The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-15 00:00:00

duty which manifestly belongs to others, by sup-
plying these belts gratis. Such an undertaking
would greatly increase the expenses and responsi-
bilities of the institution, while, if the life-belt chest
were recognised as part of the indispensable equip-
ment of the ship, each owner would provide his own,
and the work would be thoroughly done.
The subject of pharology, under which high-
sounding title few will recognise the science of
lighthouse-building, is very ably discussed in the
new number of the Lifeboat Journal, from which
we quote in another part of our impression. Light-
houses, or rather light-towers, are of very ancient
date, the celebrated " Pharos" of Alexandria having
been erected 300 B.C. There have been many
noted instances of remarkable watch-towers of the
deep, and, as usual, Englishmen have not
been backward in a work requiring en-

terprise, courage, and perseverance. Our own
thrice rebuilt Eddystone is a sample of resolution
triumphing over difficulties. The various forms of
light-houses, light-towers, and floating-lights, testify
to the skill and ingenuity with which man has
adapted himself to the caprices of nature. The
Eddystone, the Bell Rock, and the Skerryvore, are
the most noted light-towers of their class in this
country from the great difficulties attending their
construction, but there are other forms of towers
adapted to different positions which reflect great

credit on the inventor. In this, as in all other de

partments of mechanical skill, we have advanced
with wonderful rapidity in the last century. Our
light-towers are now reared at a height and
our floating lights ride at a depth that would

have amazed our ancestors. The Barra Head
Lantern is 680 feet above water, our " Seven
Stones" light-ship rides at a depth of 40 fathoms.
We have changed since the days when the burning
logs of a wood fire were the only means available
for the light, but the efforts of man in all ages has
been the same, prompted by the same desire to guard
his fellows against the insidious perils of a dangerous
shore. Prevention is better than cure, and how-
ever admirable the heroic daring which prompts the
rescue of the shipwrecked crew from imminent
danger, the prudence and forethought that strive,
if possible, to avert such a calamity, aro certainly
no less beneficial. The importance of such precau-
tionary measures has been fully recognised in this
country, and the coast lights are proportionately
numerous. There remain, however, several ways
by which the dangers of a seafaring life may be
greatly lessened, and the public has good cause to
thank the National Lifeboat Institution for keep-
ing them so consistently and steadily in view.

* The Life-boat Journal, No. 59.

Sir John Lawrence, and " O'Malley Irwin
v, Sir George Grey, Baronet,"

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Stn,—Allow me to state, that when the Mayor of Lon-
donderry at the late banquet, given to Sir Robert Mont-
gomery, K.C.8., " claimed Sir John Lawrence as a Derry-
man," no less a personage than a Yorkshire rector comes
forward in the columns of an influential contemporary, on
the 10th instant, to eject Sir John from tho roll of "Deny-
men" by the simple process of producing his baptismal
registry "in the parish of Richmond, Yorkshire."
Although I am quite willing to concede to Richmond the
credit of having registered tho baptism of the distinguished
Viceroy of India, as the son of Alexander Lawrence, then
Major of the lath regiment, who was himself one of
Ireland's most gallant sons, yet, with confidence, I assure
you no Yorkshire blood flows in his Excellency's veins.
Paternally and maternally Irish, he was educated at
Foyle College in Ireland.

Well may I be proud of the no small honour of having
had on the banks of the Foyle such eminent and distin-
guished school contemporaries; among others, Sir John
Lawrence's brother, Sir Henry—of the purest and most
perfect fame—and his other gallant surviving brothers,
Generals Alexander and St. George Patrick Lawrence,
C.B. ; Sir Robert Montgomery, K.C.8., lately the Lieut.
Governor of the Punjaub ; the Hon. Richard Holy Hutch-
inson ; Canon Boyd and his lamented brothers—Robert
and Captain Boyd, R.N., of the Ajax, to whose gallantry
their respective monument at Malaga and Kingstown bear
witness ; the Rev. Fielding Ould, the Dean of Emly, &c.

To those associations, and the vigorous training of Foyle
College, must be attributed any little zeal or devotedness
on my part in defence of the right of the subject to the
security of the laws of supremacy, not depending on the
will and pleasure of English or Irish officials, or even on
the discretion of any judge, however learned, high, and
powerful his authority.
It is to be regretted that a question of such import has
not devolved on abler hands than mine to assert and de-
fend the indefeasible right of petition ; but I hope- no
British subject will hereafter suffer through any want of
devotedness and zeal to the cause of that right on my part,
or through any want of straining of whatever humble
capacity and means I may possess.
In Foyle College I have been taught to remember that
right is right, and that justice is not accommodation. If
the case to -which I refer, of " O'Malley Irwin (myself) v.
Sir George Grey, Baronet," is clearly mine, not by com-
promise or accommodation, or by any intricacy of law, but
simply ex debito justitive, then, sir, I have a claim—such a
one as the mere assertion of right can do me no injury, nor
can the policy of procrastination, which has been so long
practised, prejudice a question of so much grave and con-
stitutional import as petition of right.
My steady and firm demand for justice will now, I trust,
speedily obtain it for me, as I have succeeded, after many
struggles, in having the case set down first on the list of
appeals, for hearing before her Majesty's judges next term.
I have the honour to bo your obedient servant,

GEORGE O'MALLEY IRWIN .

London, Augn§t 14, 1865.