The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-05 00:00:00

L TER A URE

THE KNIGHT' OF GWYANE. XII. By

Charles Lever.
Harry Lorrequer rattles on with his story with as
much volubility and pleasantry as, ever. From the
closing scenes of the present Number, we may an-
ticipate a change in the fortunes of the principal
characters, a removal of the Darcys from their seclu-
sion, and in the end a retribution upon those de-
plorable parvenu; the O'Reillys. If the person
described as Counsellor O'Halloran be, as we very
strongly suspect, an intended satire upon a great
living statesman and patriot, it is a most monstrous
caricature and a most ungenerous and flagitious libel.
We hope sincerely that our conjectures as to the in-
tentions of Mr. Lever in delineating this character
are mistaken; if not, we would tell him that he is
playing with dangerous tools, that he is traducing
under a mask, and morally stiletoing in the dark.
The interview in which Mr. Dempsey's newspaper
" creates a sensation," is humourously described and
excellently illustrated by Hablot Knight Browne.

NEWTON'S REPERTORY OF ARTS,
SCIENCES, AND MANUFACTURES. No.
CLXXX.

The enterprising and industrious conductor of this
periodical, Mr. W. Newton, continues his labours
with unabated zeal. In neatness of arrangement, in
clearness of illustration, and in excellence of ty-
pography, it still claims our commendation. The
specifications or descriptions of new patent inven-
tions are givenin their completest form. Besides
this, the " Scientific Notices " are superintended with
much discrimination ; they are copious only when
copiousness would be most desirable, and condensed
whenever there should be condensation. The publi-
cation must necessarily command a circulation in

" This patent age of new inventions
For killing bodies, and for saving souls;"
and it merits all patronage.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

The December Number lacks a biographical notice
and an accompanying portrait. In that particular
alone it is inferior to its predecessors. Among the
most interesting and important of the many interest-
ing and important contributions is the one upon the
" Improvement of the Cottages of the Agricultural
Labourers." The subject itself demands the most
earnest consideration—it demands the consideration
of the patriot and the philanthropist, equally—for in
it is comprised the health, the happiness,_ the morality,
and the enlightenment of the chief glory of a country
—its peasantry. The writer insists with some
emphasis and very great reason upon the necessity
of elevation in the cottages, so as to insure good
drainage and a wholesome circulation of uncontami-
nated air. The aspect of the cottage again he
regards as a matter of no little importance, and
strongly recommends a southerly aspect as the
warmest. This valuable article is to be continued,
and we shall watch for that continuation with interest.
According to the Farmer's Magazine, the season for
preparing the ground for the reception of the seed has
been most favourable, and " a larger breadth of land
has already been sown than is usual at this period of
the year." With a divine blessing, therefore, we
may hope for the prevention of a spread of the vege-
table murrain, and the infusion of fresh enterprise
into our agriculturists.

THE ECLEC7 IC REVIEW. Nos. V:, VI.
In the November and December numbers of this
intelligent monthly review, now lying beside us,
there are eighteen distinct contributions. Among so
many papers; and papers, moreover, exhibiting such
general ability, it is difficult, . not even invidious, to
make any selection. In morality and ethics, there are
disquisitions upon Tayler's " Retrospect of the Reli-
gious Life in England," upon " A Report of Discus-
sion in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church," upon the " Wycliffe and Hanserd Knolly's
Societies," upon Dr. Fletcher's " Memoirs and
select Works," upon Brown's " Philosophy," upon
Alexander's " Switzerland and the Swiss Churches,"
and upon the " Evangelical. Alliance." In history
there are articles upon " Civilization struggling with
Barbarism," upon Carrel's " Counter-Revolution in
England," upon Miss Strickland's " Lives of the
Queens of England," and upon—we smile at the
recollection of many guffaws—Gilbert A'Beckett's
" Comic History of England." In biography there
are memoirs of Thomas Wilson and •Dr. Heugh.
Besides these there are divers miscellaneous contri-
butions of various merit. We would, however,
particularise a very charming analytical and
synthetical article (it is both by turns)
upon the poems of Elizabeth Barrett Barrett—a
poetess whose writings only appeared some
two years back, but who is already a familiar
favourite with a large portion of the public. She
deserves to be the favourite of a still larger circle.
While we coincide, however, with the reviewer in
regarding the similarity of tone which is discernible
among contemporary poets, as attributable in a
greater measure to the character of the generation in
which they flourish, we think Miss Barrett's mind is
manifestly imbued with the individualities not only of
Tennyson, but also of Carlyle. She unconsciously in-
terpolates here and there distinct peculiarities of those
eminent men. With all her indisputable originality
and genius, she has inadvertently culled from the
beauties which the perusal of their works had im-
printed upon her memory. When, in her "Drama
of Exile," she speaks of the archangels as sweeping
out into the universe

" ivine,
With thund'rous movements, earnDest looks of gods,
And silver-solemn clash of cymbal wings,"
we lire at once reminded of the composite words of
the author of " Teufelsdrocht," and recur to that line
in Tennyson's "Mariana in the Moated Grange," de-
scriptive of the poplar tree,
" All silver-green, with gnarled bark."
The termination of the criticism
graceful. is singularly

THE POOR MAN'S GUARDIAN

SOCIETY.

Last evening a puLlic meeting was held at the
Literary and Scientific Institution, John-street, Fitzroy-
square, for the purpose of forming a St. Pancras
Auxiliary "Poor Man's Guardian Society," "in conse-
quence," to quote the words of the advertisment conven-
ing the meeting, " of the cruelties and-oppressive treat-
ment to which the poor are exposed in their adversity,
when applying for relief from the Board of Guardians,
and the deep sympathy awakened in their behalf in the
breasts of the parishioners of St. Pancras. The attend-
ance was not numerous.

Mr. C. COCHRAN said, the Rev. Mr. Stoddart had
consented to take the chair, and availed himself of the
opportunity to state, that the principal reason of the
paucity of attendance was the holding of another meet-
ing in the neighbourhood for an equally good object—
namely, the abolition of the punishment of death.
The CHAIRMAN briefly addressed the meeting. He
said the poor-law, and the practices adopted in the
various unions formed in accordance with that law, wore
a blot on the escutcheon of this country, and that it was
a wonder that, ere now, the people had not arisen, en
masse, and demanded its entire abrogation.—(Cheers.)
The system dealt in the grossest barbarities—child
murder, forced divorce, and numerous other cruelties.
Instead of the present system, the aged and indigent,
and all who could produce a good character, should re-
ceive out-door relief, instead of being hurried into bas-
tiles which were worse than prisons. The poor had a
a perfect right to have more relief than the law now
allowed them to receive. Now, the relief was on a mini-
mum scale; the whole expense being only one hundredth
part of the taxation of the eountry.—(Cheers.) After
stating that he should use his utmost exertions to bring
about an alteration of the system, he intimated that Mr.
Cochrane would address the meeting.
Mr. C. COCHRANE, who was warmly received, proposed
the first resolution, which was to the following effect :
" That this meeting is of opinion that the sufferings
and privations now endured by the labouring population
on account of the high prices of all kinds of provisions,
must be greatly aggravated during the present inclement
winter season, and being thereby inevitably compelled to
seek parochial relief, to which by law they are entitled,
it is the bounden duty of all boards of guardians and re-
lieving officers (more especially as it is strictly enforced
by the Saviour of mankind) to dispense their relief
kindly, readily, and liberally, and in accordance with the
Christian principles of the good Samaritan, and not to
make such relief to the necessitous and deserving de-
pendent on their abandoning their homes, and entering
the precincts of a cheerless and harshly regulated work-
house or union."

He referred at some length to the way in which the
poor were tteated by the parochial authorities of St.
Pancras and Marylebone parishes, and stigmatised it as
most unchristian and barbarously inhuman. The case
of the unfortunate young girlwho destroyed herself rather
than return and subject herself to the cruelties prac-
tised in the "shed" was a painful illustration of this, and
the case of the child Joseph Woodward, who died from
sheer starvation and neglect, also exemplified the
rights
ssityof oftii'ea
poor.
—ty(Hwehairc,h
h•ae-oaurl,d
aenndforecheeertsh.e)
It wastr
dadueethe, and offeredcameguardiansto supply totphpelymhoetrhweritah money
rheyer
child was
and bread, she having only been supplied with bread
before, as a gentleman, whose name was not mentioned,
called upon her twice, and left two shillings and two
loaves of bread, and told her that the guardians wished
to see her. But these atrocities were not confined to St.
Pancras, as the " shed" system was adopted in Peckham.
There 70 to 80 poor were crammed into a shed not larger
than the space allowed for three persons in the London
Fever Hospital.—(Shame.) And, in Marylebone, a
young woman, named Mordaunt, was so neglected by
the parish authorities that she died from the want of food
and neglect, and she and her sister were blamed by Mr.
Messer, the assistant overseer, for " want of energy."
He said " the sooner they were tested with the work-
house the better." The one that died was in ill health,
and they had to pay half-a-crown a week for their lodg-
ings, and to support an aged mother. Such an unmiti-
gated and heartless insult was never offered. The board.
in order to shield themselves, dismissed Mr. Messer, but
they were to blame for not issuing proper and humane
orders to their assistants. No one under sixty,
however good his character might be, could
obtain out-door relief. A coachman named Carter, who
was nearly blind, committed suicide because they would
net admit him into the workhouse, as he was under 60
years of age, and because he would not bring his wife
and family, who were earning a few shillings a-week,
and whose earnings he told the guardians he could not
bear to consume, into the house with him. But he
Pleaded in vain, for they refused, and he hung himself.—
(Shame.) He concluded by passing a glowing eulogy on
Mr. Walter, of the Times, tor his exertions to remodel
the poor-laws, and concluded by moving the adoption of
the report.
Mr. ROPER, honorary secretary to the Distressed
Needlewomen Society, seconded the motion, which was
carried by acclamation.
Mr. ELLits proposed the next resolution, which was to
the effect—" That taking into consideration the frightful
circumstances connected with the death by destitution of
two of the parishioners of St. Pancras, namely, Mary
Ann Jones and Joseph Woodward, this meeting is of
opinion that they are to be traced to the cruel manner in
which the suffering poor are treated by the parochial au-
thorities ; that in the preceding cases of death, the one
_ .
from suicide from apprehended punishment within the
" shed" of the St. Pancras workhouse, the other
from the want of the necessaries of life, this
meeting is of opinion that murder has been com-
mitted, and that the parochial authorities
are morally responsible for the same, and that the best
protection the poor can have against future tyranny and
oppression is in the formation of a St. Pancras Poor
Man's Guardian Society.
It was seconded by Mr. POYNTER, and carried unani-
mously.
The following resolution was also adopted :—" That,
taking into consideration the fearful disclosures relating
to the death of Louisa Mordaunt on account of the
harsh administration of the Poor-law by the parochial
authorities in Marylebone, as also the published decla-
ration, of the disgusting rules practised withinthe Mary-
lebone Workhouse, in connexion with the wasting
of the persons of the poor inmates, a public meeting be
convened on Monday, the 14th inst., at Hall's Riding
School, for the purpose of further investigating the dis-
, closures and practices referred to, with the object of pro-
viding such remedies as will guard against their future
repetition ; and that the members of the borough be in-
vited to attend, and one of them invited to preside, and
that notice be given to the Vestry and Board of Guar-
dians of the parish.
A motion, approving of the appointment of the Auxi-
liary Society, was also adopted, and a vote of thanks
having been awarded to the chairman, the meeting se-
perated.

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.
There is a greater number of candidates for the Pre-
sidency at present than there ever has been at any former
period. Unless the names be cast into a hat, and a
selection be made at random, we know not how any
satisfactory adjustment of the opposing claims can be
made. A day or two ago we gave the names of a batch
of candidates, but we did not give half the number of
aspirants. We will now give them in tabular form :
Names. States. Politics.
Daniel Webster ... Massachusets ... Whig.
Lewis Cass ... ... Michigan ... ... Democrat.
Silas Wright .. ... New York ... ... Democrat.
John M. Clayton ... Delaware ... ... Whig.
John C. Calhoun ... South Carolina ... Democrat.
,Samuel Houston ... Texas ... ... Democrat.
Henry Clay .. Kentucky ... Whig.
J. J. Crittenden ... Kentucky ... Whig.
John M‘Lane ... Ohio ... ... Whig.
Winfield Scott ... U.S.A. ... ... Whig.
Of the two first we have hitherto spoken. Of Silas
Wright it may be said that his chances were much
greater before .the late election than now. There is no
sort of doubt that Mr. Wright possesses talent. It is
most unfortunate for him that he was ever allied with
the faction known by the name of the " Albany Re-
gincy." That faction now hangs like a millstone round
his neck. Could he escape from its influence, his pro-
spects would 'perhaps be far better than at present.
John M. Clayton is a man of talent, and would run well
for the vice-presidency. We do not think there is any
serious idea of running him for the presidency. Mr.
Calhoun's claims are of no ordinary character. He has
been now more than 20 years before the people, and is
withall a man of powerful intellect and great pur'lty of
character. He has many friends, who will doubtless
make a hard push to secure his election. Sam Hous-
ton's chances are by no means to be over-
looked. He has a great many warm friends, and the
romantic character of his life throws a good deal of in-
terest around his name. He is a different man from the
Sam Houston of 20 years ago, and his popularity in
some sections of the country is unbounded. He would
command a strong vote in Tennessee, of which he was
once the governor; and the war party all over the coip-
try, remembering his conduct at San Jacinto, would give
him strong support. We need scarcely say that Henry
Clay is still looked to by a large portion of the Whig
party, as an available candidate. The old man still
possesses the affections of the progressive portion of the
Whigs, and should he not decline a nomination, would,
in all probability, distance all competitors of his own
party. But it is rumoured that he will decline in
favour of dr. Crittenden, of Kentucky, than whom there
is not a more pure, able, or honest Whig in the Union.
Mr. Crittenden has intellect of the highest order, and
though a strong party man he is not narrow-mindel. He
would command a strong vote. Of Mr. M'Lane we have
spoken in a former article. General Scott is still the
candidate of a section of the party. He once stood very
fair with the people, but his letters at the commence-
ment of the present war damaged him considerably in
the estimation of his fellow-citizens. We fear his pros-
pects are at present gloomy, but he may yet retrieve his
lost ground and make atonement for his error. Thus,
it will lbe seen there are already eleven candidates for
the next presidency. They certainly cannot all reach
the consummation of their wishes, and we therefore wish
the best man success. It may happen that the people's
choice will not fall on any of these above named. There
are doubtless others who will become prominent in the
list of candidates before the next conventions of both
parties. The manoeuvring at the next session of Con-
gress will fully develope the designs of both parties, and
will serve to indicate those who stand the best chances of
, success. Where is General Taylor's friend ?—New York
I Herald.

A WRALE.—A very large whale ran ashore near
Poolewe some days ago, and fell an easy prey to the
villagers. It was upwards of sixty feet in length, and
yielded several tons of oil.—lnverness Courier.
UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.—OXFORD, DEC. 1.
—PEMBROKE COLLEGE.-Mr. Charles Thomas Coote,
8.A., of Queen's College, was this morning elected to
the new medical fellowship of this college, founded by
Mrs. Sheppard.

CANALS.
2.1 Dividend
Companies.
Prie.
...
•,-. XIIIIIIIII.
CNomampantes oefs. i Dlvri,cd rend Price . Amespanioefs.
~
_per
vs Annum. cc
- -
X X
Ashtn & Oldh, 97 51.55. p c 70 Monmouthsh 100 Si. -
Ashby-d-1a.Z1113 4/. 70 Mntgomrysh 100 5/. -
Barnsley .... 'l6O 121. 180 Macclesfield. 100 -.-
Basingstbke..,loo - - Neath -•• • • 100 171. 340
Brknk&Abrg 150 51. 85 Nottingham. 150 121. -
Cromibrd .. • . 100 14/. - Peak Forest .78 31. 40
Dudley. • • ... 100 4/. - Regent's •• . • 33 1/. ss. 20
Derby .•• • . 100 6/. 73 Rochdale ... • 85 41. -
Ellsmre&Chs 133 41. 55 Shropshire • • 125 81. -
Erewash •• • 100 32/. - Somrset Coal 150 71.105. 130
Forth & Cl,yd 100 41. - Do.Lk Fd St 12 6/. p. c. -
GrandJunctn 100 71. 83 Stffrd &Wore 140 281. 270
l:rand Union 100 11. 10s. - Shrewsbury.. 125 151. -
Glamorgnsh. 172 13%1. - Stourbrldge.. 145 201. 31b
t astr &Brkly 100 - - Strtfrdon Av 79 11. 10s. -
Grantham • • 150 121. - Severn and]
11. Bs. 32
Huddersfield. 57 - - Wye Rail.
26
Kennt & Avn 39 7s. 6d. 5% Trnt & Mr-1 so' 301• -
1
Lancaster... 47 1/. 10s. - sey, 4 sh.
67
IL
11
Leeds&Livrp 100 341. 520 Thema &Med 19 - -
Leicester .. • • 140 101. 105 Worcstr &I 78 21. 43
Leicstr &Nth 83 4/. 52 Birming.
Loughborogh 142 701. 850 Wilts & Brks