The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-25 00:00:00

',IA DIN, FRID EIVENIN(I-, APRIL 25, 1862.

TILE SUN'

nave is advancing very fast, and the result becomes
more inharmonious every hour. The great mistake
that appears to have been committed is in not
having in the first instance restricted the erection
of trophies to manufacturers only. Retail dealers,
who manufacture nothing, but sell almost every-
thing, have therefore seized upon the occasion to
erect their so-called trophies, and turn them into an
advertising column uglier, if possible, than that
celebrated French one which so long withstood the
assaults of the Duke of Wellington in front of
Apsley House. Had some rule of this kind as to
manufacturers been laid down at first, there would
have been no intrusion of tawdry vulgarities upon
the nave, such as the execrable toy trophy, and
which, in spite of its repainting, still remains so
paltry that it would be utterly beneath notice, but
for the offence it gives to everybody in the building,
English and foreign. Though this unhappy in-
truder is the worst of its class, it is not altogether
alone, for on the whole there is far from being an
improvement in the art designs of English exhibi-
tors of cases and trophies since 18M. Then so little
was attempted in the way of decoration of the cases
that none were much shocked at failures, but now
trophies are not only to be trophies of manufacture
but trophies of decoration Els°, and it is evidently
thought that the principal means to that end con-
sists in a profuse application of gilt and colour.
When proper artists have been employed of course
gold and colours are used sparingly and always
with the best effects, but in the majority of in-
stances the cases and trophy-stands are strik-
ingly at variance with the good taste shown
by the same exhibitors in the manufacture
of the articles they themselves wish to dis-
play. Thus, Defries's great glass chandelier is a
noble specimen of good taste and artistic manufac-
ture, and yet the ambitiously-designed framework
from which it is to bang is conspicuously ugly both
in form and decoration. Naylor and Vicars, of
Shofnpld, havo put up a noblo peal of coot °tea
bells, the largest of which weighs five tons. The
belfry framework of this peal was most effectively
decorated ; but, not content with this, the bells them-
selves have now succumbed to artistic treatment,
have been painted ultramarine, varnished over, and
gilt. All semblance of their real nature, and the
cleanness of their casting has thus been completely
hidden, and, viewed from the floor, they now look
like so much papier-macbe work. In these matters,
perhaps, every one has a light to his own bad taste,
but there are some things which are so conspicu-
ously offensive and illjudged that the general
manager will interfere to procure their mitigation,
if not their removal, before the opening.
The Commissioners have given notice that at the
close of this day all empty packing-cases must be
removed out of the building, and have issued posi-
tive orders to the various superintendents to see
that this rule is carried into effect, whether the
owners of the packing-cases are ready to receive
them or not. But empty cases are not the only
obstructions. It is those which are still full that
are chiefly in the way. Exhibitors should come
down to the building without loss of time, and see
to the unpacking of their goods, for they may depend
upon it that, after a certain date, the Commissioners
will be compelled to issue a stringent order against
more cases being unpacked until the opening has
taken place. Cases, both full and empty, were for
a long time an utter obstacle to progress in the an-
nexe for machinery in motion ; but since a party
of the Royal Naval Reserve men, under Captain
Maynard, have been sent down, the building has
been cleared, and is now progressing fast towards
its final adjustment and good order. At 10 o'clock
on Wednesday next the building will be cleared
entirely of all the exhibitors and their workmen.
There will positively be no relaxation or depar-
ture from this rule. The building will then be
swept out, dusted, and put in tolerable order, and
the full rehearsal of the great musical programme
proceeded with. All sorts of statements and mis-
statements as to the unfortunate differences which
have arisen as to who is to conduct certain portions
of the music have been afloat for some time. Into
these we certainly will not enter. The musical world
has long made up its mind as to the merits or de-
merits of the quarrel, and if it had not we should
never attempt to guide it to a decision one way or
the other. Where there are many musicians no one
expects harmony ; so it is sufficient to say that this
portion of the opening arrengements is complete.
The majority of the places from which the coun-
try chorus were selected have been visited by officers
of the Sacred Harmonic Society, and the musical
qualifications of those engage d severely tested. As
the committee reserve to themselves the right of
similarly trying the capabilities of each performer,
on arrival in London, from those districts which it
has not been possible to visit, an amount of choral
excellence will be secured far exceeding that at any
former great musical ceremony.
The places and stands in the great orchestra are
all marked out. The band will occupy the front part
of the great platform—the violins disposed on the
right and the left, and the wind instruments in the
centre, the whole being flanked by the 90 double
basses and violoncellos, with the three sets of ket-
tledrums at equal distances in front of the chorus.
A considerable echo having been found to exist
under the dome, the orchestra will be covered at a
proper height with a drumhead-shaped, oiled and
hardened striped canvass awning, which will not
only destroy the echo, but materially aid in pro.
pelting the tone through the length of the nave and
the transepts.
All the music will be truly and entirely choral.
Flom the outset it was foreseen that; encum-
bered as the main avenues would be with lofty
trophies and hangings, solo voices would be
almost quite inaudible. Even the solo portions
of " God save the Queen" will be sung in unison
by all the voices ; and there is no doubt but that
the effect of this large mass of voices pealing down
the length of the nave will be immeasurably fine ;
it will be sung at the opening and conclusion of the

ceremony.
The " Hallelujah Chorus" and the " Amen
Chorus," from the Messiah, will also be performed.
The remaining vocal music will consist of an Ode
by Professor Bennett, the words by Tennyson.
This work is also entirly choral, with full orches-
tral accompaniments. Written and composed for
the occasion, and performed as it will be by nearly
2,500 carefully selected artistes, it will doubtless
prove a most valuable portion of this great musical
display. At the request of the International Com-
missioners, M. Sainton will be the conductor of
Professor Bennett's Ode.

The instrumental music will comprise an over-
ture by Meyerbcer, written for the opening. The
parts are all engraved. It concludes with a well-
known English national air, and this coupled with
the high repute of this distinguished composer
renders it a work of great interest. The March by
Auber, also written at the request of the Commis-
sioners, will be equally interesting.
The official outline of the programme of the pro-
cession appears in another part of our impression.
Its great error—apart from those little inelegancies
of composition which have been peculiar to the
official notifications on this occasion—is that it
limits the hours for the arrival of visitors from 12
to half-past 1 o'clock. This rule is simply ridiculous.
Such a number of season tickets have been sold, and
the sale is now increasing with such rapidity, that
there will probably be not less than from 25,000 to
30,C00 spectators in the building on Thursday next,
and this number cannot possibly set down from
their carriages and pass through the turnstiles in
the specified time. None, certainly, can be admitted
after half past 1, but, unless the Commissioners
want to exclude a large proportion of the visitors
whom from the mere sale of tickets they know are
coming, they must open the building to the public
at 11, instead of 12.

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presently relieved and ultimately cured by the pi oper and
diligent use of this cooling and healing ointment, whose
action should in such cases be assisted by judicious doses
which he first
of Holloway's pills. Ere many days have elapsed the
anxious patient will experience a wonderful degree of ease
from this treatment. Doubts and fears will soon disap.
pear, and the sufferer will bless the day on
applied these remedies. They are equally suitable to both
sexes, all ages, and any climate ; nor is their efficiency im••
paired by long keeping. Their action on the frame is
soothing, safe, and certain,

THE MERRIMAC AND THE MONITOR.

(From the _Mobile Register of March 18.)

We annex below a communication sent into Con-
gress (Confederate) on Thursday by the President,
with reference to this victory, and covering the
official report of the engagement

To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES OP
THE CONFEDEiRATE STATES.

" I herewith transmit a letter of the Secretary of the
Navy, of this date, covering the official report of the naval
engagement between the James River squadron and the
enemy's fleet at Hampton Roads on the Bth inst. The
officers and men of the navy engaged in this brilliant affair
deserve well of the country, and are commended to the con-
sideration of Congress. The disparity of the forces engaged
did not justify the anticipation of so great a victory, and it
is doubly gratifying that it has been won upon an element
where we were supposed to be least able to compete with
our enemy. Special aflention is called to the perfidious
conduct of the enemy in hoisting, on the frigate Congress,
a white flag, and renewing fire from that vessel under the
impunity thus obtained.

" March 11. " JEFFERSON DAVIS.
" Confederate Screw Steam flattery Virginia
off Sewall's Point, March S.
" Flag Officer,—in consequence of the wound of Flag
Officer Buchanan, it becomes my duty to report that the
Virginia left the yard this morning at 11 o'clock steamed
down the river past our batteries, and over to Newport
News, where we engaged the batteries ashore and also
two large steam frigates, supposed to be the Minnesota
and Roanoke, and a sailing frigate and several small
steamers, armed with heavy rifled guns. We sank the
Cumberland, drove the Congress ashore, when she hauled
down her colours and hoisted the white flag; but she firei
upon us with the white flag flying, wounding Lieutenant
Minor and several of our imen. We again openedAs

upon her, and she is now in flames. The deal

prevented our reaching the other frigates. This, with
the approach of night, we think, saved them from de-
struction. Our loss is two killed and eightwounded. Two
of our guns have the muzzles shot off. The prow was
twisted and the armour somewhat damaged, the anchor and
all flagstaffs shot away, and the smokestack and steampipe
were riddled. The bearing of the officers and men was all
that could be wished, and, in fact, it could not have been
otherwise atter taie iwbic and dwrivs oo.atiot of tho gas
officer, whose wound is deeply regretted by all on boatd,
who would gladly have sacrificed themselves in order to
save him. We were accompanied from the yard by the
Beaufort, Lieut. Parker, and Raleigh, Lieut, Alexander,
and as soon as it was discovered up the James River that
the...action had commenced we were joined by the Patrick
Henry, Commander Tucker; the Jamestown, Lieut. Bar-
ney; and the Teazer, Sergeant Webb, all which were ac-
tually engaged, and rendered very effective service. En-
closed I send the surgeon's report of casualties, &c.—l have
the honour to be, Sir,
" Very respectfully, y,our obedient savant,
- " CATESBY AP R. JONES,
" Executive and Ordnance Officer.
" 'Flag Officer F. Forest,"

The official report of the naval battle in Hampton
Roads was read. The accompanying letter of the
Secretary of the Navy states that Flag Officer F.
Buchanan was disabled near the close of the engage-
ment by a painful wound, though not very dange-
rous. The report was made by the executive officer
upon whom the command devolved, Lieut. Tones.
The Confederate vessels engaged were the steam
sloop Virginia, of 10 guns ; the Patrick Henry, Com-
mander Tucker, of six guns; the Jamestown, Lieut.
Commander Barney, of two guns ; the Raleigh,
Lieut. Commanding Alexander; the Beaufort,Lieut.
Commanding Parker; the Teazel., Lieut. Command-
ing Webb, each of one gun. With this force (20
guns) Flag Officer Buchanan engaged the enemy's
fleet, consisting of the Cumberland, 24 guns ; the
Congress, 50 guns ; the St. Lawrence, 50 guns; the
steam frigate Minesota, 40 guns ; the enemy's bat-
teries at Newport News, and several small steamers,
armed with heavy rifled guns.
The engagement sommeneed at half-past 3 p.m.,
and at 4 p.m. Capt. Buchanan had sunk the Cum-
berland, captured and burnt the Congress, disabled
and driven the Miuesota ashore, and defeated the
St. Lawrence and Roanoke, which sought shelter
under the guns of Fortress Monroe. Two of the
enemy's small steamers were blown up, and the two
transport steamers were captured.
The Cumberland went down with all on board,
her tops only remaining above water, but many of
her people were saved by boats from the shore.
The flag of the Congress and the sword of the
officer commanding at the time of her surrender are
at the Navy Department.
The report concludes as follows :
"To the dashing courage, the patriotism, and eminent
ability of Flag Officer Buchanan, and to the officers and men
of his squadron, our country is indebted for this brilliant
achievement, which will hold a conspicuous place among
the heroic contests of noval history.
" S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy,"

(From the Charleston Mercury.)

The iron-clad steamer Virginia cost 185,000 dols.
to fit her up,and in one day destroyed over 1,100,000
dols. worth of York property. She lost her prow
in striking the Ericsson a slanting blow, and not
by running against the Cumberland, This can be
replaced in two day, and then she will be in as
good, if not better condition than ever. We give
an extract from a private letter from Mr. John L,
Porter, the naval constructor of the Virginia. He
writes :

"I received but little encouragement from any one while
the Virginia was progressing. Hundreds—l may say thou-
sands—asserted she would never float. Some said she would
turn bottom side up ; others said the crew would suffocate ;
but the most wise said the concussion and report from the
guns would deafen the men. Some said she would not
steer; and public opinion generally about here said she
would never come out of the dock. You have no idea what
I have suffered in mind since I commenced her; but I knew
what I was about, and persevered. Some of her inboard
arrangements are of the most intricate character, and have
caused me many sleepless nights in making them; but all
have turned out right, and thanks are due to a kind Provi-
dence, whose blessings on my efforts I have many times in-
voked. I must say I was astonished at the success of the
Virginia. She destroyed the Cumberland in 15 minutes,
and in 30 more the Congress was captured. The Minesota
would have shared the same fate, but she got aground, and
the Virginia could not get at her. The Virginia steers beau•
tifally, and her speed is three miles more per hour than it
ever was. She is very comfortable ; there is not the least
unpleasant sound from the guns, and all the officers are
highly pleased."

THE I'ELVERTON CASE.

The celebrated case of Thelwall v. Yelverton was
reopened in the Court of Common Pleas on Wednes-
day by the motion of Dr. Ball, Q.C., on behalf of
the defendant, the Hon. Major Yelverton, to amend
the bill of exceptions by omitting the finding of the
jury upon certain collateral issues mentioned—
namely, that a marriage, valid according to the
laws of Scotland, was contracted between the de-
fendant and Maria Theresa Longworth or Yelver-
ton, in Edinburgh, in March, 1857, and that a mar-
riage, valid according to the laws of Ireland, was
celebrated between them in the Roman Catholic
chapel of Killowen in August, 1857. Mr. Ball
said it was an action brought by the plaintiff to
recover a sum of about £250 for goods, &c., sup-
plied to the defendant's wife. The defendant's
pleadings denied that the goods, &c., were supplied
to his wife • and the issues raised on those pleadings
were, whether any goods were supplied by the
plaintiff to defendant's wife, &c. When the case
came for trial, at the sittings after Hilary Term,
1801, the plaintiff, to prove his case, produced Mrs.
Yelverton as a witness, and in the coulee of her
evidence she deposed to the celebration of two care-
monies of marriage bet wean bar and the defendant;
one a contract in Scotland, in March, 1857, per'
verbs de presenti, and the other the performance of
a ceremony in Ireland by a Roman Catholic clergy-
man at Kilowen, iu the County Louth, in the month
of August, 1857. This question of marriage did not
arise on the pleadings but on the evidence. The
Chief Justice charged the jury' and pointed out to
them that this question of marrge must determine
the case. There might be a valid marriage either
in Scotland or Ireland. The jury, as stated in the
bill of exceptions, found that a marriae was en-
tered into, according to the law of Scotland, in
March, 1857, and that a Marriage, according to
the law of Ireland, was solemnised in Mardi,
1857, and that the goods :,are supplied to Mrs. Yel-
verton, &c. The defendant objected to this speclal
finding upon questions collateral to the questions
raised on the pleadings. These questions were, no
doubt, proper ones to be put to the jury, but were
not proper questions to be stated on the bill of
exceptions.
Judge Keogh—Were there (thy objections to these
questions being put to the jury
Sergeant Sullivan (with Messrs. Whiteside, Q.C.
and J. F. Townsend)—No, my lord; they went to
the jury by consent.
Mr. Ball—Upon a bill of exception parties were
not entitled to have a flew trial motion. In the bill
of exceptions the verdict should not appear at all,
or anything but the exceptions. Counsel then re-
fet red to the statute of" Edward the First" on the
subject, and the case of "Davies v. Lounds," and
other cases, in support of his argument. The object
of the plaintiff was to have a bill of exceptions, and
at the same time to have the advantage of a new
trial motion, which was irregular. There were five
exceptions altogether, two to the charge as to the
Scotch marriage, and three as to the Irish marriage.
The Chief Justice said that when his attention
was called to the case he thought it doubtful
whether this matter should not be introduced in the
bill of exceptions ; and therefore he thought it bet-

•
ter to do so, and leave the defendant t 5 move to
expunge it, as if he decided otherwise, and was
wrong, the plain tff might have no means of setting
him right.
Sergeant Sullivan—All the questions were sub-
mitted to the jury by consent.
Judge Christian—The jury, as it appears to me,
might not have been unanimous as to either of
the marriages, and yet the exceptions might have
been taken. Six of them might have been in
favour of the Scotch marriage and biS for the
Irish marriage, which shows it is a collateral
question. As.it happens, we know that they were
unanimous as to both questions.
Judge Keogh—l do not see how the jury could
have compounded two half marriages in the way
suggested by my brother Christian, in order to
make one valid one.
Mr. Whiteside—The jury must necessarily have
been unanimous as to one of the marriages, or
there could not have been a verdict for the plaintiff.
Mr, Ball, in continuation, contended that upon
the statute, and cases decided upon it, the Court
should strike out the findings on both marriages
from the bill of exceptions.
The Court then adjourned.

THE LATE FORGERY OF £445 ON

COtTPS' BAAK.

Mary Aylmer alias Gibson was brought up nt
Bow-street, on remand, charged with being con-
cerned in forging and uttering a cheque for £445
on Messrs. Coutts and Co.'s bank in the Strand.
Mr. Mullens, solicitor to the Bankers' Association,
prosecuted; and Mr. Lewis, jun., of Ely-placei ap-
peared for the prisoner.
Louisa Debenham, assistant to Messrs. Bradshaw,
linen-drapers, Bishopsgate-street, deposed—On the
31st December a woman came to our shop and made
some purchases. She was dressed in a dark dress,
with a dark velvet mantle, and she had a lace fall
over her bonnet. It was so thick a fall that I could
not see her face. She made some purchases, and
tendered a£s note in payment. She wrote on the
back of the note " Claike, Windsor-terrace." I asked
her if she meant Windsor-terrace, City-road? She
said "Yes," and I added the words " City-road." In
consequence of something that occurred Mrs. Brad-
shaw gave some instructions to the boy.
William Gregory, a lad of about 15 or 16, deposed
—I recollect at the end of the year being directed to
watch a female. I saw her join a gentleman a little
way down the street, and she went away with him.
Cross-examined-1 should not know the gentle-
man or lady.
Mr. Lewis asked whether the magistrate thought
this was evidence against the prisoner ?
Mr. Hall could not say, at this stage of the case.
Mr.Mullens was sure the magistrate would allow
him to coL duct his case his own way.

Benjamin William Lloyd, assistant to Messrs.
Masters and Co., drapers, Shoreditch—At the latter
end of December a lady purchased some goods at
our house, and paid them with a £5 note, now pro-
duced. I requested her to write her address, and
she wrote the address, "5, Creed§-place, Green-
wich." I believe the prisoner to be the same person.

Cross-examined—She had a veil on. It was not
very thick. It did to some extent conceal her
features. She did not raise her veil or fall. There
were black spots on it. When I first saw her at
this court I had my doubts, but now that I have
seen her standing up I am sure she is the person.
I did say at first that I thought she was not the
woman. She was sitting down then. I saw her
sitting down in our shop, but I noticed her more
particularly when standing up. It was a fortnight
since that I saw her here. I told Hay don that I
could judge better if she were standing up. He
did not tell her to stand up. He said that would
do and I might go. I was not here this day week.
John Hemmant, assistant to Mr. Tarn, draper,
Newington- causeway—The note now produced is
one which was paid to me by a female for some
goods she had purchased. I know that from an
entry on the note. I took down th© name and
address which now appear on that note at the die.
tation of tke lady. The name is " Groves," the
Christian name having been torn off, and the ad-
dress is 4, Park-street, Greenwich. I cannot say
when it occurred. Could not say whether it was
Ist no. April, or whether it was this month or
_ _ _ _ _ _

Mr. Lewis—Mr. Mullens thinks it was the Ist of
April. I should say it was very likely.
Mr.Mullens—lt was paid into the bank on the 2d.
John Hester, assistant to Mr. Rabbits, of New-
ington-causeway, boot and shoe manufacturer—The
note now produced was paid to me three weeks back
by a female for goods she had purchased. She gave
me the address, which I wrote on the back of the
note, Miss Mary Groves, 4, Park-street, Greenwich.
Cannot speak to the prisoner.
Elizabeth Monday—l am in the service of Mdme.
Lechertier, 60, Regent-street. Tho prisoner is my
sister. Her name is Mary Monday, or was till she
was married. Her name is now Gibson.
Mr. Lewis—Were you present itt the marriage ?
Witness—No, I was not.

Mr.Mullens—No doubt the young woman thought
she was married. Do your parents live at 18,
London-street, Brighton ?
Witness—Yes.

Michael Haydon, the City detective, deposed—A.
few days since 1 went to 18, London-street, Brigh-
ton, and saw Mr. and Mrs. Monday. I received a
letter from Mr. Monday, signed W. Gibson, which
I produce. I searched some boxes which Mr. Mon-
day showed me, and in which I found a considerable
quantity of papers. Amongst them are a number
()thins for lodgings, &c., against a person named
Gibson, at 5, Creed's-place, Greenwich.
Mr. Lewis objected to this as not being evidence
against the prisoner.
Mr. Hall could imagine a variety of ways in which
it might be evidence, but at present the letters cer-
tainly were not evidence.
A long technical discussion arose, in the course
of which the question arose whether the prisoner
was Gibson's wife, Mr. Lewis urging that the pro-
secution had opined that sho was not.
Mr. Mullens—Her sister says she is. Mr. Lewis's
case takes a strange turn when he thinks it neces-
sary to throw such an imputation on his client.
Mr. Lewis—lt is your case. The sister said her
name was Mary Monday.
Elizabeth Monday, being recalled, said that she
only meant that was the prisoner's maiden name.
Believed the prisoner was married to Gibson.
Mr, Lewis—Were you present at the wedding ?
Witness—No.
Mr. Lewis—Do you know who 13 they were mar-
ried, or when P