The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-31 00:00:00

THE BOMARSUND PRISONER&

The Moniteur contains the following Imperial
decree, promulgating the convention concluded
between France and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland for regulating the disposal of
prisoners of war :

"Napoleon, by the grace of God and the national
will, Emperor of the French. To all present and to
come, greeting—
" On the report of our Minister Secretary of State for
the Department of Foreign Affairs, we have decreed and
do decree as follows :

" Art. I. A convention having been concluded on the
10th of May of tie present year between France and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the
regulation of the disposal of the prisoners who might be
captured during the course of the war, and the acts of
ratification having been exchanged on the 20th of the
same month, the said convention, of the following
tenour, will receive full and entire execution
CONVENTION.
" His Majesty the Emperor of the French, and Her
Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, being desirous to regulate the dis-
posal of prisoners who may be captured during the
course of the war in which their Majesties are engaged
in common, have named as their Plenipotentiaries for
this object, that is to say—
" His Majesty the Emperor of the French, M.
Alexandre Colonna, Count Walewski, Grand officer o
the Imperial order of the Legion of honour, Grand Cross
of the Order of St. Xavier of the Two Similes, Grand
Cross of the Order of St. Danebrog of Denmark, Grand.
Cross of the Order of Merit of St. Joseph of Tuscany,
&c., his Ambassador at the Court of her Britannic
Majesty ;

" And her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Right Hon. George
William Frederick Earl of Clarendon, Baron Hyde of
Hindon, Peer of the United Kingdom, Knight of the
Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross
of the Most Hon. Order of the Bath, Principal Secretary
of State of her Britannic Majesty for Foreign Affairs.
The above having exchanged their full powers,
found in due form, have agreed upon the following ar-
rangement :
Art. 1. The prisoners who may be captured in the
course of the present war shall be, as far as possible,
divided between the two countries in the following
manner :

" In case one of the two countries should have hal to
maintain a greater number of prisoners, or shall have
bad a certain number during a longer time under its
charge, there shall be drawn up, every three months,
an account of the excess of expense resulting from such
oharge, and the repayment of the half o 'such excess
shall be made by the Government of the other country.
"Art. 2. Instructions shall be subsequently arranged
between the two Governments, in order to make known
to the military and naval officers the places or ports to
which the prisoners are to be sent.
" Art. 3. If a place of depot for prisoners should be
fixed upon out of the possessions of one of the two coun-
tries, the expense of it shall be supported by the two
Governments ; but the advance shall be made by the
Government which may have appointed its officers to the
care of the establishment.
"Art. 4. Whenever the two Governments shall agree
with the enemy to make an exchange of prisoners, no
distinction shall be made between the respective subjects
who have fallen into the power of the enemy ; but their
liberation shall be stipulated for according to the priority
of their capture, except under special circumstances of
which the two Governments reserve to themselves the
natural right to judge.
"Art. 5. The present convention shall be ratified,
and the ratifications shall be exchanged at London
within 10 days, or sooner if possible.
In faith of which the respective Plenipotentiaries
have signed the present convention and affixed their
seals to it.

Done at London, the 10th day of the month of May,
Lo the year of our Lord 1854.

cc
WALEWSKI.
CLARENDON.
"Art. 11. Our Ministers and Secretaries of State for
the Departments of Foreign Affairs, War, Marine, and
the Colonies, are charged, each as it may concern him,
with the execution of the present decree.
"Done at Paris, the 29th of August, 1854.

"NAPOLEON.
"Examined and sealed with the seal of the State, the
Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice,

" ABBATIJOCI.

"By the Emperor,
"The Minister of Foreign Affairs,
"DBOITYN DI LILTS."

CBARING-CROSS BRIDGE COMPANY.

The ordinary half-yearly general meeting of this corn.
pany was held yesterday, at their offices, Villiers-street,
Strand, R. Few, Esq., Chairman, presiding.
The SECRETARY read the report, which stated that,
from the account of the receipts and payments for the
half-year terminating the 31st ult., it appeared there
was a steady improvement in the tolls. The receipts
for that period amounted to 3,322/. 9s. Bd., being an
increase, as compared with the corresponding six months
of the preceding year, of 3151. lls. 2d., and being higher
than any former half-year, with the exception of
the year
1851, when the Great Exhibition in Hyde-park was open.
But, though the actual receipts were higher, yet, in con-
sequence of the state of the money-market, the directors
had not only been prevented re-adjusting the revenue ac-
count by raising a loan of 1,7611. 4s. sd. due from the
capital account at the date of the last half-yearly meeting,
but had been compelled to make a further payment of
500/, from the revenue account in liquidation of a bond for
that amount, which became due in January last, thereby
increasing the advance from the revenue accountto 2,261!.
4s. sd. That sum would have provided a dividend st
the present meeting, after a payment of all charges.. thereon, but the directors could not, under existing
..ir_
cumstances, recommend a declaration of dividend flotar:
present half-year. It would be for the brider:?Pr_. lg.
to say whether the company should revive
_orguene •
application to enlarge the present
for
ridtg
bill
of 147..
oerilciivienigra,i.
traffic, or whether they should waitu
including a balance of 1,9181. 1 2d.,
d that the receipts,
3,3221. Bs. Bd.
to 5,4651. 11s. 6d., and,
toll collections, &c., amounted
there was a balance in
ulyFr3orst,thleBsr4e,veintuaeppaeacc2grou
of 2,56. V. 9s. lOd. The general
account for the half year
favour of the company
for debit side a sum of 7,8281.
balance sheet avowed on
adopted;
and some discussion
4g. 2d. The report was
deducting the disbursements,
of no general
separated. after which the meeting
interest ensued,

the PpTONVILLE PRISON.—The report of the Directors of
Convict Prisons on state and condition of this estab-
upirldinintegd
s
85
I is htn ent and
Ithe3.convicts cpoonrfitned statesin itth
ahasttteeebn
for the year .
throughout .are in substantial repair. Twenty additional
tbartlis have been completed, and several minor repairs
within the prison have been completed by the prisoners
at a very moderate cost. The exterior work has been
executed by hired labourers. The directors have reason
to be satisfied with the manner in which the superior
officers have executed their duties. The subordinate
officers have also given general satisfaction. As com-
pared with the three former years, the number of punish-
ments awarded to prisoners is somewhat increased ; and
the number of prisoners -who have escaped punishment,
in proportion to the total population, is less than in the
same years.

cc THE PUN" ON SMOKE PREVENTION.
There really ought not to be any excuse for the entire
riddance of the smoke nuisance ; our own experience satis:ying us
that the syAein of. smoke prevention and ecpnorny or fuel, invented
and carried ut by Mr. Lee Stevens, is as effective as it is simple.
Thril we had it applied to oar own steam-emine furnace, we could
torin no idea of the ease and certainty of its operations, without any
moveable parts, and at such very m',derate expense."—Sun.
Copies of OFFICIAL AND OTHER REPORTS, and of Testimo-
nials in favour of the Invention, as applied to STEAM BOILER,;
31tEWERY COPPERS; SPILLS; CHEMISTS, DYERS, and
CONFECTIONER,' PASS; COAL OVENS, &c, with informat'on
respecting licenses to manufacture or use the Patent ,moke'ess Fur-
;wee, g yen by Mr. JOHN LEE STEVENS, the Patentee, at the
Offices, No. 1, FISH-STREET-HILL, CITY, LONDON.

BREWERY, COPPER, AND OTHER
FURNACES.
"The Brewery, Lich&ll, 9th-August, 1854-
"Dear Sir,—We are glai to say that your apparatus quite bears
Jut the assurance you gave us that It would answer our purpose,
" The doubt we had as to its adaptation ti furnaces with defective
draught is entirely removed. Our liquor copper now boils qu te as
error' as the wort copper, and with both there is a diminution in the
consumption of fuel.
" The ex i,eriment we witnessed at Messrs. CHARINGTON, HEAD,
and CO.'S, as to smoke prevention, we thought at the time per
actualfectly
suceesstcl and this impression we are happy to contlim from
ipericrce.
"It will give us pleasure to reply to inquiries that may be made by
any Brewery Firms at Burton-on-['rent, but should suggest that it
may probably be more sattstacfory to those gentlemen to judge for
them elves by seeirg the inn: tces st work, and this they can do at
any time.

We reit Ln, dear sir.
• Yours, very truly,
"JOHN AND ARTHUR GRIFFITH.

"J. Lee Stevens, FAQ"
Copies of oftle,al and other repots, and of testimonials In favour
of the invention, as applied to 'team Rollers, Brewery Coppers,
Chetn ate', Dyers', and Confectioners' Pans Coal Ovens, Ike ,
With information respecting Licences to manufac'ure or u•fe this
well, stahliNbt.d system of -coke Preventi-n and Ecittome of Fuel
continue+ to iF,e given by Mr JOHN LKE STEVI4NS, the Patentee,,
at the offices, No. 1, Fish-street-hilt, City, London.

LYCEUM THEATRE.—HENRY RUSSELL,
for Thir:y fights. TIIIS EVE • ING (he 4th t me), August
3,5., and every Event g. Many ,rends having ex,ressed a wi.h
thar Mr. Russell shoed appear again previou., to finally wandraw-
log his Entertainnuen , h • has, in compliance with their request.
made arranzements to appear ev ry evening. • r RUSSELL will
pr. sent THE FAR WEST, or, THE PROGRES 4 of the r
Iron the o 1.1.) wow Dto the NEW. Mr. Russell will relate his
anecdotes, and sing several new songs, " Che,r, Boys, cheer," " Far,
far noon the -,ea," " Sunshine after Rain," "Land ! Land ! Land !"
The Fails of Niagara," " Long parted have we been," " I'm
Afloat," "Many charges have I seen," "The Icebergs" (descriptive
song), " Newfoundland Dog," "The Gambler's Wife," &c. The
Second Part of the Entertainment will consist of a series of
Sketches, entit ed NEGRO LIFE in Freedom and Slavery.
Dress Circle, 2s. 6d. ; Upper Boxes, Is. 61; Pit, Is. ; Gallery, 6d.

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET.
Under the management of Mr. luckstone.
THIS EVENING, AuotsT 31,

Will be performed THE OLD CHATEAU. Characters by Messrs.
Fowl, Rogers, H. Marston, and Buckstone; Mrs. Fitzwilllam, and
Miss Reynolds.
Followed by the SPANISH DANCERS in a NEW BALLET,
THE GIPSY QUEEN.
The new Farce AS LIKE AS TWO PEAS. Mr. Richards (a
Barrister), Mr. Buckstone.
After which the Second Part of the Ballet, when the Spanish
Dancers will again appear.

STRAND THEATRE.
S )1e Lessee Mr. F. W. Aileron.
THIS EVENING, AUGUST 31,

Will be performed HARD TIMES.

Followed by FAUST AND MARGUERITE. Mephistopheles,
ldr.:ford; Faust, Miss G. Hodson; Marguerite, Miss H. Gordon,

To conclude with BOMBASTES F 17111060.
Stalls, 45.; roxes, 2s. 6d.; Pit, li.; Gallery, 6d.; Private Boxes
el is., to be had of Mr. Allcroft. 15, New Bond-street.

ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGIC AL GARDENS.

"This place fills up an hiatus which the Crystal Palace leaves
wanting. Vocal and instrumental music of the first order, and a
eisplay of fireworks which exceeds all imagination, are a fitting
:lose to a day at the Crystal Palace."
DANSON'S COLOSSAL PANORAMA of CHUSAN.
Splendid and Extensive Menagerie and Marine Aquarium—Unri-
valled Military Band.

VOCAL and INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT,
in which Miss Poole, Miss Ransfori, and Mr. Manvers sing
everal National and Patriotic Songs—All the .kmusing Novelties
of the Gardens in succession, concluding with the " Feast of Lan-
terns," and a most 'magnificent display of Fireworks by Southby.
Admission One Shilling. A splendid Pavilion for Dancing has been
erected. Full Quadrille Band, &c.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AlfilllTELEATior..
Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke.

GREAT SUCCESS of the NEW EQUESTRIAN BURLESQUE.
THIS EVENING,

'third Time, an entirely new Burlesque of Equstrian character, by
Li 11G 0 VAMP, h:sq., ca 11441

THE SIEGE OF TROY ; or, THE MISS-JUDGMENT or PARIS
After which, ile:/tlt CIIRISTOFF (l'Empereur des Funam'Ailes)
on the Tight Rope, with the (until now) unaitempted nyraculow,
eat of throwing a Summersault, and alighting on the rope on his
teet !

The unique awl elezant SCENES fn the ARENA, th Invention
arrangement, and wider the direction of Air. William Cooke.

To conclude with Mrs S. G Healey-'s Equestrian Ballet d'AcEon
THE K-NIGIIC AND THE WA LER LILY; or. Love among the
Mermaids.

to,-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W
West.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Int. DAT —Morning 26 rnin.after 6 ( Evening 49 min.aft. 6
ro-voaeow— Morniu. 19-rntn.after 7 i Evening 51 min.aft. 7

THE WEATHER.—Sun 07716 A, Auo. 31.
THERMOMETER, THE SHADE.
78—highest since noon yesterday.
63—lowest this morning and during the night.
74—this day at noon.
BAROMETER, 30.28--falling.
WIND, N.W.—Light breeze, and fine summer weather.

Cs-}) j

LONDON, THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1854.

The Sun of yesterday contained the announce-
ment, -extracted from the Moniteur, that the
Governments of France and England had resolved
to destroy the fortifications on the Isles of Aland,
and that Bomarsund will be evacuated ! ! This
is ominous intelligence. It shows plainly and
unequivocally that the Swedish Government is:
still hanging back, and that it is afraid to incur
the enmity of its still terrible neighbour by any
decided movement, even to the extent of again
entering into possession of an important portion
of its own territories, of which it had been un-
justly and unfairly deprived. This almost un-
accountable hesitation on the part of Sweden can
only be attributed to its doubts as to the sincerity
of the Maritime Powers, and its apprehensions
lest they might be induced to enter into
new treaties with Russia, without making due
provision for the protection and security
of the minor States that might act with
them in opposition to the wishes of the
AUTOCRAT. It has seen the toleration exhibited
towards the King of PRUSSIA, that his vacillation,
or, perhaps, what might more fairly be described
as his "palpable leaning" towards Russia, has not
brought with it any punishment or inconvenience ;
but that, on the contrary, the vacillating Monarch
has not even been warmly remonstrated with,
while his subjects have been allowed to enrich
themselVes by the transit of Russian traffic
through their country, and the agency for all the
commerce of Muscovy.
While such an example is sanctioned on the
part of FREDERICK WILLIAM, what could we ex-
pect from King Oscan? He sees vacillation and
te ."
•
mporising rewarded. He beholds the security
afforded by the " policy of abstention," and why
should he adopt a bolder or more manly course ?
If he again took possession of Aland, to say
nothing of. Finland, he would incur the fierce
animosity of the North
" Des Pot, which might
be productive of very dangerous consequences
when the combined fleets of France and England
had withdrawn from the Baltic, while on the
other hand he had nothing to fear. His pusil-
lanimity would insure his safety.
Now it is partly our fault that this state of
feeling should have been produced, it is most
decidedly so that it should be suffered to con-
tinue. King OSCAR said that, although perhaps
the finest and most powerful navy that the world
ever saw was floating in the Baltic under the
" union-jack" and " tricolour," that the class of
gun-boats essential to operations in shallow water
were withheld, he sties that the " good and -
ex-
cellent" friend of forty years' standing to the
CzAR was still permitted to remain at
the head
of the
English Government, and that the entire
control and management of the war was dole;
to his hands by rated
the representatives of the British
people, who
supplied him with funds sufficient to
enable him to dispense with their attendance for
six months. He probably was cognisant of
the despatch of Count MANTEUF FEL, al-
luded to in our impression of yesterday,
in which they Prussian Minister stated that the
" '
lung 'guide4
ley this encouraging
appreciation, will take We stand on the RUBSt •
ait reply."
These
considerations produced the vacillation which not

even the Aland Isles in possession and Finland

in expectancy could dispel—which nothing, in
fact, but more vigorous action, more decided suc-
caises on our part, could remove. If the fortifi-
c ttions at Helsingfor or Cronstadt shared the fate
of those at Bomarsund, if the Russian fleet in the
Baltic and its vicinity were completely destroyed,
then might Sweden feel itself at liberty to co-
operate zealously and efficiently. And when we
prove to Prussia that we are determined
no longer sanction a suspicious neutrality, then
can we also consistently inform King OSCAR that
we regard those who are not with us " as against
us ;" and that he must forthwith elect the stan-
d trd under which he will serve, whether he will
be the ally of freedom or autocracy.
The destruction of the fortifications at Bomar-
sund affords the strongest evidence that it is the
intention of the Western Powers to permit Russia
to resume possession of these important islands,
and to hold them as a threatening position
over the other nations in the vicinity of the Bal-
tic. Were it otherwise, were we to oc3upy them
during the winter, or to induce Sweden to do
,so, we should have not merely retained,
but strengthened, the forts which, although
they speedily fell before the combined
forces of France and England, might yet, if pro-
perly garrisoned, resist any attacks of Russian
troops. But dismantling them proves that we are

doing so to prevent the CZAR from again using
them, and that we mean to allow him to send his
0.-trrisons there the moment we have removed,
and to surrender the unfortunate inhabitants t 3
his tender mercies, to acts towards them in accord-
ance with his mere will and pleasure. Is this
just or proper ? Is it wise or expedient ? Is it
calculated to bring the war to a speedy or honour-
able conclusion ? We fear not. Experience has
proved that there is nothing to be gained from
NICHOLAS by temporising or negotiation. He
will still pursue his nefarious objects through
all the windings of diplomacy—will resort to
every quirk and quibble, and lie and prevaricate
to the end of the chapter. The only argument
to which he is sensible is that of the strong arm.
What he requires is a plain, steadfast determina-
tion on the part of his opponents not to be hum-
bugged, but to enforce instant attention to their
demands. Had we spoken firmly when he first
announced his intention of crossing the Pruth, a
single Russian soldier would never have entered
Wallachia or Moldavia. Had we acted resolutely
on their doing so, and sent the combined fleets

into the Euxine, not to dally but to act, peace
would long since have been established on a firm
basis, and we should have been spared the war im-
posts—the doubled Income Tax and the enhanced
duties onmalt,spirits,and sugar. To the timidity and
vacillation of Lord ABERDEEN We owe the com-
mencement of hostilities ; to the same deplorable
and disgraceful causes we owe their continuance,
and that yet, even at the eleventh hour, suffi-
ciently decided steps are not taken to bring the
war to a speedy termination by completely
;tumbling the arrogance and reducing the over-
;rown power of the aggressor. It is for the
British people to say whether these baleful in-
fluences shall continue in operation—whether
we shall allow the Prime Minister to mismanage
affairs until Parliamentary censure will no
longer be sufficient punishment for conduct
meriting impeachment. It is necessary that the
voice of public opinion should penetrate
into the inmost recesses of Downing-street, to
rouse the " travelled Thane" from his placid
slumbers, and teach him his true position. He
may be assured that the notice referred to by
our facetious conteniporary, Puna, that " You are
requested not to spealtto the man at the helm,"
though it served the purpose last session, will not
again do so, when it is so painfully perceptible
that the pilot is nodding at his post, and steering
the vessel of the State among shoals and rocks, in- I
(heated by a threatening mass of " breakers
ahead."

We freely and willingly inserted the communi-
cation from our correspondent " Lex 'Scotus,"
impugning the views to which we gave expression
in reference to the recent case of BUTLER V.
iNIOUNTGARRET. The more extensively such ques-
tions are canvassed, the greater facilities for
putting forward conflicting opinions, the more
speedily will truth prevail and the required re-
forms be carried into practical execution. We
•lo not think that our correspondent clearly under-
stood the tenour of our remarks, or he would have
perceived that they were directed, not against
the absence of formalities where the intention of
the parties to form a matrimonial contract was
clearly apparent, but rather against the slender
nature of the evidence required to prove that in-
tention, and the consequent danger that, after
the lapse of many years, a marriage may be
alleged where none had really taken place, and
considerable injury thereby inflicted on innocent
persons.

The case referred to afforded a very powerful
illustration of that evil. A lady of unblemished
reputation, high respectability, and consider-
able fortune, had, in the month of September,
1811, formed a suitable alliance with the younger
son of an Irish nobleman. The marriage had
been duly celebrated in the face of the country.
There was no concealment—everything had been
open and above-board. For forty-three years she
had been recognised as the lawful wife of the
Honourable HENRY BUTLER—her son, as the
presumptive heir of the wide-spread domains, and
ancient title of the family ; her daughters as the
legitimate offspring of an honourable matron.
Had she entertained any doubt as to the nature
of 'zhe connexion which her husband had, previous
ro his marriage, maintained with Mrs. COLEBROOK,
it would have been set at rest, not merely by the

lisclaimer of that unfortunate and misguided
woman herself, but by her subsequent marriage,

1812, with another man—and that at a time
when bigamy would have subjected the offenders
o exeieplary punishment—and also by the pro-
ceedings instituted in 1816, for the purpose of
legally establishing that marriage of 1812—pro-
ceedings which were sustained by the solemn oath
of SARAH STRIDE, the confidential domestic, that
no marriage had been contracted with BUTLER.
Is it surprising that with such confirmation she
lived on in perfect security as to the validity
of her nuptials, and patiently awaited the time
when her son should, in the course of nature, suc-
ceed to the honours and possession of his family.
What, then, must have been her astonishment,
her horror, when, at the end of more than forty
years, she found her own position and that of her
children questioned, the brand of concubinage
aEthtaxted of
itlloeghietrimoaz
wu
intbhl eaml i sl
i thse de
vri
lesp2uttoa ti
heron,
inanno-d
cent children? And all these complicated misfor-
tunes arising from the undue laxity of the Scot-
tish law on the point of evidence. We have no
interest whatever in the case. We are personally
unacquainted with Mrs. BUTLER or any of her
children, but we cannot help feeling the deepest
sympathy for one who has been unjustly and un-
fairly exposed to such unparalleled misfortunes
a n (T
If sucha e l
auinmm emt:ietreed s re et p ruopa calgt
.ainst her for the re-
covery of a sum of money, it would be barred at
tshe end of six years by the Statute of Limitations.
If she held adverse possession of land for twenty
years it would confer a clear title against all the
world, but in that which was dearer to her than
wealth or lands, even her good name, there was
no time that could sanctify her possession. In one
instance due provision .was made by law for the
difficulties of proof whihanwdoutlhdearuinseintaefrtrerupttedhe
lapse of so many years,
period was looked on as an
joy
incontrovertible
ment during
that
presumption. In the other, and

the far more important instance, her fair fame is
tarnished, her character filched away, and "her
children bastardised and deprived of their pro-
perty, after uninterrupted enjoyment for forty-
three
years, on the oath of a woman who, accord-
ing to the statement of the advocates setting up
and relying on her testimony, must have been a
perjurer, a wilful and deliberate perjurer, either
in 1816 or in 1854 !!

Our correspondent says "the monstrosity there
does not pertain to the Scotch law, but to the
English (gite. Irish ?) Jury, which could decide
against the validity of the English marriage on
such evidence as that produced to prove the
Scotch !" We must, however, entirely dissent
from this statement. We do not, of course, jus-
tify the finding of the Jury. On the contrary,
we have expressed our unqualified astonishment
that any body of twelve gentlemen could have
returned a unanimous verdict against the Eng-
lish marriage on such deplorably defective
evidence ; but were it not for the state of the
law, the question could not have been submitted
if a better class of evidence were rendered indis-
pensable.

" Form" is not, with all submission to our
correspondent, the " essence" of the English law !
Were it so, we should condemn it as heartily and
unequivocally as he seems disposed to do. There
is no "form" necessary. All that is required is
that the parties should declare themselves to be
man and wife before the Registrar, after having
given certain notices of their intention to do so.
Having thus provided unquestionable evidence as
to the civil contract, it is at their own option
whether any religious ceremony shall take place.
Those who in their conscience desire that cere-
mony are allowed to have it celebrated in the
mode they think most binding ; but its absence
does not invalidate the nuptials, or render the
issue illegitimate.
The appearance before the Registrar is for the
Purpose of affording decisive proof as to the most
important action of life—the length of notice re-
quired to prevent young persons from too hastily,
recklessly, or clandestinely entering into a con-
nection that must constitute the happiness or
misery of their future lives. Perhaps the time
required may be too long. It is, however, a
fault on the right side, and any error might be
avoided in the amendment of the Scotch law.

All we require is, that the declaration of the
intention to live as man and wife in Scotland
should take place before some public functionary,
who would preserve a proper record thereof, and
that there should be sufficient notice of the inten-
tion to prevent so solemn an obligation from being
contracted during a moment of inebriety, or with-
out due consideration. Twenty-four hours might
be sufficient for that 'purpose ; and we are con-
vinced that our correspondent himself would not
object to that security, or think that it interfered
with the religious liberty of his country, which
we ourselves would defend to the last extremity.

j One word only as to the point respecting the
alleged marriage by a Roman Catholic Priest.
That gentleman is charged with a violation of the
law ; and an illegal act can hardly be brought
forward as a proof of a deficiency of the law.
The complaint is, that the evidence required by
law is wanting. There was the "form'," but not
the requisite proof. The case was a hard one on
the young woman, but it arose through her own
imprudence ; and surely the hardship is not so
great as that inflicted on Mrs. BUTLER, who
adopted every possible precaution required by
law, or which she could by a possibility resort to.
We are sure that the good sense of our corres
pondent, " LEx Scorns," will induce him to
agree with our views, now that we have removed
any obscurity by which they might have been
enveloped.