The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-14 00:00:00

DAILY WEATHER TABLE.

FRIDAY, JAN. 14, 1853.
State of the wind and weather at each of the following
places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations
are arranged in order of latitude.
HASTINGS—W., gentle breeze—overcast.
SOUTHAMPTON—S.W., gentle breeze—overcast.
FOLKESTONE—S.W., light airs—overcast.
TUNBRIDGE—S.W., strong breeze—partially cloudy.
GREENWICH—S.W., strong breeze—overcast.
STROOD—S.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
SWINDON—S. W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
CAMBRIDGE—S.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
YARMOUTH— W., gentle breeze—cloudless.
HOLYHEAD—S.W., strong breeze—overcast, rain.
SHAP—S.W., strong breeze—rain.
The returns from the following places indicate the state
of the weather on Wednesday morning at nine o'clock
UULLINGAR— S.W., gentle breeze—overcast.
LANCASTER—W., heavy gale—heavy rain.
WHITBY—S.W., strong breeze—overcast.
DARLINGTON—S.W., strong breeze—overcast, heavy
rain.

THE WEATHER.—SuN OFFICE, JAN. 14.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
44—highest since noon yesterday.
34—lowest this morning and during the night.
40—this day, at noon.
BABOHETBR, 29.87—a rise of nearly half an inch since
yesterday.
TrITIND,. N.W.—Fine breeze, and cold, clear weather.

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dr, 44,4isitvii, ,

LONDON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1853.

Had a bombshell fallen in the centre of a
crowded assembly of the Religious Equality Asso-
ciation, it could not have excited greater conster-
nation than the intelligence that the most able
and influential officers of " the Brigade"
the - leading performers of " the Brass Band"—
had accepted office under a Saxon Government.
The defection of Mr. KEOGH was indeed a heavy
blow and a great discouragement to those restless
spirits who thought that the sole duty of a
popular Representative was to retard, if he could
not altogether prevent, the progress of public
business, and to prove " a thorn in the side" of
any English Administration who would not grovel
at the feet of the Irish Agitators. The Honour-
able Gentleman, in point of ability and experi-
ence, was facile princeps of the party. As a Par-
liamentary tactician he had on many occasions
evinced skill of a very high order, which would
render him an acquisition to any party
or , section of the House. His most effi-
cient follower or coadjutor was Mr. JOHN
SADLEIR, the Member for Carlow, whose opinions
on every doubtful point carried much weight and
authority among the less prominent Members.
Both these gentlemen had, however, evinced a
degree of discretion and moderation on certain
points that was by no means agreeable to the fiery
souls who seemed to think that the only use of a
Government was to be " pitched into" on every
possible occasion, to act as a " chopping-block" for
aspiring recruits on which " to flesh their maiden
swords." They had also the singular bad taste to
declare, and to act practically on the avowal, that
the welfare and prosperity of Ireland was a matter
of even greater importance than the vexatious
annoyance of a Ministry, and that it was more
desirable to obtain a just and equitable mea-
sure of landlord and. tenant law reform than
to bellow even with stentorian lungs respect-
ing suggestions that could by no possibility
obtain the sanction of the House of Commons, or,
indeed, of any body of persons having the slight-
est respect for the laws of property, or who in
any degree recognised the distinction between
" Areum" and "Tema."
To add to their discomfiture, if possible, was
the fact, that no tangible charge of tergiversation'
or " ratting" could be put forward. Mr. Knoon
had originally entered the House as a follower of
the late Sir ROBERT PEEL. He had never varied
from that political faith, and when challenged by
Major BERESFORD, the " W. B." of Derby election
notoriety, the friend and correspondent of the
political tortior—for having obtained admission to
Parliament under false pretences, he boldly avowed
his sentiments, which he un asserted to be wholly
changed.
nent It was true that he had taken a
promi part in the opposition to the Ecclesias-
tical Titles Bill, but that could not be urged
as a disqualification to office under a Minis-
try of which Lord ABERDEEN was the head,
and Sir JAMES GRAHAM, and other leading
Peelites were prominent Members. Mr. San-
/mit was equally unassailable. For what objection =lid there be to his co-operation

not merely with Lord JOHN RUSSELL, and Lord
PALMERSTON, but with Sir WILLIAM MOLESWORTH,
CHARLES VILLIERS, and RALPH OSBORNE,. with
whom he always found himself in the same lobby
on divisions.
These matters which took away the sting from
any attacks, materially aggravated their violence.
A large proportion of the more reasonable Members
of the party also refused to join in the on-
slaught on their former friends. This was
another grievance. But the greatest of all re-
mained behind. Not a single sop was flung to
the indignant patriots. MOORE was not tendered
the Chief Secretaryship_; nor was even a subordi-
nate office found for GAVAN Dui, or LUCAS.
No wonder, then, at the indignant remonstrances,
the stern denunciations, hurled at the devoted
heads of the seceders. The tone of Irish com-
plaint, or Irish argument, is seldom marked by ex-
traordinary moderation. On the present occa-
sion, it was distinguished by an acidity and viru-
lence almost unparalleled even on the western
side of St. George's Channel.

Another point that created mingled astonish-
ment and annoyance among the lay and clerical
agitators of the Defence Association was, that
neither the Roman Catholic Bishop nor clergy of
the Diocese of Elphin, nor indeed the great ma-
jority of the priesthood throughout the country,
would consent to join in the ostracism of
the offenders, nor follow the example of
the " inexorable RHADAMANTRES," who first
punished the accused and subsequently inquired
into the accusation. Dr. BROWNE and the Athlone
constituency had listened to the syren voice of
the new Solicitor-General. Not only had they
given him a hearing, a favour not usually accorded
by Celtic Controversialist; but " Iforresco refer-
ens," they deemed the explanation satisfactory,
and bound themselves to give their entire and
hearty support, without extorting a single pledge
from the candidate. We are wrong. One pledge
was obtained. A pledge alike honourable to both
parties—the electors and the Representative. It
was, that he would never desert the constituency
which had first recognised his ability, and afforded
him the opportunity of acquiring Parliamentary
laurels. It is almost unnecessary to add that the
promise was freely given, and that it is one not
likely to be violated.

The very hopelessness of the opposition in-
flamed the wrath of the would-be dictators of
Ireland to the highest pitch. A meeting of the
Religious Equality Association was accordingly
called, which assembled on Wednesday, under the
auspices of Mr. G. It. MOORE (M.P. for Mayo), the
new leader of the infuriated remnant of the party.
Notwithstanding all the exertions and whipping-
in of the malcontents—notwithstanding the dia-
tribes hurled against the seceders, and all who
countenanced their secession—not more than
thirty persons could be brought together, of
whom scarcely a third were laymen. Notwith-
standing the paucity of their numbers, the meet-
ing proceeded to their work "con spirito." The
three tailors of Tooley-street, who designated
themselves " the people of England," could not
have evinced a more ludicrous assumption of con-
sequence. Father COGIILAN led the van, while
the Rev. Messrs. MANGAN, 0 'SHEA, KELLY, and
MARSHALL followed in the ranks. The latter
Reverend Gentleman delighted the select assembly
by stating that, " the defection of Messrs. KEOGH
and SADLEIR, had caused him no surprise, as
it had long been a patent fact that when-
_. _

ever a Minister wished to get rid of the op-
position or to buy the services of AN IRISH-
MAN, he had only tc offer him a place !!! This
compliment to the national character elicited the
most rapturous and enthusiastic applause—all
seemed to feel the impossibility of resisting such
a temptation, and " hugged the sin, while they
hated and denounced the sinner."
There was not, however, the extraordinary
unanimity that had been anticipated. A young
gentleman, named SHA.RKEY, who previously wit-
nessed the cordial reception of the SOLICITOR-GENE-
RAL at Athlone, andlistened to his triumphantvindi-
cation of his motives, brought forward an amend-
ment, and notwithstanding the indecent interrup-
tions offered to his address, enforced a hearing.
The manliness and vigour of th e unexpected oration,

excited a consternation that can scarcely be des.
cribed. The confusion of King AGRAMANT'S cant'

scarcely exceeded the discord at the Equality
rooms in Sackville-street. Mr. SHARKEY was ad-
dressed in the most ornamental phraseology—a
" young infidel" being one of the mildest terms
used. He persevered, however; found a seconder;
and, although left in a minority, startled the
meeting from its propriety—a feeling which was
by no means diminished when Mr. DEVEREUX
(M. P. for Wexford) left the room, declaring
that he had come for the purpose of carrying out
the principles of religious equality, and not of
passing a vote of censure on Mr. KEOGH. The
Hon. ftentleman was followed by many others,
leaving the discomfited residue with gaping mouths
and downcast visages, to lament the extinction
of their brightest light. Seriously, we most
heartily congratulate Mr. KEOGH at having
emancipated himself from the trammels of such
an Association, a,nd being deserted by these
with whom he should be ashamed to march
through Coventry. Those, of whose good opinion
he should be solicitous, will fully appreciate the
motives that induced him rather to endeavour to
benefit his country than to party—and such a
party !-give up abilities which, judiciously ap-
plied, might materially promote the best interests
of the nation.

British Catholics, if they have the slightest re-
gard to their own reputation, can afford to be
silent no longer. Their Church is once more
guilty of murder in the name of Religion. The
Grand Duke of TUSCANY, a devoted subject of the
POPE, has not only decreed the guillotine for Pro-
testantism in his little domain, but he has imprisoned
to death FRANCESCO MADIAI, for no other crime
than that of studying the Bible and teaching its
contents to others, and for having an English
Prayer-book in his house. Political objects (so
dreadful a crime on the Continent) his very ac-
cusers do not lay to his charge ; social crime of
any sort he is not accused of. No ! This Ducal
son of the Church, in obedience to his Church, has
slowly murdered his sickening victim in the cell
of a prison, for believing differently to the Church
of Rome. This is the unvarnished, unexaggerated
statement of the case. Will Mr. LUCAS continue
to justify murderous dungeons and the guillotine
Will he continue to defy the indignation of every
one who has the heart of a freeman, by defending
capital punishments for converts to Protestantism
in Catholic States ? We trust he has learned a
little sobriety from the public chastisements in-
flicted on him by some members of his own
Church, who would not consent to merge their
British citizenship and British love of freedom iu
their Catholicism. When the MADIAIS were first

imprisoned, we called upon the British Catholics,
the Irish ones more especially, if they wished to
enjoy credit for sincerity in their movement for
religious equality, to send forth a unanimous and
and a public protest against the Duke's cruelty
and impiety. To do it in the name of their re-

ligion ; to declare before the world that such
barbarities were no part of it, and had no sanction
from it. To pronounce in some authoritative
way—in some way which would make an impression
in Tuscany and on Rome itself—that persecution
for conscience sake was a dogma and a deed of
bygone ages—that it belonged to the ignorance of
all sects three• hundred years ago ; but that Ca-
tholics, like all other Christians, had quite out-
grown it. We urged our fellow-Catholics then to
clear themselves., of all supposed complicity, in
virtue of their common faith, with this deed of
darkness ; and now we repeat the demand yet
more earnestly. Some few Irishmen, Members of
Parliament am' L Editors, have indeed spoken out ;
but there is ne eeled an unmistakeable declaration
of opinion by ; public meetings and memorials, or
petitions, addressed to the Dun and to the POPE
himself, if ou r Catholic brethren wish tc, stand
right with the liberal and enlightened public of
Europe and An 'erica.

The case of tli .e MADIAIS is not a mere trumped-
lip tale of Exete. r-hall oratory, nor an exaggerated
anecdote to poii it the bigoted declamations of a
I'l%l-BILL or a E EVGII STOWELL ; it is, unfortu-

nately, an avowed and defended act of a
Catholic Prince on behalf of the Catholic faith.
Neither is it for adherence to some minor sectarian
notion that a mere pecuniary inconvenience is suf-
fered (though we do not excuse the laws here,
which press hardly upon a Quaker), but a deadly
imprisonment is inflicted on a blameless and excel-
lent couple for maintaining the principle most
dear to the hearts of all true Britons—namely, the
right of private judgment, the right of every man
to worship his GOD according to the dictates of his
conscience. Let Catholics remember the plain
fact that their Church has just put a man to death,
and decrees death to all in future, for the crime
of reading and teaching the Scriptures ; for the
crime of earnestly endeavouring, not to found this
sect or that, but simply to be a Bible Christian.
Let Catholics also know that in our practically-
minded country one such deed will tell more
against their faith, and more dispose the people
and the Legislature, too, to measures of repression;
than all the prosy speeches of a SPOONER, the ora-
tions of an ACIITLLT, or the fiery diatribes of the
Liverpool clergyman. Some may question the
prudence of Stafford-house ladies interfering with
American social evils, and neglecting those at their
own door, but none can doubt the propriety,
almost the necessity, of British Catholics endea-
vouring to rescue their own faith from the stigma
of aiding and abetting civil murders. The unity
and unchangeableness of the Catholic faith is so
loudly proclaimed by all its advocates, that Catho-
lics here must bear their full share of the tlame
of these horrible doings where their faith is domi-
nant, unless they take steps immediately to clear
themselves as a body from all participation in the
Duke's bigotry and cruelties.

Poor FRANCESCO MADIAI He is gone beyond
the reach of human praises and human sympa-
thies, yet will there be myriads of hearts through-
out Europe, as well as in England, who will ad-
mire his real primitive martyr spirit, and rejoice
that, though " sick and in prison," he mildly, yet
firmly, maintained his faith to the last; equally
immoved, though but a humble miller, by the
learned casuistry of his priestly tormentors ; and
though so infirm in body, by the terrors of a pro-
longed and severe confinement. Kings and nobles
felt for him and with him, and interceded, though
to no purpose, with his Jesuit-ridden persecutor ;
he was soothed by their kindness ; his ho'pes were
sometimes enkindled by it, but in the spirit of
earlier ages his reliance was in the nam9 of Him
for whom he suffered. Well has he left a record,
that even in this nineteenth century, in this age
of political religion, and of Mammon-worship, in
this material, this worldly, this busy age, the
genuine martyr devotion is not quite extinct.
We cannot afford to forget such occurrences in
the ceaseless hum of daily business. They do
honour to our common nature, they show that
man is after all something more than a money-
making machine ; they show there is a Re-
ligion better than the eternal clish-ma-claver of
the sects, a Religion for which a man can calmly
die. But alas ! they show also that there is a
Religion which can be the diabolical cause of such
martyrdoms as these ! Would that British
Catholics would unite to tell the Vatican in a
voice of thunder, " Murder for conscience sake
is not a part of our Religion."

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at
the Foreign-office, Downing-street. The Ministers pre-
sent were the Earl of Aberdeen, the Lord Chancellor,
Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, the Marquis of
Lansdowne, Viscount Palmerston, Lord John Russell,
the Duke of Newcastle, the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Sir James Graham, Sir Charles Wood, the Right Hon.
Sidney Herbert, and Sir William Molesworth. The
Council sat three hours.
THE AMERICAN MINISTER.—BIRMINGHAM, THEIRS-
DAY.—It has been resolved by the merchants and manu-
facturers of Birmingham to invite Mr. Ingersoll, the
American Minister, to a public dinner in this town,
during his short visit to Lord Calthorpe, at Perry Hall.
Should Mr. Ingersoll accept the invitation, which it is
confidently hoped and expected that he will, the enter-
tainment will in all probability take place on the 20th
inst. The contiguous iron districts of South Stafford-
shire and East Worcestershire, so deeply interested in
American intercourse, will unquestionably contribute a
large portion of the company which will assemble to en-
tertain his Excellency.
We understand that the Marquis of Breadalbane re-
signs his post of Lord Chamberlain in consequence of ill
health. We also understand no person has yet been ap-
pointed Under Secretary for Ireland.
THE OVERLAND MAIL.—It appears that the overland
mail, which has been telegraphed from Trieste, and the
letters by which may be expected on Saturday or Mon-
day, will bring advices from Sydney nearly 40 days later
than those last received. The intelligence by the Marco
Polo was to the 2d of October, and the dates now an-
nounced are to the Bth of November.
GOLD TO ST. PETERSBURGH.—Part of the exportation
of gold to St. Petersburgh has been for account of the
Royal Prussian Bank, who are transferring large amounts
to that place which they had had in deposit here with a
leading firm.
NEW LINE OF AUSTRALIAN STEAMERS.—The pro-
spectus has at length been issued of a steam company
to run direct from England to Australia, via Panama,
or any part of Central America that may ultimately be
found more desirable. It is to be called " the Austra-
lian Direct Steam Navigation Company," and the nomi-
nal capital is to be 1,000,0001., in shares of 25/, each,
on which 21. per share is to be paid. The board of
directors consist of persons both of nautical and mer-
cantile experience connected with the trade of Central
America, Australia, and the East, and it is calculated
that this route, coaling at Otaheite or some other con-
venient station in the Pacific, the entire passage from
England to Sydney may be regularly accomplished within
50 days. Its convenience and safety, as well as its
facilities for speed, have long been urged by almost all
parties interested in the welfare of the colonies, and
every attempt to develope its capabilities will be regarded
with favourable anticipations.
THE AUSTRIAN LOAN.--The mercantile letters from
Vienna are to the 10th inst., and possess considerable
interest. The alteration in the rate of discount by the
Bank of England had occasioned great surprise, and also
apparently some disappointment, since it is said that the
belief in the abundance of gold from England had led to
a full conviction that a new 5 per cent. Austrian loan of
10,000,0001. sterling might shortly have been contracted
here at a most favourable rate. Under the circumstances,
a new domestic loan was looked forward to with cer-
tainty in the spring. It appears that the speculative mania
in Paris was regarded at Vienna as being " promoted
by cheap English money," and reliance was accordingly
felt that some portion of it might also be attracted to
Austria. Even as it is, there is evidence of a much
larger amount of the stocks of that country having re-

cently been disposed of to foreign buyers than has gene-
rally been supposed. According to the present advices,
the reduction in the interest of the debts of Holland and
Belgium has had a powerful influence in causing Austrian
securities to be taken, and it is asserted that since the
Ist of November an amount equal at least to 3,000,0001.
or 4,000,0001. sterling has been purchased for those
countries and France and England, and that it is by the
bills drawn against this total that the rapid improvement
in the rates of exchange has been brought about.
THE POULTRY Snow.—Yesterday was the third day
of this extraordinary show, and from the immense num-
ber-of highly respectable persons of both sexes who vi-
sited the bazaar during the day, there can be no doubt
but the poultry show is as popular as the Exhibition of
the Smithfield Cattle Club. It has been already stated
that by the rules of the club every specimen was to be
put up for auction at the reserved price fixed by the
exhibitor. The sale was commenced by Mr. Stratford,
the auctioneer, at twelve o'clock precisely, in a spacious
room adjoining the gallery appropriated to the pigeon
and rabbit classes. The competition, especially in the
Cochin China classes, was most -spirited where the re-
served prices were bond fide, and not prohibitory. The
most extraordinary were the following. In class 15,
which was for pairs only of the best Cochin China,
cinnamon, buff, or brown, best cock and one pullet,
chickens of 1852, No. 81 pen, which obtained the
first prize, and belonged to Mr. John Bidwell, of
Guildford, hatched in May last, realised the extra-
ordinary price of 491. 78. These birds were bred
by Mr. Fletcher, of Kensington, from fowls which
obtained the first prize and extra medal at Birmingham
in 1851. The reserve price fixed by the owner was but
15 guineas, and had he not have submitted them to
auction he would have been a loser of just 341. No.
12, belonging to Mr. C. Cooper, of Guildford, bred by
the same gentleman, the reserve price of which was 5
guineas, and sold for 19 guineas. No. 87, a buff cock
and pullet, from the stock of Mr. Farlie's first prize hen,
bred by Mr. Gilbert, of Kensington, sold for 15 guineas.
No. 97, a silver cinnamon pullet, bred from Mr. Gil-
bert's " Queen" hen, was sold to Mr. John Taylor, of
Cressy-house, Shepherd's-bush, for 18 guineas. Mr.
Gilbert's hen, " the Queen," sold for 16 guineas, and
was subsequently sold for 18 guineas. In Class 16,
white Cochin Chinas, the pen belonging to the Rev. Dr.
Allen, of Englefield-green, hatched in Juno and July
last, the reserved price for which was 101. 10s., sold for
261. ss. In the Dorking classes the Earl of Berwick
and Sir Archibald M'Donald were among the principal
competitors. A number of agriculturists attended the
sale, and the Impression appeared to be that the breed-
ing of poultry was now becoming more profitable than
even the breeding of cattle.
HARVEST PROSPECTS.—Very little wheat has as yet
been sown, and in the Vale of Marshwood it is very
probable that none will be sown, as it is almost impos-
sible to prepare the heavy clay soil for its reception ;
in-
deed, not only are the operations of the farmer retarded
by tat, uns.ttled state of the weather, but all the wheat
havevery ffaaviloeunravibleytimalthough
lo l nfi asi in.
brought to markefri q in a very damp state, and conse-
quently much depreciated in value. Lambing,. we un-
ldoewrstawenteLsohirs manypro
eeeded
ewes
mation.--aerborne Journal.