The Sun.
London, England, 1868-11-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, F.RIDAY w &ENING, r OVEMBER 27, 1868.

sequence, thereupon, to make his selection from, half-
a-dozen different departments as a member of the
National Assembly. The unsolicited acceptance of
Mr. GLADSTONE as one of their suggested representa-
tives, is not, therefore, by any means an " unpar-
kindness on the part of the electors
of Greenwich, as a free and independent
constituency doing itself honour far rather than
conferring honour upon Mr. GLADSTONE by return-
ing him unasked as its representative.
Equally erroneous is the notion which seems to be
generally entertained just now, that it is an event
altogether without parallel or precedent, Mr. GLAD-
STONE'S entrance into the House of Commons at the
head of a party having a clear majority of one
hundred. Seven and twenty years ago Sir ROBERT
PEEL, as Head of the Opposition Party, entered the
newly-elected House of Commons as Leader of a
serried mass of representatives, having that same
enormous preponderance over their antagonists, de-
monstrable in the same way, by their having a clear
majority of one hundred. With this difference, how-
-1 ever, that the mass of Sir ROBERT PEEL'S followers
in the August of 1841 was far more homogeneous
in its character than the variegated mass of followers
which in this next December will be ranged together
in the new House at the back of Mr. GLADSTONE. It
is a mere hallucination therefore to suppose that we
are living in such wholly exceptional times, or that
the political events that are occurring around us are
in any way unprecedented, or, as Mr. GLAD-
STONE has :called one of them by a still stronger
phrase—as he believes—unparalleled. History
repeats itself. It is repeating itself just
now not only in the events of the day, but even in
the flying rumours of the hour ! According to one
of which latter, Mr. GLADSTONE is said to meditate
in the double contingency, first, of his assuming office
as Prime Minister, secondly, of his finding it other-
wise impracticable to force his projected disestablish-
ing and disendowing measure in regard to the Irish
Church through the House of Lords—tbe swamping
of the House of Lords by the creation of a
large batch of some forty or fifty new Peers, selected,
of course, from among Liberal Politicians ! Precisely
as Lord GREY threatened to do when leader of that
\same party, when six and thirty years ago Le found
the same obstacle confronting the First Reform Bill
on its going up to the Lords in Parliament assembled!
History is repeating itself in rumours affect-
ing, even at this juncture, the views and
intentions of the reigning Sovereign. Rather than
become a party to the passing cf an Act for the
Emancipation of the Catholics, King GEORGE 111.
declared that lie would withdraw to Hanover.
Rather than become a party to the disestablishing
and disendowing of the Irish Church, and thereby, ac-
cording to her INIAJESTY'S belief, as it is under-
stood violating her Coronation Oath, Queen VIC-
TORIA is said to meditate, at this moment,
a proceeding quite as extraordinary, namely,
her abdication in favour of the heir apparent, under
his then title of either ALBERT EDWARD 1., or King
EDWARD VII. Extravagant as these rumours are, the
very fact of them being bruited about just now, here
amongst ourselves, and abroad on the European Con-
tinent, affords only a new illustration of those histori-
cal repetitions already spoken of as proverbial.

True, that the present juncture, or crisis, if yo
please to call it so, is one remarkable, and even
momentous in its character, but it is not (as we have
shown) without precedent—it is not (as Mr. GLAD-
STONE erroneously calls one of its minor incidents)
unparalleled.

AN important decision has just been given on a
long-disputed application of the law. Legal provision
for the observance of Sunday is a matter of
considerable difficulty ; it is right that the law should
step in to prevent profanity on the day of rest, but
it is not easy to determine how far such interference
should extend, or what cases may come under its
operation. Legislation to prevent the abuse
of Sunday is . specially liable to be con-
verted into a weapon by bigotry and intole-
rance. A remarkable instance of this came up in
the Court of Common Pleas on Thursday. About

two years ago a series ofaeligious recreation meetings,
under the title of " Sunday Evenings for the

People," was held in London. Lectures were de-
livered, chiefly on social subjects, and sacred music
was performed ty professional artistes. Admission to
a portion of the room was free, but for certain seats
a scale of charges was in force. These meetings
were orderly, and were certainly free from profanity.
There was no debate, no discussion; and the addresses,
which were often religious, were never irreligious.
But, of course, this species of religious recreation
met with strong opposition in many quarters.
In particular, a Mr. BAXTER, who apparently has
the observance of Sunday under his especial
care, sought for means to bring these meetings
within the reach of the law. An Act passed in the
reign of GEORGE 111. was expressly directed against
the opening of certain rooms for religious debates.
It therefore laid down that any place used for such a
purpose should be deemed a disorderly house, and
the person keeping or opening it should be fined.
Mr. BAXTER discovered in this Act an amount of
encouragement which most people would have
held very doubtful. He attempted to exact a penalty
of £BOO, under this Act of GEORGE 111., for the hold-
ing of these religious recreation meetings. The
court, however, has decided that recreative religion,
whatever objections may be brought against it from
a moral point of view, is not a contravention of the
law, and has given judgment against Mr. BAXTER. It is
difficult to discover on what grounds, except those of
prejudice and intolerance, this gentleman rested his
case. The Act provides for the punishment of those
who on Sundays open places for amusement or
for debate, and who receive money for admission.
Decidedly the meetings complained of fulfilled one
condition of infringement, for a price of admission
was demanded ; but no debates were permitted, and
the judge very justly held that "religious recreation"
was,legally speaking, neither entertainment nor amuse-
ment. To have brought such meetings withinthe scope
of the Act would have been to administer that erxess
of justice which is really no justice at all.
There may be doubt as to whether such
observance of Sunday is the best that could
be chosen ; but there can be no doubt that it is law-
ful. A contrary decision would have been dangerous
in more ways than one. It would have violated that
just principle of the moral law which, the very preva-
lent BAXTER doctrine notwithstanding, permits
every individual his free choice in matters of religion,
and it would have been no gain to social order.
Without discouraging profanity, it would have
encouraged intolerance. If the meetings had been
prohibited only because money was received at
the doors, how would a collection at an
ordinary place of worship be dealt with ? On
this single point there can really be no substantial
distinction- between these prices for admission and
any contributions for the support of a place of
worshipto its minister. If, then,taking money couldnot
render these meetings illegal—and it could be decided
otherwise only by an unworthy quibble—it is impos-
sible that this " recreative religion" could be con-
strued as an amusement. It is quite possible that a
large proportion of those who attended them went
chiefly for amusement ; but this is a legal ques-
tion. The addresses were not followed by debate,
and clearly lectures on religious and scientific sub-
jects are not primarily amusing. There remains but the
music. If this be held to convert an otherwise grave
programme into an entertainment, where shall the
line be drawn ? If the performance of the " Stabat
Mater " is an illegal Sunday amusement, will
any ordinary High Church service—not to speak
of Haydock or Brighton—be deemed beyond the
reach of the law ? The lectures were professedly
not hostile to religion, and therefore the musical ele-
ment alone could be brought into question. To have
decided that this rendered the meeting illegal
would have been nothing less than a misfortune.
The protection of Sunday from profanity or abuse
may be an important legislative duty. But to make
religion and the law the instruments of individual
creeds, is not to aid Sunday observance, but to sub-
vert it.

LATEST INTELL MENU,.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

CROOKHAVEN, Nov. 27, 6.20 p.m.

The Cunard steamer Java, from New York, is
now passing Browhead Signal Statio❑ en route for
Queenstown.

OUTWARD INDIA. AND CHINA MAILS.
MALTA, NOV. 27.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Pera, from Southampton, on the 14th instant,
arrived on the 231 at 6 a.m., and left at midnight
for Alexandria.

The Tanjore left at 11 p.m. yesterday for
Southampton with the India, China, and Aus-
tralian heavy mails, where she may be looked for
about the sth proximo.

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.
COLOGNE, Nov. 27, 6.15 a.m.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales, with their children, arrived here early
this morning, and are staying at the Hotel Disch.

FRANCE.
BOURSE, Nov. 26.—Three o'clock.—The market
closed as follows :

41 per Cent.
End of month._
3 per Cent
End of month 7l 75
Credit Mobilier 297 50
End of month 3Ol 25
Credit Fancier l5lO
End of month —

Bank Shares 3215
lital'an Loan —
End of month —
Mexican Loan
Do. Bonds
Spanish Threes
Home Debt —
Deferred —
s. Cash.
... 912

RAILWA'

Orleans ,

Northern .... )205
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern.... 620
Western
Eastern .. 570
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Roman 47

MR GLADSTONE ON THE MAYNOOTII GRANT AND
REGIUM DuNDt.—The Rev. W. Jubb, ludependent
minister of Oldbury, near Birmingham, wrote a letter to
Mr. Gladstone, in which be said :—" There :Ire voters in
this town who are under the impression that you do not
intend to take away the 3,Taynooth Grant and the
Itegium Donum at the same auto that you diseitablish
the Irish Church. This has led them to support the Tory
candidate, though they are Liberal in principle on other
subjects." Mr. Gladstone's reply was as follows: —" Not
oJy my own declarations upon every occasion, but the
resolution unanimously passed by the House of Comm, ms,
binds me in honour, as I am bound iu purpose and con-
viction, to propose that the Regium Donum and May-
rooth Grant should bo wound up, and should cease with
the Church Establishment. Can words go further? With
bibt compliments, yours, W. E. GLADSTONE.—LiverpooI,
Nov. 17."
It is in contemplation, to commemorate the Con-
servative victories in Lancashire: to hold a grand banquet
at one of the loading towns in the county, to -which Lord
Derby, Mr. Disraeli, and the chief members of the Con-
servative party will be invited.

A COB,

217B$„_i

A strange case has been revealed at an inquest held by
the Liverpool coroner, upon the body of a woman 33 years
of age. She was the wife of a book-keeper,
and had been separated from her husband. She
had since been guilty of improper intercourse with
another book-keeper, an old man of 62. The other night
they slept together at a Liverpool hotel, representing
themselves as husband and wife. They bad nothing to eat,
but took a considerable stock of raw spirits upstairs with
them. At midnight the old man awoke, and to his horror
found the woman dead and cold. Strange to relate he
remained after this in bed with the corpse for
half an hour. For the rest of the night he
sat up. At ten o'clock in the morning, he
called for " breakfast for one," saying nothing about
the death. They refused to give him his breakfast in the
bedroom. When he came down stairs he said his wife was
unwell, and at last the girl went up and learned the truth.
The medical testimony went to show that the woman had
had a fit of epilepsy. The jury found a verdict of
"Death from natural causes," and both coroner and jury
censured the man.

ANGLO-AMERICAN COMMISSION.

It is stated by the " Central Press" that such claims of
British shipowners upon the United States Government
for damages sustained during the American civil war at
have already been decided upon in the American courts,
will not be re-opened before the Anglo-American Commis
sion of four appointed to adjudicate the claims arising out
of the American war.

THE NEW SECRETARY OF STATE FOR

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

- _
The Memorial Diplonzatique states that Mr. Glad.
stone has offered the post of Foreign Secretary (in
the event of a change of Ministry) to the Earl of
Kimberley, and that his lordship has accepted the offer.
We have authority for stating that our contemporary has
been correctly informed. Lord Kimberley, as Lord Wode-
house, has had great experience of foreign affairs. He was
ITuder-Secretary of State for that department during Lord
,Aberdeen's and Lord Palmerston's first Administrations.
In 1856 he was sent as Ambassador to St. Petersburg. He
returned from Russia in 1858 to his former post, but
iesigned it in 1861. In 1863 he was sent on a special
mission to the North of Europe, with the view of
fettling the complication which had arisen out
Of the Danish Duchies. In 1864 he succeeded the
late Earl of Carlisle as Viceroy of Ireland,
and held that post until the resignation of the Russell-
Gladstone Administration, in June 1866. It will be seen
that his lordship held no post at the Foreign Office
during the American war. He will therefore, being un-
fettered by former negotiations, come to his important
duties free to deal with the delicate questions between the
United Sates and Great Britain which still need adjust-
ment. We have reason to believe that this appointment
will give much satisfaction at Washington.

THE SPEAKER'S EXPLANATION.

f--

The Right Hon. J. E. Denison writes to the High`Sheriff
it Nottingham to explain his reasons for omitting the 1
usual vote of thanks. He says :—" It Las been the
policy of Parliament for some years past to shorten
the length of notices for election purposes. Acts
have been passed to require the Speaker to
shorten the period formerly allowed between the
notices in the Gazette, and the issuing of the writs,
during the recess. At the end of last session, tho time be-
tween the proclamation of the writ, and the nomination
was altered from six days to four. This has been done
with the distinct object of expediting elections and
contracting the period of excitement and disturbance. Ac-
cordingly 1 observe that the High Sheriffs all over Eng-
land have acted in the spirit of these enactments. Rut
!hat is the course that you pursued ? You fixed the
.iomination for the South Division at Newark on the
16th, the earliest day possible, though the nomination
for the borough was to be held on the same mornin
You fixed the nomination for tho North Division
the 23rd, the latest day but ono possible by law." 11 ,
makes several objections to the arrangements, and complain
of party manceuvres, concluding his letter thus:-.E.
" If you are pleased to give me an assurance that the
days fixed for the nominations were fixed on pull!,
grounds, without concert on the part of the Deputy*.
Sheriff with others, and without the design of favouru
ing any party obj, c:., though I should still think fot
the reasons given above that you had been very a
advised, and had exercised a faulty discretion, no ground
for ary imputation on your motives would remain. In such
case 1 should at once be prepared to express my regret at
not having extended to you the courtesy usually extended
lo those holding your high office."

BA.

PARIS, Nov. 26.

The following is the return of the Bank of France
for the week ending to-day, together with the cor-
responding figures of the previous account :

DEBTOR.

Nov. 2G.

Capital of the Bank.... 182,500,000
Profits in addition to

Nov. 19

182,500,000 -

capital (Art. 8, Law,
June 9, 1857) 7,044,776 02 7,044,776 02
Reserve of the Bank
and its branches
Reserve of landed pro-
perty 4,000,000 4,000,000
Notes in circulation
Banknotes to order and
receipts payable at
sight
Treasury account cur-
rent creditor 176,097,423 9G 174,277,179 ...
Current accounts, Paris 284,503,492 33 280,108,329 86
Do. branch banks 47,604,522 43,703,159
Dividends payable 828,900 867,215
Discounts and sundry
interests
Rediscounted the last
six months
Surplus of receipts not
distributed
Sundries .

22,105,750 11 22,105,750 14

33,394,670 74 33,541,039 01

703,132 42

703,152 42

9,100,500 17 9,795,397 21

Total
CREDITOR.
Nov. 26. Nov. 19.
Cash in hand and in fr. c. fr. c
Branch banks
Commercial bills over-

due
Commercial bills dis-
counted, not yet due 237,270,366 05 236,726,702 69
Do. branch banks 234,067,708 228,957,845
Advances on deposit of
bullion 38,519,600
Do. branch banks 8,191,000
Do. on French Public

757,162 25 177,525 22

Securities 12,304,800
Do. by branch banks 7,757,800
Do. on railway shares
and debentures
Do. branch banks
Do. on Credit Fancier
Bonds
Do. branches
Do. to the State (Con-
vention, June 10,
1857) 60,000.000
Government Stock re-

serve
Do. disposable
Rentes Immobalis6es

912,300 -
917,900 -

38,295,700 -
8,820,900 -

12,891,200 -
7,767,700 -

36,665,300 -
28,599,400 -

922,000 -
908,300 -

60,000,000 -

12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14
80,980,750 14 80,636,437 21

(Law, June 2, 1857) 160,000,000 100,000,000 -
Hotel and furniture of
the 135nk and landed
proper ty branches
Expenses of manage-
ment 2,475,517 50 2,201,286 23
Sundries

9,101,947 -

9,072,499 -

Total
Certified by the Senator-Governor of the Bank

of France.

(Signed) RoULAND.

MILITARY AND NA VAL INTELLIGENCE.

Princess Louise and the Prince and Princess of
Teck lunched with Prince Arthur on Wednesday
at the Ranger's-house at Greenwich, and after-
wards, attended by their suite—Lady Caroline
Barrington and Colonel the lion. A. iiardinge
drove to Woolwich, and honoured by their pre-
sence one of the concerts at the Royal Artillery

Barracks, which are given during the winter
season by the Royal Artillery band, and under
their talented leader, Mr. Smyth. Their Royal

Highnesses afterwards went to look at the stained
windows, &c., in the Garrison Church, and subse-
quently the paintings in the Royal Artillery mess-
room, and then departed for London.
On Wednesday the 25th (King's Own Borderers),
who recently arrived at Fildershott from Glasgow,
under the command of Colonel H. T. Walker,
formed up on their re,;imental parade ground
shortly before 10 o'clock, in complete marching
order, and thence proceeded to the General

Parade, South Camp, where they formed line. At
half-past 10 o'clock Major-General Carey, C. 8.,
attended by his Staff, arrived on the around, and
was received with the general salute. He then
made a most minute inspection of the ranks,
after which the regiment broke into open column
right in front, and marched past in slow and
in quick time and at the double, with arms
at the trail. The regiment formed on the
private parade in fatigue dress, in which
order they were inspected in column. As each
company was inspected it was niarche I to gnarters
and dismissed. The General next insdeetel the
huts, canteen, library, married people's varteN,
&c., and expressed his approbation of the condition
of the regiment in every respect.
Yesterday the 2d Infantry Brigade at Aldershot,

consisting of the 2d Battalion 2,1 (Queen's) itoyal
Regiment, under the command of Colonel W' ergd ;
the 2d battalion sth Northumberland Fusiliers,
under the command of Colonel A. V. Kirkland ;
and the Ist Battalion 30th (East Devonshire)
Regiment, under the command of Col. A. H. Cobbe,
was actively exercised in field movements by Major-
Gen. Carey, C.B. The brigade assembled on the
brigade parade ground, West Block, in complete
marching order, shortly before ten o'clock, and
thence marched to Eelmoor-hiil, where the 2d Regi-
ment was thrown out in skirmishing order, and
the other two battalions formed line. The skir-
mishers advanced steadily until they arrived at a
supposed bridge, where they halted, and the sup-
ports charged and cheered over it, and drove the
enemy to the opposite side. The skirmishers con-
tinued to advance for a considerable distance to-
wards the Long Valley proper, and then charged
front to right or north, the main body adapting it-
eelf to the same change of direction. The whole ad-
vanced a short distance, when the skirmishers were
recalled, and the sth and 20th Regiments commenced
independent firing from the right of companies,
after which Colonel Kirkland assumed command,
and put the brigades through a series of very inte-
resting field evolutions, at the close of which the
brigade formed up and marched past in grand divi-
sions in quick time on Eelmoor-hill. A supposed
enemy was now observed approaching in strong force,
and the sth and 20th Regiments, quickly form-
ing line, retired towards their quarters, covered by
the 2d Regiment in skirmishing order. The enemy
closed upon the brigade near All Saints' Church.
Gen. Carey then ordered a halt, recalled skirmishers,
and directed the sth and 20th Regiments to face
about and open file firing. The order was promptly
obeyed, and the advance of the enemy arrested,
The brigade then marched to quarters without fur-
ther molestation.
Intelligence of the death of Colonel G. Kennedy,
R.A., Colonel on the Staff, commanding the Royal
Artillery head-quarters, Montreal, Canada, has
been received at Woolwich. The deceased expired
after a few hours' illness, and, had he lived, would
have received promotion to the rank of Major-
General in the course of two or three days.

SHIPPING INTIELIVENCE.

GRAVESEND, Friday Morning.

Wind, N.W.; dull. •
Arrived, Nov. 26.—Sydney Hall, steamer, from Lisbon;
Bianca, from Calcutta; Magnet, from Mogadore; Industry,
from Calmar; Kate, from St. Michael's; Rosalie, from
Mirans ; Rhoda, from Brussels; Agnos, from Bremen;
Elaine, steamer, from St. Michael's; Janette, from St.
Petersburg.
Arrived, Nov. 27.—Frederick Bazell, from Algoa Bay ;
Florence, steamer, and Emma, both from Rotterdam ;
Berlin, steamer, and New Era, both from Hamburg ; Carl
IV., from Gottenburg ; CI boa, steamer, and Vigilant,
steamer, both from Calais ; Ashford, steamer, from Cron-
stadt ; Napoleon, from Gra.velines ; Spitfire, from Bre-
mershaven ; Eliza and Jane, from Ystadt ; Swift, from
Antwerp.

DEAL, Friday Morning..

Wind; N.N.E., moderate.
Passed, Nov. 26—f►lodina, from London, for West
Coast of Africa ; Ignis Patuus, from London, for
Bathurst; Maria, from London, for Cardiff; Cit,
Norwich, screw steamer, from Loudon, for Corunna.
Sailed (in tow)—Cross Fell, for London.

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