The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-26 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,-1 here has been much discussion lately in
the public press as to the scarcity of highly qua-
lified graduates for clerical preferments. Is this to
be wondered at when, among the candidates for the
readership of the Temple Church, for which one
would suppose learning to be a necessary qualifica-
tion, appears one who is technically termed a " ten-
year man ?" lam not acquainted with this gen-
tleman, and have not the slightest interest in the
matter except as regards the general principle.
Your readers may not be aware that the degree
of 8.D., taken by the candidate to whom I refer,
is the lowest that the University can grant, a lite-
rate or otherwise, by keeping his name on the books
of the University for ten years, of which he need
only reside in Cambridge three terms, is entitled to
receive his B.D. degree on passing an examination
(if he can, I speak advisedly) lasting about one
hour.

As an University man, I must say that I think
the element of learning should not be neglected in
so important an appointment. I may add that the
act of Queen Elizabeth, authorising this degree, was
repealed in 1858, so that no more B.D.'s of this
class will be created after 1868. Cambridge has
certainly no reason to be proud of such graduates.
—I am, sir, your obedient servant,

B. A.

London, Dec. 23, 1865.

Christmas in Rome.

It was a glorious and cloudless morning ; sun-
beams streamed in columns from the southern win-
dows, falling on the vast space full of soldiers and
a mingled mass of every kind of people. Up the
nave stood double files of the Pontifical guard.
Monks and nuns mixed with the Swiss cuirassiers
and halberds. Contadini crowded round the sacred
images, and especially round the foot of St. Peter.
I saw many mothers lift their swaddled babies up
to kiss it. Valets of cardinals, with the invariable
red umbrellas, hung about side chapels and sacris-
ties. Purple-mantled monsignori, like emperor
butterflies, floated down the aisles from sunlight
into shadow. Movement, colour, and the stir of
expectation, made the church alive. We showed
our raiment to the guard, were admitted within their
ranks, and solemnly walked up toward the dome.
There, under its broad canopy, stood the altar glit-
tering with gold and candles. The choir was carpeted
and hung with scarlet. Two magnificent thrones
rose ready for the Pope: guards of honour, soldiers,
attaches, and the elite of the residents and visitors
in Rome, were scattered in groups picturesquely
varied by ecclesiastics of all orders and degrees. At
ten a stirring took place near the great west door. It
opened, and we saw the procession of the Pope and
his cardinals. Before him marched the singers and
the blowers of silver trumpets, making the most liquid
melody. Then came his Cap of Maintenance, and
three tiaras; then a company of mitred bishops; next
the cardinals in scarlet ; and last, aloft beneath a
canopy, upon the shoulders of men, and flanked by
the mystic fans, advanced the Pope himself, swaying
to and fro like a Llama, or an Aztec king. Still
the trumpets blew most silvery, and still the people
knelt ; and as we came we knelt and had his bless-
ing. Then he took his stare and received homage.
After this the choir began to sing a mass of Pales-
trina's, and the deacons robed the Pope. Marvellous
putting on and taking off of robes and tiaras and
mitres ensues, during which there was much bowing
and praying and burning of incense. At last when
he had reached the highest stage of sacrificial sanc-
tity, he proceeded to the altar, waited on by cardi-
nals and bishops. Having censed it carefully, he
took a higher throne and divested himself of part
of his robes. Then the mass went on in earnest,
till the moment of consecration, when it paused,
the Pope descended from his throne, passed
down the choir, and reached the altar. Every one
knelt ; the shrill bell tinkled ; the silver trumpets
blew ; the air became sick and heavy with incense,
so that sun and candlelight swooned in an atmo-
sphere of odorous clouds-wreaths. The whole church
trembled, hearing the strange subtle music vibrate
in the dome, and seeing the Pope with his own hallela
lift Christ's body /roin the altar and present it to
the people. An old parish priest, pilgrim from some
valley of the Apennines, who knelt beside me, cried
and quivered with excess of adoration. The great
tombs around, the sculptured saints and angels, the
dome, the volumes of light and incense and un-
familiar melody, the hierarchy ministrant, the white
and central figure of the Pope, the multitude—
made up an overpowering effect..—Cornhill Maga-
zine for January.

EXHIBITION OF NATIONAL PORTRAITS. —The gal-
leries in which Lord Derby's great scheme, so historically
suggestive, is soon to find its realisation are in rapid pro-
gress of completion at South Kensington. The galleries are
perfectly dry. The arrangements to maintain a proper
uniform temperature (excluding all fire from the premises)
and for constant watch by the police, give every security
that can be provided. They have a quiet look of fitness,
both in the simple arrangement and decorative colouring,
and are calculated to contain about 800 pictures, about the
number of British oil paintings exhibited in 1862. We
understand that they will not fail to be adequately filled.
On all sides there has bas been a hearty reponse, and many
family treasures, which have never before left walls where
;hey have hung for generations, have, been placed at the
disposal of the committee. It has been proposed that the
first year's exhibition, which is open in April next, should
extend to the Revolution of 1688 ; but we learn that the
number of fine portraits offered may perhaps compel the
committee to terminate the first year's exhibition with the
portraits of the Commonwealth.

MUTINY ON BOARD SHIP. —Th e Singapore Free
Press, of November 2, says :—" We have to report
a rather serious matter on the morning of the 28th ult.—a
matter fortunately of rare occurrence in our port—that of
a mutiny which took place on board the British barque
Thomas Dryden, Captain Thompson. It appears that this
vessel arrived from Hong Kong on the night of the 27th,
and next morning at six o'clock the captain had occasion
to read to one of the crew an extract from the ship's log
regarding misconduct during the voyage. Having heard
it, the man attacked Captain Thompson, who was knocked
down. The first officer seized the mutineer, and a scuffle
ensued. A rush was then made by the rest of the crew
towards the cabin, with an evident intention of rescue.
Seeing this Captain Thompson caught up his revolver
from its usual place in the cabin and fired at the mutineer
who was pummelling the first officer, not, as he says, with
the intention of wounding him, but only to frighten him
and the others who were then crowding into the cabin.
Unfortunately the shot grazed the head of the mutineer,
which we believe is nothing very serious, it is true, but
still to be regretted. It, however, effected the captain's
intention, as the crew, seeing the determination on his
part to suppress any uprising, quietly returned to their
stations. The Master Attendant when advised of the affair
was speedily on the spot, and on a preliminary inquiry
arrested the whole crew."

COOLIE LABOUR FOR TIIE SOUTII.—The Stan-
dard's New York correspondent states that a mercantile
firmengaged in business in Now Orleans recently addressed
the Secretary of State, in order to ascertain what the
course of the Government would be if an effort to import
coolies should be made. The firm represented, in this
matter, many leading planters of Louisiana and Mississippi,
and Mr. Seward deigned to reply to the letter. He in-
formed the merchants that the coolie trade was prohibited
by a law adopted by Congress in 1862, which prescribes a
severe punishment for those who employ registered United
States vessels in the transportation of coolies. By this act,
however, the deportation of Chinese is permitted, provided
a certificate is obtained from a United States consul that
the persons so shipped are consenting parties to the ship-
ment, "or voluntary emigrants." It is understood that seve-
ral prominent Mississippians are about fitting out a fleet,
if two or three vessels may be called such, for the purpose
of securing some of these "voluntary emigrants," the fact
having been satisfactorily demonstrated that the freedmea
will not work. If it be true that a movement is on foot to
bring coolies into the United States, it is quite certain that
the Radicals will demand Government interference to put
down what they will doubtless call "a new form of
slavery." But " slavery" or not, it is something that the
Government of the Sandwich Islands has consented to,
and to its profit, as it seems. In May last Dr. William
Hillebrand, a botanist of distinction, was sent to China
from the islands, at the solicitation of the planters, as
Royal commissioner of immigration. As the result of
his labors a cargo of 250 of the "immigrants" arrived
a few weeks since at the islands. About one-fourth of
these coolies are women. The Government contracted
for them at the rate of $BO for each laborer. The person
employing them refunds this sum to the Government, and
in addition guarantees to pay $4 per month to each laborer
($3 to each woman) for the term of five years--supporting
them meanwhile. This example in coolie importation
should not be lost upon the Southern planters, who, it is
quite evident, must look elsewhere than to their late slaves
for the labor necessary to the production of the great
staples of the South.

7itr‘FAY , • !
41.4. •

HER MAJESTY•

OSBORNE, MOriday".
Her Majesty, their Royal Highnesses
Helena, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, Princess
Beatrice, and her Serene Highness Princess Holler'
lohe, attended the service at Whippingham Church
this morning, where the Rev. G. Protheroe officiated
and administered the holy sacrament. Princess

CHRISTMAS AT THE PRINCE OF WALE,

NORFOLK SEAT.

SANDRINGHAM, Monday.
The annual Christmas presentation of beef to the
cottagers on the royal estate took place this morn-
ing. On the terrace at the west front of the house
were provided huge tables which groaned under the
weight of about 50st. of beef, cut up into pieces °f
various sizes, and placed in four different quantities
representing the several parishes, the whole being
tastefully decorated with holly and other evergreens'
At about half-past nine the presentation took 1
p_aCel
his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, accom-
panied by the Marquis of Carmarthen, Lieutenant-
General Knollys, Lieutenant-Colonel Keppel," gr.
Fisher, and Mr. Holzman, came out on to the ter-
race, and gave away the beef ; her Royal Highness
the Princess of Wales, with the infant princes, be-
ing a gratified spectator of the interesting proceed-
ings from one of the windows. The recipients,
numbering at least 250, comprised the whole of the
cottagers in the parishes of Sandringham, Babingley,
West Newton, and Wolferton, and those occupying
the cottages of the Prince of Wales atDersingham, as
well as a number of aged widows of Dersinglialn
not residing on the royal estate. The beef, supplied
by Mr. Cook, of West Newton, had been labelled
by Mr. Carmichael with the name of the recipient,
the size of the gift being governed by the extent of
family of each person ; thus a man and his 'Nide
received three pounds' weight, and Gne pound extra
was given for each child, so that some received 1113-
wards of half a stone weight. In some instances
the husband, and in the rest the wife came, but all
looked clean and tidy. The Sandringham and
Babingley poor came first, and, after each had re-
ceived his or her gift, passed along the terrace mak-
ing their grateful obeisance to the prince and
princess, both of whom evidently derived much
pleasure from the enjoyment they were occasioning.
Next came the poor of West Newton and Appleton,
and then followed those from Wolferton and Der-
gingham. The single men on the royal estate--
labourers and others—received money gifts as an
equivalent for the beef. The whole proceeding's
terminated in about an hour afterwards.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales, with the Marquis and Marchioness of
Carmarthen, Lieut.-General Knollys, Lieut.-Colonel
Keppel, Mr. H. Fisher, and Mr. Holzman, attended
divine service in the pretty little church in the perks
which had been very tastefully decorated *with
wreaths and festoons, by direction of the Prince 01
Wales. The Rev. G. B. Moxon, 8.A., officiated
and preached.

The Duke of Northumberland and Lady Louisa
Percy left his grace's residence in Portman-spare at tho
close of the past week to pass the winter at Torquay.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury are
surrounded by a select party at Hatfield House, Herts.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Bath are re-
ceiving company at Longleat, Wilts.

The Earl and Countess Percy arrived at Alba*.
Park, Surrey, on Thursday last, from Alnwick Castle,
Northumberland.

The Earl and Countess of Leicester are enter-

tabling a select party of visitors at Holkham Hall, Norfolk•
The Earl of Powis is entertaining a large family
party at Powis Castle.

The Countess (Harriet) of Ellesmere is sur-
rounded by a large family party at Bearwood, Surrey,
assembled for the wedding of Lady Blanche Egerton and
the Earl of Sandwich.

Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., and
Lady Wynn have been receiving a succession of visitors
during the past Week. The festivities were brought to 0,
close on Saturday last.

We understand that Miss Henrietta Margaret
Williams, eldest daughter of Sir Hugh Williams, Bart., and
niece of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., M.P., is about
to be married to Mr. Peel, of Denbighshire.

THE FRENCH COMMERCIAL MARINE IN
—According to the terms of the convention recently
concluded between the Chinese Government and M. Ber-
thorny, the French Plenipotentiary in China, the voyages of
French trading vessels between China, Japan, and Cochin--
China will hereafter be considered in respect of the payment
of tonnage dues as simple coasting voyages. Consequently
all vessels bearing the French flag will be allowed to tarde
between the ports of those countries without being called
upon to pay tonnage dues oftener than one in four months,
whatever may have been the number of voyages they may
have made. This measure is also applicable to French
vessels trading between one Chinese port and another
without touching at any foreign port, and also to junks
and other vessels employed by French merchants in
coasting operations which hitherto have been exempt
from all tonnage dues under the 223. article of the treaty
of Tien-tsin.—Moniteur.

THE JAMAICA INSURRECTION.—At the Court of
Petty Sessions, which was held at Morant Bay, 03
Saturday, Oct. 7, a disturbance took place in court, which
led the sitting justices (Walton and Bowen) to order the
police to bring before them whoever it was that was in-
terrupting the business of the Court. Charles Geohegan
was accordingly laid hold of by the police, but
on doing so, Paul Bogle, and about one hundred
others of his followers, immediately rescued him from
custody, took him to the Market-square, where with sticks
they severely boat the police who had attempted to earl
out the instructions of the magistrates. On the Monday
following, and immediately preceding the outbreak,
Lewis Dick was being tried before the sitting reagt-
strates for a trespass upon Middleton Estate, the pro-
perty of W. M. Anderson, the agent general of inn:
migration, and the magistrates accepting the plea 0'
guilty, ordered him to pay a fine or be imprisonGd•
At this moment Paul Bogle, Charles Geohegan, and some
200 more came into the Court-house, ordered Dick to pal
no fine, but to appeal against the judgment he himself had
permitted to bo entered upon the record of the court.
Now, in order to explain the situation of Middleton, it
is necessary to say that it is a sugar estate adjoining
the negro settlement at Stoney Gut (an old thrown
up estate, peopled and settled entirely by negroes, and
where Paul Bogle kept his "chapel," as it is called)
Finding that Bogle, Geohegan, and the mob had grown
bold upon their success of Saturday, in the rescue of
Geohegan from the custody of the police, warrants wore
issued for the apprehension of these and other rin
Seven policemen and three constables were sent to pinkie
this capture. They were, as our readers know, disarmed
and sworn to take sides with the rebels. Immediately
afterwards came the attack upon the Court-house,"
Jamaica paper. gleadarS•

DARING ROBBERY IN THE CITY.-011 Saturday a
most audacious robbery was committed in a great
thoroughfare in the city, and at the height of the day, under
circumstances almost precisely similar to those attending
the robbery of jewellery at the shop of Mr. Walker, 112
Cornhill, on the preceding Saturday. Four men, three ,
them very young, were seen to place themselves with their
backs towards the window of Mr. A. Campbell, watchragi‘ef
and jeweller, 63, Cheapside, and putting their elbovr"
through it, to seize indiscriminately a number of wa,tolleee
and guard chains in the window. Mr. Campbell was jail°
shop at the time, and hearing the crash of broken glass be
rushed into the street and found all the four men in tb
grasp of people who were passing and had witnessed the
outrage. The prisoners were taken into the shop and there
gave up four gold guard chains and two silver watches'
worth together about £3O, and other articles of jeweller/. •
The value of the glass broken was about £2 10s. C'tgl
police-constable Henley, hearing the smashing of gla,%
ran to the spot, and afterwards took from one of 1-],
four men a whole handful of gold chains. The prisoner;
were taken to the Bow-lane police-station, and there o'l
the names of James Hawkins, 34 years of age, John Gr°e„ri;
19, George Smith, 17, and George Hughes, 16. All f° '''d
were found to be wholly penniless, without shirts, 3rli„.
otherwise poorly clad. It was from Smith that the hav''
ful of gold chains was taken by the policeman, and a I?'3l'
tleman who had seized the boy Hughes, the younge.t
Silver
the four, in the act of robbery, took from his hand a
watch. Green and Smith said they had done it for the Putit
pose of being locked up, and that they had only come °lO
of Coldbath-fields en the previous day. For some t 1,4
after the robbery Mr. Campbell, the owner of the shop',uo't
not know to what extent his stock had been daniago4
stolen in the confusion consequent upon the outrage- r.
one of the two prisoners who broke the window 01
tt'ild
Walker in Cornhill on Saturday week in a like manner',7o,
stole two new gold watches of the value togctherofu to
C has since been sentenced at the Central Criminal "°-, ring
five years'penal servitude, two previous convictions/1v,5
to
been proved against him, a similar fate probably aw.",t'tea
two prisoners in this case who have before been COu'