The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-03 00:00:00

THE CONSCIENCE OF A CHIMNEY STEEP.

At the vestry meeting at St. Paul's, Knights-
bridge, held yesterday, for the election of church-
wardens, Groves, a chimney sweep, claimed the
right to speak ; he said he had resided for 30 years
within the parish, and had had the privilege of
hearing the Rev. Mr. Ashdall, a kind and consi-
derate man, preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ. When the late Bishop of London conse-
crated St. Bnrnabas church he went down to see it,
thinking it was to he done upon Protestant prin-
ciples—(hear, hear) —but the ceremony was one
with which he did not et all hold. Standing by his
Protestant prineiples he had accordingly left the
church—(cheers)—but Mr. Trower, of Victoria-
street, a barrister-at-law they called him, came
down to him and sought to show him that he was
in error. I said, he continued, show me where I
am in error.' He said, Have you a Prayer-book ?'
and I said Yes.' He then took my Prayer-book
and I took his—(laughter)—but on looking over it
I found his had not the Articles. Look here,' said
I, yours has not got the Articles.' Oh,' says he,
mine is the Oxferd edition.' Then,' said I,
' mine is the Cambridge.' (Loud laughter.) If,'
said I, you are a Protestant, there can be no
difference between us, for I am a Protestant •,
but if you show me I am in error I will
acknowledge my fault. What more could any
man do ?' (Great laughter.) ' Are you back in
your rent, Groves ?' said he. Yes,' said I, am
I owe £lo.' He then said, 'lf you wish to hold
with us we will pay your rent for you.' Do you
see that shelf ?' said I; ' I would sooner nail up
a penny loaf there and nibble it off bit by bit than
sell my conscience.' (Loud cheers.) Oh,' said he
then, I take my church from tradition.' Do you ?'
said I ; then it is you who are in error, and not I.'
After that the great God who is above took me to
Mr. Westerton, and in him I found a father and a
friend. I have nine in family to feed with this one
pair of hands, but Mr. Westerton came down with
me and paid my rent for me, as a man—(hear,
hear, and laughter)—and I now come forward to
help him for the benefit of the Protestant Church of
England. (Hear.)

THE NEW LORD LIEUTENANT OF CARMARTHEN-
SHIXE.—The lord lieutenantcy of Carmarthenshire, which
has been vacant since the death of the Earl of Cawdor, in
the middle of November last, has at length been conferred
upon his son and successor. The Earl of Cawdor, heretofore
known as Viscount Emlyn, was born June 11,'1817, was
educated at Eton School, and graduated at Christ Church,
Oxford, 8.A., 1838, M.A., 1840. He was for some time
precis writer to the Earl of Aberdeen, Secretary for Foreign
Affairs under Sir R. Peel's Government.

ODD FELLOWSHIP.—Last night the sixteenth
anniversary dinner of the Loyal Belgrave Lodge (No. 3965)
of Odd Fellows was celebrated at St. James's Hall,—ll. B.
Sheridan, Esq., M.P., in the chair. The usual loyal toasts
were given and responded to with the utmost enthusiasm,
and in proposing the toast of the evening, " Success to the
Belgrave Lodge," the Chairman delivered a very excellent
address on the benefits of the order. The health of the
Chairman was proposed and received with great enthu-
siasm ; and in acknowledging the compliment, Mr. Sheridan
remarked that he had seldom passed a more pleasant even-
ing than in presiding over the Belgravians at their six-
teenth anniversary.

RAILWAYS IN ALGERIA.—The railway works
commenced between Algiers and Blidah have been tempo.,
rarily suspended. Tho company promoting the construction
of railway lines in Algeria endeavoured to raise a capital •f
£2,200,000 in 110,000 shares, the State guaranteeing an
interest of 5 per cent. Having obtained this guarantee, the
company proceeded to treat with Sir Moreton Peto for the
eonstiuction of the lines comprised in the concession, Sir
Morton engaging to take the shares not subscribed for. Of
the 110,000 shares offered to the public it appears that only
45,000 have been taken, and the further inquiries made in-
duce the conclusion that the proposed capital of £2,200,000
will not be sufficient to meet the engagements undertaken
by the company. Sir Morton Peto also denies that his pro-
mise to take up the unsubscribed-for shares could possibly
apply to such a proportion as the 65,000 remaining dispos-
able. In this critical state of the company's affairs a con-
ference has been held, at which the Emperor Napoleon him-
self presided ; and it has been determined to submit to the
Corps Logislatif a measure modifying and completing the
conditions of the original concession. Some more ad van.
tageous stipulations will be accorded to the company, who
will, it is stated, be authorised to realise an issue of obliga-
tions guaranteed Ly the State.