The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-13 00:00:00

LONDON, NVEDNESDAX, FEBRIJARY 13, 1866

The Right Honourable Gentleman the Member
for the University- of Dublin has earned for him-
self the thanks and gratitude, not only of every
Legal Reformer, but of every British citizen. In
a speech, characterised by great learning and
moderation, he advocated the appointment of
"an efficient and responsible department of public
justice, with a view to secure the skilful prepara-
tion and proper structure of Parliamentary bills,
and promote the progressive amendment of the
laws of the United. Kingdom." The subject will
not take our friends by surprise. We have re-
peatedly urged the necessity of such an officer, in
order to get rid of the slovenly legislation, dis-
graceful to Parliament, and calculated to bring
the authority of the law into contempt and dis-
repute. What can be more painful than to find
the venerable and respected judgae of the land
complaining of the careless manner in which
solemn acts of the Imperial Legislature have been
framed—of the difficulty of reconciling conflict-
in, sections of the aame statute, and of duly in-
terpreting the enactments with which every
British subject—nay, more, every stranger who
tier visit to the Milted Kingdom—is
pays a passing
supposed to be acquainted ? Surely it ought to be
one of the first duties of Government to provide an
adequate remedy for an evil of such extraordinary
magnitude—to abate, at the earliest possible mo-
ment, the great eoeial nuisance.
We have all witnessed with regret the difficul-
ties and impediments that obstruct any legal
amelioration. Private individuals, however
desirous of lending their best assistance in the
important duties, are unable to devote the time
and attention requisite to ,the efficient discharge
of the arduous task ; and Aliere is no Minister
who can, without a total disregard of his
other pressing
"jell, undertake the enor-
mous labour. The Lord Chancellor, un-
questionably the questionablegitimate party, is so
completely occupied with his multifarious
judicial duties that
.a
political and 11 that can be
expected at his hands is to give a hasty considera-
tion to ripe suggestions that may be brought under

his notice. It is, indeed, surprising how a man
of ordinary physical powers can, at the same time,
act as a Cabinet Minister, as Speaker of the here-
ditary branch of the Legislature, and head of the
highest judicial tribunal in the country. How
then could he undertake additional work that
would require undivided and incessant toil ? It
is clearly impossible ! But under the existing
system the Lord Chancellor must personally ap-
prove of every legal measure before it can obtain
the sanction of the Governaent. Thus it is that so
many admirable suggestions have proved abortive,
and that the efforts for the removal of acknow-
ledged grievances have either fallen to the ground
or been procrastinated for an almost indefinite
time.

Mr. NAPIER acts on the principle that it is
better atonal to seek the root of the evil than to
expatiate on the numerous petty details in which
amendments are required. The codification of
the Civil and Criminal Law—the removal of the
numerous obsolete enactments that still encumber
the national statute-book—are matters of the most
urgent nature. But experience teaches that until the
objectionable system that prevents or retards these
ameliorations be changed it is vain to expect any
comprehensive measure. We must strike at the
root of the evil—introduce a radical reform that
may possibly prove effectual. The first step is
suggested by the Right Hon. Gentleman, and no
one can deny that it is in the right direction. A
Cabinet Minister able to devote his entire time to
the subject, like the head of the Poor-Law Board,
or the Board of Health, would unquestionably
make speedy progress in the important course.
All that is required is that the question should
not be shelved, as it may be, from the omission of
the words " an efficient and responsible depart-
ment of publie justice." The matter is one on
which, although every allowance should be made
for the Government, no needless procrastination
can be tolerated. By the adoption of the re-
mainder of Mr. NAPIEa's motion and the practical
confession of the grievance, Ministers have
pledged themselves to afford redress, and it should
not be too long delayed or postponed.

The discussion on the Wensleydale Peerage
case, was last night renewed in the House of
Lords, and the question was ultimately postponed
until Monday next. The views we have already
expressed appear to be strengthened and con-
firmed from what occurred. There are, to say
the least of it, strong doubts as to the legality and
validity of the creation. Even supposing the
Crown to have full power on its side, it is not a
very wise or politic proceeding, to attempt to carry
matters with a high hand, and to force a
party on the House against the will of a very
decided majority of its members, including a
majority of the Law Lords.
From what fell last night from the Lord Chan-
cellor and the Lord Chief Justice of England, it
is manifest that those high functionaries are com-
pletely at issue, and that but for the illness of
Lord WENSLEYDALE, which prevented him from
appearing to claim his seat, according to the exi-
gency of the writ, a very unseemly collision
might have occurred between two branches of
the Legislature. Lord Cnixwonnr, speaking on
behalf of the new Peer, declared that he respect-
fully declined the jurisdiction of the committee—
that, in fact, he would not recognise the right of
the House to interfere—birt would present him-
self with his patent or summons, and claim his
right to sit ; while, on the other hand, Lord
CAMPBELL as positively asserted that if he did so,
before a Committee of Privileges had an oppor-
tunity of deliberating. and considering, and of ex-
ercising its 'undoubted jurisdiction by inquiring
into the matter, "he should move that his Right
Honourable friend, who under the patent would
be called Lord WENSLEYDALE be not admitted
into their Lordships' '
This is, indeed, an untoward state of affairs,
one deeply to be lamented by every right-minded
man. The Royal prerogative of conferring a title
of honour on any deserving subject cannot be dis-
puted, but when a seat is claimed, the House must,
according to the universal rule, be the sole judge
of its own privileges. If Lord WENSLEYDALE
present the writ of summons only, and the patent
be withdrawn, he must be admitted. But that
course would extend the evil which the limitation
for life was intended to avoid. It would give a
remainder to heirs general, in place of to the heirs
male, of the body. If the patent be presented
with the writ, both must be examined concur-
rently, and if the one be invalid, the other must
entirely fall to the ground.
This is the difficulty, and it is one that should
be dealt with on every side with temper and mo-
deration. If there be danger of a collision Rtr-
liarnent should dispose of the question. The
House of Commons might properly interfere as ar-
bitrators and we have no doubt that either side
would give way in any point where it was thought
desirable for the public welfare that they should
do so. These are certainly not times for any un-
due assertion of a doubtful prerogative.

The Sabbatarians are in arms, and fiercely
stimulating each other to do battle for the exclu-
sive possession of the Lord's-day, which they
have so selfishly appropriated aid so mercilessly
perverted. From a score or more pulpits in the
metropolis their choicest orators have toiled and
perspired with unwonted exertion. Plethoric
incumbents have vied with pliant curates in sound-
ing the tocsin of war, and both have been out-
done by the Ministerial Toogoods of dissent.
Prephecies have run a hard race with denuncia-
tions, and brotherly love has stood aside for fear
of the pillory or the stocks. To listen to the
discourses of these newly-furbished fanatics we
can assure the gentle reader was a feat requiring
no ordinary firmness of nerve, for if their prowess
in the field comes up to their fulminating never did
the Crescent send forth more ruthless champions.
To hear the Crystal Palace mentioned made you
shut your ears to avoid the discord of the crash
announcing its fall, and the British Museum made
You wish for the moment you were a mummy
within its walls. And all this in the LORD'S name
for the exclusive possession and perversion of the
Lord's -day.

The movement party have not so learned the
Gospel. That, in their opinion, is glad tidings
for the poor, not oppression and debasement.
day devoted to the LORD cannot, in their opinion,
but be consecrated by deeds of mercy,
and dese-
crated by acts of oppression. To
ina.rt
of sayhia
atahyaotf trhesety,
are desirous to rob the poor
or contemplate his withdrawal from attendance on
the ordinances of religion, is a foul calumny.
While plethoric parsons have been dosing, and
Ministerial Toogeods have been con3olb the
well-to-do elect, they have found time to follow
the steps of the laborious artisan, and make
themselves acquainted with his manner of life.
They havo looked into his confined and comfort-
less home, stood over Lim in his toil, and taken
note of his opportunities for mental and physical
recreation. They have found him in thousands
no time ttho week through for
Graf
einntslitia
en
uc
ietsi
vviiatth i e
save SuudaY—thu few hours
daily, or rather nightly, at his disposal, being

necessarily devoted to the recruitment of his phy-
sical frame. They have discovered with regret
that preachers of the Gospel, par excellence, have,
in too many instances, won none of his re-
spect, 'but have set, in his opinion, no other
Gospel than that of hypocrisy and self-
seeking before him. They have witnessed with
grief and pain of heart how from removable
causes his day of rest has perforce been devoted
to animal, almost to the entire exclusion of moral
and mental, recreation. They have gazed on him
as he trudged along the footpath, lounged in the
pothouse, luxuriated over the glass, or sought
other enjoyment anywhere but at home, and have
only been gratified by the general orderliness of
his demeanour. They have asked, " Why should
this be ?" and have cast about for a remedy, and
with all the more eagerness knowing how many
behind the counter from early dawn to midnight
are hardly so well off as be. They have turned
east, turned west, turned north, and turned south
to discover some means by which the cultivation
of his moral and intellectual faculties, along with
the recreation of his physical powers, -could be in
some sort insured, and the result is they found
in the British Museum, the National Gal-
lery, and similar institutions, such means at
hand institutions specially designed for
the purpose and likely to subserve it,
if opened on the Sunday, the only day when they
could be of service. True men are not to be
stayed on a mission of mercy.- They asked for
the key, and shame to tell ! it was refused—re-
fused, too, in the name of the LORD, who " loveth
everything he hath made." The Pharisees of the
day were shocked at the notion of ax innovation
which really breaks the letter of no existing law,
and is in perfect harmony with the spirit
of the Gospel, and intimidated the ens-
todons of the key into retaining it. Every
successive application was met with contumely
and determined resistance, until the thing
got beyond a joke, and it became an obvious duty
on the part of all enlightened friends of humanity
to join in solemn league against these Pharisees
—these whited sepulchres, who, in their love of
death, would to all appearance neither suffer the
grass to grow, the wind to blow, nor the rivers to
flow, any more than the intelligence of the op-
pressed workman to germinate of a Sunday.
Shortly the contending parties will meet, and
may iIEAVEN defend the right ! The League
must triumph, if mercy and common sense are
not to be excluded from the Legislature.

The Marchioness Dowager of Londonderry has left
Holdernesse House for Wynyard Park, where the Earl
and Counters Vane have arrived on a visit.

The Countess of Westmoreland and Lady Rose Fane
have arrived at the Brunswick House Hotel, from
Brighton.
The Viscountess Ehrington gave birth to a son on
Sunday last, at the family meat, Castle Hill, Devonshire.

Dtdy Blresford has left Path for her residence at
Versailleu.

Mr. 'Milbanke has arrived in Eaton-place, from visit-
ing bit. and Lady Augusta Milbanke, in the north.
Rio DE JANEIRO, Jan. 14.—The cholera has sensibly
declined in Rio, and the daily mortality from that die•
ease is rednied to five or six only.
General Sir Colin Campbell arrived' at Malta on the
Ist by the French packet'the Thabor, from Marseilles,
and proceeded to the East in the same vesserther day
after. The gallant general, says the Afcalg Times, is
known to have expressed his opinion to some 'friends
here that peace would shortly be concluded.
OTTOMAN BANK.—A new bank has been announced,
to be founded at Constantinople, and to be called the
Ottoman Bank, with a capital of 500,0001. in 20/. shares.
The board includes Members olleading London' banking
establishments, and the chairman is Mr Layard, 'M.P.
TIPPIIIIARY JOINT-STOCK Bilts..—The draughts of the
above bank have been returned by theie London agents,
Messrs. Glyn. This office was established in'lB3B, with
a head office at Clonniel, and branches at A.thy, Carlow,
Carrick-On-Suir, Nenagh, ltoserea, Thurles, Thomas.
town, and Tipperary, and has been paying dividend's at
the rate of 6 per cent.
TEMPORARY ESCAPE OF RUSSIAN PRISONERS.—Two
' Russian prisoners, Carl Torarouth and Eric Piatila,
escaped from Lewes gaol on Thursday, but, intelligence
having been sent to the various police stations, they
were re-captured at Woolwich on Sunday,.. and sent back
to their former quarters.
COUNTY CRICKET CLUB IN OXFORBSIIIIII.—A county
cricket club is in a progressive state of formation, and
the following gentlemen have formed themselves into a
committee, assisted by the Hon. C. Fiennes, as secre-
tary, viz , the Hon. E. C. Leigh,. Hon. W. Fiennes, A.
Faber, Esq., C..D. Maribani, Esef.,4J. Parsons, Esq.
ORDNANCE ESTIMATE.—The supplementary estimate
of the Office of Ordnande for the years 1855.56 was yes-
terday published. It amounts to 1,346,0281., including
the following items—viz:, 294,1541: for barrack supplier,
62,3161. for wages, 937,1851. for stores, and 2,3681. for
the scientific branch.

HOLYHEAD.—The Lords of the Admiralty have deter-
mined that for the future the graving dock At Holyhead
shall not be used for the repair of merchant vessels, but
Oak its use shall be confined to th• mail-boats and
steamers. This decision materially affects the shipping
interest, and to remedy the loss the inhibitants are
memorialising for the erection of a gridiron inside the
old harbour.

Despatches from Turin say that considerable excite-
ment was created at the sitting of the 9th of the Pied -
nionteee Chamber of Deputies by the presence of General
dela Marmora, who was loudly cheered, and for sevtral
minutes surrounded by a dells,' crewd of personal
friends eager to speak to him. Tee business of the day
was unimportant.
GUILD MURDER.—Yesterday morning considerab'e
sensation was created in the neighbourhood of Totter.
Lam-court-road, in consequence of the discovery of the
body of a fine male child in an empty house in Chenies-
pla!e. There were marks sufficient to lead II ) the opinion
that it had reet with an untimely end.
SUDDEN DEATH.—Yesterday Mr. W. Carter, the Sur-
rey coroner, received information that Mrs. Mary Ann
Darby, the wife of Mr. Darby, the pyrotechnist at her
Majesty's Theatre, and late of Vauxhall Gardens, h'ad
died In the following awful manner : On Monday she
went down stairs to speak to her daughter, and on her
return she complained of a pain in the throat. She
vomited some blood, sat down in the chair, and instantly
expired. An inquest will be held to-morrow.
Yesterday William Horton Sharman, a silversmith,
was placed at the bar before Mr. Cords, at the Clerken-
well police-court, charged with stealing from the work.,
at 26, Harrison-street, Gray's-inn-road, five pieces of
silver, Called suspending bars to the Crimean medals,
the property of Meesrt. Hunt and Roskell, the exten-
sive silversmiths. He was sentenced to four months'
imprisenment.
Yesterday Mr. William Pad wick, lord of the manor
of Haling, Hants, appeared to a summons at the West-
minster police-court, charging him with wilful and cor-
rupt perjury. The court was crowded with persons
anxious to hear the proceedings, amongst whom were
Lord George Lennox and Admiral Berkeley, who were
accommodated with a seat upon the bench. The case
lasted some hours, but the facts which led to the charge,
and the evidence adduced in connection therewith, were
not of public interest. The case was then adjourned till
Monday.
STRAHAN, PAUL, AND BATES'S BANKRUPTCY.—A
dividend of le. 9d. in the pound is in course of payment
under the joint estate, and a further dividend is expected
to be paid in Jane next. A dividend of 9d. in the
pound is also payable under each of the separate estates
of Strahan and Paul, and of ld. under the separate
estate of Bates.
MYSTERIOUS MURDER IN SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE.—
Yesterday (Tuesday), an inquest was held at Swan Vil-
lage, near West Bromwich, in South Staffordshire, for
the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances con-
nected with the death of a young man, about 25 years
of age, named Robert Grubbit, who was found in the
canal on Saturday afternoon last with his throat cut,
and two large stones in the pockets of his jacket, weigh-
ing, the one seven and the other two
pounds. The in-
quest was adjourned to enable the police to make fur-
ther inquiries. The deceased, it appears, came from
Norfolk, where he had a mother living. He was a very
steady, well-conducted young man.
LOCAL DUES UPON SHIPPING.—At the quarterly
meeting of the Bristol Town Council, held yesterday, it
was determined to appoint a committee to watch the
bill on this subject introduced by Mr. Lowe, Vice-Pre-
sident of the Board of Trade, and to oppose the mea-
enre in its various stages, unless a clause be inserted
awarding compensation to Bristol for the loss she would
suffer by the abolition of the town dues. The case of
Bristol is said to be an exceptional one, for, while in
other ports the towns draw profit from the docks, the
docks there are indebted to the town to the extent of
6,000/. a-year for the maritime interests of the port,
over and above the 3,000/. received from the town dues.

LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE AND TENDER FOR THE PACRA
or EGYPT.—A fine, and very beautifully-decorated en-
gine and tender, for the special use of his highness
Saidia Pacha, viceroy of Egypt,
have just been corn
pleted by Messrs. Sharp, Stewart, and Co., of the Atlas'
Works Oxford-road. The engine is an " express," cal-
-
ciliated to draw 120 tons, on a level, at GO miles an hour.
When in working condition, the engine will weigh about
24 th", and the tender 11 tons. The remarkable and
very beautiful decorations have been done by Mr.
Win. Creke, heraldic painter, of Birmingham. The rail-
way npoo which they are to be used is open from Alex-
andriacr to Cairo, and is to be extended to.,Suez. Mr.
staatkeecairsrinacigwe,lowrethuenpdoeprset:td,iaenncresgteerd
ai,n,artnnti.ng a