The Express.
London, England, 1865-07-27 00:00:00

MR. GLADSTONE'S CHURCH AT SEAPORTH.

At a meeting in Warrington on Saturday week,
held in support of the liberal candidates for the representa-
tion of South Lancashire, Dr. Smith called attention to •
staterneot made by the Bev. A. A. Bridgman on the pre-
vious day at the Lion Hotel to the effect ILat Mr. Gladstone
bad built a church in Liverpool that brought him io 7001.
• year, whilst he rise a poor parson 1201. to do dray in it ;
and read a telegram which he had received from Mr.
Gladstone in reply to • communication, saying that the
statement was "grossly untrue," bat that it was impossible
to state them', by telegraph. Dr. Smith has since received
tLe following letter from Mr. Gladstone
" Hawrirdan, July p, 1865.
_ _ .

"Dear had much pleasure in giving. you information
oe the subject of tae church at Seeforth, first by tole-num
and secondly by letter ; but it wea done, as I think ( men-
tioned, to prevent your being placed in a false position,
and not to give soceuragement to proceedings like those of
Mr. Bridgman sod the editors of one or more periodicals.
I think that grave censure attaches to those who by
speech or writing publish on the authority of rumour, or
on any anonymous authority. statements injurious to
private character; and who hold up to blame matters
of personal and private conduct without having bad the
eourtesy—l might say the decermy—to give the perms
inculpated a prior opportunity of explaeatioa and defence.
Bad in all eases, it appears to me that these proceedings
become worse when they are coined on for political por-
poise at the time of an election. Aed worse, again, when
the &Wears of them are clergymen and editors of periodicals
professing to be religious. It is possible that the heat of
party, or that the exclusive devotion to particular and
limited objects which so effectually closes the mind evilest
the view of broader and larger ones, may have led to the
course of which I complain. And if it be due to locos-
sideratecess only, I shall very gladly forget it. But,
at any rate, I will do nothing which may serve to en-
courage such proceedings hereafter, or may seem to ac-
knowlege the authority of Mr. Bridgman end his coad-
jutors to cite persons before their tribunal in this improper
manner. I tate my decision on the grounds I have stated.
But I may add that the affairs of Seaforth Church have
long ago been brought by me before the Ecclesiastical COin.
mitsiooers, sad those who desire information about them
may, if they like, seek it at the proper time from that
public body. If either new or at any other time the Com-
missioners think fit to give such information I have not
the smallest objection. You are quite at liberty to publish
this letter if you think fit.—Thanking you for your obliging
letters, I remain, dear sir, your very faithful and obe-
dient " W. E. GLI.DBSONL
" Joseph Smith, Esq., N.D.
" I have written under the belief that Mr. Bridgman
bas Dot condemned, bat has made use of the rumours or
statements 'ln question. If mistaken en this I should
gladly withdraw what I have said of his conduct."

AN ADVENTURE TO LATE ComaAscs.—The Karl
of Aberdeen and Mr. Jobs Ill'Oregor (harrister.at-law),
two of the foremost members of the London Scottish Vo-
lankier', are about to start fora voyage in two small MIMI. I
with double panels, and purpose to pursue the course of the
Meuse, Moselle. Rhine, Melee, Neekbsr, and Danube, so so
to pt, if possible, to Lake Oonstanee, in Switzerland. The _
lake is subject to t►e phettosnerm of auddsuly rising cod WINS
falling, and only frames when the winters are very severe. 44.17:
It is 41 miles long. with aE.nt'eme breadth of 9, is sees ovum
being MO Kure mike.