The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-24 00:00:00

LONDON FtiIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 24, 11895.

SIR CHARLES NAPIER ON THE BUM-
BittiDMENT OE SIVEABORG.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sir,—Last year the Admiralty thought proper to cast
reflections on me because I did not attack Sweaborg in
the latter end of last October. I felt indignant at such
reflections, and replied as a British admiral ought to do.
This led to an angry correspondence, and subsequently
to my being deprived of the command of the Baltic Fleet.
I demanded inquiry on my conduct, which was refused.
I :,,mealed to the Cabinet, and received no reply; and,
flintily, to the House of Commons. The papers were re-
fused, under the plea that it would be injurious to her •
Majesty's service.
As Sweaborg has now been bombarded that plea is at
an end, and the time is come to tell the " reason why" it
was not attacked last year.
After the capture of Bomarsund, Sweaborg was again
examined, and it was the opinion of the French marshal,
the admirals, and myself, that we had not the proper
means to attack so formidable a fortress—we had neither
gun or mortar' vessels—and that the season of the year was
much too advanced.
General Jones was of opinion that by landing 5,000 men
on the island of Bak-Holmen, thrwring up works, and
then making a simultaneous attack with the fleet, it might
be reduced in seven or eight days. This plan was unani-
mously rejected. General Niel was of opinion that it
might be knocked down in a couple of hours by seven or
eight sail of the line, but he added that it would be an
operation tres Nardi, that such an operation had never
been attempted, and it was not his province to recom-
mend it.
These opinions were sent home ; the people of England
were not satisfied, and I was instructed by the Admiralty
to bold a council of war, to inquire whether any further
operations could be attempted.
The French marshal and his army were gone ; the
council was therefore limited to the Allied admirals, who
replied that no further operations could be attempted at
that season of the year, and with the meanf at our dis-
posal.
Before this report was received, another order was sent
out to examine General Jones's p an ; the French marshal
being gone, the council was not held.
A Pow days after came a third order to assemble a coun-
cil of war to, examine General Niel'e plan.
The French admiral was justly indignant at being again
called upon, even before the first report had arrived, and
declined attending. The council was in consequence
limited to the British a Imirale, and they reported that
they saw no reason to change their opinions.
Shortly after this, thesFrench admiral received orders
to withdraw the French fleet from the Gulf of Finland,
which order was communicated to the English Govern-
ment on the Ist of September. On the 18th the French
fleet sailed, and I proceeded to Nargen, that I might again
examine Sweaborg, and see if there was the smallest pro-
bability of making a successful attack on it without com-
promising the safety of the fleet.
Up to this time things had gone on smoothly enough
with the Admiralty. I received nothing but praise and
approval of my conduct, except in one instance, that I was
checked for leaving Wingo Sound, their lordships having
forgot that they had directed me to follow Lord Claren-
don s orders, which I had done.
Sir James Graham's praises were also fulsome to a de-
gree, but when he saw the people were becoming dissatis-
fied, he began to cast about and see who he could blame,
and his "My dear Sir Charles " was turned into "My
dear Admiral." I guessed what was coming, but I cer-
tainly did not expect the treachery I experienced, and
though he returned to "My dear Sir Charles," I saw he
was no ionizer to be trusted.
On the 26th of September I went off Sweaborg in the
Lightning, piloted by Captain Sulivane,threugh an intri-
cate passage of sunken rocks, little more than a quarter of
a mile wide, and stopped abreast of Goharn Island, about
two miles south of Gustavus' Swore.
The sunken rocks are shown in the small Russian charts
only. From this position the fortress appears like bat-
teries perched one on the other, pointing towards the sea.
On the southern face of Gustavus' Sword and Vargen 77
guns cover the approach of d fleet from the southward, be-
sides 29 guns on three batteries at Bele- Holmen. The three-
decker lies on' the entrance of the passage between Bak-
Holinen and Gustavus' Sword, and her broadside also
covers the approach from the south.
We could not get a view of the western defences, and I
think General Niel, having only seen the western part of
the fortifications for a short time, and at a. greater dis-
tance, was rather hasty in giving an opinion that eight or
ten sail of the line would lay it in ruins in two hours.
There was not time to find a passage through the rooks,
to enable us to see she western face, at the northern end of
which a line-of-battle ship wasplaced to cover the entrance
by Langholue, and another at hand to support her. In my
former report I agreed with Captain Washington that the
fleet could lay in Miolo Roads in the summer. It is now
more difficult, as batteries have been built on the south
point of Sundhanan, but they could be destroyed
I wrote tb the Admiralty to say, if Sweaborg was at-
tacked by se fleet alone, they would approach from the
south in onel line, raked by 160 guns ; one or two of the
leading shipi would anchor and occupy the batteries at
Bak-Holnien, the next would pass on, fire a broadside into
the three-decker, and anchor clear of her broadside against
the south-west angle of Gustavus' Sword ; she would be
followed by the next, pouring a broadside into the three-
decker, and anchor ahead of her leader, and so on in suc-
cession as clbse as the ships could lay. By this time the
three decker would probable-be sunk, and the whole west-
ern face of Sweaborg engaged.
A small squadron woud be required to anchor south of
Laughohn. They would have to contend against it, and
two or three line-of-battle ships, and what guns were in
Helsingfors..
All the passages should be buoyed, and small steamers
stationed in the narrowest and most dangerous channels.
The large steamers should be under weigh in various direc-
tions, to assist ships in difficulties; and a reserved squad-
ron ready to, take the place of disabled ships.
Whether this attack would succeed or not it is impos.
Bible to say; for we must calculate on ships being set on
fire by red-hot shot and shells, of which there would be
abundance;` and whether successful.or not, it is evident
the ships would be in no eonditicn to meet the Russian
fleet afterwards ; and if the attack was made at this season
of the year, when you cannot depend on the weather for
two hours, I do not know how many would be lost. I
begged their lordships not to suppose for a moment that
Sweaborg could not be attacked, for I thought it could,
but it must be with caution and judgment.
I went on to say that I had little to add to the report

sent to Sir James Graham, a copy of which I sent to the
Admiralty, and a copy of which I send to you, sir.*
Since that report an attack has become easier ; we have
now Lancaster guns—every ship in the fleet should be fur-
nished with them ; 13-inch mortars should be placed on
Laugholin Island and Vargo Rocks. The French occupied
one of these positions ; five mortars were damaged, two
burst. Why the English did not occupy another island is
not stated. Again, gun-boats carrying Lancaster guns
should be added to the fleet ; they should be placed at
different paints, at proper distances from the fortifications,
well furnished with shot, shells, and rockets, and a bom-
bardment Commenced, and continued till the wooden
buildings, of which there are many, were set on fire, and
an evident' impression made on the fortress—the ships
should theii clew up and finish the -work.
How long this would take I could not say, but I was
quite certain the fortress would be laid in ruins, and most
probably aii entrance opened to the ships.
I have said nothing about troops, but there is no doubt
they could' be usefully employed.
It will be seen by what I have written and by Admiral
Dundas's despatch, had my plan been followed up to the
letter, Sweaborg would have been annihilated.
It appears the Allies had only 43 gun and mortar
boats, and many mortars have been disabled. They ought
at least to have had 100. Sir James Graham, in a letter
to me, said 200.
Had that number been there the bombardment would
have been continued by means of reliefs, as men are re-
lieved in tile trenches. The mortars would have had time
to cool, and the bombardment continued till not one stone
was left on! another, and an opining made for the ships to
go in and finish the work.
Instead Isof that the Admiralty do not seem to have
foreseen that mortars could not stand for ever, though
they inusthave had reports from Sebastopol, and thus an
operation, 'which appears to have been managed with great
judgment, has only met with partial success, for Admiral
Dundas id his report admits the sea defences were little
injured. '
We appear to have suffered little or nothing either in
men or ships, and had Admiral Dundas's means been
greater, h might have continued the bombardment as
2
long as th weather remained fine, and the fleets, instead
of returni gto Nargen, might have been at anchor in
Sweaborg:
The first year there might have been some excuse for
the Admiralty not having means, but none the second.
They received my report early enough, and if there was
not time to build gun and mortar boats, there were plenty
of vessels in the river fit to be converted, and plenty of
money in the Exchequer—they had only to ask, and the
whole country would have given it by acclamation. In-
stead of building gun and mortar boats, they built a par-
cel of iron floating batteries, which could hardly swim, and
if they could they would have been useless, for had they
been placed within 400 yards of Sweaborg they would have
been annihilated, and at 800 yards they would have done
no harm-
The first experiment on iron cost the country a million ;
and where are they ? The second experiment not much
less than half a million ; and they have not left our ports,
and probably never will. When will the country be tired
l
of reforming the Adrai-
pofaTrtgbimveienxingt—inmiweotnehereyeebtwonvillenl cbtaehpeeanybdlterhimivneekno reform the War De-
n

o consideration, attacking Sweaborg
assisted that I
by
Admiral can see,
* To SIR JAMES GRAIIAL—Report, June 12, 1854.—The
afteronly
them
successfulost
maturea nemanner
f Chads, who is a practical man and knows more about gunnery
than any man in the service, is by fitting out a great number
of gun-boats, carrying one gun with a long range, and placing
them west of Sweaborg and south of Helsingfors. Every shell
m
from them would tell somewhere, and perhaps not five per
cent. from the enemy would take effect. Back them by the
fleet to relieve the men, and in the course of the summer
Sweaborg would be reduced to ashes, and Helsingfors also, if
it was thought proper.' And I don't see why we are to be
mealy-mouthed about it in time of war. The ships you
will see could not be destroyed, because they could move out
of the way.
I was at the siege of Martinique many years ago. We could
not batter Fort Bourbon, as it lay higher than the ground
around it ; but 50 mortars in three weeks plunging their shells
into it made it surrender ; and whether mortars are placed on
shore or in gun-boats is quite immaterial ; indeed the latter
have the advantage, for when the shells begin to tell, and
one's blood begins to warm, the ships w uld move up to the
batteries, and close quarters would finish what the mortar
boats began. I sent you home, I think, copies of all the
plans, and if you will lay them before the engineer and artil-
lery officers, I will 'be bound for it they will agree with me,
that it is the only way to destroy Sweaborg without an army
superior to the Emperor of Russia's, which we are not likely
to bring into the field. , is too late this year, but be all pre-
pared next, now we know the anchorage, and begin early.
I forgot to say that the islands within range may all be put
in requisition for 13-inch mortars. The expenses would be
very great, no doubt; but if we are to bring the_ war_to a
g conclusion expenses mot not be thought about.

ralty ? Till they do, the people's money will be thrcAvn
away.
The Admiralty -do not seem to have contemplated the
effect of a bombardment, though I told them,- upwards of
a year ago, what would happen ; and if they had read
history they would have known that Martinique was
taken by mortars—there were not casements for all the
garrison, nor were there at Sweaborg.
Admiral Dundas says it formed' no part of his plan
attempt a general attack by the ships on the detentes, and
his operations were confined to such destruction of the
fortress and arsenal as could be accomplished by mortars.
Had Admiral Dundas been furnished with suffici• nt
means he would have contemplated an attack on the de-
fences, and asseinbled the whole of his fleet, ready to take
advantage of the terror and confusion occasioned by the
gun and mortar-boats; the heat of the conflagration alone
would have kept the garrison from the guns, and the fleet
would have been in Sweaborg, and the whole of the forti-
fications, islands and all, blown to. the devil; instead of
that, the wooden buildings and magazines are destroyed,
and the work will have to be began again next year.
Admiral Dunda,s confirms m report last year about the
intricacy of the navigation. Ile says, " the intricate na-
ture of the ground, from rocks awash and reefs under
water, rendered it difficult to select positions for the
mortar-vessels at proper range;" yet Admiral Dundee was
one of the board who censured me for not attacking Swea-
borg (though I had not one gun-boat or mortar-vessel) last
winter, amongst rocks awash and reefs under water, when
it now appears he could hardly place a gun-beat; and this
after having a whole summer for examining it.
He has toned it is not easy to introduce large ships into
the intricacies of Sweaborg. But Ido sot blame him for
the manner I was treated—Sir James Graham is alone re-
sponsible, for he had the impudence to tell the Sebastopol
Committee that if his colleagues did not do as they were
desired they should no longer be members of his board ;
and he told them further, that he had the right of turning
efficers' private letters into public ones, and they had no
right to use his. Sir James Graham will find that I, for
one, will not obey his dictum. Sir James ought to be
cautious how he tampers with lettere. -
Sir James Graham was one of the Ministers who sent a
British army to Sebastopol in the middle of last Septem-
ber, without means of moving, without food, proper tents,
or clothing, and without hospitals, to paps a.dreary winter
and perish %and te. „nos the alinister.who-Wanted Jona to
take a• British feet, in the end of October, to perish
amongst the rocks of Sweaborg, and, to their shame, got
two naval officers to put their names to the insultingletter
he wrote me ; and these men still remain in the Admiralty,-
and that is the way the navy of this country is managed.
The two summers in the Baltic will be a 108bOn to them.
They are in possession of my plans of attacking Cronstadt,
and Idare say are in possession of Admiral Dundee's, and
Sir James Graham and his two coadjutors had better go
next, summer and carry them into execution.
Ina subsequent communication I shall prove my charge
against the Admiralty of having perverted my letters; and
I remain, sir, your-obedient servant,
UHAS. NAPIER.

CEREMONY OF LAYING THE FOUNDATION
STONE OF A CHURCH AT NEW SEAHAM.

The Marchioness of Londonderry having determined
upon erecting and endowing at her sole expense a church
at New Seaham, for supplying the spiritual wants of the
pit population now rising around her ladyship's colliery
and the others situated there, the foundation stone of
the edifice was laid by her Ladyship, with proper so-
lemnity on Monday last. While the main object of the
undertaking was of this benevolent character, it,was
also formally recorded as being a tribute of affection by
her Ladyship to the memory of the late noble Marquis.
The proceedings incident to the occasion were most in-
teresting and gratifying, being marked throughout by
the most reverential spirit, as befitting the solemn ob-
ject in view, while they also afforded a characteristic
instance of the dignified hospitality and urbanity of dis-
position which have won for every member of the noble
ftmily alluded to the respect and esteem of the entire
population of all ranks within and adjacent to the an-
cestral domains.

The situation of the structure thus auspiciously com-
menced is pleasant in itself and highly convenient with
reference to the intended purpose. The site selected for
it is part of a piece of fine dry pasture land on the north
side of the roadway connecting New and Old Seaham,
and directly opposite to the colliery there. It will thus
be within view and almoQt in the midst of the dwellings
of those for whose benefit it is more especially intended,
while it will also be equally accessible for others of the
population of the neighbourhood; for no•restriction is
intended, and, in strict consonance with, the primary
design, the sittings are to be entirely free. It will be
an edifice in the decorated style, with nave, chancel,
and side aisles, and adapted to accommodate between
400 and 500. The architect is P. C. Hardwicke, Esq.,
London ; and the builder Mr. Robert Robson, of Dur-
ham.

The arrangements for the ceremonywere very judiciously
conceived and executed under the directions of Robert
Anderson, Esq. A quadrangular space bad been marked
off in the field and neatly railed, the excavation in which
the stone was laid being in the centre thereof, while one
side of the area. fronting this spot was ocoupisd by a
covered platform. This erection was carpeted, and
commodiously furnished with chairs for the ladies, 'of
whom there was a considerable attendance from amongst
the most respectable families of the neighbourhood. A
seat was placed in the centre for the Marchioness, with
carpeted steps leading' down to the hollow in which the
stone was placed. Twelve o'clock was the hour ap-
pointed for the commencement of the ceremony, and as
it approached, the platform and enclosure became filled
by a brilliant assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, in-
chiding many of the clergy, and others of position and
influence in the neighbouring district: The weather
happily proved as auspicious for the occasion as could
possibly have been desired, with a partially clouded sky
and gently stirring wind, and the lace of the surround-
ing country looked beautiful, with its thriving establish-
ments, and fields of ripening corn nodding to the breeze
—the hall of the Londonderry family, with the fine old
church adjoining, rising from amidst embosoming trees,
and breaking the line of the glorious expanse of ocean
lying beyond. A fairer scene, or one more suggestive
of the most elevated and pleasing feelings'' as identified
with so much that is beautiful in external nature, bene-
ficent in enterprise, and teeming with the evidences of
a kindly and fostering disposition on the part of the
chief territorial proprietor, could not perhaps be wit-
nessed within the limits of England. The Marchioness's
band was stationed within the enclosure which has been
referred to, its tasteful uniform agreeably helping to
vary the picturesque elements of the scene, though its
performances were not. called for until the close of the
ceremony. Shortly after the appointed hour the Mar-
chiouess drove up in an open carriage, with outriders, her
ladyship being accompanied by the Earl and Countess
Vane, W. S. Lindsay, Esq., M.P., and other gentlemen.
When everybody had taken their places, the ladies being
properly seated, the clergy, in their gowns, stationed '
behind them, and the general company dispersed within
and around the enclosure, the scene was of a very ani-
mated description. Amongst the company present, in
addition to those already named, we observed the Hon.
and Rev. W. L'. Denman ; Rev. J. A. Park, vicar ofl
Elwica ; Rev. A. Bethune, Seaham Harbour ; Rev. 11.
Peters, Rector of Sunderland ; Rev. R. H. Baxter,
Vicar of Seaham ; Rey. J.,H. Brown, Dalton-le-Dale ;
Rev. Mr. Moultrie, Houghton-le Spring ; Rev. Richard;
Skipsey. &c. ;—Nicholas Wood, Esq. ; Henry Morton,
Esq. ; R. L. Pemberton, Esq. ; Rebt. Wight, Esq. ;
Percival Foster, Esq. ; Dr. Burn ; Wm. Green, Esq. ;
Robt. Anderson, Esq. ; J. J. Wright, Esq. ; with seve-
ral of the officers of the Durham Militia, &c.
The foundation stone presented a cavity, in which a
large glass bottle, hermetically sealed, was deposited,
containing specimens of all the current gold,,silver, anri
copper coinage of the realm, together with a scroll taus
inscribed :
" The foundation stone of this church was laid on the
13th August, 1855, and dedicated to the honour and
glory of God, and in affectionate remembrance of
Charles William Vane, 3d Marquis of Londonderry, by
his mourning widow, Frances Anne Vane, Marchioness
of Londonderry."
At a given signal, the upper division of the striae,
suspended by means of pullies, was gently lowered, when
the Marchioness and Earl Vane descended into the ex-
cavation, along with Robert Anderson, Esq., and Ur.
Robson, the builder. Her Ladyship struck the stone
three times, in due form, with a neat mallet, prepared
for the occasion, after which the plumb-and-level was
laid upon it; and her Ladyship then applied to it a sil-
ver trowel, which was presented to 'her by Mr. Robson.
A brass plate was enclosed in the cavity, bearing the
following inscription :—"This church is dedicated to the
honour and glory of God and in affectionate remembrance
of Charles William Vane, 3d Marquis of Londonderry,
&c., &c., by his mourning widow, Frances Anne Vane,
.
Marchioness of Londonderry, 13th August, 1855."
.

The Rev. Mr. PARK, at her ladyship's request, tlen

said prayers.
NICHOLAS WOOD, Esq., then stood forward and said
—My Lady Londonderry, as a proprietor of the adjoin-
ing colliery of Seaton, the workmen of which will parti-
cipate in the benefits to be derived from your ladyship's
munificent provision of spiritual instruction to them by
the proceedings of this day—on behalf of my partners,
and myself, and I trust I may also be permitted to add,
on behalf of the workmen themselves, we beg your lady-
ship to accept our most heartfelt thanks. It is highly
creditable to your ladyship that immediately a popela-
tion is gathered together to perform their worldly snd
commercial operations, than your ladyship comes forward,
and in the most handsome and munificent manner, to
provide for their moral and religious wants, by providing
them with a church, composed, as I understand, entirely
of free sittings. It redounds, I may I trust be permitted
to add, the more to your ladyship's honour and good-'
.countyfaz i
ness and care of the spiritual comfort of your ladyship's
working population, and that of the neighbourhood that
such examples have been, I ought to add, of rare occur-
rence in the thickly populated colliery d istricts of the
county of Durham. It hag been my fate to have been
professionally employed in thistoyour for
ladyship's upwards
of
ly
forty years. Since then all the collieries south of this
place have been brought into existence. I recollect
ekixtteleept a more than
one,an3o ,ybeealor:giangao there was not a colliery,
south of the road from Sunderland to Durham ; the vast,
number of collieries of the Tees and Hartlepool, and the
Auckland districts, and their associated vast population,
has been planted on the soil of Durham ; but I ought to
say that, correspondingly, spiritual and religions in-
, struntion has not been provided, especially in church at:-
4 corainodation. It ip,therefore, witb great pleamosks
•

_..,,,;

J

. .
congratulate :your ladyihip
_on the examPle'Which yo.nr
ladyship bas this day presented, an. example 'which lein-
cerely hope may be followed by all. those who, like yo.zir
ladyship, has raised up colonies of the working popula-
tion, and who have not yet-made such provision as that
which is about to be raised up by your ladyship, and I
trust.l may be allowed, to add that. the destitution in'
some of the districts With which-I am acquainted will
not 'l4 overlooked, by those to whom the-epiritual.wel.-
fare of an inthistrious population js more particularly
intrusted, and that the -)rioble example-of your ladyship
will have its due weight in this district. I again -beg to
thank your ladyship on, behalf of the interests which
represent, and hope that' you may long•liiie this world
to- reap the fruits of the munificent provision tylaich you
have to-day. 'conferred on the population of this, locality
towards their temporal' and' spiritual welfare, and:that
the blessing of. the Almighty" will rest upon.you in, the
world to come. .
Earl VANS said—Mr; Wood, and gentlemen con-
nected with the neighbouring collieries—l hope, you,- will
accept my mother's thanks.. for the .kind exprensions you
have used towards her ; and I wish, on her:part, 'to re-
turn her sincere thanks to thoie who have on this occa-
sion evinced so lively an interest in this her undertaking,
and the more especially to my reverend friend, Mr.
Park, for the Obligation he has conferred upon 'us in
asking the blessing of Almighty God upon that under-
taking. My mother has been anxious that inthie beaky,
still-in its infancy, but' where- a pit poplation'is rapidly
rising, no time should be lost and no exertion spared on
her part to contribute to the spiritual and moral ireprove- ,
ment of not only the inhabitants of the neighbourhood;
but those immediately connected with her colleries and
other property. And' I, tholigh-her sop, may say, she
has with great 'energy come forward' on thisroceasicin 'to
begin an undertaking which I trust will be . successfully
completed, and that we may all be sparedfor another year
to see finished and opened for holy worship. tem cer-
tain you all know well, without my niniurihg yon of the,
fact, that, her best affections are centred in this town and
neighbourhood, and -I hardly think- that any jealousy
need exist between the .Old Town .ol.,Seahaux'andlhek
Nair Town, for-it is my mother's anxious hope that as
time goes on, with the progress of morals and education.,
and the advance of sPeculation and trade, the Old Town
of Seaham and the New Town may be amalgamated or -
united, and that in the course of a few years we may see
a third church built for the accommodotion of the in-
creasing population. The present. church at Seaham,,
which I believe Was completed 13 years ago, is now,
owing to the exertions and truly pastoral care my friend
theßev. Mr. Bethune, well filled every Sunday, exclusive
of free sittings and accommodation for 500 children in that
church. It is my mother's intention that this church, the
foundation-steno of which we have seen laid to-day, shall
be composed entirely of free sittings, and I trust that
he who has the pastoral care of this church will so.
exert himself as to lead those who are in error to the
truth, "and that they may, return unto the army of
righteousness." lam glad-to say that it is also her in-
tention heleafter to found an additional school in the
place. I have only to say a few words more in conclu-
sion—that as this church is to be raised as a monument
to God's honour and glory, so it will be raised also as a
tribute of love and affection for the memory of the
founder of Seahata Harbour, by his mourning widow.
who livei in the anxious trust and expectation thlt God
may prosper this her handiwork.
A hymn was then sung by a body. of school-children,
stationed with their teachers, on the ground. The band
next performed the National Anthem in excellent style,
and the proceedings connected with the ceremony ter-
minated.

LUNCHEON AT THE HALL.
On the conclusion of the ceremony, a numerous party
of the clergy and laity who had attended it were invited
by her ladyship to partake of her hospitality at the hall.
The Marchioness took her proper place at table, with
Lady Vane by her side, and supported on either hand
by W. S. Lindsay, Esq., MT., H. Morton, Esq., N.
Wood, Esq., and others, while Earl Vane occupied a
position at the opposite end of the table.
Ample justice having been done to the abundance of
good cheer placed before the company,
Earl VANE rose and said, although it was not cus-
tomary to propose toasts on such occasions, yet he should
not. be expressing his mother's feelings if he did not ask
them to drink one toast, namely, the health and many
thanks to the gentlemen who had honoured them with
their presence that day, coupling therewith the names of
the several reverend gentlemen who had also kindly at-
tended the day's proceedings. It was no doubt true the
church would be successfully built, as he trusted ; but
when erected, much, if not all, would depend upon the
person on whom the cure of souls was devolved. The
ultimate success of the undertaking must depend very
materially upon his zeal and exertions in rendering the
structure available for its destined purposes. The sittings
would be free, and it was his mother's wish that who-
ever took charge of the church should find the pees
fillca He felt sere that it was also the wish of his
mother that they might all meet again in a succeeding
year, when the key of the arch was placed, and he him-
self would have much pleasure in meeting on that occa-
sion with those whom they had now the pleasure of
seeing around them. He begged to propose the health
of the gentlemen who had honoured them by attending,
and also of the clergy, coupling with the toast the name
of the Rev. Mr. Park, and many thanks to him for his
kindness on this occasion. (The toast was very cordially
honoured.)
The Rev. Mr. PARK begged to thank his lordship for the
very kind manner in which he had been pleased to speak of
him, and to drink his health, together with that of his
rev, brethren. It must always be most pleasing and gra-
tifying to every Christian,and especially to every Christian
minister, to witness such a scene as her ladyship's munifi-
cence had prepared for them in the ceremony of that
day. Indeed, scarcely any spectacle could be more de-
lightful to minds accessible to the influences of religion
and benevolent feeling than to see a church rising simul-
taneously with the cottages of those who were to worship
in it. It must always be a pleasing reflection to her
ladyship that she bad originated such a work ; and (said
the rev. gentleman, turning towards the marchioness)
I trust that on its full completion you may have the hap-
piness of seeing the people around filling family may this
good deed be blessed to you and your (These
sentiments were received by the company with a mur-
mur of applause.)
The Rev. Mr. PARK again rose, and begged to pro-
pose "The Health of 'Lady Londonderry." The toast
was very warmly honoured.
Earl VANE returned thanks on his mother's behalf,
expressing the pleasure felt by her ladyship in seeing so
many old friends of the family around her on that occa-
sion. His lordship proposed " The Health of the Gentle-
men connected with the Seaton and Hetton Collieries,
coupled with the name of Mr. Wood."
N. WOOD, Esq., returned thanks. As connected
with a neighbouring colliery, he had already very inade-
quately expressed his feelings with reference to the ad-
ditional church for the neighbourhood, of which her
ladyship had that day laid the foundation stone. He
felt deeply sensible of the benefits which the new church
,could not fail to bestow upon the neighbouring pit po-
p`ulation. He happened to be a resident in early life in
a locality where, with a population of 6,800, only three
seats in the church were free. The result was, that
nearly the whole of the working people were Dissenters.
He was sure the example thus set by her ladyship would
be of the greatest value to the community.
Mr. W. S. LINDSAY, M.P., then rose, and said,

from a conversation he had had with her ladyship tha
morning, he was deeply convinced that `she felt the
warmest interest in that locality and all connected
with it. He could not refrain from expressing his
gratitude for the pleasure he had personally derived
from his present visit to that neighbourhood. Being an
early man he had got up at six o'clock to see what was to
be seen, and he strolled about, no one knowing him.
He wandered amongst the cottages, to the Docks, and
the other works in the neighbourhood, and he was happy
to say he bad found everything in the most perfect order.
He found amongst the working classes a feeling of great
contentment prevailing, and no wonder, seeing that her
Ladyship, with every 3s. 6d. she paid to her labourers,
gave them 3d. for keeping their cottages neat and clean,
while she had that day been seen laying the foundation
stone of a tabernacle in which they could worship their
God. They might all be assured that the outlay upon
such an undertaking would prove a wise and good in-
vestment ; for nothing tended more to the increase of
wealth than keeping the labonring population happy and
comfortable. Mr. Lindsay proceeded to illustrate thisview
by reference to the case of a Virginian proprietor with whom
he was acquainted, and who, having purchased 450 slaves,
immediately gave the whole of them their freedom. He
kept an account of what could have been got out of
them while in bondage, the cost of their maintenance
in old age, and medical attendance, and compared it with
the fruits of their free labour ; and on the last visit he
paid him (Mr. Lindsay) he said, that under the latter
system he had not only got back the price they had cost
him, but he had actually been a gainer by giving them
their freedom. (Hear.) He only mentioned this as an
instance, occurring under very different circumstances
from the present, of the good effects if such an enlight-
ened course of policy as her ladyship had adopted with
reference to the working population ; and in strict con-
sistency with these benevolent principles, had also taken
a deep interest in educating the rising generation, of
which she was about to afford a further proof by the
erection of a school, in addition to the church now to be
erected. The hon. member, in conclusion, begged the
company to join him in drinking "The Health of Earl
Vane." (The toast was drunk with every manifestation
of the most cordial good feeling.)
Earl VANE, in returning thanks, said he certainly did
feel a deep interest in the neighbourhood, and following
the precept and example of her ladyship, he was happy
to share in some degree in the good wishes and kindly
feelings expressed towards her.
R. L. PEMBERTON, Esq., then begged to propose the
health of one who, though not a native of the county of
Durham, bad, from the time she first became connected
with it, gained universal esteem and respect—the
Countess Vane. (Applause.) He would propose " Long
life and prosperity to Lord and Lady Vane." (The toast
was very cordially drunk.)
The company soon afterwards rose, and took leave of
their noble entertainers • and thus concluded these in-
teresting proceedings, which will certainly ba loaas'
ciatod 0314 Aiuds of all who partioipato4

ZJ~.".~SSLL J