The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-22 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING APRIL 2a, 1847.

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen and Prince Albert rode out on horseback yes-
terday, attended by the Hon. Miss Kerr and the Equerries
in Waiting, Major-General Wemyss and Captain the Hon.
A. H. Gordon.
Lord John Russell had an audience of her Majesty yester-
day, at Buckingham Palace.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the
Princess Royal took an airing, in an open carriage and four,
yesterday.
Their Royal Highncsses Prince Alfred, the Princess Alice,
and the Princess Helena, took their accustomed airings yes-
terday, in the Royal Gardens.
The Royal dinner party yesterday, at Buckingham Palace,
included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady
Augusta Bruce, Baroness de Speth. the Earl of Liverpool,
Lord George Lennox, Colonel the Honourable C. B. Phipps,
Mr. Charles and the Honourable Mrs. Bruce, and Captain
Francis Seymour.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards attended during
dinner, and performed the following pieces:--
Grand Selection from " Robert le Diable"—Meyerbeer.

Valse—" Fleur de Marie"—Barnet.
Due.—" What do I hear" ( Matilda of Hungary')
Wedding March from " Midsummer Night's Dream"—
Mendelssoli n. —Wallace.

Original Polonaise—Jullien.
Among the visitors yesterday to view the pictures of the
Queen and Prince Albert, and the Royal Family, in St.
James's Palace, were the Portuguese Minister and the
Baroness de Moncorvo, the Eatl of Ripon, the Earl and
Countess Sr. Germans, the Earl" and Countess of Tinto, Sir
Charles Adam, Lord Campbell, and Sir Robert and• Lady
Peel.

Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured Mr. Moon
yesterday by inserting their Royal autographs in the sub-
scription books for the forthcoming engravings from the
pictures by F. Winterhalter.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent took an airing
in a carriage and four yesterday.
Tneir Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cam-
bridge, attended by Lady Augusta Cadogan and Mr. Ed-
mond Mildmay, honoured the Duke of Wellington with their
company at dinner
Highnesses accompanied the Duke of
Wellington to the Concert of Ancient Music, at the Hano-
ver-square Rooms, his Grace being the Director for the even-
ing. The other Noble Directors also accompanied the illus-
trious party to the performance.
Sir T. B. Lethbridge, Bart., and Mr. Henry Chard had an
interview with Viscount Palmerston, yesterday.
The Governor of the Bank of England and the Deputy-
Governor had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street.
The Rev. W. Tyrrell had an interview with Earl Grey
yesterday at the Colonial office.
Lord Colborne and Mr. Hamilton had an interview with
the Earl of Clarendon yesterday at the office of the Board
of Trade. . . _

Mr. Robert Hyde Greg had an interview with Lord John
Russell yesterday at his official residence in Downing-street.
Sir T. B. Lethbridge, Bart., Mr. Henry Chard, and Mr.
C. W. Stokes had an interview with his Excellency the
Spanish Ambassador yesterday respecting the claims of the
Spanish bondholders.
Mr. Rigby Wason had an interview yesterday with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Viscount Torrington, Governor of Ceylon, attended by his
suite, has proceeded in the Oriental, on his way to the seat of
Government, Ceylon.

GOVERNMENT SCHEME OF
EDUCATION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—Lord Lansdowne and Lord John Russell are
reported to have admitted in Parliament that the Roman
Catholic schools are precluded from educational grants
by the existing Minutes of Council, while cautiously
leaving the door open for their future admission through
a revision of the Minutes. The Minutes of 1839, now
in force, are said to require the use of the authorised
version in schools. Can you point to such a minute? I
cannot find it. I find that the National and the British
Schools are entitled, as such, to claim grants under certain
economical conditions, but that any other schools have
to make out a special case. What then does the Minute
say about the use of the Scriptures in the special class of
schools? Nothing at all about the version—even the
use of the Scriptures is not absolutely required, but a
preference is promised to the schools that use them
daily. The words are these:—
" The Committee will further give a preference to
schools in which the religious instruction will be of the
same character as that given in schools in connexion
with one or other of the above-named societies ; and to
those in which the school committee or trustees, while
they provide for the daily reading of the Scriptures in
the schools, do not enforce any rule by which the
children will be compelled to learn a catechism, or
attend a place of Divine worship, to which their parents,
on religious grounds, object."—Minutes of 1839-40, p. 14.
Such, Sir, is the Minute in question. Nothing about
authorised version here. That phrase occurs in reference
to Church of England Schools, but I believe nowhere
else. Under this Minute the Catholics are just as ad-
missible as Methodists, or Unitarians, or any class not
connected with one of the privileged school societies.
Few applications have, it is said, been made from any
such classes ; no doubt, because it is not pleasant to
as aßmyigalhltymefaavnosulre,to rthbe
s
special clause be removed, as the Council have hi
raeptPuledsp
l
their intention to do, and let all classes apply for grants
eaesianlloyt andsp fgc
le
at a
enough. By
nted
on eopal footine ; but let no doubt be expressed or per-
mitted tneanwhil, c. it., bci.E, 41,. I...pat purpose of
the Government and the will of the supporters of these
Minutes, throughout the country, to assist education
without any religious preference or exclusion whatever.
I am, Sir, yours,
EilW. HIGGINSON,
Unitarian Minister.
Wakefield, April 16. 1847.

SMELTING ORES.
(From the South Australian Gazette, Sept 26.)
A meeting was held on Monday last, on the smelting
question, and more especially for the purpose of taking
into consideration some advice recently received from
Van Diemen's Land relative to the advantages possessed
by Schonter Island for the establishment of smelting
works. This island lies off the eastern coast of Van
Diemen's Land, to the northward of Port Arthur, is little
exposed to the weather. and abounds with coal, which is
said to be of quality similar to the Welsh coal. It was
represented that coals can there be supplied to the fur-
nace at 2s. per ton; that convict labour could be ob-
tained at a cost of from 6d. to Is.
per day; that the
freight would be about 11. per ton, or if cargo were sent
both ways, by sending ore to the island. and bringing
coal to Port Adelaide, it was estimated that it could be
done as low as 10s. per ton.
The first view of the subject would lead to the almost
irresistible conclusion that Schonter bland must become
the Swansea of Australia, or, at least, that by smelting
a portion of ores in that place we shall be enabled to ob-
tain fuel in return cargo at so low a rate as greatly to
enhance the economy of operating here upon the other
more tractable portions. Before, however, acting upon
this suggestion, which would necessarily involve the
maintenance of two establishments, and thus, to a certain
extent, a double
expense, to say nothing of the ques-
tionable economy which is usually consequent on similar
works carried on in different places on a small scale, it
would be well to look more closely into the question.
The first remark which suggests itself refers to the
data upon which the proposition is founded. Taking
for granted the sufficiency and convenience of the
harbour, the quality of the coal, and the price at which
it can be supplied, and confining ourselves at present to
the labour question, and considering the peculiar nature
of the work to be done, it is perfectly clear that the idea
of obtaining even convict labour for such a purpose as
smelting at Is. per day per man will prove on trial
altogether delusive. A man working over the furnace,
although a convict, could not be maintained upon such
a scale of diet as might suffice for the shepherd, the farm
servant, or the quarryman. The operations to be per-
formed will require, for the most part, not only a superior
degree of intelligence, which perhaps may be found among
convicts as readily as elsewhere, but also a degree of care-
fulness and attention, and even of zeal in the success of
what is going forward, all which we fear cannot be com-
manded in the class of persons proposed to be employed.
Powerful inducements, in the shape of pardons or other
indulgences may be held out; but, in the interim, the
expense of labour will be found to cost at least double
or treble the estimated sum, with the exception of
those to whom the mere mechanical part of the work is
intrusted.

Assuming, however, the entire correctness of the esti-
mates of fuel, labour, and freights as they are given, the
apparent saving upOn establishing two smelting works,
the one in this colony, and the other in Schonter Island
(for on no other supposition would there be any oaring,
after paying for the freight of the ore). would amount to
about 21. 164. per ton of metal, over and shove the saving
to be effected by smelting it here, according to the plan
originally proposed, either with charcoal or imported
coal, or a mixture of both.
To set up against this apparent saving, we have the
expense of setting up two establishments instead of one;
the doable cost of superintendence and management;
we are not likely,
of operating upon
that
the dispersion of property, with the many inconve-
niences consequent upon that dispersion, so well known
to men of business; the unavoidable mixture of ores of
differed qualities, which, as it has been repeatedly
for some time to come, to raise more ore than would
properly supply a single establishment, the success
of which will greatly depend on the continuity of
P°
them;
int
edou
end, modes
larestquoifrealdi,istthinectfact
its operations. If Swansea, which smelts for three-
fourths of the whole world, can
only support
eight hotses• how can we at present hope properly to
maintainmo ? The scantiness of our mining popula-
tion imposes a certain limit upon the productiveness of
our mines and until labour is procured in adequate
abundance, their productive capabilities cannot be greatly
increased. The ore upon the ground, at present, is not
in the unmanageable profusion which would warrant the
adoption, summarily, of the proposed plan;
and we con-
fess, morover, that it would be scarcely fair to our
neighbours across the strait to throw upon them the re-
sponsibilit? and expense of a first experiment. Let us
begin wits one establishment here, for which we possess
all the recuisite scientific and mechanical knowledge.
If that suOeed, the credit and the profit will be our own ;
if it fail, ether from the deficiency of fuel, or its greater
expensiveiPss, or if it become insufficient for the wants
of our miles, then we shall be legitimately entitled to
engage the assistance of our Van Diemen's Land friends,
and to shse with them a full portion of our mineral
advantage; and pains.

THE QUICKEST VOYAGE TO RIO DE JANEIRO
FROM FALMOUTH.—Her Majesty's packet brigantine Sea-
gull, urn'er the command of Lieutenant J. Parsons, sailed
from this port on the 6th of December last, arrived at
Madera on the 13th, sailed thence on the 14th, touched at
Teneiiffe and delivered the mails on the 16th. arrived at
Pernambuco on the 30th; sailed on the Ist of January for
Ralik, where she arrived on the 4th, and sailed again on
the 51 for Rio de Janeiro, where she arrived on the morning
of the 13th and delivered the mails, having performed the,
voya;e, including all stoppages, in 37 days 21 hours. This
service touching
is coxsidered the shortest . voyage to Rio Janeiro ever
apterthefermueodrthbyeruanpyortip packet
jamiMajesty'se

BANKRUPTCY and INSOLVENCY.
'The following is an abstract of Lord Brougham's Bill
(first introduced into the House of Lords) " To repeal
the jatisdiction of her Majesty's Court ot Bankruptcy
and District Courts ot Bankruptcy, in matters of insole
vency, to abol,sh the Court of Review, and to reduce the
number of Cornrni-si.ner4."

The preamble states that whereas it bath been found
that the jurisdiction in matters of insolvency given to
her Majesty's Court of Bankruptcy and District Courts
of Bralkruptcy, by the Acts passed in the fifth and sixth
and setenth aid eighth years of the reign of her pre--
sent Majesty, is attended with inconvenience to the
suitor€ in'those Courts, and is prejudicial to such Courts
as Cuurts for the administration of bankrupts' estates,
and the distribution of assets. Be it therefore en-
acted—

Clause 1 declares that after the passing of this Act, 5
and 6 Vie., c. 116, and 7 and 8 Vic., c. 96, and all powers,
&c., given by the same, will be repealed.
2. Petitions under recited Acts which are now in de-
pendence, &c., to remain in force, &c.
3. Courts and Judges appointed under 9 and 10 Vic.,
c. 95, to have jurisdiction in all matters of insolvency, &c.
4 Court f,,r Relief of Insolvent Debtors and Judges ,:f
County Courti shall have, within their jurisdictions,
powers to make inu rim orders, &c.
5. Court of Review and offices of the Chief and Puisne
Judges abolished.
6. Power of Appeal to the Lord Chancellor against the
decision of any such ccrnmissioner, in the same manner
as appeals are now made trom decisions of the Court of
Review.

7. On the next three vacancies of Commissioners hap-
pening in London, offices to be abolished.
8. Appeals from decisions of Courts of Bankruptcy
to be heard by Lord Chancellor or one of the Vice-
Chancellors.
9. If Commissioners in London be reduced to three,
senior Commissioner in the country to succeed to va-
cancy.
10. Matters heretofore referred to a Subdivison Court
to be decided by the Commissioner acting in the prose
cution of the fiat under which the same shall have arisen,
or by any other Commissioner of the Court of Bank-
ruptcy who may be acting for him, and that any one
Commissioner shall henceforth have and exercise the
same power, jurisdiction, and authority as has hereto.
fore been vested in such Subdivision Courts.

11. Every fiat issued to be allotted to the Court or
District Court of Bankruptcy by the Secretary of Bank-
rupts, &c.
12. Office of chief registrar of Court of Bankruptcy
to be abolished, and duties transferred to the master of
the Court.

13. After passing of this Act no fees to be taken ex-
cept those enumerated in schedule.
14. All papers, &c., in the office of the chief registrar
shall be transferred to the office of the master, and all
documents heretofore filed, &c., shall be hereafter filed,
&c., in the said office.
15. On death, &c., of Clerk of Enrolments duties of
office to be transferred to the master, and the Lord
Chancellor may make rules, &c., appertaining to the
said office.
16. Chief clerk or master may, in certain cases, act as
deputy to the master, under an order of the Lord Chan-
cellor.
17. Providing for reduction of commissioners in
London.
18. Providing for reduction of commissioners in the
country.
19. On registrars in London being reduced in num-
ber to three, the senior registrar in the country entitled
to vacancy.
20. In case of illness, &c., of commissioner, registrar
may act for him, &c.
21. Registrar to be a barrister, special pleader, or an
admitted attorney, of certain standing.
22. Lnrd Chancellor may order certain annuities on
retirement to be paid.
23. Time within which clerk or usher whose office may
be abolished is to make his claim for compensation to
the Commissioners of the Treasury, who are to examine
into the same.
24. Official assignees, &c., to be transferred to other
Courts, as Lord Chancellor may direct.
25. Lord Chancellor, &c., to make rules for carrying
this Act into execution.
26. Interpretation of Act.