The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-26 00:00:00

An Episode of the Colenso Trial.

Soon after Dean Douglas had commenced his
opening address after the trial of Bishop Colenso,
The Archbishop of Grab amsto wn (Merriman),
interrupting the Dean's argument, rose and said:—
I feel Constrained to make an inquiry. I hope I
shall be pardoned for doing so ; and will give my
reasons. I have come from a distant part of the
province in the hope that I should here meet the
Bishop of Natal, and that in the course of these
arguments, and by our remonstrances, but still more
by brotherly intercourse with your lordships, he
would be induced in some measure to retract, or
modify in some way, the very painful statements
which we have come here to examine. But, al-
though he is not here present, we are exceedingly
glad to find that he has employed a gentleman to
represent him, but in respect to whom I should
very much wish to know whether we have the
hope that in adducing these proofs—the citation
and the formularies upon which we found our argu-
ments—we are addressing one who, like the Bishop
of Natal himself, would give due weight to them;
whether Dr. Bleek—l believe that is the name of
the gentleman ; I have never seen him before, and
therefore I can have no possible objection to him ;
on the contrary, I am exceedingly glad to see him
here—whether he is e member of the Church of Eng-
land, or of any communion which will recognise the
formularies of our church, upon which the whole of
our arguments are fouuded. I hope I shall be per-
mitted to put that question—of course through
your lordships—before we proceed further with the
argument.

The Archdeacon (Badnall] of George—l hope I
shall be allowed to supplement what the Archbishop
of Grahamstown has said to this effect. This is
the first occasion upon which I have had the plea•
sure of meeting Dr. Bleek. I did not even know it
was he who sat down at the table. Therefore lam
sure he will acquit me of every vestige of personal
feeling ; and, not residing quite so far from Cape-
town as the Archdeacon of Grahamstown does, I
may be allowed perhaps to say that I have heard
his name mentioned as that of a gentleman, not
only not a member of our communion, but of a
gentleman very well known to sympathise in the
very strongest way with quite the freer sort of So-
cinianism. Ido not intend even the slightest per-
sonality ; but unless that be expressly denied, I
cannot help asserting in the strongest way my sur-
prise at the extraordinary fact that the Bishop of
Natal, a bishop of a Christian church, should have
chosen such a representative. Therefore I beg to sup-
plement what the Archdeacon of Grahamstown has
said, and to join with him in requesting that the
question may be decidedly put. We do not at all wish
that Dr. Week should absent himself in the least
degree. On the contrary, I am sure I only
express the feeling of the Archdeacon of Grahams-
town, and of the dean, as well as myself, when I
say that it is our sincere hope that every indul-
gence may be given to him. But still, returning
to the point that has been raised, I must request
that the questio❑ may be put.
The Bishop of Capetown—Dr. Bleek, you have
heard the question put by the Archdeacon of Gra-
hamstown ; if you feel inclined to answer it you
may do so.

Dr. I3leek—l came here to perform certain for-
mal acts in connection with the inquiry going on,
not for the purpose of any inquiry being made as
to my opinions. I did not come here as a member
of the church in any way, but merely to read this
letter and to do some formal things. If this court
is to be converted into any other purpose than that
which I am instructed nut to recognise, then I have
no business here.

The Bishop of Capetown—The question proposed
to you was, whether you, as the agent of a bishop of
the Church of England, were a member of that com-
munion; or whether, if not a member of that church,
you held the faith of the Church of Englund on
these subjects,

Dr. Bleek—My lord, I declino to answer that
question. Tuey have no right to ask such a ques-
tion.

The Dean then proceeded with his address.

THE DUKE OF AUGTISTENBURG,WhiIe all
Europe is in a commotion relative to the claims of this
prince to the Duchy of Holstein his royal highness is said
to be very comfortably and quietly enjoying himself in
pursuing field sports at Coombe, near Honiton, in Devon•
shire.-111orning Post.
REPRESENTATION OF EAST SOMERSET.—It has
been delermined that Mr. Ralph Neville Grenville
aid Mr. Richard Horner Paget shall be brought forward
as candidates for the representation of the Eastern Diyi.
eion of Someraetshire at the nest general election,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICA.

SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 26.

The Hamburg American Company's screw steam-
ship Saxonia, Capt. N. Trautmann, from New York
at 12 a.m., on the 13th inst., arrived off Cowes at
5.50 p.m., and went on to Hamburg.
She brought 16 passengers for this port and 44
for Hamburg; 90,000 dols. for England, 1,500 dole.
for Hamburg, and a full cargo.
Her news is anticipated.

Fine weather and variable winds were experi-
enced the greater part of the voyage. Off Sandy
Hook the Saxonia passed the American ship John
M. Wood ; in lat. 47.40 N., long. 31.3 W., the ship
Lady Milton, of London, bound east; and off Port-
land the clipper-ship Scarsfelt, bound for Hong-
kong; the American ship, 3d pendant 6,251, and
the English ship, 3d pendant 6,590, bound west.

DENMARK.
RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTRY.
COPENHAGEN, DEC. 26.
The Ministry have tendered their resignation,
which has been accepted by the King.
Russia and England continue to exercise a pres-
sure upon Denmark. Both Powers represent that
Prussia insists upon the abolition of the November
constitution, in default of which she will with-
draw from the London protocol of 1852, whereby
war might ensue.

England and Russia have also declared that they
would not in such a case assist Denmark.
The King wished to obtain the sanction of the
Rigsraad to a suspension of the constitution, and
to assemble that body for the purpose. The Mi-
nisters thereupon declared that they could not
assume the responsibility of such a step, and would
rather accept war, even should Europe leave Den-
mark isolated.

Several members of the Right have been asked
by the King to form a Ministry, but have all de-
declined.

HAMBURG, DEC. 26.

Advices from Copenhagen arrived here state
that Sweden advocates the withdrawal of the
November constitution.

It was believed that a Ministry would be found
by Baron Scheel Plessen, Herr von Criminil, and
Count Maltke.

The King observed yesterday to the officers of
the army and navy that he hoped still to preserve
peace in accordance with the constitution.
It is said that his Majesty will visit the army on
Monday.
It is stated upon good authority that the fortress
of Rensdburg and the tete•du,pont of Friedrich-
stadt will be evacuated, the latter being razed.