The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-28 00:00:00

LON'tION'. FRIDAY ryinqiNGl DE'CEMB'ER 20, lB4O.

attention which that Hon. Geutlewan had paid to their
noble institution, but the ntt(=ntion which he had
always paid to the interests and to the charities of this
great city. He (Mr. Groucock) might briefly re-
mind them, that Mr. Masterman, for the last two
sessions of PAiliament, had been virtually the
only Member for the city of London.—(Great
cheering.) He must al•o take the liberty
of saying, in addition, that in that capacity the
interests of the city of London had not suffered much.
—(Hear, hear)—inasmuch as their worthy president
had been Biwa) s accessible to every call of his consti-
tuents, to his
,(Mr.Groucock's) knowledge ; and he
had been instrumental in assisting in passing those
laws which he (Mr, Groucock) firmly- believed would
greatly conduce to the interest and benefit of all
classes, especially of that class he now saw before him,
and to the commercial interests of this great country
—i.e alluded especially to the alteration and improve
went of the laws relating to debtors and creditors.—
(Cheers.) He need not say anything more on that
subject, still less anything more in the nature
of praise of that worthy gentleman ; but he was quite
sure the few remarks he had already made would meet
with their sympathy and al•plause.—(Ctseers )
The toast was drunk with three times three.

Mr. MASTERMAN, in returning thanks, observed
that he was deeply indebted to the present company
for the hind manner iu which they received his health.
He could assure them that in taking the office of pre-
sident of their noble institution, he felt considerable
diffidence ; knowing, as he did, that so many other
individuals of their great city would
_fill it better,
and extend its usefulness in a greater degree than he
could ; but since he had received the confidence of
his fellow-citizens in another situation, he was happy
to take any office which could promote the pros-
perity of those connected with it.—(Loud cheers.)
He did not, he confessed, think in accepting that
cffice that they would have progressed so rapidly,
and after what had occurred he had little doubt of
their ultimate success. He understood there were
seventy children in the establishment, and it looked
as if they were cared fur by a special Providence ;
Lot one of them was absent on that occasion. That
fact alone showed the great care bestowed on their
management, and although it was said fifteen more
were to be admitted on the following day, be con-
fessed that although it might be considered a bold
act, yet, after what had occurred, he saw no reason
to despair.—(Cheers.) With regard to another
sphere of life, and to which allusion had been made
by his excellent friend who proposed his health, he
confessed that any allusion to political feelings in any
case, and particularly in such a place annoyed him
more than he could express.—(Cheers.) He felt
no party distinctions whatever, and whether his con-
stituents entertained his political feelings or not, he
desired to render the best service he could to the
commercial and trading interests of that great city.

The children of the institution, who were stationed
in the gallery, then sang the following song, which
was loudly encored :
" Happy the Orphan's case, who thus
Receives a parent's care;
Who young met Fatherless, like us,
These Christian biunties share;
Rich are the gifts our friends bestow,
Our earthly path to cheer;
But richer still, the care they show
Our lieav'n-ward course to steer.
" Bless'd be the hearts who thus can share
Their wealth with those who need;
And more, their time so freely spare,
Our Orphan cause to plead.
Grateful to you, kind patrons now,
Our ardent thanks we bring;
And pray oar future deeds may show,
how true the words we sing."

Mr. Alderman SIDNEY, M.P., in proposing the
next toast, said, fortunately for himself, he was not
required to add any testimony to the many very able
speeches they had had that evening, concerning the
excellent charity the anniversary of which they were
assembled to celebrate. He was rejoiced to think,
that in the course of three short years so much good
had been done to the many infant children which they
had seen before them, and who, in witnessing that
night's proceedings, must have thought they were
celebrating a very great occasion. He had the great
honour of being among the earliest members of the
excellent charity set on foot for founding these schools.
He was one who thought that it might
have been politic and desirable to have ex-
tended the funds of the establishment very much
to various other mercantile classes; but he
was then in a minority, and he was now pleased to
think that the charity had worked excellently well,
and that the wisdom resided with the majority on
that occasion.—(Loud cheers.) He had certainly no
conception three years ago that in so short a time
they would hale been able to receive so many
infants into their establishment; nor in fact was he
aware that in so respectable and worthy a class of
individuals, as the commercial travellers in England
generally were, there were so many children requir-
ing to be provided for in so short a time. That
showed that there was much more than met the eye
in the advantages to be derived from this charity—
that much that might appear respectable on the sur-
face was not so in reality, and that when they came
to probe the real circumstances and position of that
class as a body, there was much to call for deep and
general commiseration, and he was pleased to think
that the benevolent feelings of so many warm and
generous promoters of this excellent charity were
excited that evening.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
His duty on the present occasion was a very
light and a most agreeable one. He was called
on to propose to their notice the health of a gentleman.
When public men came to attend a festival of that
kind, toasts were sometimes put into their hands not
of the most agreeable kind, inasmuch as the men
whose healths they had to propose might be known
to them only from common fame and report; but on
this occasion he had not only to discharge a public
duty, but one which was mixed up with his liveliest
feelings of individual gratitude and pleasure.—
(Loud cheers.) He had the honour to propose to
them one who had been intimately connected with
this charity from its earliest formation. He did
not wish to speak invidiously, but he thought he
might take credit for the gentleman he was about to
propose being called the main pillar of the institution.
—(Cheers.) When he mentioned the name of that
individual ho had no doubt they would accord with
him in every panegyric he might pay him. He
might speak of him in his character of a citizen
and a neighbour, and especially might he speak of
him in the character of a friend, with sincere admi-
ration and pleasure ; but he spoke of him in the
character of a philanthropist, whose benevolent feel-
ings were as unbounded as his deeds. He
need not on that occasion recount to them
all that he had done for this most excel
lent charity, a charity which he believed was
only as yet on the very threshold of its usefulness.—
(Cheers.) He might say, knowing that gentleman
intimately, that, next to his own immediate calls, this
excellent charity was dearest to his heart.—(Cheers.)
He would not occupy them longer. If they did not
already anticipate the toast he had to propose, it was
" The health of George Moore, Esq., the Treasurer
of the Commercial Travellers' Schools."—(Cheers.)
This toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm.
On the applause subsiding,
Mr. MOORE said he could assure them he could
hardly express his feelings upon the present occasion.
He was grateful for the hor.our which had been done
him in proposing his health, and doubly grateful for the
spontaneous cheer with which the toast had been re-
ceived. He must be allowed to observe that this was not
the first time a compliment had been paid him in re-
ference to his position as connected with this institu-
tion, which he did not altogether deserve. It had
been stated that he had been almost the only working
man interested in the charity. Ile could bear testi
mony to the fact that there were others who were
entitled to as much praise as himself, and more espe-
cially their worthy president. 'Whatever he was
required to do he did at once, with the utmost pos-
sible willingness ; he was indefatigable upon all
occasions, and the success which had attended the
institution was greatly to be attributed to his perse-
vering exertions. He was happy to say that it
would be difficult to find a committee belonging to a
public charity so well constituted as theirs was. They
were independent in their movements, and each strove
to the best of his ability to promote the success of the
institution. But it was not his duty to dwell upon
matters of this sort. He had now to explain to them
their project for the next year. The establishment,
he might state, was situated at Wanstead. They
found that the building was too small to supply the
requirements of the society, and during last year
they had been at a very great expense upon other
people's freehold. It might be prudent to spend
money upon their own property, but they would agree
with him when he stated that a large sum having
been expended upon a freehold which did not belong
to them, the time had arrived when they should make
an effort to purchase a freehold of their own.—(Hear.)
They had no particular position in view, but so greatly
had the value of property been influenced by rail-
roads, that they had found at least half a dozen very
large mansions which had cost considerable sums in
the building, and were to be sold at a comparatively
small price. If they could meet with an establish-
ment capable of accommodating 300 children their
wishes would be accomplished. In order to carry
out their views they could not call upon the commer-
cial travellers in the year 1850 for a less sum than
12,0001. This was a very large amount, but he
considered they had a claim upon other indivi-
duals than the commercial travellers themselves.
They had a claim upon all the mercantile houses
in England, Scotland, and Wales, that employed
commercial travellers.—(Hear, hear.) He had
accused commercial trrvellers of apathy, and he had
been told in reply that they had not been requested
to subscribe to the charity. He would tell them that

dud ;g the ensuing year they should be asked at all
/ events, and the blame would be theirs if they con-
tinued to withhold their subscriptions. They were
told by commercial travellers from Liverpool and
Manchester, that they had too much power. Now he
wound go down amongst them, and show them that
they could take this power out,of their hands by placing
in their exchequer a certain sum of money towards
the advancement of the institution they were now met
to celebrate. He did not know that he had anything
further to observe, except that, however
enthusiastic he might be considered (and if
he were called an enthusiast, the fault was
in the head, and not in the heart), he was honest in
all he said, for he most sincerely believed that this
charity might be worked up to the position of one of
the best institutions in this country. As regarded
the building they proposed to erect, he might observe
that they had no wish to adorn it with architectural
beauties—they desired only to do that which would
administer to the comfort of the helpless orphan and
the disconsolate widow. Their object was to con-
struct a large building at the lowest possible price, and
to make it as useful as their means would admit of. He
would entreat of every commercial traveller in that
room to exert himself towards the promotion of the in-
terests of the institution. He did think that every
commei cial traveller in the United Kingdoin,who might
at some future period he reduced to the necessity of
partaking of the benefits of this charity, ought to
subscribe to the funds; and he could not help saying,
that aat heart was to be pitied who would not
give to the institution one guinea a year —(Bear,
hear.) It was only three farthings a day, and those
who refused to subscribe this amount did not represent
the commercial travellers as they ought to do. In
conclusion he could only remark that charity en-
gendered a very healthy appetite, and the more they
indulged in it the more they would be inclined to do
so. lie could not help individualising a lady who
had brought more funds to this institution than any
other of her own sex. Ile alluded to Mrs. Cufiley,
who had collected upwards of 8001., and he had great
pleasure in proposing the health of Mrs. Cufiiey and
the ladies.—(Cheers.)

The boys and girl; at present receiving the bene-
fits of the institution passed through the room, and
were introduced in due form to the Lord Mayor.
They presented a clean healthy appearance, and
seemed much delighted with the novelty of the pro-
ceedings around them.
The second report was then read, which announced
further contributions amounting to 5251., not includ-
ing 101. 103. from the Lord Mayor. 101. 10s. from
Mr. Masterman, M.P., and 101. 10s. from B. B.
Cabbeli, Esq., received with the first report.
Mr. NrcuoLsoN, in proposing the next toast,
" Prosperity, health, and success to the Commercial
Travellers of the United Kingdom," said he had been
called upon to do so in consequence of his having
been for a long time connected with this useful and
influential body of men. The commercial travellers
must be men of intuitive genuis. They had great
difficulties to encounter, and if they were not en-
dowed with honourable feelings, with intellect,
and perseverance, they could not progress in their
avocation. They were always occupied in using their
best talent for the benefit of their employers. He was
quite sure that during the last ten years they had
advanced in intelligence beyond their predecessors;
and if they would devote their energies towards the
improve went of this institution, there would not be
any institution in this great kingdom calculated to
do more lasting good than the Commercial Travellers'
Schools. He knew there was sufficient energy
amongst them to set this charity above all others, and
he hoped that, ere long, every gentleman who bore
the honourable name of commercial traveller would
not only think it a pleasure but a privilege to unite
his name to this institution, in order to assist in pro-
tecting the children of those whose lives may have
been lost by such accidents as too frequently happen
to commercial travellers.

Mr. WILLIs.msoN, in returning thanks, said he had
been a humble worker with ►many others in promoting
the efficiency of this institution, and he trusted that the
third anniversary of the society would be the means
of eliciting the warm support of every one of his
brother travellers throughout the kingdom.
Mr. ROBERT CLARKE, in acknowledging the toast
of " The Vice Presidents and Trustees of the Insti-
tion," said that the trustees had an arduous and
difficult, though pleasing, duty to perform ; and if the
commercial travellers would exert themselves to
produce the requisite funds, he and his co-trustees
would be too happy to invest them for the advantage
of the institution.

" The Board of Management," " The National
Mercantile Life Office," " The Stewards," &c., were
successively proposed and responded to.
In addition to the subscriptions already mentioned
a sum of 525/. (Mr. I. Bradbury's list) was announced,
and the total amount was stated to be about 2,000/.
The company separated between 11 and 12
o'clock, highly pleased with the proceedings of the
evening. _ _

The—dinner and wines were supplied by Messrs.
Bathe and Breach, in their usual reeherchl style.
Mr. Harker officiated as tO AS t ster.

At this time, when the commercial travellers are
celebrating the anniversaries of their various chari
table institutions, the following song, which has
been forwarded to us, may be thought somewhat
apposite :

THE OLD COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' SONG.
Air—" In the days when we went gipsying."
Oh the days when we were bagmen, a long time ago,
IV( re certainly the happiest da3s that we did ever know;
We sang the merry song at night, and smoked our yards
of clay,
With costumers all seated round in frolicksome array,
And thus we passed our merry nights, we were
not very slow,
In the days when we were bagmen, a long time
ago.

Ah! those were happy times indeed, to memory still
endear'd;
At nine o'clock, upon the board, the hugo sirloin
appear'd,
And the funny joke and cheerful laugh went gaily
circling round,
And nought but fun and devilry amongst us cote(' Le
found.
And thus we pmeed, &c.
The cloth was drawn, and then by all welcomed with
loud acclaim,
Upon the festive table the reeking punch-bowl came;
And toasta were given and healths proposed, and j,,y and
frolic reigned,
"Our Chairman's Health—hip, hip, hurrah!"—and every
glass was drained;
And thus we passed, &c.
But, though these golden days are passed, a bumper glass
we'll fill
To those who at the present day our vacant places fill;
May they be apt in business, and, when daily toils are
o'er,
Enjoy their glass as we did in the good old times of yore
And then they'll spend the merry nights, and not
be very slow,
As we did in our travailing days a long time ago.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS'
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

A few months ago an idea was started among
some commercial gentlemen that, though as a body,
they were exposed more than most classes of men to
casualties, ending in premature death or permanent
disability, yet there was no institution existing
among them to provide for the wants of the aged and
meritorious commercial traveller, or for the support
of his widow in the case of his decease. With a view
to remedy this defect a proposal was set on foot to
provide a number of almshouses, or other asylum, for
aged and indigent commercial travellers and their
widows. The proposal once set on foot met with very
general acceptance, showing that the want which it
was thus attempted to supply had been long felt in the
body ; but considerable diversity of opinion was found
to exi3t as to the precise nature of the objects to be
embraced. With a view to bring these into some
degree of harmony, as well as to give definite aim
to the promoters of the object, a preliminary meeting
was held yesterday morning in the London Tavern,
which was very numerously and respectably at-
tended ; Jenkin Jones, Esq., actuary of the National
Mercantile Assurance Society, Poultry, in the
chair. There was a complete unanimity of feeling
in the meeting as to the importance and desirableness
of such an institution as had been suggested, com-
bined with considerable difference of opinion as to
matters of detail; but after considerable conversation
a resolution to the following effect was agreed to:—
" That the meeting, fully recognising the moral obli-
gation resting upon the commercial body, to provide
for the relief of those of their members who, by rea-
son of old age or decay, are reduced to poverty and
distress, think it desirable to found an institution for
the support of such members and their widows, under
such rules and regulations as may afterwards be
agreed to ; and that such institution be for the present
designated by the name of the Commercial Travellers'
Benevolent Institution." A committee was afterwards
named to frame the regulations, to report to another
meeting of the body, to be held in Midsummer next;
and after thanks were voted to Mr. Barrett Gunton,
who wits recognised as the founder of the institution,
and Mr. Jones, for his conduct in the chair, the meet-
ing separated.

We have heard from authority, upon which reliance
can be placed, that the contemplated reduction of the
army will be to the extent of ten thousand men, but
the details of the manner in which it is proposed to
effect it have not transpired.
DESTRUCTION or lissEcTs.—The easiest and most
effectual way of destroying these pests of the farm and
garden is to turn their natural enemies upon them.
Bantams devour greedily all kinds of worms, grubs,
beetles, millepedes, earwigs, &c.; and young ducks are
equal;y effectual against slugs and snails, while neither
create any inconvenience, except where peculiar neatness
is required. Bantams scratch very little, and in a
garden arc ornamental rather than otherwise.

SIR R. PEEL AND HIS FARMERS.
The following letter has been addressed by Sir it.
Peel to tha tenant farmers on his estate :
" I wish to communicate with you on the presEnt
state and the prospects of agriculture so far as they
concern our relations of landlord and tenant, and I
know not that I could select any better mode of com-
munication than this which I have adopted.
" There can, I think, be no question that the effect
of the recent changes of the law in respect to the free
import of the main articles of subsistence will he to

maintain a range of low prices in average seasons,
and to prevent very high prices in seasons of dearth.
In other words, their effect will be to insure, as far as
legislation can insure it, cheapness and abundance of
food as the ordinary rule, to diminish the risk of scar-
city, and to mitigate the suffering from it should it
unfortunately occur.
" It is because I believe that this will be the effect
of the changes to which I have referred that I look
upon them as irrevocable, and I advise you to dismiss
altogether from your calculations the prospect of re-
newed protection.

" It is my firm persuasion that neither the present
nor any future Parliament will consent to re-impose
duties upon the main articles of human food, either
for the purpose of protection or revenue.
" I would at once act upon that persuasion, and
proceed to consider in what degree the free import
of provisions affects the relation in which we stand
to each other, if I did not believe that other causes,
less permanent in their operation, have had a mate-
rial influence upon the present value of agricultural
produce. I allude in particular to the general
scarcity and high prices which recently prevailed for
two or three successive years, not merely in this
country, but throughout great part of Europa ; to
the extraordinary stimulus thus given to production,
and the natural consequence of that stimulus—a
temporary and undue depression of price.
" I propose, therefore, to defer for a time that
general review of the relation in which we stand
to each other, which but for the circumstances to
which I have referred I would at once have under-
taken.

" When undertaken it will be upon principles
which I think you Hill admit to be just. I shall not
refer merely to the diminished price of one article or
another, but I shall take into the account all the con-
siderations which fairly enter into the question—
shall try to estimate the effect of recent legislation
and of improved means Gf conveyance in reducing not
only the price of produce, but the cost of production
also—and shall compare the disadvantage to which
the tenant farmer may be exposed from competition
with producers in other countries, with the benefit
which he nay derive, if he has ordinary skill and
capital, from the abolition of duties on many articles,
which are, or may be., profitably consumed upon a
farm.

" I do not undertake to make a general and indis-
criminate abatement of rent, but aided by good advice
I shall consider the special case of each farm, and the
circumstances under which it was entered upon ; and
in the instances in which I shall be satisfied that there
is a fair claim for an abatement of rent, I will make
it, and make it with much greater pleasure in favour
of an old and improving tenant than in favour of a
stranger.

" Although, as I have before observed, I do not
consider the present the suitable period for this general
review of our position, yet I am prepared without
delay to co-operate with you in preparing to meet not
foreign competition only—but that competition with
domestic skill and capital which will be at least as
formidable to those farmers who are insensible to the
rapid progress of agricultural improvement and neg-
lect to keep- pace with it.

" I have not the presumption to offer you advice as
to the practical management of your farms—but I
may try to impress upon you this truth, that if there
be any of you who produce on the average not more
than 18 or 20 bushels of wheat per acre, and if there
be other farmers who, in not more favoured positions
and on land of equal quality, produce 40—and if they
produce this, not by expensive farming, but by wise
economy, by the command of adequate capital, by
the application of scientific skill, by the liberal em-
ployment of labour, by the saving of every particle of
manure, and the restoration to the earth of those
elements of fertility which are withdrawn with every
crop—l may, I say, without presumption, try to im-
press upon you this truth, that there is no amount of
protection from foreign produce, no abatement of rent
which would enable you to meet the competition of
your own countrymen.
"To aid the exertions which are required to
encounter successfully that competition, I make to
you the following proposals.
"The rent due at Michaelmas last will be payable
according to custom, in the course of a few days. In
the case of all those tenants occupying more than 10
acres of land who shall pay the Michaelmas rent, and
discharge any former arrears that may be due, I will
set apart 20 per cent. of the last half-year's rent, and
will forthwith apply the amount under the general
direction of my agent, but in concert with the tenant,
in such improvements as may be most beneficial to
the farm. I shall give the preference to drainage, to
the removal of unnecessary fences, and to the means
of preventing the waste of manure. On this expendi-
ture no return will be required from the tenant.
" The same course shall be taken with regard to
the half-year's rent which will be due at Lady-day
next.

" If upon any of your farms additional draining
should be still requisite, I will execute the work
upon the same terms as heretofore, the tenant
drawing the materials and paying 4 per cent. upon
the outlay. As to other permanent improvements,
requiring an expenditure which the tenant cannot
conveniently meet, but on which he may be willing
to pay a reasonable rate of interest (such, for instance,
as additional shedding for the feeding of cattle), I
will consider favourably any proposals that may be
made to me on that head.

" It is hardly necessary to refer to leases of longer
duration than one year, as they are so few in number.
In the cases, however, in which they do exist I will
consent to release the tenant from his engagement,
on his giving, at the proper period of the present
year, the same notice which would be required in the
case of yearly tenancies.
" Such tenancies are, as you are well aware, the
almost invariable rule in this immediate neighbour-
hood; but if any of you are desirous of expending
money on the improvement of your farms, and wish
for the additional security of a lease for yeqrs, I have
no disinclination to grant it, being satisfied as to the
skill and capital of the tenant requiring it.
"If you prefer to a lease a written agreement,
stipulating for reimbursement on account of unex-
hausted improvements, on the principle long acted
upon in certain districts, I am willing to enter into
such agreement.

"It does not occur to me that there are any other
points to which it is necessary for me, for the present
at least, to refer. 1 have thought it would be for
your advantage that I should fully explain to you nay
views and intentions with regard to matters so deeply
concerning your interest, and I hope I have done so
in a spirit becoming the long connexion that has
subsisted between us, and the friendly intercourse we
have al.v ays maintained.

"Believe me, with every good wish fur your wel-
fare, sincerely yours,

ROBERT PEEL.

"Drayton Manor, Dec. 24.
"P.S.—The payment of rent will be made as
usual on the Ist and 3d of January, but as this notice
will reach you only a short time previously I will
not exclude from the benefit of it a tenant who may
make all payments due by him within the period, of
one month following."

CHRISTMAS-DAY'S BIRTHDAY.—The 25th of De-
cember you will hold in especial honour. As early as
4 A.M. I—Christmas—shall expect to be greeted by the
wobbling" of the pudding in the boiler, whilst all
s ,rts of delicious odours will steal even through the key-
holes, making sweet the outdoor air. At early light, the
Robin Redbreast—the unpaid Christmas minstrel—shall
whistle you a blithe and jolly song! Your house will, I
know, be green as a bower with holly. Holly that
typifies green spirits and red hearts. You will make the
poor's-box at church rattle rejoicingly; you will call up
smiles and thanks from astonished crossing-sweepers.
You will carve your turkey with a fearless hand, for you
have subscribed a goose—a piece of beef or so—to the
table of your poorer neighbours. You will help your-
self twice to pudding, for have you not made at least one
pudding smoke elsewhere? You will let your eye
rejoice in the beeswing of "that particular port," for you
have warmed the toes and noses of at least a few old
folk, with some humming ale. And in this way you will
double every enjoyment of the Birthday of Christmas,
by enjoying the enjoyments you have bestowed upon
others. At this season let net the high forget the low.
Let the Head of Gold bear in special memory the Feet
of Clay.—Punch's Almanack.
DESTRUCTITE FIRE.—At half-past nine o'clock on
Wednesday night information was received at Lough-
borough that an extensive fire was regiug cm the farm
of Mr. Keightley, of Thorpacre, a few miles from that
town. A fire-engine, with an efficient force, was in-
stantly dispatched to the scene of the conflagration, and
after several hours of hard work the flames were sub-
dued, not, however, before a shed, sixteen cews, a hay
steelc, and the greater part of the dwelling-house had
been reduced to ashes. The cause of the fire has not
been ascertained. Although the destruction is very
considerable in amount, it might have been much greater.
The principal part of the loss, we are happy to hear, is
covered by insurances.

A NEW STENCH TRAP.—This trap is so con-
structed that it is always shut, and it will carry off any
dirt or rubbish which may fall through the grating over
it. It consists mainly of a cylinder, divided into four
chambers, which turns on a pivot below the receiver, and
is made air-tight by means of vulcanized India rubber.
On receiving water from above, the cylinder revolves,
bringing beneath the receiver another division, and
emptying the first. The inventor suggests that, by
means of a stream of water and a pipe from the gulley-
hole to the top of an adjoining house, the cylinder, in
revolving, would servo to ventilate the sewer.—Builder.

WHAT IS POETRY ?
(From Eliza Cook's Journal.)

This question has been asked in all ages, and its
b many answers hare puzzled most honest persons so
• much that they give it up as a matter beyond their
: comprehension, made only for the double-distilled
essence of humanity existing amongst a few refined
spirits, whose sphere lies somewhere very far out of
the earthly tabernacle inhahited by "common clay."
Poetry is the life of nature; we could not live with •
out it ; and therefore it is right that none—the most
simple or even brutal—should imagine it belongs not
to them. When I speak thus, I mean those simple
elements of which poetry makes the glorious com-
' pound ; the ideas of comparison and harmony, for
these I take to be the first principles of poetry, what-
ever else is embodied with them. Memory is a
powerful agent in the vital elixir of poetry. What
mother that has lost an infant in the bloom of its
beauty, has not recalled its image to her mind;
thought of it and fancied a resemblance between it
and some other child, or some lovely picture ? And
why does she look on such child with interest, and
set k eagerly to hang the picture on her wall? It is
the memory of her love ; but more—it is the power of
the imagination, by which she can see, in that which
is present, the image of that which is not.
Why does the poor man love, on the quiet Sab-
bath, a walk in the fields ? Whence springs the
exclamation, even from business man and labourer,
" What a fine day ; I am glad of it ?" These are
indications that the harmony of light and form is
pleasing to the mind, which, involuntarily, feels and
enjoys it. The very dogs and horses love the sun-
shine; and to man, who can comprehend a wider
range of beauty, it brings happiness and peace. Man
never feels lonely in the sunshine, because his mind
grows full; the scene around awakens a world of
comparison, and he sees and thinks more of Nature's
relationship.
Poetry is a stage of natural education. It is
awakened by what is mysterious and unknown, and
by the heart's yearnings to pierce this mystery ; and
thus, to express its impressions thereof, it flies to com-
parison with something familiar ; it sees the connect-
ing links of creation and binds great things with
small. Therefore, this poetry is truth ;it is, to the
growing mind, the electric stream which flows
through God's great universe. The teacher, in
explaining to his pupil something new, illustrates it
with the well-known objects and incidents of the
pupil's life, because the mind seeks comparison, to
know a great many results from a few principles—to
picture the image of what is unknown in that which
is familiar. What more beautiful embodiment of a
child's idea, opening to it the path of rising thought,
than the old, but exquisite verse—
" Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky f'

Here is poetry springing out of wonder, beauty,
and association. This poetry has a holy office: it
seeks to point out the real position and relationship of
all things in nature. When the poet said, " Night
put her mantle on, and pinned it with a star," we saw
at once a picture, we saw the boundless space, with
its rolling worlds, far more strikingly than by a cal-
culation of miles in millions. And when God's
prophet declared that, "He weigheth the hills in a
balance; He measureth the waters in the hollow of
his hand ;" he brought before our awe-struck minds
this little earth as it is, amid the vast creation spring-
ing from that " light unapproachable," which made
and guardeth all ; as an almost imperceptible ray of
the glory of His work. And when a modern bard
said that the sun's most gorgeous light shed on the
leafless hills was " But his living shadow there," what
a glorious idea of the immortal One rises in the mind.
But pass we this height of poetic fancy ; we see the
same elements in the joke, the song, the simple
description by which we place each other in the
scenes where we have been : the power is merely
directed by the character and education of the indi-
vidual. However coarse the spontaneous comparison
may be, it is an idea.
Imagination means a combining of the atoms of
things we know, into new forms, so as to present an
image. The story and the pun spring from this same
source ; its course is shaped by our sentiments, our
passions, our love of grave or gay, sublime or severe,
embodied by the power of language. The poet's
passions may not be stronger than other men's ; hut
his perceptions are, altogether, more highly strung.
He has seen deeper into Nature's secret ; and the
delicacy of his reflection is shed on all he touches, and
gilds all thought and feeling with a magic beauty,
which startles minds less finely wrought. The poet's
quick imagination joins one object with another,
owns their relation to those intangible ideas which
move in his own brain; and, 'twist spirit and matter,
he weaves a glorious combination, whose result is
perfect beauty ; and beauty comes alone of truth—it
is perfection—it is God's own making; and, in know-
ing nature, we know the full harmony of God.
Poetry belongs to the youth of the mind, it is the
illustration by which we know the unknown; the
silken cord which draws us up to Heaven; the steady
star in the East which guides us on to where lies
cradled the form of happiness—as simple as a little
child.

Yet inasmuch as poetry is the lamp to truth, it is
not yet full-lighted, but shall go on, guiding human
life with clearer flame until Time shall be no more.
It stands on the culminating point of this great life-
intricacy ; pointing clearly to where the simpleprin-
ciples of glorious mortality burn fixed and holy ; and
by this light alone we read them. E. M. S.

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, THURSDAY.
The Queen and Prince Albert walked this morning
in the Slopes and Windsor Park.
The Royal Family took their usual airings.
The royal dinner party this evening included her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent (attended by
her Royal Highness's Ladies in Waiting), General
and Lady Isabella Wemyss, and Sir George and Lady
Couper.

Her Serene Highness the Duchess of Saxe-Weimar,
with the Princesses Anne and Amelie of Sxe-
Weitnar, dined with her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Gloucester yesterday, at Gloucester House.
Baron de Brunnow, the Russian Minister, had an
interview with Lord John Russell yesterday, at his
official residence in Downing-street. . .

On Monday and 'Wednesday, in the current week,
her Majesty's royal charity to the usual number of
aged and distressed poor was distributed at the Al-
monry, in Whitehall, under the direction of the Lord
Bishop of Oxford, Lord High Almoner, the Hey.
Dr. Jelf, Sub-Almoner, by Joseph Hanby, EFq.,
Secretary and Yeoman of the Almonry in ordinary.
Mr. Campbell had an interview yesterday with
Lord John Russell.

Earl Granville has arrived at Woburn Abbey, on a
visit to the Duke of Bedford.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY.
The :following is a summary of the bets laid yes-
:erday

CHESTER CUP.
1,000 to 20 agst Mr. Merry's Chanticleer
2,000 to 30 agst.Lord Chesterfield's Lady Evelyn
2,000 to 30 agst Mr. E. Parr's Idle Boy
1,000 to 15 agst Sir R. Bulkeley's Melody
3,000 to 30 agst Mr. Isaac Day's Cockermouth
3,000 to 30 agst Mr. Meiklam's Emma
3,000 to 30 agst Mr. Disney's Sir Richard
1,000 to 10 agst Mr. S. Conway's Kennington
2,000 to 20 agst Mr. Irwin's Horn of Chase
3,000 to 25 agst Mr. E. R. Clark's Giselle

DERBY, 1850.

9 to 1 agst Mr. W. Edwards na Bolingbroke—taken
to 501.
12 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Ghillie Callum—
taken to 501.
20 to 1 agst Mr. Gratwicke's The Nigger—taken to 60/.
25 to 1 agst Mr. Pedley's Sweetheart—taken to 50/.
and afterwards offered
HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.

Badsworth hds., Tues., Hickleton Hall; Thurs., Ring-
stone Bill; Sat., Street House Bar-10i.
Mr. Lumley's hds, Mon., Sisinnow Wood; Tucs.,
(Nberton; Thurs., Wickersley Bar; Fri., Gringley• on-
the-Hill— 10h.
Lord Yarborough's hds., Mon., Grainsby House;
Thurs., Tomerby House; Sat., Riby Crossroad-11.

ROBBERY AT A RAILWAY OFFICE.—WORCESTER,
WEDNESDAY.—A discovery was made yesterday morn
ing, on the officials assembling at the Bristol and Bir-
mingham (Midland) Railway-office, that the place had
been broken into and robbed. During the last three or
four days, and especially on Christmas eve, the business
of the office increased to some extent, and a great deal
of money was taken for railway tickets and parcels.
This fact appears to have become known, and to have
led to the robbery. The premises were closed at a late
hour on Monday night, and all was right when the
driver of the down mail omnibus opened the office at
two o'clock on Tuesday morning, ho having a key for
that purpose. The office was only opened for a few
minutes, and was closed again until the first omnibus
took its departure to meet the early trains at Spetchley
station. It was then found that some thief had entered
the office by cutting out a pane of glass from a window
looking into the yard of the Unicorn Hotel, which ad-
joins the office, and then removing the fastening. The
thief must have been a short person, as he had placed
an inverted horse bucket, found in the yard, beneath
the window, to help him to get in. Having got into the
office, he ransacked the till, which contained, however,
only a small sum in money, and took his departure by
the window again. The manager of the Worcester
traffic (Mr. Collett) had, most fortunately, taken the
great bulk of the money which he had received that day,
amounting, we are told, to upwards of 1001., to his home,
o❑ leaving the office on Monday night, and hence the
expectations of the thief were disappointed. The
window-glass was cut in a most workmanlike manner,
without bre,,king, and the thief must have secreted him-
self in the stabling of the Unicorn yard before it was
locked up on Monday night. A man has bet❑ appre.
headed on suspicion of being connected with the robbery.