The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, rHURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 25, 1869.

METROPOLITAN GOSSlP.—Wednesday.

The fourth and concluding night's debate on the Irish
Church was not ushered in by any of the excitement which
had characterised the three previous evenings. Few

strangers were to he witnessed in the lobbies, and fewer
still assembled in Westminster Kali. It was felt on all

sides that the question was exhausted, and that the only
thin j for speculation was as to the exact majority by which
the bill would pass a second reading. Inside the House
members sat listlessly on their seats during the whole of
Mr. Walpole's speech, for that gentleman—even
when in his best form—does not captivate either

side with his eloquence. His tone was sonorous and
grave, and he did not once raise himself out of the dead

level of dullness which he bad chosen. Sir Henry
Bulwer received a hearty welcome from the Liberals, and

if his voice was not so weak he would have made one of

the best second-rate speeches on the Government side of
the House. It was not until he had nearly concluded
that those in the galleries could distinctly hear

what he was saying. For three hours— from seven
to ten—the House was comparatively empty, but at that

hour members began to arrive in quick succession, as it
was generally understood that Mr. Gathorne Hardy would
rise before eleven. When Mr. Moore—who was constantly
interrupted with cries of " 'Vide, 'vide " from the Con-
servatives—sat down, the late Home Secretary began to
sum up the case on behalf of the Opposition. This
was the signal for a chorus of cheers from the
defenders of the Church, which were again and
again repeated during the whole of the right hon.
gentleman's speech. During the time he was
speaking the House presented a brilliant spec-

The Conservative benches were numerous

enough to hold all the members of the Opposition, but the
Liberals were obliged to find seats in the galleries, which

soon became overcrowded. Even at such a late hour the

Peers', Speaker's and Strangers' Galleries were packed,
everybody appearing to feel the deepest interest in the

debate. It was one o'clock before Mr. Gladstone com-

menced to reply. He appeared to be greatly excited,
which, however, did not prevent the free utterance of his

remarks. In dealing with Sir Roundel' Palmer's argu-
ments he was tender and respectful, but when he took up the
different points advanced by the Opposition, he warmed

to his work, and delivered himself of some bitter sar-
casms. Exactly at twenty minutes past two the tremen-

dour cheers which greeted the ,rn.,0h,.;,‘,-..; m...1.,,„1.

announced to the members who were in the refreshment

and smoking-rooms that the hour of the division had

arrived. In a very few seconds the question was put,
amid cheers and counter-cheers ; but although the Con-
servatives attempted to drown the voices of their oppo-

nents, it was evident on which side the largest body of

sound lay. Then came the division. The Conservatives
had all emerged from the House in five minutes, but it took
nearly double that time before the Liberal benches were
empty. In a short time the Noes had all been counted, and a
whisper ran round the House that they numbered 250.
It was not, however, until ten minutes to three that all
the Ministerialists had voted, and then the excitement
was at boiling heat. The tellers having taken their posi-
tion at the table, Mr. Glyn began to read the numbers.
He commenced, " Ayes to the right, three hundred
and -," when, no doubt through excitement, he stam-
mered a little, which prevented his proceeding for about a
second, but which appeared to be a considerable length of
time, judging by the impatience manifested. He
recovered himself, however, almost instantly, and
continued, " sixty-eight. Noes to the left, two
hundred and fifty." Immediately he had concluded the
Liberals set up a tremendous shout, which was again and
again repeated. The Conservatives sat cowed and dumb,
and did not appear to realise the overwhelming defeat.
For fully five minutes did the Liberals continue cheering,
but not a single answer was heard from the Opposition.
The scene in New Palace-yard, as Big Ben boomed forth
the hour of three, reminded one of Regent-street in the
height of the season, but in a quarter of an hour stillness
once more reigned supreme in the Senate House of West-
minster.

And now how will the bill fare in its subsequent stages.

One hundred and eighteen is a very handsome majority.
Few Ministers of late years have had such a splendid
following as that. Is it conceivable that it can be frittered
away in committee ? I cannot believe it. There will

be caves and tea-room parties perhaps ; but 118—that is
a substantial fact—which any number of tea-parties,

which all Adullamy will scarcely be able to overcome.
Moreover, Mr. Gladstone is so strong that he
can afford to make concessions should any consider-
able section of his followers desire any, and should
the concessions they ask seem to him reasonable. A
Minister at the head of a weak party must rigidly repress
the smallest symptom of disaffection ; but a Minister in
Mr. Gladstone's position can be magnanimous and de-
bonnair. Judging from present appearances, however,
the Premier is not at all likely to yield the point
upon which one of the sharpest discussions will take
place—the compensation to Maynooth. He pointed
out very forcibly last night how small was the
proportion of the funds given to the great majority of the
Irish people compared with that given to the small
minority. Mr. Aytoun means to press the matter in the
shape of an instruction to the committee, and it is said
that he has obtained the co-operation of some number of
Scotch members and English Nonconformists. I doubt if
they will compensate for the defection of the High Church
Conservatives, who view Mr. Spofforth's intrigue between
the No-Popery Liberals and the Opposition with extreme
dislike. Another point which report says is to be raised
in committee is the purchase of the tithe-rent charge by
the landlords. But this is scarcely a party question, and
is not likely to afford the Conservatives a point of attack.
The limitation of private endowments to the year 1660
will afford room for some interesting historical informa-
tion, but to scarcely more than that. Then comes the
question, What will the Lords do? As I have mentioned
before, the bishops, advised chiefly by the Bishop of
Oxford, contemplate abstaining from a division on the
second reading of the bill, should any take place, and it is
believed that the majority of them have, after consultation,
recommended that course. This, of course, will not pre-
vent them from " amending" the bill in committee.
Should the right rev. bench decide upon this line of action,
it will amount to something more than the withdrawal of
some two dozen votes from the Opposition ; it will lead
the lay peers to consider if this would not be the wisest
course for them also. " Surely," they may argue, " if the
bishops do not feel themselves called upon to put them-
selves in antagonism to the nation upon a matter which
so closely concerns them, we, whom it much less deeply
interests, may be excused from adopting a course which
will place us in such an invidious and even perilous
position."
There has been a rumour during the week that Earl
Spencer had resigned the Irish Viceroyalty, and political
speculators have been busy at work suggesting reasons for
this action. Conservatives, of course, supposed that his
lordship had left his colleagues because he disapproved of
the liberation of the Fenians. It turns out that the whole
story is a canard incubated and hatched by the Irish Times,
whereof Colonel Knox, the unseated Conservative member
for Sligo, is the proprietor. I have reason to know, however,
that the Countess Spencer, who is one of the queens of
fashion in London, is disgusted at the small attendance
at her Drawing-rooms. Of course the slight is not a per-
sonal one, but is a political demonstration on the part of
the Dublin aristocracy, who are, for the most part, Tory
and Protestant to the backbone, and who resent with the
utmost bitterness the loss of the political and religious
ascendancy which they have so long enjoyed.
While the Irish Church is the prominent question of the
day, there is another, far more important, which is being
quietly pushed forward by able and energetic men who
know what they are about, and have no intention of being
put off by any number of unfavourable answers, by any
amount of cold shoulder. The licensing question will,
before the seventh decade of this century is out, attain
the foremost place among the great political problems of
the day. Your readers are aware that several deputations
have waited upon Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bruce, and other
members of the Government with reference to this matter,
and that the Government has given them no hope of
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view to bringing the question before Parliament in a
practical shape. Yesterday morning a deputation consist-
ing of the following M. P.'s—Mr. Baines, Lord Sandon, Mr.
Bazley, Mr. Jacob Bright, Mr. Samuel Morley, Mr.
Villiers, Mr. Pease, Mr. Candlish, together with Arch-
bishop Manning, and other gentlemen waited upon Sir
George Grey, in order to induce the ex-Home Secretary
to bring in a measure for closing public-houses on the
Sunday. The matter was thoroughly discussed, and it
waz decided that another meeting should be held after the
Easter holidays. Should Sir George Grey decline to
undertake the task, Mr. Villiers will, not improbably, be
induced to do so. Not having been taken into the Cabinet
he has plenty of time on his hands just now. I need hardly
add that when Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Bristol
unite, the subject which they take in hand is not likely to
be allowed to drop.
The splendid new joint-stock palace in Pall Mall, called
the Junior Carlton Club, is all but finished, and will be
opened on April 20. Unfortunately for the members,
they have to leave their present temporary premises in
Regent-street next Wednesday, so that for twenty days
they will be without a local habitation, and that, too,
during just the most active period of the club season.
The new building towers above all the rest in Pall Mall,
and is really a very fine structure. The Carlton, not
wishing to be altogether outshone by its own &and, is
repainting and furbishing just now.
Private letters from India give some details respecting
the new Viceroy, There could scarcely be a greater con.

trast than thee is between Sir John Lawrence and Lord
Mayo. The bte Viceroy was plain, and disliked state
and ceremony the new Viceroy is determined to do the
grand seigneur. He goes to the Opera in Calcutta in full
fig, silk stockings, knee-breeches and all. Those who have
conversed withhim speak highly of his pleasant manners
and powers of conversation. Anglo-Indians generally are
rather glad to lave a governor who has not very decided
views of his onn, but who will be open to receive impres-
sions from peoile in the country. They think that Sir
John Lawrene knew too much and interfered too
frequently in entails. At the same time they admit that
he has made anidmirable ruler, and they especially praise
his self-control in refusing to do " brilliant " things for
the mere sake of brilliancy when there was no room for
them. Lord Mayo made one rather unfortunate mistake
on his arrival, vhich has excited a good deal of laughter,
and given occas.on to the not over scrupulous Indian press
to be sarcastic at his expense. He telegraphed from
Madras to Calcutta, "Secure an interpreter for my
French cook." This shewed forethought, no doubt; but
that the vice-regal mind should be occupied about such
matters on being first brought into contact with a new
country—a couatry which he has to govern—is thought
sufficiently ridiculous. Prince Frederick of Schleswig
Holstein has been visiting the Punjab, and tells some
amusing stories of his adventures in India. On one occa-
sion he was attacked by a Brahmin bull. With a natural
impulse of self-defence, he lifted his stick to strike the
animal. Whereupon the owners of the shop in which the
Prince had taken refuge rushed out indignant at seeing
his Highness, who was only a G erman prince, strike one
of their sacred beasts. The Prince found that he had
changed the fryingpan for the fire, and, being sore pressed
by the infuriated bull and the infuriated Hindoos, he took
to flight. The Bishop of Calcutta is a great favourite,
and is as active as ever. He, too, had a amusing inci-
dent the other day. Sitting one day in the verandah of
a friend, he was laughing heartily, when he suddenly
heard his laugh repeated behind him in exactly the same
tone. Turning, he found a cockatoo perched just above him.
The bird had been meditating an attack upon his buckles,
but had revealed himself by this irreverent mockery.
It is becoming every year more and more the custom for
picture dealers to open picture galleries on their own
account. They bring together a certain number of works
by well-known artists, and others by artists who have yet
to make their name, and sell these either on commission or
.tber prev►ous purchase. The business is not a little
speculative, for artists of standing will not part with their
pictures unless paid for them at once, and a good round
sum into the bargain. For instance, Mr. Cox who has
lately opened a gallery in a place where no one would sus-
pect the possibility of such an establishment—Change.
alley—had to pay by no means one of our chief artists,
though a rising one, nearly £6OO for a picture that I should
be very loth to purchase at that sum. In the same gallery
are pictures by Landseer, Cooper, Sant, Etty, Goodall,
Callcott, Millais (" The Tribe of Benjamin Seizing the
Daughters of Shiloh," which obtained the Royal Academy
gold medal), F, Danby, David Roberts, Turner, Collins,
Nicol, Boxall, Mulready, Lee, Egg, Leslie, Hering, Stan-
field and Ward—a goodly list; but of course a fluctuating
one, inasmuch as the pictures are all removed as fast as
they are sold. Another picture at the same gallery, very
large, and displaying much cleverness, is Jerry Barrett's
picture of the last Drawing-room at St. James's Palace
in which the Prince Consort took part. Nearly all
the prominent figures are really excellent likenesses.
Another collection of much interest is that of the late
E. H. Wehnert's pictures. There are 150 of these, which
nearly cover the walls of the Water-Colour Institute
gallery. The collection shews great versatility on the
part of the artist, and is the more worth visiting because
the sketches of his principal pictures are placed by the
side of the pictures themselves. Wehnert, a German by
descent, was born in London in 1813, was educated in
Hanover, and returning to England at 17, studied
in the British Museum, and then studied in Paris, In
1837 he was elected a member of the New Society of
Painters in Water Colours, now called the Institute, and
remained one of its most valuable contributors until his
death last September. His pictures include one very large
drawing for a fresco, a few oils, in which he did not excel,
and a great many water colours, by which he earned his
reputation. Most of the works are for sale, and range
from £5OO downwards.

In literature, the chief announcement is that Viscountess
Strangford is about to publish a selection of her husband's
writings on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, subjects o
which he had a special and extensive knowledge. Later
in the year a further volume by the same editor will
appear, prefaced by a short memoir, and containing
Lord Strangford's contributions to philology, and
a selection from his correspondence. The volume
of Essays on Congregationalism, mentioned in
a former letter, will be out to-morrow morning. It is
a work of 278 pages, is entitled "Religious Repub-
lics," and is written by three barristers—Mr. W. M.
Fawcett, Mr. E. G. Herbert, and Mr. James Anstie ;
two Independent ministers, Mr. Herbert, of Cheadle, and
Mr. Pattison, of Newcastle-on-Tyne ; and one M.D., Dr.
P. H. Pye-Smith.
One more game only remains to be played to terminate
the very successful meeting of the British Chess Associa-
tion. Mr. Blackburne wins the challenge cup, Mr.
De Vere taking second honours ; Herr Stenitz takes
the first Handicap Prize, Mr. Wisker the second ; the
Rev. G. A. Macdonnell wins the first Glowworm
prize, and Mr. Wisker the second ; whilst the single
Mongredien award lies between Mr. Blackburne
and the Rev. G. A. Macdonnell. The decision of this last
contest will finish all the four tournaments, and terminate
a meeting which has brought together more British
chessplayers than any previous gathering of the kind.
A match is being arragned between Messrs.
Blackburne and De Vere, and the contest will
probably commence in a week or two. I also hear
that an endeavour is being made to bring
about an en-
counter during the summer between twelve chess represen-
tatives of the North and a like number of the South. Lords
Mr. Wyvill, formerly M.P.
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al
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ye
Sir John Trelawny, M.P.,
will take part in this interesting contest.
Opera-goers are sorely vexed at the thought of losing
Mdlle. Nilsson during the coming season. The Swedish
Nightingale is now negotiating an engagement at the New
York Opera.
Mr. Cole is determined that his pet institution shall not
hide its light under a bushel. He is now putting the
South Kensington Museum in handbills, distributed to all
the world, which would do discredit to Moses and Son.
To such a pass of indignity has a Government institution
been brought.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

OWL'S WISDOM.

The Owl says with regard to the Irish Church Bill
that an attempt will be made in committee to
modify the clause relating to the compulsory purchase
of tithe rent-charge by the proprietors of estates in
Ireland ; also that Mr. Aytoun's intended instruction
to the committee, having for its object the dissolu-
tion of Maynooth Corporation, and the cessation of
all money payments, except moderate compensation
to the professors and the students, meets with favour
from some of the Scotch and thei Nonconformist
members, and will probably give rise to a spirited
debate after Easter. The opinion gains ground
among the more advanced of the Liberal party that
those who may suffer by the withdrawal of the
Maynooth Grant should be dealt with no more
favourably than the incumbents of the Anglican
Church and the recipients of the Regium Donum.
The same paper confirms the statement, we have
already published as to the probability of the bishops
abstaining from taking part in the division on the
bill in the Upper House.
The Owl gives the following miscellaneous items :-
6ir John Lawrence has decided to preserve his name
in his peerage, and will be known as Lord Lawrence ;
concerning which we may add that tne only reason
against this selection is that there is already a Lord
St. Lawrence, M.P. for Galway city. However this
is not so close an approximation as that of the last
Indian peer, Lord Napier of Magdala, to Lord
Napier, the Governor of Madras.—The overnment
contemplates increasing its debating power in the
Upper House by raising a distinguished judge
to the peerage. No name is given ; but, looking down
the list of judges, we find none likely to receive this
honour except Sir Alexander Cockburn, who is
known to have refused it repeatedly, and as lately as
at the formation of the present Ministry.—Earl Grey
contemplates the introduction of a bill for amending
and considerably modifying the existing law which
regulates the election of Irish and Scotch representa-
tive peers.
y
—Lord Monck, believing that the efficiency
a the British arm
can be materially improved, its cost
diminished, more complete organisation established
between the active and reserved forces, and the
militia better educated from a " musketry " point of
view, intends early next month bringing the entire
question before Parliament.—The Conservatives are
following the example of the Liberals, who some
months ago presented a testimonial to Mr. Brand,
and are getting up one for Colonel Taylor, who a
little while ago resigned the office of Whip. —Maj or-
Gen. Simmons,ll.E. is likelyto be the new Lieutenant
Governor of the noyal Military Academy, Wool-
wich.—Colonel Mure will probably succaed Lord
Glasgow as Lord-Lieutenant of Berifrewshire ; no
doubt as a reward for giving way to Mr. Bruce when
the representation of that county became vacant some
weeks ago by the death of Captain Speirs.—Lord
Glasgow has left :C25,000 to Mr. George Payne,
£B,OOO to Colonel the Hon. James Macdonald, £6,000
to Colonel the Hon. H. Forester, and has made
General Peel his residuary legatee. His stud is to
be divided between Generil Peel and Mr. Payne.
It is not stated why his heir and half-brother has
received nothing.

schools noted for the curious uniform which the
children wear, and the inferiority of the education in
most cases imparted ; they are chiefly upheld because
they afford redoubtable citizens the power of cheap
charity. They are nearly all provided for by
heavy endowments, and those who make presenta-
tions generally do so in the shape of children to educate.
Thus the sons of an old and valued clerk or a faith-
ful porter may be provided for with little trouble
and no expense. That the funds do not do all they
might do, that in many cases they are wasted and
squandered, no one doubts, except the wardens,
masters, and clerks of the companies with whom they
are connected. But these look upon them as very
models of excellence, and are fairly startled with the
proposition that the foundation shall be relaid. A
meeting of those interested was held on Tuesday, and
Mr. Forster's itching palm made the subject of a great
many growls of denunciation. Ultimately it was
determined to appoint a sub-committee to prepare
evidence to bo laid before the select committee to
which the Endowed Schools Bill is referred, with a
view to obtain such amendments therein as will
preserve to the Livery Companies of the city of
London the administration of their educational and
charitable endowments.