, on the Lan-
cashire and Cheshire Junction Railway, on IVe•lnewlay
evening, was held on Saturday morning, at the Red Lion
Ban, Preston Brook, before Mr. 111111.11 Nicholson, coroner,
of Warrington. Mr. Lloyd, solicitor, of Liverpool, attended
on behalf of the company; and Mr. Bancroft, chairman of
the company, and Mr. R. Gib'', director, both of Manches-
ter, were present. The present inquiry only related to five
of the bodies of the sufferers, Mr. Wilson, of Newton, hay-
ing died in Lancashire, and within a ditfer,itt jurisdiction.
Mr. W. Clarke, of Cuddington-lodge, near Bolton, was the
first witness, and identified the body of one of the deceased
as that of Mrs. Agnes Withnall (or Wettenhall) his sister-
in-law. lie was the fellow-traveller from Chester on Wed-
nesday evening last of the deceased and her sister Mrs.
Ridgway, and they were seated in the last compartment of
a first-class carriage at the end of the train, and behind
them was a truck, having Mrs. Ridgway's private carriage
upon it. Mrs. Ridgway and witness sat ou one side the coin- ,
parttuent, and Mrs. 11 ithuall on the other, opposite Mrs.
Ridgway. There was no light in {the carriage. They ap-
proached the tunnel, after leaving Frodsham, very
slowly, and when about half through the tunnel, the
train stopped. It was very dark, and lie saw no lights. He
culled through the window to wine psasengers in another
compartment " let us get out and walk," but a person re-
plied that there was no danger, as they hail sent lights to
both ends of the tunnel to stop other trains front entering.
In a few minutes after there came the shock of a collision
from behind; he was thrown from his seat, and the carriage'
appeared to be shivered to iiiects. He was nut much hurt, '
and set about feeling for Ins companions, but could find no
one at first. At length he felt the legs of Mrs. Ridgway;
she seemed to be suspended between fragments of wood at
the top of the carriage. in about ten minutes a light was
brought, and he then found the whole body of the carriage
had given way, and was nothing but a heap of ',pitmen,
Mrs. Ridgway was first got clear, and then himself. lie
could see nothing of Mrs. Wittman ; he left the tunnel
with Mrs. Ridgway, and took her to a cottage.
John Eutwisle, footman to Mrs. Ridgway, said he rode
with the coachman in the private carriage, which was
driven from under them and shivered to pieces by the col-
lision in the tunnel. lle assisted afterwards in the search
for Mrs. Witlinall, and she was found among the broken
fragments of the carriages, jammed between two splinters,
one pressing against her back and the other against her
chest. She was quite dead.
James Edwards, manager to Mr. J.ll Lee and Co., 'den-
, titled the body of 11. Anderson.
John Newell identified the body of James Newell, of
Over Whitley, aged 14.
Thorns,' Newell, brother of the deceased James Newell,
said that when the train stopped, he and others would
have got out, but a man CAlllte along and told
litem not. He said they had stopped for fear of
running into the train before them. lie could not
say if the man was a guard, but he had a number
on his cap, and was dressed in uniform. it was very dark,
but he could see this man's dress by the light of lueitil•
matches and paper lighted by people in the dame waggon.
In about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour he heard
another train come up from behind, which rushed into them,
but he was not hurt. Bid not sea that it did damage to any
one. In another moment he was knocked down by a 01,
cord shuck, a carriage being forced on to the top of that in
I which he was riding. He did nut know what hecame of
his brother then; but, on looking for him in about ten or
flacon minutes, found hint lying under the carriage, the
wheels of which had been knocked front under it. Be-
lieved his brother was then dead. lie saw no conductor
or guard all the time of the accident.
honour l'ugh, of Manchester, identified the body of
TIIOIIIIIII Vesty, who was a dyer by trade, and 30 years of
age, having resided in Manchester. lie was a married
man, and had lett a widow and two children.

William Irving, Manchester, pawnbroker, identified the
body of Job Davidson, another of the deceased, who was
his brother-in-law. The deceased was a warehouse sales-
man at Messrs. Bannerman's, aged 40, uud unmarried.
John Taylor, superintendent of the 1) division of police,
Manchester, said he was a passenger by the train which left
Chester at half-past 7 on Wednesday evening, and saw two
trains leave Chester with "Manchester" marked upon
them on printed bills previously. One left Chester
a little before seven, and the other a quarter after
seven. When they had gut a mile into the tunnel, or
nearly, lie sustained a severe shock, and till the parties in
the tame compartment of the carriage were knocked
against each other. As soon as he recovered he put
his head out at the window and saw a glimmering
light about the engine He asked what was the matter, but
for half an hour got no answer, and then a man Caine with
a light, and they ascertained a casualty had occurred. He
then walked up to the engine of the train and Wand it elf
the line, and that a heap of carriages had been smashed to
pieces, blocking up the way. Ile asked William Dixon,
the engine-driver of the third train, how it was
he had run into the other, and he re-plied that the
tunnel was so full of smoke and strain that he could not
see a yard before him, and that he was knocked down and
rendered insensible himself by the accident. The engines
driver of the third train and guard that he spoke to (of the
second train) were both sober. There were no lights in
the first, second, or third trains, when they left Chester;
it was quite daylight.
By the Jury—They were travelling at a very moderate
pace at the time of the accident. They were hulf-an-hour
from leasing Chester to the time of the accident.
Wm. Thomas Ansel), district superintendent of the elec-
tric telegraph, resident at Manchester, sworn-1 travelled
by a train from Chester, on the Lancashire and Cheshire
Junction, on Wednesday evening, which left Chester at a
quarter past seven o'clock. It was the second train. I
should say there were about 15 or 16 carriages. 1 was in a
first class carriage, centre compartment, not far from the
middle of the train, but nearer the engine than the end.
was at the Chester station when a train left for the Lanca-
shire and Cheshire Junction line a little before seven, and
observed that it had what is termed a tail light, It was a
red light, and similar to what is ordinarily used at the
end of trains. I do not know what time we reached
Irodsham, but we stayed about two minutes. When
we left Frodsham the pace was slackened. We travelled
very steadily, but when we came about two-thirds up the
tunnel we came to u stop. I heard the engine labouring
much betbre that, but the driving wheels slipped, and we
got on slowly. I put my bead out of the carriage, but the
tunnel was dark, and full of smoke and steam. In a few
minutes, whilst proposing to a gentleman in another car-
riage that we should get out and cacti push our own car-
riages, I distinctly heard the puff of a train behind. I
threw myself back and advised every one to hold hard, and
wu escaped unhurt. There came a collision immediately
afterwards, and a prolonged crash. 1 wily felt one shock,
and was nut aware until afterwards that the train by which
1 was travelling hail struck the one in advance.
By the jury-1 was informed that the train I was in had
struck the 011 C in advance by a gentleman in that train.
After the accident, 1 left the tunnel, and walked forward
to Moore, where I found the train which had left Chester
first, and it was there I heard they hail been struck by our
train.

Joseph Steele, 121, Chancery-lane, London, patent agent,
, said—l was a passenger along the railway from Chester to
Warrington. We left at seven o'clock. I came upon the
platform—intending to go to Manchester by the first train—
at ten minutes before five o'clock. It had been announced
by printed placards in Manchester that trains would start at
half-past five and afterwards, as soon as full; and when I
got on the platform, there WAR a train nearly full, and
1 got into it, having a first-class day ticket. I remained
, there for upwards of an hour, with other passengers, and
1 saw two trains come up of empty carriages, and started
before ours WAR despatched. [hey were despatched to
Manchester. A gentleman along with me in the same car-
riage got out of our train and went into one of the other
two trains. lie waved his hand to us as he passed. After the
two trains had started I called for the superintedunt and
gut out of our train. (Here Mr. Critchley stood up, and the
witness said that was the gentleman.) I said, " Mr. Su-
perintendent, when are we to go ? I've seen two trains go off
before ours, and I wish to know when is ours to go ?" Ile said,
" Go to your seat, sir," and that was all the answer I could
get. I went back to mycarriage, and we started about seven
o'clock. One of the preceding trains had then left about
twenty minutes. The train went un very sluggishly, and it was
five minutes to eight when we arrived at the mouth of the
tunnel. There might be a stoppage at one or two stations
on the way. Wu saw no one at the mouth of the tunnel,
and when we got half way through the tunnel the train
stopped altogether. I suppose when we had been stopping
five or ten minutes in the tunnel, I was thrown by a con-
cussion into my opposite fellow-passenger's face. I
sustained no injury. Behind our first-class carriage
was a third class carriage. The concussion broke
the chain of that, and we by and bye got on
and proceeded to Moore. Ours would be the first train of
the three in the inane' at one time, and would be the cause
of the subsequent concussion. At Moore station I called
out for the guard and conductor, but none appeared. I
and others got out and went to the engine-driver and asked
him the reason we stuck fast in the tunnel. His answer
was " There was no water in the engine." I, amongst
others said, " How dared you come out of Chester without
• supply of water 2" He made no answer, but stood there
with his hands in his pockets, apparently. little concerned.
George Frederick Robinson, cotton spinner, Stockport,
said—l came oar the platform at Chester at half-past 5 o'clock,
on Wednesday evening last. There was a train apparently
ready, and as I Intended to go to Manchester with a return
ticket I got into it. 1 looked through the first class car-
riages, and there was not a single seat to be had in these or
the second class. Some additional first claw carriages were
added soon after six o'clock, and I got into the second
carriage from the engine. The train heft about 10 minutes
before 7 o'clock. I saw no guard or conductor with the
train. When we reached the ttuir.el the space was slack-
seed till we stopped entirely. AI we proceeded through
the tunnel I noticed that the ex'.gine-driver opened the fire-
box repeatedly as if to reflect sit light behind, and I feared 1
we had not a light behind. I felt a slight concussion in the
tunnel. When we got out of the tunnel we went on to
Moore, and I went to dr, engine and observed by the
.gauge
that there was • proper supply of water. am
onnvoroant with the gauges of boilers, and could
see plainly that the one in question indicated
• sufficient supey of water. The engine after that went
on for water a, stated. In stating that there was water
enough in the boiler, I cannot of course say whether there
was a proper supply in the tender. Whilst we were in es
Planet, I heard the driving wheel of the engine revolving
without effecting any progress of the train. I attribete
• that to the circumstance of the train being too heavy for
• the locomotive power. The rails were wet in consequence
of a fall of rain outside the tunnel.

larneslizawk:ofiir;tri.ii.., engineer, said I left
Chester about 20 minutes put seven on Wednesday even-

ing for Warrington by the Manchester train. The
, train consisted of 18 or 20 carriages. I was in the
middle compartment of the last carriage but ono
in the train of the railway carriages the last car-
riage being a truck with a private carriage upon it. There
' were fire persons in the Mille compartment with me. I tear
in the next carriage to the deceased, Mrs. Wettenliall. We
travelled at ordinary speed up to Fruclshain. From thence
to the tunnel we did not go so fast, and up the tunnel we
went gradually slower until the train came to a stand. I
then put down the window and heard the engine wheels
1 slipping. I supposed the slipping to he from the droppings
!of the tunnel and the steam. A companion, Mr. flurry,
said " Haddock I'll get out and see if the Mil lamp is
lighted," and lie afterwards told me it W.I. lle afterwards
said "Haddock, there is so much steam sod it is so dark
bleep calling out that I noes know where to find you." I
did as he told me, and soon afterwards felt his
hat under the window and he got in. A guard caner by
then, and held a light, and Hurry said, " Guard, run be-
hind as fast as you can, and give a signal." I supposed
him to mean to warn the next train that might come up.
I got out of the carriage myself, and spoke to the ladies
(Mrs. Ridgway and Mrs. Wettenhall), who were much
alarmed, and told them all would be safe. I then heard a
train advancing, and stepped towards it, putting my hand
to the wall. Iliad got about a carriage length from the
end of our train when the engine of the next train
passed and ran into the train before it. I heard the
engine, hut could not see it, the tunnel was so
densely filled with steam. I stood still a moment,
and then observed that the engine was off the
rails. I then turned round, and tried to get by the last
train, but the passengers jumped out of the carriage upon
me, and I had difficulty. At length I found a mil-light,
which some of the passengers hail in one of the carriages,
and with that, seeing my way much better, I went with it
till I met a guard with a hand lamp. I exchanged lamps
with him, and then took him with the red light to the
Frodsham end of the tunnel, and placed him there to signal
other trains from passing. 1 returned (0 the train after
that, but found the way blocked up with broken carriages.
I saw several persons who hail realised bodily injuries, the
result of the conk' which had taken place.
Some further evidence having been taken, the inquest was
adjourned to Monday.