The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

eaczer to 'go through the tube,' that it bccamelimpos-
sible to accommoeate them. At length, obdiently to a
shrill wild whist'e, the train, which was almost long
enc ugh to cover the extent of tube, glided slowly into
the interior, saluted by a loud burst cf 'Rule Bri!annip;
from an array of Liverpool seamen up aloft in the
towers at the entrance, oa the front of which, cut deeply
in the stone, were the words 'Erected Anno Domini,
1850: Robert Stephenson, Engineer.' As the huge
train trailed slowly through the tube successive ra'vos
of artillery were fired at each end. This accomplished,
the eteam was got up. and the company assembled pro-
ceeded at the rate of thirty-five miles an hour, amid the
mcgnificert scenery and snow-capped hills of Wa'es, to
Holyhead, where they were received by all the principal
townspeop!e, and with salutes from the steam-ships in
the harbour."

With this felicitous success the experimental pro•
ceedings of the day were brought to a conclusion.
By the oth instant it is expected that the official in-
spector will have reported to the Government, and the
15th instant has with that expectation been fixed upon
as the day of public inauguration.
When the dimensions t f this magnificent structure
are taken into consideration, when the novelty of the
undertaking is borne in mind, when it is remembered
how much physical exertion and intellectual calcu-
lation has been requisite from the moment of its com-
mencement, or, rather, we should say, from the
instant of its original contemplation—the circum-
stance that the entire fabric has been the product of
only four years' toil (the suspension-bridge cf TEL-
FORD requiring fur its fabrication exactly double that
period) must be regarded as not the least marvellous
fact connected with a work whose every detail is,
cause for astonishment. 'While the experiments already
particularised have demonstrated the capability of the
iron tubular bridge to sustain greater weights than
can ever under ordinary circumstances traverse the
interval between its opposite extremities, the recent
high winds have sufficiently proved its capacity to
resist the lateral pressure of even the most violent
hurricane. Upon this latter particular it has been
calculated that, " taking the force of the wind at 501 b.
on the square foot—an excessive supposition—the re-
sistance offered by the bridge would be 300 tons, which
multiplied by 2 is equal to 600 tons, which is not
two-thirds of its own weight. The wind going at 80
miles an hour, the rush of a hurricane would only
press in the ratio of 128 tons on the side." In addi-
tion, however, to the extraordinary security here in-
dicated, it is intended to brace the two tubes together
for the purpose of counteracting altogether the
smallest possible oscillation.
No language, however deservedly eulogistic, can
by possibility add to the satisfaction which must
long before this have been experienced by Mr.
STEFUENEON, from the internal consciousness of
having triumphantly carried through this his noble
and gigantic achievement. Nevertheless, though in-
capable of adding one additional sense of pleasure to
the agreeable emotions already felt by our illustrious
engineer, this language of panegyric and congratula-
tion will be employed, not only by ourselves, but also
by the great mass of our Contemporaries. And while
wishing him most cordially the extension of Lis use-
ful life and eventful career, we may, in the
beautiful words addressed to Lord DENMAN by the
Right Honourable the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, assure
ROBERT STEPHENSON that he is not only certain of
possessing " the affectionate sympathies of every
member of his profession," but (yet larger and
deeper cause to him of satisfaction !) that he " will
reap some reward for his labours in the knowledge
that he will long live in their memories as an example
to applaud and emulate." Whatever tokens of admi-
ration may be showered upon one who has thus con-
spicuously entitled himself to some great mark of
national approval, it is certain no honour can confer
upon him so much or such genuine satisfaction as the
conviction that his life has proved a source of advan-
tage to his contemporaries, and that his memory will

be preserved to a remote posterity. The knowledge of
this, which must have recurred to Mr. STEPHENSON
yesterday morningshortly after daybreak, when driving
the first steam-engine through the Britannia Tubular
Bridge, the locomotive being appropriately decorated
with union jacks and the flags of all nations, must
have rendered him indifferent to the strongest epithets
of admiration, and must have reduced more than ever
to mere baubles the honorary marks of knighthood
or the " bloody hand" of a baronetcy.

To-morrow evening MY. HENRY BERKELEY brings

forward his motion on the subject of the Ballot in the
House cf Commons, and we-trust that every Member
of that Honourable House who has the least preten-
sion to th., character of a reformer will be in his place
early, so as to make a House; continue in it, so as to
keep a House ; and divide in favour of the motion.
P..iring off io favour of the motion ought not to
satisfy any constituency without some valid excuse,
such, for instance, as illness, for the absence of their
Member, because although, if the question
comes to a division, a pair is as effec-
tual as a vote, yet many a question has
been burked by " a count out," the said "count out'
having in divers instances been got up by sham
friends pledged to their constituents to vote fir a
motion, and who satisfy those pledges by pairing and
remaining away from the House, thus violating
their pledges as completely as though they
had voted against the motion. We, there-
tire, trust that the constituencies will nar-
rowly scrutinise the division lists of to-morrow
night, and will mark all absentees, whether paired or
not. It is evident that for the present at least there
is no chance of any extension of the suffrage, and it
therefore behoves all Reformers to adopt the most
effectual method for enabling the present consti-
tuency to record their free and honest opinion
unintimidated_by " the bullies of politics," who have
given us a taste of their quality at the recent Dorset-
shire meeting. The worthy Farmer BRAKE is but
the type of his class, and at the next general election
—and we know Lot how soon it may come—
every species of intimidation, every species of
brute violence, every species of bribery, will
be had recourse to by the Protectionist faction to
carry their men. Every Free 'trader, therefore,
should vote for the Ballot. We hope every Member
of Parliament professing reform principles will be in
his place to-morrow at four o'clock, to support Mr.
HENRY BERKELEY.

The debate on the second reading of the Marriage
Bill will be this day resumed, and we trust concluded
in the House of Commons. The principle of the
measure will probably have received the sanction of
a large majority of the chosen representatives of the
people before our observations on the subject can
have reached our more distant readers. The matter,
has, however, been already so fully discussed, and
attracted such general interest, that there are few in-
deed who have not formed decided opinions on the
subject. Further discussion may therefore, Fer-
ber., appear
,to be a wcrk of supererogation.
But so long as a most unjust and arbitrary restric-
tion is maintained, so long as :civil and religious
liberty is invaded by men being debarred from judg-
ing for themselves on a disputed point of doctrine,
and that in a point of the most vital importance to
the welfare and happiness of their future lives, so
long is it the duty of the journalist to reiterate his
arguments, and to direct public attention again and
again to the impolicy and injustice of the existing
law, and to demand its immediate abolition, that it
shall no longer be permitted to remain a blot upon
the national statute-bock.
Tile question has been considerably narrowed in
the late discussions. We now hear little, save from
some rampant and intolerant bigots, either of a scrip-
tural prohibition, or condemnation by the early
Christian Church, or by the canons of the Church
of England against such connexions. It is now
suffered to rest by the more moderate and reasonable
disputants on either side on the more simple ground
of " social convenience." The House is no
longer made the arena of polemical discus-
sions which can serve no useful purpose,
and which, as in all similar cases, only leave
the parties more firmly attached to their original
opinions. The great majority of the opponents of
the measure have long since abandoned the " scrip-
tural" ground as utterly untenable. Indee(l, it ap-
pears generally conceded that the 18th Leviticus,
v. 18, the only part of Holy Writ in which the
subject is directly alluded to, so far from sustaining
their views, is absolutely conclusive on the other
side, " Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister to
vex her, ** * besides the other in her Ve.
time." The latter words distinctly and clearly show
that the command was altogether limited in
its application—that it only remlined in

operation so long as the first wife was still
in existence, and that it was, in fact, only
intended to forbid such marriages as that of JACOB,
with LEAH and RACHEL, at a time when polygamy
was sanctioned and recognised. The inconvenience
of such marriages was fully unthrstood among the
Israelites from the example of their progenitor, and
such connexions were thenceforward forbidden ; but
from the moment that death dissolved the former
union, the only obstacle was removed, and they be-
came as lawful as any other that could be contracted.
There was no such consanguinity or kindred as
could render the marriage undesirable in a physical
point of view, or which, as leading to the deteriora-
tion of the offspring, eculi be regarded as contrary
to the law of Nature, and se therefore find that they
were generally entered into with the universal assent
of mankind, and were not considered contrary to
any generally received notions on the subject.
The canons of any particular church cannot fairly
be brought into the argument, inasmuch as they
could not be regarded as binding upon those who
conscientiously di,sented from its doctrines, and who
were determined to judge for themselves on all
religious points, taking the Holy Scriptures as
their sole guide and rule of faith. The attempt to
enforce obedience to the dogmas of any church or
sect has long been abandoned. Dissenters are now
permitted to enjoy every political privilege awarded
to the members of the Established Church, and those
persons who endeavour to bring the canons of that
Church into the argument must be considered, as
desirous of repealing the several Acts that brought
almost universal toleration into operation. But
it is,, by no means certain that such mar-
riages, are forbidden by these canons. On
the contrary, we find many of the most pious and
learned prelates and ministers of that Church have
come forward as the most strenuous advocates for a
speedy alteration in the law.

The only remaining point, then, on which the pro-
hibition can for a moment be maintained is that cf
" social convenience," and here the case is no less
conclusive than on the other grounds above alluded
to. Is it a matter of "social convenience" to bring
law into contempt by enactments that are habitually
disregarded ? by passing Acts which are universally
admitted to have failed to attain their objects ? Is it
expedient to bring the all-powerful dictates of nature
in opposition to an existing regulation ? Is it desirable
to multiply the numbers of unwedded mothers, and of
, illegitimate children ? to make the innocent offspring
responsible for acts over which they had no control ?
Most decidedly not! The Commissioners have told
us in their able report, that " these marriages will
take place when a concurrence of circumstances give
rise to mutual attachment ;" that " they are not de-
pendent on legislation." How absurd, then, is
it to encumber the statute-book with needless
enactments, which can have no effect in preventing
the marriages they were intended to restrain.
But even if the law were really operative, or that
it could be supposed to influence the public mind, we
contend that it should be abrogated, and that, so far
from such marriages being social inconveniences, they
are frequently in the highest degree expedient and
desirable. Second marriages seldom turn out happily
fur the offspring of the firmer union. Stepmothers
are proverbially unkind to their husbands' children.
A person in such a condition cannct feel as
a mother towards the partial orphans com-
mitted to her charge ; she may love her hus-
band, and feel some degree cfregsrd to his children,
but that regard will be tempered with a certai❑ de-
gree of jealousy, more especially if there be issue of
her own nuptials. She is also regarded as an intruder
by her stepchildren ; they can seldom receive her
with cordiality, or be prevailed upon to accord that
respect due to her position and influence in the house-
hold. These great " inconveniences" will, however,
be greatly mitigated, if not altogether removed, if the
person selected is already closely related in blood to the
children. Who can be so well qualified to discharge
the duties cf the deceased mother towards her sur-
viving children as her sister, who is already endeared
to them by the ties of affection and consanguinity, and
who, in many instances, has already acquired, as their
aunt, considerable kfluence over them, and who can
therefore exarcise the necessary control of a step
Mother without incurring the odium, or exciting the
jealousy, which such authority, however gently and
mildly exercised by a comparative stranger, must un-
doubtedly provoke ? We believe that there ca❑ be
but one answer to this interrogatory, and that is de-
cisive as to the question of expediency—and proves, be-
yond the possibility of doubt, that such marriages, so
far from bekg objectionable, are, whenever practi-
cable, in the highest degree desirable and praise-
worthy.