The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-10 00:00:00

LI is RATIJRE.

Young Singleton. By Talbot Gwynno, author of
"School for Fathers," &O.? &o. 2 vols, Smith
and Elder.
The motto of this work is a peculiarly appropriate
one,—

"Poor wretch, thy guardian angel weeps,"
for if ever a pitying spirit mourned over an un
happy mortal Richard Singleton, the hero of these
pages, must have caused such regret. It is true
that he was unfortunately situated, but -he turned
whatever good there was about him to evil. A
treat deal of skill is displayed in the delineation of
us character, and a variety of incident, event, and
aersonages diffuse animation over the story, and
impart interest to the details. It is certain that
for th© most part the story is painful rather than
pleasing, but that does not detract from its power,
—in fact, it rather adds to the effect. Singleton
was the son of a nabob, who had married a Hindoo
girl in India. Not caring for the child, he sent
him. to England, where he was brought up amid
the solitude and stillness of his ancestral hall.
Alter a time, his health being still delicate, he was
sent to a private academy in preference to a public
chool. Here he made no friends, but the doctors
deemed it advisable for him to remain on some
time in consequence of his weak state unfitting
Mtn for mingling with a more advanced
and hardy set. Young Singleton posses. ed
in advantage, however, that might have
redeemed the obscurity of his birth, and set
it nought his deficiency in physical attainments.
Ills mental gifts were great, and by the exercise of
these he could have triumphed, but it was far
otherwise with this ill-fated youth. He was a
eavourite with his instructor on account of his
aptitude in learning, and great things were pre-
licted of him by his delighted master. He went at
last to Oxford, and here his folly began. Instead
of at once taking his place with the studious,
and drawing wealth from deep researches into the
mines of knowledge which were opened for his bene-
fit, he madly imagined that his forte lay among
the athletic and skilled in bodily exercises. Here,
of course, he was ridiculed and sneered at, but he
persisted, and he found many to persuade him from
malice or love of gain that he would soon succeed
in distancing his competitors if he persevered.
" All this was believed by Singleton—by Single-
ton, who might have fulfilled the Doctor's pro-
phecy, and have made the University ring with his
name, had not unchecked passions blinded and
misled him." His strength failed in the path so
adverse to nature, and so contrary to reason, that
Lte had fixed for himself, and after a dangerous ill-
ness he was sent home, disabled from returning by
weakness and suffering. It would have been well
if he had sunk under this college attack, for his
subsequent years were a disgrace to society; and,
unhappily, they caused the ruin of many others
who were connected with him in after-
life. Especially it is sad to behold how
sis evil shadow cast its glamour over the
career of Brownlow, and, finally, (mused his
death through cowardice and envy. This lat-
ter individual is the redeeming spirit of the story,
generous, manly, and straightforward. Ho was
the only one who ever tried to benefit Singleton,
and he paid a heavy penalty for his kindness, as far
as human eye could see ; although it is not those
who heap blessings on the unthankful who have
any cause to fear a hasty summons to another
state of being. The passages of the tale which re-
fer to Rose Adams and her sister Janet, are
bright exceptions to the gloomy recital of horrors
which shroud, as with a pall, the estate of the old
Nabob and his wretched heir. Lady Fotheringay
is a indict one sketch, cleverly drawn, of a dashing
woman of that time. The crafty Lund is also a
good portraiture, and it is curious to observe how
completely Singleton is in his power, notwith-
standing his conceit and vanity. At last, how-
ever, this cunning adept in stratagem and subter-
fuge overreached himself, as has often been the
case with others of his class. The scone in which
Richard Singleton sees his friend perish is truly an
evil moment, and is followed by the equally ap-
propriate one of remorse. It was that feeling, not
the blessed sorrow of repentance, which men must
honour and over which angels rejoice, which
swayed the last years of the wretched life here
recorded. " There was no escape from his con-
science, for him the worm had already begun to
gnaw, the flames to burn." Although it may be
a sad reflection, the conclusion here met with bears
the impress of reality stamped upon it, more po-
tently and indelibly than if it had keen said
that Singleton reformed. His was not the
nature to amend, nor the character to ame-
liorate ; he never yielded to good impulses
when they visited him in his fitful fever of
life, and of the close of such an existence, who
could truthfully affirm " the latter end was peace."
It is bettor to leave him dark to the termination of
his course below, as a warning and an example to
others, as an:instance of great and glorious gifts
perverted, high and mighty chances lost, friends
turned to enemies, blessings changed into curses—
as an evidence of a career that, with a pure endea-
vour, might have been far above the common, and
ranked among the good, but which from selfishness
and passion was worse than wasted.

THE REAL AUTHOR OF LATE
SPANISH COUP D'ETAT.

Within two or three days after the intelligence
of the O'Donnell coup d'etat in Madrid reached
this country we expressed our firm conviction that
the real author of that display of daring despotism
was Louis Napoleon, and that the iniquitous plot
was hatched in Paris, not in Madrid. The defence
of the coup d'itat, which soon afterwards appeared
in the Moniteur, and which is no secret in France,
was written by Louis Napoleon himself, came as
" confirmation strong" of the correctness of the
opinion we expressed. But if, notwithstanding
these conclusive proofs of the part which the occu-
pant of the Tuileries played in the destruction of
the Spanish Constitution, there was a single person
who still entertained doubts on the subject, those
doubts must be entirely and for ever dispelled by
the fact that Louis Napoleon has just conferred
on O'Donnell the Grand Cordon of the Legion of
Honour. The insignia, we are told, were placed
in a box covered with sky-blue velvet, ornamented
with golden bees, and with the initials of Louis
Napoleon. This is the reward of O'Donnell's ini-
quity, as the profligate agent of one of the worst
men on whom the sun ever shone. Another and
very different reward, it is to be hoped, is in re-
serve for both,—for the principal performer in the
Tuileries and for his puppet in Madrid. The two
are worthy of each other. " Sure such a pair,"
cec. It will be a sight worth living for to witness
the end of this couple of matchless criminals.—
Morning Advertiser.

The Earl of Yarborough has completed a voyage in
his yaoht from the south of England, round by the
Scottish coast and back. His lordship was a pest for
some days at Dochfour House, near Inverness, the seat
of Mr. Baillie. Thence he sailed by the Caledonian
Canal to Oban, remaining there for some days. We
are glad to learn that he has been much benefited by
the cruise.
His Grace the Lord Primate arrived at the Palace,
Armagh, on Friday evening, from Woburn, the seat of
George Dunbar, Esq., accompanied by Mrs. Dunbar
and Mrs. Eden. We regret to add that his grace is
suffering from indisposition.
THE KENMARE FAMILY.—The Hon. W. Br vine,
formerly M.P. for Kerry, arrived on Friday evoniog at
Kenmare House, Killarney, the mansion of his noble
brother, the Earl of Kenmare. His lordship's son-in-law
and daughter, Robert Berkely, Esq., arid Lady Catherine
Berkely are daily expected witk their family.
A CURIIIUS ACT or PABLIAMENT.—Acnong the 118
acts of parliament abolished at one " fell swoop" by an
act of last session was one passed in the reign of Henry
entitled " hat sort of Irishmen may come to
dwell in England." Another act was against persons
calling themselves " Egyptians."
The weekly reviews of the Amsterdam and Rotterdaat
produce markets state that the transactions continued
unimportant. There was greater firmness in coffee since
the late sales of the Commercial Company, bat little
speculative demand prevailed. In sugar, raw or refined,
scarcely any alteration had occurred. The inquiry for
rice was chiefly limited to orders for immediate consump.
foreign purchases, showed a
tion. Cotton, ovi'liPir
'3'"dieGfiliaTY yai4s 7o oN
mipr.oveemeseoti
E aDaTis THE ClllalrdlNonALthLeAtWab.re
late session, to
To
fn
teheei
ot
übsiel so off Ltohred
staotie:
the
hCehcalosnceelolofr,
consolidate certain criminal offence..., have recently been
printed. They relate to offences against property,
person, against forgery, and relating to
against the
ln thlast-mentioned bill there is a clause
to af, effect that abettors in misdemeanours shall be in-
eeished as principals.
dieted and pa- shareholders in the London and
at the invitation of
ParisAt tilh:nkni,6:co4!ni.vsen°N.: :e;terclaY
Mr, Wm. Ilartriuggi resolution, '
F 4 were adopted expressive
directors have failed
of the ehareholders' opinion thak tee
contemplated In .the ?3,4D8201311alit?::11
originalteearry objectspereotstpheectus and recommending the Ito
of the undertaking. A. Committee was appointee •
confer witn the directors, and the meeting was adjournen
until the 22d inst.
NAUTICAL IMPROVEMENTS—A method has recenly
been invented of giving elasticity to the shanks of an-
chors by a helical or coiled spring, the lengthening power
thus imparted to the anchor peculiarly fitting it for sud-
den strains. Au additional improvement, likewise
patented by Ruston, the inventor of the elastic anchor,
consists in the use of a spring, for the purpose of giving
ayipeladsisnegd erpoovwer to the 'cables of anchors, the cable be-
inga pulley which is connected with *'he
lattcr with th( En& inv,lntion
appears to be effective as well as ingenious. and well
calculated to obviate frequent inconvenience and cipxger
t sea. . .

.

K~i~. •N 0...

.. •.. ~ ~ ~

ENGINEERS,MASONIC,AND UNIVERSAL
MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

Yesterday (Tuesday) an extraordinary general meet-
ing of the members of this society was held at the
society's offices, 345, Staand—Mr. W. F. Dobson,
Chairman of the Board, in the chair—to confirm the fol-
lowing resolution, which was passed at the last general
meeting :
"That the plan now submitted to the meeting for
raising a share capital, and enlarging the scope of the
Society's operations, be hereby approved and adopted,
and that the directors be authorised to make such alter-
ations in the deed of settlement, and otherwise to take
such steps as they may be advised are necessary, or they
may deem expedient, for carrying such plan into effect,
and that in so doing they be empowered to make such
alterations in the plan now adopted as they may deem
expedient ; and to adopt the deed prepared by the
directors. in pursuance of this resolution."
Mr. G. H. ROBSRTSON, the secretary, having read the
notice convening the meeting,

The CHessates said that the reasons that had induced
the directors to recommend the society being converted
nto a proprietary company were so fully set forth in the
paper accompanying the notice of the meeting, that it
was scarcely necessary for him to occupy their time by
entering at length into them. Thel interval of time
that had elapsed since the question was first
brought before the members of the society had arisen
not ,from any neglect on the part of the directors,
but solely from a desire on their part to comply
with the regulations and instructions contained in the
Joint Stock Company's Act. The proposal new sub-
mitted for the confirmation of the meeting was brought
under the notice of the members before the inten-
tion of the Government was announced in February last
to alter the then existing act. The directors had
always shown the greatest desire to comply with its
requisitions. They had made regular and faithful returns
under that act, and as they had done nothing wrongs
and had nothing to be ashamed of, they had nothing
to fear from a fair and proper statement of their
status and prospects. (Hear, hear.) The vise-
president of /the Board of Trade, in the early part of
the last session of Parliament, brought in a bill relative
to joint-stock companies, in which he included insurance
companies, but the Legislature thought fit to exclude
them, and the registrar of joint-stock companies bad in
consequence declined to receive the returns hitherto
made to him. The directors had been compelled to pre-
pare their deed in such a way as that it might readily re-'
oeive his sanction, if the law-officers of the Crown
advised him that his functions as to insurance comps-
nies were not at an end, or in itself it was a per•
fact deed of settlement if his sanction be not required.
In the deed now submitted to the meeting the directors
had continued to the policy-holders all the privilege&
and securities they enjoyed under the old deed
of incorporation, and they had carefully introduced
into it all those safeguards for shareholders which the
Legislature had provided for joint-stock companies
generally. With regard to the nature of the proposi-
tion, he considered the small number of members pre-
' sent indicated their satisfaction,and acquiescence in it,
and indeed the Beard of Directore had received a num-
ber of letters in which the members approved of it, and
not one objection from any quarter. (Hear.) This was not
a proposition for the creation of share capital with
which to pay their debts, or for the discharge of any
extraordinary preliminary expenses, those having already
been paid ; nor was it required for the purpose of creat-
ing a company with doubtful or probable success. This
society had new been many years in existence, and was
firmly established. It had always been ready to discharge,
and had faithfully discharged every liability and engage'
ment into which it bad entered. With theincreaxed capital
proposed to be raised by the terms of the new deed it was
considered they might be able to extend the operations
of the society, and by an increased lucrative business mu-
tually benefit all. That was the history of this transao•
Lion, and he called 'on the solicitor of the society to read
the clauses of the new deed, which had been pee-
pared so as to cancel the old deed. It contained all
that was useful and necessary of the old deed, but at
the same time repealed all the clauses in it which were
inconsistent with the new proposition. After the deed
had been read he should be happy to give to the mem-
bers any information they might require in reference

to it.
Mr. PRICIEIARD, Solicitor to the society, then read
the various clauses of the deed, pointing out the new
clauses from the re-enacted clauses of the old deed,.
and said that by it the rights of the policybalderi
were protected the same as in the old deed.

The CSAIRICAIT, beforo submitting the necessary roc.-

lotions to the meeting, said that the directors -would
well consider the nature of the applications made to
them is extanding their operations, and not rashly ,
dertake business which they could not successfully con-
duct, and fo prevent risk in the early stages of their
new business they would adopt the system of• counter
assurances, and the business of each department wooki
be kept separate.
In reply to Mr. HALN who thought the present a bad
time to alter their position as proposed,
The CHAIRMAN said by the new deed the position

of existing policy-holders would not be altered.
After some further remark 4, the necessary and format
resolutions for carrying out the objects of the meeting
were agreed to, and a vote of thanks having been unto"
rnously accorded to the chairman, the meeting %qv
rated.

FRIGHTFUL COLLISION, AND RUNNING-
DOWN Off d STEAMER IN TICE RI,FR•

Shortly after seven o'clock yesterday morning a vetry
frightful steamboat collision took place in the rive"?
Lower Hope Reach, two or three miles below Gravesend'
by the running down of the Sydney Hall, screw•stearnero
lately employed in the transport service. She was an iron*
built ship of between 500 and 600 tons burthen, the Pr°:
party of the Patent Fuel Company, and was commando'
by Capt. Michel. She was bound to Cronstadt, in bsdlactr
and it appears that early on Monday evening she left fluff
Pool, and proceeded down the river, but in consequence °
foggy weather she was brought up at Gravesend for the
night. About an hour or so after daybreak yesterdei
morning, the steamer was again got under weigh. Tin
tide was two-thirds flood. The usual course for ontwar""
bound steamers was pursued, but in consequence Of the
misty state of the morning her rate was much slackeneur
which was further diminished by the tide, which was ran:
ning against her. Captain Michel was on the look-at
platform, e'
directing the navigation of his vessel, and wh'
near the turn of the river called East Hope Point, a larg
vessel was observed coming towards the Sydney Ott
Seeing the course of the approaching steamer, whi`,
proved to be the Dodo, Capt. Hanson, from Cork, bolongiec•
to the Cork Steam Navigation Company, and that she ere
proceeding at but little reduced speed, Capt. Michel hailed`
her to put the helm a-starboard, so as to avoid conilc_Kr
into collision with them. From some unexplained 6°
,cll-
cumstance or other, however, those in charge of the 1/0
ported, the result of which was that she ran into the eter.
board quarter of the Sydney Hall, needy abreast of the
foremast, with tremendous force, cutting' her down Wet:
than two feet below her water line. As may be iraagin
great consternation prevailed amongst the twcr crews at th;.
moment. Capt. Michel got hold of the Dodo's bowsprit,
believing at the instant that his own vessel was Pill
down, and was so taken off. Ono of the compartments
the Sydney Hall rapidly filled, and her foundering was
momentarily expected. The mate, who had been these
expectedly left chief in charge, with great presence of all%
ordered the engines to be reversed. The vessel WO
astern, and providentially just succeeded in reaching ttse
bank of the north or Essex shore as she was going down,
The Dodo remained some time about the spot with a vivo:
of rendering assistance, and having landed Capt. Michel►
she continued her voyage up the river to the Pool. Stv,
has sustained some damage in her stern. The Sydney Hall
lies in the same spot, and at high tide her hull is coverea.
with water. She is insured. None of the crew are missing-