The Sun.
London, England, 1869-05-21 00:00:00

TEE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 21, 1869,

111,tir1;1 L4,\EHU,S NE IPS.

The writer thinks" it is no wonder if such speeches
as Bishop Thirlwall's, and several others, makes
Radicals of us all." Tho alternative seems to be
between dignified and useful bishops ; and though
their lordships may prefer the first, the laity prefer the
second. The laity would even welcome the exclusion
of the bishops from the HouSe of Lords, if that would
make them more available for their dioceses.

India, there has been some little confusion about the rules
of precedence at the Viceregal parties. These and all
other blunders form topics of plentiful discussion in a
country like India, where the ladies have so much idle
time.

The Keble College is now nearly completed. The
principalship was offered to Mr. Liddon, but he declined
it on the ground that his acceptance of the office might be
supposed to identify the college too much with one party.
This is the more self-denying upon Mr. Liddon's part,
because he has been a very large contributor to the cost
of erecting the college. Recently he has inherited a con-
siderable sum of money, and has devoted no small portion
of it to the institution whose well-being he has so much at
heart.

In spite of the comparatively small success which
attended the efforts made to decorate and beautify
St. Paul's Cathedral during the lifetime of Dean Milman,
a fresh attempt is to be made with the sanction of Dean
Alansel. It is not very creditable to the inhabitants of
the richest city in the world that they should have let
their cathedral remain for 150 years in its present state,
so far short of its architect's intention. City men, how-
ever, rarely enter the cathedral. It is the country cousins
who most frequent it, and they are not always the most
devout of visitors. Recently there was a rush of persons
leaving the building as soon as the anthem was over.
Canon Gregory, who had in the meanwhile ascended the
pulpit, spoke some very plain words to the people, and
told them that that was not a concert-room but the house
of God. A few of them, abashed by his rebuke, remained
for the sermon.

For many years past an attempt has been made
to widen the most frequented and one of the most
narrow thoroughfares in London, but until now
the attempt has been unsuccessful. There is still every
day an almost permanent block of cabs and 'busses in the
Poultry. Thus at the very heart of the capital there is a
congestion which is really dangerous, not to say most
annoying. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have for a
long time stood in the way of any improvement, but at
last, to the great delight of all concerned, the Bishop of
London has sent word that he will not be an obstacle to a
work of great public utility, and will sell the necessary
frontage before St. Mildred's Church for £4,000. This
sum the Corporation are willing to give, so that we may
expect a change for the better very shortly.
The battle about the law courts is still being waged with
fierceness in the newspapers. Mr. Lowe and Mr. Layard
have just received a powerful ally in the person of Sir
Charles Trevelyan, who, after advocating the Embank-
ment site in opposition to that at Carey-street, has
abandoned his project in favour of the Government plan.
As Sir Charles is the chief author of the agitation against
Carey-street, this alliance is the more valuable to the
Government. But they will have a sharp battle to fight,
none the less because it is intimated that some jobbers are
very anxious to get hold of the waste near Temple Bar,
and erect offices for lawyers thereon. This accusation
was sure to be made, even if there were no foundation for
it. Parliament is suspicious of jobs, which is not alto-
gether surprising, seeing how many of its members have
been connected with "financing." There is, indeed, at
this moment a rumour that certain prominent M.P.'s
have been doing a little in this way, and it has even been
intimated that we shall shortly see some right honourables
called to account.

The Patriotic Fund is just now the scandal of the day.
Many months ago I called attention to the mismanage-
ment which prevailed with respect to this fund. It is now
admitted that there has been something more than mis-
management in one of the institutions connected there-
with, that there has been actual malversation. But this
is the least serious feature. The really grave fact is that
the•persons for whom the fund was intended are getting a
most miserable disproportion of the money provided for
them, while it is being spent in the most extravagant way
on such institutions as the School at Wandsworth. Every
effort is being made to keep the true state of things from
Parliament ; but Mr. Locke King (who has given notice
of inquiry into the matter) is not a man to be easily
deterred from his purpose. It is only to be regretted that
the affair was not investigated eighteen months ago.
There is rather a good story told of Patti. I beg her
pardon, the Marchioness de Caux. It is the etiquette
when public singers are spending the evening out not to
ask them to sing, unless their services are regularly
engaged. On one such occasion the guests,
hoping to hear the prima donna for nothing, pressed her
to give them one piece. She refused steadfastly for some
time ; but after a while, the pressure being great, she
rose, went to the piano, and gratified her petitioners.
They were enchanted ; would she favour them again ?
She no longer hesitated, but gave three or four songs, and
everybody, especially the hostess, was delighted. The
next morning this satisfaction was somewhat damped by
receiving a little note containing a charge of £l2O. After
this your readers may form some idea of the cost of such a
concert as that which Lady Dashwood gave last night to
some 300 guests, in Grosvenor square, and at which
sNanilg.sson, Gardoni, Sant:cy, and other leading vocalists.

Rossini's " Messe Solennelle " was performed in England
for the first time yesterday. It was the composer's last
work. In fact, it is almost the only work which he wrote
during the long interval of nearly forty years between the
production of " Guillaume Tell " and his death. The chief
singers, were 'Miens, Mongini, Santley, and Scalclii.
'There are fine passages in the Mass, but the general ver-
dict.seems to be that the work will not add to Rossini's
reputation, that, in fact, it is not really sacred music at
all, for every one of the airs might be set to secular words
without disadvantage. Many of these airs are very
beautiful.
An American visitor has just arrived in this country, who
Is, sure to be well received. Mr. Charles Leland, author of
, Hans Breitmann's Ballads," left New York on the Ist
for England. Mr. Leland, who is a journalist by profes-
sion, intends taking a holiday of one or two years. M.
L edru-Rollin, the well-known French Republican, is living
in St. John's-wood. His former colleague, M. Louis
Blanc, is, I believe, now residing at Brighton. M.
Esquiros, after remaining with us for many years, returns
to France.
Of literary news, the most important fact is the
announcement that the Poet Laureate has a new volume
ready, all except the title. But surely Alfred Tennyson
need not be particular about that. The public would be
sure to buy his volume, even though be called it
"Heautontimoromenos." A popular edition of Mr. Hep-
worth Dixon's " New America" has just been brought
out, making the extraordinary number of forty editions
in less than two years. Mr. Percy Fitzgerald, author of
the " Life of Sterne," is bringing out a new novel called
" The Fatal Zero." Mr. Morris, whose poem, " Jason," has
had such a remarkable success, has joined with Mr. Mag-
nusson, translator of " Legends of Iceland," in translating an
Icelandic tale, Grettir the Strong." Rivingtons are about
to republish Newman's " Sermons on Subjects of the
Day," in continuation of the series of parochial sermons.
Messrs. Groombridge have just published the first part
of " Our Rural Churches," by Sidney Corner, with
painted illustrations. Dr. Page, the author of well-known
students' manuals, has just written another, entitled
" Chips and Chapters : a Book for Amateurs and Young
Geologists." Mr. Donald Mitchell and Mrs. Beecher Stowe
have started a new weekly magazine, d eth and
Home.' On the day that Victor Hugo's new novel,
" L'Homme Qui Bit," was published in Paris, the follow-
ing translations appeared :—Three in English, viz., one
in London and one at Leipsic, and the other in New
York ; one in German, at Berlin ; four in Spanish, viz.,
two in Madrid, one at the Havannab, and one in
Paris ; two in Portuguese, viz., one in Lisbon,
and the other at Rio Janeiro ; one in Rus-
sian, at St. Petersburg ; one in Polish, at Warsaw ;
, one in Dutch, at Rotterdam ; and two in Greek, viz., one
at Athens, and the other at Constantinople ; one in
Hungarian, at Pesth ; one in Swedish, at Stockholm; and
one in Czechian language, at Prague. Finally, there is
some talk among certain literary Conservatives of getting up
an opposition
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The opplsition exhibition to the Royal Academy opens
early in June, at 25, Old Bond•street, and will remain
open until August 31. The committee includes several
well-known names. Among them are Mr. Solly, Mr.
Dutton Cook, Mr. Mark Lemon, Mr. Foley, Mr. G. A
Sala, Mr. Walter Thornbury, Mr. Hollingshead, Mr:
Walter Severn, Mr. Edwin Pettitt, Mr. F. Smallfield,
and Mr. Henry Weekes. On the whole literature is
more strongly represented than art. Mr. Moy Thomas is
acting as secretary.

Two 100-pounder steel muzzle-loading guns and
two 6-pounder breech-loading steel guns, manufac-
tured by Messrs. J. Vavaseur and Co., of the Lon-
don Ordnance Works, Southwark, were success-
fully proved yesterday at the proof butt, Royal
Arsenal, Woolwich, with the ordinary proof
charges, Major-General C. 11. Burnaby, Royal
Artillery, being present on the part of the firm.
These guns are intended to form part of the arma-
ment which will be supplied to the Japanese cor-
vette lho-Iho-Maree, now building at Aberdeen.

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falling off. It prevents baldness. It promotes luxuriant growth;
it causes the Hair to grow thick and strong. It removes all
dandruff. It contains neither oil nor dye. In larg3 Bottles
Price Six Shillings. Sold by most Chemists and Perfumers.
Depot 2CG, High Holborn.

NEW UNCOMMERCIAL SAMPLES.

A FLY-LEAF IN A LIFE.

Once upon a time (no matter when), I was en-
gaged in a pursuit (no matter what), which could
be transacted by myself alone ; in which I could
have no help; which imposed a constant strai❑ on
the attention, memory, observation, and physical
powers ; and which involved an almost fabulous
amount of change of place and rapid railway tra-
velling. I had followed this pursuit through an ex-
ceptionallytrying winter in an always trying climate,
and had resumed it in England after but a brief re-
pose. Then it came to be prolongel until, at length,
and as it seemed all of a sudden, it so wore me out
that I could not rely, with my usual cheerful confi-
dence, upon myself to achieve thc constantly re-
curring task, and began to feel (for the first time
in my life) giddy, jarred, shaken, faint, uncertain
of voice and sight and tread and touch, and dull of
spirit. The medical advice I sought within a few
hours, was given in two words : " Instant rest.'
Being accustomed to observe myself as curiously as
if I were another man, and knowing the advice to
meet my only need, I instantly halted in the pur-
suit of which I speak, and rested. My int ea tion
was, to interpose, as it were, a fly-leaf in the book
of my life, in which nothing should be written
from without for a brief season of a few weeks.
But some very singular experiences recorded them-
selves on this same fly-leaf, and I am going to re-
late them literally. I repeat the word : literally.
My first odd experience was of the remarkable coin-
cidence between my case, in the general mind, and
one Mr. Merdle's as I find it recorded in a work
of fiction called 4, Little Dorrit." To be sure, Mr.
Merdle was a swindler, forger, and thief, and my
calling had been of a less harmful (and less remu-
nerative) nature ; but it was all one for that. Here
is Mr. Merdle's case : "At first, he was dead of all
the diseases that ever were known, and of several
bran new maladies invented with the speed
of Light to meet the demand of the occasion.
lie had concealed a dropsy from infancy, he
had inherited a large estate of water on the
chest from his grandfather, he had had an operation
performed upon him every morning of his life for
18 years, he had been subject to the explosion of
important veins in his body after the manner of
fireworks, he had had something the matter with
his lungs, he had had something the matter with his
heart, he had had something the matter with his
brain. Five hundred people who sat down to break-
fast entirely uninformed on the whole sul)ject, be-
lieved before they had done breakfast, that they pri-
vately and personally knew Physician to Lave said
to Mr. Merdle, " You must expect to go out, some
day, like the snuff of a candle ;" and that they
knew Mr. Merdle to have said to Physician, " A
man can die but once." By about 11 o'clock in the
forenoon, something the matter with the brain,
became the favourite theory against the field ; and
by twelve the something had been distinctly ascer-
tained to be ' Pressure.' Pressure was so entirely
satisfactory to the public mind, and seemed to make
every one so comforts :e, that it might have lasted
all day but for Bars having taken the real state of

the case into Court at half-past nine. Pressure,
however, so far from being overthrown by the
discovery, became a greater favourite than
ever. There was a general moralising upon
Pressure, in every street. All the people who
had tried to make money and had not been able
to do it said, There you were ! •You no sooner
began to devote yourself to the pursuit of wealth,
than you got Pressure. The idle people improved

the occasion in a similar manner. See, said they,
what you brought yourself to by work, work, work !
You persisted in working, you overdid it. Pressure
came on, and you were done for ! This considera-
tion was very potent in many quarters, but nowhere
More so than among the young clerks and partners
who had never been in the slightest danger of
overdoing it. These, one au•d all declared, quite
piously, that they hoped they would never forget
the warning as long as they lived, and that their con-
duct might be so regula•ed as to keep off Pressure,
and preserve them, a comfort to their friends, for
many years." Just my case—if 1 !tad only known it
—when I was quietly basking in the sunshine in my
Kentish meadow ! But while lso rested, thankfully
recovering every hour, I had experiences more odd

than this. I had experiences of spiritual conceit, for
which, as giving me a new warning against that
curse of mankind, I shall always feel grateful to
the supposition that I was too far gone to prott.st
against playing sick lion to any stray donkey with
an itching hoof. All sorts of people seamed to be-
come vicariously religious at my expense. I received
the most uncompromising warning that I was a
Heathen ; on the conclusive authority of a field
preacher, who, like the most of his ignorant and
vain and daring class, could not construct a toler-
able sentence in his native tongue or pen a fair letter.
This inspired individual called me to order roundly,
and knew in the freest and easiest way where I
was going to, and what would become of me if
I failed to fashion myself on his bright example, and
was on terms of blasphemous confidence with the
Heavenly Host. lie was in the secrets of my
heart, and in the lowest soundings of my soul—he !
--and could read the depths of my nature better
than his A B C, and could turn me inside out, like
his own clammy glove. But what is far more ex-
traordinary than this--for such dirty water as this
could alone be drawn from such a shallow and
muddy source—l found from the information
of a beneficed clergyman, of whom I never
heard and whom I never saw, that I had
not, as I retina. supposed I had, lived a life of
some reading, contemplation, and inquiry ; that
I had not studied, as I rather supposed, to
inculcate some Christian lessons in books ; that I
had never tried, as I rather supposed I had, to turn
a child or two tenderly towards the knowledge and
love of our Saviour; that I had never had, as I
rather supposed I had had, departed friends, or
stood beside open graves ; but that I had lived a life
of " uninterrupted prosperity," and that I needed
this " check, overmuch," and that the way to

turn it to account was to read these sermons and
these poems, enclosed, and written and issued by
my correspondent ! I beg it may be understood
that I relate facts of my own uncommerical expe-
rience, and no vain imaginings. The documents in
proof lie near my hand. Another odd entry on the
fly-leaf, of a more entertaining character, was the
wonderful persistency with which kind sympathisers
assumed that I had injuriously coupled with the so
suddenly relinquished pursuits, those personal
habits of mine most obviously incompatible with
it, and most plainly impossible of being main-
tained, along with it. As, all that exercise, all that
cold bathing, all that wind and weather, all that
uphill training—all that everything else, say,
which is usually carried about by express trains in
a portmanteau and hat-box, and partaken of under
a flaming row of gaslights in the company of, two
thousand people. This assuming of a whole case
against all fact and likelihood, struck me as parti-
cularly droll, and was an oddity of which I cer-
tainly had had no adequate experience in life until
I turned that curious fly-leaf. My old acquaint-
ances the begging-letter writers came out on the
fly-leaf, very piously indeed. They were glad, at
such a serious crisis, to afford another opportunity
of sending that Post-office order. I needn't make it
a pound, aspreviously insisted on; ten shillings might
ease my mind. And heaven forbid that they should
refuse, at such an insignificant figure, to take a
weight off the memory of an erring fellow-
creature ! One gentleman, of an artistic turn (and
copiously illustrating the books of the Mendicity
Society), thought it might soothe my conscienc.! in
the tender respect of gifts misused, if I would im-
mediately cash up in aid of his lowly talent for
original design—as a specimen of which he enclosed
me a work of art which I recognised as a tracing
from a woodcut originally published in the late
Mrs. Trollope's book on America, forty or fifty
years ago. The number of people who were pre-
pared to live long years after me, untiring benefac-
tors to their species, for fifty pounds a piece d .wn,
was astonishing. Also, of those who wanted bank

note 3 for stiff penitential amounts, to give away :
not to keep, on acy account. Divers wonderful
medicines and machines iniiinuated recommenda-
tions of themselves into the fly-leaf that was to
have been so blank. It was specially obseivable