The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-28 00:00:00

NING, FEBRUARY 28, 1853.

endowment, or favouring of one sect, as, pro
tanto, the persecution of the rest. Sir Wm. CLAY,
in seconding the amendment, asserted that, as Pro-
testantism rested upon the right of private judg-
ment, and as ecclesiastical establishments wtre op-
posed to the right of private judgment, there could
in a Protestant community be no logical defence
of them. Mr. MIALL was cheered for refusing
to vote for the motion, because it would con-
stitute the House a judge of religious truth
and error, and even his startling parodox—
" that he would rather give the money of the
State for the support of error than for the support
of truth," was also cheered, when he explained
himself to mean, " that he would rather do some-
thing to support by external means a bad system,
than kill the vitality of a good one, and that the
last creed he would consent to endow was his own,
and that because he believed in it." When Mem-
bers of the Government, and independent Mem-
bers are listened to with respect, and even appro-
bation, while discoursing in this way, it seems
pretty clear that we shall hear of no more ecclesi-
astical grants. Nor ought we. The wealth al-
ready set apart to religious purposes is surely am-
ple. Let it only be rightly used.
In regard to the main question, we decidedly
oppose meddling with the grant singly. When-
ever the day shall come that all similar acts can
be repealed upon a broad ground, it will be an-
other case. Heartily do we wish that each creed
would maintain itself, and spare us these Parlia-
mentary theological quarrels. Till then, in common
with the great mass of honourable Englishmen, we
should regard the abolition of the Act as a piece
of petty persecution, as having at least every ap-
pearance of it. We would err rather on the side
of generosity than of persecution, even towards a
system which has 'incurred the just detestation of
the English nation.

CoUI;;T CIRCULAR.

Her Majesty and Prince Albert with the Prince of
Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, the
Duchess of Kent, the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe,
the ladies and gentlemen in waiting, and the domestic
household, attended divine service, yesterday morning,
in
an d the private chapel of Buckingham Palace. The Hon.
Rev. Gerald Wellesley officiated.
Prince Albert rode out on horseback on Saturday, at-
tended by Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. A. Gordon.
Her MajestyMajestyesty had a dinner party on Saturday at
Bueki
Lghain Palace. The company included the Duchess
of Kent, the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, the
Duchess of Sutherland, the Marquis d'Azeglio, the
Turkish Minister and Madame Musurus, Lady
anny
Howard, the Baroness de Speth, the Earl and Countess
of Clarendon, Viscount and Viscountess Emlyn, Vis-
count and Viscountess Enfield, Lord and Lady Stanley
of Alderley, the Right Hon. W. E. and Mrs. Gladstone,
Sir Byam Martin, Admiral of the Fleet, and Colonel
Wylde.
The band of the Royal Horse Guards was in attend-
ance in the palace during dinner, and played the follow-
ing music :

Overture--" Raymond" A. Thomas.
Selection—" Caterina Cornaro" '
Waltz—" Queen of Roses" D'Albert.
Grand Pot Pourri on Airs from the Opera
" Le Caid" A. Thomas.
Galop Militaire Kuhner.
Herr Schnitzer had the honour of attending at Buck-
ingham Palace on Saturday evening, and performing on
the Zitter before her Majesty and the distinguished
party assembled after dinner.
The Queen's private band attended in the palace on
Saturday evening, and performed the following composi-
tions :

Overture—" Das Wunderwasser" Flotow.
Trio—" Le Pre aux Clercs" ... .......... Herold.

The deputation appointed at the Manchester Peace
Conference had an interview with the Earl of Aberdeen,
on Saturday, at his official residence in Downing-street.
The deputation consisted of Messrs. T. Milner Gibson,
M.P., Richard Cobden, M.P., George Hadfield, M.P.,
W. Laslett, M.P., Joseph Crook, M.P., Joseph Hume,
M.P., William Brown, M.P., John Cheetham,
James Kershaws, M.P., William Ewart, M.p.,
Joseph Brotherton, M.P., James Bell, M.P., Frank
Crossley, M.P., W. A. Wilkinson, M.P., J. B. Smith,
M.P., William Ewart, M.P., J. B. Smith, m.p ,
Edward Miall, M.P., Samuel Gurney, Edward Smith,
Samuel Carter, Joseph Sturge, Henry Pease, John Lee,
LL.D., Lawrence Heyworth, Frederick Ashby, George
Edmunds, Robert Charleton, E. F. Collins, John Mor-
land, Richard Sterry, J. D. Bassett, Samuel Lucas,
Samuel Gurney, jun., the Rev. John Burnet, Messrs.'
William, Edwards, Russell, Jeffrey, James Ellis, M.D.,
Joseph Cooper, George W. Alexander, the Rev. Henry
Richard, Mr. John Jenkins, Mr. Charles Gilpin, &c.
The Turkish Minister and Madame Musurus enter-
tained at dinner, on Thursday last, their Excellencies
Lord and Lady-Stratford de Redcliffe and the Hon.
Miss Canning, prior to his lordship's departure for Con-
stantinople, to resume his post as ambassador to the
Sultan. A select party was invited to meet their Ex-
cellencies.

Mr. NV. Beckford, of Jamaica, had a long interview
on Friday with the Duke of Newcastle at the Colonial-
office.

A deputation of Postmasters had an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday, it his official
residence in Downing-street, upon the subject of the
Post Horse Duty and Tax on Carriages let to hire, by
which all postmasters are charged on the average 20 per
cent. on their gross earnings, besides a heavy assessed
tax on their carriages, whilst railways pay but 5 per cent.
on their passenger traffic, and no tax on their carriages
or goods traffic. The deputation was introduced by Mr.
T. S. Duncombe, M.P., and was accompanied by the
Lord Mayor, M.P., Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P., Mr.
Masterman, M.P. Sir James Anderson, M.P., Mr.
Hastie, M.P., Mr. Langton, M.P., Lord Dudley Stuart,
M.P., and Mr. Tattersall. The deputation consisted of
Messrs. Robert Newman, C. Newman, Chancellor, Bry-
ant, Wilson, Pawley, Dyer, Cole, Goodrham, Thumwood,
Gray, Yeomans, Andrews, and G. Shillibeer, secretary
of the London Committee, and the following delegates :
Mr. Croalr; (Edinburgh), Mr. Mallalieu, Mr. Wylie
(Glasgow), Mr. Folwell (Bristol), Mr. Billington(Preston);
Mr. Johnson (Newcastle) Mr. Goodrham (Guildford), Mr.
Cole (Godalming)Mr.Watson(Ramsgate), Mr. Thumwood.
(Farnham) Mr. G. Waddell (Birmingham), Mr. C. J.
Waddell (Oxford), Mr. Giles (Dideot), Mr. Silverthorne
(Brighton), Mr. Bottom (Newmarket), Mr. Lovegrove
(Maidenhead), Mr. Goldsmith (Reigate) Mr. Heller,
Mr. West (Sheffield), Mr. Chater (Windsor), and Mr.
Lodder (Basingstoke). Mr. John Wood, chairman of
Board of Inland Revenue, and Mr. Pressly, were present
at the interview.

A deputation from Chorley had an interview on Sa-
turday with the General Board of Health, at their office,
Whitehall, in reference to the application of the
Public Health Act to that town. The deputation con-
sisted of Mr. Richard Smethurst, jun., and Mr. Richard
Jackson. They were introduced by Mr. W. Brown,
M.P., Mr. Cheetham, M.P., and Mr. James Pilking-
ton, M.P.
Dispatches were received at the Colonial-office on Sa-
turday from the Governor of New Zealand.
The Turkish Minister transacted business on Satur-
day at the Foreign-office.
Mr. James M'Queen had an interview with Viscount
Palmerston on Saturday, at the Home-office.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of Sierra Leone, the Gambia,
and the Gold Coast.

A Cabinet Council was held at the Foreign-office,
Downing-street, on Saturday afternoon. The Ministers
present were the Earl of Aberdeen, the Lord Chancellor,
Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Viscount Palmers-
ton, the Earl of Clarendon, the Duke of Newcastle, Lord
John Russell, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir
James Graham, Sir Charles Wood, the Right Hon. Sid-
ney Herbert, and Sir William Melesworth. The Coun-
cil sat three hours and a half.

The Speaker's second parliamentary dinner was held
on Saturday. The following gentlemen attended --
Right Hon. 33. Disraeli, Right Hon. Lord Mandeville,
Right Hon. Lord Stanley, Right Hon. Lord John Man-
ners, Right Hon. Lord Claud Hamilton, Right Hon.
Lord Naas, Right Hon. B. Walpole, Right Hon. Sir
John Pakington, Right Hon. R. Christopher, Right
Hon. G. Bankes, Right Hon. Sir John Trollope, Right
Hon. J. W. Henley, Right Hon. C. Forrester, Right
Hon. W. Beresford, Right Hon. 3. Napier, Admiral
Sir Thomas Herbert, K.C.8., Captain Hon. Arthur
Duncombe, R.N., Sir William Jolliffe, Sir r. Thesiger,
Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Mr. Forbes Mackenzie, Sir G. A.
Ramilton, Mr. Stafford, Mr. Cumming Bruce, Mr. H.
J. Baillie. Marquis of Chandos, General Sir Geo.
Berkeley, K.C.8., and Mr. Bateson were unavoidably
absent. The right hon. gentleman will hold his first
levdt on Saturday, March 5, at ten o'clock. 1
MELANCHOLY SUICIDE OF MR. N. DORMER,. PROPRIE-
TOR OF BETTY'S CHOP-HOUSE, STRAND.—This forenoon,
Mr. Bedford, the coroner, received information of the
melancholy self-destruction, by prussic acid, of Mr. N.
Dormer, licensed victualler„ and who for many years
was the proprietor of Betty's Chop-house, adjoining the
Church of St. Mary-le-Strand, which took place about
12 o'clock on Saturday night, at the Old Dog Tavern,
liolywell-lane, of which house he has been the landlord
some months. Shortly before that time he was in the
parlour in conversation with Mrs, Dornief, when he was
called upon bj Mr. taker, Auramoning officer of the
parish of St. lenient Danes, in reference to the renewal
of his licence, application for which would have to be
made before the magistrates on Thursday next. He
spoke to his wife about the document connected with
the transfer, and directed her to give them to Mr, palter
on Monday morning. He afterwards left the parlour
just as the house was about to close; he was searched
for, as he was not to be found attending to the business
of either house. Mrs. Dormer entered his bedroom,
upon which he was discovered apparently lifeless. An
alarm was given, and medical assistance was sent for.
Mr. Dunn, surgeon, promptly arrived, who pronounced
life extinct. A phial was on the bed, which had con-
tained prussic acid. Mr. Dormer was in the 48th year
of his age. He had appeared latterly depressed in
spirits, but not so much as to lead to a suppositir that
he would commit the act of self-deetructiout

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS,

etti; 146 d O'diacit:
'ho galds of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday
Were estimated at 4,000 bales, of which 500 were
taken for export. The market closed heavily, at
previous rates. The sales comprised 3,500 Ameri-
can, 200 Egyptian, 6kd. to 120.; and 200 Surat,
at 3/4. to 4d. per lb. Railway shares were flat,
at rather lower prices.
The railway zneetiiigia Announced are the fol-
lowing t

Date. Place.
Aberdeen Mar, 8, Radley's Hotel.
Ambergate
Belfast and County Down... Feb. 28, Belfast.
Blackburn
City of Toronto & L. Huron Mar. 7, 13, St. Helen's-pl.
Edinburgh and Glasgow Mar. 1, Glasgow.
Glasgow and South- Western Mar. 9, Glasgow.
Lancashire and Yorkshire Mar. 2. Manchester.
Lancaster and Carlisle
Londonderry & Enniskillen Mar. 1, 4,Coleman-st.-blgs
Loughor Feb. iB, 37, Walbrook.
Lowestoft Mar. 12, Lowestoft.
Manch., Buxton, & Matlock Mar. 2, Derby.
Manchester, Shell., & Lin. Feb. 28, Manchester.
Manchester & Southport
Mid. Gt. Western Ireland Mar. 4, Dublin.
Norfolk
Royston and Hitchin Feb. 28, 15A, St. Helen's-pl.
South-Eastern Mar.l7, Bridgehouse-hotel,
Lon
Tourn., Jurb.,Land., & Hass. Mar.l7, Bruss d on-els. bridge.
West Cornwall
Western of France - Feb. 28, Paris.
The Cape of Good Hope steamer has arrived,
with very late news. Business was quiet, and
there was a full supply of all the leading commo-
dities.
By way of the Cape of Good Hope, we learn that
the yield of gold at Port Philip, up to the middle
of December, was extraordinarily large, and the ar-
rivals at Melbourne from the diggins were as im-
portant as ever. The most novel circumstance,
however, is the entire confirmation of the news
given under this head more than two months since,
that gold was likely to be discovered to a consider-
able amount in South Australia, private individuals
in the course of their "prospecting" having picked
up a large sum. The Government Commissioner
had reported that there were great gains being made
at the Echunga " Diggins," and although the suc-
cess of parties was very unequal, pounds weight
were freely spoken of where ounces before
were deemed an adequate reward. Land was
certain to advance rapidly in value, and
there is great interest manifested to obtain later
information from the Agent of the South Austra-
lian Land Company, who will probably send a full
statement by the next mail steamer.
Passengers just arrived from Australia state that
the yield of gold in Port Philip was about 100,000
ounces per week, and no doubt with the production
of the Sydney mines the total will exceed half
a million sterling per week. This is more
likely to increase than diminish, because of
the large influx of population, even though the
individual avemge may be much smaller. One of
the most satisfactory items of intelligence by this
opportunity for those who have friends in the
colonies, is that provisions were becoming abund-
ant, owing to large imports, and all fears of scarcity
were at an end.

Company.

The Roxburgh Castle has arrived with about
155,000 ounces of gold, or, according to some ver-
sions, even more. This vessel has had rather a
narrow escape in the Channel, having lost an anchor.
The Chrowringee brings 63,000 oz. This is more than
800,0001. in one day. Besides this, the Frances
Henty was at the Cape when the steamer left with
70,000 ounces, and the Lochnagar with 4,000
ounces. A great many vessels are coming home by
way of Cape Horn, which at this time of year offers
the most favourable winds. The steamers Sydney
and Great Britain, are hourly expected.
Notice has been given at the Post-office, that the
mails on board the steamer Australian, at Ply-
mouth, will be sent by the Overland Mail, via
Singapore, on the 4th. The Hellespont, how-
ever, takes out fresh mail bags also this evening.
The steamer Canada brings satisfactory commer-
cial advices from New York, and has 90,000 dol-
lars in specie on board. There were three steam-
vessels in the port from California, with three
millions of dollars on board.
Some bad losses are reported at Lloyd's this
morning, including two ships with rich cargoes
from the United States.
The highly cheering accounts from Australia
have not yet made much imprestion on the fuilds,
notwithstanding the announcement that the Aus-
trian Government has not broken off negotiations
with Turkey, because of the rumoured demand of
Russia, Austria, and France for the expulsion of
Kossuth and others. The value of Consols has
been 99i to I for transfer, and 99-i to for ac-
count. The New 3/ per Cents have realised 1038
to 11, and the 3 per Cents 104/ to 1. Bank Stock
is dull at 2261, and India Stock at 2671. Ex-
chequer Bills have been quoted 12s. to 17s. pre-
mium, and India Bonds 40s. premium.
In the foreign market very little business is
doing, but prices are firm. Mexican Stock has im-
proved to 24k Brazilian New 4i per Cents. of
1852 have been done at 97i ; Chilian 3 per Cents.
are worth 78 ; Spanish 3 per Cents. have been done
at 48 ; and the Committee's Certificate has touched
6k. Sardinian Bonds are at 95 ; and Dutch 4 per
Cents. at 99 to being full prices. Peruvian De-
ferred are nominally 64f.
The Gold. Mine Shares are brisker, but the ad-
vices received this morning are not generally
known to the public yet. The Australian, how-
ever, has risen 1/. Port Philip are also dearer.
The Land Companies' Shares have been higher,
especially those of small denomination. Bank
Shares have been improving.
The Railway Share Market is a little flatter,
principally for Caledonian, Eastern Counties, Lan-
caster and Yorkshire, and South Eastern. French
Shares were lower, but are now up again.

BRITISH FUNDS ATONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY,

(From the Official List.)

Bank Stock
7
l22ea
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 3i. per Cent. Annuities.......... .
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860
Ditto 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 of
India Stock267l
India Bonds, £lOOO —
Ditto, under £lOOO 4O
Console for Account 10th March 99i- I
Exchequer Bills 10.
£lOOO.. l7 12
£5OO l7 12
small 8 11

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK,
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto New, 1852, 4i per Cent 97i
Chilian Bonds, 3 per Cent ......... .........•
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 95
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 4B
Spanish Passive (Converted) 6i
Dutch Exchange 2i per Ceut
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates....
HALF-PAST Two.

Consols
Ditto March Account,

Tim MAILS FOR AUSTRALIA.

TO THE EDITOR OE THE SUN.

SlR,—The Australian mail packet which ought to
have left Plymouth an the 2nd of this month has not
left yet, and it appears probable that she will be
detained for some days. She has a very heavy mail
on board, and supplementary mails will, there is no
doubt, be made up daily for her until she starts.
Now, on Friday next the Australian mail via India
will be despatched, which ought to contain in regular
course all letters posted since the 2nd inst., but
which will in fact contain very few letters, because all
the correspondence will be put on board the Australian
packet at Plymouth. Now the Australian mail via
India, which leaves on Friday, is due at King George's
Sound on the Ist of May, Adelaide on the 7th, Port
Philip on the 10th, and Sydney on the 13th of May.
There is no doubt punctuality will be observed, because
the mail will be conveyed by the ships of the Peninsular
and Oriental Company. Even if the Australian
packet, via the Cape of Good Hope, leaves Plymouth in
a few days, there is no knowing when she will reach
her destination. Certainly there is no chance of her
reaching Australia as early as the mail vic2 India. It is
most unfortunate, therefore, for the mercantile commu-
nity, that all their Australian correspondence should be
on board the Plymouth packet, when it could be sent
much quicker by way of India. Could not the mails be
trans-shipped from the Plymouth steamer, and placed on
board the Southampton packet which takes out the
Australian mail vid India on Friday ? If this cannot be
done, I submit that the Post-office authorities should
not send any supplementary mail to Plymouth between
this and Friday.
London, Feb. 26.

AN AUSTRALIAN MERCHANT,

ST. LAWRENCE AND ATLANTIC RAILWAY.—We are
pleased to learn that Mr. C. P. Roney has just received,
through the Colonial-office, the appointment of general
superintendent of this railway ; and that Mr. John M.
Ciraut, of Dublin, a gentleman formerly connected with
the tendon press, accompanies him as his assistant.
EXETER HALL. The London Sacred Harmonic
Society will perform Haydn's oratorio Creation, first
time this season, on March 2, preceeded by Dr. Elvey's
Cantata for the Birthday of Her Majesty, first performed
at Windsor Castle, May, 1850. The principal parts
will be sung by Mrs. Sunderland, Miss C. Henderson,
Mr. Lockey, and Mr, H. Phillips, assisted by the band
and ohorus, which will be on the usual extensive scale,
conducted by Dr. Elvey and gr. Surman, the founder
of the Exeter Hall oratorios.