The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-13 00:00:00

COLLIERY ENTERTAINMENT BY TITE
MARCHIONESS O 1 L9N.iONDERRY.

On Saturday last the men and boys employed in
the extensive colliery works of the Marchioness of
Londonderry, t the number of nearly three thou-
sand, were entertained at dinner by her ladyship.
in a large and commodious wooden structure erected
for the occasion in the beautifully-wooded grounds
of Seahain Hall, one of her ladyship's seats. This
was a repetition of' a similar entertainment which
was given by the marchioness to the miners in her
employment, in the course of lest year, at Fence-
hdusee. The butchers' meat killed for Saturday
consisted of 8 beasts, of 55st. each, and 32 sheep,
of sst. each. To this must be added 500 plum-pad-
dings of 51b. each, ,and 60 barrels of beer.
The Marchioness, in taking her place on the plat-
form, was accompanied by the Eight Rev. the
Bishop of Durham, Lord Adolphus Vane Tempest,
Mr. John Vandeleur Steward, with several of the
clergy of the neighbourhood, and others, either
guests at the hill at the time, or persons of station
connected with the surrounding districts. On the
appe trance of her ladyship and friends within the
building, the band struck up a lively air, and at the
same moment a tremendous burst of cheering arose
from 3,000 stentorian voices, and was protracted
for some moments, with a most imposing effect.
The galleries on two sides of the building were filled
with elegantly-dressed ladies.
Lord ADOLPHUS VANE TEMPEST occupied the
the chair. Ample time was allowed for dinner,
which having concluded, there was an instantaneor si
hush on the choir rising in their prominently
situated little gallery, to perform " Nou nobis
Domine."
The noble CHAIRMAN having proposed the usual
loyal toasts, which were loudly cheered, proposed.
the health of the Bishop of Durham and the clergy
of the diocese •, and the bishop returned thanks.
The health ef the ministers of different denomina-
tions in the county of Durham was then drunk,
after which the chairman said his mother would
address the assemblages The announcement was
received with'great cheering.
HER LADYSHIP, on rising, was received with
vociferous and long-continued cheering, which.
having subsided, she said :-5' My friends, it is
with sincere pleasure I see you all again, and this
time I have the satisfaction of receiving you in my
own park. On the lest occasion I followed the
dictates of my heart, in determining that the em-
ployer and the employed should meet at the same
board. Still it was an experiment disapproved of
by some, and the wisdom of which was doubted by
many, while all looked forward to it with anxiety ;
and the responsibility of bringing together so large a
number of people on that ill-omenectspot—still then
only known in tonne i ion with strikes and rebellion
—fell-heavily upon me. The result was satisfactory.
and I meet you now with feelings of con-
fidence and comfort —confidence in myself
that I do right in thus gathering you
around me— confidence in you that your
conduct will be good and orderly, and comfort in
believing that you are worthy of my confidence.
I have many points on which I wish to address you,
but I never can see you individually or collectively
without repeating my warnings and entreaties to be
careful and prudent. You do not know how much
this affects my peace. Thank God, we have had
no serious or fatal ccalamitysince I saw you last,
but the details of the accident at Lundbill Colliery
must be fresh in all your minds, where above 189
human beings were without any preparation
launched into eternity, leaving mothers and sisters,
widows and orphans, to mourn their loss. Think
on these horrors, .my friends, and may your reflec-
tions induce you at least to do your duty, and be
less callous and more careful, and never for an in-
stant forget yourselves to unscrew your lamps to
light your pipe or fire your shot. It makss my
blood run cold to dwallOstipon these fearful risks,
and I think that any great calamity among you
would break my heart. We are all in God's hands,
still I feel it any duty to offer to you these observa-
tions to do your duty to yourselves, your friends,
and your families." Her ladyship then urged upon
her audience a better appreciation of the eda-
catioeal opportunisies offered to them by her
schools. She stated that before allowing a
boy to go down to work, she should require a
certificate that he can read and write. "I
refrain," a dded her ladyship, "from any interference
with your religious opinions. deeply respect all
conscientious feelings, however widely they may
differ from my own, and would repeat to you in the
poet's words the same sentiments I addressed
men's
creels you at ournot
meeting—'l meddleMaker.'
Yet ; these rest between man and his Maker.
let I should like if some religious test or qualifica-
ton could be applied, and that each boy should
bring a,certtficate that he had, acquired a compe-
tent knowledge of those general principles and
fandamental doctrines of Christianity, which are
common to all Christ's churches, and which we all
approve and believe, without insisting on any pecu-
liar creed or dozmas on which conscientious diffe-
rences may be entertained. It is also my inten-
tion to give in rinsed facilites for further edu-
cat;on to those men at work during the day by
uigbt schools, or by allowing a portion of time in
each week to be appropriated for that purpose.
(Cheers.) 1 have, as I before stated, a high opi-
nion of night s&io_ds of all trades." The mir-
chioness concluded with offering to assist iu esta-
blishing a " Pitman's HOME," for worn-out and in-
firm pitmen. " Surrounded," said her ladyship,
" by the sturdy producers of coal on my estate, I
feel that you enable me to contribute my share in
the development of the commercial interests of the
country, and in return I wish to devote a woman's
head and a woman's heart, however feeble they
may be, to the care of your interests, praying ever
that God may assist and guide me in my endea-
vours." (Loud cheers.)
THOMAS NICHOLSON, a working pitman, of Sea-
ham Colliery, then spoke at some length. He
alluded to the parental care manifested by her
ladyship towards the children of the miners—the
disinterested zeal shownfor their present and future
welfare, and more particularly as regarded the com-
bination of religious and secular education in the

various institu ions which had been started uncle;
her ladyship's auspices. Though a dissenter, be
was glad to see at New Seaham Colliery that beau-
tiful edifice arise which was not only an ornament,
but a gre it blessing to the neighbourhood in which
they resided ; and he trusted A; might be a Bethel

to fhousands of immortal souls. Tie speaker con-
cluded by proposing her ladyship's good health.
(The toast was drunk amidst tremendous and reite
rated cheering.)
The noble CHAIRMAN returned thanks on behalf
of his mother. He could, from his own experience;
assure them that the sentiments she had that thy
uttered were not merely formal. Her who?e desire
was to do her duty in the position in which sho
was placed; and the only reward she desired was
the consciousness of meriting their good will and
esteem. (Loud cheers.) Before he sat down he
wished to propose the health of those visitors who
had kindly honoured them with their presence that
day, coupling with the toast the name of one who
deserved the esteem of all, on account of his having
thrown open his gardens for the entertainment and
amusement of the working men of Durham.
(Cheers) " The health of the visitors, coupled
with the name of Mr. Wharton." (The toast was
most cordially drunk.)
Mr. WHARTON returned thanks, and proposed
" The Coal Trade, coupled with the name of Mr.
Taylor."
Mr. H. TAYLOR returned thanks, and mentioned
some facts which strikingly attested the extent and
social importance of the coal trade of the country

at large.
Mr. H. 'TANNER, in a few complimentary remarks',
prop ised " The health of Earl Vane."
The toast was most cordially drunk.
The noble CHAIRMAN returned thanks on behalf
of his brother.

Two or three other toasts were proposed, and

duly honoured, including "The Lath of the
Chairman," to which his lordship returned thanks
in same spirited observations; "The health of
Lady Vane" followed, and was warmly honoured.
The list of toasts having been exhausted, the com-
pany bloke up in the most orderly and decorous
manner.

for
joorintthley27ctahrriynisotg.,
onto
csth,llardehfolders in the State
Fire nc
arrangement entered into with the Times
A InPseaciraaime
business together."
ecetoinaigpao,fiythise
FeciTrnefinrecuAdei:vunidraennde°:b°emdPeacnlYar'ed at the half-yearly meet-
;ng of the Southampton Dock Company, on the 26th
inst., will be at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, being
the same rate as was declared at the corresponding
period of last year.
THE AIIBTALIAN AND AMERICAN MAThs.-rSouthamp-
ton; Wedneqay.— The European and Australian Com-
pany's screw steamer Etna, Captain Moodie, sailed to,
day for Malta and Alexandria with the mails for
Australia, New Zealand, &c., in all 406 boxes and bags,
155 passengers, and 12,0001. in specie and valuables. The
United States' mail steamer North Star, Capt. Lefebre,
Havre end Cowes to-day for New York, with the
man, French, iind English mails, passengers, and
o for the United States. _

AN E XTRA —TEAM S
RIP FOR INDIA.—SOUTRAMFTON,
Wednesday.—The Peninarr and Oriental Company's
stelm ship Canada, which has been lengthened 30 feet
amidships, will proceed to India, via the Cape on the
15th lust, She left the -clock this day with a scientific
party on board, and proceeded to Stokes Bay, vihen her
speed was tested by the measured mile. The result was
en average of 12i knots per hour. The great speed of
this ship Kill' ensure her reaching India in little over
GO days, whilst her superior accommodation and sea-
.worthy qualities will, no doubt, gain for her a great
number of passengers.