The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-16 00:00:00

rfi E SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 16, 1857

hesitate before they reject a measure, which has
been carried by a clear majority of 140, and on
which the most distinguished men of their own
party have opposed the narrow and almost sec-

tarian views of their followers. The names of

Lord LYNDHURST, of Mr. DISRAELI, and, we re-
joice to add, of Sir JOHN PAKINOTON, should
exercise no ordinary influence with her MAJESTY'S
Opposition ; and the memories of Sir ROBERT
PEEL, Lord ELLESMERE, and Lord GEORGE
BENTINCK, should add to the weight fairly at-
tached to the living Statesmen.
The first division was on the question very un-
wisely raised by the Roman Catholic Members.
They should be the last to desire the retention
of any species of intolerance, considering how
long and how improperly they were denied the
enjoyment of their political rights, and yet the
course which they pursued might have endangered
the success of the bill, and prevented the smooth-
ing away of one of the chief difficulties that im-
pedes the attainment of the object which they
may naturally desire to promote. We do not
say that there was not great justice in the views
which Mr. DEASY so temperately, yet so powerfully
put forward, and if the single question of the Roman
Catholic oaths were at issue, he would have merited,
and received far greater support than he actually ob-
tained. It was, however, the injudicious amalga-
mation of two distinct propositions that was to
be deprecated, and the only effect whereof would
be greatly to endanger, if not absolutely prevent,
the measure from obtaining the legislative sanc-
tion during the present session. However invidi-
ous might be the distinction between the
oaths taken by the Roman Catholic and the
Protestant Members however desirable to
adopt one form that might be taken by per-
sons of every creed, it would have been
more graceful to have abstained from taking
advantage of the occasion, and seeking to prevent
others from obtaining much required re:ief, unless
they themselves received a portion of the benefits
to be bestowed on their more injured fellow-
citizens ! It was, as we have stated, this view
of the case that led to the rejection of the amend-
ment by a majority of 290, and of the subsequent
one, moved by Mr. ROEBUCK in a similar spirit,
by a majority of l'T5 !
The great struggle, however, took place on the
amendment of Sir F. THEsmest, which was prac-
tically directed against the admission of Jews to
the House. The mode by which that was to be
achieved was, the retention of the words, "on the
true frith of a Christian," a mere form which, it
was universally admitted, was not originally aimed
against Jew members, but merely intencied to ren-
der the adjuration more binding on the con-
sciences of those by whom it was taken. The
words are not used or taken in any other
oath. They are not required to give a religi-
ous sanction to the obligation. A purely
accidental circumstance is made use of to
deprive a number of good and valuable
citizens—men who have stood by the nation in
the most trying emergencies, of the rights and
privileges to which they would unquestionably be
entitled but for the contingency.
The most important feature,. in last night's
debate, was the straightforward and honourable
recantation by Sir JOHN PAKINGTON of his former
opinions. The Right Honourable Gentleman
felt that the time had arrived when he could no
longer consistently resist the just claims of his
Jewish fellow subjects, and he very clearly and
ably explained the causes of his change of senti-
ment. Ou one point we differ from him, very
' materially. The subject has, in our judgment,
been brought forward in the very best form,
and the Government acted far more wisely
than in bringing in a separate Jewish Pill,
and establishing a separate Jewish Oath.
The more the swearing is simplified the better
for all parties. Oaths are but " springes
to catch sensitive conileiences," not affording the
Tightest security, but rendering what should only
he resorted to on the most urgent occasions far too
familiar, and thus depriving it of a great portion
of the solemnity, and mitigating the awe that
every man must feel when calling the DEITY to
witness for the first time. " Custom-house" oaths
had passed into a proverb in the olden time. When
resorted to fur the most trivial purposes they
ceased to have any weight. They became in
fact worse than useless, for they prevented the
adoption of suitable and far more efficient pre-
cautions against the contemplated danger. All
have heard of the numbers of conflicting constitu-
,ions sworn to by Prince TALLEYRAND during his
career, and there are thousands of others who
might be placed iu the same category.
The British law recognises the distinction be-
tween promissory, and other oaths. A man who
swears that he will perform any act at a future
period cannot be indicted for perjury, and in any
degree legally punished for its violation. Wh y
then retain the useless form in any way, save in
matters wherein it cannot (perhaps) be dispensed
with ? There are few persons on whose testimony
reliance might be placed who would not prove
equally truthful, on a simple affirmation, to state
" the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the

,rutb," while those who would violate their so•

[elan asseveration, would scarcely respect the oath
',hey had taken.

We trust that 'the bill may now finally pass
both Houses, and that it will speedily be followed

)3, another measure, sweeping away all useless ab-

'uratione,, and simplifying as much as possible

,hose which must still be retained.

Parliament. It was scarcely to be expected that
this year, of all years, he would deny himself the
gratification of finding out another of his old plea-
surable opportunities. This particular year of
grace, when he might actually, by means of his
accustomed motion, test the views enter-
tained in regard to the Ballot by the aggre-
gate wisdom of a newly-elected Parliament.
A test, moreover, especially desirable under the
circumstances—remembering that this newly-
elected Parliament is positively, (so far as we can
judge of the opinions of Members, from the views
expressed by them at the Hustings) to a very con-
siderable extent a Ballot Parliament I A House
of Commons, at any rate, to say the very least of
it, among whose members many new Advocates of
Vote by Ballot may be confidently anticipated
upon Mr. BERKELEY'S next Division. Provided
always the popular representatives are not alto-
gether forgetful of the promises, either volunteered
by, or extorted from, them at the period when they
were merely candidates for the suffrages of their
constituents

Bearing in mind the interest attaching to the
revival of the Question of the Ballot by its inde-
fatigable champion, the Member for Bristol—we
cannot feel any surprise that the Ballot Society,
in anticipation of the Test of the 30th instant,
should have called a meeting for the eve of that
Momentous Tuesday—an aggregate meeting, to be
presided over by Mr. GEORGE WILSON, the famous
Anti-Corn-Law League Chairman of Manchester !
Our astonishment would have been great, had
they not resolved upon such a course of proceed-
ing. We exult in the proof thus afforded by the
Ballot Society to the Liberal Reformers through-
out the country, that they are in very truth, alive
to the importance of the occasion. Never
yet have the prospects of the Ballot looked at
any period more propitiously. Let its sincere
and earnest advocates, one and all, be true to it
and to themselves—and a step onwards is already
accomplished. We have not forgotten our pre-
mise as to this next Division upon the motion of
Mr. BERKELEY. We have not forgotten it, and
we shall not forget it—that promise distinctly
made some time back, and since then more than
once deliberately reiterated. We shall not merely
be watchful and observant ourselves, but we
shall enable others, by means of type, ink,
and paper, to be watchful and observant
likewise. We earnestly exhort our pro-
vincial contemporaries generally to cc-operate
with U 3 •in these endeavours. Let each
liberal local journal throughout the country re-
produce in its columns the division list con-
spicuously priutcd with somo particular mark,
(whether by capitals, or italics, or asterisks),
notifying to the locality the part taken in regard
to this division by each respective representative.
Remember the present is a very notable turning-
point in the pathway leading right on to All Re-
forms generally, and to this one great Reform
of the Ballot, in particular.

GREAT HANDEL FESTIVAL —Her Majesty the Queen
and his Royal Highness Prince Albert have intimated
their intention of being present-at the Crystal Palace at
the performance of Handel's oratorio "Judas Mecca-
bacus" on Wednesday (to-morrow), the 17th of June.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert will be accom-
panied by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,
his Imperial Highness the Archduke Maximilian
of Austria, his Royal Highness Prince Frederick
William of Prussia, their Royal Highnesses'the Princess
Royal, Prince Arthur, Prince Alfred, and a numerous
suite. The party will be conveyed in 9 royal carriages.
In order to remove a misapprehension which appears to
exist on the subject, we are requested to state that seats
of both de•criptions, in excellent positions, are still to
be had, and that both the guinea and half-guinea tickets
can be °flanged for reserved seats on payment of the
difference in price on the spot. We have also been re-
quested to state that as a very considerable number of
the representatives of the provincial press from the prin-
cipal musical towns have visited London specially to at-
tend the Handel Festival, the c .nnittee of the Sacred
Harmouic Society have intimated that on presenting
their festival tickets at the Central Ticket-office, Exeter
Hall, this day, they will receive an invitation for the
performance of Mr. Costa's "Eli" to-morrow (Wednes-
day) night.
Her Majesty, yesterday, inspected the engraving,
by Mr. Thomas Landseer, to be dedicated to the
Queen, of Madlle. Rosa Bonheur's picture of the
" Horse Fair."
The Archduke Maximilian of •Anstria, attended by
Lord Charles Fitzroy, went yesterday morning to St.
Paul's Catoedral, and afterwards inspected Westmin-
ster Abbey and the new Palace of Westminster.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended
by Lady Augusta Bruce and Sir George Cowper,
arrived at her residence, Clarence House, St. James's,
yesterday morning, from Frogmore.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge
and the Princess Mary arrived at their residence, at
St. James's Palace, last evening, from Cambridge
Cottage, Kew.
His Highness the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, ac-
companied by Sir John Login, has arrived at Claridge's
Hotel, from Castle Menzies, N.B.
The Countess Craven gave an elegant ball last even-
ing, at the family mansion in Charles-street, Barkeley-
square.

Their Serene Highnesses the Hereditary Prince of
Saxe Meiningen and the Prince and Princess Edward
of Saxe Weimar were among her ladyship's guests.
Lady Hogg had a ball last night at her mansion in
Carlton-gardens.
Lady Halt of Llanover's evening assembly will take
place to-morrow, the 17th inst., and not on the 17th
July.
Lady Molasworth entertained at dinner, last evening,
his Excellency the Ambassador of France and the Coun-
tess de Persigny, the Marquis and Marchioness of Lon-
donderry, his Excellency the Sardinian Minister, Maria
Marchioness of Aile,,bury, the Marquis of Clsericar le,
the Eirl of Mannesbury, Viscount and Viscountess
Newport., Hon. Mrs. Anson, Mr. Harcourt, M.P., and
Frances Countess Waldegrave, Viscount Burlington,
Lady Dufferin and Lord Dufferin, the Hon. Mrs. Dyct
Sombre, &c.
The Right Hon. Sir Benjamin Hall gave dinners on
Wednesday and Saturday last. Among his guests were
the following :—His Excellency the Bavarian Minister,
tee Duke of Cleveland, the Marquis of Blandford, Lord
Kills n, the Earl Cawdor, the 11.1-1 of Lanesborough,
Lord Win. Paulet, Lord R. Grosvenor, Lord Downs.,
Lord Bateman, Lord Bury, Lord Rivers, Hon. H.
Bland, Baron Marochetti, Hun. R. Cavendish, Hon, Sir
E. Cost, Sir H, Cotterell, Sir H. F. Davie, Sir Robert
Brownrigg, Sir C. Barry, Mr. Stirling (of Keirs), Mr.
Holford, Mr. Herbert (of Llanartb), Mr. Antin, Mr.
Rolle, Dr. Quin, and. Mr. George Russel.
THE GRAND CALEDONIAN llALL.—Yesterday the
committee of the ladies patronesses of this fancy dress
ball met at Willis's Rooms, for the purpose of couplet
ing the arrangements for the 22d. At the meeting the
customary resolution was pas ecl, that the members of
the Royal family and the foreign ambassadors and their
ladies should be invited, Frum what can be gathered,
there is every prospect of a very full and brilliant ball.
LYCEUM THEATRE.—The second representation of
" Catnma" by Ma lame Ristori, last night, attracted the
largest audience that has yet assembled to witness the great
tragedienne during her present engagement in England.
Her performance possessed all the merits which we
noticed in detail on Saturday, and excited a similar en-
thusiasm.
MAIDSTONE.—REVIEW BY THE DUKE Or CAMBRIDGE.
—Ye his Royal Highness the General Corn-
rnanclitengr-daY
ili-Chiet, attended by a numerous staff, arrived
here by the 12 15 train, North Kent, and reviewed the
troops of the garrison, the object being to give the
colonels of the several cavalry regiments an insight into
the "system of equitation" practised at the depot, pre-
viously to the dismissal of the "rained" men to their
respective regiments.
UNITED STATES MAIL.—The Postmaster-General
gave notice yesterday that a ship letter mail for the
United States will be made up in the General Post-
office to-morrow morning for the Vanderbit steamer
North Star. Letters must be specially addressed to
go by the North Star, and the postage must be prepaid.
VOTE BY BALLOT.—We observe that the executive
committee of the Ballot Society have called an aggregate
meeting of the friends of the ballot, and delegates ap-
pointed by them, for Monday, the 29th inst., the evening
before, Mr. Berkeley's motion is made in the House of
Commons. Mr. George Wilson, of Manchester, is ex-
pected to preside. We are requested to state that the
committee hope all friends of the ballot will attend on
the occasion.

RATE OF DlscohNT.----A. few of the speculative pur-
chases in the Stock-Exchange yesterday were said to
have been Nadi) on the anticipation of a lowering of the
rate of discount on Thursday next. The stock of bullion
and the reserve of notes are cqnsiderably beyond the
points at which they stood in May last year, when a re-
duction to 6 per cent. was adopted ; but among many
parsons an impression prevails that no immediate move-
ment wi I be made, toe transient character of every re-
cent recovery being assigned as the reason for hesitation.
Some of the principal letters from Paris express doubts
of any reduction being made next Tnursday in the rate
of discount of the Bauk of France. Others assert not ,

only that an alteration will be resolved upon, but that it
will be to the extent of 1 per cent. The directors, it is
said, greatly desire that tne first step should be taken
by, the Rink of England. •
. .

LAW IWPJJ.TGENCE.—(This Day.)

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
(Sittings at Westminster before Lord Campbell and a
Special .Tury.)
THE QUEEN V. CAPT. ERLAIL-ABDITCTION,
It baying been rumoured yesterday that the trial of
Capt. Erlam, charged with felony in the abduction of a
Jewess, named Rosa Goodman, removed by certiorari
into this court from the Central Criminal Court, would be
tried this morning, gr, at interest was manifested as to the
result, and long before the hour appointen for the corn•
meneement of the husine,s of the court, the Court of
Queen's Bench was crowned by persons anxious to ob-
tain a sight ,'f the parties and hear the details connected
with this extraordinary case. Lord Campbell, however,
to facilitate the business of suitors, took special jury
ca-es in the Lord Chancellor's Court, whilst Mr. Jus ice
Wighttnan proceeded with common jury cases in the
usual Queen's Bench Court. Had therefore, the case
been proceeded with, many, from not knowing the ar-
rangements, woad have been disappointed.
On his lordship taking his seat,
Mr. Serjeant Shee said that it would be very conve
nient fur all parties concerned in this case if, as the case
st rod the seventh on the list, his lordship would allow it
to stand over till tomorrow.

Lord Campbell said that it appeared to him that it
would be impossible to r,Nicli it to-Jay, and that if either
of the parties was not quite prepared to go on with the
case to-day, he would acquiesce in the application.
Mr. Sergeant Shee said he was not quite prepared
with the defendant's case, and he therefore asked his
lordship to aliw the case to stand over.
Lord Canipt ell—Very well.
The case therefore stands over for hearing to-morrow,

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Fonblanque.)
IN RE T. RUSSELL.
This bankrupt was described as late of Oxford, school-
master, and now of St. Peter'—hill, Doctors Commons,
and to day was appointed for his last examination.
The balance—beet, prepared by M.-ssrs. Glover and
Griffiths, ex-ends from January 1854 to March 1857,
and shows debtor to credi.or 1,153/ 6,1.; cash ciedi•
tors 3311.; capital, Jarman, 1854, 1101 6s. 9d.; profi4s
4411. ; creditor, by good debts. 581 10s. ; ca h 101. ;
pr.'perty 4321. ; house expenses 551/. ; personal 3691. ;
losses 5661.

After a c msulfation between Mr. Lawrance who
appeared for the petitioning creditor, and Mr. Bagley
for the assignees, it was arranged that the meeting
should be adjJurned pro forma, it being proposed to
supersede the petition.

IN RE CALT.
This bankrupt was described as of the Ship Tavern,
Tower-street, licensed victualler, and to day was ap-
pointed for his last examination.
The balance-sheet, prepared by Messrs. Paul and
Turner, shows a deficiency—January, 1856, of 8461. ;
debtor to creditors, 1,5001. ; profits, 557/. 12e. ; credi-
tor, by good debts, 181. 19s. 10d. ; property, 101. ;
trade expenses, 6241. ; house expenses, 2781. ; losses,
891. ss.
The bankrupt passed.