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

'LIE ;SUN. LOND-Clll, Ell WAY EVENING, MAY .21, 1869,

- .111.1SCA LLAN E 0 US .NEWS.

The Writer thinks "it is no wonder if such speeches
Bishop Tliirlwall's, and several others, makes
Radicals, 9f_ _La
.The_ 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 ball 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 lie. 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
Mansel. 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
deviant 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. Paeiament 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 sonic idea of the cost of such a
concert as that which Lady Dashwcod gave last night to
some 300 guests, in Grosvenor-square, and at which
Nilsson, Gardoni, Sant'cy, and other leading vocalists
sang. •

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
daring the long interval of nearly forty years between the
production of " Guillaume Tell " and his death. The chief
singers were 'Miens, Morgini, Santley, and Scalchi.
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 he 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.
Led ru -Rollin, the well-known French Republican, is living
in St. John's-wood. His former colleague, DI. Louis
Blanc, is, I believe, now residing at
Esquiros, after remaining with us for many years, returns
to France. Btighton. M.

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 he called it
"Heautontimoromenos." A popular edition of Mr. Hep-
worth Dixon's " New America" has juat 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 9 bag
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 areabout
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, thwauthor 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, called " Hearth and
Home." On the day that Victor Hugo's new novel,
" L'Homme Qui Rit," 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 navannab, and one in
Paris ; two in Portuguese, viz., one is 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 Pesti' ; 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 journal to the Athenceum, which, they say, does
not treat them fairly. The fate of the Reader, the Critic,
the Leader, and the Lit ra7l/ Journal is not encouraging
to enterpth e 3 of this kind.
The orrosition exhibition to the Royal Academy opens
early in June, at 2;',, Old Bond-street, and will remain
_open until August 31. The committee includes several
well-known names. Among them are Mr. Sony, Mr.
Dutton Cook, Mr. Mark Lemon, Mr. Foley, Mr. G. A
Sala, Mr. Walter Thornhury, Mr. Hollingshead, Mr'
enttitthte, Awlrh.elFe F. m
literature a l lfiel di
..L'l.l..%l""eEekdev's.in PO
and Walter
i‘r Severn, Mr.
s
more strongly represented than art. Mr,
ploy 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,. Alhjor-General C. IL ll,unaby, Royal
Artillery, being present on the part of the firm.
There guns are intended to form part of the arma-
ment which will be supplied to the Japanese cor-
vette lho-1110-Maree, now building at Aberdeen.
LUXURIANT AND BEAUTIFUL HAM—MRS. S. A.
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beauty, and with the first application a beautiful gloss and de
lightful fragrance is given to the Hair. It stops the Hair from
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 large Bottlos
Price Six Shillings. Sold by most Chemiets and Perfumers.
Depot 205, High Holborn

NEW UNCOM.ITIERCIAL 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 strain ou
the attention, memory, observation, and physical
powers ; and which involved an almost fabulous
amount of change of place and rapid railway tra-
vellinn..- I had followed this pursuit through au 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 prolonged 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 the constantly re-
carrion 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 intention
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 mini, and
one Mr. Merdle's as I find it recorded in a work
of fiction called " Little Dorrit." To be sure, Mr.
Merdle.was a swindler, forger, and thief, and my
calling had been of a less harmful (and less remit-
' nerative) nature ; but it was allone 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 fur
18 years, he had been euhject 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 withliis
heart; lie bad had something the matter with his
brain. Five hundred people who sat down to break-
fast entirely uninformed on the whole subject, be-
lieved before they had done breakfast, that they pri-
vately and personally knew Physician to have sai I
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 veld ; and
by twelve the soniethh g had been distinctly ascer-
tained to be Pressut e.' Pressure was so entirely
satisfactory to the public mind, and seemkd to mak e
every one so comfortab'e, tl:at it might Lave lasted
all day but for Bars having taken the real date cf
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 occanion 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 von 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 and 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 regulated as to keep off Pressure,
and preserve them, a comfort to their friends, for
many years." Just my case—if I had only known it
—when I was quietly basking in the sunwiine 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
w:.ich, 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 protest
against p!aying sick lion to any stray donkey with
an itching hoof. All'sorts of people seemed to be-
come vicariously religious at my expense. I received
the most uecotnpromising warning that I was a
Heathen ; on the conclusive authority of a field
preacher, who, like the most of his ignorant and
vain and dazing 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, lle 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 thisfor such dirty water as this
could alone be drawn from such a shallow and
muddy source—I found from the information
of a benefice 1 clergyman, of whom I never
beard and whom I never saw, that I had -
not, as I rather supposed I had, lived a life of
some reading, contemplation, and inquiry ; that
I had not studied: as I rather supposed, to
inculcate some ChriStiau 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 bad never had, as I
rather supposed I bad 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, sly,
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 taco 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 conscience in
the tender respect of giftS misused, if I would inis
mediately cash up in aid of l.is lowly talent for
original design—as a specimen of which he enclosed
me a work of art which I recognised as a tracing
frcm a woodcut originally published in the late
Mrs. Trollope's book on America, forty or fifty
10'0•
years The number of people who were pz2-
.pared to live long years after me, untiring benefac- I .
tors to their species, for fifty pounds a piece dawn,
was astonishing. Also, of those who wanted bank •
uote3 for stiff penitenAal a::-.ounts, to
.;.N..(; away :

not to keep, on ILLY aceount. Divas wondtriul
medicines and machines ini..inuatiA recommenda-
tions of themselves into the fly-leaf that was to
have been so blank. It was specially observable