The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-19 00:00:00

THE GENIUS AND WRITINGS OF

ELIZA COOK.

(From the Era, of this day.)

A critical and well-digested discoure upon one of
the people's poets is certain to meet with success.
The people love to hear under what influence and
circumstances their favourite bards wrote, and are
gratified to learn how one risen from the ranks, and
abundantly gifted with genius to describe popular
wants and aspirations, managed to ascend the high
pedestal of fame. A discourse of this kind, while
interesting in itself, is rendered doubly so when the
subject happens to be one of our living female
poets, and the lecturer is a lady of good attainments
and of a critical turn of mind. Mrs. Henry Thomas,
who appears to be a great favourite in the City,
delivered an able and interesting lecture upon the
writings and Genius of Eliza, Cook on Tuesday
evening last, at the Jews' and General Literary and
Scientific institution situate in Leadenhall-street.
The hall was crowded, and the illustrations the
lady gave in exemplification of the works of the I
poetess received well-merited applause. Nor was
the lecture itself less appreciated. The lecturer
showed that Eliza Cook never entered upon sacred
subjects without cognisance of her high and holy
purpose. In the whole range of her works the fair
lecturer said it was difficult to find a better speci-
men of her genius than " The Mourners." She also
well described her capabilites for epic poetry, and
gave as an illustration a piece entitled " Honesty."

TIIEATRICALS AT WINDSOR.—The dramatic re-
presentations are about to recommence at Windsor Castle,
by her Majesty's command. The first performance will
take place on Wednesday next, the 23d inst. The pieces
selected have been the favourite comedy of " The Evil
Genius," in which Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Chippendale, and
the other popular performers of the Haymarket company
will perform, and the comedietta of "To Oblige Benson,"
in which Mr. Robson, Mrs. Stirling, and the Olympic corps
appear.

The Duke of Bedford, it is said, is selected to
succeed the late Earl de Grey as Lord Lieutenant' of Bed-
fordshire.

The Countess of Airlie was safely delivered of a
daughter on Wednesday, at Cortachy Castle. Her ladyship
and infant are progressing favourably.
The Countess Apponyi arrived at Chandos House
yesterhy, from Paris.

LIFE-BOAT SERVICES.---It appears that during
the present year the lifeboats of the Royal National Life-
boat Institution .have, at various points of our coast, been
actively called into operation on 66 different occasions. The
result has been that 134 lives have been saved off 23 wrecks,
besides assisting five vessels safely into port. On 23 occa-
sions it happened that when the lifeboats had tail off in re-
ply to signals of distress, the vessel either got out of danger
or her crew were rescued by other means. Again, crews as-
sembled several times to give assistance, but were not re-
quired to put off to sea. For these valuable services the
crews were paid nearly £6OO. Nearly all these services
took place in stormy weather and heavy seas, and often in
the dark hours of the night, and yet not a single accident
happened either to the lifeboats or to any one of the gallant
fellows who had put off in them. On these, and on occa-
sions of quarterly exorcise, the lifeboats were manned pro-
bably by no less than 4,000 persons. Such practical proofs
as those of the great value of tho Royal National Lifeboat
Institution in a maritime country like ours cannot possibly
be overrated, and surely it. has the highest claims on our
support; and the more we hear of its operations in various
parts of the coast, the more we feel urged to press its claims
on public notice.

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.--The weekly
meeting of the board was held yesterday, at Guildhall ; Mr.
John Thwaites in the chair. The cash statement showed
the net balances amounted to £119,904 lls. 4d. Mr. Bris-
tow, M.P., brought up the report from the whole board com-
mittee, on communication from the clerk of the board, rela-
tive to his position and duties ; to vary,"so far as may bo
necessary, the resolution of the 7th and 18th January, 1856,
and 27th November, 1857, in relation to the appointment,
salary, and duties of clerk, and to pass the requicito orders
thereon. The recommendation in the report having received
some verbal amendments, was to the effect that Mr. Wool-
rych be appointed legal adviser and standing counsel of the
board, at a sum of £BOO annually, in consideration of his
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in the superior cent ts, before parliantentary committees,
arbitrators, and the like, he do receive the usual profes-
sional fee upon his brief; and that the foregoing sum of
£3OO be paid to hint as a retainer for his services; and that
the arrangement take effect as soon as the new clerk has
been appointed and has entered on his duties. Mr. Bris-
tow moved, " That the recommendation of the committee
be adopted, and that it be referred to a committee of the
whole board to consider tho duties which will have to be
performed by the future clerk of the board consequent upon
the new arrangement adopted on the 12th instant, and the
proper salary to be paid to the future clerk, and whether
such duties can be efficiently performed by any of the exist-
ing staffer officers of the board, and to report thereon to the
board ; and that such committee be summoned for next Fri-
day at eleven." Mr. Carpmael seconded the motion. Mr.
Deputy Harrison opposed the motion, and moved an amend-
ment, which was seconded by Mr. Legg. After considerable
discussion, the board divided, when the amendment was lost,
as was another moved by Mr. Leslie, seconded by Mr. Ben-
nett, in faysur of referring the matter back to the committee.
Mr. Savage moved that the salary of Mr. Woolrych should
be £6OO a year instead of £BOO, as proposed, which, after
some discussion, was negatived by a majority of 24. to 10.
The original motion was then put and carried by a large
majority. The usual routine business having been disposed
of, the board adjourned.