The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-05 00:00:00

considered his new measure, and do not like it—
that they have not become so blinded of late as to
be incapable of penetrating into the mysteries of
his scheme, and discovering in it an attempt to rob
them of their birthright as Englishmen ; that so
far are they from desiring to increase the power of
his Lordship, and his order, and the clergy, that
they are wishing that power to 'be considerably
curtailed, and, as a political element, annihilated
altogether ; and that they will employ all their
energy to defeat the new attempt to rob them of
the portiOn of power they still enjoy.
It should be remembered, as was observed by
Lord Dudley Stuart at the St. Pancras meeting,
that this question affects every parish in England;
it is not whether Tory or Liberal shall rule, it is a
question upon which every one who maintains the
principles of local self-government can have but
oue opinion. We hope, as the time is rapidly ap-
proaching in which the Bishop of London will try
again, that no time will be lost in giving free and
hearty expression of opinion on this subject every-
where, and that his Lordship will have no excuse
for saying he called for the expression of opinion
from every parish, that few have spoken against
the measure, and that, in the ease of the large ma-
jority, it may be taken for'granted that silence has
given consent.

SOCIAL EQUALITY-MR. COBDEN AND

MR. BRIGHT.

(Front the Morning Herald.)
With the exception of two gentlemen, born,
bred, and thriving at Manchester, all men, in all
ages, have admitted that ineqUiEty_is the first law
of nature. They have admitted not only that there
is a social inequality, but that there must be, as an
inference, a political inequality; and, if even the
researches of those philosophers and moralists had
failed to convince us of the existence of such an
irrefragable and universal law, the analogy of na-
ture, animate and inanimate, would set the point
at rest. Are Mr. Bright and Mr. Cobden alike in
station ? Are Lord Derby and Mr. Cuffey co-equal
in intelligence? Can the sun, the moon, the comets,
and the planets, composing our system, bear any
comparison to each other in size, in the rapidity of
their motions, in the destination of their celestial
course, or in the distribution of their particular and
internal elements Is not the parable of the sower
an emblem of life ? Is it not the exposition of the
fate of man, and a proclamation by the mouth of
the Saviour himself that poverty, whether of
the body, the purse, or the soil, is alone able to
equalise ?
_ _ _

To this day, among shepherd nations—among the
tribes of Wandering Arabs, a general poverty main-
tains a general equality, because the distribution of
wealth is poised as in a balance ; but old age and
high qualities of the mind or great beauty of person
put forth claims to distinction and to inequality.
In our own colonies—in the West Indies, where the
son of Africa walks unshackled, where the light of
liberty streams, like a beacon, from headland to
headland, almost from the very shores hemming
the Gulf of Mexico to the insular cases of the
Caribbean Sea—even there, unbending inequality
exists between the white people and the black.
Take America, too=-for it is out of that soil Mr.
Cobden and Mr. Bright have dug the fanciful root
of their political and social equality—will they have
the effrontery to say that the wealthy merchant of
New York considers himself on an equality with
the street-sweeper. Would he give his daughter in
marriage to a common labourer ?
It is very true that these questions direct them-
selves to social equality ; but what reasonable,
patriotic man would lend himself to the propagation
of the perfect equality of political rights ? By such
a regulation—by the adjustment of an exact poli-
tical equipoise—our old friend Mr. Cuffey, or his
co-labourer, Mr. Bright, would naturally wish to
rule. Why should Cuffey be subservient to Card-
well, or John Bright to John Russell ? Cuffey
sounds as well any day as Cardwell ; and Bright is
quite as liquid as Russell. This refusal to obey
would terminate all government, and if there bean
end to government, what is the inevitable result ?
Either intestine war or a disruption of the whole
social fabric. Anon, despotism steps in to give
anarchy to death, and, after committing the deed
of strangulation, stabbing, or hanging, rises,
exultant ; then shows, grasped in its gory hands,
the most fearful and uncompromising of inequalities
—the unconditional power of one.
Mr. Cobden asserts that social equality appears
in its purest form throughout France, and he offers
very large odds that if the present Emperor of that
country were to organise an hereditary and aristo-
cratic Legislature, his throne would not be worth
24 hours' purchase. Perhaps so • but what has
the abolition, in the first instance, of the aristocracy
and of the Chamber of Peers done for France ? In
all probability, what Mr. Cobden does not desire
to see the annihilation of the House of Peers do
for England. Why, it has brought to our neigh-
bours revolutions, which, like the alternation of
day and night, have come periodically to sweep
away thrones, and to make continuous changes
which we trust have ceased.

All men have a right to the enjoyment of their
opinion, but they have not a right to the enjoyment
of an opinion which is built on false premises, and
is shown to be prejudicial to the structure of the
society in which they are permitted to breathe and
move. It is to be reprehended, therefore, that two
men like Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright—endowed
undoubtedly with some capacity of mind, and pos-
sessing, above all, that flow of language and plausi-
bility of manner, which, aided by the prestige of
their popular origin, force assumptions as facts on
the acceptance of unthinking crowds—should per-
vert gifts so full of good to uses so pregnant with
evil. It is to be reprehended that two such men,
holding in their hands the individual confidence of
a vast section of their poorer and less educated
countrymen, should ply tongue and pen to obscure
and mislead ; that they should take advantage of
the untutored perceptions of Manchester weavers
and Yorkshire Chartists, and invite their execra-
tion of those institutions which have sprung from
the experience and deep meditation of the wisest
of our forefathers, and which the finger of time
itself, the leveller of all anomalies, has left com-
paratively untouched.

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE AND HIS

TENANTRY.

(From the Derby Reporter.)

It was our privilege to participate in the enjoyment
of a very gratifying scene at the ducal Palace of the
Peak on Monday last. The occasion was the meeting
of the Duke of Devonshire and a deputation of tenants ;
and a more delightful meeting, or one better calculated
to render pleasant recollections fixed and enduring, never
we will venture to say occurred between the owner of a
princely domain and a body of respectable tenantry.
A. strong desire has long been felt by the numerous
tenantry of the noble duke to offer some becoming mani-
festation of the high regard and esteem in which his grace is
held as a landlord, and of their appreciation of his many
excellent qualities of head and heart, and the kind interest

he takes in the welfare of all who come within the
circle of his acquaintance. With the view of giving
practical effect to this prevalent desire, a preliminary
meeting of tenant fermers from each township in the
county where his Grace's property extends was con-
vened on the 25th of January, at the house of Mr.
Jepson, of Edensor. The gentlemen present were :
William Adsetts, Shottle ; George Beardmore, Peak
Forest ; George Bowmer, Shottle ; Selim Bright, Bux-
ton ; John Bromley, Derby ; William Booth, Pentrich ;
John Blackwall Cantrell, VTetton; Lawrence Furness,
Birchill Farm; Peter Furness, jun., Pilsley; Charles
Greaves, Rowley ; John Green, Ashford ; Rowland Hea-
cock, Marston-on-Dove ; William Jepson, Edensor ; John
J. Mower, Miller's Dale ; G. H. Osborn, Dore ; Charles H.
Robinson, Ashopton Inn; John Jepson Rowley, Haw-
thorne ; and William Sampson, Church Broughton. At this
meeting it was unanimously agreed to present to the
noble Duke a full length portrait of himself, executed in
the first style of.art—if such a manifestation of their sen-
timents were acceptable to his Grace—and to obtain
permission to have the portrait afterwards reduced into
an engraving, in order that his Garce's tenantry may
have in their possession the likeness of a nobleman,
whose conduct, as a landlord, they appreciate, whose
benefiecence they admire, and for whom personally,
they entertain feelings of affectionate regard. A
committee, consisting of gentlemen from each dis-
trict, was formed for the purpose of taking the
tiatory steps in this, to them, most agreeable pro-
ceeding. They are as follows :—Mr. John Bromley,
Derby, Chairman ; Mr. Bright, Buxton, Deputy
Chairman ; Mr. Law ence Furrus, Birch-hill Farm Se-
cretary ; William Adsetts, Shottle ; George Beardmore,
Peak Forest; John Blackwall Cantrell, Wetton ; Wm.
Booth, Pentrich ; Henry Bowmer, One Ash Grange ;
George Bowmer, Shottle. ; Peter Fidler, Biggin Grange;
Peter Furness, Pilsley; Charles Greaves, Rowley; Thos,
Gregory, Meadow-place ; John Green, Ashford ; John
Thomas Heywood, Staveley ; W. Jepson, Edensor ;
Rowland Heacock, Marston-on-Dove ; John J. Mower,
Miller's Dale ; G. W. Osborn, Dore • Charles H. Robin-
son, Ashopton Inn ; John Jepson Rowley, Rowthorne ;
and William Sampson, Church Broughton.
The Secretary was requested to forward to the noble
Duke a copy of the resolution, adopted, informing his
Grace " that a number of his tenantry met at Edensor
Inn, by appointment, with a view to obtain the permis-
sion of his Grace to sit for his portrait, to be subscribed
for by his numerous tenantry. And if hie Grace would

:4-4,•-frie, kindly consent, then a committee would be formed, who
would beg to have the honour of an interview with his
Grace, to consult him as to the best and most agreeable
mode of carrying the proposed object into effect."
To this communication his Grace returned an answer,
couched in language which every one must admire and
approve. We are happy to be privileged to place this
document before our readers and the public :
" Chatsworth, 26th January, 1853.
" Sir,—l hasten to acknowledge the letter I have to-
day received, from you, and to convey the sentiments I
entertain in my reply to the gentlemen, who, with your-
self have signed the resolution agreed to at a meeting
held at Edensor yesterday.
"Believe me, that very few events of my life have
given me so much satisfaction as this proof of good-will
and kindness from persons for whom I entertain the sin-
cerest respect, and whose character and conduct have
made me take pride in the connection that subsists
between us ; and on Monday, the 31st instant I shall
be 'truly happy to receive them here at whatever time
may be convenient to them.
"But, sir, I wish this visit to be made for the purpose
of enabling these kind friends to consider well this matter
before coming to a conclusion upon it ; for it is with no
assumed spirit of humility that I say, that though yield-
ing to no man alive in devotion to the interests of Ins
tenantry, and in cordial wishes for their prosperity, I
do not feel that I deserve this tribute. I have not made.
myself sufficiently or personally enough acquainted and
practically useful to those who are so good as to over-
look my. faults of omission ; and the declining state of
my health makes me ever year less capable of attending,
to their interests and occupations. " When a man has attaned the patriarchal age or my•
relation the Duke of Portland, honoured and respected
in his career, there could be no hesitation in conferring
such distinction ; but had not my friends better reflect
again, and on the 31st be more prepared to entertain my'
views on an occasion which, in whatever way it may be.
decided, cannot fail to have been in its contemplation and
general intentions a source of unalterable gratitude to
me. —Believe me, sir, your humble, faithful servant,
"DEVONSHIRE.

"Mr. Lawrence Furniss."
In accordance with a previous arrangement, the com-
mittee, with one or two unavoidable exceptions, re-as-
sembled at. Mr. Jepson's on Monday last, and at one
o'clock proceeded in a body to Chatsworth House, where
a kind and most gracious reception awaited them. The
deputation were met at the principal entrance by Sir
Joseph Paxton, who conducted them to the grand:
library, where his grace immediately joined them. -'The
noble duke gave a-frank and cordial reception to all:
present, conversing with them individually on various
topics, and making many kind inquiries. The pleasant
greeting over, his grace said—l believe, gentlemen,
you have all seen a letter I addressed to fi. -Lawrence
Furniss. Every word in that letter came straight
from my heart. I adhere to the sentiments I there ex-
pressed ;my opinion remains unaltered. I have ar feeling
ofgreat dislike to cause you gentlemen, by accepting your.
proffered kindness, so much trouble and so much ex-
pense ; and happy as I should be under all other consi-
derations, to receive the proposed manifestation of esteem
and good-will, I must now ask you to reconsider the
matter calmly, and will leave you a few minutes for that
purpose. In your decision, whatever that may be, I
shall most cheerfully acquiesce.

The considerate motives that prompted these remarks,
and the delicacy with which they were expressed, cannot
be too highly appreciated ; and they were received as
they were meant, by the deputation. On the noble
duke's return, Mr.• John Bromley, the chairman of the
committee, informed his grace that they were greatly
obliged to him for the course he had pursued, but that
their minds were already made up on the subject, and
they hoped to have a consummation of their wishes.
His Grace having bowed his acknowledgMents,
Mr. BROMLEY said :
"My Lord Duke—l have the honour to appear before
your grace on the present occasion in the capacity of
chairman of a committee of your grace's numerous ten-
antry, of which I have the privilege of being one. Oa
behalf of myself and colleagues, I beg to tender to your
grace our sincere thanks for the distinguished honour
you have done us in condescending to accept a portrait
of yourself, as a small and very inadequate testimony of
the high regard and esteem in which your grace is held
by us as a landlord.

" Allow me to state to your grace that our great desire
is to obtain a full length portrait executed in the first
style of art, so that it may be worthy to adorn the walls
of Chatsworth House-; and your grace will confer an
additional obligation by selecting the artist to perform
the work, and by making known to us the most agree-
able mode to yourself of carrying out this, to us, most
pleasing object.

" Inconclusion, I have only respectfully to request
that your grace will permit an engraving to be taken
from the portrait, so that each of us may possess a like-
ness of a nobleman who will ever live in the hearts his
tenantry, and in the recollection of every well-wis of
his country."

The Noble DUKE, who spoke with much feeling, then
said, that the terms in which he had been addressed were
too kind, too flattering, and he could only hope that he
was deserving of them. He accepted this kind expres-
sion of their feelings with' heartfelt thanks, and so long
as he lived it would be treasured in his memory. His
grace then intimated that as Sir Edwin Landseer was
unrivalled, he thought he could not make a better sug-
gestion than to name him. Sir. Edwin would be enabled
to introduce into the picture some portion of that Peak
scenery which was dear to his grace, as he had no doubt
it was. to those by whom be was then surrounded ; but
in the event of its not being in Sir Edwin Landsec r'a -
power to 'devote the necessary time to -the work, lnr
grace stated he would ask him to recommend some artist
in whose qualifications he had confidence. As regards
the engraving (added his grace), I can only say I shall
be too much honoured.

The noble duke accompanied the deputation through
the grand suit of apartments, and then invited them to
a most recherché entertainment; his grace taking the
head of the table, and Sir Joseph Paxton the opposite
ond.

Before adjourning to the pleasure-grounds and conser-
vatory, Mr. John Bromley said as this was a special oc-
casion when they were partaking of the splendid hospi-
tality of their noble landlord, he trusted they might give
c.fl'ect to their feelings, in accordance with
-the old Eng-
lish custom, by drinking the health of one whom they
revered, and who had ever manifested a lively disposi-
tion to promote the happiness and well-being of his
tenantry. The noble duke's health was then drank with
three times three hearty English hurras, with "another,"
"another " and " one cheer more." His grace betrayed
much feeling, and acknowledged this cordial recogniti-
tion in a graceful speech, referring to the events of the
morning which, he said, called forth most pleasing asso-
ciatiBns in his mind; and he stated that the proceedings
of that day constituted it " one of the happiest of his
life." The noble duke subsequently alluded to Sir J.
Paxton, whose health he wished them to drink on this
auspicious occasion with three hearty cheers. For what-
ever of beauty (said his grace) you may see in the grounds
of Chatsworth, lam indebted to the taste, the ability
and the energy of Sir Joseph Paxton." The toast hav-
ing been honoured, Sir Joseph said that but for the taste
and munificence of his grace, it would have been impos-
sible to accomplish what he had done; for he had always
found in the noble duke a princely patron, and a gener-
kind-hearted friend.

The deputation then proceeded to the conservatory
and perambulated the grounds, accompanied by the
noble duke and Sir Joseph Paxton. The fountains, in-
cluding the giant " Emperor," were all in full play ; and
the scene was in every respect charming. After par-
taking further of his grace's hospitality, the deputation
bade a kindly farewell to the duke, who expressed the
pleasure he had experienced in their aeciety. The
noble duke, whose urbanity and kindness was most
marked throughout, was evidently delighted ; but not
more so than his visitors, who will ever cherish the re-
collection of their reception at Chatsworth House, and
the flow of kindly feeling reciprocated between landlord
and tenant.

CRUEL CASE OF RAPE.—A case of rape of a very ag-
gravated and cruel character has just been brought
under the attention of the Bath magistrates, the sufferer
being an orphan girl only 16 years of age, named Mercy
Brimble. The prisoner was an elderly married man
named George Nutt, and is a greengrocer, living in a
house in a garden near the top of Great Bedford-streets
Bath. He is a very zealous advocate of the Thomp°,
sonian herbal system. It appears that the poor girl
Brimble entered his service about eight months since.
On the 21st of January the girl had a severe toothache,
and her mistress advised her to go to bed, and told her
Viet when her master came home he should apply some-
thing to it. The prisoner in the evening went to the girl,
who was in bed, and rubbed some liniment into her
face. He then began to take indecent liberties with
her, by putting his hand under the bedclothes, upon
which she called out. The prisoner then got upon the
bed, and, having placed bis hand over her mouth, effected
his purpose, and, as the medical evidence proved, com-
mitted a capital offence. The girl said she would tell
her uncle, when Nutt said if she did he would turn her
out or kill her, and told her if her mistress asked her
what she had cried out about, to say that it was because
her tooth pained her. The girl did not tell her mistress,
because she was afraid of the prisoner, but the first time
she was able to leave the house alone, which was on
Sunday last, she went to her cousin, and told her of the
prisoner's conduct, and the matter having come to the
knowledge of the magistrates, the prisoner was appre-
hended. The facts above stated having been deposed to
in evidence, the prisoner was fully committed to take
his trial for the offence at the next Somersetshire assizes,
and application for bail was refused.
THE BEAUCHAMP TOWER RESTORATION.—It Was with
no small pleasure that we learned that the Beauchamp
Tower was in course of restoration under the direction
of Mr. Salvin, who, we hope, will do his best to restore
the whole building, interior and exterior, to its proper
appearance. This is a movement in the right direction ;
and we trust that the same good taste which directed
this will cause the immediate removal of the covering of
Traitors' Gate ; and that when the national records are
removed to their new house, the beautiful and compara-
tively perfect portions of the interior of the White Tower
will be carefully looked after, and thrown open to the
public. The Beauchamp Tower "no tknowu in history
until about the reign of Henry VIII., and is covered i
many parts, with brief and often sad memorials of n
merous prisoners. Every fragment of paint has been
carefully removed, and most of the inscriptions are be,a.
tifully perfect. Even the places where the imprison
workmen have sharpened their tools may now be d
tinctly seen.—The Builder.
CHARLES DICKENS.—Mr. Dickens has, with
liberality, presented a cheque for 3001. to Se
Field, a superannuated officer of the Detective Po
upon whose information he founded several articles
Household Words, relative to the Detective System.
Derby Reporter.