Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-07-04 00:00:00

THE HISTORIC SOCIETY

AT THE

of one single life. It was once said by an eminent

RIVINGTON PIKE.

lawyer, when Blackstone's Commentaries were first
published, "Ah, if they had been published when
I was a young man, they would have saved
ten years of my life." The Historic Society was doing
for the historian, what the commentaries had done for
the bar. They commenced on the bold principle of pub-
lishing a volume annually. Such a thing was unheard of
in the English provinces before ; but they had faith and
courage, and they had now ten volumes on their shelves and
a eleventh in the press. But they were not to suppose that
the volumes consisted of mere dry reading. They had them

The annual excursion of the Historic Society of Lancashire
and Cheshire took place on Saturday; and for instructive
interest and pleasing reminiscences no previous event of the
kind has surpassed it. The place chosen for the visit was
the Riiington Lakes, which, in connection with the water
supply of this town, have obtained a celebrity for more than.
their positive beauty by the .iigry and bitter bebates in our
civic legislature. Some threatening clouds heralded in the
day ; but this circumstance rendered it all the more pleasant
when the morning's promise was falsified, for about noon
the sky cleared, the sun broke out, and a glorious bright-
ness lightened every scene. The party from Liverpool,
which numbered about forty, departed from the Exchange-
station at ten o'clock. It included Mr. W. Brown, Mr.
Heath, and Mr. Mayer, the vice-presidents of the associa-
tion; Mr. R. A. Macfie, Mr. Alfred Stone, Dr. Stooks, Dr.
Mitchell, Mr. Dawson, Mr. Brakell, Mr. Hughes, &c., &c. ;
and the Rev. Dr. Hume, the excellent secretary, who during
the day seemed to have the power of making himself
omnipresent, for his happy intelligent face and genial talk
were felt as present charms in every section of the
excursionists. Arrived at the Bolton station, the Liverpool
party, which included several ladies, were met . by the

copiously and beautifully illustrated with engravings ; and
they wished particularly that those who resided within the
limits of the district would join them as allies, and assistants,
and sympathisers. No doubt they should have a number of
gallant recruits from the visit to Rivington that day. In
conclusion, he proposed the health of Mr. French.

Mr. French responded, and proposed, in return, the
healthy of the Vice-presidents.
Mr. Heath and Mr. Meyer returned thanks,

Mr. Dawson, in flattering terms, proposed the health of
the chairman, which was received .vrfith applause. .

- -
The Chairman, in respoTiifing, expressed the pleasure he
felt in furthering, a§ I.ar
as
was in his
power, the objects of
such societies as had now called them together.

Rector, the Rev. H. Powell, his Worship the Mayor of
Bolton, William Makaut, Eq., Mr. Gilbert, J. French,
of the Church Furniture Institute, Manchester-road, Mr
Thomas Holden, Registrar of the County Court, Mr.
Matthew Dawes, Mr. Robert Heywood, and several of
the leading merchants and, manufacturers of the district.
They were conducted to the residence of Mr. French,
and here they were joined by a number of the local
clergy, and members and friends from Miinchester and
other places. After partaking of refreshments, the party
were conducted through the premises of the hospitable
entertainer, where an abundance of 'curiosities enabled
them to pass a short time very pleasantly. Among the
chief objects of attraction was a willow :cross, erected in
the front of the 'house. It was filled with composition,
and had all the appearance of being a beautifully carved

Tht health of " The Mayoress and the ladies" concluded
the list of toasts; and the party were soon afterwards driving

back to Bolton

Up to this point, the day was one continued delight

but we are sorry that we have now to .record an unfortunate
accident. When within about three miles of Bolton, the
wheel of one of the vehicles came off, and the carriage

There were

;wayed, causing a

bout 22 persons in the
conveyance at the time, and some hurriedly jumped off and
some were thrown to the ground. The driver was thrown,
and the horses finding the reins loose broke into a gallop,
dragging the disabled vehicle with them. Mr. R. A.
Macfie and his daughter, and Mr. Hughes, clung to the
carriage ; and the horses having been stopped by Mr.
Ryder and Mr. Comber, who jumped out of the 'bus in
advance for that purpose, they were rescued from their

piece of stone. Many were the surmises which were
hazarded about it ; but all doubt was put to rest
Hume explained that it was simply meant
as an illustration of Mr. French's theory, the early orna-

perilous position unhurt. Many of the party received slight
injuries; but we are sorry to say that Mr. Simms, of Man-
chester (of the firm of Simms and Denholme), jumped off,
and, it is feared, he has a rib broken. The driver had his
leg broken., Dr. Stokes, Dr. Mitchell, and Mr. Dawson,

when Dr

mentatioE, especially in lonic and Runic crosses, was
founded upon wicker-work. , Leaving Mr. French's
house, the party proceeded to the Old Parish Church—a
quaint and interesting edifice, which was well worthy of
the careful inspection accorded to it. But before entering
the church, it was necessary to pass through the spacious
church-yard ; and the bulk of the party were here deeply
absorbed in canning over the old tomb-stones—in looking
at the resting-place of Crompton, the inventor of the spinning
mill,—in criticising the taste of a deceased worthy of Bolton,
• who on his gravestone had recorded the posthumous history

who were amongst the excursionists, were prompt in render-
ing assistance, and the sufferers were safely conveyed to
Bolton. Mr. Simms proceeded in an open carriage to Mr.
French's house, where he received prompt attention ; and
the driver, at his own request, was conveyed for surgical

aid to his own house. The latest accounts are that they are
doing well. The remainder of the party reached Liverpool
about half-past nine ; and the excursion of the Historic

Societ

y to the Pike is now a thing of the past

of the chief events of his 'lifetime ; and in laughing over an
inscription which assured the passer-by of a miracle : " Here
lies an attorney, and yet an honest man." In returning from
the church, the party paused in Chnrchgate, at the place
where a celebrated ancestor of the house of Derby was
beheaded, and where, on this occasion, a black flag was
hoisted. The Free Public Library was next visited, when
the party was met by a deputation from the library corn.
mittee of the Town Council. Next, they proceeded to the
Market-hall ; and here, having exhausted the chief
attractions of Bolton, the excursionists were comfortably

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.-July 2

The Court sat in Banco, at Westminster, for the purpose
of delivering judgments.
THE QUEEN v. THE BISHOP Or CIIICHESTER.—JITDO-
MENT.—ThiS was a rule calling upon the Bishop of Chi-
chester to show cause why a mandamus should not go com-
manding him to issue a commission, under the 3rd and 4th
Viet., chap. 86, sec. 3, against the Rev. R. W. Randall,
rector of Woolavincrton-cum-Graffham in the diocese of

Chichester, residing- within the diocese of Oxford. Mr.
Justice Hill, in delivering judgment, said; the applicant
was not shown to have any connection with the above
parishes, or the diocese of Chichester, or that he was a party
rrnr;avArl Iry - nr, • a• 1

accommodated ion two onmibues, an open carriage, and a

muting car. Shortly after one o'clock the bu

:le call wa!

_.....6. uneuces ecclesiastical charged
..
congregation of wondering youngsters, away started the Mr. Randall. The charges against the
atleman were the 'practising and teaching certain
conveyances along the romantic old road leading to the tries and uses in his parish contrary to the laws eccie-
Rivington Pike. Nothing could have been more delightful siastical. In showing cause against the rule it was argued
Everybody was on the most cordial terms with his neigh- that there was a discretionary power in bishop of issuing
hour, and the good humoured laughter and , pleasant chat not,
the commission or the same as existed under the old law
when application was required to be made to the judge
was mingled with the merry notes of the liugleman, who ordinary of the court for leave to promote the office of judge
made each village that was passed echo again with a against a clergyman charged with an ecclesiastical offence.
wonderful and charming mixture of tunes, running with On the other side, it was contended there was n 9 .lis-
-rapid transition from " Annie Laurie," and " God save the tcorelsisounearThpeowcoemr,mbiustsitohna.t iLvtahsicsomcrelstohrey
applicant
the bishop
had
Queen," to " Such a getting up stairs," and "On the no connection with the parish, nor was he interested in it,
banks of Allan Water." It is needless to enter into any and he thought it would be productive of the greatest
description of the oft-described Rivington works ; but inconvenience and mischief if this court lent its aid to any
when the horses were pulled up at the Norwich filter- stranger to compel a bishop to issue a commission in a
beds, and the Rivington reservoir, glistening in the sun, particular case. He was of opinion the court ought not to
interfere on the application of a party who, it was shown,
was seen stretching away for a mile and a half—the Pike had no connection with the parish, and he was of opinion
lifting its' ead far above, and a fine amphitheatre of hills the rule ought to be discharged. Mr. Justice Wightman
said, in this case. the point relied upon was,. whether. the
encircling a scene of real beauty—the involuntary exelama-
bishop had a discretionary power or not in issuing a
tion of many of the party will express the pervading feeling commission under the Church Discipline Act, or whether he
of the day—" How very beautiful !" Some rode on to the. was absolutely bound, without previous examination or
Black Boy, whilst the bulk of the excursionists availed inquiry himself into the alleged charges, to issue a corn-
f inquiry, and whether the charges were made by
themselves of the barge and boat, kindly lent for the occasion
amisseirosneno connected or not with theparish in which the
by the Corporation, and sailed along the Rivington reser- offendingp clergyman officiated. He was of opinion the
voir to •the well-known " hostelrie." In the course of the legislature had left a discretionary power in the bishop in
afternoon the company broke up into different sections— all cases where the interests of the Church were concerned,
for there milgdht be. casest where neither the Church nor the
one portion enjoying a cool sail on the Anglezark ; some
groundsanin go if3y vexatioussuc inquiries,
proceedings, lut whichan d
' philosophers" setting off on a walking excur- People
become ggen
I.nd others enjoying the introduce discontent into parishes where it did not before exist,
—"in% rocky and aggravate those that already existed. It was better for the
interests of religion and the people that the bishop should have
a discretionary power of issuing a commission of inquiry,
rather than that it should be left to the passions of private
persons who felt disposed to demand it, and without good
--Is thereby produce scandal in the Church, and put
--,..at expense and vexation. He was of
.....,„ dower, and the rule
must be discharged. The Lord Chancellor and the Lord
Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, who were
members of the Court when the rule was argued, were of
the same opinion and concurred in the Judgment. Dr.
Phillimore said that as the preceding had been instituted by
a gentleman unconnected with the parish, the Court would
discharge the rule with costs. Mr. Justice Whiteman, after
conferring with Mr. Justice Hill; acceded. Discharged
with costs.

against the RCN
rev. s
doetr

" peripatet

parties unjustly t
opinion the bishop had a discretionary

"Our readers," says the North Devon .Tournat, " will.be
gratified to hear that Lord Ebrington has returned to Eng-
land after a lengthened sojourn at Madeira, and that the
noble lord is in excellent health."
AN INCIDENT AT TIIE LEVEE
some wt

—lt is not unlikely that

on Saturday, 25th ult., may have witnessed the very unusual
sight of a peer standing immediately in her Majesty's pre-
sence with his head covered. This was no other than John
Constantine De Coarey, Lord Kingsale, Premier Baron in
me of Ireland, whose ancestor, John De Courey,
• 4- 41‘. hands of King John, was

rower, where he
_ of Philip, King of
court of John, and proposed. to
claim to NofmandT in single combat.

ppeared

assert his mast
De C

mstdered as a fit person to meet this chal-
last accepted, after many indignant

refivils

When he entered-7h-

terrified at h

ie lists, the 'Frenchman,
gigantic size, declined
De Conroy, having won

the combat and I
this bl

retired

ass victor

a proof of his

strength at the request of the two kingi, by cleaving at one
blow, a helmet., coat of mail, and stake, on which they were
fastened. John gave him his liberty, restored him to his
possessions, and, in compliance with a singular request by
De Courcy, granting to him and. his /heirs the privilege of
standing covered in their first audience with the kings of
England. Thus we have seen this noble baron assert this
singular privilege after the lapse of six centuries and a-half,
nor was any disrespect intended to". the fair and illus-
trious lady who now fills the throne of these realms,
for, -as he stood before her, he raised his hat and
feathers, and,' slowly replacing. it upon his head,
retired from the Royal presence. -With the tact
and great historical knowledge for which her Majesty, and,
indeed, all her family are so celebrated, she at once ac-
knowledged the r; + T