The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-24 00:00:00

THE SUN; LONDON, SATUFDAY EVENINGS MAY 24, 1856.

doubtless think they have the best claims to him.
If he is there the Londoners can forego the plea-
sure of his being here, provided the effects of
military music on his own idiosyncrasy are made
the subject of careful experiment. Dr. JOHNSON
pronounced a rather decided opinion on the
prudery of a certain bishop who vetoed the works
of PRIOR, and it would certainly be satisfactory
to ascertain whether our great moralist was tight.
One thing in connection with the meetings which
have been held during the week is worthy of
notice, and that is, no desire has been expressed to
interfere with public worship or Sunday rest.
Ml that has been asked has been compatible with
Revelation, and the best interests of mankind. A
similar liberty, in fact, to that which the SAVIOUR
of the world asserted, and for ever countenanced,
when he healed the sick on the Jewish Sabbath,
to the infinite annoyance of till Exeter Hallites
of his day. This is remarkable, and we trust
will arrest the attention of all thinking men, who,
we doubt not, will be led to inquire—" Can it
be wise to exasperate so well-disposed a popula-
tion by making religion an excuse for tyranny
over them? " While dealing with the results of
one illumination, certainly not from above, we
may be permitted to refer to another illumination,
assuredly terrestrial, if not from below—we mean
the illumination on All-British Fools' Day, May
29th. On referring to our Parliamentary report,
it will be seen that the Hon. Member for Fins-
bury has obtained an assurance from Sir GEORGE
GREY that the owners of private houses have been
left at perfect liberty to illuminate or not, as they
think proper, and may count on every protection
for person and. property from the police. Of
course this will settle the matter with the timid
who were disposed to illuminate from fear against
their convictions. It will be well, however, to
keep good watch at home on that night, lest on
returning from the fireworks, chilled and wearied,
the house be found gutted of its valuables by
thieves, if not by fire. Rifled bureaus and plate
chests are worse than broken windows.
We had just finished the above remarks when
the result of three several deputations to Lord
PALMERSTON-viz., from Westminster, St. Pan-
cras, and the Eastern districts—praying for the
restoration of the bands, reached us. His Lord-
ship can hold out no hope of their being restored.
Just so—the People must provide their own
bands, his Lordship even notwithstanding. They
will have music or we are mistaken.

MR. W. HOLME'S PIANOFORTE
CONCERTS.

- -__ --. ~..- --.•

The second concert of this series took place on
Wednesday morning. Want of space has prevented
our giving an earlier notice of it. It was given at
the Queen's Concert Rooms, Hanover-square, and
offered several attractions to the lovers of the piano-
forte. Mr. Holmes, who is well known both as a
composer and an instructor of instrumental music,
took the opportunity of introducing several of his
pupils to the notice of the public. The most remark-
able of these, and, indeed, in one sense, the most re-
markable of all the performances, was Master Horton
Allison, aged eight years and a half, whose playing,
when his age is considered, is really wonderful.
His uncommon talent may be imagined from the
fact that he played a concerto by Hauptman, a
rondo of Beethoven's, and a fantasia of his father's
composition, entitled " Fairy Fingers," a very
appropriate title, for it seems a fairy undertaking
for such juvenile fingers to perform such pieces.
Those who are interested in the development of
precocious talent should avail themselves of the
opportunity of hearing the performance of Master
Allison. As it was a pianoforte concert the
chief part of the programme was occupied by in-
strumental music. A grand sonata for three pianos,
and a quartett for four performers and two pianos
ware among the novelties. Mr. Holmes played a
duet with one of his pupils, and a nocturne by his
sister, with success. Mr. Clementi displayed his
usual skill on the violin. Among the vo-
calists, the most distinguished was Madame
Clara Novello, whose beautiful voice was heard
to advantage in the song of " The Bird of
the Wilderness," and in a selection from Mr.
Costa's oratorio of " Eli," which has lately attracted
so much attention in the musical world. There
were several other performers, both vocal and in
strumental, who gave a pleasing variety to the con-
cert.

The third of the series will take place on Wed-
xesday morning, July 2, when those who desire to
encourage youthful talent will no doubt avail them-
selves of the opportunity.

COURT CIRCULAR.

OSBORNE, Mir 23.

The Q•ieen and Prince, accompanied by the Prince of
Wales, Prince Alfred, Prince Arthur, the Princess
Royal, Princess Helena, Princess Louisa, Prince Fre-
derick William of Prussia, and Prince Lcerwenstein,
went on board the royal yacht Victoria and Albert yes-
terday afternoon, and cruised to the needles.
The royal dinner party yesterday included the Duchess
of Kent, the Princess Royal, Prince Frederick William
of Prussia, Prince Lcerwenstein, Lieutenant-General
Baron Schreckenstein, the Hon. Mary Seymour, Lord
James Murray, Captain the Hon. James Drummond,
and Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps.

A Cabinet Council was held this afternoon at two
o'clock.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge left Lon•
don for Yorkshire yesterday, to attend the funeral (this
day) of the late Lird Adolphus Fitzelarence.
His Highness Khalil Bay and Baron de Clavac have
arrived at Claridge's Hotel from Paris.
The Duchess of Sutherland has returned to Stafford
House from visiting the Countess of Carlisle at Castle
Howard, Yorkshire.

The Marchioness of Exeter, we are happy to learn, is
greatly improved in health.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Drogheda have ar-
rived at Clarid,,e'e, Hotel from Ireland.
. . .

The Earl aid Countess of Wilton received a select
circle to dinner, last evening, at the family residence in
Grosvenor-square. The guest included—His Excel-
lency the Hanoverian Minister and the Countess Helene
Kielmansegge, the Duke and Duchess of Manchester,
the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn and Lady
Louisa Hamilton, the Marquis and Marchioness of S af-
ford, the Earl and Lady Constance Grosvenor, Count
Chotek, the Earl of Dalkeith, Viscount Valletort, Lord
Otho Fitzgerald, and Mr. Knightley.
The Earl and Lady Constance Grosvenor have re-
turned to town from visiting the Duke of Sutherland at
Clifden House, near Maidenhead.

The Countess of Gainsborough has arrival at Cla,
ridge's Hotel, from attending on her Majesty at
Osborne.

Lord Lyndhurst attained his 84th year on Wednes-
day last. The noble and learned Lord and Lady L fnd-
hurst had a dinner party last evening, at their mansion
in George-streeet, Hanover-square. His Excellency the
French Ambassador and Countess de Persigny, the
Countess of Glengall, the Earl Granville, Lord Seymour,
Baron and Baroness Rothschild and Miss Rothschild,
Col. the Hon. James Macdonald, Mr. Geo. Russell, Mr.
Wentworth, &c., were among the guests.
General Sir William William arrived at St. Peters-
burg, from Moscow, on the 13th inst., accompanied by
Major Teesdale ; they were, at the date of the last ad-
vices, preparing to leave for England. In the mean-
time they are treated with every consideration, and even
disEnction, by the Government and the authorities. On
the same day General Ney arrived there also from
Kowno, and on the following day was to have an au-
dien3e of the Emperor.
L. W. BucK, ESQ, M.P.—We are happy to state
that the health of the hon. member for North Devon has
been so far restored as to admit of his removal, a few
days ago, from the residence of his son-in-law, S. lieke-
wich, Esq., of Peamore, to his own mansion.—Exeter
Plying Post.
DEATH OF SAMPSON PAYNE, ESQ., MAYOR OF SOUTH-
AMPTON.—SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday.—lt is with consi-
derable regret that we have to announce the death of
this amiable gentleman, which melancholy event took
place at his residence, Clayfield, near Southampton, at
an early hour this morning. The event has cast a gloom
over the whole town, and expressions of regret are heard
on all sides.
THE CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERTS.—The second con•
cert, yesterday afternoon, proved quite as successful as
the first. The audience appeared more numerous than
on the first occasion. Additional convenience, how-
ever, was provided in the shape of galleries (constructed
since last week) on either side of the nave—each capable
of accommodating from 300 to 400 persons.
ROYAL GALLERY OF ILLUSTRATION.—Last evening
Miss P. Horton completed the hundredth representation
of her popular "Illustrations," on which occasion hand-
some bouquets were distributed among the ladies of the
audience, who were the more gratified at such an addi-
tion to the entertainment because they had received no
previous intimation of it. Two new songs were sung in
the course of the evening ; and it was announced that
on the day of the " Illuminations" the performance
would take place in the morning instead of the evening
in order that visitors from the country might have an
opportunity of witnessing it. The interior of the build-
ing has been much improved by several desirable addi-
tions in the way of furniture and decorations, whilst
every attention has been paid to the demand for good
ventilation.

LITEIATURE.

An Introduction to Intonaolocly. By William
Kirby, M.A., F.FS.., F.L.S., and William
Spence, F.R.S., F.,.5. Longman, London.
Here we have a valable work in condensed form
at a fabulously cheapprice. As this is the seventh
edition, it may be radily supposed that the sub-
ject is treated in a munor worthy of the extensive
patronage it has enjyed. The epistolary form is
adopted, which is p".tasant and familiar, admitting
of discursive and ntertaining digressions, while
solid information a all points of insect economy
is aptly conveyed. Insect life is developed by the
talented authors i all its purposes and stages.
The powers of dirct and indirect injury, the in-
stincts, affections, food, hybernations, societies,
means of defence, ,nd, in fact, all that the minute
attention of carnet science has discovered relative
to this countless cass of creation, is here compiled,
and in such attrative style that the book must be
welcome to ever knowledge-seeking reader. In
discussing that wll-known gentleman, the spider,
who we remembe reading of as having politely
asked the Lady fly to " walk into his parlour,"
we are told :
" The situations .n which spiders place their nests are as
various as their costruction. Some prefer the open air,
and suspend tiem in the midst of shrubs or plants most
frequented by fliestnd other small insects, fixing them in a
horizontal, a vortial, or an oblique direction. Others select
the 'corners of widows and of rooms, where prey always
abounds ; while zany establish themselves in stables and
neglected outhouse, and even in cellars and desolate places
in which one word scarcely expect a fly to be in a month.
It is with the opeations of these last especially that we are
accustomed to assciate the ideas of neglect and desertion by
man—associationswhich, both in painting and allegory, have
been often happiy- applied. Hogarth, when he wished to
produce a speakiry picture of neglected charity, clothed the
poor's box in one if his pieces with a spider's net ; and the
Jews, in one 'of he fables with which they have disfigured
the records of Hdy Writ, have not less ingeniously availed
themselves of tht same idea. They relate that the reason
why Saul did notiliscover David and his Jaen in the cave of
Aduilatn was, tha; God had sent a spider which had quickly
woven a web across the entrance of the cave in which they
were concealed ; vhieh being observed by Saul, he thought
it useless to investigate further a spot bearing such evident
proofs of the abience of any human being."
The description of the weaving of the nets of the
above insect is very interesting and lucid, and we
regret that it is too lengthy for extract. We con-
clude Du r notice of this excellent publication with
the following morsel of information touching the
metanorphis of entomological existence :
" Tle 'grey-coated gnat,' whose humming salutation,
while she makes her airy circles about your bed, gives
terrific warning of the sanguinary operation in which she
is ready to engage, was a few hours ago the inhabitant of
a step:lnt pool, more in shape like a fish than an insect.
Then to have been taken out of the water would have been
speedily fatal ; now it could as little exist in any other ele-
ment than air. Then it breathed through its tail; now
through openings in its sides. Its shapeless head, in that
poriol of its existence, is now exchanged for one adorned
with elegantly tufted antennae, and furnished, instead of
jaws with an apparatus more artfully constructed than
the cupping-glass of the phlebotomist—an apparatus,
which, at the same time that it strikes in the lancets, coca-
poses a tube for pumping up the flowing blood.
" The shard-born beetle,' whose sullen horn,' as he
directs his droning flight' close past your oars in your
evening walk, calling up in poetic association the lines in
which ho has been alluded to by Shakspeare, Collins, and
Gray, was not in his infancy an inhabitant of air, the first
paziod of his life being spent in gloomy solitude, as a grub,
under-the surface of the earth. The shapeless maggot, which
you 'careely fail to meet with in some one of every hand-
tut cf nuts you crack, would not always have grovelled in
that humble state. If your unlucky intrusion upon its
vaulted dwelling hid not left it to perish in the wide world
it would have oontinued toresidethere until itsfull growth
had been attained. Then it would hsve gnawed Itself an
opening, and, having entered the earth, and passed a
few mouths in a state of inaction, would at length leave
emerged an elegant beetle furnished with a slender and
very long ebony beak ; two wings, and two wing-cases,
ornamented with yellow bands; six feet; and in every
respect unlike the worm from which it proceeded."

PEACE AND THE POOR.

THE SUNDAY BAND QUESTION.

DEPUTATION TO LORD PALAIERSTON.

This morning three deputations, appointed at public I
meetings of the working classes held during the week in
Westminster, St. Pancras, and at Sussex-hall, City, re-
lative to the discontinuance of the playing of the bands
in the Parks on Sundays, waited upon Lord Palmerston,
at his private residence, Piccadilly, to present to his
lordship certain resolutions agreed to at the above meet-
ings; and to request that his lordship will be pleased to
permit the continuance of the bands playing in the Parks
on Sundays.
The deputation from St. Pancras comprised Messrs.
W. D. Cooper, J. Kenny, T. Ross, J. Baird, Ivory,
jun., Beare, Jay, Wright, and Clements. Mr. J. George
represented Westminster ; and the eastern districts of
the City (Sussex-hall) were represented by Messrs.
Tawley and Cox.
There were also present the following working men,
members of the Working Men's Association :—Mr. R.
Moore, Mr. W. Allan, Mr. Caudland, Mr. T. C. Pratt,
Mr. Bainbridge, Mr. Webley, Mr. Ivory, Mr. Mason,
Mr. E. A: Somers, and Mr. Marshall.
The deputation was introduced to his lordship by Mr.
Cooper, who informed his lordship of the feeling and
desire the working men had to adopt a course, in refer-
ence to this question, that should redound to their credit.
They, at the same time, wished to show to the Govern.
ment and the country that they so highly appreciated
the recreation that had been for a short time provided
fur them that they were determined to use every
legitimate means to insure its continuance. ,
His Lordship was also addressed upon the question
by Mr. George, Mr. Ivory, jun., Mr. Turley, Mr. Beare,
Mr. Bainbridge, Mr. Kenny, Mr. Allen, Mr. Pratt,
and Mr. Webley, who stated that their object was the
obtaining innocent and harmless recreation on Sundays
in the parks for themselves, wives, and families, which
was the only day they could all enjoy themselves together.
They also spoke of the effect it would have on decreasing
Sunday labour, being an inducement to many tailors,
shoemakers, and others who worked on Sunday to give up
labour on that day, and provide themselves decent ap-
parel to appear in the streets and the parks, which must
ultimately lead to their moral elevation. The working
men disclaimed any intention or desire to have recourse
to any other than moral influence in attaining their object,
and begged his lordship to remember that they were not
connected with the disgraceful proceedings last year in
the park relative to the proceedings of the Sunday ques-
tion.

Lord PALMERSTON having patiently and attentively
listened to the remarks addressed to him by the various
speakers for upwards of an hour, said—l must correct, in
the first place, a misapprehension that appears to pre-
vail in respect to the reasons for the decision of the
Government with respect to this question, viz , that
the playing of the bands in the parks was dis-
continued in consequence of the Government nut
receiving the support of the working classes.
The large number of persons who attended the parks on
the few days the bands played there must have con-
vinced every one that the feeling of the working classes
was favourable to it. The conduct of the a (irking

classes, both as to the manner in which they availed
themselves of the enjoyment of the playing of the bands,
and the manner in which they have be laved sinca their
discontinuance, does them the highest honour, and
was such as every man who was at all anquaint ed
with the character of Englishmen would have
expected, and especially those who have watched
the progress of the working classes in industry, intelli-
gence, morality and good order. It excites no surprise
to find that the discontinuance of the bands in the
parks, on Sundays, should have created some feelings
of irritation in respect to it in the minds of the working
classes. The case is this. I entirely concur with those
who suggested the playing of the bands, believing it
was no desecration of the Sabbath, but a means of

affording innocent recreation, combined with air and
exercise, which the people were deprived of during the
week from their occupations confining them to a narrow
space, and breathing air not conducive to health. I
certainly did not expect, at the time I concurred in the
arrangement, that it would have begin viewed with so
much disapprobation as it had by a very large portion
of the community on religious grounds. There was
nothing so difficult for a Government to deal with in a
free country like this, where we possess liberty of con-
science, and the free expression of opinion on religious
questions and feelings. There must in such a country
always be a conflict of opinions on such a ques-
tion ; and whether we differ or a_ree with one
another, wo are bound to attend with respect
to the sincere and conscientious opinions of others.
Individuals and different bodies of the community may
be allowed to entertain, and act on opinions, which he
or they professed ; but a government is, or ought to
consider itself as standing ;aloof from those controversies
which engage the attention of the people. The Govern-
ment is composed of men, and men have their opinions,
and Government, as others, individually, or collectively,
cannot fail to have their opinions also ; but I don't think
it is the proper functions of a government, in a free
country, to throw itself into the conflict, and
take part in matters in which large classes
of the community entertain different and oppo-
site opinions. We find, nevertheless, without
intending it, that we did please ourselves in that-parti-
cular, and made arrangements which we never doubted
were in unison with the opinions of a large body of the
people, which was, nevertheless, in conflict to another
very large body of the people, and wherever on one aide
there were those who were in favour of the arrangement
upon the ground of its providing innocent recreation
and healthy enjoyment for the people, there were, on the
other, those who were averse to it on conscientious and
religious grounds. The matter was represented to me
by the Archbishop of Canterbury, as head of the
Church, speaking not only for himself and the bishops,
but for a large body also of those who were regularly
devoted to religious observances, and I felt that under
these circumstances the proper course for me to pursue
was to restore matters to the state they were before the
bands were allowed to play on Sundays in the Parks.
It was not altering that which had for years existed,
but only bringing matters back to the state in which
they bad been before. The playing of the bands on
Sundays was a recent introduction ; and I am sorry, by
discontinuing them, that I am depriving large and de-
serving portions of the metropolis from that enjoyment
which I sthink is perfectly innocent, and contribute to
the rational enjoyments and health of the people. Hav-
ing felt it was nut the duty of the Government to run
counter to the expreeeed opinions of so large a number
of the community, whose opinions are entitled to respect,
I don't think it would be right for Government to issue
an order this week, countermand it the next, and then
re-direct it a fortnight after ; and therefore I cannot
hold out any expectations that the Government will,
under present circumstances, think it right to rescind
the decision they have so recently taken on this
question. The noble lord said he hoped the public
would still take advantage of the parks for health and
recreation the same without the bands as with them,
and said that, although he was quite aware there were
persons who would carry theirreligious feelings to the ex-
treme, and interfere with existing arrangements, no Go-
vernment, he felt certain, would even countenance any
suchattempts to obstruct those arrangements that existed,
and which were necessary and essential for the ordinary
pursuits of late. They would not only fail in so doing,
but would thereby rather tend to set the public feeling
against those things it was their desire to accomplish.
Mr. GEORGE, and others called his lordship's
attention to the fact of the p lice pulling down
the bills which had been posted in reference to
the peaceful demonstration intended to bo held
tc-naorrow2in the parks, and expressed a hope that
the Commissioners of the Police would neither
issue orders nor have a lar,:e body of police
in attendance to irritate the people. The
working men only would have a peaceful demonstration.
The same gentleman also asked his lordship if
the Government intended to prevent any bands
the people might engage from playing on Sundays
in the parks. Three were engaged ; one to play in the
Regent's-park, Hyde-park. and the Victoria-park.
They wished to know to-night if there would be any ob-
jection to it.
Lord PALMERSTON said he could not then give the
deputation an answer, and suggested that the deputation
should-wait in the evening on the Home Secretary re-
specting it.
The deputation having thanked his Lordship then
retired.

SUNDAY BAND QUESTION. A series of meetings
having been held during the week, protesting against
the discontinuance of the music in the parks on Sundays.
We understand it is proposed still further to express the
wishes of the people for the re-establishment of the Sun-
day bands, by an aggregate metropolitan demonstration
at Primrose-hill, on Sunday next at 4 o'clock in the
afternoon. _ _

THE PORT OF LIVERPOOL.----Another survey is about
to be made of the port of Liverpool under the direction
of the marine committee of the Liverpool Dock Trustees,
Owing to the alterations which have taken place since
the last survey two years ago.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.—The Queen's Household.—A
chaplaincy in ordinary has become vacant by the death
of the Rev. Sir George Burrard. Colonial Department.
—The governorship of Jamaica has become vacant by
the promotion of Sir Henry Barkly. Woods and Forests.
—The rangership of the Home Forest at Windsor has
become vacant by the death of Lord Adolphus Fitz-
clarence. Board of Trade.—A senior clerkship has been
rendered vacant by the death of Mr. Charles A. G.
Sivrau. In'and Revenue Department—Stamp and
Taxes Branch.—Mr. James Chamberlain, of Oswestry,
inspector, has retired. Mr. John Lee, of Birmingham,
has been promoted from a surveyorship to an inspector-
ship. Mr. Benjamin Carden has been promoted from
Leeds to Birmingham. Mr. Robert Harrison has been
promoted from Bath to Leeds. Mr. Samuel Knott has
been promoted from Newark to Bath. Mr. J. F. Hur-
ley has been promoted from Bodmin to Newark. Mr.
Richard Pearce has been promoted from Halesworth to
Bodmin. Customs.—Mr. John R. Cross has been ap-
pointed a clerk in the Long Room in London. Mr.
John R. Gray has been appointed a clerk for general
business in Londcn. Mr. W. Hunt has been appointed
a clerk in the Long Room in London. Mr. Aneas M.
Cameron has been promoted from first class of searchers
to be landing-surveyor of the third class in London. Mr.
John W. Dodd has been appointed from third-class
superintending locker to be a gauger of the sixth class
in Lend m. Mr. D. Dudgeon has been promoted from
controller at Goole to be controller at Sligo, vice Mr.
Higgingson, superannuated. Mr. J. M. Nisbett has
been promoted from controller at Llanelly to be eon.
troller at Goole,—Civil Service auette.