The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-18 00:00:00

CHURCH RATES.

A. deputation, consisting of members and friends of
the Established Church, had an interview with Viscount
PAluterston yesterday, and offered the following repre-
sentation with reference to projected legislation on
church rates :

" By a return laid before Parliament in February of
this year, it is shown that the loss of revenue to the church
by the abolition of church rates may bo estimated at about
350,000/. per annum.
" The returns recently laid before Parliament prove as
many as 9,672 parishes to have sent in replies to the ques-
tions transmitted to them. • The replies may be divided
into the following classes :
"Parishes in which the church rate has been
granted 8,230
<< Parishes in which there is a provision by
Church estates and otherwise 541
" Parishes which have given dubious replies 440
" Parishes which have refused church rates
" It appears, therefore, that the parishes which grant
the rate amount to more than 95 per cent, of the whole."
The deputation consisted of the Earl of Shaftesbury,
Mr. Mowbray, M.P., Mr. L. Wigram, M.P., Mr. J.
W. Dod, M.P., Mr. Packe, M.P., Mr. Child, M.P.,
Mr. J. C. Colquhoun, Lord Relesdale, Sir R. Gore
Booth, M.P., Mr. H. Hoare, Mr. N. Kendall, M.P.,
Mr. R. B. Seeley, Mr. R. Spooner, M.P., Lord
Donoughmore, Mr. Augustus Stafford, M.P., Mr. D.
Pugb, M.P., Lord Calthorpe, Mr. J. C. Trail, Mr.
Ottaway, Mr. J. M. Knott, the Marquis of B andford,
Mr. Safford O'Brien, M.P., Sir Win, Vernon, M.P.,
Mr. S. Warren, M.P., L-erd Ossulston, M.P., and Mr.
Braith waite.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The ensuing week will
present a succession of grand field days. The great at-
traction of "Don Giovanni" has necessitated an extra
night on Monday evening, the 22,1, and on Tuesday
a tenor, Signor Belart, of whom we do not think
the less because his appearance has not been
preceded by a flourish of trumpets, will make his
first appearance. Wednesday morning is appointed for
Benedict's Second Musical Festival, at which the char-
mer, Piccalonaini, will make her first appearance in
" English," by singing a ballad of our popular composer,
Baths. On Thursday, 25tb, we are again to have the
immortal "Don Giovanni ; and on Saturday, 27th, the
" Lucia di Lammermoor, wbich next to "Don Giovanni"
has, we believe, been the most successful opera of the
season. Nor does this extraordinary series of attractions
terminate with the week. On Monday morning, the
29th, we are to have a morning performance, when, for
the accommodation of those that come great dis-
tances, an act of Sonnambula, wfth Alboni and Belart,
will be added to the already engrossing attractio❑
of " Don Giovanni," with Piccolomini, Spezia, Ortolani,
Beneventano, Belletti, Vialetti, Corsi, and Giuglini.
These morning performances may be reckoned among
the most important features of the present day, extend-
ing the luxury of the lyrical drama to countless persons,
who have hitherto been debarred from participating in
its harmonising influence.
The condition of the discount-market has had an in-
fluence on Exchequer Bills, which have declined to a
point that will cause some of the holderi of the June
descriptions to regret not having availed themselves of
the recent opportunity of claiming payment. The clo
sag prices on Wednesday were ss. die, to par.
DEOIEASE OF PAUPERISM.—A return, yesterday pub-
lished, shows that in every week of the quarter ended at
Lady-day last the number of paupers relieved in Eng-
land and Wales was less than in the corre-ponding
weeks of the quarter ended at Lady-day, 1856. The
difference varies from 1.6 to 3 8 per cent, in-doors, and
from 0.2 to 5.2 per cent, out-doors.
A LAD SHOT THROUCia A. DOOH.—On Monday even-
ing, a lad of 13, James Barlow, was with other lads
amusing himself in his father's yard, Park-lane, Tipton,
by firing off a revolver pistol, 1 'aded with lead bullets.
Making a target of the yard door leading into the public
road, young Barlow fired, and the bullet went through
the door, and came in contact with the head of a little
boy named Isaiah Williams, aged six years, who was
playing in the street. On examination it was found
that the poor lad had sustained a fractured skull,
and that one of the arteries in the head was
lacerated. The bullet was found in his clothes,
The hole in the door is said to have been
an inch long, and as perfectly clear as if it had been
bored. Young Barlow was of course very much agitated
when he heard of the occurrence, which seems to have
been purely accidental. The injured boy is going on
favourably, although his recovery is by no means certain.
--Birmingham Journal.
THE MAILS.— SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday.-- The
Royal Mail Company's steamship Parana, Captain
Bevie, hence to-day with the West India and Pacific
mails, 67 passengers, 30,000/. in specie, jewellery value
9,000/., and a fad cargo. The Peninsular and Oriental
Company's steamship Sultan, Captain J. K. Joy, sailed
to-day with the Peninsular mails, 21 first and 10 second

class passengers (among whom are Lieutenant-Colonel
Lockhart, Lieutenant Newman, Dr. Somerville, and
Mrs. Crawford, for Gibraltar), specie value 88,0001. for
Lisbon and Cadiz, and a miscellaneous cargo of mer-
chandise. The United States' mail steamer Herman,
Captain E. Higgins, and the Vanderbilt steamer North
Star, Captain Lefevre, both left about 2 p.m. to-day for
New York, the former having 50 passengers and the
German, French, and English mails, and the latter
having two passengers from Southampton and 150 from
Bremen. The European and American Company's
steamship Calcutta, Captain Blackmore, also sailed this
afternoon for Antwerp, which she leaves on the Ist
proximo, and Southampton on. the 4th, for Lisbon and
the Brazils. The Pera, Captain S'iy, which leaves here
On Saturday with the India and China mails, will take
out about 100,0001. of specie, of which 17 waggons have
arrived from London to-day.
THE AUSTRALIAN AND NORTH AMERICAN MAILS.—
LIVERPOOL, Wednesday.—Toree fine screw steamers, of
the collective burden of 8,000 tons, have taken their de-
parture from the Mersey this afternoon. The first to leave

the port was the Montreal Ocean Company's steamer
Endian, Capt. Jones, bound to Quebec and Montrea',
with the usual fortnightly mails for British America and
375 passengers. Toe. Liverpool and New York Steam-
ship Company's vessel the City of Baltimore, Captai❑
Leitch, followed at 3.10 p.m., conveying to New York
422 passengers-and a ship mail for the United States. At
4 o'clock the Cunard Company's screw steamer &lieu,
Capt. Small, started direct for Melbourne with 22 cabin
passengers and a very heavy ma 1 for Australia, consist-
ing of 504 boxes, being the usual monthly mails for the
Antipodes. The Etneu is chartered by the European
and Australian Roj al Mail Company to supply the place
of the'Oneida between Melbourne and Suez; the latter
vessel being now on her passage to this country to repair
damage to machinery which she sustained in the Indian
Ocean in January last.
THE WEST INDlES.—Cossack, 20, screw, sailed from
Port Royal, May 20, for England, wiz the Gulf of
Mexico. She brings home a party of the 36th Regiment,
there not being accommndation for the whole regiment
on board the transport; Victor, 6, screw, arrived at Port
Royal, on the evening of the 20th May, from the coast
of Cuba, and the Tartar, 20, screw, on the morning of
the 221, from New Orleans, whither she conveyed tho
filibusters, part of Walker's force, The officers of the
Tartar speak highly of the kindness shown them by the
Americans. Perseverance, screw troop ship, arrived at
Port Royal on the 221 ult., with troops ; Basilisk, 6
paddle, arrived at Port Royal, May 231, and Pioneer,
6, screw, was expected the following day ; Tartar was
to proceed to Greytown, and Intrepid sailed for England
on the evening of the 231; Orion, 91, screw, was at
Carthagena.

A new prospectus has been issued of the Flax Mills
Company which was introduced some time back. The
proposed capital is 100,0001. in 20/ shares, and the
board of directors is composed of influential. and expe-
rienced agriculturists. The object is to promote La
cultivation, by supplying the only want that has lately
prevented it from assuming the important place to which
it is entitled in the national industry—namely, that of
mills in suitable localities to convert the crop as har-
vested by the farmer into linseed oil, oil-cake, flax fibre,
and tow. The chief support of the scheme is anticipated
to be obtained from the landed interest. Not more than
a fourth of the capital is to be called up until experience
shall have demonstrated its utility.
ARTERIAL DRAINAGE! IRELAND.—The grand total
amount of Expenditure on arterial drainage in Ireland,
up to the date of the final award, is 920,1061., including
the sum of 122,1701., the amount of awards made final
between the 31st of December last and the date of the
return. The total amount' charged under the final
awards to proprietors, owners, and counties is 565,6801.
This and other particulars are embodied in a mum
moved for by Lord Piu29o) M. F,

:-.JaariLiTi xi(

THE DIVORCE 81-( L.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

So,—Whatever may be the ultinwe fate of the Chan-
cellor's Divorce 8111, one good result at least will flew
from this puerile attempt to legislate upon the matter,
mid this is the effect it will have in diverting public at-
tentionin a more pointed way, to the present defective
state of the law in relation to married v.-omen. The I
eloquent voice of a fair and genius-gifted lady first laid
the cruel wrongs of her ,sex at the foot of the Throne.
And it is impossible to say how much we are indebted
for the present bill, bad as it is, to the admirable and
spirited letter which the Hon. Mrs. Norton addressed to I
the Queen. Her magic voice seems at least to have had
the effect of arousing from his slumbers the present
dr)aysy occupier of the Woolsack. A more extended
agitation has now taken place. Since Mrs. Norton first
took the initiative numerous champions of both sexes
have entered the field and thrown down their gloves in
defence of the rights of women. Amongst the most con-
spicuous is Lord Lyndiauret in the Lords, and Sir Erekir e
Perry in the Commons. Under such leaders who need
be afraid of not gaining an ultimate victory? Each day
brings new converts to the cau e, and it is with pleasure
I have lead the letters of your fair correspondents
" M. C. C ," and " A Lady of Title," together with the
powerful articles you have written upon the present
Divorce Bill. It seems to me almost impossible to con-
sider the many objectionable clauses in the present
Divorce Bit without taking into view the effect which
marriage has, under our law, upon the legal and social
status of a woman. Aelow tee, tberefore, sir, to point
out the consequences of marriage according to the
present state of the law. And let us, for the purr
pose, imagine a young lady of fortune about
to be married. As she ascends the altar she is the fair
possessor of wit* may be called a priecely estate—lands,
manors, rents, franchises, houses, and all the appurte-
nances of wealth fall to her rich inheritance. She is
about, perhaps, to marry one whom she loves, but who se
fortune is comparatively small. Tie contract of mar-
riage is to be hallowed by the sanctions of religion. The
clergyman attends and reads the baautifui and impres-
sive service of the Church. Surrounding friends and
relatives let fall their tears at the touchina and 8, lenin
ceremonial. The husband plights his troth in all kinds
of vows and protestations, and as the ring is rlaced
upon her finger he, amongst other things, solemnly as-
sures his bride that he endows her with all his werhily
goods. The marriage is over, and what is the result f
this ceremonial, an:l what is the rich dowry with which
she is endowed ? The result is simply this : that cere-
mony which makes her a wife makes her a beggar at Ve
self-same moment. The altar of marriage is the altar of
sacrifice. The goodly berita4e is all gone. The only
dowry she receives is to be pillaged of everything—es en
to the last farthing—so much so that the law will not
even alleys her, as her separate prop. rty, the bridal vest-
ments she has worn. Everything is gone. Immedi-
ately she is married the law ceases to recognise her ex-
istence. She has no rights, privileges, or immunities
whatsoever ; and she has found that even the ceremonial
of the Church is, by the cruelty of the law, turned into
"a mockery, a snare, and a dslusion." And this is the
unholy bondage in which men are content to see their
sisters, wives, and daughters placed. But it may t e
said that the husband may make a settlement on
his wife before marriage. This is true, but where
can be found a stronger argument against the absurdity
of the present law than is furnished by marriage settle-
ments ? What is a marriage settlement but an evasion
of the law ? The law says the wife cannot have a sepa-
rate estate, and therefore property is conveyed to her
trustees to hold the same to her use. Why convey pre-
perty by 'a side wind in this manner ? There can be no
good reason in sense or justice why the legal rights of a
woman should not remain the same after as before mar-
riage. Let her have a legal status like her husband.
Let her enjoy her o wri property. Secure to her the he-
nest fruits of her own labour ; and then let her take upen
herself her separate liabilities and responsibilities. Any
reform which stops short of going to this extent is
childish.

A woman should enjoy equal rights and liabilities
with her husband. The difference—the unjust distinc-
tion made between husband and wife is the most flag-
rant feature of the present liivorce Bill. A woman com-
mits adultery, and the husband immediately obtains a
divorce ; the husband, on the other band, lives in open
adultery for years, insulting and degrading his wi e
beyond conception, and yet she can have co divorce
without her case comes within the one or two excepted
ca,es of the Act. What justice can there be in this ? if
adultery is to end the marriage contract in the cane of
the wife, why not with double reason in that of the hus-
band ? Again, was ever such ingenuity devised to tor-
ture female sensibility and delicacy as the cruelty of that
clause which, when a wife is deserted by her husband,
only shows her to enjoy her own earnings by going
before a magistrate, and in open court unveiling to the
public her deep and cruel wrongs \Vas ever insult and
cruelty equal to this ? lam afraid my letter is running
too long. Upon another occasion, with your permission,
I will point out what I conceive to be the glaring defects
of the present Bill. In the meantime, I hope the ladies
of England will folow the steps of M. C. C , and remem•
ber that their cause will be mainly bit or won through
their own efforts.

Yours faithfully, IL It. D.

" THE HOBBIES."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

30, Welbeck Street, Cavendish-square,
June 16, 1857.
Sir,—l am sure I need make no apc,l9.4y in requesting
the insertion of the following statement of facts, in re-
ply to a letter which has been printed in the papers frim
Miss Julia Kavanagh, which absence from town has pre-
vented me from sooner noticing.
Nearly twelve months since Miss Julia Kavanagh's
father brought the MS. of "The Hobbies" to me, with
a view to its publication, telling me that a considerable
portion of it had been written byshis daughter, who had
carefully revised the whole as its editor. The MS. fully
bore out this statement, inasmuch as I found a large
part of it, as well as innutnmerable emendations, in Miss
Kavanagh's handwriting. I was also shown several
letters of Miss Kavanagh's, in which she wrote in high
terms of the merits of the work, and of her having made
such alterations as she thought would make it more ac-
ceptable to the public. These circumstances, and the
fact of her having herself previously offered the work to
one of the leading publishing firms in London for publi-
cation on the understanding that it was to be announced
as edited by leer, induced me to believe her Wher's state-
ment. and im this belief I undertook the publication upon
Mr. Kavanagh's express written authors-y, to publish it,
"as edited by his daughter, Miss Julia Kavanagh,
author of Nathalie,' Dairy Burns,' & the sail work
having undergone the editorial revision of the said Julia
Kavanagh."

I was unaware when I accepted the MS. that un-
happy family differences had arisen between Miss Ka-
vanagh and her father, nor had I reason to suppose that
any objections existed to the use of her name as editing
her pare❑t's work until I was called upon by her solici-
tor to withdraw it. Immediately, however, on being
requested to do so, a new titie page was printed and
sent to every library to which copies of the work had
been sold; and in further compliance with Miss Kava-
nagh's request, her solicitor was promised that imme-
mediately alter my return to town, the fact should be
announced to the public in a form that would be most
agreeable to her wishes. I was therefore much sur-
prised—and I think I have reason to complain of Miss
Kavanagh's publishi❑g her letter of the 911 instant,
threatening me with the penalties of the law, when she
could not fail to be aware that everything, and even
more than any legal proceed.ngs could have effected,
had already been done by me to comply with her wishes,
and that if any ground of complaint existed, it ought
rather to be settled between her father and herself than
between herself and me.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
T. CAUTLEY NEWBY.