The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-26 00:00:00

E3:RY.

TAMWORTH LI

).I°Ttl

Fit:DAT, JAN. 25 Tl4is
the annwl general mt,etirg of the ' lii2wOrth#l.4
was held at tin irls'itution, a small b
well-arranged building in Lichfield-s eta The meeting was more than usually crowded, as i
had been announced for some time previously that
the chair would be filled by Sir It. Peel. On former
occasions when the Hon. Gentleman has occupied
this post he has taken the opportunity of reviewing
the social condition of the tows and neighbourhood,
and of touching upon matters which, though not im-
mediately connected with the institution, yet bore
incidentally upon it, and, coming from the Right Hon.
Bironet, were regarded with general interest. On
the present occasion, in the midst of the agricultural
distress, and on the eve of the assembling of Parlia-
ment, it was anticipated that Sir Robert would touch
upon some of the questions which now so much en-
gross the public mind. It will be seen, however,
from the subjoined report that he confined himself
almost exclusively to the immediate objects of the
meeting.
The Right lion. Baronet, who appeared in excel-
lent health and spirits, took the chair precisely at 12
o'clock.
Mr. SHAw' the honorary secretary read the annual
report, which was of a most gratifying character. It
appeared, that during the year 6,000 volumes had been
put in circulation, upwards of 5,232 of which had
been issued to third-class subscribers, and as the
institution was founded principally with the view of
assisting the working-classes, this fact was dwelt
cuiulprocnaa n had doubled h
as being once important
of ntanldB4l, andtisf exhibited
satisfactory. The
an increase of nearly 2,000 volumes upon that of last
year.

- The report having been unanimously adopted, and
the office bearers for the ensuing year elected,
The Rev. J. MORSE, MA., proposed a vote of
thanks to the Right Hon. Chairman, for the great
interest which he had taken in the affairs of the insti-
tution, and for presiding over them on that occasion.
The motion having been put and carried with ac-
clamation,

Sir R. PEEL then rose and spoke as follows :—I
i am very much gratified that my conduct should have
met with your approbation. I have, as has been truly
observed by Mr. Morse, from the commencement of
this institution, and during the whole of its progress,
taken the warmest interest in its success.—(Cheers.)
I wish to take this opportunity—l could not do so
whilst in the chair—but I wish to take this opportu-
nity of stating that I feel most grateful to the officers
of the institution for their continued attention to their
duties, for I am convinced that the manner in which
they have performed their functions has greatly con-
tributed to the success of the institution, and I look
forward with great satisfaction to the prospect of their
continuing to perform those functions.—(Cheers.)
Now, the amount annually received from first-class
subscribers is 351. I must say Ido hope that those
who occupy the first station in this town would con-
sider what is the effect of subscribing 351. to this in-
stitution. The effect is to multiply its usefulness
among the lower classes of society, and is it possible
to conceive that the sum if 351. could be applied
with so much advantage to the moral and intellectual
improvement and virtuous conduct of the lower classes
as by giving them an opportunity of access to this in-
stitution ? I remember, when this institution started,
that there were all sorts of prophecies as to its suc-
cess and its tendency to promote infidelity and
irreligion. Now, I ask every one here, whether lay-
man or clergyman, and belonging, as I rejoice to see,
to different professions of religious faith, whether any
one single instance has occurred in which the " legi-
timate influence of religion" has been weakened by
access to this institution. (Hear, and cheers.)
Whilst I am anxious that the first class should
continue their subscriptions, and should not
lapse into second or third-class subscribers,
it would be most desirable also to encourage the
third class to increase theirs ; for it is in vain that we
have first-class subscribers only. It is much more
satisfactory to see 150 third-class subscribers than to
have more than double that number of the first class.
It must be observed that third-class subscribers who
come here, paying their ss. per year, feel an indepen-
dence that they cannot feel if they come here gratuit-
ously.—(hear.) It is of the greatest importance,
then, to increase the third class, because it is the
connecting link in the advancement cf knowledge.
At the same time I do hope that those who are asked
to contribute only 1/. will well consider what is the
effect of the application of that 1/. It is not only the
books which they individually may command—they
may have these books at home—but it is the prin-
ciple. In the first place their action may operate as
an example ; and, in the second place, they must
consider that they are promoting to the poorer
classes the means of accumulating knowledge.—
(Hear, hear.) The Right Hon. Baronet concluded
his speech by again expressing his gratification that
his conduct had met with the approval of so large a
portion of his constituents.

THE QUEEN v. RICHARD GUNN MAHON.
TO TILE .E.DITO.R OF THE SUN.
Sta,—ln reference to the evidence given on this
trial, I beg to acquaint you that the defendant was
never a member of the Reform Club.
I am, Sir, &c.,
W. 11. BOND, Secretary.
Reform Club, Jan. 25, 18.50.

MARRIAGE OF A DECEASED
WIFE'S SISTER.
TO THE EDITOR OF TILE SUN.

Sin,—Many thanks are really due to you for
placing this subject so plainly before your readers.
You emphatically have " hit the right nail on the
head," so that those " who run may read." It seems
to me quite superfluous, as well as unjust, to envelope
this suoj,ct in a multiplicity of words. To make a
" book-making" sort of affair on this great positive
wrong is to perpetrate a great injury; and what is
.most wanted is a plain common-sense view of the
subject, when most assuredly will follow the repeal of
Lord Lyndhurst's Act, and the relief sought and
prayed fur by the thousands of petitioners.
In the columns of your widely-circulated journal
the history of this law has already been detailed ; and
the report of her Majesty's Commissioners has partly
been referred to. Will you permit me to refer to its
concluding: part, and also to some of the evidence on
which it is founded, leaving "theological objections,"
" ecclesiastical objections," or " social objections," to
the mere book-makers, who, for some reason or other,
decline fairly to take the " bull by the horns," and
would avoid the only vulnerable part worth fighting
at, viz., the " canons of the Church," which at this
time of day will presently fall by themselves, as the
real lumber and hypocrisy of expiring priesteref',
which is daily withering before an enlightened and
indignant people.
Talk of a man's marrying his wife's sister, indeed!
(and even if it is with the dying mother's last request,
to secure, as she hopes, a kind mother for her children)
as being contrary to the " canons of the Church !''
Granted, so it is ; but we "Protestants" laugh at those
"canons." There is no fear of the Inquisition in our days;
otherwise what would become of the Bishop of London
himself? One " canon" is quite as good es another,
and it is written that priests are not allowed to marry ;
but I will refer to the canon itself : "lie who after
baptism has been wedded, in two marriages cannot be
a bishop, or a priest, or a deacon, or at all belong
to the sacerdotal catalogue." Now, then, Sir, lam
a plain man and beg to ask a plain question. Has not
the Bishop of London been already " wedded in two
marriages ?" And then again, in the 18th Canon, it
is written that" he that marries a widow, or one that
is divorced, or an handmaiden, or an actress, cannot
be a bishop, or a priest, or a deacon, or at all belong
to the sacerdotal catalogue." And now then, Sir, for
" plain question" the second. Did not the good
Bishop of London himself " marry a widow" for his
second wile ?

What says the old proverb ? " What is sauce for.the
goose is sauce also for the gander." At any rate,
however, let us hear no more speeches of the
of L Ards
Bishop of London in the House
on this subject, no more interference in families
social happiness and freedom lkebN
oney' o f appeal
sense-
iasrdi t
on either
tthiileirs
own sense, having himself
absolute canons,
to
his
dignified or decent
less, stupid, and entirel
furt all, except to get rid of the
important question
best
in the way they can for
their losses and trials
without
Yi iorn tole t e
comecan
of Williamstn aIV.., leaving people to deal with
statute
of the priesthood, which happily has now lain
their own happiness, and any officious med-
dling
dormant for many hundred years. At any rate when
fully exercised by the Roman Catholics, a "dispensa-
tion ' could be purchased reasonably, without driving
a Marl to certain ruin in the; Ecclesiastical
Courts, or a delicate and conscientious minded woman
into a state of concubinage, which her very soul abhors;
and unless Lord Lyndhurst's " Bill is repealed"—
to this complexion it must come at last, and, indeed,
is speedily approaching.
The report of the Commissioners concludes in this
remarkable manner :—" On a review of the subject in
all its different bearings and effects, we are con-
strained, not only to express our belief that the statute
5 tied 6 cf Win. IV. has failfd to attain its object,
but also to express our doubt whether any measure
of a prohibitory character would be effectual. These
marriages will take place when a concurrence of cir-
cumstances give rise to muZual attachment i they are
not der.endent on legislation."
• _ .

Citsinly they are not, and it is a want of the
knowledge of human nature forao Searsnlouie ago,ntto think,
that our social affections can ever be regulated by the
canons of the Church, issued 1,50
or by
any Act a Parliament.-1 am, Sir, your obliged and
obedient servant and sufferer,
Regent's-park, Jan, 24, 1850.

ALFRED.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF CIIANCERY, Jan. 25.

PIIILLIPCON 77. GATTY-GATTY V. PHILLIPSON.
• Thi3 was an appeal from a decree of Vice-Chan-
cellor Wigan]. The facts were that under certain
deeds of settlement and appointment mentioned in the
pleadings the sum of 4,5391. 53. 10d. Consols became
vested in the defendants Edward Gatty and Edward
Owen as trustees. The trusts upon which they held
the fund were for E. P. B. Phillipson for her life,
and, after her decease, upon trust for Richard B.
Phillipson and Mary Ann B. Phillipson, who were
the son and daughter of E. P. B, Phillipson, equally
between them. In the settlement creating the trust
the trustees had the power from time to time,
with the consent in writing of Richard B. Phil-
lipson and E. P. B. 'Phillipson, or the, survivor
of them, to invest the trust funds in the public
funds of Great Britain or upon real securities.
In the year 1837 the trustees lent 2,000/. of the trust
fund to Richard B. Phillipson upon personal security,
to be repaid by him at the expiration of six months
from the death of E. P. B. Phillipson, and which is
still outstanding. In March, 1838, the trustees ad-
vanced the residue of the trust fund (2,347/.55. 10d.)
to a person of the name of Langstaff upon the secu-
rity of a freehold dwelling-house and shops in the
town of Northampton, and since that time Langstaff
has been declared a bankrupt. The first bill, of
which Mary Ann B. Phillipson is the plaintiff, seeks
to charge the trustees with the full amount of the
trust-pro_perty, upon the ground that the loan of 2,0001.
to RichaTd B. Phillipson was a breach of trust, and
that the Northampton property was of inadequate
value to such an extent as to melee it a breach of trust
for the trustees to have lent the remainder of the trust
fuead upon that security, and to make them liable for
the loss. The case set up by the trustees was, that all
the dealings with the trust property had been done
with the sanction of the cestuique trusts, and that
the Northampton security was of ample value at the
time that the mortgage was effected. This defence
composed the answer of the trustees to the original
bill, and also the case of the cross-bill filed by them.
The evidence respecting the estimated value of the
house in Northampton at the time of the mortgage
wee of a conflicting character. The Tice-Chancellor,
however, decreed that the trustees should pay into
Court the 2,0001. lent to Richard B. Phillipson, and
that the Northampton mortgage should be realised,
and the proceeds invested in Coniols, and the trustees
declared liable to make up in stock the difference be-
tween the value of the funds so produced and the
origin9,l amount of the stock. From this decree the
defend ants (the trustees) appealed.
The Solicitor-General, Mr. Bethel!, Mr. Walker,
Me Wood, Mr. Basch, Mr. Giffard, and Mr. E. F.
Smith appeared for the different parties.
The Loxn CIIiNCELLOR, this morning said that the
plaintiff's interest in the 2;000/. extended only to one
moiety, and therefore the decree of the Vice-
- Chancellor must be varied by ordering the trustees to
bring into court only 1,0001. With respect to the
Northampton security, the proper order seemed to be
that it should be sold and the proceeds brought into
courl., and after that any.of the parties should have
liberty to apply.
Douce accordingly.