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

COLLIBEY ENTERTAINMENT BY TILE
MARCHIONESS OF L()NDONDERRY.

Oa Saturday last the men and boys employed in
the ( xtensivo colliery works of the Marchioness of
Londonderry, to the number of nearly three thou-
sand, werg.,enteitained at dinner by her ladyship
in a large commodious wooden structure erected
for the occasion in the beautifully-wooded grounds
of Seaharn Hall, one of her ladyship's seats. This
was a repetition of a similar ent,:rtiinment which
was given by the marchioness to the miners in her
employrnent, in the course of last year, at Fence-
houses. The butchers' meat killed for Saturday
c.msisted of 8 beasts, of 55st. each, and 32 sheep,
of sst. ea .h. To this must be added 500 plum-pud-
dings of 51b. each, and 69 barrels of beer.
The Marchioness, in taking her place on the plat-
form, was accompanied by the flight Itev. 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 hall at the time, or peraDns 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.
Tho galleries on two sides of the building were filled
with elegantly-dressed ladies.

Lord TADO-LPHIIS VANE TEMPEST (coupled the
the cha)r. Ample time was allowed for dinner,
which having concluded, there was an instantaneot
hush on the choir rising in their Tzoininently
situated little gallery, to perform " Non nobis
Domine."

The noble CHAIRMAN having proposed the usual
loyal toasts, which were loudly cheered, propose.'
the health of the Bishop of Durham and the clergy
of the diocese ; and the bishop returned thanks.
The health of the ministers of different denoiniea-
floes in the county of Durham was then drunk,
after which the chairman said his mother would
address the assemblage. The announcement was
received.with great cheering.
HER LADYSHIP, on rising, was receive I with
vociferous and long-continued cheering, which
having subsides], she said :—" My friends, it is
with sincere pleasure I see you all again, and this
time I have tho satisfaction of receiving you in my
own park. On the last 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-omened spot—till then
only known connexion with strikes and rebetlion.
—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 prudnt. You do not know how much
this affects my peace. Thank God, we have had
no serious or fatal calamity s:nce I saw you last,
but the details of the accident at Lundhill 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 makes my
blood run cold to dwell upon 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 my duty to offer toyou these observa-
tions to do your duty to yourselves, your friends,
and your families." Her ladyship then urg upon.
her audience a better appreciation of the edu-
cational oppoituuiries offered to them by her
schools. She stated that bel)re allowing a
boy to go down to work, she should require a
certificate that he can read and write. "I
refrain," added her ladyship, "from any interference
with your religious opinions. I 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 to
you at our last meeting—' I meddle not with men's
creeds • these rest between man and his Maker.'
Yet I should like if some religious test or qualifica-
tion could be applied, and that each boy should
bring a certificate that he had acquired a compe-
tent knowledge of those general principles and
fundamental 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 dogmas on which.conscientious diffe-
rences may be entertained. It is also my inten-
tion to give increased facilites for further edu-
cation to those men at work during the day by
uight schools, or by allowing a portion of time in
each week to be appropriated for that purpose.
(Cheers.) I have, as I before stated, a high opi-
nion of night schools of all trades." The m tr-
chioness concluded with offering to assist in 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 zsal 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 under
her ladyship's auspices. Though a dissenter, he
was glad to see at New Seaham Colliery that beau-
tiful edifice arise which was not only an ornament,
hut a great blessing to the neighbourhood. in which
they resided ; and he trusted it might be a Bethel
to thousands of immortal souls. The speaker con-
cluded by proposing her ladyship's good health.
(The toast was drunk amidst tremendous and reit •
rated cheering.)
The noble CHAIRMAN returned thanks on behalf
of his mother. Ho could, from his own experience,
assure them that the sentiments she had that day
ut'ered were not merely formal. Her whole desire
was to do her duty in the position in which she
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. JANNER, in a few complimentary remarks,
proposed " The health of Earl Vaue."
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 health of the
Chairman," to which bis lordship returned thanks
in some 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
mariner.

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for jointly carryirg on
confirm an wrangetnent entered into with the Times
FiAre IsnpseaciraalncmeeCetiiinmgpaorfi
Fire Assurance Comp Y,
business together?'
The dividend to be declared at the half-yearly meet-
ing of the Southampton Dock Company, on the 26t h
inbt , will be at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum, being
the same rate as was declared at the corresponding
pf.riod of last year.
THE AIISTALIAN AND AMERICAN MAlL.—Soutbamp-
'ton; Wednesday.—The European and Australian Com-
pany's screw steamer Etna, Captain Moodie, sailed to-
day for Malta and Alexandria with the mails for
A ustialia, New Zealand, Sr,c., in all 406 boxes and bags,
55 passengers, and 12,0001. in specie and valuables. The
United States' mail steamer North Star, Capt. Lefebre,
left Havre and Cowes to-day for New York, with the
German, French, and English mails, passengers, and
cargo for the United State 3.
AN EXTRA STEAM SHIP FOR INDIA.—SOUTHAMPTON,
Wednesday.—The Peninsular and Oriental Company's
steam ship Canada, which has been lengthened 30 feet
amidships, will proceed to India, via the Cape on the
15th Inst She left the dock this day with a scientific
party on hoard, and proceeded to Stokes Bay, when her
speed was tested by the measured mile. The result was
an average of 121 knots per hour. The great speed of
this ship will ensure her reaching India in little over
60 days, whilst her superior accommodation and sea-
worthy qualities will, no doubt, gain for her a great
number of passengers,