The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-20 00:00:00

THE 8171N1 I,Ol'lOON. WEDNESDAY KVENIN ei FEBRUARY 20 1856.

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L ITERATUR E.

linsiness
this day.

Our Own Story. By Selina Millbury. Author of
" Life in Sweden." 3 Vols. Hdrst and Blackett.
This work niay lay claim to the merits of origi-
nality of plot, and great diversity of scene and cha-
racter. It opens in a secluded part of Ireland,
and leads us to Dublin, Brighton, the Pyrenees, to
several parts of England, and finally, with a glance
at the tropical regions of India, leaves us in the
Modern Babylon. The events of the heroine's
life present nearly as many changes. We find her
the child of wealthy parents, brought up to all the
luxuries of life, and surrounded by a loving circle,
and the turn of Fortune's wheel brings her before
the close of the tale to poverty and isolation. Her
biographer, however, is too merciful to leave her
in such a position, though the conclusion of the
story is not quite satisfactory either in the matter
or the manner. After all the years of separation
and expectation, the meeting of Magdalene with
her early lover is attended with so many awkward
circumstances, and so many drawbacks, that the
reader becomes quite bewildered, and can scarcely
be persuaded that Walter Greville has indeed re-
mained constant to the memory of his early affec-
tion. Surely it would have been enough for
him to have returned a widower or fet-
tered by another engagement ; but both toge-
ther are too much even for romance. The
fact of his first marriage is quite unnecessary, and
answers no purpose in the story. It would have
been much better omitted. The first volume is the
most interesting and pleasingly told. When the
reader has passed the commencement, in which
there are too many general reflections, he will find
himself in the most attractive portion of the work.
There are several parts of the subsequent volumes
worthy of commendation, and the gradual isolation
of Magdalene, as death deprives her of one cherished
treasure after another, is told with feeling and
skill. The great attachment of her life is Basil,
her twin-brother. He has always wished to enter
the Church, and her efforts enable him still to
fulfil his wishes, even after their pecuniary losses.
But he does not find the peace and happiness he
expected in his life, for he meets with enemies and
cavillers ; all he does is misrepresented, all he says
is misunderstood. At length continual harass of
mind and fatigue prove fatal to him, and his sister
is left desolate ; the loving mother, for whom she
surrendered her early affections, having died some
time before. We cannot help regretting, however,
that the writer should have given us so much of
theological differences. What with the religious
society in the town where they reside at first, and
with the violent sectarians among whom they after-
wards live, and, finally, with the furious contro-
versialists whose persecutions wear out her
brother's strength, the book is full of it.
The author does not - take any decided
part herself, at least as far as we can
can discover she upholds the principles of the Eng-
lish Church ; nor does she set forward any particu-
lar argument or doctrine, but she gives us so many
dissenting characters, and so many sectarian spirits,
that the whole book seems pervaded by a contro-
versialist tone. This can be productive of little
profit, as few of such rigid individuals would read
a novel, in the first place ; and if they did, we very
much question if it would convert them from their
uncharitable opinions. We do not think, either,
that the pleasure is much greater than the profit.
Magdalene herself is a charming character, and
speedily secures the reader's interest. The story
would have borne a little condensing. Miss Bun-
bury, we should conjecture, though previously an
authoress, is unaccustomed to this style of writing,
and is therefore-not-aware hew much a novel gains
by a little more vividness and brevity in the style.
If it is a first attempt, however, it is a very pro-
mising one, and we may be encouraged to hope
that, if she will leave out a few pages of reflections,
if she will not make her hero a widower, and,
above all, if she will let Dissenters alone, the
authoress of "Our Own Story" will give us many
meritorious works of fiction.

Bulkiness done
this day.

Improved Method of Raising Sunken Ships. By
W. Orchard. Plymouth : J. and H. Smith.

Mr. Orchard is employed in her Majesty's Dock-
yard, Devonport, and this brochure is published
with tie sinction-(whatever that may imply) of the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. What
may, however, operate still more in his favour. is
the fact that leis improved method was successfully
employed, in th 3 first instance, in raising the barque
Roslin Castle, which a while back sank in Stone-
house Pool. The inventor claims for his process a

decided superiority over every other in simplicity
of design and general applicability. No divers, we
are told, are required—nothing out of the way and
difficult to procure ; and once slung the vessel can-
not possibly upset. The raising is effected by chain
sweeps with jewel rings, (tic., which, being attached
to two brigs and two lighters, stem and stern, aro
ingeniously let down so as to encompass the vessel
horizontally. The windlass, or other motive power,
is then set at work, the ship is fairly grappled, next
lifted, and finally brought to the surface. So far
as we can judge the process is both simple, econo
mical, and effective, and reflects much credit on
the inventor, who, we understand, is a working
man. It is necessary, however, that the diagrams
illustrating the invention should be seen fully to
appreciate its merits ; and we have therefore much
pleasure in calling the attention of our naval and
seafaring readers to the pamphlet, in which will be
found diagrams, &c., in abundance. The process,
it will be seen, may be rendered applicable to ves-
sels of the heaviest weights.

Practical Observations on _Health and Long Life.

By E. Epps. Piper, Stephenson, and Spence.
The most practical remark we can make on these
observations is—don't read them if you have a
regard either for your health or your longevity.
They are consumedly dull at best, one-half com-
mon-place and t'othor balderdash. The author,
E. Epps, takes for his motto "score vere est scire
per causes, which, freely translated, means "if you
wish to know what any one is up to, in any parti-
.cular act, ascertain what he wants." We have
tried to do so in relation to the appearance of the
book ibefore us, and the conclusion we have arrived
at is that the author wished to give himself and
the Eppses a lift, and straightway penned "Prac-
tical Observations," &c., by way of advertisement,
for an advertisement the book is and no more, a
long-winded, and by no means clever, puff. What
E. Epps is by trade or profession we don't know,
and, consequently, can't tell ; what G. N. Epps
and James Epps aro E. Epps takes care to inform
us, as he does to trumpet the fame of Dr. Epps, who,
we take for granted, has got a diploma. Ignorant,
however, though we be as to the trade or profession
of E. Epps we are not left in the dark as to his
views on medical matters, on monthly nurses,
temper, and religion. E. Epps—indeed we should
fancy all the Eppses—isa homoeopathist of the stric-
ter sort, holding allopathy in disgust, and denounc-
ing all tamperers with it. Somewhat addicted to
hydropathy—which, unlike allopathy, may judi-
ciously, in his opinion, be diluted, we suppose on
the infinitesimal principle, with homwpathy—and
very much given to play the part of Providence to
the Eppses. Bine illce observationcs laboriously
collected, or mistily invented, and stupidly put
together—the whole, as we can vouch, notwith-
standing the Eppsian galaxy with which it is studded,
being very dull and dreary to peruse. Chapter I.
has the merit of practically disproving the similia
simitibus curantur theory, the author's obfuscation
being infallible for obfuscating still further the
dullest reader. In Chapter 11. the bewildered
reader is carried away in " The Search for Truth,"
which, lying at the bottom of a well, will account
for the author's bathos when he comes, in Chapter
111., to " The Study of Mind," which somehow
involves a belief in Hahnemann and a padlock on
one's doors to keep out the "agents of death ;" in
other words, the Allopathists. Next facie de-
scensus averni, the reader is precipitated headlong
on " Medicine," which is the subject of Chapter V.,
and by which, of course, is meant homoeopathy.
This system, we are told, " presents science, order,
fitness, without forms of distinction and of death ;
economises life ; never trifles with it ; and gives to
nature every chance to carry on its operations."
Science, order, fitness ! Well, perhaps E. Epps is
right—the science of getting a living out of the
public fit for the Eppses in their regular order ;
but as to having " no forms of destruction, econo-
mising life, and never trifling with it," that is un-
true, if the perusal of this work and the pon-
derous tomes on the subject sold by James Epps
is part of it, for that is mortal. As to " giving
nature every chance to carry on her operations"—
it may be so, barring the books—and if so, in the
opinion of many that is the best that can be said
for Homoeopathy—it leaves nature to fight her own
battle, and takes the credit if she wins. From Ho-
moeopathy to Homoeopathist the transition is easy
and not ungrateful, for in the medical attendant
capable of commanding confidence, and that can be
relied on "next to God"---shall not Dr. Epps, whose
works are sold by J. Epps, be unmistakeably
adumbrated ; and shall G. N. Epps, the skilful
surgeon, with his " important" strictures
cr o unrecognised. Medicine leads to Diet,
which of course involves a recommendation of
homoeopathic cocoa, which we take for granted is
kept constantly on hand for sale by J. Epp,.
Diet leads to nurses, a subject which is so pro-
foundly treated that the author forgets to re-
commend any of the female members of the race of
Eops. Cleanliness (Chap. VII.) naturally leads to
Religion (Chap. VIII.), which is somewhat infini-
tesimally indicated for the sick, and altogether is
treated after a fashion likely enough to try the
4‘ Temper" of zealous religionists, and unfit them

for an unbiassed consideration of Chap. IX. The
author, however, knowing " that Satan still has
work for idle hands to do," plunges into a discussion
or "Work" (Chap. X.), at the termination of which
he compassionately treats on " Play" (Chap. X E.),
a chapter of" Concluding Remarks," making up a
round dozen of chapters—had it been a baker's
dozen we could not possibly have survived the in-
fliction—and completing the work, which, for a
wonder, is neither printed nor published by an
Epps. And for this trashy stuff E. Epps has the
conscience to ask ls. 61 Why, Morrison and
Holloway give theirs away, and are only too glad
to have them read. Homoeopathists, however, we
are told, do not stick at trifles.

THE LOCAL DUES ON SHIPPING BILL,

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday a special Court was held for the purpose of
receiving and acting upon the report of the Consolidated
Committee on the Local Dues on Shipping Bill in Par-
liament. Although the notice was extremely shert,
there was a large attendance of members, and the benches
of the aldermen indicated that the subject was consi-
dered to be one of great importance to the corporation.
Mr. WOODTHORP, the clerk of the court, read the fol-
lowing report, which was received with cheers :
" We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, of your
Consolidated Committee, to Nelsons, on the 14th inst., it
was referred to consider a bill for the abolition of passing
tolls and the regulation of local dues on shipping, and
report thereon, do certify that, Mr. Remembrancer
having laid the said bill before us, we proceeded to con-
sider the same, and find that it proposes to deprive mu-
nicipal corporations and other incorporated bodies of
the revenue which they derive from dues on shipping
and on goods carried in ships, without any compensation
or equivalent, notwithstanding the right to create such
dues and customs was an undoubted part of the preroga-
tive of the Crown, and that they were purehased by or
granted to the present possessors with every security that
can give validity to a purchase or grant, and that they have
been repeatedly declared to be the property of the bodies
which have so long possessed them by the highest courts of
judicature in the kingdom; that it also proposes to appor-
tion existing mortgagee and charges on such tolls, dues, or
customs upon dues on shipping, or goods carried in ships,
and the other property of such corporations, with power
as to the latter portion, if need be, to enforce the levy-
ing of rates upon the inhabitants for payment; that it is
also proposed by the said bill to deprive many municipal
corporations and other local bodies of the right to receive
the tolls or dues on ships or goods carried in ships which
they at present collect under the authority of numerous
acts of Parliament, and to transfer the management and
control of the dues on shipping and goods carried in ships
from the local authorities in many of the principal ports
of the United Kingdom to the Board of Trade. The
bill also proposes to authorise her Majesty in Council to
abolish all or any of such tolls or dues. That your com-
mittee consider that such tolls, dues, or customs, held
by municipal corporations on the faith of Royal charters
and grants of ancient date, and enjoyed by a long suc-
cession of their ancestors without any dispute or denial,
are property to which they Are legally entitled, and that
lip to the present time all lauds or possessions compul-
sorily taken on the grounds of public good have been
fully compensated for and ample security afforded that
the compensation should be just and equitable. That
your committee feel it to be their bounden duty to re-
commend your hon. court to protest in the strongest
manner against such an innovation, and to empower
your committee to oppose the said bill, in order to pre-
vent the recognition of a principle fraught with danger
to all property.
" That your committee have directed Mr. Remem-
brancer to prepare the draught of a petition to the hon.
the House of Commons against the said bill, which your
committee have approved, and recommend the petition
to your hon. Court fur adoption.
" JOHN WOOD " D. R. M‘LaurGHLAN
" T. FARNOONIB " D. CORK
" J. DE JERSEY " W. S. HALE
" H. BLAKE " E. Hour
" E. IlleissoN " R. H. KENNEDY
" T. H. HALL " J. PARKER
" H. L. TAYLOR " T. CORNET
" B. BOWER " T. DAKIN
" W. GRESHAM " E CONDOR
" J. CAUSTON " P. LAURIE
" W. BATHBONE " W. Curarr."

Mr. WOOD (chairman of the committee), in moving
that the report be agreed to, said there was never an oc-
casion on which it was more necessary to call the
members together fur the purpose of opposing an injuri-
ous principle. (Loud cries of "Hear, hear.") It was not
because the Corporation of London was not touched by
the obnoxious bill that they ought not to feel they were
called upon to act for their brethren in Dover and Liver-
pool and other towns which would be affected by its ope-
ration. The committee looked at the bill calmly and dis-
passionately, and they found that the non-compensating
principle was its Frominent feature, and then came to

the unanimous clnclusion that it should receive tLe most
vigorous oppw.ition. (Rear.)

Deputy LOTT felt great pleasure in seconding the mo-
tion. If ever a time occurred in which the energies of
the citizens of London ought to be displayed in defence
of their rights and privileges, the present supplied the
occasion, and if they did not resolutely stand forward
and immediately act in opposition to the bill their doom
was sealed, for it went directly to the confiscation of
private property, without grant,ng compensation for the
ijury; and the next step the Government would take
would ha the confiscation of the property of the Cor-
poration of London. (Hear.) Then would follow the
confiscation of the property of the various companies,
and, last of all, as au inevitable consequence, the confis-
cation of the property of individuals. (Cheers.) Against
such a calamity he called upon the corporation to con-
tend, for the protection of their fellow-citizens, and he
hoped to find every hand held up in favour of the
struggle,

Mr. VALLA.NCE said if it was the object of this bill to
relieve the shipping interests of the country from op-
pressive charges he would be the first to give it his sup-
port, provided it sought to accomplish its purpose by
just and legitimate means ; but in its present form the
uill was one of spoliation ; it sought to confiscate the
revenues of corporations, which were as sacred in the e3e
of the law as the estates of private individuals. Tue
mover of the bill bad actually referred to the town dues
of Liverpool as the proper subjects of confiscation,
whereas no man possessed of property could produce a
fairer legal title than the corporation of Liverpool cou:d
show for these tolls. The contract deeds, the foundation
of their title to the very tolls and dues which this bill
proposed t) confiscate, constituted a portion of the pro-
perty transferred to the corp nation of London by what
was termed the royal contract. by Charles 11., to s ,ctie
the repayment of 230 0001. which the citizens had lent
to King James, and 139,000/., a furth r sum, lent to
King Charles upon the execution of the mortgafre, by
which lands, manors, lordships, fairs, market toire, aid
port dues, pert of the le relitary revenues of the Crown,
had been assigned over, %%VI powers of sale to repay
the e advances. The Liverpool town dues at tie date
of the contract were on lease to Sir Richard Molyneux,
at a rent of 141., and were purchased from the corpora-
tion of London in 1083 by Mr Farakerly, and sub,e-
quently sold by him to the town of Liverpo )i. The
consideration paid by Mr. Farakerly for the pureleise
was 450/., which, although a trifling sum if measured by
the present revenues of the port, was a large amount at
a time when the rent paid was only 14/., and Liverpool
was a place of no consideration. Some of the first fa
milies in this kingdom held properties cony, yed by this
very contract deed, and had no other title but that
which the corporation of Liverpool possessed. The rd
vocates for this bill, who would seize the property of
corporations upon the pretext that it might have
been obtained from improvident monarchs, did not
so apply this rule when dealing with`grants to indivi-
duals obtained by means which might have been liable to
some exception. When the Duke of Grafton, the grantee
of one of Charles ll.'s patents to tax all wines imported
into the kingdom under the name of " prisage" and
" butlerage," was required, for the benefit of commerce,
to surrender his patent, the Legislature secured to the
heirs male of the first duke an-annuity in perpetuity of
.7,000/. a-year, charged upon the consolidated fund,
being the annual average revenue of the patent rights.
(Cheers.) Feeling that this bill was the first measure
ever introduced into the English Parliament in which
the confiscation of property had been openly avowed, he
trusted this court would unite with other bodies engaged
in the opposition. (Cheers.)
Mr. T. E. HALL would ask the members of the court
to support the motion. He was quite sure that the way
in which the report was drawn up was unexceptionable.
That corporation possessed property to a considerable
amount ; but that property they held solely for the
benefit of their fellow-citizens. He held it to be a right
for them to interfere in a question like the one before
them. It was not their desire in doing so to stop ship-
ping, but as matters altered and changedtoimphreovethe
system of administration, and such a course
consi-
dered to be necessary. (Hear.) He would not sign
a any
petition which merely sought for party rights, but
t. he
would sign one which aimed, as the prop Hose nsbl
cwonidefeorreed
thatth e the he Localdid,
attheDpuuesbloicn gsohoidp.pin(gHßesilri enacted a mons-
trous trons evil, as it proposed the taking away of rights long
purchased, and did not propose to grant the smallest
amount of compensation. He wished it to be distinctly
understood that the question of reform of the corpora-
tion and the bill before them were separate, and any op-
position they might make to that bill was not intended
in the slightest degree to interfere with the progress of
reform.
DAKIN observed that, though he did not agree
h
ywhole of the bill, still he considered it to be a
wipte the
etpth
large and excellent measure ; and therefore be thought
that, while that corporation opposed wrongdoing, they
would consider the case honestly and fairly. He con-
sidered the exemption of certain bodies from the opera-
tion of the bill was based upon a sound principle—
namely, that in cases in which essential services were
proved to be rendered to the public, the dues were not
to be interfered with. The bill, in fact, proposed inter
ferance only in cases where large duties and services
were rendered, but where no such services were required
he thought such a system ought to cease.
Mx. ROWE approved the bill. He thought it was right
for the Government to interfere in the matter, inasmuch
as it was the fact that, though the dues last year at
Liverpool amounted to 1,095,000/., but a comparatively
small sum was spent in the improvement of the shipping
and the navigation generally, while the remainder,
several thousand pounds, went into the borough funds.
The most exorbitant sums were paid for lightening ves-
sels of their cargoes. It was his deliberate opinion that
one of the chief reasons why the Government had inter-
fered was because the corporation of Liverpool bad in-
' eisted upon fees, and therefore ho hoped that the corpo-