The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tms DAY —Morning 40 min. after 3 I Evening 1 min. after 4
To-Mosaow—Morning 21 min. after 4 I Evening 42 min. after 4

THE WEATHER.—SIIIC OFFICE, AUGUST 18.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
74—highest since noon yesterday.
58—lowest this morning and during the night.
71—this day, at noon.
BAROMETER, 2988.
WIND S.S.W.—Morning, fine sunshiny weather; Afternoon,
cloudy.

A heavy storm last night, with vivid flashes of lightning
and very loud peals of thunder.

DAILY WEATHER TABLE.

-
Sato of the Wind and Weather at each of the following
places at Nine o'clock yesterday morning.—The stations
,tr.‘ arranged in order of latitude.
HAsTmos—Wind S.S.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
SounfAscrroN—Wind S., strong breeze--overcast.
Foousrorm—Wind S.W., light breeze—overcast.
Tunsm.DGE—Wind S.W., strong breeze--overcast.
GREENWICH—Wind S., gentle breeze—overcast.
STILOOD—Wind S.W., calm—overcast.
C3LCHESTEE—Wind S.W., gentle breeze—overcast.
CutuumaF.—Wind S., gentle breeze--cloudy.
Yanzsoum—Wind S., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
The returns from the following places indicate the state of
the wind and weather on Monday morning at nine
o'clock :
Munuxes.R—Wind S.E., strong breeze—heavy rain.
Poorz—Wind S.E., strong breeze--rain.
LEIGHTON—Wind S.E., calm—overcast.
HOLYHEAD—Wind S., strong breeze—overcast.
LANcA,snta--Wind S., strong breeze—partially cloudy.
WErrrßy—Wind S., gentle breeze--principally clear.
DaELL.wrrox_wind S., gentle breeze—overcast.
Stisp—Wind E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
BuerrocK—Wind S.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.

sameass9 week in ten years.
.7°, which is 119
ow
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer last week was so low as 29•380 in. The
The wind during the week was chiefly from the south-west,
mean
ner temperaturetha
than
th e a
average
atghee
ofw eet Ith e w
and blew at the average rate of 140 miles a day. Nearly
in. of rain fell. The mean temperature of the Thames
declined from about
-€6°. on Sunday to 66°-62° on Sa-
turday. In the night it is still much warmer than the air.

Az4
AS‘)&f
Pv.79`,
' 1:1' • m ,
„40, 1_911_4,

injurious consequences to the pecuniary interests
of the shareholders, and peace is desirable on almost
any honourable terms. Whether a permanent alliance
can be effected, or that a still more intimate union
is essential, remains to be proved, but something
should be fortwith carried into execution to prevent
further contests.

--
Yesterday the London and South-Western Com-
pany held their ordinary half-yearly meeting, which
was subsequently made special for the purpose of
considering the expediency of carrying out the pro-
posed central line from Salisbury to Exeter. Many
reasons were adduced in favour of the proposition.
The simple fact that the contemplated route would
pass through a country 53 miles wide, which as yet is
totally devoid of railway communication, would alone be
sufficient to warrant its adoption. There is no dis-
trict in England which will continue to submit to a
deprivation so very prejudicial to all parties con-
cerned, but more especially to the agriculturists.
Landlords and tenants, proprietors and occupiers,
are alike agitating for the great desideratum, and

it appears tolerably certain, that if the company
will not undertake it, others less fastidious
will be found, who may prove formidable
rivals, and occasion a vast additional expenditure at
some future period. The journey to Exeter—the
capital of the West of England—will be shortened by
no less than twenty-six miles, the distance by the
present route being 197 miles, while by that under
consideration it will be only 171 miles. It was also
stated that responsible contractors were willing to
undertake the construction of the branch for 1,100,000/.,
less than one-half of the amount that had previously
been sanctioned for the formation of a similar line
not offering superior advantages. The calculations
from the estimated traffic showed that the receipts
would not only be sufficient to pay full interest on
the outlay, but to leave a margin towards the divi-
dend of the old lines, and this without
account the addition of profits arising from so efficient
a feeder. taking into
_

Under such circumstances, it is only surprising
that the project was not immediately sanctioned.
It was, however, after some discussion, decided that
it should be referred to a committee of directors and
shareholders to make the necessary arrangements,
and to report the result to a special meeting of the
shareholders to be held next month. This may be
looked upon as tantamount to its adoption.
No time will be lost, for the decision of the adjourned
meeting will be sufficiently early for the service of
the preliminary notices and the other proceedings
required by the standing orders of both
Houses of Parliament. The directors, by
their ready assent to the investigation, supplied
the best evidence of their unlimited confidence in the
soundness of the project. They did not deprecate the
inquiry, because they have nothing to fear from the
result. The more stringent and scrutinising it may
be, the better will they be satisfied.

The death of Sir JAMES PARKER, one of the Vice-
Chancellors ofEngland, places a valuable appointment;
at the disposal of the Government. Varioes specula.
tions are afloat as to the person who may be selected
for this post. If Lord DERBY follow the excellent
example of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, be will make the
individual,
irrespective only on the merits of the
irrespective of all party considerations. Sir GEORGE
TURNER and Sir JAMES PARKER were selected by
the late PREMIER, in despite of their. politics, which
were Conservative. He wisely thought that profes-
sional ability should be the qualification for the
ermine. Lord DERBY cannot have much difficulty in
finding a suitable successor to Vice-Chancellor PAR-
KER ; his dilemma will be whom to select out of many
well. qualified persons. The ATTORNEY- GENERAL,
we suspect, would find himself more at home at
Common Law than in Chancery. The SOLICITOR-
GENERAL, perhaps, may look higher than a Vice-
Chancellorship. Sir PAGE WOOD, if he would
accept the office, is eminently qualified, by ability,
knowledge, and experience. Mr. JOHN STUART (who
is an opponent of Law Reform) has been spoken of,
but though the learned gentleman has extensive
Chancery practice, neither the public nor the profes-
sion entertain any idea that he is eminently qualified
for the bench. It is whispered that he has been of-
fered and has rejected the Vice-Chancellorship,butwe
discredit the offer and the rejection. Mr. SWANSTON'S
name has been mentioned. Few legal gentlemen have
more substantial claims, on the score of merit. His
Reports are extremely valuable, and it may be noticed
as a curious fact, that the law-reporters have inva-
riably made admirable judges. Mr. BETHELL, Mr.
HOLT, and Mr. ROUNDELL PALMER have also been
spoken of. Another report states that the vacancy will
probably be filled by one of the Masters in Chancery,
placed hors de combat, on full salaries of 2,5001. a-year
each. The Masters who will thus retire, at the
commencement of next term, are Mr. FARBER,
Sir WILLIAM HORNE, Mr. NASSAU SENIOR,
and Mr. WILLIAM BROUGHAM. The last-named
gentleman was spoken of, some time ago, when
Vice-Chancellors PARKER and TURNER were ap-
pointed. By putting an ex-Master on the Bench
there would be an annual saving of 2,5001. ; but to
make a man a Vice-Chancellor for the mere purpose
of saving a few thousands every year would certainly
be absurd, ill-advised, and un-economical. Such a
saving as this would eventually be a moral loss.

We- cannot quit this subject without alluding to a
hint, in a Contemporary, that perhaps Mr. WALPOLE,
the Home Secretary, who is a distinguished equity
lawyer, might be induced to accept the vacant Vice-
Chancellorship. We believe that such an appoint-
ment would give ample satisfaction to the profession
and the public. The principal objection to it would
arise, we fear, from Mr. WALPOLE'S own fastidious
feelings—he might think that his accepting this
permanent in exchange for his present uncertain
appointment, might be construed into a doubt, on his
part, of the stability of the Administration to which
he belongs. We should much regret if any idea cf
this sort should deprive the public of the advantage of
Mr. WALPOLE'S assistance on the bench. He is a
first-rate lawyer, and in full vigour of mind and
body. Time was when senility of years was considered
a sine quii non in a judge and a bishop. That absurd
idea is very properly in process of becoming exploded.
Vice-Chancellor PARKER was only forty-eight when
appointed, and Mr. WALroug is now of about the
same age, When Learned Gentlemen are placed upon
the Bench, at a time of life when men usually retire
from occupations, whether professional or otherwise,
requiring much head work, it sometimes happens that
they become captious, garrulous, and intolerant, so
that whatever their talent, they certainly do not up-
hold or advance the dignity of their lofty station.
Mr. WALPOLE is comparatively a young man, and
his antecedents are all in his favour.

THE VACANT VICE-CHANCELLORSHIP.—The few
stragglers of the Chancery bar still lingering in London are
occupying themselves in speculations on the vacancy in the
office of a Vice-Chancellor, caused by the death of Sir
James Parker. The political right to the recipiency of this
valuable and responsible judieial patronage is, of course, con-
sidered to belong to Mr. John Stuart, Q.C., the new Mem-
ber for Bury St. Edmunds, and who is said in his elec-
tioneering expenditure to have barely exceeded the legal
expenses in turning out Mr. Bunbury. Mr. Stuart, how-
ever, haughtily refused the offer of the Solicitor-Generalship
on the formation of the present Government, and was re-
names wr
perted to be highly indignant that he did not receive the
unorteat Seal of Ireland. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman may
that Mr.e'vey-
press his claim in the present instance. Certainly his
opposition to Chancery Reform, and his notorious ultra-
Home-
Toryism
Gentleman's
would render his appointment unpopular, how-
ever he
abandoned for the
might reconcile acceptance to himself. Other
ni.entioned in the clubs yesterday. It was said
considerable and in
slice and
might not unadvisedly descend from the
practice
dacaecend the judicial seat. The Right Hon.
tree at the bar, so recently and gallantly
would doubtless
of doors, and with themP
uncertain tenure of political office, was
b:reasing ; and his elevation to the bench
is known also to be well adraistively agreeable and popular out
basencla and bar. Lord St. Leonard's
posed to Mr. ~wanston, Q.C.,
the Palmer would
eminent equity lawyer of
and whom he regards
the day. Mr. Roundel] P
y are hors de combat. It
probably have been
the choice of the Peelitee, but errb would
ntbMr. Walpole or, if is expected that the lot will fall oe
the offer
umeurst bLerimveadde
atto
de-
clined by that gentleman, that
,c el lor
Park-lane, of the
la
st evening,E from Hughendon
Mr. John Stuart.
' Manor, Bucks. The Right Hon. Gentleman and
several of
his colleagues in office, attended by one of the clerks of the
Council, leave town this morning, by special train, for the
Isle of Wight, where the Queen will hold a Privy Council
G r oTs vheen o /9- o.l3aatne
this afternoon, and at w • thepew Parliament, which is
appointed to meet pro forind on Friday next will be further
prorogued.
THE PARLIAMENTARY riACE3.—Many riders 17—Aye
during the recent election heats, and have met
been thrown do we feel s
with various accidents; but for none
~ o deeply as
the noble Horsman who lost his seat at Cockermouth, just
as every one ma
de sure that be was going to win. The
he will not b
ac-
cident is the more to be regretted, as e able to
show at the next Parliamentary meet, where his absence will
be severely felt, for there is not another 'foramen in the
country to be compared to hit:a—P-10re especially for a good
i steeple-chase.—Punch.