The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-26 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 26, 1853.

and Hon. Gentlemen, who formerly gained well-
merited
praise for their laudable exertions for the
removal of the last and most intolerable restric-
tion on civil and religious liberty. That the one
party should still try to fetter the freedom of
opinion—should endeavour to compel others to
coincide with their own peculiar views—is by no
means surprising ; but that the other should
acquiesce and suddenly relinquish their efforts—
that they should by their silence sanction the re-
tention of the foul blot on the national escutcheon

passing strange, and requires us to
om
look indeeds
hat beyond the surface for the causes
of this extraordinary want of energy—this unac-
countable apathy.
The manner in which the restriction was im-
posed, the way in which the assent of Parliament
was obtained to the enactment which rendered
marriages void ab initio, and rendered the issue ille-
gitimate, thus inflicting not merely a stain upon
the fair fame of the parents, but inflicting the
most serious injury on the innocent offspring,
must be familiar to the great body of our readers.
We may, however, briefly refer to the facts,

although it be but the repetition of a " twice-told
tale." Previously to 1835 such marriages were not
absolutely void, but merely voidable. Proceed-
ings should be adopted during the lifetime of the
parties, for the purpose of annulling the connec-
tion. These were taken in the Ecclesiastical
Courts for the " souls' health" of the married
couple ; and as that could not be promoted if
husband or wife died before the final decree, the
suit became abated, and all proceedings termi-
nated on the death of either, and the children
retained their birthrights unimpeachable. Such
suits were, however, seldom instituted—never,
we believe, in. the case of Dissenters, who did not

recognise the authority of these tribunals, or re-

quire such paternal care for their spiritual we
fare. The law, though obnoxious, was practically
inoperative, being so seldom enforced, and was,
therefore, more repugnant to the feelings than
injurious to the interests of the great body of
those who might be brought within its provisions.
Among those who felt that there was no divine
law forbidding such unions, and that he was at
liberty to exercise the most sacred privilege be-
longing to mankind, in the manner most conducive
to his happiness, was a Noble Lord, the represen-
tative of one of our most distinguished families, which
had reached thehighest rank in the Peerage. When
a widower he had married the half sister of his
former wife, the niece of one of the most illus-
trious and influential members of his order ; and
the legitimacy of the heir to his ancient titles and
wide-spread domains depended on the caprice of
any person who might think proper to separate
those whom GOD had joined together, to take
care of their spiritual welfare at the expense of the
temporal misery of their graces. The matter
came home to the hereditary legislators. It was
desirable to provide against any contingency, and
a bill was introduced to render all such marriages
that had been solemnised up to that time valid
and unimpeachable. The measure was made ge-
neral in its application, although really meant for
a single case. It would not do to specify the par-
ties by name. In the Lords, a clause was pro-
posed to the effect that all future nuptials,
within what was termed " the forbidden de-
grees," should be absolutely null and void, ab
initio, and was carried by those who were
afraid of endangering the object they had in
view. It was, in fact, a compromise entered
into in order to insure the success of the pro-
position at the moment before the House, and
was hastily and, we cannot help adding, improvi-
dently carried, the parties believing that the re-
peal of the obnoxious law could be easily carried
on some future occasion. That anticipation has,
however, as yet been unfulfilled, and the enact-
ments thus passed have for eighteen years re-
ceived the reproach of the British nation—the
blemish on the National Statute-book.
After some time a Royal Commission was ap-
pointed, on an address from Parliament, to in-
quire into the subject, and a very able and lucid
report was presented condemnatory of the law,
and showing that it was (as it ought to be)
habitually disregarded. A bill was subsequently
introduced, which repeatedly received the assent
of the House of Commons, but was as often re-
jected by the Lords, who, on this point, hesi-
tated not to come into collision with the co-
ordinate branch of the Legislature. Subsequently,
in 1852, the measure was brought forward in the
Upper House, but again contumaciously thrown
out ; while, in 1853, the parties, who had pre-
viously taken an active part in the discussions,
permitted the matter to rest without action or
even notice, the reason assigned being " that
Scotland was opposed to the change," and, there-
fore, that the Right Honourable Gentleman, who
had previously assumed the management of the
bill, felt that, as a Scotch member, he could not
take any further step in the matter.
On this point, as to the state of public feeling
on the other side of the Tweed, we would refer
to an able letter from a respected correspondent,
which appears in another part of this day's im-
pression, and which places the matter in a very
clear light. We agree with SCOTUS that it is a
mistake that the people of Scotland are com-
paratively indifferent on the subject, in which
they are not so much interested as their English
brethren. But even were it otherwise, we are at
a loss to understand why the prejudices of any
portion of the community should bind others who
do not participate in their views or feelings. There
is nothing in the proposed measure to render such
marriages compulsory. No one to whose con-
victions they are opposed can be affected by their
legality. It may still, if desirable, be maintained
as a matter of Church discipline—if, indeed, op-
posed to the canons or doctrines of any Church.
But why should Dissenters and Non-Conformists,
men who think and judge for themselves, and will
not surrender their right of private judgment to
Bishop or Presbytery, be bound thereby ? Why
should they be made amenable to sacerdotal
tyranny, whether proceeding from the Church of
England or of Scotland ? They have the power
to make themselves heard. Why should they not
do so ? They have alre'ady emancipated them-
selves from other restrictions and disabilities not
less galling or untenable. Why should they sub-
mit to this, which is no less insulting than it is in-
jurious and unwarranted? If they are only in ear-
nest, they will speedily compel attention to their
just demands. Let them only call upon their
several representatives, and let it be thoroughly
understood that they will never support a candi-
date who will not only vote for, but use the most
energetic exertions to insure its speedy and com-
plete success. If they do so, their hopes will not
be much longer frustrated. We tendered this ad-
vice before the last general election—we now em-
phatically repeat it. The victory is in their own
hands, if they do not neglect the means necessary
for its achievement.

RETURN OF ROYAL PERSONAGES TO THE CONTINENT.
—On Sunday night the Vivid again left Dover for Tor-
quay, to embark from thence her Imperial Highness the
Grand Duchess Olga of Russia and the Crown Prince
of Wurtemberg, who will proceed direct to Ostend. On
her return from Belgium the Vivid will remain at Dover
to be in readiness to embark her Imperial Highness the
Grand Duchess Marie, eldest daughter of the Emperor
of Russia, who, with her youthful family, will depart on
the 26th instant for Ostend.—Dover paper. _ .

SatiirClay, Sept. 24. -
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam 'Navigation Com-
pany's chartered steamship City of London, Captain J.
Cargill, sailed this afternoon for Gibraltar, Malta, and
Constantinople. The City of London takes out on
freight specie value 50,0001. sterling and 250 tons of
general cargo. The screw steamer Douro, from the
Levant, will be due at Southampton on or about the
6th proximo. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's
steamship Madrid is about to be taken off the Penin-
sular mail line in order to be fitted with new boilers.
Her place will be occupied by the Sultan, a steamer of
1,100 tons and 400-horse power. Captain Chapman,
recently commander of the Magdalena, on retiring from
the service of the West India Mail Company has been
presented by the directors with a purse containing 100
guineas, as an appreciation of his character and services
during the 12 years that he has conducted and com-
mand of the several ships of the company.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.—The Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer is still at Dunrobin Castle, where
the Duke of Sutherland is entertaining a distinguished
circle of guests. The right hon. gentleman is so much
improved in health that he is expected to return south
this week, receiving the freedom of Dingwall, with which
town he is connected by family ties, and of Inverness, as
he passes through.

MONEY MARKET

AND
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday
were estimated at 4,000 bales, all to the trade.
The market was very flat, and closed with a down-
ward tendency. In American, 51d. to sin., was
d. below the quotations of Friday. The sales

Comprised 3,000 American, 270 Pernam and Maran-
ham at 61d. to 7d., 100 Bahia at 6gd., 200 Egyp-

tian at 6d. to 7Ad., and 300 Surat at 3d. to 4d. per
lb. In Railway Shares there was a fearful panic,

and the market closed at the worst point of the
day. London stock at a discount, and all the other
leading stocks 2 to 3 per cent. lower.
Wheat is up 4s. to ss. per quarter to-day com-
pared with last Monday, and other articles in pro-
portion. There is much excitement.
At the approaching meeting of the Staffordshire
ironmasters, it is considered doubtful whether any
change will be made in the current prices, though
the increasing stringency of the money market

points to a decline.
The steamer Europa has 170,000 dole. on board.
The New York advices report a revival of activity
and buoyancy in the Stock Market. During the
week ending Sept. 9, the imports amounted to
3,590,620 dollars, which, as compared with those
of the preceding week, show a falling off.

The accounts respecting the Cotton crops of New
Orleans are very good, the season having, it is said,
closed upon one of the largest crops ever produced.
The increased production, however, was met by a
corresponding increase in the demand, and a better
average price had been obtained by the planters
even than last year, when the produce was small.

Californian accounts state that great excitement
prevailed in Sacramento owing to the discoveries
of gold near the Slough. It is stated that multi-
tudes had taken themselves to the spot, and com-
menced operations. The markets at San Francisco
were extremely inactive. The shipments of gold-
dust for the first half-year, as compared with that
of 1852, show a large increase this year.
The ship Medway has arrived from Melbourne,
which port she left June 15, but the amount of
gold on board is not yet ascertained. The Indiana,
which left May 24, is also in. The Hooghly from
Sydney, with dates of May 25, has 7,078 ounces of
gold on board.
The telegraphic accounts from India, in antici-
pation of the Overland Mail, state that no Austra-
lian mail had arrived at Bombay. This, if true,
will prove a disappointment, as one was expected.
The Indian letters will be here about the 29th
inst, Those by the Southampton mail were de-
livered this morning.
The railway meetings announced are the fol-
lowing :

DATE. PLACE, &C.
Sept. 29, Basle.
Sept. 27, Gt.Winchester•st
Sept. 28, Paris.
Oct. 7, East Grinstead.
Sept. 29, Paris.
Sept. 29, Glasgow.

COMPANY.
Central of Switzerland
Darenth Valley
Dijon to Besancon
East Grinstead
Grand Junction of France
Glasgow, Barrhead, and
Neilston
Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and
At drossan
Great North of Scotland
Irish South Eastern
North Metropolitan
Rouen and Havre
Shropshire Union
Shrewsbury & Birmingham
Tourn., Jurb., Landen, and t
Hasselt .
There has not been much money stock brough
to market this morning, but parties now sell for
account who may intend to deliver, and orders to
sell appear to have been received from the coun-
try as the natural result of Saturday's panic.
Consols have been 92i, and 92.1 for Tranfer, and
since down to 92. The account prices have been
921, and 93, and since 92i . There has been a
bargain in the New 3t per Cents at 99g. Exchequer
Bills have been as low as 125., and 16s. Discount,
a proof that the bankers and others are preparing
to meet any demands upon them. East India
Stock is firm at 240.
A good deal of fluctuation is occurring in the
foreign market. Peruvian have done as low as 691
to 71 ; Mexican are at 23A ; Grenada Deferred at
81 to 1, and Equador at 4a, being comparatively
firm. Russian 4i per Cents. have been quoted
961, and Belgian 97 to 98. Sardinian Stock is at
90 to 91. Spanish 3 per Cents. have been worth
44k, and the New Deferred 21i, /, and since 21i.
The Railway Share Market has shown some im-
provement this morning upon the lowest rates of
Saturday. Lancashire and Yorkshire are up about
1/., and Caledonian, Midland, and the rest in
nearly the same proportion. French Shares have
been also better, Strasbourg and Northern having
each risen 1/.
The Gold Mine Shares have exhibited greater
firmness, and a slight rise has occurred in Nouveau
Monde and Agua Fria.
The shares of the Australian Banks continue
flat, and the Land Companies are without alte-
ration.

Sept. 30, Glasgow.
Oct. 7, Aberdeen.
Sept. 29, Dublin.
Sept. 29, 14 Parliament-at,
Sept. 30, Paris.
Sept. 29, Shrewsbury.
Sept. 30, London Tavern.
Sept. 29, Brussels.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(-Prom the Official List.)
Business done.
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 924 j 2 1t 2 1Z
New 31 per Cent. Annuities 994
India Stock
Consols for Account 9213 21 h 1 21Z
Exchequer Bills, ld.
£IOOO
£5OO l3 10 16 12 d
Ditto Small
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
THREE O'CLOCK.
Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent

. 102
~ 4
8.1
~ 243}
.. 70 1 701
69i
50

Ditto 3 per Cent
Equador Bonds
Grenada Bonds, Deferred
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent.
Ditto for the Account .
Ditto Deferred, 3 per Cent_
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Con. 1841
Ditto 4 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account 42 2
Ditto Ex all over-due Coupons 39
Russian Bonds, 4i per Cent 96i
iltrdinian Bonds, 5 per Cent 9O 1
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 444 5 4i
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. 2ls 4 4
Ditto Passive (Converted)
Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 54 per cen

Pividenis on the above payable in London.
French Rentes, 3 per Cent
Belgian Bonds 4A per Cent. ex. 25 fr
Dutch Exchange, 2A per Cent. 12 Gull
Dutch 4 per Cent. Certificates
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols
Ditto October Account 9ll

97 8

GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL.—Sir James A.
Gordon, the present Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich
Hospital, has been mentioned as the probable successor
of the late lamented Governor, Sir Charles Adam. The
long experience which Sir James Gordon has had of the
administration of the hospital, as well as the character
and brilliancy of his war services, add strength to the
report ; and there is little doubt that his appointment
would give general satisfaction to the navy. His ser-
vices are as follows :—" Midshipman of the Revolution-
naire in Bridport's action ; of the Namur off Cape St.
Vincent ' • and of the Goliath at the Nile. Lieutenant of
the Bordelais at the capture of the Curieux and action
with her consorts, 1801 ; and Senior Lieutenant of the
Racoon at the capture of the Lodi, 1803. Captain of
the Mercury at the capture and destruction of a convoy
off Cadiz ;at Ortona, and on other occasions. Captain
of the Active in the action off Lissa (for which a gold
medal was awarded) ; and at the capture of the French
frigate Pomone, in which he lost a leg, 1811. Captain
of the Seahorse, in 1814, and commanded a small squad-
ron which ascended the Potomac, and obtained posses-
sion of the city of Alexandria. Gazetted 1801, 1803,
1808, 1811 (four times), 1814, 1815."
FALL OF A HOUSE.—On Thursday an accident of a
serious nature, and one which, but for a fortunate cir-
cumstance, might have been attended with fatal re•
sults, occurred at Park Villa, Tiverton, Devonshire,
to a house in the occupation of a gentleman named
Hodge. It appeared that the house had lately been
undergoing extensive repairs, and a number of men
had been employed on the premises. About four
o'clock on the afternoon in question Mr. lodge's
daughter was alarmed by a loud noise, which appear.
ed to proceed from the exterior of the building. She
immediately informed her mother of the circumstance,
who, on stepping on to the lawn, observed the walls
suddenly give way, and the whole of the north wing
of the building fall to the ground with a tremendous
crash. Fortunately, the day was wet, and the men
employed had been prevented from proceeding with
their work in consequence. If they had been engaged
.on the repairs, as on the previous day, the conse-
quences would have been fearful ; for the whole of
them must have been killed. The accident is said to
have been occasioned by the building having been
undermined, and the parties having neglected to shore
it up properly. As it is, a considerable loss will be
sustained by Mr. Hodge.

TliE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE
STitA ND. A DIOURY id) TN.Qr_..l•;.-_;'_e,
(11113 D A

This morning the inquiry into the cause of the late
fatal accident, and deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson,
George Dunn, and George Rowe, by the falling of the
house in the Strand, was again resumed by Mr. Lang-
ham, the deputy coroner, in the Vestry-room, St.
Clement-danes.

Mr. Angel, district surveyor, stated that on the 19th
of August he went over the premises, and at that time
they were sufficiently shored up for the works then going
on. At that time they had not dug below the founda
Lion.

By the Jury—The party wall was sufficient for Mr.
Thompson's house, but not for the new building.
By Mr. Robinson—The house had stood several
months without shoring. There was no shoring at the
time of the Wellington funeral.
The contracts for the building of the premises of
Messrs. Smith and Co. were put in and read, as were
also the plans and specifications.
Mr. Abrahams—l am an architect and surveyor. I
was employed by the Messrs. Smith in respect to their
works. I am also employed by the Duke of Norfolk
as special architect to the Arundel estate. On the 3rd
of August I ordered some shores to be placed to the
walls, while the excavations were going on. Mr. Lucas
appointed Mr. Rowe as clerk of the works. After
some discussion had taken place upon the subject, the
first thing Rowe did was to take the best means to
secure the walls during the excavations. He removed
the two shores I had put up without consulting me, but
he put up three others in better positions than where I
had placed them. They were constructed of pieces of tim-
ber 40, 35, and 36 feet in length, and were made of the best
material. I had two other shores placed to the parlour
wall. That was done in a very efficient way. There
were besides six " jack " or short shores put up, partly
by mine and partly by Rowe's directions. They were
made of good sound stuff, which had been upon the pre-
mises before. They were placed between the other
shores to support the basement wall of the next house,
which was a very old one, built in the reign of Henry
VIII. The works were exceedingly sound. The
"jack" shores were placed where it was thought
,ne-
cessary. They were 10 or 12 feet high. The shores in
my opinion were quite ample to secure the building.
By the Jury—What was your general duty
Witness—To see that my designs were carried out ;
that the materials used were of the best description ;
and that the works should be conducted in an efficient

LATEST FOREIGN NEW

FRANCE.

On Saturday the Emperor and the Empress paid
a visit to the hospitals of Lislle, and held a review
of the troops stationed in that city. They after-
wards inspected the great industrial estaLlishments
at Roubaix and Tourcoing. Their Majesties re-
turned to Lislle at 6 o'clock in the afternoon, and
this morning they continued their journey to St.
Omer.

The Ocean Squadron left Cherbourg on Wed-
nesday for a cruise in the Channel. This squadron
has been ordered to coast along the northern de-
partments and the Paris de Calais, and to enter
from time to time the ports of Dunkirk, Calais, and
Boulogne, at which latter place the Emperor pro-
poses to review the squadron. It is composed of
the vessels Duguesclin, Jean Bart, and Hercule,
the steam-frigates Pomone and Caffarelli, and the
steam-corvette Roland. The Austerlitz, which
formed part of the squadron, is still at Cherbourg.
The Ottoman Ambassador came to Paris on Sa-
turday from Fontainebleau to have an interview
with the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. A
courier was soon after dispatched to Constanti-
nople. Veley Pasha returned to Fontainebleau in
the course of the evening.
The Bourse on Saturday was exceedingly weak
from the very commencement of business, and
prices continued to decline almost without inter-
ruption to the close. The Three per Cents. have
fallen 75c., closing at 75f. 80c. ; but the Four-and-
a-Half per Cents. were firmer, showing a fall of
only 40c., at 101 f. 50c. Bank of France Shares
are sf. lower, and those of the Societe Mobiliere
27f. 50c. lower ; the other bank shares are un-
changed. Roman has fallen -1, and Spanish New
Deferred But very little business was trans-
acted in foreign funds. Railway Shares are about
15f.