The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-08 00:00:00

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LONDON; TIIURBD-1-
'll7l MARCH 8, 1866.
---•---_____
z:aexned
Church rates have long been _
question,
and each successive session has
made for their abolition, and new effort!: attempts
suggested
for a compromise,
both resulting in, i
allures.
• action if the • It
would be a great satisfaction question were
settled definitively, or at all events in such a
manner that it need not be made the subject of
controversy for some time to come. Religious dis-
cussions are always to be deprecated, and more
than any other they generally excite
ill-will and
angry feelings, and then leave people no further
advanced than they were at the commencement of
the argument. The very tedious settlement of this
matter may be attributed to faults on both sides.
The one party has set itself decidedly against
all arrangements which have for their object
anything short of a complete and unconditional
surrender ; and the other has, in an equally deter-
mined manner, re6iiited all encroachments on the

existing state of things. Lately, indeed, there has
often been proposals made for some medium course,
but the abolitionizlts have vt4emently opposed it.
Mr. GLADSTONE, in his speech of yesterday,
to meet the difficulty in a very successful manner,
and it is much to be regretted that his suggestions
were not attended to. The right hon. gentleman
said that he did not speak as a member of her
MAJESTY'S Government, but as a private member,
because the Government did not deem it necessatl
to make a proposition on the subject to the 1%-ase,
since there was no reasonable prospect of suc-
cess in doing so. There was great truth, in
what Mr. GLADSTONE observed concerning the time
that this question had been in abeyance ; and it is
Idoubtful if any other public question would have
been left so long unsettled. It is a pity that the
agitators of this matter and their more vehement
opponents do not dwell more upon the facts of the
case, as so ably put forward by the Chancellor of
the Exchequer. " I think, however," he said, "it
hardly creditable to this country--that it is hardly
creditable to the Legislature or to our good sense,
and that it is not in conformity with the mode in
which practical questions are usually, dealt with by
the natives of this kingdom—that the subject
should continue from year to year to be bat-
tered about and tossed backward and forward
without our arriving at any practical result."
The truth is that, instead of being settled as it ought
to have been some time ago, this question of the
church rates has unhappily merged into a standing
subject of discussion, and its continuance in this
form cannot but prove injurious to the interests of
the Church.

It is a proof that the controversy on the subject
is kept up as much for the sake of a dispute about
religious topics as anything else, for when any one
desires to meet them half-way, the opponents of the
rates always turn round and say to agree to any
compromise would be to sacrifice principle. This
is quite absurd, because the basis of opposi-
tion rests upon the injustice of compelling
Dissenters to support the Church of England, and
if this compulsion be done away with in what lies
the lack of principle that they seem afraid of
There is no greater difficulty than in getting some
people to agree to their own proposals some times,
and we find this conspicuously the case with this
question of the church rates. If it be decided
that no Dissenter can be called upon to pay, and that
all " compulsory collections" be abolished, we can-
not see on what grounds of consistency or good
sense hon. members can go on making this a
causes Belli, and declaring that they are waging war
against intolerance and injustice. It must be seen
that the chief, if not the only, obstacles to a
settlement lie with the abolitionists, because
lately the Opposition, and those on the Ministerial
side who are against a total abolition, have shown
themselves ready and willing to come to terms.
Another source of great confusion has arisen from
the mistaken and misguided efforts of those who
have mixed up many questions in one, and sought
to interpolate the views of the Liberation Society
into those proposed for the abolition of church
rates. Mr. HARD CASTLE would have done more
wisely had he not pressed his motion to a division,
for we are now no further advanced than we were
before, and an appearance of success is of no
use without a reality. The Committee of the
House of Lords have to a great extent
sanctioned the adoption of a compromise, so
that what long remained an insuperable obstacle
to the settlement of the question has been removed.
Mr. GLADSTONE'S proposal seems to possess advan-
tages under whichever aspect of the case we con-
sider it ; but no doubt he spoke out too strongly to
meet the views of some, and perhaps offended their
prejudices, when he said that those who refused to pay
the rate had no right to interfere in the managemen

of the affairs of the Church. It is, at any rato, a

great satisfaction that one in so distinguished a
position, and possessed of so much ability as the
right hon. gentleman, should come forward in so
prominent a manner as he did yesterday to request a
compromise, and we concur with Mr. HOPE that we
may thus see daylight breaking on this vexed and
cloudy question. It is to be hoped that Mr. GLAD-
STONE will at some future time make a proposition
to the House which shall embody the substance of
his remarks of yesterday.
Mr. HOPE made some very wise observations on
the subject, and stated his meaning in plain terms.
lie desired to see a settlement, he would not call it
a compromise, but rather a fair treaty "between two
equal belligerent parties, each of whom was con-
scious of the strength of their cause, and was willing
in the course of that settlement to assume that the

other side had an equally good case." This will be the

only true way of settling the case, for, while angry
and irritated feelings are kept up, it will be impos-
sible to do so either effectually or satisfactorily.
Mr. HOPE objects to the system of pew-rents on
very reasonable grounds, and declares that their
being now levied in parishes where they had not
been for some years would only add to the con-
fusion and vexation of the question. " The in-
stincts of the House revolted against pew-rents,
which appeared to have been instituted for the
purpose of making the Church an easy place of
worship for the genteel middle tlasses, to the ex-
clusion of the poor." We agree with Mr. HorE
that the church rate question has now reached a
point at which only the conduct of the extreme
section of either party can frustrate a fair and just
settlement of it. It would be a good inauguration
of this first session of a new Parliament
for this long-debated matter to be brought to
a conclusion of some kind or other. It has too
long, for the dignity of the Church, too long for the
interests of the community, too long for the reputa-

tion of the House, been suffered to remain a fruitful
source of religious dispute, and a ready handle for
the use of agitators in their attacks on existing in-
stitutions. As Mr. GLADSTONE put it yesterday to
the House, abolishing the compulsory power of col-
lecting church rates, and making provision for ne-
cessary repairs by obtaining the amount from those
willing to give it, involves, on the part of the Church,
little beyond a sacrifice of the enjoyment of a power
which is at once vexatious and ineffective, while it
promises great practical good.

The arrival of the Moravian from New York,
with news to the 24th ult., informs us that the
excitement attending the political situation in the
States has by no means diminished. President
JOHNSON has openly declared war against the lead-
ing Radicals, denouncing them by name as enemies
to their country and threateningly hostile to him-
self. With the boldness and decision which charac-
terises him, he has not shrunk from proclaiming
openly to the people his conviction of the dangerous
devices of the ultra-Radicals, or from giving the
names of the leaders of the party as the chief
enemies of the State. Ilaving waited quietly, it
would seem with the intention of allowing the
Radicals to show themselves in their true
colours, Mr. JOHNSON has not followed up his first
attack with vigour and determination. At the meet-
ing of Congress considerable uncertainty was felt as
to the course which he intended to pursue. There
was a good deal of speculation relative to the matter,
since the Radical party possessed it was well known

an strimistakeable majority in the Lower House,
laesie.tes a great deal of influence in the Senate.
Tb ,eir leaders were known to be bold and unscrupu-
la us, their plans to be carefully and ingeniously
ni ,aturecl, and their hostility to the South as bitter
as id vindictive as their professions of goodwill to
the negro were loud and pretentious. The
opening of the political campaign gave the
ii -Radicals a decided success. By an ingenious
manceuvre, and by the willing assistance of the
Clerk of the House, who was one:of their own set,
the names of the representatives of the Southern
States were omitted from the roll of members. The
opposite party, taken by surprise, were completely
at fault. Some faint attempts at expostulation
were made, but they were arrogantly silenced by
Mr. TIIADDEUS STEVENS, and the first few
days of the Congressional assembly left the
Radicals apparently masters of the field. Flushed
with success, they proceeded still more
boldly. Bill after bill was introduced by
Mr. SUMNER, Mr. STEVENS and others, all having
for their professed object the benefit and civilisa-
tion of the negro ; for their real design, the spolia-
tion and degradation of the Southern white. The
Committee of Fifteen, reminding one of the old des-
potic Council of Ten, the Negro Suffrage Bill, the
Freedmen's Bureau Bill, are few among many efforts
of the kind made since the meeting of Congress. If
a boldness and uncompromising policy were of itself
a legitimate object of admiration, regardless of its
aims and intentions, the American Radicals might
certainly claim credit for their wholesale intolerance
and reckless assertion of their theories. It is diffi-
cult, however, to forgive them for advocating
humanity while they are really encouraging
that bitter and hostile feeling between white and
black, North and South, which has already caused
so much bloodshed and misery throughout the
States , for making the great ends of public policy
subservient to the prosecution of their party pur-
poses; for refusing to recognise the application to
themselves of those constitutional principles which
they so loudly applaud when others are judged by
their standard. Throughout all their policy this
session there has been the same ruling principle,
and its result would inevitably be the establishment
of a military despotism in the South, which would
heavily increase the burdens of the Northern tax-
payer, while it would drain the country of men, and
leave it, with internal disunion and the necessity of
keeping so many troops in particular States, at the
mercy of foreign invaders. Such a source of weakness
at home would completely neutralise the power and
influence of America abroad. Her statesmen might
boast and bluster, but with 8,000,000 of:disaffected
people, and the garrisons necessary to keep them in
chock, the youngest diplomatist could afford to
smile at threats which were formerly alarming.
How the enemies of reconstruction reconcile
theoretically the inconsistency of keeping out re-
presentatives of States, which they once declared
could never leave the Union, and of taxing people
whom they allow no share in the government,
and how they intend practically to pursue such a
hopeless cause, as keeping such vast States under

military control, it is not easy to see. It is less
surprising that a man of President JOHNSON'S capa-
city should at once recognise the injustice and
suicidal nature of their policy than that any man
of intelligence and political experience should be
found to recommend it.

Of the PRESIDENT'S opinions there can now be no
doubt. As we have said, he preserved a degree of
reticence during the earlier weeks of the session
which some mistook for timidity, others for vacil-
lation. But be was only waiting his opportunity,
and he has now spoken out in a manner which has
surprised and discomfited. his enemies not a little.
The Radicals, furious at the failure of their bill
through the veto of the PRESIDENT, did not
scruple to denounce him in the most unmeasured
terms—still under the pretext of humanity and
patriotism. They were not prepared for an open
denunciation of their leaders from the White House.
The occasion selected was WASHINGTON'S birthday,
when meetings were held throughout the country in
support of the Presidential policy. The Washington
meeting, after passing several resolutions, adjourned
to the White House. Here the PRESIDENT addressed
them in the speech we have referred to. He declared
that he was resolved, as he always had been, to
maintain the Union and the Constitution against
enemies, North and South. The South, he said, en-

deavoured to destroy the Government, but no sooner
is the war over than the country finds itself in the
midst of another rebellion. " The Executive
military power and public judgment have
decided that no State has power or the right
to go out of the Union, and you turn round
and assume that they are out and shall not come in.
lam not prepared to take any such position. I
have found treason at the South, and now I turn
to the other end of the line I find men still oppos-
ing the restoration of the Union." In answer to
repeated calls for names, he boldly gave the names of
THADDEUS STEVENS, CHARLES SUMNER, and
WENDELL PHILLIPS, as prime movers in the affair,
and openly charged them with inciting to his
assassination. The Presidential obstacle must,
they say, be got rid of. For himself, Mr. JOIINSON
declared he was willing enough to be made
a martyr for his country, but that he did
not intend " to be overawed by friends or bullied
by enemies." The only usurpation of which
he had been guilty was in standing between the
people and the encroachments of power, and the
centralisation of authority and influence in the
hands of a few, was, he believed, as fatal to the
Constitution as the open secession of the South.

This bold and decided conduct on the part of
Mr. JoHNsoN carried all before it. The result was

summed up iu a telegram -which Mr. SEWARD sent

;o New York on February 23—" It is all right.

The Uuion is restored—the country is safe. The

PRESIDENT'S speech is triumphant, and th© country

will be happy." Mr. SEWARD himself has made a

spoech arguing very sensibly on behalf of the PRE.

SIDENT'S policy, and pointing out to the people thai

the present Freedmen's Bureau Bill will remain in
force for a year after the_termination of the rebel-
lion, so that any alteration at this time is un-

necessary.

The general temper of the public meetings was
strongly in favour of the PRESIDENT. At the
Cooper Institute a densely thronged assembly, in-
cluding all classes of politicians, supported resolutions
approving the Veto, and urging the admission of
loyal representatives of the Southern States. At
New York a committee of influential citizens have
resolved to proceed to Washington to confer with
the PRESIDENT on the best means of sustaining his
Administration. More noticeable still, at a Radi-
cal Republican caucus, held in Washington, mode-
rate counsels prevailed, and a resolution admitting
Tennessee into the Union was offered and favour-
ably received. The fact is that the Radicals feel
that the tide has turned, that the public feeling
is against them, and that the power has slipped
from their hands, being grasped by one more
fitted to use it.

At the Chelmsford Assizes, yesterday, a child only
eight years of age was put upon his trial for arson. Tho
Lord Chief Baron, however, expressed a strong opinion
that tho child ought not to 100 tried, and ho was formally
acquitted.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Wednesday Evening.
The discussion in the Corps Legislatif yesterday
was very long. Much of it turned upon local
matters, and I do not see anything in the report
which would interest English readers. The condi-
tion of the French colonies occupied a considerable
portion of the sitting ; and the discussion upon
colonial matters is closed, at least so far as Algeria
is concerned. Attacks were incidentally made upon
the Government and magistrates in reference to the
last elections. The Minister energetically and suc-
cessfully repudiated them. He said that no proof
whatever had been given of alleged illegal acts on
the part of the magistrates. It was painful to see
them made the objects of such articles, and he
call upon the Chamber to support honourable men
who had served the public interest.
I informed you a day or two ago that at the last
reception at the Tuileries the Emperor chatted very
familiarly with some of the members of the Chain.

ber, and particularly with the Opposition members.
It is related that his Majesty was very gracious to
M. de Boissy, who, in spite of his hostility to Eng-
land and everything else, is in private life a very
amiable and courteous man. The Emperor per-
ceiving M. de Boissy went up to him, and, offering
his hand with a smile, said, " Oh, you are there,
you terrible child !" " Terrible," replied the mar-
quis, " but devoted, and I wish your Majesty had
many like me. "No," said the Emperor, " I prefer
unity."

M. Pierre Louis Parisis, Bishop of Arras, Bou-
logne, and St. Omar, whose death I was able to
announce yesterday, was born at Orleans on the
12th of August, 1795. Vicar of St. Laurent, then
of St. Paul at Paris, curate of Gien, he was trans-
lated to the Bishopric of Arras in 1851. He was a
member of the Constituent Body in 1848, and of
the Legislative Assembly. He was an officer of the
Legion of Honour, Knight of the Sepulcre, and was
decorated with the Palliuna. The pallium is the
cloak which the Pope sends to the Archbishops as
the investiture of their dignity, and sometimes he
grants it as a peculiar favour to Bishops. The wool
of which it is manufactured is taken from the two
lambs offered to Rome by the Religieuses of the
convent of St. Agnes at the fête of that Saint. M.
Parisis was the author of several theological and
political works of repute.
It appears from the Russian papers received in
Paris that Russia will oppose the election of any
foreign Prince as successor to Prince Couza. The
Gazette de Moscow, referring to the Danubian
Principalities, says that Russia will never consent
to the election of a Prince belonging to a reigning
family, even should he be the D uke de Leuchtenberg.
Russia is, in fact, determined to conform rigorously
to the terms of tho Treaty of Paris of 1856.
The preparatory arrangements for the Great
international Exhibition of Paris proceed with great
regularity and celerity. Switzerland, it appears, will
occupy a fair share of attention. The names of no
less than 1,254 exhibitors have already been in-
scribed on the list. In fact no more space can be
afforded for the exhibition of the products of
Switzerland, the limits being now exceeded. On the
other hand, Denmark haying demanded a credit of
27,000 rix dollars for the purpose, which demand
was refused, it is now supposed in Paris that no
Danish products will be exhibited.

Two murders have been committed by a prisoner
in the prison at Riom, By some neglect he man-
aged to conceal a knife, with which he pierced the
heart of the head gaoler, M. Laureat, who died al-
most instantly. He then attacked a fellow-prisoner
in the same way, and murdered him also. The
bodies of both the unfortunate men were interred
at the same time, and as a, mark of sympathy the
Mayor of the town, the Procureur-Imperial, and
many of the inhabitants attended the funeral. It
is supposed that the murderer is insane.
In addition to the persons already mentioned,
many other scientific men have proceeded to the
Island of Santorin to take notes of the volcanic
phenomena in that locality. According to the latest
official reports, a violent tempest had prevented the
scientific commission from approaching Santorin,
but it appears, from the accounts of some sailors,
that the island was rising gradually every day.
There was an exceedingly violent storm of wind
at Paris last night, accompanied with much rain.
To-day the storm has again prevailed, and from
spring the weather has again receded to the depth
of winter. The official meteorological observations
betoken more rough and stormy weather. In the
French Almanac a day is marked as Quatre Temps,
or fair weather. Yesterday was precisely a day of
that description. At twelve in the day it was
summer, after a frosty morning early, and towards
five in the afternoon the wind became cold and
piercing; and all night the g, pitiless pelting of the
storm" was heard.

Easter Monday Volunteer Review at

Brighton.

Yesterday afternoon the commanding officers of
the various volunteer corps held a meeting at the
rooms of the National Rifle Association, Pall-mall
East, to receive and consider a report of the com-
mittee of commanding officers appointed to visit
Brighton and report to their colleagues as to the ad-
visability of holding the Easter Monday Volunteer
Review on the same ground as last year.
Lord Ranelagh occupied the chair, and there were
also present Lieuts.-Col. Lord Grosvenor, Marquis
of Donegall, Lord Fitzgerald, Cole, Whitehead,
Somerset, Cochrane, Durnford, Sir John Shelley,
Thomson, Labrow, Bigge, A. B. Richards, Grey,
and Lawes.

The CHAIRMAN reported on behalf of the com-
mittee of commanding officers appointed to visit
Brighton that they had communicated with the
mayor and corporation, and that a subscription was
being entered into by the inhabitants of Brighton
to defray incidental expenses, and to compensate
landowners and farmers for damages to crops, &c.
They had also been in .communication with the
London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Com-
pany, who had agreed to make an extra concession
by conveying the adjutants' horses free of expense.
Lord GROSVENOR called the attention of the
meeting to the necessity of taking steps to insure
the attendance of commanding officers with their
battalions up to the time of their regiments being
sent off by railway, and it was resolved that the
attention of brigadiers be called to this subject.

The following letter was then read from the
Mayor of Brighton :

" Town Hall, Brighton, March 5.

" Volunteer Review.

"My Lord—l have much pleasure in informing you
that, at a public meeting this day, the appropriate resolu-
tions were adopted for carrying out the review effectually.
The committee have already settled terms with nearly all
the owners and occupiers of ground, and you may consider
the matter is substantially settled. Subscriptions, in-
cluding the railway company's and the race-course com-
mittee's, amounting to £350, were announced at the meet-
ing.—l have the honour to be, &c.,
l(Signed)
" To the Hon. Viscount Ranelagh."
Some conversation took place upon this letter,
when it was unanimously resolved that the Easter
Monday Volunteer Review shall tako place at
Brighton, and that the secretary intimate the same
to the mayor.

lIENRY MAitliX.

The question of making the Volunteer Review
day the day for general inspection for corps present
was discussed, but no decision was come to.

of Lord
tr
oGp
loi E Nvooßl
utnhteeno
rms obv
oe dh,
eld nh a tHtyh(ei
or epv
ark
on erk
on some afternoon during the summer, by permis-
sion of his Royal Highness, the Ranger, and that,
with the sanction of the Inspector-General of Volun-
teers, it shall be optional with all and any of the
corps attending such reviews to have their annual
inspection take place at the same tune, and that their
Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales
be requested to review." _
Captain TEMPLER seconded the resolution, which
was put and carried.
Tho meeting then terminated.
In the course of the proceedings it was announced
that the London, Brighton, and South Coast Rail-
way Company have contributed £lOO towards the
Brighton town's subscription to meet the necessary
expenses Of compensating landowners, providing
horses for artillery, prizes, &c.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE PRINCIPALITIES.
BUCHAREST, MARCH 7, Evening.

. _
The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate have
appointed the Bojars Boraresco, Tepuriano, Casta-
foro, and Stege as commissioners with the great
powers.

Rumours are current here that great agitation
prevails in Jassy in reference to the revocation of
the union between Moldavia and Wallachia, and
the election of a native prince as Hospodar of
Wallachia, and that reinforcements have been de-
spatched to Jassy.

These rumours have been officially denied, and it
is announced that Moldavia and Wallachia have
entirely concurred in the events which have taken
taken place at Bucharest.

AUSTRALIA.

DEAL, MARCH 7.

Messrs. Green's ship Roxburgh Castle, Captain
Dinsdale, from Melbourne, on the 4th December,
arrived here to-day with 14,287 ounces of gold,
1,850 bales of wool, and a cargo of copper, molasses,
&c.

On the 28th ult. she passed the Queen of Nations
homeward bound.

SPAIN.

MADRID, MAncll 7 (Evening).
In to-day's sitting of the Congress, Senor
Fignerola asked the Minister of War to communi-
cate to the Chamber the report of the court-martial
held at Alcala to try four sergeants, Captain
Spinosa, and one citizen, all of whom were sen-
tenced to death and shot.

Senor Fignerola stated that it was necessary to
be in possession of the documents relating to this
trial before asking the Government any questions
respecting the continuation of martial law.

FRANCE.
Boum, March 7, Three o'clock.—The market
closed at the following quotations :-
4-} por Cents 97 50
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 69 GO
Do. end month 69 671
Credit Mobilier 700
Do. end month
Bank Shares 3650
Crodit Foncier —
Italian Loan 62 60
Do. end month 62 60
ILAIL

Roman —
Ottoman Fives —
Mexican Loan 47
Do. Bonds 3OG 25
Russian —
Austrian
Spanish Throes
Home Debt
Deferred

'AYE.
Cash.

Acct.
... 885 50
1132 50
- 910 -
- ... 557 50

Orleans
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona
Roman

- - ... 546 25
- - ... 142 50

- - ... 410 ----
- - ... 417 .50
- - ... 176 25
- -
... 240
- -- ... 100 -

15

Royal General Theatrical Fund.

The annual general meeting of the members of the
Royal General Theatrical Fund took place yester-
day in the saloon of the Royal Lyceum Theatre ;
Mr. Buckstone in the chair.

The SECRETARY (Mr. Cullenford) read the finan-
cial statement for the last year, which was carried
unanimously.

Mr. Buckstone having been unanimously re-
elected treasurer,
The CHAIRMAN said although he felt flattered by
their re-electing him to the office of hon. trea •
surer, he should only accept it conditionally.
He had been their treasurer for 25 years, and
during that time had attended 20 of the 21 dinners,
and though a holiday would sometimes have been
acceptable, he might say that he never had been
away from the public for more than one night dur-
ing 20 years. He had never " been out of an en-
gagement." (Laughter.) Ile felt he required more
rest than he used to care for. He would accept the
office for another year conditionally, and the condi-
tions were, that next year it was possible he would
send in his resignation. It depended greatly on his
health ; and if he did, they must be prepared to find
another person to fill the duties of honorary trea-
surer. lie thanked them for the confidence they
had reposed in him.

The other officers having been re-elected, and
thanks paid to Mr. Arnold for the use of the com-
mittee room, and to Mr. Fechter for the use of the
saloon of the theatre in which they held their meet-
ings.

Mr. LACY put it to the meeting whether it would
not be advisable to increase the annuities in Class
B, which is £3O a year, to £35, as it was not enough
to support in anything like comfort persons over 60
years of age.
The SECRETARY said that however good the pro-
position might be it was illegal, and would be an
infringement of their charter.
Considerable discussion arose on this, which re-
sulted in a requisition being signed convening a
meeting, and that the solicitor should be consulted
on the matter.

A vote of thanks having been proposed to the

chairman,

The CHAIRMAN rose and said—Ladies and gen-
tlemen, I have four causes of congratulation—one
the success of our funds, and also the increase of our
"ways and means." I have also one pleasing thing
to announce to you, that at our next anniversary
festival the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor will occupy
the chair, and my friend Mr. Charles Dickens will
also be present. I have also another cause of con-
gratulation, the re-election of our worthy secretary,
Mr. Cullenford—(hear, hear)—who is always ready
to prove that his figures are strictly correct, and like
an old Conservative —(laughter)--- as I know he is
—he is at all times ready to resist any innovation
as to our rules. lam sorry to see so few ladies pre-
sent. I should like to see as many as there are gen-
tlemen, and that when the business was concluded
we could then " pair off "—(laughter)—and might
very well finish the proceedings by dancing " Sir
Roger de Coverley." (Great laughter and cheers.)
A vote of thanks to the press brought the
meeting to a close.

We are credibly informed that Sir Thomas Fre-
mantle has refused permission (declined to sanction,
in official phraseology) to the clerks of the inspec-
tor-General of Imports and Exports to state their
case and their claims in a respectfully worded peti-
tion to the Lords of the Treasury ; and although
received on the best authority, we should have de-
clined giving credence to so monstrous a stretch of
power if in the notices given for this evening a cor-
roboration had not appeared in a question to be put
by Mr. Miller to the Secretary of the Treasury rela-
tive thereto. In bureaucratic Prussia we have no
doubt such a thing is possible, but we trust that the
day is far distant when such official tyranny will be
tolerated here. We only hope that the snub direct
will be administered to the Board of Customs in
such a manner as to save us from the repetition of
such a scandal, for such we esteem this attempt to
gag a respectable body of gentlemen whose claims
upon the public have only been too long neglected.

There was rather a strange incident in the Mid-
dlesex Sessions Court-house yesterday. A man
named llarmsworth, who had been several times convicted,
was found guilty of attempting to pick pockets, and was
sentenced to 7 years' penal servitude. On his way to the
coil ho contrived to get near the prosecutor, and struck
him a violent blow. Tho Assistant-Judge ordered the
prisoner to bo brought back, and altered his sentence to 10
years' penal servitude.

A PARRICIDE SENTENCED TO DEATIL—At the
Wexford Assizes, where Dr. Ball, Q.C., is acting as judge,
instead of Mr. Justice Hayes, who is ill, a young man, 21
years of age, was found guilty of the murder of his father,
near Newtonbarry, in October last. Ho was sentenced to
be hanged on the 4th of April. When sentence was
pronounced the prisoner fell back in the dock perfectly
insensible.