The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-11-17 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Owing to a pressure of news we are compelled to omit a
report of the proceedings of the Salford Town Council,
which we shall publish to-morrow..
THE CURIOUS AFFILIATION CASE.—Mr. Wybergh has called
upon us to say that he had no commumcation with the
reporters for the Mercury, in reference to the affiliation
case, " Wilcock n. Shrivall," beyond that which inci-
dentally took place in the magistrates ' room, at the
sessions house. Mr. M'Clellan's statement, therefore,
that Mr. Wyberg had called at the Mercury office, is
altogether inaccurate.
Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated
by the name and address of the writer; not necessarily for
publication, but as a guarantee of his good faith.
We cannot undertake to return rejected communications.
All communications, Books for Review, etc., to be for-
warded to the Editor must be addressed to the Publisher,
CHARLES WILL3IER, and those from London may be seen
to the care of Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

Xlittlyrit Nig Cum

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1853.

THE intelligence which comes crowding in from
every quarter relative-to the war in the East, is so
confounding that it is almost impossible to follow
the real historical thread of events. It appears,
however, that on the 21st of October, at Constan-
tinople, the greatest excitement was produced by

the publication of the SULTAN'S manifesto. This

document had been previously read at a National
Assembly, when the SULTAN announced his inten-
tion to buckle on the sword—to proceed to Adrian-
ople—and march at the head of his troops. in
this resolve MAHMOUD shows that he has not for-
gotten the post which his kingly ancestors have
filled with so much honour to themselves and their
country. Simultaneously with the announcement
of the SULTAN'S movements, we learn that a depu-
tation had arrived at Shiraz, from Affghanistan,
which came to induce the SHAH of Persia to declare
openly against Russia. This event is said to have
produced a deep sensation in the Persian Court,
and that the SHAH did all in his power to suppress
an Anti-Russian demonstration.
It is most difficult to decide on the value which
ought to be placed in such statements as the above.
The feelings and actions of DosT MAHOMED being
thoroughly anti-British, it is not likely that his
Mussulman predelictions would be sufficiently
strong to sanction the departure of any such de-
putation from his dominions. The part which this
ruler may eventually take in the pending contest,
however, is matter of such importance as to pro-
duce the most anxious solicitude on the subject,
and we feel assured that such is felt by the public.

In the meantime 50,000 Turks have crossed the
Danube at Kalarxil, between the 27th of October

and the 3rd of November.

On the 4th instant the Russian army was de-
feated at Oltenitza, with the loss of 3,000
men. From this date to the 11th hostilities

in this direction were confined to skirmishing
on the outposts. During this interval the
Turks had collected a force of twenty-four thou-
sand men at Oltenitza and an equal number at
Kalafat. After the defeat at Oltenitza the Russians

retreated to Budexhli, between Bucharest and the
scene of their defeat. At this point the Russian
force amounted to 35,000 men. The victory of the
Turks on the 4th inst. tends most positively to
disprove the previous rumour of their defeat by
Prince Gortschakoff.

The intelligence we are enabled to lay before
our readers to-day not only confirms the truth of
the reports previously received, but adds a list of
brilliant achievements by the Turkish arms to
those already recorded.
The Russians are making, as we predicted in the
NORTHERN DAILY TIMES, a precipitate retreat
towards Cronstadt, in the Russian province of
Transylvania. This town is not a military position
of any note, and will, in all probability, share the
fate of Bucharest, through which the Turkish army
is said to have marched, leaving the town in flames
in three places. Considering the character of
Eastern towns generally, there is little doubt of
this city being reduced to ashes. The most in-
trepid act of the Turkish leaders is shown in de-
spatching their left wing, amounting to 15,000 men,
to make a detour through the Principality of Servia
to intercept the retreat of the Russian troops.
This movement having caused considerable alarm
in Vienna, the Austrian Government had given
orders for a strong army corps to be immediately
concentrated in Croatia.
Private letters from Erzeroum of the 25th ult. state
that the Turks had concluded an alliance, offensive
and defensive, with the Circassian Chief SCHAMYL,
and with the Mussulmans and other independent
Tribes in certain districts in Asia. These countries
can furnish 80,000 warriors well practised in
mountain warfare. This event places the CZAR in
a two-fold difficulty, and bids fair to rescue
CIRCASSIA from his iron grasp. The Russian
garrison at Sebastopol, however, had marched
against the Caucasians. The Garrison was re-
placed by 15,000 men from Odessa. These were
replaced by troops from Vecesenek.
OMAR PASHA had crossed the Danube in person,
with 35,000 men, ready to receive Prince GORTS-
CHAKOFF, who threatened to attack the Turkish
position.

In addition to all this startling and highly
satisfactory intelligence, Constantinople letters of
the 31st announce, that as soon as the news of

the occurrences in Bulgaria reached Constanti-
nople, it was communicated to the representatives
of France and England; and they advised that the
war should be continued on the 29th, The French
Envoy waited on the SULTAN, and in the name of
his Emperor, placed the French General BOSQUET
at his disposal, with six other officers of rank,
who would arrive on the 2nd of November. During
the audience, mention was made of 40,000 French
soldiers, who would be landed wherever the
SULTAN might be pleased to direct. LORD STRAT-
FORD, On his side, declared that the English fleet
would enter the Black Sea, and act on the coast
with the Turkish vessels. A corps of from 15,000
to 20,000 men will be kept in readiness at Malta
to occupy Greece, if that county should attempt
anything against the Porte. 3,000 wounded men
have been taken to the hospitals at Bucharest.
M. BAsiLI, the Russian Consul General in Syria,
has sailed for Leghorn. 8,000 Druses and Naplou-
sians under Emit ENIM, are preparing to proceed
to Constantinople. The Greeks had offered to
advance money to the PORTE by way of loan. All
the Russian pontoons had been sent to Giurgevo.
The Turkish forces at Oltenitza consist of 17,000
regular infantry, 3,000 Bashi-Bozouks, and 4,000
artillerymen, commanded by General PRIM. Re-
port says that KLAPKA will supersede him. General
SOIMONOFF is said to have dislodged the Turks from
the island opposite Giurgevo. ISMAIL PACHA com-
mands 24,000 Turks at Kalafat. The Russian Go-
vernment has appointed a governor for the two-
Danubian Principalities.

THE Council and PRINCIPAL of King's College
have earned for themselves a very unenviable repu-
tation. These self-constituted Inquisitors have
fulminated their first decree, and condemned their
first victim for holding certain opinions, not, in
their judgment, in accordance with the principles
and teaching of the Anglican Church. The result
is, that Professor MAURICE has been deprived of
an office which he had so efficiently filled, and emi-
nently adorned, for several years.
The publication of the " Theological Essays" ori-
ginally called forth opposition from the Inquisitor_
general and his colleagues of the " Sacred Tribu-
nal." Inflated with a supercilious sense of personal
infallibility, Dr. JELF took upon himself to pro-
nounce authoritatively what was heresy and what

was not—judging of the doctrines of the Church
not so much by her canons as by his own cranium—
his dory, of course, representing pure " orthodoxy?,
He first took occasion to remonstrate with-sthe
reverend delinquent, but'the answers he received,
and the explanations afforded, only served to add
" fuel to fire," by exasperating his ire and inflaming
his resentment. Finding the author so incorrigible
a heretic, he finally summoned all the members of
the Council, in order to pass sentence of excom-
munication upon so flagitious a dissentient from
Church principles and polity, Dr. JELF himself
being the chief exponent of both. To this sum-
mons twenty (out of fifty) members attended, and
the result of the cabalistic deliberation was, the
expulsion of Professor MAURICE from all honor,
office, and emolument, in the said King's College.

Now, it is essential that one or two circumstances
should be borne in mind. It must be remembered
that the question at issue was entirely of a theolo-
gical character, having reference to the philology
of the phrase " aionion," "eternal," in connection
with the doctrine of future punishments—Mr.
MAURICE viewing the same in a spiritual, Dr. JELF,
in a literal, signification. Now, this being a purely
theological and speculative question, it would, at
all events, have looked seemly, were the matter
exclusively referred to an assembly of ecclesiastics,
who would be best able to discuss the etymology
of the phrase and pronounce an opinion as to the
Church's teaching on this point of controversy—if
indeed the Church ever uttered a voice on the sub-
ject. But what is the fact ? Why, out of the
twenty individuals present, only two theologians
could be mustered, viz., the BISHOP OF LONDON and
a solitary archdeacon ! The other members of the
Council were exclusively laics ! and consequently
unfit judges of such a grave question.

From the decision of the Council Mr. MAu RICE
justly dissents. In a letter, which we have already
published in full, he disclaims against the dogma-
tism and domination taught and assumed by th e
PRINCIPAL and his colleagues ; on the obvious
grounds, that they had no authority delegated to
them to become ecclesiastical censors of his faith,
or self-made expositors of the Articles and Formu-
laries of the Established Church. He observes :

I cannot, my lords and gentlemen, believe that, great
as are the privileges which the right reverend bench has
conceded to the Principal of King's College, their lord-
ships, the bishops, ever intended to give him an authority
superior to their own, superior to that of the articles by
which they are bound ; I cannot think that they wished to
constitute him and the council arbiters of the theology of
the English Church. Such a claim would be as alarming,
I apprehend, to the public as to our ecclesiastical rulers.
If some parents have been suspicious of the influence which
I might exercise over their sons, I believe that there are
few parents in England who will not complain that the
college has departed from its original principle, when it
gives such a scope to the private judgment of its chief
officer, or even to the judgment of the body which manages
its affairs.

The public mind needs to be aroused on this
subject. Heresy, or no heresy, it will never do for
one clergyman to sit in judgment on the opinions
of another clergyman. If this state of things be
permitted, there would be no end to disgraceful
broils and petty warfares. The Church's useful-
ness would speedily be destroyed, and endless
party feuds and angry disputations would lay waste
her fruitfulness, and render her unprofitable as
" the barren fig tree "—only fit to be " hewn down
and trodden under foot of men." An " invasion "
like this is the worst our country could experience.
We' boast of having free laws—free institutions—
freedom of opinion—and the right of private
judgment. We must beware hew we suffer such
privileges to be wrested from us. Depend upon it
they cannot be valued too highly, or guarded toe
vigilantly. We want neither English popes, nor
English inquioitoro, nor an English Inquisition.
0 dear no ! the day is gone by for such things as
these. We must raise our voice against rampant
dogmatism and clerical intolerance, come from
what quarter it might. If individual clergymen
violate the constitutions of their Church, there are
tribunals expressly appointed to inquire into the
merits of the case and judge accordingly. To such
let the recusant be amenable—not to the surrep-
titious authority and soi-disant jurisdiction of a
self-formed clique.
As well may Professor MAURICE take exception
to Principal JELF'S theological opinions, and bring
him to account for the same as being contrary to
the tenor of the Canons and the constitution of
the Church. Fortunately, our Reformers left
free latitude for individual speculation, and
ample scope for polemic discussion. There are
many:matters of theology, which, in the nature of
things, must ever remain doubtful. Even com-
mentators have but served to render "darkness
more dark," by futile attempts at explanation—
just as men with diamonds writing on glass, ob-
scure light with scratches. It will not do, therefore,
for narrow-minded ignorance and domineering
bigotry to set a boundary line to thought or pre-
judge a question entirely out of its province, and
beyond its
,jurisdiction. CICERO says that " Truth
lies in a deep well." The way to reach it, therefore,
is not by angry bickerings and jarring controver-
sies, but by quiet investigation and diligent re-
search.

But Professor MAURICE has placed Dr. JELF and
his compeers in.what Brother JONATHAN would term
a " reglar fix !" In one part of his letter he requires
to be informed what law of the Church he has
transgressed :

I think it due, then, to my own character, as a Clergyman,
to the interests of the college, and to the liberties of the
English Church, that I should call upon the Council, if they
pronounce a theological sentence upon me at all, to declare
what article of our faith condemns my teaching. I conjure
them not to use any phrase in condemning me which they
would reject as loose and vague if the property or the life
of a fellow-citizen were in question. Whether I have
unsettled the faith of my pupils by giving an interpretation
of the word "Eternal" which I had maintained to be true
(and especially important for students in Divinity) before I
was asked to join the theological department, the after
lives of those pupils must determine. But if I have violated
any law of the church, that law can be at once pointed out—
the nature of the transgression can be defined without any
reference to possible tendencies and results. It is this justice,
and not any personal favour, my lords and gentlemen, which
I now request at your hands.

As the Council of the College have in their sapient
wisdom thought fit to pass sentence of "anathema"
against Mr. MAunieE, on the ground of a clerical
error in faith, it would have been but just to him
and honourable to themselves to afford a direct and
satisfactory answer to the important question put to
to them. But, no. They dare not venture to com-
mit themselves by such a course. So they have
acted the part of a judge who condemns a reputed
felon for an offence committed against the law, al-
though he is unable to point out the particular
statute under which he is convicted.

It would appear as if to believe too little was
safer than to believe too much, For instance, some
years ago a Reverend Mr. MNEAL, of Trinity, or
Brazennose, we can't say exactly which, published
some pitiable specimens of his gifted muse, in the
shape of some " hickory-dicliory-dock" rhyming,
called " Songs and Ballads for the People." The
reverend poetaster has not failed to afford the
public, in a few lines, the sum-total of his religious
belief. He says :

" I pray
My best for the Church and the Queen every day—
And I know nothing more, and I hope never may!
Which nobody can deny."
But we have never heard of this gentleman being
subjected to any systematic persecution, or being
sent to " Coventry" by his clerical associates. It
was reserved for the PRINCIPAL of King's College,

and his brother Inquisitors, to open up a new
course—and bring about not a new—but a revival
of an old ecclesiastical policy. We say more to
their " eternal" shame ! Professor MAURICE may
be regarded as the Protestant GALILEO ! and fu-
ture chronicles will be sure to record—" 1853
the Inquisition first established in this country by
Principal JELF!"

IT can be no less refreshing to the public mind
than it is to an individual to turn from the dark
and dreary career of despotism, to the bright and
promising prospects `which attend the steps of free
and enlightened nations. If this were the place
for elaborate philosophical inquiry, we would en-
deavour to point out the practical working of the
two rival systems of human thought which owe
their origin to the master-minds of those great
ancient teachers, PLATO and ARISTOTLE. From the
temples of remote antiquity, the cloisters of
the middle ages, and down to the triumphs of the
Puritans in the western world, and even to
the present hour, we can trace from the teachings
of those rival schools of philosophy the existing
causes of divisions among nations, and the pro
longed reign of degrading Cainism.
The struggle for ascendency among nations has,
to a certain extent, dwindled down to the fights of
faction. Happily for humanity, however, one
quarter of the globe is still left where the broken
bonds of the world's great brotherhood may be re-
united and enjoyed beyond the reach of the discord-
ant dogmas of the Philistian ages, where men's rank
is measured by a stately intellect, and where sterling
mind alone can venture to handle matter. If the
good and greater attributes of human nature arc
capable of perpetuation, the western hemisphere
must inevitably become the home of man's most
lasting glory. It is there the quaint and sober
philosopheme, " Union is strength," proclaims its
own mighty power, and bids the cuckoo despots
retrace their steps and adopt the course of
better and keener thought.
It is here this element of human greatness
throws its power over a desert world. It is here
that "mercy seasons justice," and Heaven pours
down its endless blessings. A people who wedded
themselves to peace and toil may be supposed to
have nothing but the wants of a passing existence
to show for their labour ; but while the wretched
victims of the rival philosophy are shedding blood
and carrying death and desolation wherever they
turn, the great western civiliseris girding worlds
of primitive darkness with the zone of light.
Forests are explored, deserts traversed, and ere
time is suffered to destroy the foot-track of the
solitary traveller, out pours the nation, and as if by
magic, the electric wires are spread, and the rail
is laid, by which thousands are carried forward in
search of fresh fields for increased toil.

The idle, sluggish, benighted Serf profanes the
ears of peace with murdering cries of war. America
sends her ships to tell us of her " God speed.'
She conceives a railroad, which shall unite two
great oceans, and shorten man's steps around the
earth. 'Tis done. A. canal to bear the surplus 01
her abundance to the famished children of other
distant lands. 'Tis made. She hears that Mam-
mon governs industry and morality in other coun-
tries, and she sends us gold that toil may prosper
and virtue hold her own. Time and space sepa-
rate her people east and west. The fact is a re-
proach which is quickly silenced by the puffing
locomotive and the electric battery.

Such is the career of the men the illustrious
PALMERSTON would call " cousins," forgetful that the
dotage of the parent is but too often the sport of
youth. In our vague conception of the future of
such a race, we must not, however, pass over those
formal matters by which facts are established.
An able and esteemed American cotemporary, the
?iew York Evening Post says :—" It appears from
the abstract of the seventh census, published this
year, that the United States possessed at the be-
ginning of 1852, as much completed railroad, with-
in 3,300 miles, as all the rest of the world put tc-
gether !" This is no shallow assertion. The fact
is proved by careful statistical comparison. "In
the United States there were in operation, at the
time alluded to, 10,843 miles ; in the various coun-
tries of Europe 14,143 miles. By the beginning of
1853, the completed roads in this country had in-
creased to 13,000 miles, while European roads had
grown to 16,000, making the difference at that time
only 8,000 miles. There were also at the begin-
ning of this year 12,680 miles in progress of con-
struction in the United States ; in all, therefore,
constructed and constructing, 25,000 miles. On
the same authority there is no exaggeration in say-
ing that before 1860 there will be in our country
85,000 miles of completed railway."
In these great efforts of human hands the
whole of Europe is defeated, beaten, shamed.
It is not in the great works of man's pro-
gress that the petty tyrants and besotted des-
pots of continental Europe are found to spend
their time. Concocting schemes for loans,
marriages, cruelty, and oppression, are the
masterpieces of their ambition and their lives.
But mark the bold relief in which the promise of
reward for America's industry stand from the dis-
mal records of European wickedness and folly.
Pursuing the subject of railways, our American
cotemporary says :—" The capital invested in them
estimated at 20,000 dollars per [mile, is 140,000,000
dollars. That invested in agricultural implements
is stated at 150,000,000 dollars. It would appear
then that the capital invested in all the railroads is
but very little more than sixty' per cent above what
is invested in the ordinary implements of industry."
The stupendous array of figures which belong to
such gigantic undertakings are carried on until the
arithmetical calculations of their cost is swallowed
up by the geometrical increase of profits they yield
to the community, which our cotemporary' demon-
strates as follows :—" The agricultural products of
the country amount to about 1,500,000,000 dollars.
Suppose the 12,000 miles iu construction should,
as improved agricultural tools, increase the value
and amount of these products equal to one per
cent. on the value above given, this would amount
to 15,000,000 dollars, equal to more than 6 per cent.
on 240,000,000 dollars, the capital invested. Again,
suppose these 12,000 miles to stimulate a country
ten miles on each side, they would affect an area
of over 153,600,000 acres. Supposing the road to
increase the value of land equal to an average of
one dollar an acre, we have an addition of over
153,000,000 dollars to the wealth of the country
from this cause—over 60 per cent. on the capital
invested. The cash value of farms in the country
is stated at a little over '3,200,000,000 dollars.
Again, suppose over 12,000 miles of railroad to
increase this value 8 per cent. ; they add to it
250,000,000 dollars, thus wiping away the whole
of their cost and more."

We know of no passage in the history of nations
that equals this. Well might the American Ambas-
sador tell our cabinet ministers and the citizens of
London that "his country was progressive," and
that " this was truly the age of utilitarianism "
As a diplomatist and an American, he might have
said more. He might, in mildly denouncing war.
have held up the startling blessings that peace had
bestowed on the country he had the high honour
to represent. He might have read to the heroes of
Europe a lesson from the homilies of American
industry which might have turned the PRINCE of

"Orthodox" Faith from the foul tenor of his ways,
to those of justice, peace, and mercy. In missing
the opportunity, America has no reason to be
pleased, or Europe to be thankful. The article
from which we have baen writing will be found in
extenso in another column. It is worthy of atten-
tion. •

THE RUSSIAN TRADE WITH ENGLAND.

INTERVIEW WITH LORD CLARENDON.

An interview took place on Tuesday between Lord Cla-
rendon and certain eminent English merchants engaged in
the Russian trade, whose object was to gain from his lord.
ship the expression of some decided opinion as to the dan-
ger of this trade being interrupted by possible political
changes. It was represented to his lordship that English
merchants are in the habit, at this period of the year, of
making heavy contracts in St. Petersburg for Russian pro-
duce, such as hemp, tallow, &c., deliverable next season,
and upon which goods very heavy advances, amounting
sometimes to the entire contract, are made to the Russian
dealers. The reply of Lord Clarendon was to the effect
that, whilst her Majesty's government are using their ut-
most exertions to avert war, caution in relation to these
transactions is nevertheless advisable : and, in fact, a hint.
was given that it would be as well for the Russian mer-
chants to avoid risking their money under present circum-
stances. This interview formed a topic of current conver-
sation in commercial circles during the day.

The United States mail steam ship Atlantic sailed from
the Mersey, for New York, yesterday forenoon, with 103
passongers, and a fair cargo.
THE Crvir. SERVICE.—By a recently issued return it ap-
pears tat in the course of last year the increase in the num-
ber of persons in public departments was 1,462, and the di-
minution 30.

NEW RAILWAYS.—The papers begin to get filled with
the usual parliamentary notices for new bills for railways.
The projecting mania seems, however, to be confined in a
great measure to suburban railways, and central terminus
projects.
ALLEGED CRUELTY ON BOARD THE " GREAT WESTERN."
—Michael Toomey, one of the hands on board the Ameri-
can packetship Great Western, was brought into the North-
ern Hospital late on Tuesday night covered with bruises and
contusions, which he said he had received from the officers
on board during the voyage from New York to Liverpool.
Another man from the same ship, named Peter Collins, was
brought in the day before with bad injuries of the legs, pro-
duced, as he alleged from the same causes.
CUSTOMS APPOINTMENT.—Mr. Isaac Harris, who has
been for the last two years one of the night officials at the
central detective office, High-street, has been appointed to
the"situation of a weigher in the Customs at this port.
Whilst connected with the police, Mr. Harris has borne an
unblemished reputation, and his courtesy and civility will be
remembered by every party who has had occasion to transact
business during the night at the central police office. In
Isis new position, lie will no doubt, render efficient service.
TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.—In connection with the town
improvements now in contemplation, we yesterday had the
opportunity of seeing a design, by a resident of Liverpool,
for a statue of Wellington, which is exhibiting at the shop
of Mr. Walmsley, Castle-street.
As a design, it is exceed-
ingly artistic ; half the globe supports a pedestal upon
which stands the hero of a hundred fights surrounded by
his generals. The pedestal bears the inscription, " Glory
be to God, and peace on earth to men of goodwill." But
although we admit the design has artistic merit, the proper
realization of the idea of the designer would involve a
work so colossal, and expensive that we believe it to be
impracticable, so far as the funds raised in Liverpool for
the purpose are concerned.
SOICETA Anmorrien.—The sixteenth dress 'concert of this
society took place at the Mechanics' Institute last night.
The galleries were very well thronged, but the dress seats
were but thinly occupied. Both as regarded the selection
of pieces and the skill of the performers, the concert was a
very creditable one, although not possessing the remark-
able brilliancy which, in a society scarcely more than
infant, it would be seeking too
eroowmuechprtinociloaolkly for.fro niTthhee
concerted instrumental pee
music of Mozart and Beethoven, and werel) executed 1
style which received general applause. Mr. Graham, 14ra.
Santley, and Mr. Armstrong were the vocalists, and re-
ceived approbation in the shape of encores warmly called
for. Mr. Santley's performance of a celebrated scena from
Der Freyschutz, received marked applause. Mr. li. V. Lewis
performed some very well executed piano-forte solos. Mr.
Charles R. Herrmann conducted with judgment and skill.
aCorssu3rPziorr OF DOGS IN PARIS.—The day before yes-
terday, says Galignani' s Messenger, some police agents in
plain clothes, being in an eating-house at Montrouge, heard
two men at a table say one to the other, "Is he dead ?"
" YeS; but not witnout some trouble; ne struggled hard,
and I was afraid of being surprised." "The other must be
killed, or we shall be betrayed." The officers, thinking
that a murder had been committed, took the mon into cus-
tody, and, in order to remove from themselves the serious
suspicions which their conversation had excited, they con-
fessed that they belonged to a gang who occupied themselves
in stealing dogs, which they killed and sold to the low eat-
ing-housekeepers outside the barriers, to make up for any
deficiency they might have in the supply of hares and
rabbits. Several of the accomplices of these men have been
taken into custody.
FURTHER EXPOSE OF THE LONDON CORPORATION BY
Mn. SHERIFF WALLlS.—Yesterday Mr. Sheriff Wallis was
examined before the City of London Corporation Commis-
sioners, and much as has already been elicited to the dis-
credit of the Metropolitan Corporate body, this gentle-
man's evidence is perhaps less complimentary than any
which has preceded it. Mr. Sheriff Wallis says, in answer
to questions put to him :—I was elected to the office of
sheriff. The office has fallen into disrepute because of the
lobbing propensities of the under-sheriffs. I was pressed to
take the office, and I did so because no one else would take
it. The office is au expensive one, and it is shorn of all its
privileges, and the sheriff sits in in the Court of Common
Council as a mere dummy. Some persons are anxious to
serve the office of sheriff for the purpose of becoming
.alder-
men ; but as the aldermen - live a long time, vacancies are
few. The elections are not conducted with purity with res-
pect to lord mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs, although I be-
lieve the election is pure as to common councilmen. Cor-
ruption is the general character of civic elections. I have
known £1,500 expended in proeuring an alderman's gown ;
since the contest between Sir Peter Laurie and Sir John
Key. the expenses have greatly increased, and particularly
with respect to the long shore men. In wards where there
is a large class of small occupants it is more difficult to ob-
tain an alderman's gown. Many have made money by the
office of lord mayor, and many have spent more than they
received. The election of chamberlain has always been in-
fluenced by money.
ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY.—The usual fortnightly meet-
ing of the members of this society was held last night, in the
Royal Institution, Colquitt-street. Mr. Verelest in the
chair.—The secretary announced the subject for the next
competition to be a church to accomodate 400 persons, in
the style of Palladio ; scale eight feet in the inch; two
elevations, and one perspective view of the exterior. The
drawing to be sent in by the 28th December. A member
asked if there were, at the railway station in Lime-street,
a gentleman's waiting-room ? He had looked for one there
and could not find it ; and if it were not there, it was much
wanted at such a station. The secretary replied that there
were two refreshment-r(»ms there, and that gentlemen could
remain in them whil 4itingfor any train. Another member
said that he had been lately at Wisbeach, and that on
examining the church of St. Peter, which was undergoing
a thorough repair, he remarked a very singular circumstance
connected with its construction. He observed that it had
two naives and two chaneels, with aisles running north and
south of each naive. This building is comparatively a
modern building. Mr. Watson of Halifax, then' proceeded
to read a paper on ventilation, and to explain the nature of
his patented self-acting double-current ventilator. He
observed that the object of ventilation was two-fold—first,
the removal of noxious gases, and secondly, the supplying of
fresh and wholesome air from without. Mr. Watson then
proceeded to analyse the chemical composition of the at-
mosphere, and by subsequent experiments, illustrated his
observations. To jarove the truth that oxygen was the
main element of life, he had recourse to a very simple ex-
periment, and then proceeded to observe that his system of
ventilation was to allow the heated air to escape, and the
cold air to enter spontaneously by their own elastic
forces. He showed that heated air did not pass, as
was generally supposed, through a hole in the roof;
wherever such a mode of ventilation was adopted,
because there was a more powerful agent in the shape
of the cold air outside, forcing its way in. He then
enumerated some of the various modes of ventilation
adopted for somo time, and stated that (the great merit of
his patent was, that it insured the greatest possible amount
of pure air with the least draught. The experiment by
which he illustrated his theory was very simple. He
placed a glass shade, with a long, and in proportion
to the body of the shade, a narrow neck, over several
lighted candles, which flickered for a short time, and then,
the oxygen in the shade being consumed, died out. But
the moment that he divided the neck of the shade with a
plate of zinc, or some other material, then the candles
burned with a much steadier light than in a room, and
this phenomenon was explained by a subsequent experi-
ment, which shewed that while the heated air escaped
through one compartment, cold air at the same time
entered through the other compartment of the neck so
divided. The rationale of this, however, remained unex-
plained, but Mr. Watson stated that the effect produced by
his patent in the various houses and public buildings which
he had ventilated, was precisely that which was illustrated
by the expel iment of the shade. A brief discussion then
ensued on the subject, the chairman and other gentlemen
stating that while the theory of Mr. Watson's patent was
very plain, they feared it did not remedy the great defect
in all other systems, namely the draught. The thanks of
the society were then voted to Mr. Watson, after which the
meeting separated.