The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-22 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

" His well-raised forehead, shaded with black curly
hair, indicated extensive capacity. His eyes were
large, dark, full of ardour and intelligence. His
face was well-formed, and his countenance uncom-
monly interesting and expressive. His mode of
dressing, which was often slovenly, and a certain
fullness and bend in his shoulders, characteristic
of his original profession, disguised in some
degree the natural symmetry and elegance of
his form. [His form—nearly five feet ten
inches in height—having been previously noticed
as one that indicated agility as well as
strength.] The external appearance of BURNS was
most strikingly indicative of the character of hiu
mind. On a first view his physiognomy had a
certain air of coarseness, mingled, however, with an
expression of deep penetration, and of calm thought-
fulness, approaching to melancholy. There ap-
peared in his first manner and address perfect ease
and self-possession, but a stern, almost super-
cilious elevation, not, indeed, incompatible
with openness and affability, which,
ever, bespoke a mind conscious of superior
talents." That is Dr. CURRIE'S description. It
harmonises with NASMYTII'S portraiture. Both
are eminently characteristic of the man as he ap•
pears in his own heart-stirring songs and ballads
—the immortal -writings of that poor ploughman,
born just one hundred years ago, in the humble
cottage built by the hands of his father, William
Burness, the gardener. At sixteen he first, as he
schoolof
rhyme.
education
of pai.
rymple. He had scarcely attained his thirty -seventh
anniversary when he expired. His popularity had
previously become very wide spread and wonderful.
CARLYLE has exclaimed in its regard, in his "Hero
'Worship "—" High duchesses and other genius
gather round the Scottish rustic Burns ; a strange
feeling dwelling in each that they never heard a
man like this—that on the whole this is the man!
In the secret heart of these people it still dimly
reveals itself, though there is no accredited
way of uttering it at present, that this
rustic, with his black brows and flashing
sun-eyes, and strange words, moving laugh-
ter and tears, is of a dignity far beyond all
others, immeasurable with all others." Sixty-three
years have now elapsed since those flashing sun-
eyes became dimmed by death, and were closed for
ever. During that interval the memory of BURNS
has been apostrophised in poetry of more or less
excellence by THOMAS CAMPBELL, by WILLIAM

prove a total failure, if it should come off at al
The replies received by the honorary secretaries
from some highly respected and influential men o.
their own class, have been by no means of al
encouraging character; and it is more than hinted
that even the getters up of the movement would be
glad to back out of it, but for the ridicule that
would unquestionably attach to their withdrawal,
at the eleventh hour, from the elaborate scheme so
prominently set forth in the public journals. One
of the worst features of the case is the attempt to
prevent the attendance of the general public. Not
only are there high charges for admission-ss.
to the platform and 2s. to the body of
the meeting—but the applicant's name must
be submitted to a committee, in the first
instance, who will inexorably exclude him unless
he is known to be of " the right kidney," and
fully prepared to endorse every proposition that
may be brought forward for the impartial considera-
tion of the assembly. The Lady Patronesses of
Almacks were not more particular in the olden
time than the Patrons of the Rotunda arc sup-
posed to be. Matters may be conducted with
perfect propriety, but nothing will convince the
great body of the Irish people that it is not a mere
" hole-and-corner meeting," intended to inflict
penal laws on the community and to deprive
it of the fair play and justice that
it has heretofore obtained. We do not
for a moment suppose that such would be
the result. We are too well aware of the incor-
ruptible integrity and groat ability of the learned
judges that adorn the judicial bench in Ireland;
and, we may add, that jurors of any class, whether
special or common, seldom err, save on the side of
mercy, and when they may entertain such reasonable
doubts that the accused should fairly receive the
benefit of the doubt. We know that there have been
exceptions, but they have been few and far between,
and certainly not sufficient to warrant so gross an
insult to the class from whom the panel is
selected as to permit of a change of venue
in cases agrarian of crime. As we have stated,
we do not imagine that the prisoner would be
unfairly treated ; but the general impression in
the vicinity would be that such was the case, and
the administration of justice should be above sus-
picion. There would also be a real grievance, for
how could a man, generally in the most humble
class of life, be enabled to bring his witnesses from
Cork, Kerry, or Tipperary to A-ntrim, Donegal, or
Tyrone ? The Crown could bring forward the
approvers, but anything calculated to cast discredit
on their testimony would be virtually suppressed.
There are many of the contemplated resolutions
that are mere " platitudes," and require no
fresh legislation. The qualifications of sti-
pendiary magistrates may surely be left in
the hands of the local administration. We believe
that, generally speaking, they have fairly and
impartially discharged the inrportant duties con-
fided to their hands, and that if any have fallen
into the sere and yellow leaf, they have still earned
such a reputation in bygoie days, that fe."W
would
be willing to see their feelings hurt by the de:nand
to resign their functions on the ground of incapa-•
city. They are invested with a quasi judicial
character, and if it was known that they could be
dismissed at any moment, the entire utility,
so far as the million were concerned, would
be a mere nullity. If the judges are to be
made independent of the Crown, it is no
less important that the stipendiary magistrates
should be so.
As to the appointment of magistrates, that rests
exclusively with the existing Government. In
every instance we believe that the duty has been
justly and conscientiously performed, but we confess
that, under any circumstances, we should regret
seeing that great unpaidbody invested with the same
" authority, privileges, and immunities" enjoyed by
men who have been selected for their special fitness,
and whb receive handsome salaries for their exer-
tions. There was an old saying that a man who
received a legal opinion for nothing paid its exact
value; we fear, however, that in judicial or magis-
terial matters there should be a negative sign, and
that these honourable gentlemen were too fre-
quently worse than useless.
It is, indeed, lamentable to find that Ribandism
is on the increase. The steps lately taken by the
Government, however, show that they have had
sound information, and the activity displayed may
satisfy the landlords and people of Ireland that the
existing law, which is amply sufficient for the pur-
pose, will be strenuously enforced on every suitable
occasion. Nothing more is required, and if we
might be permitted to offer an advice to the land;
lords, we would earnestly recommend them to let
matters rest as they are. Coercion has never yet
produced a beneficial result in Ireland, and never
will, under any circumstances. The people can be
far more easily led than driven.
w-

Tier Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, we
are happy to announce, is so far recovered from the effects
of a severe col() as to be enabled to take her usual carriage

airing.
The Marquis de Croisy has arrived at the Bruns-
wick Hotel, Jermyn-street.
The Earl of Malrnesbury arrived in town yester-
day, from visiting her Majesty at Windsor Castle.
Viscount and Viscountess Campden, with their
youthful family, have arrived in Grafton-street, the noble
viscount having taken the residence of Mr.. Newton Lane
for a few months.
The Baron Zitzerman has taken his departure
from the Brunswick Hotel.
Lady Williams and family have arrived at the .
Brunswick Hotel, from Dover, en route for the North.
We regret to announce the death of the lion.
'William Middleton Noel, which took place suddenly on
Thursday last. at Exton Park, Rutland, the seat, of his
brother, the Earl of Gainsborough.
AccinENT TO TnE BISIIOP or ST. ASAPII.—A
few days ago the Bishop of St. Asaph was lying on a ofa,
in his palace, when a large picture dropped from its hang-
ing upon his head, and inflicted a serious wound, dividing
the skin, and penetrating the flesh nearly to the skull bone.
His lordship is at present going on favourably.
We regret to have been led into the error of
announcing yesterday the death of the King of Naples. The
information upon which we acted was received in absolute
terms by telegraph from our own correspondent, upon
whose caution in matters involving important political
results we have been accustomed to place implicit reliance.
The King is undoubtedly seriously ill. Rumour asserted
his death, and our correspondent too eagerly forwarded this
as if it had been an absolute fact. It is our duty to explain
to the public the vexatious incident from which we have
suffered. It will be seen, however, that it is one of those
unfortunate occurrences to which newspapers are necessarily
sometimes liable,—/Iforning Post.

Last evening Ambrofso Thomas's "Opera Bouffon," en-
titled "Le Cald," was performed at the above theatre with
Madame Faure as the heroine.
" Lo Cald," brought out in Paris in 1849, was produced
for the first time in this country about two years later at the
St. James's Thbatre, under the management of Mr. Mitchell.
Madame Faure is doubtless very vivacious and intelligent
in the principal character, and she sings the florid music
with both skill and taste.
The plot of "Le Cad" is unsuited to the English stage.
Notwithstanding, thanks to the remarkable talent of
Madame Faure, "Le Cald" met with success on this occa-
sion, and will probably prove attractive for a few nights to

come.
The apcomplished artist was warmly applauded in all her
efforts, and her admirable execution, of the air, " Vive le
Mariage," in which she took an E flat in Alt, per salt um
with surprising aplomb and brilliancy, elicited demonstra-
tions of the most enthusiastic kind.
The orchestra played with great precision and effect, and
was excellently conducted by M. Romusat.
The house was well attended.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, JAN. 2

On Wednesday, the 2d proximo, her Majesty and his
Royal Highness the Prince Consort will leave Windsor
Castle, and proceed to Buckingham Palace.
On Thursday following the Queen will open the Session
of Parliament in person.
On Friday, the 4th, her Majesty and Prince Consort
will return to Windsor Castle.
On Saturday, the 12th, the Court will leave. Windsor
Castle, and proceed to Buckingham Palace for the winter
, season.

A telegraphic despatch from Athens announces
that the King of Greece has conferred the Grand Cross of
the Order of the Holy Saviour on. Queen Victoria.
A telegraphic despatch from Munich announces
that 31. Hegnenberg has been named first president of the
Chamber of Deputies by 140 votes out of 142 ; and M.
Weiss second president, by 89 votes out of 140.
ENGLISH CONSULAR SALARIES.—NAPLES.— By
a new arrangement all fees are to be carried to the account
of the Government, and the salary of the new Consul at
Naples is fixed at £7OO a-year. The salary of the Vice-
Consul is £lOO a-year, the same lucky individual being re-
quired to be a gentleman, a man of varied knowledge, and
an excellent linguist.—Civil Service Ga:ette.
A COURAGEOUS ENGINE-DRIVER.—DUring the
progress of the Great Northern express train between Crof-
ton and Featherstone, on a branch of the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Railway, on Saturday last, the flange of ono
of the wheels of the engine broke, and shortly afterwards a
large portion of the tire of the wheel was cast off. The
train was proceeding at the rate of 50 miles an hour over
a steep embankment, and the accident threw the carriages
off the line, but by the courage and coolness of the driver
the train was pulled up just in time to prevent its falling
down the incline. The passengers finding that something
was wrong got out of the carriages, and on perceiving the
danger they had escaped .testified their admiration of the
driver's skill and firmness by making a subscription for him
on the spot. The lino was ploughed up and the chairs
broken for nearly a mile, and the train was delayed for
about two hours.
UNIVERSITY MORALITY.—RESIGNATION OF THE
PRO-PROCTORS AT CAMBRIDGE.—The late Pro-Proctors
him-) laid before the members of the Senate their reasons
for resigning office in the form of a pamphlet of twenty
pages, containing the correspondence between themselves
and the Vice-Chancellor. The disagreement which led to
their resignation arose out of the case of an under-graduate
brought before the Vice-Chancellor's Court by Mr. Jameson
for having. been found in a house of ill-fame, and dismissed
" with a simple admonition." The nature of the correspon-
dence will appear from the passage with which Mr. Wil-
liams Aloses it :—" As I can imagine nothing more injuri-
ous to the character of the-University, as well as to the
cause of morality, than that such sins as are here in ques-
tion should be virtually condoned, and the censure—for
such, indeed, it is—turned on the Proctors, I believe I shall
most effectively protest against this dominant theory of vice
by following the example of my late colleague and resigning
an appointment the duties of which it is now evident I can-
not discharge to your satisfaction and my own."—Times.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.—The members of this
society treated their friends and admirers with a soirée on
Thursday evening last. The spacious and well-lit room
belonging to the British Artists, in Suffolk-street, being
admirably suited to such a purpose, the large assemblage of
fashionably-dressed persons who attended on the occasion
produced a brilliant and striking effect. The photographs,
extending round the large room, as well as occupying con.

siderable space in the two smaller apartments, attracted
much attention. The bold photographic copies from Ra-
phael's Cartoons appeared very effective under the subdued
and peculiar mode of lighting the mord, and were much ad.-
mired for their force and accuracy, as was the large view of
::4 interior of the Crystal Palace, and the still more ex-
neglected ; and that in the centre of the room,
tens:ve one of Cairo. The tableslof stereoscopic subjects
were nu,' with means for changing the slides by
was in constant requisition, and it
proV.!4‘34
decide whether the ladies or the gentle-
men were the mote fi.!tflidllollS in the_ manipulation of that
WmoeulreblYcl pulling
NvtOire,
very amusinc, toy. The Moms were filled throughout tho
evening, not only by fashionable amateurs, but by others
who very numerously represented art, science, and litera-
ture ; and the arrangements were as creditable to the mein,
bers of the society as the attendance of their visitors must
have been considered complimentary. to their artistic and
scientific productions.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.—War-office.Mr. Walter
Whitmore Jones, a clerk of the third class in the Account-
We
ant-General's Branch, has resigned his appeintment.
believe that Mr. A. A. Geary, of the Clothing Branch, will
be appointed private secretary to Major-General Peel, in
place of Mr. J. H. Orde, resigned. There are vacancies in
this office for junior clerks, commencing salary, £lOO per
r
annum. Audit-office—Mr. Peter Cunningham,
senior examiner of the first class, is about to retire from the
service. There is a vacancy for a junior clerk in this office ;
commencing salary, .E9O per annum. Law tlepartment--Sir
Walter Buchanan Riddell, Recorder of Maidstone and
Tenterden, has been appointed County Court judge of North
Staffordshire, Circuit No. 26, in the room of Mr. Robert
Griffith Temple, deceased. Foreign Department--The
consulship of Calais has become vacant by the promotion
of Mr. Bonham. Inland Revenue Department—Stamps
and Taxes Branch—The distributorship of stamps for the
. district of Derby is now vacant. The value of this appoint-
ment is nearl £lOOO er annum. Mr. Samuel Lucas has
been appointed distributor of stamps for the district of Lei-
cester. East Indies—Mr. James-Nasmyth, deputy com-
missioner of the second class, has been appointed a deputy
commissioner of the first class. Captain S. Graham, deputy
commissioner of the third class, lies been appointed deputy
commissioner of the second class. Captain W. M‘Nelle,
assistant commissioner of the first class, has been appointed
deputy commissioner of the third class.—Ciril Service
Ga:ette.
TIIE SUSPECTED MURDER OF A WOMAN BY HER
HUSBAND IN WOLVERnAurrox.—The inquiry into the
death of Harriet Thompson, the details of which were given
in The Sues of Wednesday, was closed yesterday. o:ing
to the statement of a female companion of the deceased, the
son's account of the scuffle between his father and mother
in the house, and some marks of violence which appeared
on the body, the coroner adjourned theinquiry for the pm,
pose of a post mortem examination. The surgeon to Whom
this was entrusted found the internal organs of the deceased
extensively diseased, and gave it as his opinion that sheikad
died from an attack of pulmonary apoplexy. The jury re-
turned a -verdict of ‘-‘..Dea,th from ,natural. causes ;" and in
the coursz, of the day the husband of the deceased, who had
been apprehended on a charge of killing his wife, was libe-
rated 1)7 the sitting magistrates.
THE E?SHOP BURTON MURDER. —The nine pri-
soners concerted in this case were brought up for final
e
examination before the East Riding magistrates, at Beverley,
n defencenoc e n.t of
Thet h e
Bench
r,• h
on Thursda An t:ctempt was made to prove an alibi on
the part of Playforth an ,WOrath ; Johnson said he was
ar:t_iiell4; keld a consultationother prisoners offered no
Chairman said :—LPlayforth, M‘Gra,th, Franklin, John the
Johnson,
Markham, Marshall, and Stoves, you are severally com-
mitted to take your trial at the next York Assizes for the
wilful murder of John Washington Jex, and also for maim-
ing and wounding Robinson and Geddes. Addressing
Robson and Thompson, the Chairman said that, after
carefully considering the whole matter, they were of opinion
that the evidence was not sufficient to prove that they were
guilty as accessories, and be therefore ordered them to be
discharged, cautioni v them as to their future conduct, and
observing that they had had a very narrow escape. Robson
and Thompson thanked the chairman, and then left the
court. Mr. Pettingell stated:that ho had substantial bail
to offer for Playforth and M‘Grath, but the Chairman
referred him to the judges.
A MURDERER'S LETTER.—TIIO Sitiniford Mercury
publishes two lettere, written by Whitworth, who was lately
executed at York, to the parents of his victim, Sarah Hare,
who reside in Coningsby. The one of latest date is as fol-
lows :—" York Castle, Jan. 7, 1859.—My dear Injured
Friend,—I was very glad to hear from you, but more so to
receive your forgiveness before I die. My time is short ; in a
little time I shall be launched out of time into eternity. That,
thauk God, that does not disturb me: for God,- for Christ's
sake, has pardoned all my sins, so that for me to die will be
gain, and I hope to meet her that is gone before at God's
right hand that, we might welcome you all when you arrive
at home. It may be a few years before you all come, so
bid you a long farewell till we wake up t the last day.
May God help you till your journey 'a end, a
an I sincerely
hope that our 1070 will be a sufficient warning to all young
lovers that are left behind. So now I wish you all a long
farewell, and in a very few hours, I shall have changed this
world for a much better. Indeed, it is most astonishing to
think how wonderfully well God support.; me in My last
hours, so unworthy as I ant, and 1 humbly thank the
Almighty for the good he has done me, and I declare to
you lam at variance with no person. God has taught rue
-to forget and forgive all. So I must bid you a long fare-
now,
well in this world, for I am at peace with all theld
and in a short time I hope to be in heayen, where
bless I trust I
shall meet you all again. So good bye, and God you
all.—Froup your well wisher, JOHN T. WHITWORTH.—To
Mr. Thomas Hare."