The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-19 00:00:00

RE.

The abolitionists in 1853 were in a minority of
48. In 1854 in a minority of 27. In 1855 they
had a majority of 28. In 1856 a majority of
43, and this year they had a majority of 53, and
that in a house of 373 members.

Lord PALatERSTON, as his wont is on unpopular
topics (unless indeed the topic happen to be some
piece of complaisance to foreign despots), held his
tongue—indeed, kept out of the way—and Sir
GEORGE GREY and the Chancellor of the Exchequer
joined to lead the forlorn hope of religious oppres-
sion, on the part of the Government. Their
trick was a promising one ; and but for it they
would have had most certainly a much severer
drubbing. They renewed their promise of a
Government Bill as soon as they saw it to be cer-
tain that a bill there would be ; the opposition of
towns where rates have been long practically
abolished, was bought off by promising that they
should be declared legally abolished ; dissenters
elsewhere might escape payment by a declaration
before a magistrate that they were not members
of the Church of England ; power might be given
to churchwardens to assess a small rent on pews,
and landlords might be permitted to charge their
estates with a rent-charge in lieu of rates. If
the house, s Aid Sir GEORGE GREY, would but
reject total abolition for these proposals, he would
embody them in a bill, and bring it in himself.
Tie House, however, preferred total abolition,
and rejected the paltry offers of Government,
which has thus incurred a signal defeat from its
own supporters. This game cannot be safely re-
peated. The degrading Conspiracy Bill, though
admitted to a first reading, was suffered to be read
at all, only because its rejection at this stage would
have been a positive insult to the Government, or
a vote of no confidence, and parties were hardly
prepared just then for a Ministerial crisis. Lord
PALMERRTON'S Liberal supporters, however, must
inwardly have resented being dragged through the
dirt by their own leader and the Torie'. How
long is this to last ? Is it to be the rule in this,
Parliament, too, that Lord PALMERSTON is to be
sure only of the little maudlin band of Conserva-
tive Liberals and Liberal Conservatives, and that
he is to beat now the Tories by the help of the
Liberals, now the Liberals by the help of the
Tories ? If there be one thing to which Liberal
Members pledged themselves more than another
at the last election it was to the abolition of
Church-rates. Hardly any one ventured, or pro-
bably wi.had, to oppose the almost univer6al wish
on that subject.
As to
.the debate itself, novelty of argument or
illustration was not to be expected. The tirade
of the hon. Member for West Surrey, and apostle,
we believe, of the Irvingite Church, was, as usual,
amusing enough ; having learned in the school of
the great Scotch prophet, he ventured to pro-
phesy, of course, in sackcloth, that the days of the
Church of England were numbered. He de-
nounced the Lords' decision in the BRAINTREE
case as scandalous, and contrary to law and equity !
He called for a bill to do away with the Establish-
ment altogether, rather than a " petty larcenous"
measure like this; and ended by putting the
churches of the land on a level with Buckingham
Palace and the British Museum I They were all
national buildings. Perhaps, therefore, he will
vote, ere long, for opening all national buildings
to the public on the Sunday. We grant, too,
that the parish churches are national, and not
church, property, but our inference is that the
tenants who have them on such marvellously easy
terms are bound:to keep them in repair, and ready
to be restored to the landlord at any time in good
condition. Lord STANLEY, as usual, took a manly,
statesmanly, and truly churchmanly view of the
question, and scouted, as every man who cares
about his church must do, the very thought that
,he could not raise a few thousand, or even
hundred thousand pounds, to keep her buildings
in repair. General THOMPSON, though he seconded
Sir JOHN TRELAWNY, went quite off the rails at
the close of his speech ; even suggesting a
land-tax as compensation ! As if there wore
no dissenting landowners—and as if a hand-
tax—or at least putting the hand in the pocket,
on the part of the wealthy worshippers would not
much more than suffice. Besides, is a land-owner
like Sir MORTON PETO, who has built several
splendid and well-attended chapels for the Bap-
tists, to have his land taxed for the Church of
England too ?

As to the leading supporters of the odious rate,
they must, we suppose, be numbered with the
incurables—with the fifty-three who to the last
voted against Free-trade. We used to hear of
Church-rate martyrs, and the men who would
suffer a distraint rather than pay half-a-crown to
the Church dominant were the subjects of the
laugh. They are now, we think, fairly entitled
to laugh at the Church-rate Saints—at those very
pious and devout lords and lay committee-men,
who identify the safety of their estanlishment with
the power to screw shillings and pence from the
oppressed dissenter. If it be little-minded to re-
fuse a little payment because felt to be unjust (a
temper surely somewhat British too), it must be
equally little-minded to insist on the payment.
It is against my conscience to pay, says the Dis-
senter ; it is against my conscience not to make
you pay, says the very Evangelical Churchman.
If, then, Mr. COURTAULD be dubbed martyr, we
ought surely to canonize the devout leaders of the
Laymen's Committee as SAINT SHAFTESBURY and
SAINT CECIL. We would advise convocation,
the next time it assembles for a talk, to chat over
the subject. Why should not the " unto gude"
Churchmen, who fight the battle of Church-rate
pence against the House of Commons and that
half of the nation which pays for its own worship—
why should they not be rewarded with a kind of
ecclesiastical VICTORIA cross? The courage which
will insist on it that it is a hardship on the wil-
ling vestries not to be permitted to force them-
selves to pay, and that it is no hardship on Dis-
senters to be made to pay, however unwilling—
the courage which can do this, deserves to be im-
mortalised, and its memory handed down to pos-
terity, prefixing or affixing the initials C. R. ST.

and crew of that vessel only ceded to the violence
committed by the followers of Pisacane.

THE HERZEGOVINE.

A despatch from Vienna, of the 17th states that
a battle has lately taken place in the Herzegoviue
between the Rayahs and the Turks, in which the
former had 10 killed. The latter had 40 wounded,
but the number of their killed is not mentioned.
The Turks have destroyed Zupzi, and the Rayahs
have occupied the mountains at the back of that
place. A body of 800 Bashi Bazouks have just
arrived at Trebinga.

According to the Zeit of Berlin, the Germanic
Diet, on account of the eventualities which are
likely to arise from the Dano German conflict, con
templates forming a permanent committee to see
to the maintenance and execution of Federal de-
crees. This committee (the establishment of which
is authorised by a resolution of 1820 not hereto-
fore acted on) is to be composed of five members to
be re-elected every six months, and is to be inde-
pendent of other committees.

The Prussian Government some time ago invited
the Governments of the Zollverein to charge the
members of a conference to draw up a series of
regulations relative to the issue of banknotes for
all the States. At first several of the States ob-
jected, but they have now all, with the exception of
Bavaria, consented to take part in the conference.

Accounts from Vienna state that the Austrian
garrison in Dalmatia has been reinforced by two
battalions of riflemen, and two battalions of the
line, which bad embarked at Trieste on the Bth.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN

RAILWAY.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING (THIS DAY.)
The half-yearly meeting of the London and North-
Western Railway Company was held at the Easton
Station, London, to-day. The Marquis of Chandos,
chairman of the board of directors, presided. The report
of the directors, which was adopted, states the loss and
xpenses attendant on the fire at Camden-town having
been approximately ascertained, the loss upon the build-
ing and its contents will be found included in the present
account. The total claims in respect of goods destroyed
have now been received, and are amply covered by the
insurance. The proprietors are aware that an arrange-
ment has for come time subsided between this company
and the Great Western, under which the traffic has been
carried in competition at equal rates by both routes ;
your directors have now to report that the outlines of an
agreement with that company have been signed by the
respective chairmen and assented to, by which undue and
unremunerative competition may henceforth be avoided.
The two measures promoted by this company in the
present session are a bill for a short line from the ter-
mination of the Yorkshire lines of this company at
Staleybridge to a junction with the main line, three
miles south of Manchester. The length of the line as
proposed is about seven miles, and the estimated cost is
210,0001. The other, for power to enlarge the Victoria
passenger station at Manchester. The breach by the
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire C irnpany of
their agreements with Gas company, reported at the last
general meeting, and their simultaneous agreement for
amalgamation with the Great Northern Company, were
followed soon after by combined attacks upon the
traffic at Manchester, Liverpool, and other places, and
at rates and fares not only very much lower than either
of these companies charge on their own proper traffic,
but wholly unremunerative. Towards the end of
December an agreement was drawn up for an arrange-
ment of the difficulty. A question arose with respect to
a certain clause. This company proposed to submit it to
arbitration. The Great Northern Company refused, and
the arrangement therefore failed. A dividend after the
rate of 5 per cent. per annum, leaving a surplus of
43,347/. 2s. 11d. was declared. Thanks to the chairman
terminated the proceedings.

GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
COMPANY.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING-(THIS DAY).

The half-yearly ordinary general meeting of 'the
proprietors was held to-day at the London Tavern,
Bisbopegate-street, to receive a report from the directors
and for the general business of the company. Mr.
Davison occupied the chair.
The report stated that the expenses have been some-
what greater than usual, from the cause stated in the
reports of the engineer and the locomotive manager ;
but it will be seen that part of the money so spent has
gone to increase the permanent value and efficiency of
the zailway. This company, and the Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Company, have been work-
ing together since the let of August, 1857, on the terms
which were submitted to the shareholders of both com
panics at the extraordinary meetings of July last. A
bill is now bet ,re Pailianient for confirming that
arrangement. The directors have to announce that
they have md.de au agreement with the Midland Company
for running Midland trains over the Great Northern
Railway, bet ween llitchin and King's-cross. These trains
began to run accordingly on the lot day of this month.
Tile purchase of the Great Northern and East Lincoln-
shire Stocks, fraudulently issued by Redpath, has been
effected at a coat of about 230,0001., under the provisi.,ns
of the Company's Act of 1857 ; but the proceedings in
Redpath's bankruptcy not being concluded, a complete
account of this matter cannot yet be laid before the
shareholders. The sum of 132,8271. 14% 11d. is appli-
cable to dividend, which wilt give to the original stock
21. 151,. 3d. per cent, for the half-year, being at the rate
of El. 10s. 6J. per annum ; to the B Stock Si. Bs. pei
cent. for the half-year, making, with the 12s. per cent.
paid for the first half of the year, 6/. per cent. for the
whole year on B Stock ; and to the A Stock 2,. 6d. par
cent., leaving a balance of 3171. 17s. 6J. to be carried
to next account.

After a short discussion the report was adopted, and
a resolution for the payment of the dividend therein
mentioned was carried.

Tao meeting then terminated.

EASTERN STEAM NAVIGATION
COMPANY.

ANNUAL MEETING THIS DAY.

The 7th annual general meeting of proprietors of this
company was held at the London Tavern, lirshopsg,ate-
street, this day.
The report stated that so short a time had elapsed
since the launch of the Leviathan, and the energies of all
parties had so long been concentrated on it, that the
directors were not in a position to lay before the meeting
all the information desirable as to the measures necessary
to send her to sea. They felt that the time had now
arrived when it was expechent to complete by tender and
contract, those poramos of the work which are unfinished,
land also those not yet commenced. Specificadons and
estimates were in progress, and the directors recom-
mended that this meeting be adjourned until the 12th
March, in order that a complete statement may be
submitted of the works to be executed, and of the
pecuniary resources to be provided.
In the meantime no interest is to be paid on the share
capital for 1857. The fends required for the launch were
provided by the reissue of 7,L00 of the forfeited shares
at 4/. per share fully paid up. The fresh funds required
may be procured by issuing more of the forfeited shares,
or by raising money on debentures.
Toe recommendations in the report were agreed to,
and the meeting accordingly adjourned.

The Tuscan Moniteur announces the death of Count
Buonarotti, Minister of Publ c Instruction in Tuscany.
At the Hull Bankruptcy Court, yesterday, certificates
were refthed in the case of Harrison, Watts, and Co.,
bankers.

THE CALOUTTA PETITION.—The famous petition of the
inhabitants of Calcutta for the recall of Viscount Cdll.
fling, has been printed at length by order of the House
of Commons, with marginal notes indicating the chief
errors of fact put forth in it. The Governor-General
abstains from comment upon the opinions and deductions
expressed in the petition.

Sir James Melvill having on the 3d inst. completed a
service of 50 ye ,rs, has, in fulfilment of an intention
long since announced, retired from the office of Secretary
to the East India Company. It is understood, however,
that he will remain to offer such assistance as his long
experience may enable him to afford during the present
Parl'arnentary discussions.
DEATH OF SIR JOHN WM. EGERTON BRYDGES, BART.
—This respected baronet died on Monday last at Lee
I Court, near Canterbury. He was burn in November,
1791, and was the eldest son of Sir John Wm. Egerton
Brydges, by his first marriage with Miss Byrche,
daughter of the Rev. Wrn. D. Byrche. He was formerly
in the 14th Dragoons, and succeeded to the baronetcy
on the death of his father in September, 1839, His
stepbrother, Ferdinand Stanley, succeeds him in the
baronetcy and family estates in Kent. The elder brother
of the late baronet's father claimed the ancient barony
of Chandos, as a descendant of Anthony Brydges, third
son of the first Lord Chandos. The House of Lords
decided, however, that he had not made out his
DEATH BY RUNNING TO CATCH THE TRAlN.—Yes-
terday afternoon Mr. Carter, coroner for Surrey, held
an inquest, at Nets-cross, on the body of Mr. Henry
Barber, a colonial broker, of Fenchurch-street. It
appeared that the deceased intended to go by the 4 25
Crystal Palace train, and reached the station in a great
hurry, and such was the affect produced upon him
thereby, being subject to disease of the heart, that
shortly after entering the railway carriage he became
['sensible and soon expired Verdict accordin4ly.
THE METROPOLITAN TRAMWAY BlLL.—Yesterday
afternoon a deputation of the London Omnibus Tramway
Company waited on Sir Benjamin Hall in reference to
their bill now before Parliament for constructing tram-
ways through certain thoroughfares of the metropolis.
After the objects of the bill had been explained, Sir B,
Hall said that "of all the monstrous propositions which
had ever been made to Parliament, this was the worst,"
and he should give it hi most determined opposition ;
it would be impossible to prevent constant accidents,
and great interference with the general traffic; every
pariAa through which the line was intended to pass had
petitioned against it, and he should advise the promoters
to drop it at once.

,SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY: EVENING, FEBRUARY l9, 1858.