The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-01 00:00:00

SINGULAR MARRIAGE CASE.

On Saturday a somewhat singular case, involving the
validity of a marriage, was decided by Lord Ormidale.
In 1847, a Glasgow steamboat owner, named Alexander
Watson, married a certain Mrs. Taylor, and by her
had a daughter, who is now the wife of a Mr. Muir.
His first wife, formerly Mrs. Taylor, haring died,
Watson, in 1856, married, at Gretna, a girl named
Isabella Taylor, who was said to be Mrs. Taylor's
daughter by her former husband. Several children
were born of e this second marriage. Watson died five
years ago, and Mrs. Muir, his daughter by Mrs. Taylor,
has raised the present action with a view to shew that the
children of Isabella Taylor were not his lawful offspring,
and therefore had no right to share in his estate. Proof
was led at some length, and the case was subsequently
debated. - The pursuer contended that there could be no
marriage between Watson and Isabella Taylor, seeing
that they stood to each other in the relation of
stepfather and stepdaughter—a relationship which,
as the pursuer held, Isabella Taylor was perfectly cogni-
sant of. On the 'part of the defenders it was submitted
that there was no sufficient proof of Isabella Taylor being
the daughter of Mrs. Taylor; and further that it had not
been satisfactorily proved. th2t Isabella Taylor was
aware of the character of the 'relationship which had
subsisted between "Watson and her mother. Lord
Ormidale, in his interlocutor on the case, finds, as
matter of fact, that the pursuer, Mrs. Muir, is the lawful
daughter-of the deceased Alexander Watson and his wife
Margaret
.M`Arthur or Taylor.; That Isabella Taylor,
called as a defender, is the daughter of the said Margaret
M'Arthur or Taylor, by her former marriage with
William Taylor, and the stepdaughter of the said
Alexander Watson : Finds also, as matter of fact, that
when the defenders' mother, the said Isabella Taylor, is
said by them to have been married to their father, the
said Alexander Watson, she was in knowledge that he
had previously been married to her mother, the said
Margaret M`Arthur or Taylor : Finds in these circum-
stances, as matter of law, that Isabella Taylor could not
have been legally married to their father, and that, there-
fore, they are not his lawful children : Finds pursuer
entitled to expenses.—Scotsman.

Eng, ono of the Siamese twins is reported to he

dying.

HARROW SCITOOL.---011 Sunday evening last the
Rev. F. W. Farrar, M.A., F.R.S., who has just been
appointed to the Mastership of Marlborough College,
preached a farewell sermon in the school chapel. • The
chapel has seldom been more crowded, numerous friends
attending in their desire to take their leave and hear the
last words of one who has for fifteen years served the
school with such conspicuous devotion and brilliancy.
FATAL ICE ACCIDENT.—A. boy, named William
Smith, aged nine years, son of a wheelright of Isleworth,
while skating last Monday on the ornamental canal in
the Puke of Northumberland's Park, stumbled and fell,
and, the ice giving way, he was immersed in deep water.
Attempts were made to save him, but the ice was too
rotten to admit of a sufficiently near approach, and by
the time the body was recovered by means of drags life
was quite extinct. Several other boys had narrow escapes,
and skating on the canal has now Imffl stopped.
AmEitiCAN COURT CIRCULAR.—Mrs. President
Grant had a reception at the White House, Washington,
on Tuesday, January 10, which was attended by a bril-
liant company. Mrs. Grant was attired in a dove-
coloured silk, sprinkled profusely with clusters of flowers
slightly raised, with a single flounce of point lace, and an
etching of illusion in front, where the dress was cut half
square. Her- hair was simply braided, with a jewelled
Brazilian fly resting lightly in front ; a gold chain around
the neck, made of massive links, silly-laded an open locket
enclo.3lm.;' a niinature portrait of the President in uniform ;
her collar was fastened by a breastpin of diamonds; other
than this she wore no ornaments. Mrs. Fish wore a
pearl-coloured silken train, with an overdress and flounces
of lace. The rich colour of her dress made a decidedly
effective contrast with the crimson flowers that were scat-
tered in her hair. She wore in
.the way of ornaments a
massive diamond cross pendant to a gold chain. Mrs. Dent
wore a straw-coloured silk, with full overdress of black
lace, coral breastpin, and earrings. Mrs. General Porter
appeared in a blue silk, trimmed with crimson ribands
Her hair was interwoven with crimson
.ribands. Late
in the afternoon Mrs. Cole, of New York, a particular
friend of Mrs. Grant, joined her suite. Her costume was
a crimson silk, flounced with black lace that looked more
like a gossamer web than the work of mortal hands. Mrs.
Colfax appeared in a walking costume of black velvet and
silk, with a profusion of lace trimmings. Miss Slack, of
New jersey, a .petite blonde, attracted attention by her
peesonal attractions and the richness of her dress. Lady
Thornton followed the usual custom in the matter of dress
by appearing in afternoon costume. Miss Minnie Sher-
man wore a black velvet walking dress, profusely trimmed
with lace.—American Paper.

SHIPBUILDING ON THE CLYDE.

This branch of industry, we are glad to be able to
state, is in a very active condition. Though, during the
past month the launches have not been so numerous as
might have been expected, this being greatly due to the
interruption to business caused by the New-Year holi-
days, we are informed that there is much activity in all
the yards—some of them having orders on hand, suffi-
cient to occupy them during all the present year, and
even beyond that. Amongst others, Messrs. A. Stephen
and Sons, Kelvinhaugh, launched the Glensannock, sister
ship to the Glendarrock, for the West India and Suez
Canal trade. Her dimensions are-272 3-10 feet in length,
33 1-10 ft. broad, and 24 2-10ft.deep. Her gross tonnage is
1,500 tons. Messrs. J. and G. Thomson launched a
splendid vessel, intended for the Leith trade, named the
Gothiand. Her dimensions are-260 feet long, 24 feet
deep, and 32 feet broad. Messrs. John Elder and Co.
launched a large iron ship, called the Tagus. Mr. Lawrie,
of Whiteinch, also turned out during the month a large
vessel intended, we believe, for the foreign trade. Messrs.
Cain.' and Co., Greenock, at the beginning of the
month, added another to the previously fine fleet of
North German Lloyds' merchantmen steamers turned
out by them. She was named the Germania. Amongst
vessels built 'recently by Messrs. T. B. Seath -and Co.,
there is at present lying in Kingston Dock, a little craft,
named the Mondeh Mennez, of peculiar, even unique,
but handsonie construction, ordered for Don Jose Mendez,
of the Argentine Republic. Messrs. Seath have, besides
another steamer, the Archimede, on Spanish account,
several small steam vessels on hand.—Glasgow Citizen.

IRELAND AND THE INDIAN CIVIL
SERVICE.

Dr. Toleken, one of the Senior Fellows of Trinity
College, has forwarded a remonstrance from the board to
his Grace the Duke of Argyle. It is proposed by the
Government to establish a Loud( n College for the eda-

tion of civil engineers for the Indian service, and no gen-
tleman except a licentiate of that college will be allowed
to compete for colonial employment. The remonstrance
ably combats this unjust restriction, and makes such a
case against the monopoly as should induce the
Indian Secretary to blot it out. Thirty years ago the

Board of Trinity College established their school of engi-
neering, and since then they have educated 280 gentlemen
in their profession. Some of them have risen to eminence
abroad, and many of them occupy high positions at home.
In 1859 the junior appointments in the engineer
establishment of India were opened to competi-
tion, and one of the conditions ruled that the candidate
must have passed three years as an articled pupil
to a civil engineer. This restriction cunningly shut out
all the University men, and a deputation from Dublin
waited on the present Lord Derby, and subsequently on
Sir Charles Wood. The rule was so modified as to allow
gentlemen holding diplomas of recognised schools to com-
pete, and the consequence was that very many young
Irishmen obtained appointments. It is now proposed to
block the path of industry altogether to Irishmen,
for the Englishmen might readily manage to at-
tend the Central College in London. It is argued
by the Government that the Schools of Engineering do
not supply all the practical instruction desirable in an en-
gineer. The Board of Trinity College admit this, but re-
join that there should be established an institution ana-
logous to Netley Hospital, wherein candidates for the army
and navy medical services are finally examined. The only
plausible argument 'advanced by the Government is thus
dissipated by the remonstrauts. We trust that the Irish
members will make an opportunity next week of opposing
and defeating the narrow system thus sought to be esta,-
blished.—Freem it's Journal.

At a fancy ball which took place in Brecon a short
time since one lady went as " the Eclipse of the Sun," in
a very remarkable yellow dress, with a huge black patch
in the centre of it.

A. BROAD Offunox DINNFat.:--A_ great deal of

interest is taken in London in the dinner which will
shortly be given to Professor Jowett. As Dean Stanley
is to preside, and Bishop Temple to make a speech, the
dinner will be a great demonstration of the Broad Church
party. One felicitous circumstance connected with it is
that the Conservative members of Baliol have expressed

their intention to attend on the occasion.
HOME GOVERNMENT " OF IRELAND. Mr.
Monsell, in his address to the Limerick electors, charac-
terised the Home Government scheme as a sham, the
effect of which would be to revive Orange ascendancy ;
and he urged the importance of maintaining the great
Liberal majority in the House of Commons, and refusing
to listen to the advice of TorieJ in disguise.

TILE CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT.—The Con-
tagious Diseases Commissioners have held five sittings
since the Christmas holidays, three of which have taken
place during the past week. The witnesses have con-
sisted of police inspectors and medical men. One of the
most important of the medical witnesses who support the
Act was examined on Monday.

DEBTORS' ACT.—The judges have made a new
rule as to the Debtors' Act, on which a difference of
opinion had existed•, and the orders are to be " absolute
and immediate in the committals." It seems that on de-
fault of payment it will be necessary to make an affidavit,
and the commitment will at once issue without proof being
given of means to pay. The commitment in default will

be for six weeks, the usual period under the statute.
MoTHF,rts4N-LAW.—The typical mother-in-law is,
as we all know, fair game for every one's satire ; and, ac-
cording to the odd notions that prevail on certain points, a
man is assumed to show his love for his wife by systematic
disrespect to her mother, and to think that•her new affec-
tions will be knit all the closer the mere loosely he can
induce her to hold her old ones. The mother-
in-law, according to this view of things, has every fault.
She interferes, and always at the wrong time and on the
wrong side ; she makes a tiff into a quarrel, and widens a
coolness into a breach; she is self-opinionated, and does
not go with the times ; she treats her daughter like a child,
and her son-in-law like an appendage ; she spoils the elder
children, and feeds the baby with injudicious generosity;
she wears too many rings, trumps her partner's best card,
and she is fat.—Saturday Review.

LORD ACTON AND THE ROMAN QUESTION.—LoriI
Acton spoke at a Catholic soiree at Kidderminster on
Monday night, and referring to the Papacy Question,
said every statesman perceived how important it was, not
only that the Pope should be independent, but that the
world should be convinced of his independence. If the
Pope should fly from Rome it would be a serious blow to
Italy, and create a dangerous crisis which in the interest
of Europe should be avoided. An intelligent solution of
the question could only be brought about by the European
Powers, and the Catholic world would never rest contented
till the Pope was enabled to exercise his spiritual func-
tions without impediment. A resolution was passed, that
it was the true policy of a free State to protect the Holy
See, and to secure its independence of national and poli-
tical influences.

THE MATHEMATICAL DEGREES AT CAMBRIDGE.
—The mathematical honour degrees were conferred nn
Monday morning in the Senate House, Cambridge. The
Senior Wrangler and Mr. Lowe, the well-known 'varsity
oarsman of Christ's, were very loudly cheered. The
undergraduates were as unruly as usual. When Mr.
Glaisheri the Second Wrangler, presented himself he was
greeted with a line from the song of "Up iu a Balloon,
Boys." In political matters the undergraduates showed
their bias by groans for Bismarck, anti hisses and cheery
for victorious Germany. The name of M. Gambetta was
not very well.received. The whistling of the " Marseil-
laise" was kept up steadily throughout the entire disturb-
ance. Miss flarrett's name elicited cheers and counter-
cheers. The last three junior optimes were presented
with large wooden spoons, lowered to them from the
galleries by pieces of string. •
THE DOWRY OF THE PRINCESS LOUlSE.—Some-
thing has, no doubt, been observed of a slight movement
in opposition to the granting of a dowry to the Princess
Louise in democratic quarters. and it is almost ascertained
that the vote for that purpose will be opposed by a small
section of the House of Commons. But it is understood
that there is also distaste to the union expressed
in some aristocratic quarters, and one- indication of
it is that certain noblemen who would, from
their rank and position as Privy Councillors, be en-
titled to be present, have intimated that they will
ask to be excused from attending the marriage ceremony,
on the ground that it is to take place in Lent; and all
this is to occur in the face of the circumstance that,
though the dowry is constitutionally and legally a right
of the Royal Family under the compact by which the
Crown lands were exchanged for the civil list, her
Majesty is desirous of doing the graceful act of "in per-
son" asking Parliament to make the grant in the Speech
from the Throne.—Scotsman.

BREAKFAST.-EPPS'S COCOA.-GRATEFUL AND COM-
FORTING.—The very agreeable character of this preparation has
rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette re-
marks :—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which
govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a
careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa,
Mir. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delidately
flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors'
bills." Each packet is labelled—JAMES EPPS & Co., llommo-
pathic Chemists, London. Also, makers of Epps'a CacaSine, a
very thin evening beverage.—Advt.

THE WAR.

THE FALL OF PARIS.

THE PARIS JOURNALS.

The papers of the capital grew very gloomy, as was
natural, by the 25th. The hopes of relief from the provincial
armies had almost faded away, and though nobody seemed
to know for certain that negotiations were on foot, there.
was a general suspicion that some final step was intended.
The most current belief was that both Chanzy and Bour-
bald had been defeated by troops detached from the line
of investment. Bourbaki, however, was still the centre of
the last popular hope. The Journal des Mats of the 25th
says that, however painful it may be, it is the duty of the
Government to adopt the resolution forced upon it by
the realities of the situation completed in cold blood. It
declares that there is a possibility of a fresh sortie, con-
tingent upon the quantity of victuals and their duration.
The SiZde hopes there is no traitor among the men of the
4th of September, and asserts that Paris will not capitu-
late. The Opinion Nationale asserts that the lower
classes in the city have not suffered at all, but
the middle and higher classes frightfully—the last by rea-
son of the recent denunciation of all the private stores of
I food. The restaurants and cafés no longer were giving
bread to their customers, the proprietors being themselves
rationed since the 19th instant. It is announced in all
/ the papers that everybody wishing to breakfast or dine at
the restaurants must bring bread with him.