The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-20 00:00:00

ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION

OF INQUIRY.
T. J. RNOWLYS, ESQ. V. THE REV. R. S. BARTON.

For some considerable time past the parish of Heysham
has been thrown into very great excitement, in conse-
quence of T. J. Knowlys, Esq., a Magistrate residing
there, having transmitted to the Bishop of Chester
charges of a very grave and serious nature against the
conduct of the Rev. Robinson Shuttleworth Barton, the
presentißector of Heysham, and also a Magistrate of the
county. The Bishop, therefore, in order that justice
might be done both to the complainant, the accused, and
the parishioners over whom he is delegated the spiritual
guide, ordered a Commission of Inquiry, under a recent
Act of Parliament for the better regulation of church

discipline, to sit to investigate most fully all the bearings
of the case. _

The charge was, being guilty of " lewd and immoral
conduct, profane cursing and swearing, and intempe-
rance."

The following clergymen were appointed Commis-
sioners :—The Rev. J. Mackreth, Rector of Halton, to
whom, as Rural Dean, the Commission was directed ; the
Rev. Carus Wilson, of Casterton ; the Rev. E. Scott, of
Poulton ; the Reverend 1). Umpleby, Chaplain to the
Asylum ; and the Reverend Thurtill, of Caton ; the
Reverend Mr. Mackreth, - President. Mr. Knolwys. was
attended by Mr. Buck, of Preston, as his pr.ofessional.
adviser, and Mr. Barton had retained the assistance of
Mr. Brandt, the barrister, and Mr. Shuttleworth, of
Preston.
Mr.Knowlys briefly addressed the Court. He said that the
Legislature had thought proper to pass an Act to dis-
countenance and punish all persons who might be
scandal to these realms ; whilst it required all persons
in authority, both civil and ecclesiastic, to set an example
the more effectually to reform those who led dissoltite
lives. Mr. Barton had conducted himself unbecoming a
clergyman, and he (Mr. Knowlys) therefore held it to
be his duty as a Magistrate and a Justice of the Peace,
to take the proceedings which he has done, and he was
there to make a charge of excessive drinking, lewdness,
and othtr immoral practices against the Rev. Mr. Barton. '
Mr. Knowlys, to substantiate the charge, proceeded to
call upwards of a score of witnesses during the investi-
gation, which lasted twodays, Tuesday and Wednesday
but as the case is still pending, (the further hearing
being adjourned until next Thursday) as Mr. Barton'
has not been heard in his defence, and since no decision
has been pronounced (perhaps none will be made public)
by the Commissioners, we refrain from giving a full and
detailed report of the proceedings ; indeed some of them
are scarcely fit for publication, as they have hitherto
transpired during the past week at Halton.—Lancaster
Guardian.

THE RECENT Loss OF LIFE AT EYE-
NOUTII.—The following is an extract of a letter received
by Mr. West, the Secretary of the Shipwrecked Fisher-
men and Marines' Benevolent Society, in reference to
the distressing case of loss of life which has recently oc
curred at Eyemouth, and to which we have previously
alluded in our columns :—" I have much pleasure in ac-
knowledging the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst.,
informing me that the Board of Management had autho-
rised you to remit to me a sum of money to be applied
on account of the widows and orphans of the five men
who were lately drowned on this coast. Immediately 01
receipt of your letter, I communicated the purport of
ii
to the Committee of subscribers on behalf of the unfor-
tunate fishermens' families, and they requested me t,
convey to the Board their deep sense of gratitude foi
their very liberal donation, and to yourself their thank,
fur your prompt attention to my application." (Signed)
" Thomas Bowhill, Treasurer of the Eyemouth
Auxi-
liary."
FIRM BRICK-WORK.—Few Trim behold the im-
mense brick walls which surround the Prince's Dock and
the docks northward of Liverpool, will withhold their
admiration at their vast length and apparent solidity—a
proof of which latter quality may bo seen by a walk to
the Prince's Basin. It being found necessary to remove
amdpioortiroonomof
fora
asoubtohildlivoagll Waterlooonfowtheerecting—in
Dock,stea to
of
~Fullingdrvinn,;,,titthee desired sp
brick-workaee wianstoobltaraigneedubnify cut-
tirgorm or ~ i
masses, and conveying them away to the quay in that
state, with the appearance and seeming solidity of blocks
of granite.—Liverpool Journal.