The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-25 00:00:00

POLITICAL TRACTS OF MENENIUS.

The political tracts of Menenius relating to Ire-
land are here collected and republished. The name
assumed by the writer is the best illustration of the
spirit of the work. " Menenius" has borrowed his
name from the Roman citizen who arrested a papular
insurrection by relating a fable of the mutiny of the
in: nbers of the body, " because they had all the
labour while the belly lay at ease in the midst. They
resolved to do nothing to contribute to its support,
but found that by so doing they weakened them-
selves, and recognised at last that it was owing to the
belly that they all had strength to work or courage
to mutiny." The application of this fable as intended
by the modern Menenius is obvious. The volume is
well worthy of perusal.

LONDON and PROVINCIAL MEDICAL
DIRECTORY for 1849.

The " London and Provincial Medical Directory"
now takes its stand as a permanent and most useful
addition to our annual books of reference, and the
present edition is a great improvement upon those
which have gone before it. The work is now con-
fined more strictly to the intentions and objects of a
directory than it has hitherto been, an alteration
which cannot but meet with the approval of the pro-
fession. There is much more matter added to this
edition, and the arrangement of the work is more
lucid than heretofore.

TVHO'S WHO IN 1849. Edited by H. R

Addison, K.G.S. To be published Annually.
This is one of the most complete, most useful, and
most elegant books of reference which has ever been
presented to the public. It fulfils its title to the
letter, containing as it does, in addition to an
almanac and the list of the Royal family, a list of
The Royal Household—Gentlemen of the Privy
Chamber—The Ministry and Chief Officers of State
—The Privy Council—The House of Peers, showing
the Political Bias, the date of Creation, and Number
of Descent of each Peer—The House of Commons,
showing the Political Bias of each Member, the Place
he represents, and the Population of each place so
represented—The Nobility of the United Kingdom,
their title, rank, age, family name, and heir—List
of Peers who, being minors, await their coining of
age to take their seat in the House of Lords—List of
the Peeresses, distinguishing those who have become
so by creation, and those by descent—The Judges—
Archbishops and Bishops of the United Kingdom,

with their family names and dates of creation—Colo-
i.ral Bishops, ditto, ditto—Scotch Lords of Session—
Titles borne by the Eldest Sons of Peers, and the
superior titles to which they are heirs—Baronets
of the United Kingdom, Scotland, and Ireland, their
ages and dates .of creation—The Knights Civil and
Military of the United Kingdom, their order of
knighthood, and date of creation of each—Field
Marshals of the Empire—General Officers in the
British Army, with the dates of their commissions—
General Officers in the East India Company's Service,
ditto—Admirals in the British Navy; ditto—her
Majesty's Corps of Gentlemen at Arms—Military
and Naval Knights of Windsor—Directors of the
Bank of England—Directors of the East India Com-
pany—Directors of Railways having a terminus in
London—Directors of Joint-Stock Banks in the Me-
tropolis—Directors of Metropolitan Insurance Com-
panies—Managers, Secretaries, and Actuaries of Me-
tropolitan Insurance Companies—The Institute of
Actuaries—List of London Bankers—Official Super-
scriptions to Letters Table of Precedence—
alphabetically arranged, so that the possessor of this
work can ascertain who's who in a moment. It is
elegantly got up, and will be as elegant as an orna-
ment on a drawing-room table as it is useful as a
book of reference in the study.

MACA ULAY'S HISTORY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—No impartial student of English history will,
I think, depart from the opinion your reviewer has
expressed as to the manifest unfairness of Mr. Ma-
caulay's statement of the character of James 11.
True, James was a hard, stern, and bigotted man, but
he was far from the irredeemable monster painted by
Macaulay. He had, as all men have, some good qua-
lities, and among them was a patriotic care for the
naval glory of his country. Now Mr. M. dilates
with great force and truth on the lamentable contrast
which the state of the British marine at the com-
mencement of the reign of Charles 11. affords to its
glory in the days of the Protectorate. But he en-
tirely omits to state that no sooner was the Duke of
York (whom he ranks with " a clerk in Chatham
Dockyard" !) raised to the post of High Admiral,
than the navy again became most efficient and com-
manded the respect and envy of neighbouring coun-
tries. Not one word has Mr. M. to tell us of the
gallant battle of Solebay I It was the spirited
energy of James which, in effect, restored our naval
supremacy, and won for us in after days the 'victo-
ries of La Hogue and Vigo. The evident party
spirit which pervades Mr. Macaulay's otherwise
magnificent work, will prevent it from ever taking
its stand as a correct historical treatise, by the side
of the less eloquent but more impartial histories of
Lingard, Tytler, or Alison.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

S. V. P.

MR. WILSON'S ENTERTAIN-
MENTS IN PHILADELPHIA.
(From the Philadelphia inquirer of Dec. 22.)
The tenor singer Wilson, well remembered in this city
from his operatic performances in association with Miss
Sheriff and Seguin, and who, since the period of his being
here, has been giving his entertainments on the Songs of
Scotland throughout Britain with unparalleled success,
made his reappearance on Wednesday evening in the
Musical Fund Hall, when he was honoured with all the
elite of the city. No entertainment ever seemed to give
greater delight, or was received with more hearty en-
thusiasm, and there can be little doubt that on Saturday
night, when he will give his famous:," Nicht wi' Burns,"
there will be a goodly assemblage of all who have a taste
fur poetry and song, for melody and:poetry combined.
Wilson's performance is not a mere tickling of the
ear—the heart and mind are interested, and his
songs ,are given with all that purity of tone and just
appreciation of the poet's feelings, which have
gained him so high a reputation. It would be
difficult to mention one of the songs of Wednesday
night as being superior to another; there was abundance
of variety, and in all phases he was equally at home,
whether as Bruce addressing the Scottish army at Ban-
nockburn, Captain Cleveland singing the serenade under
the window of Minna Troil, or in the pathetic strain of
" The Land o' the Leal," or the humorous chant of" Get
up and bar the door." " Lord Ullin's Daughter," by
Campbell, which he sang in addition to the evening's
list, was one of the finest performances we ever listened
to. The appropriate accompaniments—the storm, the
galloping of the horses, the splashing of the waves,
aided much the masterly delivery of the poem. Mr.
Wilson is charmingly accompanied by his daughter.
These performances cannot fail to be highly attractive."

WILSON'S NIGHTS Wl' BURNS.
(From the America* Courier, Philadelphia, Dec. 22.)
These entertainments, given] by the celebrated Scot-
tish vocalist, Mr. Wilson, at the Musical Fund Hall, are
among the most charming and intellectual treats of the
season. His daughter, an excellent pianist, accompanies
him with grace and effect.
The following lines to the vocalist we find in a Boston
paper:—
TO JOHN WILSON, SCOTIA'S MINSTREL.
By one who has been " lang awa' frae his sin countrie.'
Come, sing me a sang o' my sin countrie,
Where a heedless callant I roved!
Sing ane that will speak o' her hills and her streams,
And the braes and the glens I loved.
Oh, I love them still, the sweet bonnie braes
Where aft wi' my lassie I've gene;
And whispered the breathings o' luv in her ear,
And pressed her to be a' my sin.
Oh, sing me a sang o' my sin countrie.
Oh the time's lang gane, since my Jeanie and I,
Auld Scotland left, and her braes;
But the Minstrel's sang will awake in our hearts
The sweet thochts o' our youthfu' days.
For the heart maun be cauld, that winna aye warm,
Wi' the sangs o' its native land,
And the ear maun be (lull, that winna be cheor'd
With the Minstrel's accents bland.
Oh sing me a sang o' my sin countrie.
Oh sweet are the sangs o' our Minstrel at hame,
But sweeter when warbled here,
To the hearts and the ears o' them far awa'
Frae the land that's t o them sae dear.
Then, Minstrel, sing us our sin sweet Bangs,
The sangs o' our doer countrie,
And we'll ming:e our hearts wi' your winsome notes,
And our blessings we'll a' gie thee.
Come, sing me a sang o' our ain countrie.

His Excellency the Brazilian Minister and Madame
de Lisboa have arrived from Brighton for the season.
PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—The attractions at this
house, instead of abating at the close of the holidays, is on
the increase—every part of the theatro is nightly over-
flowed. The boxes present a coup d'cril of beauty delightful
to witness—royalty, dukes, earls, lords, and their ladies
are constantly in attendance—indeed all London seems
attracted by the pantomime of Bluff King Hal, which
certainly is worthy of its success. The opening is a
complete burlesque of itself, the scenery, masks, and ap-
pointments beautifully executed; and the acting, particu-
larly that of Mr. Honey; as the sweet amorous monarch,
excellent. We think people might live without eating
if the old proverb be true, " Laugh and grow fat"—no
one can see this pantomime without laughing. Flex..
more's cluwn is inimitable; he is ludicrous without vul-
garity, excites laughter without offending, and his dancing
has no parallel—he eclipses all the grotesques we ever
beheld. His Flexmorean imitations of Duvernay,
Cailotti C-risi, and Perrot are applauded to the echo—
this one scene is enough to draw all the sight-seers in
the world. Paulo, Bologna, and the graceful Miss
Fawcett acquit themselves admirably. We predict a
long and brilliant reign to Blull King Hal.
THE COMMERCE or LIVERPOOL.—The greatness
of the commerce of Liverpool was exemplified yesterday
in the tact, that every dock belonging to the port was so
full that several inward-bound vessels had to anchor in
the river.

Tn SALE OF LORD SUFFIELD'S ESTATES.—The
fine estates of this nobleman at Middleton and Thornham
were put up to auction by Mr. Fisher on Thursday, at
the Palatine Hotel. Mr. Fisher opened the proceedings
by stating, in a brief and business-like style, the capa-
bilities and qualities of the property, and then called for
biddings. The first sum offered was :00,0001., by Robt.
Ashton, Esq.. of 1.13 de. The auctioneer afterwards
offered on the whole 200,000/. as a reserve bid, and stated
that he would take any advance on this of 1,000/. The
property was ultimately withdrawn at 200,0001. We are
told that the gross annual rental is 10,0001. per annum,
and is capable of improvement, the average charge per
acre at present not exceeding 345. 63. We understand
that the property is likely to be brought into the market
again in smaller lots, as the whole must be sold, includ-
ing the advowson of the rectory of Middleton and the
manorial rights.—Maneltester Examiner.
SIR JOHN GERARD, BART.—A. painful rumour
was prevalent here on Saturday, that Sir John Gerard,
Bart., of New Hall, in this county, had suddenly ex-
pired. The report is happily untrue. We are sor:
to say, however, that the worthy Baronet is indisposed,
though we understand not seriously.—Liverpoo/4vo °
the THE GROCERS' COMPANY.—Yesterday
ir__a..,in
Wor-
shipful Company of Grocers distributed at tmhbeerli "
of their
the Poultry, upwards of 100/. amonglhae
,Id)Birboiyen,a.mrstrs.
Jam
naumount appor-
poor members and their widows.
d by
tioned to each individual was regulate
of their respective cases.
AID AND BENEFIT or
ASSOCIATION FOR THR .
Yesterday a meeting
e e t
Viscountesstli e
DRESSMAKERS AND MILLINTes the exigency
above association, was
of the ladies'
iitz:teiCenliotforsidep.Lsptaeredryetet
James
Canning, Lady
hLourei .k)
Ch till at
et ss theirG roefficylneps7c.Vad __% ch ,
Port stated that, during the past
Taylor, &c.
satisfactory
Although there had
and encouraging. . been a declen-
sionin the pecuniary resources, yet a decided ad-
year, the progress of of the society was highly
had been made in the realization of the prin-
cipal of work prevailing,,ominp
cipal object of the .
society, viz to pr
many instances the young
.. . , reduce the inordinate
Compelled to labour from six-
tfeemenalteoseeimghptleoeynedhobuerinsgper day. The result of the efforts
arnhad o
and the
hhey e theehh
tcommitteecountry
to
s h(
(although
lvt e been,
h ou g h
therethat both
yetin lu.onnhdaop-
npily numerous exceptions)
taken place. The report
a m
proceededarked t aomeli
stateo r a
tt
hi
lont ht
ha
es
other branches of the institution—the registration sys-
tern, by which many hundreds are provided with situa-
tions; the medical relief fund, and a provident fund for
investing savings —were also increasing in prosperity.
Many deserving eases of distress had been relieved with
pecuniary assistance during illness or temporary diffi-
culties. The funds are at present low.
GRAY'S INN, JAN. 24.—James Fallon, Esq., was
this day called to the degreo of barrister-at-law by the
llonourable Society of Gray's Inn.

61 II
•••,t,
'4' Si Niqi

BURNING _DOWN op Tr
‘V AY S fATION AT HATFIELD I'EV.EtiEL.
On Thursday night the railway station at the vil-
lage of Hatfield Peverel on the Eastern Counties line,
about three miles from Witham, was destroyed by
fire, and the following are the facts which we have
been able to glean from sources of authority :—The
clerk of the station was engaged therein at the time
the mail train went down the line, which was about
ten o'clock (the mail does not stop at Hatfield), and
he continued there until about twenty minutes past
ten, when he put the lamps out as usual (there
being no light left during the night here, in con-
sequence of the night trains not stopping), and left
the station to go to his lodgings. About twenty
minutes after this, as a young
,farmer was passing
over the bridge by the station, and in the direction of
Hatfield, he discovered the station to be on fire, and
called out loudly several times in order to see
if the porter, or any one connected with the line,
was near. Finding he could make no one hear,
he rode into the village (not more thin several
hundred yards distant) and gave the alarm, and a
number of persons repaired to the spot, but by the
time they reached the station the fire had gained so
much hold that there would have been but little chance
of stopping it, even if a supply of water could have
been obtained on the spot. As it was, there was
neither water nor engine, and to have procured the
latter they must have sent to Witham. However,
the station being small, and built of wood, it was
speedily reduced to ashes, together with books, tickets,
and everything belonging to it, the brick chimney
only being left standing. The fire was seen plainly
at Witham, but was supposed to have been much
further off than it was. The wind blew furiously
during the time of the fire, and therefore hastened on
the work of destruction. How the fire originated
remains still a mystery, but we are glad to be able to
contradict a report which was very generally
spread—namely, that the clerk was suspected
of having been the incendiary. No such
suspicion exists with the authorities on the
line, and if the station was wilfully fired, it was
no doubt by some mischievous lounger or passer-by.
The general opinion with them, we believe, is, that
a spark from a lamp was the cause. It might have
been a cinder from the mail train, but it is not very
likely, as the mail passes on the line of rails furthest
from the station.

It is rather remarkable that the company had
been contemplating taking down this station, in con-
sequence of a great deal of the former traffic having
beeen taken off by the opening of the Maldon branch
line ; but as considerable hostility has been shown,
and very naturally, by the inhabitants of Hatfield
to a measure calculated to put them to such incon-
venience, the company had deferred taking any de-
cisive steps. It will now be a question how the
Hatfield people may fare, after such an abrupt and
unexpected demolition of their little station.—
Ipswich Express.