The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-29 00:00:00

A SEEMINGLY IrARD CASE.

The case of Colonel Boxer, the late superintendent
of the royal laboratory at Woolwich, seems a
hal.' one. He has been compelled to resign
for having professional relations with, and receiving
money from, private firms. With the facts before
us it would seem as if Mr. Cardwell's prede-
cessor in office had not merely sanctioned, but actually
suggested the very course, for taking which the
Colonel is now called upon to give up his post. For,
in answer to an application made by the Colonel to
be remunerated for his inventions, Sir John Paking-
ton replied :
The modifications you have effectedin small arm ammu-
nition for muzzle-leading rifles; your method of lubri-
cating breeehloading cannon ; your quill friction tubes for
naval service; and your mode of attaching wood bottoms
to shell, are improvements indeed of considerable impor-
tance, but yet they are of such a kind as Sir John Pakington
()molders might fairly be expected to bo made by an officer
occupying the position you hold as Superintendent
of the Royal Laboratory, and therefore as giving no
claim to any gratuity in addition to the emoluments
belonging to your office ; while the other inventions you
have enumerated—viz., your fuzes, breech-loading rifle
ammunition, and Shrapnel shell for rifled ordnance—
having been patented by you, you must, he considers,
look for reward from the royalties or other remuneration
you may receive as a patentee from private manufac-
turers.

Colonel Boxer did determine to recoup himself in
that way. His acceptance of royalties came to the
knowledge of the War Office. Mr. Cardwell de-
manded to be informed whether the rumours were
true. Colonel Boxer replied that the matter was a
private one, and he has therefore been removed. Sir
John Pakington, however, does not apparentlyadmit the construction which is put upon his words,
for he writes to the Times, maintaining the identity
of his own policy with that of Mr. Cardwell's, and
denying that he sanctioned what his successor has
disapproved.
MR. GOSCIIEN AND TILE GUARDIANS.

The President of the Poor-law Board is fond of
dropping in upon workhouse officials to see how
things go on. On Christmas Day Mr. Goschen paid
an unexpected visit to the Marylebone Workhouse.
Several guardians were present, assisting in the
pleasant task of heightening the enjoyment of the
poor, for whose Christmas treat special volun-
tary subscriptions were raised. Mr. Goschen
tasted the fare provided, went through the sick and
infirm wards, and held conversation with many of
the inmates. On leaving he paid the guardians a
high compliment upon their management of the
house. The men of Marylebone deserve this praise,
for they have at all times shown their readiness to
provide what is really necessary for the poor. Mr.
Goschen has been invited by the St. Pancras guar-
dians to look at their arrangements, but he has
declined.

DR. !TEMPLE'S CONFIRMATION.

The statement which elicited the most general and
just indignation in connection with the opposition to
Dr. Temple was made by the Guardian to the
effect that the opposers asked for proof that the
Bishop-Elect was born in holy wedlock. The demand
was truly described as an ungentlemanly breach of
good feeling; and we are glad to note the denial that
it was ever made. Messrs. Moore and Currey, the
proctors for the opposition, state most positively that
no proof was required of the Doctor beyond that ( f
his orthodoxy. There was no suggestion made such
as that referred to.
PROBATION FOR BISHOPS.

The Daily Eews has some noteworthy comments
ou the rule that the junior bishop shall be without a
seat in the House of Lords until a vacancy arise in
another see. This arrangement has been defended
on the ground that the junior is thus enabled
to become in some degree acquainted with
the ecclesiastical requirements of his diocese
before he is called away six months in
the year on his legislative duties. Such
may be the case where -vacancies are few and
comparatively far between; but it is clear that when
several prelates are appointed at once the period of
probation becomes nil. Six new bishops have been
made within five months, and another vacancy has
just occurred. The six prelates already appointed
will enter the House of Lords, whilst the new
Bishop of Manchester will remain out as
junior. "In the case of the Bishop of
Exeter this will be a matter for deep regret in
many parts of that immense See. From end to end
the length of the diocese equals the distance between
Exeter and London-170 miles—and this vast epis-
copal division was for many years administered by a
prelate who was never seen and seldom heard of.
There is ample room for Dr. Temple's energy in the
western counties, whose inhabitants would have been
better pleased had their new bisluT, like Dr. 'Words-
worth at Lincoln, an opportunity ot working amongst
them for twelve months before his call to the House
of Peers."