The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING-5,

COURT CIRCULAR.
WIND `;01t, FRIDAY.
To-day was the birth day of her Royal Highness
the Princess Alice.

A Matinale, in honour of the atripiclous event,
was performed, shortly before seven o'clock, by .the
band of the Royal Regiment of horse Guards, on the
east terrace of the Castle.

The following were the pieces performed :
Pas Redouble—" La Juice" Beer.
Overture—" 11,,5t"

\-VaLz —" Die Ilietern"..
Seleetion—'•

Kuliner.
Burgmulier.

Quadrille—" Grenada"
. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent arrived
at an early hour to pay a visit of congratulation to
her Majesty and his Royal Highness the Prince
Albert. Her Royal Highness afterwards returned to
Progmore.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess ir Orleans,
accompanied by the Count de Paris and the Duke de
Chartres, and the Duke and Duchess de Nemours,
accompanied by the Princess Marguerite, the Duke
d'Aleacon, and the Count d'Eu, arrived at half past
one o'clock at the Castle, and partook of luncheon
with the Queen and the Prince.
At three o'clock a performance by Monsieur and
Madame Robin took place in the Throne-room, where
a temporary stage bad been erected.
Her Mljesty and his Royal Highness the Prince
Albert, with their Royal Highnesses the Princess
Alice, the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the
Princess Royal, and the Princesses Helena and
Louisa, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the
Duchess of Kent, the Duchess d'Orleans, and the
Duke and Duchess de Nemours, with the Count de
Paris, the Duke de Chartres, the Princess Margue-
rite, the Duke d'Alencon, and the Count d'Eu,
entered the Throne-room.

The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Royal House-
hold in Waiting were in attendance.
The following was the performance :
Les Canaries Voyageurs.
Le .134t0n Magique.
Le Timbre de Cristal.
La Fidelif6 d'un Ange.
La Seconde Vue de Madame Robin.
La Quille.
L'Arlequin de Bergame.
Le Coffre Transparent.
La Disparition de Madame Robin.
Her Majesty afterwards conveyed through the
Lord in Waiting her approbation to M. Robin.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess d'Orleans and
the Duke and Duchess de Nemours, accompanied by
the Count de Paris, the Duke de Chartres, the Prin-
cess Marguerite, the Duke d'Alen9on, and the Count
d'Eu, left the Castle shortly before five o'clock, re-
turning to Claremont and Esher.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent re-
turned to Frogmore.
The Queen walked this morning in the Slopes and
Home Park, and the Royal Family took their usual
airings.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by
Lieut.-Colonel Hon. Alexander Gordon, rode out on
horseback this forenoon.
The Royal dinner circle this evening included her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Fanny
Howard, Baroness de Speth, Lady Caroline and
Miss Barrington, Major-General and Lady Isabella
Wemyss, Lieut.- Colonel Hon. C. B. and Mrs. Phipps,
Lieut.-Colonel F. H. and Lady Emily Seymour, and
Sir George Cooper.
The band of the Grenadier Guards was in attend-
ance during dinner. Her Majesty's private band
afterwards attended and performed the following
selection :

, MISS AI/GUSTA

An order made by the Lord Chancellor on Wednes-
day conclude:, as far as ,the public are concerned, the
short but eventful history of Miss Aueitate Talbot. The
young* lady will for the future be secured against the
maaceuvres of Dr. Wiserean'm satellites by the protecting
hand of a husband. Her "wordily advantages " can no
longer be turned into the instrument of htr permanent
misery. The bait, indeed, retains its attractions,
-but henceforth it is so carefully guarded as to render
any attack unavailing, no mutter with what statute-
loess contrived or with what endamtv carried out.
We cannot, however, dismiss the subject without
adverting once more to a few of its more prominent
features as illustrative of the policy-of the Routan eccle-
siastics. They so seldom suffer a corner of the veil be-
-hind which their intrigues are carried on to be lifted
even for a moment, that we must not let the precious
occasion slip by unimproved. It is curious enough to
think that whilst so many millions of us are toiling
away day and night in a glass house and court-
ing publicity in all our acts, a small section of spiri-
tual partisans is carrying on a stealthy warfare
against the weakness and timidity of the weakest and
most timid among us. While we are working they are
plotting;—what we have sown they will reap, unless order
be taken in the matter. Oar main object, however, in
once more recurring to this story is this. Miss
Talbot, indeed, is safe. We will not say that she has
escaped, but she has been literally wrested from the
hands of the Roman priests. In her case the three
greatest powers in England—the House of Commons,
the Courts of Law, and the public press, advanced to
the rescue. Subterfuge and falsehood were in vain. Had
any resistance been made, the Roman ecclesiastics im-
mediately concerned, and probably others besides, would
have been swept away like chaff before a torrent. They
consented reluctantly enough to lot their victim loose.
Still she was produced, and before irreparable damage had
been done. But how often is it that so many fortunate
circumstances will unite as in this instance of Miss
Talbot? The name she bore, the very amount of
her " worldly advantages," her near connexion with
persons who were able and willing to bring her
case before the Commons—are not incidents of
ordinary occurrence. Then, again, public feeling had
already been strained to a high pitch by the recent in-
vasion of the Queen's prerogative. The House was
sitting; the Chancellor, if not very eager in the mat-
ter, was at least in such a position that he could
not but investigate it in open court; the public press
was peculiarly disposed to invite attention to the
progress of the story. Hundreds upon hundreds of
cases have, no doubt, occurred which precisely re-
semble that of Miss Talbot in all particulars but the
amount of her fortune; and other Doyles and Hendrens
have secured the victims and harvested the golden
nrizes with impunity. We repeat it, unless- order be
t
taken in the matter by those whose duty it is to see
proper securities introduced into the statute-book, such
cases will occur again and again; therefore it is we feel
ourselves compelled once more to call attention to the
leading features of this individual case.
The more deliberately we reflect upon this story, and
with all the additional light which has been thrown
around it by the investigation before the Chancellor, the
less reason we see to doubt the correctness of the views
Which we had taken of it from the first. The Chancel-
lor's judgment—not a very willing judgment, we take
it—blew all Mr. Bolt's aspersions against Mr. Craven
Berkeley to the four winds. It remains clear that even
in Lord Truro's view the conduct of Dr. Doyle was of
a very dubious nature, and such as to provoke very se-
vere animadversion from the Court. What are the
facts iu brief? First, we find that Dr. Doyle obtained
unlimited influence over the late Mr. Talbot, previously
to and at the time of his decease, and thus procured his
own nomination to the office of guardian over his infant
children. All this will be found set forth in eatenso
in a letter which appeared in our columns from a gen-
tleman who was brother to the late Mrs. Berkeley,
and consequently is uncle to Miss Talbot. After a
little preliminary squabbling with Mrs. Berkeley,
during the short time that intervened between her
first husband's death and her own, Dr. Pyle, by way
of fulfilling his trust, placed his young ward, then about
ten years of age, in a convent in the West of England,
where she etas sedulously trained for nine years, or
thereabouts, to habits of conventual submission and
obedience. At the end of this period she was brought
out into the world for twelve necks, and towards the
conclusion of this short hiatus in her conventual career
we find the young lady engaged in writing an
" earnestly supplicatiog" letter to our estimable cor-
respondent, Dr. Hendren. She asks his worshipful
permission to be allowed to qualify herself for pro-
fession. Dr. Hendren writes to 6* dissuade" her, and the
effect of his dissuasion is so potential that three
months after quitting the convent we find the young
lady once more secure in it in the formal character—of
a postulant, boasts Dr. Hendren; of a non-postulant,
writes poor Miss Talbot, mystified herself'; of a non-
"nothing about nothing,"
Dar k
postulant postulant sighs out the explanatory Superior.
ir.Dnoawys justle all tshoemwuheihle
aksnmo way serve him to trump up as
colourable story, but ignores every particular which
might involve him in trouble with the Chancellor. Lot
it be remembered all this while that Miss Augusta
Talbot is entitled, on attaining her majority, to the sum
of 85,0001.—that when the curtain draws up on her ap-
pearance in the drama we see her sitting in a parlour of
the Taunton convent, between the mild, seraphic Jer-
ningham and poor Mr. Berkeley. These being the
dramatis persona, the subject of their dialogue is the
profession of nuns in general, and Miss Talbot's profes-
sion in particular. The trio discourse about white veils
and black veils, and how Miss Talbot is to dispose of
her property after profession. The young lady speaks
as she has been tutored; poor Mr. Berkeley throws in a
word or two of common sense en pure perte, and Jer-
ningham contributes a few timely shrugs and judicious
winks. The result is, that Mr. Berkeley rushes up to
town and prepares a petition to the Commons, begging
the assistance of their Hon. House against a parcel of
rascals, male and female, who are engaged in an attempt
at kidnapping his niece. The Lord Chancellor admitted
afterwards that he was very much in the right.
We must be pardoned for mentioning at this point
our:own share in the matter, as it proved the means of
indticing honest Dr. Hendren to interrupt for a few
hours his ministrations at the altar of truth. As an an-
swer to a few comments we offered upon Mr. Berkeley's
petition, that estimable divine rushed to the rescue, re-
buking us for our attempt to interfere between the
R, man ecclesiastics and their anticipated spoil. Poor
Dr.. Hendren! his only fault was that of other great
men—he was before his time. He should have waited a
few months longer, and have reserved the Tridentine
Canons to justify the realised, not the anticipated gains.
The result, however, of the whole story is this—what
one Roman Catholic bishop denies upon oath another
soleemly affirms in a letter to a public journal. How-
ever Dr. Doyle may escape out of this dilemma, it is
clear that he placed or left his ward in a position in
which her property would of necessity have been em-
bezzled but for the operation of the forces which were
brought to bear against the contrivers of the plot. No
one can be silly enough to place one jot of reliance upon
the trumpery subterfuges about Miss Talbot's enema-
lousposition at the nunnery. All this was merely the
wriggling of the scotched snake. The best comment
upon Dr. Doyle's conduct is to be found in the Chancel-
lor's. judgment—a judgment which, however correct in
its premises, did not particularly shine in point of prac-
tical inference. Dr. Doyle's conduct was denounced tobe
highly re prehensible. Lord Truro declared that he would
take right good care, during the short time that was
to intervene between Miss Talbot's escape from the nun-
nery and her majority, that none of the crew shouldget
round her again. The result of her removal from bad
influence is at once discernible in the announcement of
her approaching marriage. We very heartily congra-
tulate the young lady upon the event. Wo trust that
she May have many years of happini 83 before her, and
may so profit by past experience as to beware in future
of such unscrupulous advisers as the ecclesiastics of her
own Church. Meanwhile, although Miss Talbot is safe,
can no legislative precaution be taken to prevent the re-
currence of such intrigues as have just been defeated
for the future?—rirnes.

BRIDE CAKE FOR THE GREAT EXHIBITION.
Among the recherche works of art of home conception,
to be displayed within the area of the Crystal Palace, is
a magnificent brie cake from Mr. Richerd Gunter's es-
tabliahment, in Blotcemb-street, Relgrave-square, which
was on view on Wednesday and Thursday to tie elite of
Belgravia, preparatory to its reception in the forthcom-
ing Exbibicion. In every respect it exceeds any similar
prodUctien of the confectionary art hitherto teen in this
country, and from the taste and art it displays, cannot
fail to gain universal appreciation. It is of admirable
proportions, and the cake itself, exclusive of its rich and
tasteful ornaments, in pure refined sugar, weighs above
2001bS. The case is sexagonal, three of the six com-
partments being occupied by bas reliefs, allegorical of
the Marriage of Cupid and Pysche, the remaining three
being appropriated for the entwined initials and cyphers
of the bride and bridegroom. The moulding of the my-
thological figures are specimens of the highest art, and
most creditable to the artist entrusted with the composi-
tion of the design. The figures and auxiliaries are of
pure white sugar, on a ground of light pink the first
tableau representing Pysche's first sight of dupid; the
secopd, the marriage of Cupid and Pysche iu the pre-
eence of the Heathen gods and goddesses; and the third,
. the triumph of Cupid and Pysche. Between each of the
six compartments are two youthful figures in embrace,
symbolical cf innocence, above which are two doves,
which form a relief to the ornamented edge of the cake.
Alternating round the edge are fanciful medallions, each
containing an allegory of the career of the celebrated.
deity of the ancients, the God of Love; and also shields
-for the emblazoned heraldic arms of the contracting
couple, and the arms of their respective houses. The
.top of the. cake is covered with an exquisite network of
,white sugar, on which rest six vases laden with bouquets
of nuptial flowers. From the centre rises a sexegonal
:column, with arabesque ornaments, thre projecting sup-
`ports being a small shield for the crests. The column is
etirialounted by a beautiful group of rollicking Cupids,
the upper figure astride the shoulders of one of his com-
panions, supporting a basket overflowing with orange
;blossoms, the everlasting pea, the tube rose, and other
flowers emblematical of youth and constancy. The above
':are the principal features in this truly classical design,
the elaborate and exquisite decorative parts defying
explauaeion in detail. A certain living authoress, on
• seeing the cake, declared it to surpass the wants of
mortals, it was only fit for the gods.

-----
POSTPONEMENT OF THE OPENING OF TEE EXEIBI-
TioN.—Noiwithstauding the extraordinary exertions now
making towards petetiting the necessa'y arrangements for
enabling her Majesty to open the Grand Exhibition on the
Ist of May, we believe we are correct in stating that imme-
diately after the Sovereign quits the building the Crystal
Palace must unavoidably be closed until the 12th, to enable
the interior departnient to be completed for the permanent
admission of the public.—British Army Despatch.;

RAIL WAY INTELLIGENCE.
13 BURY AND MORET'ON. _

A meeting of influential persons interested in the
district between Banbury, Shipston, and Moreton was
held at thubury on id,.'xiday, Lord Duncan in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN said, it was hoped that a cordial un-
derstanding. would be brought about between the pro-
moters of the railway and the owners and occupiers of
land through which the proposed line was inteLded to
pass. Tie ioter,sts of both parties were identical, and
unless the landowners and occupiers in the district sup-
ported the scheme, the proposed line would not be car-
ried out, The length of the line would be about 19 miles,
and the object was to connect the Buckinghamshire Rail-
way at Banbury,witb tl)6 Oxford,Worcester, and Wolver-
hampton line et Moreton. It would give facilities to the
farmers in the Valley of the Stour to come to the Banbury
market. Ho felt the inconvenience of living at Shipston,
from which place all railway communication seemed to
be cut off. He believed that the London mails
reached Edinburgh sooner or quite as soon as they
reached Shipston; he hoped, therefore, the promoters of
the line would have the cordial co-operation of all per-
sons in the district.—(Hear, hear.) The price of coals
in the neighbourhood of Shipstou was very high, and
there was no doubt the price could be much reduced by
means of railway communication. He might mention
that since the Buckinghamshire Railway was opened to
Oxford the price of coals there had been reduced from
245. to 16s. per ton, causing an annual saving of 21,0001
a year to that city ; and in the neighbourhood of Ban-
bury the price of coal had been reduced from 20s. to
14s. 6d. per ton, causing a saving to the inhabitants of
more than 8,0001. per annum.
After some observations from the Rev. F. Litchfield,
and explanations from Mr. E. Watkin and the Hon. P.
S. Pierrepout. resolutions were passed to the effect that
as the interests of the landowners would be especially
promoted by the proposed railway, every facility ought
to be given to its promoters by the sale of land at very
moderate prices, and appointing a committee to wait
upon the landowners with a view to obtain their support
and assistance.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thank® to
the Chairin au.

NORTHAMPTON AND BANBURY.

It appears that landowners and others interested in
the construction of this line are endeavouring to induce
the company to make the railway, which at present re.
mains in abeyance. At the last meeting of the company
it was proposed to wind up its affairs as soo❑ as pos-
sible, and divide the funds in hand among the share-
holders.

GLOUCESTER, AND DEAN FOREST.
The works of this line, which form an integral por-
tion of the South Wales line from. Chepstow to Glouces-
ter, are in a for Ward state, and are being pushed on with
vigour.in order to have the line ready for opening on
the 18th of Juno next, which is at present announced
as the day on which the South Wales line from Chep-
stow to Gloucester is to be opened, the chief work re-
maining to be done being one of the bridges over the
Severn tet Gloucester, and which must be crossed in order
to form a junction with the Great Western and Midland
lines at the joint station at Gloucester. Should there be any
delay in the completion of the works by the 11th ofJune,
it will arise from the difficulty of finishing the bridge
over the Wye at Chepstow, and one ' of the two
bridges over the Severn at Gloucester. It is necessary
to explain here that the river Severn as it approaches
the city of Gloucester divides into two channels, called
respectively the Maisemore and tho Gloucester channels,
the principal part of the river traffic passing along the
latter channel. There are of course two bridges, called
the Gloucester end Over bridges, and the railway
crosses the Maisemore channel below the Over bridge
and above the Gloucester bridge. The bridge over
Maisemore chancel has been completed for many months.
The line after crossing the Severn passes over several
str, et; of the city to the station of the Great Western
and Milhaud (Bristol and Birmingham) Companies, and
only a smell p of the terminus remains at present
untouched. The -works from Gloucester up to the
junction of the South Wales line at Grange-court are
iu such a state of forwardness (with the exception of
the bridge over the Severn) that they could be opened
in a month from this time.