The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-25 00:00:00

Wimbledon Common,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BUN.
Sir,—My attention has been directed to an article in your
paper on the formation of a park at Wimbledon on the
curtailment of the present spacious common.
Lord Spencer, who has simply the manorial rights, pro-
poses to sell outlying parts of the common to meet the ex-
pense of a neat iron railing, and that, in consideration for
his ingenuity, he and his successors shall be hereditary
protectors of the park, and have sole right of pasturage,
aided by a Government official.

Two years ago I resisted in a court of law an attempt to
enclose a portion of this common, and I did so on public
grounds.

I consider the preservation of our wild picturesque heaths
and commons of far more importance to the health and
amusement of the people than the formation of a park with
vexatious rules and a possibly obnoxious protector. On
these grounds I shall feel it my duty to oppose this scheme
if it goes to Parliament.

I request your insertion of these remarks, being one if
not the largest freeholder in Wimbledon, and because,
without making any profession of liberality, I desire, in
common with many others. to see the rights of the people
protected and not curtailtd.—T am, sir, yours very obe-
diently, - J. S, W. S. E. D. DRAX,
Charboro Park, Blandtord, Nov. 21.

DEATH OF MR SPOONER, M.P,, FOR NORTH
WARWICRUHIRE,—We regret to have to record the
death of Mr Richard Spooner, M,P, for North Warwick-
shire, which took place yesterday morning At Henwood•
lodge, Leamington, where he had recently been residing.
Mr Spooner was born at Birches-green in 1783, and
was educated at Rugby. In 1830 he was elected mem•
ber of Parliament for Boroughbridge, but was unseated
on petition. He represented Birmingham in the Con-
servative interest from 1844 until the general election in
1847, when he unsuccessful contested the borough with the
late Mr Isluntz, and Mr Scholefield,one of the present mem-
bers. He was however, immediately returned for North
Warwickshire, which division of the county he has con-
tinued to represent uninterrupted to the present time.
lie was for many years one of the rec,,gnised leaders
Lf the Protestant cause in the House of Commons, and
was the able and indefatigable but unsuccessful oppo-
nent of the grant to the College of Maynooth. The deceased
married, in 1804, Charlotte, fourth daughter of the very
Rev. Dr Wetherell, D.D., Dean of llereford, Master of
University College, Oxford, and Prebendary of Westmin-
ster. Mr Spooner's elcest sister married the well-known
William Wilberforce, M.P. for Yorkshire, the father of the
present Bishop of Oxford. Mr Spooner had long been in a
precarious state of health, and had virtually ceased for the
past year to take any part in political affairs, and had an-
nounced his intention of retiring into private life at the next
general election.

PUNISHMENT OF DUELLING IN THE RUSSIAN
ARlCL—Since the return of the Emperor to St Petersburg
he has decided on the sentences to be passed on several offi•
core of the Equestrian Guard who wore concerned in a duel
which cost the life of a brother officer. The Emperor's anger
was justly aroused, fur, in opposition to his known wish to
prevent duels, the officers of the regimeut fomented the
quarrel between the opponents, instead of endeavouring to
appease their mutual anger. The original sentence passed
on the offenders by the court martial was very severe. The
principal and the two seconds were condemned to the loss
of their rank, their orders and medais,and their civil rights.
The principal, a colonel, was also sentenced to 12 years'
forced laLour in the mines, and the seconds, a captain and
a lieutenant, to ho confined in a fortress for 10 years. '1 h•
council of supervision approved of these sentences, but, in
consideration that the officers "had acted under the inspi-
ration of deep-rootedprejudicos respecting military honour,"
the grace of his Majesty was solicited, and it was recom-
mended that the colonel should lose his rank and orders and
should serve as a private soldier, while the seconds should
be confined in a fortress three months. The Emperor was
pleased to approve of these milder sentences.
THE MAIN DRAlNAGE.—Yesterday morning Mr
William Moxon, contractor for the western portion of the
Main Drainage, reported to Mr Bazalgette, chief engineer
of the Board of Works, that ho had completed hie portion
et the work,