The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-09 00:00:00

He grants that books are more numerous than at any
previous period, and that readers are in proportionate
abundance, but he is, and not without reason, im-
pressed with a conviction, that, in depth of investiga-
tion and solidity of knowledge, our generation is in.
ferior to those of our forefathers.
" Unhappily, whatever is written in order to be ac-
quired passes under the name of knowledge, without
much reference tp its nature or its uses : and whilst men
congratulate each other on the progress of the age, and
the vast increase of attainments, it is too often forgotten
that, in the general amount, there is many an item to bR
reckoned of most pernicious quality and calculated to
work much evil as its consequence. The penny publi-
cations, for instance, which are rife on every hand, are
most of them neither instructive nor wholesome. They
have all something to teach, it is true ; but that this
sometMng is good for the learner is more than doubtful.
"In some of these publications the tastes which may
be expected to prevail within the range of popular com-
pre`hension are consulted ,• and, whilst there are Chartist
essays of considerable ability for the thinking but dis-
contested artizi-in, there are tales of horror, of crime, and
depravity for the idle or doubtfully occupied youth,
dressed in all the forms most likely to win morbid and
ignorant minds to imitation. What is thus sown will
one day bear its fruit, and make itself fearfully known as
part of that knowledge triumphantly spoken of as
power: It is true that the efforts of benevolent and re-
ligious societies are directed to check the evil. The
penny press of philanthropy struggles with that of
vice ; but no one, who is at ad conversant with the pur-
lieus of the metropolis, or curious in observing all the
indications of their moral and mental condition, can fail
to see that the publications -of which we speak are far
more numerous, and far more in Wiliest, than those
which an active charity disseminates in opposition."
We are persuaded that there is much truth in these
lamentations. A purgation of the literary garbage
would be of most beneficial effect, if such a purgation
were possible. Then again, as the Reviewer ob-
serves, men are not contented now with pioneering
their own way to any science—they must be afforded
some railway insight into any matter with which they
wish to be familiar ; and hence their knowledge
on those points is of a more superficial and unsatis-
factory character. In endeavouring to asperse those
who have struggled for the dissemination of know-
ledge among the multitude, the writer has, however,
descended from the dignified position which he had
previously assumed. The old cant outcry against
the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge,
the miserable shallowness of which attack we have
already repeatedly exposed, is again revived and in-
sinuated. Never was anything more preposterous
than this accusation, as if the divulging of the won •
ders of creation could by possibility tend to any-
thing but the advancement of morality ! As if there
was anything inherently inimical to religion in bo-
tany, zoology, geography, physics, ichthyology, ma-
thematics, astronomy, and the other kinds of human
science ! The reasonableness, however, of the
arguments employed by the Reviewer is too
inimitable not to be definitively adduced by
an instance. In a preceding portion of his
lucubrations he had spoken emphatically and nobly
against the baneful nature of superstition, and the
advantages likely to result from its thorough eradi-
cation ; yet he afterwards assails the promoters of
" the diffusion of useful knowledge," forasmuch as
they have " supplanted the traditionary and legend-
ary lore of the cottagers by tales of operative
wonders and factory blessings (!) ' • turned Mother
Shipton out of doors to make way for Jeremy Ben .
them (! !) ;- and banished the Seven Champions of
Christendom and the fairy tales from the nursery in
order to give place to Miss Martineau's stories of
political economy (! ! !)." The accusation is borne
out in the following conclusive and pathetic lan-

guage :
" Nature has her own work and philosophy its proper
sphere. It is unwise to seek a benefit to one portion of
society by creating a condition in another which is un-
natural. The poor and children (especially the rural
poor) live in the regions
. of faith—faith is proper to their
estate. It is what is naturally suggested by all the asso-
ciations which the elements of nature, in which the poor
man labours, create : it is what naturally grows out of
the influences by which the tender age of infancy is sur-
rounded. To break down faith in the one because it is
mixed with supersition—to destroy its fascinations in the
other because they are poetic fictions—is the present ef-
fort of philosophical sagacity ; and we do not think it
either well or wisely employed. As far as we have seen,
it can only end in the destruction of faith itself. Take
this out of the heart of the poor, and you leave them
nothing to console them in their poverty.: take it out of
the nature of a child and you destroy its innocence.
" There are many popular superstitions which, though
they may be errors, are not vulgar errors. A thousand
influences, the value of which is lightly thought of, or
passed by, have been at work in their creation, and many
things which indirectly ebasen the spirit and soften the
heart are associated in their maintenance. In times
when tradition was the only chronicler of history, truth
took fantastic forms, but still taught her lessons ; and
in districts where the eye and mind are ever in contact
with wild and beautiful scenery, it is not to be wondered
at that the spirit of man should be tempted into another
region than the material. The superstition that abides
in cellars, and amongst the debased of large cities and
manufacturing towns, is doubtless a hag ; but that which
walks the mountain path and dwells by the waters of
the glen has a beauty in keeping with the elements
around, giving to every object a double charm. The
one is gross in its fOrm, and often cruel in its instincts—
the other poetic in its birth, and mostly humanizing in
its influence."
We must candidly avouch that we have but little
sympathy with any one who could seriously lament
the downfall of Mother Shipton ; and as to the
preservation of the superstition which is so elo-
quently described here as taking constitutional
" walks upon the mountain path," while that which
"abides in the cellar" is eradicated—we can only say
that such notions are very pretty, no doubt, but very
silly into the bargain ; very romantic, but not at all
feasible ' • admirable in theory, but impossible in prac-
tice. A fig for the delicate poultice ribbons and gruel
spoons, that may be swept away in cleansing a fever
hospital. "Davenant's Works," the " English Bible,"
with " Baillie's Letters and Journals,"' form excellent
materials for the remainder of this publication.

:am lc
THE STORY OF TOBY.—(Honte and Colonial
Library.)
Heartily rejoiced are we to discover from this little
pamphlet that poor Toby is still enjoying existence.
The information is conveyed to us in a supplement to
the description of a few months' residence in the
" Marquesas Islands," and has only just been issued
by Mr. Murray. Every one who has, like ourselves,
devoured with hungry ears the beautiful narrative of
Hernan Melville, every one who learnt from that
most delightful traveller the pleasures of "pace-
poee," the potency of the " taboo," the primitive
charms of Fayaway, and the general habits of the
Typee savages, will be gratified at any circumstance
which could elicit an additional chapter from the
same graphic and accomplished hand.- But when
that circumstance is to assure the world that Toby
(the companion of Mr. Melville) was not devoured
by the cannibal Typees, as was originally imagined,
we are satisfied that handreds will rejoice as heartily
as ourselves. Hernan Melville has interested us so
much in his own fortunes and those of Toby (and
interested us simply by the perusal of his unpretend-
ing little book on the Marquesas), that we only re-
gret the brevity of the present supplement.

ANOTHER RISE IN THE PRICE OF BREAD.—On
Wednesday the 41b. loaf of wheaten bread was advanced
to 81d. by the cheap bakers, and loid. by the full-priced
throughout the metropolis.
THE WEATHER.—The meteorological register kept
at the gardens of the Horticultural Society of Chiswick
during the past month, gives some curious results of the
fluctuations of temperature within that period. From
September 12 to October 6, the Barometer was highest,
or 30.382 inch on the 12th of September ; and lowest,
or 29.350 inch on the 23d ; the Thermometer, highest,
or 83 deg. F. on 72, and lowest, 35 deg. and Qon 92 ;
whilst the quantity of rain was 2.28 inch.
SHERIFF'S COURT.—This Court did not sit yester-
day. The regular sitting will recommence on Thursday
next for the sittings before Michaelmas term, and con-
tinue sitting till the next long vacation. Notices of
intentions to try inquiries, &c., must be given at the
Sheriff's-office, Red Lion-square, three days previously.
THE LATE BARON DE BODE.—The remains of the
late Baron will not be interred for some weeks, owing to
a desire on the part of his relatives in England to have
his eldest son (now Baron de Bode) in attendance at the
funeral solemnities. His Lordship is now on his way
from Russia, where he holds an appointment of high
rank under the Czar. No will was made by the deceased
in reference to claims on the Government, and he pos-
sesses no personal or other property of any value what-
ever , indeed, for some 'years back, he has lived almost
entirely by means of advances from his friends and others,
made in anticipation of a successful termination of his
dispute with the Government.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.--Wednesday a very respect-
ably-dressed female flung herself from the bridge near
the Magazine, Hyde-park, into the Serpentine. Two
men who were passing at the time raised a cry for as-
sistance, and the men at the Royal Humane Society-
house hastened in a boat to the spot. Not seeing the
woman they dropped their grappling irons, and suc-
ceeded in hauling her into the boat apparently lifeless.
They conveyed her to the Receiving-house, and after a
considerable lapse of time she was restored, and pro-
nounced to be out of danger.
ARREST OF MENDELSSOHN, THE COMPOSER.—The
warrant issued, on political grounds, for the arrest of
the advocate Dr. Mendelssohn, has given rise to a curious
mistake. At Herbestahl, a little Prussian town near
the Baltic frontier, the gendarmerie arrested the advo-
cate's cousin-german, the celebrated composer, Felix
Mendelssohn Bartholdy, who was returning from Bel-
gium by the railway, and who is also a doctor, but in
music, while his kinsman is a doctor of laws. The artist
vainly showed his passport, which was perfectly regular,
and mentioned his office of director-general of religious
music in Prussia ; the officers found the description in
the passport very similar to that of the person they were
to apprehend, and imagined that the passport had been
got by some ruse, to elude the vigilance of
eooftnhv3rd to
eea.eutho-
rides. Dr. Mendelssohn Bartholdy was
prison,
he had obtainedon,andwasnotr theeleased atitltlentdhaenee,from Cologne,
following
evening,
after
of two respectable witnesses to his identity.—Gazette
Musicale.

~`/:

~.

OPENING OF TiE 1,14;;;i1.1.,1
BRIDLINGTON RAILWAY.
(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)
A dinner took place in the Music Hall in he eteti;isg
to which more than 500 gentlemen were invited. Mr.i
Hudson, M.P., was in the chair. He was supported on
his right by the Lord Mayor of York, and on his left by
the Mayor of Hull,
Amongst those present we observed Henry Holds-
worth, Esq., Thomas Broadfoot, Esq., and William
Rand, Esq., directors of the Manchester and Leeds Rail=
way; Daniel Waddington, Esq„ deputy-chairman of the
Eastern Counties ; Sir Isaac Morley, Tee, Esq.,
Edward Oxley, Esq., chairman of the Great North or
England ; Nathaniel Pleevis, Esq., director of the
Midland Railway; Sir John Simpson, deputy. chairman
of the Midland Railway, and James Richardson, Esq.,
ane George Jennings, Esq , directors; the Rev. Mr.
Dixon and the Rev. Mr. Parley, of the Corporation of
Hull; J. R. Pease, Esq., George Liddell, Esq., George"
Leeman, Esq., a number of the Corporation of York,
the Sheriff of York, the Chevalier Good, the
Consul of Denmark and other foreign consuls, and
J. E. Burtenshaw, Esq., one of the engineers to the
line. J. Eglinton was the vice-chairman. Due justice
having been done to the excellent dinner and mines.
" Non Nobis Domine" having been sung, and' the usual
ofl.
or
.r
HUDSONhavingnaduly hostgnroeuartedc,heering,
to
propose
)) el and constitutional toasts, including the Archbishop
r obseee,
" Prosperity to the Hull and Bridlington Railway." He
sail (when the cheering had subsided) that in rising to
propose" the toast of the evening, he felt that it needed
no eulogium from-him to entitle it to be received by that
company with the enthusiasm it deserve d• —(Cheers.)
They opening had that day witnessed the of the Hull
and Bridlington Railway.—(Cheers.) •
) He had been
called during that day to address them at some
length on the advantages and benefits which
the line would confer on the districts which
it traversed, therefore it would be unnecessary for
him to occupy their time or task their patience with a
recital of those advantages a second time—this was
especially unnecessaryebecause he believed there was no
gentleman present who was not well able and ready to
estimate the advantages which it would confer on the
inhabitants of that district by the facilities which it
would afford for curie ing them and their produce be-
tween two such important points as Hull and Bridling-
ton.—(Cheers.) He offered the toast to their acceptance,
because he was sure every gentleman there would drink
it with enthusiasm, and because he believed it was their
earnest wish that the railway which had been opened
that day should serve its proprietors and the
beneficial to the public.—(Loud cheers.) It was by en-
larging and affording increased facilities for communi-
cation between difierent places—it was by extending
railway communication from place to place, and so
making a complete system of intercommunication
throughout the whole country, that its resources were
fully developed, the cost of transit cheapened, and the
people benefited.—(Loud cheers.) But, above all, the
line, passing as it did through a beautiful and healthy
country, would be the means of imparting the vigour
of life to the pallid cheek of disease, and could not
fail to promote the health of those who travelled along
it. The line invested the directors with
great responsibility; but, although the shareholders
had invested capital in it to the amount of
300,0001. or 400,000 L, they felt confident in its 'pros- -
perity, because it was one of those undertakings which
could not fail to prove beneficial to the public. It was
a great point in railway undertakings that lines should
be alike beneficial to the public and to their proprietors,
for the interests of railway proprietors and railway
shareholders were identical.—(Hear.) As they intended
to proceed on this prineiple it could not be otherwise
than beneficial to the public.—(Hear.) He hoped,
theiefore, they would drink the toast with sincerity, and
with a due sense of the anxiety and responsibility which
was connected with a new and great undertaking. The
directors had an anxious task to discharge, but if there
was unanimity and good feeling amongst those with
whom they came in contact that responsibility
would be materially lightened. The public were
desirous to have all the accommodation they required,
and, therefore, he said, in giving that accommodation, he
recognised the principle contained in the address which
had neen presented to him that day—he deeply recog-
nised the principle, that conferring benefits on the public
by the construction of railways promoted the general
commercial interests of the country, and induced
capitalists to invest their money in profitable specula-
tions.----(Cheers.) Therefore, in proposing prosperity to
this railway, lie not only meant in a pecuniary point of
view to the proprietors, but also with prosperity to the
district through which it ran.—(Cheers.) They were
deeply sensible of the responsibility which attached to
the management of the railway ; they were aware
if they did not give the public fair facilities—
if they did not afford to the district through which
it ran all the advantages to which it was en-
titled of the conveyance of goods and passengers—if they
did not give all the intercourse which ought to exist, he
said they were fully satisfied that they would not deserve
to prosper. They were fully prepared to carry out this
principle, and satisfied it would meet with success—that
in giving increased facilities to the public they should
receive an increased reward fer their labours.—(Hear,
hear.) He had no doubt they would drink the toast in
a bumper, and he hoped with all the enthusiam with
which it had been received that day—" Success to the
tl ull and Bridlington Railway."
The toast was received, and responded to with loud
cheers.
Mr. HUDSON again rose, and said that that was the
first time the whole corporation of York had been united
to meet the corporation of Hull.—(Cheers.) The corpora-
thin of York bore the utmost good feeling for the
'corporation of Hull.—(Hear, hear.) After passing *
glowing eulogium on both corporations, he concluded lay
proposing the Mayor and corporation of Hull.
The MAYOR of Hull in returning thanks bore high
testimony to the character of Mr. Hudson, and to the
great extent of his railway undertaking=. The line that
day opened promised to be most useful. It was one of
the most complete lines he had ever travelled—(Cheers).
—in fart, it was quite extraordinary to find it in so per-
fect a state. After some other observations, he con-
cluded by proposing the health of Mr. Hudson.
Mr. HUDSON returned thanks for the honour which
had been conferred upon him. No person, he could
assure the worthy Mayor and those present, could be
more astonished at the position he held than himself.—
(Cheers.) It was quite true when he became chairman
of the, Midland Company that it did not possess the
railway communication which it rossessed at present.—
(Loud cheers.) When he was called upon to aid in the
construction of these lines he felt that be could not deny
any services which his fellow-citizens required of him.—
(Cheers). He could say truly of himself, whatever others
might say, that his object was to benefit, not to say the
city of his birth, but York, a city in the prosperity of
which he felt the warmest interest. Certain
circum-
stances had placed him in the high position he held. Ile
had, in' connexion with his friend Mr. R. Stephenson,
who was connected with one whose memory would ever
live—(Cheers)—he had been the humble instrument of
carrying out lines of great utility to the country. When
others thought railways but a system, the ultimate suc-
cess of which was only problematical, he prosecuted
that undertaking, and had been the humble means of
inducing the capitalists of England to invest their
capital in affording increased accommodation to the trade
and commerce of the country, rather than in bonded
securities and in foreign speculations—(Cheers)--aid
was it to be said that those who had embarked in these
undertakings should be blamed, when in doing so they
had forwarded their own interests at the same time?—
(Hear, and cheers.) It had been charged against
him, that under this system he had remunerated
himself and others at the expense of the public.
This was not so, but was to be attributed to
various circumstances. It was because others, who had
the means, and who were his equals in everything, had
not had the courage to debark their capital in such un-
dertakings.—(Cheers.) Thus, whilst those lines ha
hd
conferred benefits on him,great benefits ad been ex-
him,
tended to others. It had been also charged upon
that in the position in which he had placed himself he
had enhanced the capital of the companies with which
he was connected, and that he had offered extravagant
terms to the shareholders of the Hull and Selby Rail-
way, and that the public would suffer materially
as from
what he had done. Now he denied that charge, he
believed the tendency of the principle of amalgama-
tion to be the principle of increasing rail-
way facilities, and consequently reducing the expense
of management and the cost of transit ; but he denied that
he had been instrumental in giving that to the share-
holders which the public ought to have received—(Loud
cheers)—he denied .that.—(Continued cheers.) He
, went forward because he believed it was for the perma-
nent interests of the companies with which he was asso-
' ciated, who had invested their capital in them. Why
were they looked up to by the nations of the world? Why,
because, whilst pursuing their course of enterprise, they
had maintained above all the nations of the world the
• mer-
high principle of faith—(Loud cheers)—that. th?zr _ e
chants and the Parliament had always
omrtaintsedinthto
principle of keeping inviolate.
hthe
_9
individuals and
which they had entered
witreturned thanks
nations.—(Cheers.) He sincerely.
He ho and
for the honour they had done him
•t
di hPe th
trusted that so long as he continu o_ sc arge
.e
duties they had placed in his hands he should maintain
ose who composed that assembly.-
the good opinion of those
He knew no higher honour for a public man to possess
than to enjoy the good opinion of his fellow-men.--*
(Immense cheering.) The Hon. Gentleman proposed
" The health of the Directors of the Hull and Selby
Railway," and resumed his seat amidst the loudest de-
monstrations of applause.
R. Torree, Esq., the Chairman of the Company, re-
turned thanks.
The following toasts were drunk before the company'
separated : " The Members for Hull," " The Lad
Mayor and Corporation of York," " The Chairman and
Directors of the South Midland Railway," " The Chair-
man and Directors of the Leeds and Manchester Rail-
way," " The Chairman and Directors of the Midland
Company," " Prosperity to the Town and Port of
Hull," &e. &c.
The company did not separate until past eleven
o'clock ; the majority returned to York by a special
train, which had been provided, free of expense, for that
purpose.

" GOOD NEWS FOR THE SAVANS."
The faculty, although they say
They make their " cuts to heal,"
Admit that when the brain's away
All useless is their steel ;
But Punch, as every week has shown,
Aside the maxim puts,
For though long since the brains are gone
'Tis living by the cuts.