The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-01 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The comet, of which I see some accounts
in the Times of this morning, appeared to me equal
in size to the planet Jupiter, with a tail very biil-
liant, for at least 20 degrees, traceable for as many
more, nearly up to the Pole star. On account of
the great breadth of the tail near the nucleus, and
unusually large dark space in the middle, it had
the appearance of being double, and the western
part seemed to end abruptly at about 10 degrees
from the body of the comet.
By watching its position among the stars for near
four hours, I thought I could detect, even without
the aid of instruments, a southern motion ; and the
slight easterly bend of the tail would also indicate
an advance in right ascension. From the small
curve of the tail I should infer that its real motion
is comparatively slow at present, and that its
apparent great speed is caused by its proximity to
the earth.

If the tail of the present comet is fainter, it is
much broader towards the nucleus, and even longer
than that of Donati's comet. In the apparent mag-
nitude and brilliancy of its nucleus it is much
superior to the latter ; and, considering the com-
paratively unfavourable circumstances under which
it is seen, in the light of the moon and in the
northern twilight of summer, it must be thought a
much more striking object than the great comet of
1858.-4 remain, Sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN BIRMINGHAM.
Cecil-street, Strand, Ist July.

LORD CAMPBELL'S FUNERAL.

According to his well known and frequently ex-
plained wishes the remains of the departed Lord
Chancellor, on Saturday, the 29th of June, were
consigned to the resting place which he had chosen
in Jedburgh Abbey. Although the funeral was
private in its nature, and, in conformity with Scot-
tish usage, avoided the pomp of woe, the respect and
sympathy prevailing for the late Lord Campbell in
Jedburgh, close to which he lived, elicited ample
demonstration. At their desire, the Provost, Bail-
lies, and Town Councillors came up to Hartrigge,
Lord Campbell's seat, and headed the procession,
which left at 12 o'clock. Behind them was the
hearse, followed by the three sons and a nephew of
Lord Campbell, walking as chief mourners. After
a carriage, in which two of his daughters were pre-
sent, Lord Minto, Mr. Rutherfurd, the Sheriff of
the County; Mr. H. Scott, of Ancrum, Major
Richardson, of Kirklands ; Mr. Craigie, Sheriff-
Substitute ; the Rev Mr. Ritchie, of the Established
Kirk; the Rev. Mr. Purves, of the Free Kirk;
and the Rev. Mr. Turnock, of the Epriscopalian
Chapel, walked together. Next to these were his
lordship's tenants and his domestic servants, the line
ending with the carriage of Lord Minto. As soon
as the Provost and Corporation reached the gates of
Hartrigge the lead was taken by the Jedburgh
Volunteers in mourning, under Lieut. Dodd, the
corps having expressed an anxious wish to be
allowed to guard and to conduct the procession to
the Abbey. Preserving admirable order, when the
latter point was reached they formed to the right
and left, and with every mark of reverence
allowed the coffin, here lowered from the hearse, to
pass between them.
The English service was performed by the Rev.
W. Sprenger White, the son-in-law of the late Lord
Chancellor. Heavy rain fell the moment it com-
menced, and when the sad conclusion was arrived
at distant thunder resounded through the Abbey.
The shops were closed from 12 to 2 o'clock, and
everything indicated that in the secluded town near
which he had of late years made his home, his
lordship had created an attachment and regard as
strong as that which he enjoyed among those who
had longer been acquainted with him.