The Sun.
London, England, 1869-11-13 00:00:00

LADY =GETS OF THE GARTER.

The two vacancies in the Fraternity of the Knights of
the Garter offer an admirable opportunity to Mr. Gladstone
to show that chivalric regard for woman's rights to
which he is said by some to bo somewhat too much in-
clined. By adopting such a course he might conciliate
private aspirations with political necessities. The prac-
tice of conferring blue armlets and mantles on ladies is
almost as old as the order itself, and throughout the middle
ages and (lays of chivalry the electior. of "Ladies of
the Fraternity of St. George and of the Society of
the Garter" was of no rare occurrence. According to
Sir Harris Nicolas, than sehoni no ono was more
unnpeteut to speak with authority, the practice
declined during the wars of the Roses, in consequence of
more savage habits then introduced. It was revived nnder
Edward IV., and, if not cherished, at least not dis-
couraged by the sterner Henry VII. In the reign
of Henry VIII; in spite of that monarch's admi-
ration for the fair sex, the influence of women
seems to have begun to decline, for they were
then excluded from their anc:ent participation in the honours
of the Garter. In 1638 Chad, s I. proposed in a chapter of
the order that the ladies Choi 1 I resume their ancient privi-
leges, but the civil war freaking out prevented any further
steps being taken in the matter. Since then women's rights
have slumbered.—Pall Jfell Gazette.

The nomination of Slleriffs for England and Wales
took place on Thursday in the Court of Exchequer.

Everybody is struck by the grievously care-worn
looks of tho Premier. Ile seems to be in by no menus vigor-
ous health.

It is stated that the legacy duty which Govern-
ment will have to receive from the estates of the Marquis of
Westminster, the Earl of Derby, and Mr. Peabody will
together amount to upwards of a million sterling.

It is stated that, in the event of Mr. Corry's re-
tirement from the representation of Tyrone, the Conserva-
tives will, it is believed, bring forward Viscount Newry, and
the Liberals Sir A. S hafto Adair.

Mr_ Thorold Rogers, in the course of an able lec-
ture in the Town llall, Brighton, on Thursday, said ho
had heard it rumoured iu the clubs that the Government
intended to charter a Roman Catholic University in Ireland.
He added that he did not believe it, and denounced the
scheme amidst the plaudits of his audience.

The death was announced yesterday of Charitia
theme Hamilton, the mother of the late Bishop of Salis-
bury. Mrs. Hamilton, who was 88 years of age, attended
her son's funeral in Salisbury Cathedral a few weeks since—
then in perfect health. She was tho widow of the Vener-
able A. Hamilton, Archdeacon of Taunton.
The portrait of Mr. Backhouse, M.P., was on
Thursday presented to that gentleman at Darlington, as an
acknowledgment by the agriculturists and his friends in the
district, of services as President of the Chamber of Agricul-
ture, and especially of his exertions on their behalf during
the prevalenc3 of the cattle plague. The presentation was
made by Mr. J. W. Pease, M.P.

We stated, a few weeks since, that the shipwrights
employed in Davenport Dockyard in breaking up the 13ri-
tannia had struck, in consequence of their wages being
reduced from 4s. Gd. to 3s. 6d. a day. The Western Morning
News is glad to find that the Lords of the Admiralty have
authorises the full rate of pay to be given to them. They
therefore, receive 6s. per week additional for six weeks.
With the except;on of six shipwrights and 24 labourers, the
men entered for breaking up tho Britannia have all been dis-
charged.

A Pontypridd correspondent writes :—" I am
informed that all the working staff, with the excep-
tion of Mr. Bedlington, employed in the Ferndale
Colliery—some nine in number-- have given notice to leave
the employ of Messrs. D. Davies and Sons. Some fifty men,
old workmen, have resolved to take the same step. it ap-
pears that all the men who figured as witnesses in the
recent Ferndale inquest have received notice to leave ;
and the men decline working under the new staff, as they
believe they are unqualified to take any supervisionary part
over a pit so intricate in its workings, and so dangerous
from its formation."

Yesterday, in the chambers of Vice-Chancellor
Jam es,before Mr. Bloxatn,the chief clerk, two summonses were
heard relating to the settlement of the affairs of the Albert
Assurance Company. The applications were to enable the
liquidators to instruct counsel to appear on the winding up
of the affairs of the company. The Chief Clerk said that the
application would be granted. Mr. Muscombe then asked
that some rule might be laid as to the standard to be taken
by the official liquidator in deciding the various claims to be
sent in. The Chief Crerk said if an order was to be made it
must be by the judge.
There was a great Conservative meeting at
Barnsley on Thursday, got up by the ladies; Alderman Cartel
in the chair. The crush for admittance to the tea was
so great that all the guests could not be accommodated
at one time, and had consequently to sit down in
two divisions. Mr. Stanhope spoke, and attributed his
defeat at the last election to the riots in Barnsley, which, he
alleged, enabled Mr. Beaumont to beat him by a few votes.
Captain Clai ke expressed his conviction that at the next
election Mr. Stanhope would be returned as one of the re-
presentatives of the division.
There are now six candidates before the electors of
the borough of Southwark, for the seat about to be vacated
by Mr. Layard. The Liberals have two candidates—Sir
S. Waterlow and Mr Henry Labouchere, both of whom
have begun an active canvas. The Radical party have
put forward Mr. Dresser Rogers, the member for Camber-
well Vestry at the Metropolitan Board of Works; the Secu'
larists have started Mr. Chas. Bradlaugh, with whose name
the borough is well placarded ; while Mr. Odger will come
forward as the candidate for the Labour Represen-
tation League. The Conservative party are actively can-
vassing for Mr. Morgan Howard, who, it is stated, has
secured the support .-the licensed victualling interest.
TIE MALTON TRAINING GROUNDS.—We are authorised
to contradict the rumour that Langton Wold will shortly
be ploughed up. Mr. John Scott, of Whitewall, is the sole
lessee and tenant of the Wold, and we understand he has
not even heard thst such a proceeding is in contemplation.
t gives us much pleasure to make this statement, as the
rumour was calculated to injuriously affect the interests
of the Malton trainers. ,

STEEPLECHASE FORFFIT LlST.—Dand)'s forfeit has been
paid.
Studious (2 yrs) was sold at Liverpool to Mr. J. Milling
for a "twiner."
ADDITIONAL RACING FIXTURES FOR 1870. Sutton Park
Summer, July 5 and G ; Lichfield Summer, Aug. 16 and
17 ; Lanark, Sept. 29 and N.
MEPHISTOPHELES. —This horse, once a great favourite
for the City and Suburban, has been purchased by George
Waddington, the steeplechase jockey, for 75 guineas.
BLUE GOWN.— This celebrated horse is again in the sale
list, his price being fixed at X 5,000.