The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-19 00:00:00

PETITION OF COLIN MACKENZIE.

Lord DUDLEY STUART said he rose to present a
petition from one Mr. Cohn Mackenzie, resident in
Camden-town, which was of a very peculiar character,
and the like of which, perhaps, had never been pre-
sented to that House before. The petitioner stated
that in 1846 he contracted a marriage which had turned
out very unfortunate for him—(A 'augh)—by which
he became acquainted with the evils of that state.—(Re-
newed laughter.) He was led to the conclusion that the
most fertile source of domestic unhappiness was a mar-
riage settlement, which gave to a wife great power over
her husband—(Laughter)—and in consequence of the
independence which it placed ber in she defied him,
against all the vows she made on the altar, and
did all sorts of things which she ought not
to do. (Loud laughter.) The petitioner stated
that in consequence of the practice of mar-
riage settlements it was necessary to employ a
lawyer to draw them, who in that way ob-
tained great iefluence over the parties, and frequently
under pretence of being the legal adviser of the husband
became something more than a legal adviser to his wile.
—(Laughter.) The petitioner finally prayed among other
things that the goo d old system of the ducking stool
might be revived as a punishment for all undutiful and
runaway wives.—(oe, oh, and cries of" Order.")
Mr. MACKINNON samitted that such an absurd
petition should not be received.
Lord D. STUART said the language of the petit
was respectful, and be believed perfectly regular.—(oh !)
Sir JOHN Y. BULLER considered the petition was
a ridiculous one, but he thought the best course would
be to receive it, and to avoid giving an undue importance
to it by discussing it.
The petition was then ordered to lie on the table.
(LEFT SITTING.)

SIR HENRY BISHOP'S CONCERT

The announcement of a concert to be given by Sir
Henry Bishop, the veteran composer for the English
stage, to whom we are indebted for an impetus given in
years long gone by to the taste for ljrical art in this
country, was sufficient to attract a select and nume-
rous audience of amateurs at the Hanover•square
Rooms on Wednesday. Although the works of Sir
Henry Bishop no longer bold their place in a dramatic
form on the operatic stage, there are few men who
have written so much that lives in the memory. The
programme of this concert derived its chief interest
from the resuscitation of compositions by him with
which every musical society is familiar, but which, for
many years, have not formed the staple of concert at-
tractions. Among these were the glee from Clari,
" Sleep gentle lady," the song frOm Guy Manneripg
"Be mine, dear maid," the recitative and air "Is this
the region?" from the Fallen Angel, the song "In the
silence of night," the sestet from :the Miller and his Men
"Stay pr'y thee stay," the quintet from The Slave
"Blow gentle gales," the favourite song of "My
pretty June" (sung by Mr. Sims Reeves), the
song "Tell me, my Heart" from howl Quatre (sung
by Miss 13,reti), the song " Si:ns of Freedom"
(oy Miss Alicia Nunn) from The Slave, and the
duet "My pretty page," from Henri Quatre. Added to
these was the rondo "Hark, 'ha the Inaiun drum," from
the opera of Cortez. All these pieces, which were per-
formed under the personal superintendence of Sir Henry
Bishop, were received with delight by an audience who
had not forgotten impressions produced at a time when
the works of this composer were, in many respects, the
pioneers of musical taste in this country.
The concert was not confined to these performances,
though, on such an occasion, they might have been
sufficiently attractive. The talents of Alboni, Grisi,
Parodi, Lablache, Tamburini, and Gsrdoni were also
engaged in some of the most popular of the pieces
usually given at these entertainments. English
artists, however, predominated in the list, some
of the best of Sir Henry Bishop's pieces be-
ing allotted to Miss Rainforth, Miss Dolby, Miss
Birch, Mr. H. Phillips, the Misses Williams, Miss Bas-
sano, Mr. Machin, Mr., Novello, Mr. Stretton, and
Master Sloman. Grisi and Alboni were encored in the
" Serhauai Ognor," from the Semiramide, and Tacnbu-
rini and Lablache convulsed the audience with the
Sefiato," from the Mutrimonio. The concert was
throughout successful.

DEATH OF RICHARD PENNEFATHER, ESQ.—With
sincere regret we have this day the painful duty to an-
nounce the death of Richard Pennefatber, Esq., of
Knockeven, in this county, which melancholy event
took place this morning at four o'clock, at Newton
Antler, the residence of Colonel Osborne, M.P.
for Middlesex. The deceased was eldest son
of Baron Pt nnefather, and was appointed Lieu-
tenant-Colonel of the Tipperary Militia, by the Earl of
Gleagall, on the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Purefoy.
He also filled the important office of Under-Secretary,
during the late adminittration of Sir Robert Pt el, for
which he proved himself peculiarly adapted from
his excellent business habits—the intelligence of his
mind—personal civility and courteous address. Mr.
Pennefasher was High Sheriff of this county during
the past year, and his great courtesy during that
period of extraordinary excitement—the sittings of the
special commission for the trial of the state prisoners—
deservedly gained for him the approbation of ail who
attended the court during those trials. As an ex efficio
guardian of the Clonmel union, his zeal and
in-
dustry to benefit the poor, whose destitute condition
he incessantly laboured to ameliorate, made him
a most popular member of the board. Indeed, to
his ardent and unremitting exertions in that capa-
city may be in some degree ascribed the fatal attack
which terminated his existence. To those who had the
happiness to know Mr. Pennetather all eulogy is unne-
cessary. His death will be deeply felt by many and sym-
pathised in by all to whom he was even casually known.
The deceased was about 40 years of age, and was mu-
lled to Lady Emily Butler, sister to the Right Hon.
Richard Earl of Glengall.—Clonmel Chronicle.
EDINBURGH —DEATH OP ANDREW BELL, ESQ.—
We regret to have to announce the decease of this gen-
tleman, well known as a teacher of mathematics, and as
the author of some mathematical treatises, published by
the Messrs. Chambers, of this city. The melancholy
circumstances attending Mr. Bell's death are these:—
Having gone to reside at his country residence at
Sht-ardaie, near Dollar, in the county of Clackmannan,
he went on Friday last along with his son-in-law, Mr.
Brotherston, surgeon, Allots, to fish in Glendevon
water. Returning tome in the evening, both gentle-
men being on horseback, Mr. Bell fell from his
horse, and was dragged along the road a con-
siderable distance, with his toot in the stirrup-
iron. On being rescued from his position, Mr. Bell
was taken to an inn near Muckart, where Mr. Brother-
stun dressed the wounds, and then proceeded to
Dollar for additional aid. By the time of his return,
however, Mr. Bell had ceased to exist. It is believed
the deceased received the fatal blow in falling from
his horse, and not in consequence of being dragged ale ng
the road. This melancholy event has caused much grief
amongst a wide circle of relatives and friends. About
fifteen years ago Mr. Bell was teacher of mathematics
in Dollar Institution, but owing to a disagreement with
the principal, the Rev. Dr. Mike, Mr. Bell resigned his
charge and became a bookseller in Alloa. This adven-
ture not proving a very successful one, Mr. Bell came to
Edinburgh, where, till recently, he devoted himself to
his favourite study, mathematics. Deceased was about
sixty years of age.—Glasgow paper.
THE LABOURING CLASSES AND THE CHOLERA.—
The Committee of the Public Baths and Washhouses,
George-street, Euston-square, have just issued 10,000
copies of an address to the labouring classes in their dis-
trict of the metropolis, relative to the best means of

! . _
preventing the progress of cholera. The committee
dwelt at great length, and with much force, on the ne-
cessity of cleanliness, both as respects personal habits
and the condition of their lodgings. The address is
calculated to be productive of much good. We would
take this opportunity of earnestly pressing on the clergy,
and ali who have influence with the labouring classes,
to urge upon them the importance of freely using lime-
wash and chloride of lime in their dwellings, in the
presence of so dreadful a disease as the cholera.

GOD IN NATURE.—There is religion in every-
thing around us—a calm and holy religion, in the un-
breathing things of nature, which man would do well to
imitate. It is a meek and blessed influence, stealing as
it were, unawares upon the heart. It comes quietly, and
without excitement. It has no terror, no gloom in its
approaches. It does not rouse up the passions; it is
untrammelled by the creeds, and unshadowed by the
superstitions of man. It is fresh from the hands of its
author, glowing from the immediate presence of the
Great Spirit, which pervades and quickens it. It is
written on the arched sky. It looks out from every star,
It is on the sailing cloud, and in the invisible wind. It
is among the hills and valleys of the earth, where the
shrubleas mountain-top pierces the thin atmosphere of
eternal winter, or where the mighty forest fluctuates,
before the strong wind, with its dark waves of green
foliage. It is spread out like a legible language, upon
the broad face of the unsleeping ocean. It is the poetry
of nature. It is this which uplifts the spirit within us,
until it is strong enough to overlook the shadows of our
place of probation; which breaks, link after link, the
chain that binds us to materiality; and which opens to
our imagination a world of spiritual beauty and holiness.
—Eliza Cook's Journal.

DRAINAGE or LANDS.—A Bill has been brought
down from the House of Lords, intituled "An Act to
promote the Advance of Private Money for the Drainage
of Lands in Great Britain." It empowers the Inclosure
Commissioners tor England and Wales to act as com-
missioners for the Execution of the present Act, and
authorises owners of land in Great Btituin to borrow or
nch mice money fix the imptovemtnt of lands by drain-
bge. Such owners must apply to the Commissioners for
trio requisite authority, and those functicliaries may
cause the land to be inspected by their own officers, and
th,reupon determine whether any, and what amount of
money shall be authorised to be borrowed or advanced,
and fix the rate of interest thereon, not exceeding 5 per
cent. per annum.
ROYAL COMPANY OF ARCHERS- The annual
ptizy
atruh:Ld; a b
bodyguardforway j
. Scoohtn•
land was
v given
obtyfohr in e Aul atj,epsetyp•k
Gillespie, Esq., W.S. The royal compisny afterwards
entertained the officers of the North British staff and of
the varrison at dinner in their hull, has Grace the Duke
of lioxburgh presiding,—Lally