The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-21 00:00:00

THE SULT,IN AND HIS HOUSEHOLD.

A correspondent of the Morning Post, writing
from Constantinople, Oct. 7, says :—" I believe that
I reported at the time, in common with everybody,
that the Sultan had, on his accession, struck a heavy
blow at polygamy by declaring his intention to re-
form his harem bills by keeping only one wife. If
so, I regret to have to spoil the excellent impression
which so exemplary a piece of news must have pro-
duced by now apprising you that his Majesty has
already increased his conjugal stud to four kadkins,
several ikpals, and a tolerably strong contingent of
guzdes, which, being interpreted, mean, the lofty
in rank,' those who have found favour,' and those
who please the eye.' The first of these categories
may be increased to seven, and includes the fortu-
nate ladies whose rank is as nearly as possible equi-
valent to that of wives,' for it is a western fallacy

that the Sultan eves' marries: The first seven of
his ladies have, iu the order of their accession, wifely
rank ; but marriage ceremony, such as loosely binds
other true believers, there is in his august case
none. Next to these in the haremic hierarchy come
the ikpals, fortunate fair ones, from whom the
supremo seven are generally recruited in case of
death or penal bestowment on a Pacha. Whilst
each of the kadkins has a suite of about 40 attend-
ants, these second class houris have severally an
attendance of 25 or 30. They are themselves either
singled out by the imperial taste from amongst the
retinue of the kadkins, or are special purchases and
presents to his Majesty by one of these latter. The
guzdes, like the ikpals, are limited to no number,
and differ from the latter rather in the degree of
their hold on the imperial eye' than in original
inferiority of rank in the household. But when
they have gratified the sublime optic, be it only
for once, they cease to belong to the rank and file
of the great female brigade, and attain a substan-
tive status and attendants of their own. With all
three of these categories of pro-conjugal stock, then,
I am assured ',by no meaner authority than one of
the palace physicians that his Majesty is already
well provided, having, as I say, four of the first and
a fair number of both the second and the third. So
much for the highly respectable story of one wife.
And not only does what I now report dispose of
that ethical fable, but it plays havoc, too, I regret
to say, with half the statements which have been
made as to palace reform. It was said weeks ago,
and locally believed by all Pera, that the whole of
the late Sultan's harem had been shipped over to
the old seraglio, and there installed on the meagrest
of board wages. Indeed, I believe I reported as
much myself at the time, and lavished deserved
praise on his Majesty for such excellent energy and
good sense. Well, the informant above referred to
now assures me that not one of Abdul Medjid's
whole ' eight hundred' has yet left Dalma-baktche.
Apartments are, indeed, being prepared for them
at the old serai, but as yet they remain at the new
palace—swelling the total of womankind now
within its precincts to nearly 1,300. The Valide
Sultana has a suite of 60 female attendants, besides
a strong contingent of eunuchs ; each of the kad-
kins, as I have said, has 40, with neutrals' to
match; and the inferior favourites their double
suites in proportion, Add to these an establish-
ment' for each of the six sons of the late Sultan, and
for even the five-year old son of the present, for
whom a little Circassian girl playfellow was bought
the other day at a cost of 30,000 p., and you have,
with the aggregate of Abdul Medjid's women, the
Instroas total above stated."

MACHINE FOR MAKING CONCRETE.—A simple
machine for this purpose is used in Germany. It is com-
posed of a cylinder 13ft. long and 4ft. diameter, open at its
ends, and turning upon an axis inclined to the horizon. The
stone and the mortar are thrown from a barrow into a bop •
per, which delivers them into the cylinder at its upper end.
The mixture is effected by the rotation of the cylinder, the
lower end of which delivers the beton either into barrows
or cars. The interior of the cylinder is smooth, and lined
with sheet-iron ; the proportion of the materials is made
by regulating the number of barrows of mortar and those
of stone cast into the hopper. At one place the cylinder
was inclined to the horizon one-thirteenth; it made from
15 to 20 turns per minute, and the mixture was perfect.
The cylinder was driven by a belt pasting directly over its
outer surface. Notion was given by a engine, which
worked at the same time a strong mortar-mill. This
machine easily made from 104 to 131 cubic yards in ten
hours.—Builder.
LADvERTISEMENT.I—HoIIoway's Ointment and Pills.—
Take Warning.—The fearful number of deaths in the
metropolis and elsewhere from cholera and diarrhoea
should put all on their guard. The first symptoms must
be combated or collapse may come on. Holloway's Oint-
ment, should be well and frequently rubbed over the belly,
which should afterwards be encased in flannel. Holloway's
Pills should be taken at the same time to prevent the
gular distribution of blood which oppresses
the bowels in these diseases. All may rely
°f
theestaaladY,
dies. The Ointment penetrates to the seat
ence • while
where it exerts its cooling and soothirg
oin IvAs.cd-for
proc.uc th!3lineirnegnief
the Pills arrest the vomitin and
perspiration.

We are well aware that your hearts *beat with
peopleo
r:eovue rnt increasedtryie
im. nt an
dwas se
joy at the victory of the
mthualttiitfudouerorfaynokusrwcoeurerangoetoums
through the same'fatality which pie,B
cli • • -
pon ~t
greater number of the nations of Europe, • and
which divides and separates them,_ while _ ethey
endeavour by the natural course of progress to
unite and to combine in ono single family.
"Nevertheless, De Flotte•liaroche; and 'a crowd.
of your chivalrous brothers sealed with their blood -
on the field of battle for liberty the imperishable
bond which henceforth will bind the two peoples.
aa fraternityrerr e
vc ofc nll neEPots do not wish
Yes! nations wish to understand each other, and
desire
s The the d
cabe law
—the Divine emana-
tion of Christ, exists in the conscience ni every
it.
one—it is the most lofty' among the aspirations of
suffering nations. The, hypocritical. egotism
_Of
false worldly grandeur frowns at ;it .from beneath
its leaden hood, and raises by' falsehocid , and .cor
ruption every kind of obstacle to its accomplish-
ment.. ,

"We demand employment, bread, and mutual
love. We are answered with rifles, bomb-shells,
and iron-cased ships—as if destruction -were the
only means of coming to a good understanding.
Courage, nevertheless, my brave friends ! It is a
fact that-Europe nevi : preseutt,sublirne sTec-
tacle of association which she does at present. A
cry of distress in any corner of this old mistress
of the world resounds in the hearts of the masses,
and their all-powerful voice of reprpbation causes
the barbarous autocrats to become pale.
"The Haynans of despotism will not appear with
impunity in the presence of the operatives of
Europe, and the stain of their crimes is more in-
effaceable than the mark of a red-hot iron. The
day is not far off when the accomplice .of tyrants,
the priest of Rome, shall be forced tOffik a refuge
far from the land which he rendered‘deSolate during
SO many years. The blood of the innocent Lo-
catelli, and of the thousand victims of whom he
is the murderer, will pursue him throughout the
surface of the globe like the avenging sword of the
Cherubim, and peoples emancipated from his in-
fectiou s contact will much more easily, by taking
each other's hand, march towards the humanitary
object."—l am, gratefully for life, your devoted
" 0. GARIBALDI."

DESTRUCTION OF A .2trimW. ZEALAND
PACKET SHIP B P PIRE.

The loss of the London aniVlSrew Zealand pas-
senger ship William Brown, Ca:p. lain Barclay com-
mander, was made known in, the city on Saturday
by the arrival of one of the passengers. The ill-
fated vessel was totally destroyed by fire on the
night of the 2d inst. in lat. 36 44, long. 12`3 W.,
near the Western Islands, and it is gratifying to
state that, with the exception of one man, the steward,
who is supposed to have been suffocated, the' whole
of the passengers and crew were saved. The William
Brown was a barque-rigged vessel, about 606 tona,
classed A 1 at Lloyd's, and was taken up by
Messrs. Shaw and Savill, the New Zealand
emigration agents and brokers in Leadenhall street,
for a voyage to ,New Plymouth. She had a ene-
ral cargo of merchandise, and some 11 or 12"first-
class and steerage passengers. She sailed from
Gravesend about the 7th of last month, and all ap-
peared to have gone well with the ship until about
six o'clock on the evening of the 2d inst., when she
had reached the above position. It was then dis-
covered that a fire had broken out in her forepart,
supposed to be by the bursting of some tins of oil
or turpentine stowed under the forecastle. The
officers and crew went down in the hope of being
able to stifle tho flames, but they were unable to'
get near the seat of mischief. The captain and
crew made another effort to extinguish the fire,
and after 4 hours' vigorous exertions it was appa-
rent that the entire destruction of the ship was
inevitable, and that no time was to be lost in
abandoning her. The boats were ordered out, but,
owing to a heavy cross sea that was running, there
was great difficulty in lowering them, and keeping
them clear of the ship. The crew succeeded in
getting them down, and the ship was finally aban-
doned at 11 o'clock. About one o'clock in the
morning a brig was observed making towards them.
The captain directed the gig to go to the brig,and
she succeeded in reaching the vessel about three
o'clock, and at six o'clock the other boats were
descried, and the whole of the crew and passengers
were safely got on board the brig, which proved to
be the Swedish ship Hedrig Charlotte, of Stockholm,
Capt. J. 4411allengrien, which was ona voyage to
Rio. The captain of thebrig saw the fire 20 miles off,
and at once bore down to it, and seeing the foremast
and mainmast gone, but not a human creature
about the blazing barque, he supposed that they
had taken to the boats, and thought it his duty to
cruise about, in the hope of picking them up. The
passengers and crew speak highly of the humane
and generous conduct of those on board the Swedish
• brig ; but for the prompt aid which she rendered
in bearing down to them they must doubtless have
all perished, and they trusted that the English
government would not allow this gallant service to
pass unrewarded, They were landed at Madeira,
and the brig went on to her destination. The
William Brown and her cargo were partially in-
sured at Lloyd's. The loss is estimated at £30,000.

THE WEEDING OF OUR ARMY.—Although we
have protested warmly and fairly against a sudden reduc-
tion of our little army, consequent upon the support which
the fine patriotic feelings of her children has spontaneously
given to the country, yet, that weeding of the ranks of un-
suitable men, to be replaced by better when occasion or op-
portunity occurs, was not intended to come within the scope
of our remarks. The present moment is now being em-
ployed by commanding officers of regiments, under order
from the Horse Guards, for " casting" men of ill-health
(likely to be so permanently), and the men under 6 feet 4
inches high. This will reduce our ranks by several thou-
sand men ; but no doubt the approach of winter, combined
with the apparent state of peace whichprevails in Europe,
justifies the measure as one of prudence and economy. So
far, however, as the height of the men is taken as a reason
for discharge from the ranks of the service we have a word
to say. It is, indeed, a strange anomaly that we should
keep men of the most infamous character, utterly useless,
at an immense cost, while others, half an inch too short, .
yet many of them stout, strong fellows, and first-rate
n mtardkiss-
e anda.
men, are swept away without scruple. We dare
chargewotdd re-enlist the r u ffiwahn becauseile ths
little,
theygood
a mreunm
en, areunmarked already
d
marked by nature. There is a lumbering, blundering policy
in this capable of the most simple rectification, and we ear-
nestly suggest the matter to the attentive consideration of
the Horse Guards.—Army and Navy Gazette.
A WEDDING PARTY IN A RITER.—On Saturday
last an unlucky accident befcl a wedding party on their
way home from church. The party were from Cummers-
dale, and the nuptial knot having been tied at Carlisle, the
wedding trip had to be home again via Blackwell. The
party consisted of three ladies and two gentlemen, and, not-
withstanding fem6le attire, one cab was deemed sufficient
for the whole. Having taken their seats in the vehicle,
they started, and " all went merry as a marriage bell," until
they arrived at the wooden foot-bridge which spans the
Caldew at Cummersdale. Here it was proposed to alight
and cross the bridge on foot, leaving the cab to return to
Carlisle. But the cabman urged that they should keep their
seats, and ho would do a little of the Lord Ullin's daughter
business, and drive them through " the wild and stormy
water." To this they objected, and whether the driver
could see, or was in such a position that he could not see
the Caldew wag flooded at the time, he urged his steed into
the river. He had not driven far, however, when he dis-
covered that he could neither get farther nor yet come
back. His horse was dead beat, and had it not been for
the hitherto happy freight behind, it would have qTlen°
down the stream. It is impossible to de
transition from joy to grief that occurred
Otnsout.by the
r,ict the suaTohe
door could not be opened, but the zug.
They found
window and viewed the scene arounder four feet of water, it
themselves standing in about threeihat in afew minutcs their
was heartrending to contemplate
also must come out by the
other way for it but that ttohedyothe same. There was no
come into the arms of their lends
fairwn dpoawr partners sd loveuostoultl d
they
advide
resolved to escape or perish in the attempt.
41n: n
alasartme"w'ars soon spread, and the horse being decorated
with White:
for e s r-peraopms ,p tth eassspisetactantcoer,s
aimureudnidateerlythseaweitrheuatrait
Bwtanasc r
ae
ease
all in their power. After a little inconve-
obi
nea
..eptdltaianceeyt
hoef
mightms
.ha tirenr
stoht
moe
iera dcr
distressed i ne s tw ehre
ace
oo
nmi t
df
iwot
was
snt
drawn.o each
e
nience the party regained the shore, andirumediately pro-
oce eat other de
remained
edamst a
ont by ropes,--Cerliqo journal,

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT:
GARDEN.—Under the Management of Miss Louisa
Fyne and Mr. W. Harrison.—Miss PYNE and Mr. HARRI-
SON beg most• spectfully to announce that the SEASON of
the Royal En,lish Opera will NOT COMMENCE UNTIL
THURSDAY NEXT, Oct. 24. This Postponement has been
occasioned in consequence of the Rehearsals of Mr. Howard
Glover's New Opera of 1111 Y BLAS not being in such a state
of compl-teness as would justify the first representation of a
new work. The boxes„ stalls, &c., &c., which have already
been secured for this Evening (Monday), may be transferred
to toe Thursday Evening, on application at the Box-office.
The Box-office open from 10 to 5 daily.
RO YAL

ENGLISH OPERA,
COVENT GARDEN.

Under the management of Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. Wm.

Harrison, Sole Lessees.

Will OPEN for the Sixth Operatic Season on TnunaDAY,
Oct. 24, 1861, when will be produced (first time) an entirely
New Grand Opera, in Four Acts, by Howard Glover, to be
entitled REY BLAS.

The Box-office open from Ten to Five daily. No charge for
booking, or fees to Box-keepers.
Stage-Manager, Mr. Leigh Murray. Acting-Manager, Mr.
Jildwqrd Murray.

EW THEATRE-ROYAL. ADELPHI.—
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Wdbster.
Open for the Winter Season.
THIS EVENING MUSIC HATH CHARMS. Messrs.
D. Fisher, Romer, Warde,' Misses K. Kelly and Laidlaw.
A f ter which (256th time), T FIE COLLEEN BAWN. Mr,
D lioncicanit, D.-Fisher, Killington, S. Emery, Stephenson,
C.. 1. Smith, Homer. Howard. Ward; Mrs. Boncicault, Miss
Wonigar, Mrs. Billington, and Mrs. H. Lewis.
Thcenclnde with LOVE AND HUNGER. Messrs. Fisher,
Emery, C. J. Smith, Mrs. 11. Marston, and Miss K. Kelly.
Doors oven at half-past 6—Commence at 7.

OYAL LYCEUM THEATAE,
Ilanager---Mr. Edmund Falconer.
THIS EVENING, MY AUNT'S HUSBAND.
Alter which, at Eight o'clock, the new and success-
ful comedy of WOMAN; or, Love against the World.
Characters by Messrs. Walter Lacy, Addison, Herman Veen,
Bruton, Mrs. Bowers, Miss Murray, and Miss Lydia Thomp-

son.
'A conclude with AN UNPROTECTED FEMALE, In
WWII Miss Lydia Thompson will danee a New Volunteer
Quick Step.
prices as usual. Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at
Y. Box-office open daily from 11 till 5.

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee. Mr. J. B. Backstone.
This EVENING, the performances will commence with
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
After which, a new Comedy, entitled THE SOFT SEX
Mr. C. Mathews, Mr. Buoketone, Mr. Compton, Mr. E.Villiers
Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Wilkins, &c.
With PAUL PRY MARRIED AND SETTLED. Pan 1
Pry (in a new position), Mr. C. Mathews.
To conclude with SHOCKING EVENTS.
Commence a 7.

ROYAL PRINCE S S'S THEATRE.-
Lame and Manager, Mr. A. Harris.

T HIS EVENING. JEANETTE'S WEDDING. Miss K.
Harris and Mr. H. Widdicomb.

/titer which, a new and original comedy, in five acts, writ-
ten by John Brougham, entitled PLAYING WITH TIRE ;
elviracters by Mr. John Brougham;(his 20th appearance), Mr.
Ruder, Mr. H. Widdicombe, Mr. 43.1 Jordan (of the principal
theatres of the United States, his 20th appearance in Eng•
land), Miss C. Lelclercq, and Mrs. Weston.

o conclude with a new Transatlantic Extravazanza,
PO-CA-HON-TAB. Mr. John Brougham, Mr. A. Harris,
(+c.c.

(IANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS,
AND FINE ARTS GALLERY.
3Tr. SAM COWELL every evening at Nine and a quarter
to Eleven.

Also, Grand Selections from

TROVATORE, TRAVrATA, NORMA, MARTHA, and
STRADELLA.

By Miss Russell, Mine Ernst, Mr. Herbert, Signor Tivoli,
Mr. Morley, and a powerful Chorus.

The return of Mr. LEVY, who will perform several cele-
brated Airs on the Cornet-a-piston.
The Comic department comprises Messrs. Harvey and
French. " The Nerves "—Mr. Marshall—Mr. Wood and his
talented Son—and Miss Harriet Coveney,
Musical Director, Mr. Jonghmans.
Admission—Hall, 6d. ; Stalls and Balcony, is.

T HE 0 X F O R D,
6, OXFORD-STREET.

EVERY EVENING.

SELECTIONS from Auber's New Comic Opera, "LA
CIRCASSIENNE," by Miss Ernst, Messrs. Greene, H.
Herbert, and the Company. And from Verdi's new Grand
opera, " Simon Boccanegra," by Miss Russell, Messrs.
C. Geville, Morley, Greene, and the Company. Full band and
chorus. Conductor, Mr. F. Jongrhmans. Varied Comic
Entertainments by Mr. and Master Wood, Harvey and
French (The Nerves), Mr. E. Marshall, and Mr.W. Randall.
Hall, ed. ; Balcony and Stalls, is ; Private Boxes, les. ed.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS D.Y.—Morning, 3h. 10m..--.-Afternoon, 3h.'24m
To-mcntßow. -Morning, 3h. 40m.—Afternoon, 3h. 52m,

THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, OCTOBER 20, 1861
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
67—highest since noon yesterday.
45—lowest th;s morning and during the night.
53—this day at noon.

Blazemit-Inn-29.95.
Wmu—Easterly—light ; with dull weather, and slight
sprinkling of rain. Dense fog in the morning, and very
dense in the afternoon.

OCT. 21.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
55—highest since noon yesterday.
48—lowest tttis morning and during the night.
58—this day at noon.
BAROMETER-29.84; still falling.
WlND—Easterly—moderate; with dull weather.

Conservatism is still looking up. It is putting
the best face upon it. And if anything is to be
gained by mere cheerfulness, by mere hopefulness,
by the simple avowal of confidence as to the future,
Lord DERBY'S party is certainly not likely to be a
loser.

The autumnal vacation affords but small oppor-
tunity for political movement of any kind. What
there is of it, too, is so generally associated with the
agricultural interests, that the Tories have it almost
entirely to themselves. Wherever there is a " har-
vest home" to which a member of either House can
be invited as a guest—particularly if that guest
chances to be a notability of any kind—there, as
certain as fate, the Conservative party (as it is but
reasonable indeed that it should do) seizes eagerly
upon its opportunity. And so it has come to
pass in this way as usual that while politicians
of other colours and of other interests have been
very differently engaged—" shooting the wild deer
and following the roe" in Scotland, fishing in Nor-
way, clambering with their alpentstocks to the
summit of the most picturesque and perilous acclivi-
ties in the Tyrol or in Switzerland—the Conser-
vative chiefs, greater or lesser, have been availing
themselves, here at home, of every reasonable
opportunity for obtaining a hearing from their
fellow citizens just as occasion offered. Not an
agricultural meeting of any importance has there
been now for the last month or two, at which one
or other of the more cmspicuous members from the
side of the Opposition has not spoken ; and spoken
too, it cannot but have been remarked, almost
invariably, not upon matters agricultural, but
directly to the point, upon matters political. In
this manner, and not in the smallest degree with
anything like ostentation, we have been favoured
with Manifesto after Manifesto from the side of the
Opposition. We have heard the
views in this way
more than once of Mr. HENLE.r.
We have been
enabled to obtain an inkling of the opinions of
as in
-
General PEEL upon the situation of thing
general. Sir JOILN PAKINOToN has not been alto
gether silent. Mr. WALPOLE gave exr,,,,seien a
few weeks back to some of his more profound and
earnest convictions. And while the public at large
has been recently brought thus, as it were, face to
face with the late President, of the Board
of Trade, the late Secretary for War, the late
First Lord of the Admiralty and the leader
for the time being under Lord DERBY'S premier-
ship of the Home Department—the Conservative
Secretary of State for the Colonies went yet more
resolutely and comprehensively to work, in sounding
the note of preparation for next session, so soon as
the right hon. baronet could, in his own part of the
country, contrive to ascend the rostrum of his
agricultural opportunity. It will be remembered, of
course, in that instance, how the speaker at once
disclaimed at the very outset of his remarks any
intention whatever of
talking to the farmers about
that kind : irrigation or manuring, or anything of
reminding them whimsically while so
doing that he
was representative not of long

orelort horns, but of thinking men I. I
Whereupon —as will be yet more vividly
within the popular recollection—the Hertfordshire
agriculturists, there assembled, had unfolded to their
view, the whole country, through the intermediation
of the Press, had submitted to its scrutiny—the
future policy, particularly the foreign policy, of the
Conservative Party.

So much had been said in this way, more or less
directly to the purpose, by his colleagues, that
Lord JOHN MANNERS, for one, can afford to discourse,
at Loughborough, on Friday, about agricultural
rather than about political interests, while ad-
dressing the farmers of Leicestershire. At the
outset of his, as we may term it, serio-comie speech,
as one of the county members, the ex• Chief Commis-
sioner of Public Works said, "carefully and gingerly
avoiding any reference which savours of pure party
politics, I must endeavour to discover, if I can, if
there was anything done or attempted to be done
in Parliament last session which was calculated to
influence in any material degree the agricultural
interests of the country." Very little, however, in the
way even of superficial information was got from Lord
JOHN MANNERS'S blending in this way of an eager
research on the one hand and of a cautious reticence
on the other. "It is true," he remarked to begin
with, "we had a Highway Bill, which I suppose
would have interested and influenced the fortunes of
English farmers considerably; but that bill was
dropped. Therefore I can say nothing about it."
Adding, " Then we had a bill for facilitating the
erection of agricultural cottages—a most admirable
and laudable object—but as that bill didn't pass
into a law, perhaps I may be excused from saying
anything about it." And so forth : the
Leicestershire farmers at all this—wonderful to tell
—laughing " consumedly," as if it were really the
best joke in the world. From the which, however,
we may at any rate draw one salutary conclusion—
namely, that the Conservative chiefs have by this
time got pretty well to the end of their tether.
They have spoken as much under the circumstances
as would be discreet. Particularly seeing that their
design for the next session is quite manifestly this—
simply to bide their time and to hold their hands
even then.

Net thus, at the same time, is it, with the Con-
servatives of the back benches. They are still as out-
spoken as ever as to the future. And what is more,
they appear to be more than ever sanguine. Take for
instance the demonstration of Saturday last down
at Castle Hedingham. There the men of North
Essex might listen to whakwas thought of " all
things in general, and of one in particular" (to wit
the Future of Conservatism)—by whom ? By
W. B. ! Or, again, they could hear the prospects
of next Session described to them in glowing lan-
guage by the sanguine lips of Mr. Du CANE. That
hon. gentleman certainly, judging from his speech
of Saturday to his constituents, views the prospeots
of his party with what we may call a most roseate
imagination ! After touching casually upon sub-
jects connected with local interests, the hon.
gentleman observed, in an early part of his harangue
with an unconcealed air of exhilaration, "To
pass from the state of agriculture to the position
and prospects of the Conservative party, he thought
that we should find there even greater subjects of
congratulation. He remembered that when the
society met last year he ventured to breathe a little
whisper of something spoken of as a Conservative
reaction. The Conservative party, however, were
then told that they were labouring under a com-
plete mistake, and that they had only to wait till
the next session to be convinced most effectually
of their delusion. Well, the next session had
come and gone, and what had we seen ? Why,
measure after measure, which had hitherto
been rallying cries with the great Liberal

party, defeated or abandoned ; and sea'

after seat, where seats had been contested, wrested
from their hands—while even that slight modicum
of reform which the Whig-Radical Ministry grudg-
ingly offered to the House of Commons to be scram-
bled for had given in South Lancashire a crowning
triumph to the Conservative cause." At all which
remarks the most cordial assent was attested by the
loud applause of the assembled Conservatives. The
purport of the whole speech in fact was this—that
Reform was done for, that it was a monstrous delu-
sion of the past ; that it had been found out ; that it
was by this time not only scotched but killed ; that
it was dead and buried, Supposing all which should
really come to be the conviction of the great mass
of the Conservatives, we may rest perfectly well
satisfied that—notwithstanding everything that can
possibly be said so boastfully and so hopefully about
the " Conservative Reaction"—the party must still
find itself doomed for more even than one or two
sessions to sigh vainly for office from the cold shade
of the Opposition.

Whatever the merits of Lord PALMERSTON'S

Attorney-General, one will not be denied him ;
he exemplified it with great eclat last Wednesday
evening. Sir WILLIAM ATHERTON is by descent
a Wesleyan. We are not acquainted with his pre-
sent views or practice ; but if he be even a de-
serter from the Wesleyan camp, he is not an
apostate. He still venerates the memory of the
founder of Methodism, still thinks he was a bless-
, ing to the country, and regards him, indeed, as the
great Reformer of the Church of the Reformation.
With such views, he is admirably adapted to
keep the Methodists faithful to his chief. He
knows what will please them; and there is not a
sect in the kingdom more susceptible to flattery
from high places than the Methodists. If
they can claim an Attorney-General as theirs,
or only as their special friend, and can
read extracts from his speech at every
Methodist meeting in the kingdom, Lord DERBY
and . Mr. DISRAELI must look sharp at their next
innings to find some favourite of the Methodists
who they may place at least as honourably as Lord
PALMERSTON has Sir W. ATHERTON.

The Methodists are always a danger for the
Liberals. Of the people, many forming a large part
of the lower sections of the middle classes, and
therefore influential among the ten-pound house-
holders, their regular clergy are almost to a man
hot Tories. This arises not only from their tradi-
tions received from the WESLEYS, but from their
sectarian constitution. By that constitution all
Power is centred in their ordained ministers, techni-
cally in a legal hundred ; practically in the body of
their clergy
whose votes in Conference are con-
firmed
by the legal hundred. No layman
has any power. Lay
limited authorit men have, ' indeed a
y, like that of non-commis-
sioned officers in the
the army ; but " the power
"
of the keys " , power to bind and loose in
Methodism," is with the clerical Conference. That
oligarchical body is absolute and irresponsible. Its
rule has often been thought harsh by some;
but
when this has been the case, the discontented have
had to secede, and the old body has stood its ground
notwithstanding large secessions. No sacrifice was
even considered too great to uphold the sacred
right of the clergy to govern, and the correspond-
ing duty of the people to obey.
We mention these well-known facts, because they
throw light on the apparent anomaly of a large
self-supporting denomination, consisting chiefly of
the humbler orders, who as a body have given their

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THE SUN.
LONDON, MONDAY, OCT. 21, 1861.