The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-09 00:00:00

within it, in the same sense in which it is extended to the
authorised convents in France and of other continental
countries. The means for exercising the civil power within
and over the convents in England and Scotland has been
by repeated majorities of the House of Commons declared
inadequate.
History and the current events of the time warn me that
unless the civil power has free and ready scope within
these convents they ought not to be permitted to exist,
though some, perhaps many—if you will, most of them—
are well conducted.
I have no intention to insult any lady resident in any
convent. My refusal to accept your proposal for an extra-
judicial and irregular intrusion upon them is sufficient proof
of this. Had the House of Commons granted the committee
for which I moved I should have called you as a witness,
and among other questions I should have asked you
two, which your letter shows that you are, to a cer-
tain extent, competent to answer. These questions would
have been :—" Where has the nun whom you brought back
in October, 1856, to the convent at Colvrich been since her
residence at Winburn ?" You say thatt she has subsequently
been in convents abroad. " Where hat lady now ? "put
But the committee has been refused, and I refuse to put
these questions, except at the proper time, in the proper
manner, and in the proper place, and to accept any answer
to them except under the above conditions.
Your letter throughout assumes that I shall consent to
the kind of investigation into the affairs of these convents,
which I decline, but it concludes with these words,," You
will make those ladies (the inmates of these convents) a
reparation as public as the injury you have inflicted."
These words have decided me to seek the immediate
publication of your letter and this reply. For if these ladies
are injured by being denied legitimate means of defence
and of reparation, their injury rests upon those who re-
fused the inquiry before a committee of the House of Com-
mons, for which I moved, not upon me:.
I remain, rev. Sir, your obedient servant,
C. N. MIWDEGATE.
To the Rev. Dr. Ullathorne.

LIFEBOAT SERVICES.--During the storms
of the past year 1864 the boats of the Natinnal Lifebaat
Institution have saved 432 persons from different -wrecks on
our coasts. The Institution also expended £19,531 14s. sd.
in the same perivd on lifeboat establishments, in ads
to
granting: £1,569 as rewards for say.ng 693 shipwrecked Per-
sons by its lifeboats, and other means.
The Committee of the Institution earnest' y A I'PEA..TA to
the Gublie for ASSISTANCE to enable them to meet he
continued heavy demands on the Institution's 110 lifeboat
establishments.
Contributions are received by Messrs Wills and Co..
"ferries and Co., Coutts and Co., and by all the London and
country bankers ; and by the Secretary, Richard Lewis, Esq.,
at the Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi.
The AIVU AL GENERAL ME k.TING of this Institution
will be held at the LONDON TAVERN. Bishopsgat,e-street,
on TUESDAY next, the 4th inst. at Two o'clock piecisely.
ills Grace the Duke of ARGYLL, 'K.T., in the Chair.

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT-
GARDEN.
(Opera Company, Limited.)
PRODUCTION OF GOUNOD'S MOCK DOCTOR.
THIS 107EINEsP.; the Opera of THE MOCK DOCTOR.
(the English words by'
Chattes Kenny,. Principal characters
by Mesdames Poole, Thirlwall, and Fanny Huddart ; Messrs.
henry Haigh, A. Cook, C. Lyall, Dussdr, Ling-ham, and H.
Cord

Condurtor,Mr. A. MELLON.
After which, the Grand and highly successful Pantomime,
CINDERELLA. Magnificent Scenery and gorgeous acces-
sories.