The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-14 00:00:00

THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER.

On the sth of October we made the following state-
ment:—" We understand that a department of the Go-
vernment, hitherto carried on under a chief, is, for the
future, to be managed by the same chief, assisted by a
board of unpaid commissioners. The names of the
latter we are not yet at liberty to disclose, but, if we mis-
take not, they will throw a very curious light on the
present state of parties in this country." There is now
no longer any necessity for preserving the secrecy that
was at the time imposed on us. The department al-
luded to is that of the Duchy of Lancaster, and the in-
tended board of commissioners—however surprising the
fact may appear to our readers—will be composed of the
Earl of Spencer, the Earl of Lincoln, Sir James
Graham, and the Earl of Hardwicke ! We
were strictly correct in saying that these com-
missioners will receive no pecuniary emolument ; but we
do hear that certain arrangements have been made in
reference to the distribution of patronage, by virtue of
which the new Board Will not be left altogether without
influence. Indeed, it is hinted that this provision is so
ample as to have already excited no inconsiderable indig-
nation in a Noble Lord who imagines that he has been
unfairly deprived of the advantages he formerly pos-
sessed. Of this, however, we know nothing ; it is for
the present, quite enough for us to know that two
members of Sir Robert Peel's late Cabinet, and a noble-
man who held an appointment in the royal household
under the same Administration, have accepted office at
the hands of Lord John Russell. Were we altogether
wrong when, five weeks ago, we ventured to say that
the circumstance would " throw a very curious light on
the present state of parties in this country ?”—Post.
[We do not believe there is any truth in the above. A
commission of inquiry may be appointed, but no per-
manent Board superseding the present.—ED. Sun.]

DEATH FROM LAUDANUM.—Thursday Mr. Mills
held an inquest at the Percy Arms, Great Percy-street,
Clerkenwell, on the body of Mr. Samuel Matthieson,
aged 26, a wine agent, living at 22, Soley-place, in the
above neighbourhood. Mrs. Perrins, deceased's land-
lady, said he had resided in her house since March last.
Latterly he appeared much depressed in mind, and com-
plained of having no friends. His complaint, however,
was without foundation. On Sunday night be retired to
bed at a late hour. On the following morning she
knocked at his door as usual, and not
dreczivirnan
instantly called
in, and pronounced the case a hope
insen-
sibleanswer,
bed.slie e3nitre.rFedegheirstyb,edarsouorgme,oann.idwssfaosuinnstah
one. Deceased
having proved
Several witnesses
died in the afternoon. Murs.eFoofgdaeitayt:liwassd saipnoe;sleox7ned
the body, and said the ca
in-
duced by laudanum.
taking opium as a remedy, the jury returned the follow-
ing the disturbed
. state of deceased's mind, and habit of
That the deceased died from the effects
the effects of
insanity; but whether he drank it for the
d"runk whilst labouring under
toefinipevueerdr:drniycutm;
purpose of destroying himself, or took an overdose as a
remedy, there was not evidence enough to prove."
NEW MATORS.—Basingstoke, R. Cottle, Esq., re-
elected; Bewd]ey, T. T. Lankester, Esq.; Bolton, Jas.
Slowcroft, Esq.; Chichester, W. Mason, Esq.; Evesham,
J. B. Haynes, Esq.; Hastings, F. Ticehurst, Esq.; Here-
ford, R. Archibald, Esq.; Hertford, J. M. Carter, Esq.;
re-elected (sth time); Leominster, T. B. Stallard, Esq.
Ludlow, Francis Massey, Esq.; Newport (Isle of
Wight), R. Sewell, Esq.; Portsmouth, B. Bramble;
Romsey, Josiah George, jun., Esq. •, Stockport, Alderman
Orrell; Wigan, Thomas Morris, Esq.; Winchester, C,
B. Thomas, Esq

. _
TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. THOMAS DALE.—•••
On Thursday evening, at a numerous and highly-respect-
able meeting of the parishioners of St. Bride, Fleet-
street, held for the purpose, the following resolution
was unanimously agreed to :—" That the Rev. Thomas
Dale, M.A., late vicar of the parish, having been ap-
pointed to the vicarage of St. Pancras, this vestry cannot
allow him to leave them without recording their great
regard for him individually, and their acknowledgment
of his invaluable services during a period of twenty
years, in promoting the welfare and harmony of the
parish, in administering to the necessities of the poor,
in increasing the funds of the charities, and the efficiency
of the parochial schools ; and, above all, in his very
able, faithful, and affectionate attention to the spiritual
wants of the parishioners. They desire also to express
their deep regret at losing him, and their hope that he
may be equally liked in his new parish."