The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 14, 1644.

ART-UNION OF LONDON.

The Annual Meeting of the Subscribers to the
Art-Union of London took place yesterday, at twelve
o'clock, in the Theatre Royal Drury-lane. Great
interest was manifested in the proceedings of the pre-
sent meeting, in consequence of the difficulties which
have been recently thrown in the way of these useful
institutions, from the state' of the law on lotteries, and
in consequence of an expectation that some explana-
tion would be given of the steps which have been
adopted by the friends of art in both Houses
of Parliament to secure to the subscribers
to the various art-unions throughout the coun-
try, "indemnity for the past and security for the
future." The doors were opened at eleven o'clock,
and shortly afterwards the boxes were fully occupied,
the greater portion of the occupants consisting of ele-
gantly-dressed ladies. The pit soon became crowded,
and the stage, which was fitted up most appropriately,
and in front of which were erected the wheels of for-
tune, was also completely filled before the commence-
ment of the proceedings. Among those present we
observed the Right Hon. Lord Monteagle, T. Wyse,
Esq., M.P., D. Christie, Esq., M.P., W. E wart, Esq.,
M.P., Benjamin Bond Cabbell, Esq., W. Tooke, Esq.,
and several other patrons and admirers of the fine arts.
At twelve o clock precisely, His Royal Highness
the Duke of Cambridge, President of the Society
(who was attended by Baron Knesebeck), entered
the theatre, and took the chair amidst the reiterated
plaudits of the audience.
His ROYAL HIGHNESS then opened the proceedings
by addressing the meeting as follows :—Ladies and
Gentlemen, It is under very peculiar circumstances
that I am called on to preside over you here to-day.
You and all our other friends have no doubt heard of
the legal poin's which have been mooted, and of the
difficulties which have arisen in the course of our
proceedings. Thanks to the attention of two Mem-
bers of Parliament—Lord Monteagle in the House
of Lords—(Cheers)—and Mr. Wyse in the house of
Commons—(Cheers)--to whom we are all under great
obligations—(Cheers)—these points have been cleared
up and those difficulties removed.--(Cheers.) \\Then
I last had the pleasure of presiding over you, which
was two years since, I congratulated you on the con-
siderable increase which had taken place in our num-
bers—we then numbered 7,000 members of our Art-
Union, since then we have added 7,000 more to our
numbers—(Cheers) and we now consist of
14,000 members.—(Loud cheers.) This fact must
afford great gratification to all who take an
interest in the progress of the fine arts, and I assure
you that it gratifies no one more than myself. The
report will be read to you by Mr. Goodwin, our
honorary secretary. Our chief object, after the re-
port has been read, will be the drawing of the prizes,
and I heartily wish you all success.—(Cheers.)
The SECRETARY then read the following report :
The late proceedings relative to the legality of this
Association having engaged a considerable share of public
attention for some time past,),are probably known by the
majority:of the subscribers, through the periodical press.
The Committee, however, consider it necessary to com-
mence this, their eighth annual report, with a brief re-
cital of them. In April last, according to custom, all the
arrangements were made for the ennual distribution of
the funds ; the use of the Theatre Royal Drury-lane,
had been generously afforded by Mr. Bunn, and his
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge had promised
to take the chair. A few days before the appointed time
a letter was received from the solicitor to the; Lords Com-
missioner, of her Majesty's Treasury, informing the
Committee that the Art-Union of London had been
been brought under the notice of their Lordships, that
they were advised it was illegal, and that the further
continuance of the same would render all parties en-
gaged in itj liable to prosecution. On receipt of this
communication, your Committee, in deference to Govern-
ment, immediately suspended their proceedings, and
addressed an urgent memorial to the Prime Minister,
setting forth that, the Art-Union of London, since its
establishment in 1837, had expended about 36,000 L in
the purchase and preparation of works of art, to the
great encoragement of artists, and the diffusion of a
taste for the Fine Arts throughout the empire •, that none
of the parties concerned in its management had any pecu-
niary or other personal interest therein ; that it had put
into operation painters, sculptors, engravers, medal-die
sinkers, and workers in bronze—a branch of art much
neglected in this country ; that they had established
correspondents, not merely throughout the United
Kingdom, but in Ceylon, Bombay, Singapore, Nora
Scotia, Hobart Town, Mexico, and New York ; and had
thus bound together by one common interest—an im-
portant and good one—a multitude of individuals,
throughout the world, and had opened to many fresh
sources of elevating gratification, tending to wean them
from debasing pursuits; that the Committee had then a
large sum of money in their hands for distribution and
for payment of engravers; that many artists had devoted
labour and skill to the preparation of works of art, and
in the majority of cases looked to this and similar asso-
ciations for their reward ; and that, if the Committee
were presented from completing their arrangements, the
results would be disastrous to a large body of meritorious ,
men. They therefore prayed, without then entering on
the question of legality, that they might receive assurance
that ,no legal proceedings would be sanctioned by
Government if the general meeting were held as arranged,
and promised to give the most serious attention to the
opinion of the law officers of the Crown before any steps
were taken towards a future subscription.
They had an interview afterwards with Sir George
Clerk, on the part of Sir Robert Peel, but were unable
to obtain any guarantee. A meeting of artists was held
in the metropolis, numerous petitions were presented to
Parliament from all parts of the country, and ultimately,
on the motion of the Right Hon. Thomas Wyse, a Com-
mittee of the House of Commons was appointed (3d of
June), " to consider the objects, results, and present
position of Art-Unions, how far they are affected by
existing laws, and what are the most expedient and
practicable means to place them on a safe and permanent
basis, and to render them most subservient to the im-
provement and diffusion of art through the different
classes of the community."
This Committee continued to receive evidence till the
end of July, and have not yet made their report. In
the meantime the exhibitions were drawing to a close,
and the Right Hon. Lord Monteagle, with the view of
securing the continuance of the operations of this Asso-
ciation, and of preventing disappointment to artists who
had exhibited works during the current year, presented
a Bill to the House of Lords to legalise Art-Unions,
under the provisions of which, as altered by the House
of Commons and made law, the Association is now car-
ried on. By this Act we are enabled to proceed until
the 31st day of July, 1845 ; and it is understood that
early in the next session of Parliament a Bill, founded
on the report of the Committee, will be brought in to
place the Art-Union of London and similar Societies on
a permanent and firm basis.
The proceedings referred to have been necessarily the
cause of much anxiety to your Committee, and have
called for continual exertions on their part; they are
repaid, however, by the conviction that the Association
will now hold a more important place than it has yet
done.

The subscription for the present year amounts to the
sum of 14,819/. 145., being an increase of 2,485/. 7s.
over that of last year. The extension of the Society's
operations, by the appointment of additional provincial
and foreign honorary secretaries, has been referred to
already. There are now 271 gentlemen acting in that
capacity, and it is hoped that the list will be still further
increased. In America, especially, your Committee are
most anxious to increase their relations; and they have
accepted with pleasure friendly offers of co-operation
from the officers of a Society for the Promotion of the
Fine Arts in the United States, recently named, by an
Act of the New York Legislature, the " American
Art-Union." Every link which helps to bind together
VO great nations in a good cause must be valuable.
The number of works of art selected by the prize-
holders last year was 236, including two pieces of
sculpture. They were exhibited for three weeks to the
subscribers and their friends in the Suffolk-street Gal-
lery, by permission of the Society of British Artists,
and for one week gratuitously to the public without any
limitation or restriction. It is estimated that, in the
whole, nearly 200,000 persons visited this exhibition,
and that, too, without the occurrence of any accident--
another gratifying proof, if it were needed, of the eager-
ness of the public to avail themselves of any opportunity
to examine works of art which may be afforded them,
and of the perfect safety with which, under proper su-
pervision, this privilege may be accorded.
Since the date of the last general meeting the print
due to the subscribers of 1843, " Raffaelle and the For-
narina," engraved after Sir Augustus Callcott by Mr.
Lumb Stocks, has been distributed. At the same time
the outlines in illustration of " The Pilgrim's Progress,"
engraved after Mr. Selous by Mr. Henry Moses, were
distributed to the subscribers of the current year.
The Committee cannot avoid congratulating the sub-
scribers on the excellence of both these works. They
have to state that, in pursuance of the advertisement,
which provided that, in the event of engraving the out-
lines selected, the artist should receive a further remu-
neration to superintend the publication of them, they
presented the sum of fifty guineas to Mr. Selous, in addi-
tion to the premium. His Royal Highness Prince
Albert was pleased to accept a copy of these illustrations,
and, in reply to a letter addressed to his Royal High-
ness by the Honorary Secretaries, commanded Mr. East-
lake, R.A., to express his Royal Highness's approbation
of the objects of the Association.
The character of the Prince as a lover of art, the in-
terest oonstantly manifested by him in its progress in
Fogland, and the efforts already made under his direc-
tion with that end in view, give this testimony much
greater value than would result simply from his Royal
Highness's exalted position.
A marked and decided change in public opinion on
the subject of the Fine Arts has taken place during the
present reign, and will not form the least importantpage
in the volumes of the future historian. Britishitish artists
hare shown themselves competent and willing to essay
great works when the opportunity shall be afforded
them ; and the British public that they will willingly
contribute means for the production of such, and seek
enjoyment in the contemplation of them when executed.
The engraving after Mr. Clarkson Stanfield, R.A., by
Mr. Goodall, " The Castle of Ischia," due to the sub-
scribers of the current year (1844), in addition to the
outlines, is in a forward state. The fact that two such
works as these (either of which, under ordinary circum-
stances, would cost a guinea or more) can be produced
for every subscriber of that sum, and still leave the
greater part of the aggregate amount for the purchase of
paintings and sculpture, affords an extraordinary in-
stance of the results of co-operation.
Every subscriber for 1843 will receive an impression
4of 6 line engraving, after Mr. Mulready, R.A., by Mr.

G. T. Doi, " The Convalescent," which is far advanced

towards completion.
In consequence of the very successful result of the
first competition of designs in outline, the advertisement
was repeated. In reply, thirty-two sets of designs of
various degrees of merit were received, from whic the
Committee selected, as most deserving of the premium
offered, a series illustrative of Thomson's " Castle of In-
dolence," by Mr. William Rimer.
For a future year the Committee have arranged to
engrave "Jeptha's Daughter," painted by Mr. O'Neil,
and selected by Mr. Cyrus Legg, a prizeholder of 1843,
and have placed it in the hands of Mr. Peter Lightfoot,
for that purpose. The Committee are desirous on all
occasions, when it can be done with advantage, to en-
grave pictures purchased by the Association, and they
look with much anxiety for the result of the selections
about to be made. It cannot be too strongly reiterated,
that a great responsibility rests with the prizeholders ;
and the Committee venture to urge on their attention the
remarks on this subject which appear in former reports ;
and even to repeat that the prizeholders must consider
themselves but as the stewards of the Association, and
endeavour to promote as much as possible its highest
objects. On the other hand, the Committee would call
for the co-operation of the artists themselves, who have
so deep an interest in the success of the Institution, and
" implore them to discourage any attempt to divert its
funds from their legitimate purposes, and to discounte-
nance:any, should there be such, who, instigated by selfish
motives, would endeavour to make the Institution sub-
serve only to their own individual gain."
In order to insure a good subject for engraving here-
after, and to induce the production of a superior work of
art, your Committee are about to offer the sum of 5001.,
under conditions which will be advertised, for an original
picture illustrative of English History. They propose
that cartoons, the size of the picture, shall be sent in
by the Ist of January, 1845, from which ate selection
shall be made, and that the artist shall undertake to
complete the finished painting within twelve months
after the decision.
In proposing this competition to the artists of the
United Kingdom, the Committee express an earnest
hope that the result may be creditable to the country.
They seek a work of the highest order of merit, a work
of mind ; and they venture to think that painters of
ability will be induced to respond to the call, not merely
by the sum of money offered—a secondary consideration
in the mind of a true artist—but by the knowledge that
copies of his work, by one of our best engravers, will be
sent into every nook and corner of the kingdom, as well
as to many parts abroad.
The bronzes from Flaxman's "Michael and Satan,"
and Sir R. Westmacett's " Nymph and Child," executed
very satisfactorily by Mr. Edward Wyon and Mr.
Woodingten, have been distributed to the prizeholders.
For the present year, the Committee have caused a bust
of Hebe, by Mr. A Gatley, selected by Miss Acocks, a
prizeholder in the last distribution, to be put into bronze
by Mr. Hatfield. Many of the casts are already finished,
so that those subscribers who are fortunate enough to
acquire a right to them to-day, will receive them almost
immediately afterwards.
The medal of Chantrey has been delayed, unfortu-
nately, partly by the illness of Mr. W. Wyon, R.A.,
and partly by the success of our arms in India, which
led the Government to call on that gentleman unex-
pectedly for medals for the troops. It is now nearly
completed, and will probably be ready for delivery in a
short time. In continuation of the series, Mr. A. J.
Stothard has been commissioned to execute a medal of
Sir Joshua Reynolds. Your Committee intend to take
immeeiate steps to obtain medals commemorative of
Sir Christopher Wren and Flaxman. They propose to
omit no opportunity of elevating in public opinion the
character of the true artist, and of strengthening the
conviction that to all such their country is deeply in-
debted. _ _

Since the date of the last report, the Right Hon. the
Lord Prudhoe, a member of the Committee from the
foundation of the Society, has been elected Vice-Presi-
dent. The vacancy thus caused in the Committee, has
been filled up by the appointment of John Auldjo, Esq.,
F.R.S. _ _ . _

The extension of the Society's operations has called
for an increase of the establishment, and additional
exertions on the part of those engaged in it. To remind
the subscribers of the largeness of the operations carried
on in the office, it may not be uninteresting to state that
since the last meeting more than 60,000 letters and
circulars have been issued by post; 15,000 copies of last
year's report, 50,000 prospectuses and almanacs, and
10,000 catalogues of the prizes have been distributed.
For the print of " Una " 12,000 sheets of paper were re-
quired; for that of " Raffaelle and the Fornarina '
nearly the same number; and for the designs in outline
330,000 sheets.

The account of receipts and disbursements for the
current year showed that the sum set apart for engrav-
ing the " Castle of Ischia " was £1,857 17 9
For the outlines.
For the bronzes 4OO 0 0

For the expense, printing, &c 2,166 16 3
For pictures and other works of art
It is satisfactory to observe that the expenses are
little more than they were last year, notwithstanding the
increased number of subscribers and the expenses caused
by the late proceedings of the Government.
The amount set apart, according to the foregoing
statement, for the purchase of works of art, viz., 8,5901.,
will be alloted as follows :—Fifty works of art of the
value of 10/. each, 5001.; thirty-six works of art of the
value of 151. each, 540/.; forty-two works of art of the
value of 20/. each, 840/.; twenty-eight works of art of
the ♦alue of 251. each, 7001.; twenty-five works of art
of the value of 301. each, 750/.; twenty works of art of
the value of 40/. each, 800/.; fourteen works of art of
the value of 50/. each, 700/.; twelve works of art of the
value of 601. each, 720/.; eight works of art of the value
of 70/., each, 560/.; six works of art of the value of 801.
each, 4081.; six works of art of the value of 100/. each,
6001.; two works of art of the value of 1501. each, 300/ ;
two works of art of the value of 200/. each, 400/.; one
work of art of the value of 3001.; one work of art of the
value of 4001.
To these are to be added thirty bronzes of the '• Bust
of llebe," making in the whole, 283 works of art.
The reserved fund commenced in 1842 ; and formed
simply by the profit on sale of catalogues at the exhibi-
tion, the interest on subscriptions received, and by the
sums unexpended by prizeholders, now amounts to
1,000/. With the view of increasing it. your Committee
invite all those who have the great objects of the Asso
ciation really at heart to pay their subscriptions early in
the year ; the difference to the individual could be
nothing, while the interest obtained by the investment
of the aggregate would amount to a considerable sum.
This fund, which is necessary to secure the Committee
against the possibility of loss through engagements
made prospectively with engravers and others, will pro-
duce hereafter, it is confidently expected, a large perma-
nent revenue for the advancement of the fine arts in
England. Your Committee have given much considera-
tion to the future proceedings of the society. They will
delay, however, proposing any alterations of new steps
until the publication of the Parliamentary Report, which
will doubtless contain other suggestions requiring dis-
cussion. The necessity for more ample apartments,
and a gallery specially appropriated to the Association
(for the exhibition of the works of art purchased by the
prizeholders and of those submitted in competition), be-
comes each year more apparent. Should the means of
obtaining this desired object present themselves, your
Committee would not fail to take advantage of them—
convinced that by such a course the character of the As-
sociation would be raised, and its ability to do good
greatly increased.
The state of public opinion relative to the Fine Arts
(already alluded to) is a subject for earnest congratula-
tion, and should unquestionably be ascribed in part to
the operations of this Association. It is to be hoped
that influential public bodies will aid the Legislature in
the important steps in favour of the arts about to be
made. The surplus revenue of a club or city
company could not be better expended than in record-
ing, for imitation, on the walls of their hall, a noble
action or elevated feeling, in the language of all
lands—the language of the painter—(teaching the be-
holder to regard his fellows with love, by that exposition
of the human heart which a great painter equally with a
great poet can make)—or setting up in marble memorials
of their good and great men, and so shaming vice by
doing honour to virtue. And do not let it be said that
we have few artists capable of such productions. Genius
requires an incentive. The great artists of past times
produced their finest works when they were called on
for them, and because they were called on. The display
of power on their part did not create the opportunity and
the demand, but the demand led to the display. Great
efforts will not be made without the prospect of cor-
responding reward either of honour or profit. The
cost of one civic banquet might be made to produce a
work which should long remain to advance the best in-
terests of society, and to bring applause to those who
thus applied it. At all events, let us give our artists the
opportunity—they have not had it yet—and if they fail
to avail themselves of it the blame will no longer rest
with ourselves.

The advancement of the Fine Arts is an object in
which all are interested alike. Apart from their great
general power over minds and manners, by the warrior
and the statesman, they are seen to be the means of per-
petuating worthily their- deeds and memory ; by the
author, the only exponent of his ideas with universal
significance ; and by the Christian, the most powerful
illustrator and exponent of the truth. As affecting
our commercial relations, too, the promotion of taste is
nationally important. Improvement in this respect
amongst our operatives would remove a great disadvan-
tage under which we now labair, as compared with
foreign manufacturers.
By the power of art, that which is evanescent and
fleeting is arrested and made permanent, to minister
constantly to our delight and improvement ; from her
works we have obtained some of our most distinct im-
pressions of the past—our best knowledge of things re-
mote : moreover, admiration of what is beautiful is not
far remote from an admiration of what is good. Every
effort, then, however humble, to increase the influence of
these powerful civilizers, the Fine Arts, and to extend
the elevated enjoyments which they present, is condu-
civeto the general happiness and prosperity, and de-
serving of applause.

His Royal Highness the CHAIRMAN then called
upon Mr. Wyse, M.P., to address the meeting, add-
ing—" Recollect, Ladies and Gentlemen, that this is
the Member of the House of Commons to whom we
are all indebted."

Mr. NYSE, M.P., then came forward, and was re-
ceived with the most rapturous applause. He had
been intrusted with the grateful task of moving
that the report be received--a report which not
only did honour to the institution, but held
a well-grounded hope of the greater extension
and general improvement of a society which
had already done so much for the interests of art.—
(Cheers.) With regard to what had recently oc-
curred, it appeared to him that the Government when
called upon by individuals to uphold the law, had no

( other course to pursue, but to put that law into execu-
tion. They had no choice left as long as the law
remained on the statute-book.—(Cheers.) It would
have been easy to have introduced a measure legalizing
art-unions, but he thought this a favourable oppor-
tunity for directing public attention to the subject, and
for correcting what needed correction in the constitu-
tion of these societies, for improving what was good,
, for fixing them on a firmer basis, and for making
I them what he believed they were destined hereafter
to be, the great instrument in extending a love of
art among the people of this country.—(Cheers.) An
inquiry had accordingly been instituted, not
only into the management of art-unions in this
country, but also into the management of those
on the Continent; and he felt bound in justice
to say that Sir Robert Peel had given every facility
to the inquiry, and had throughout acted in the most
candid and conciliatory manner.—(Cheers.) The
evidence thus collected would dispel the doubts which
many persons entertained as to the utility of these in-
stitutions. His Royal Highness was aware that in Ger-
many the art-unions had grouped around them all that
was most illustrious in art in that country.—(" Hear,"
from the Duke of Cambridge.) He had heard it
said in the House of Commons that the cultivation of
art tended to corrupt and demoralise tha public mind.
Such opinions could only be occasioned by an im-
perfect knowledge of what art was, and an inade-
quate conception of what art ought to be.
(Great cheering.) Art was only another mode
of language—speech was the language both of the
reason and the imagination—mathematics was the
language of the reason alone. Art was the language
of the imagination, and it would be just as reasonable
to throw aside the use of our own noble tongue or of
the still nobler tongue of ancient Greece, because all
the writings in those tongues were not moral, as it
would be to throw aside art on such grounds—the
fault was not in the language but in
the writer.—(Cheers.) They should not change the
language, but improve the writers in that language.—
(Cheers.) This could be done by inducing artists to
devote their attention to the illustration of the two
noblest subjects that could engage the attention of
the human mind—religion and history.—(Cheers.)
He would not enter into any peculiar views on
the subject of religion; but, he would ask, could
any one deny that he was not moved by the
illustrations of religion of Raphael, of Rubens,
or of Michael Angelo, although he might not agree
in every religious opinion, or with the peculiar views
of those great men. If we could not admit works of
this description into our churches, there were many
buildings of a charitable and high moral character
in which they would be most appropriate. There could
be no want of subjects—there was a large portion
of the Old Testament untouched, and the religious
history of the period of the Reformation had been
almost as yet uncultivated, although it might be
seen by the recent illustrations of the History of
Knox, that Protestantism had her artistical
glory as well as Catholicism.—(Cheers.) With re-
gard to history, there were many public buildings of
this metropolis, which might be most appropriately
made receptacles for historical paintings ; and he
trusted that the example set by those who had
the management of the decoration of the two Houses
of Parliament would be followed by the City of
London and the other cities of the empire. The arts
to prosper must be patronised by the Sovereign, the
aristocracy, and the people. We were happy in the
possession of a Sovereign who not only en-
couraged art, but who knew by what means
that encouragement might be made most
effectual, who herself enjoyed the noblest aspi-
rations, who loved, valued, and understood the art.—
(Cheers.) As a Royal Commissioner he could state
that he had never seen more enthusiasm in the
ii—eir (Cheers.)
cause of art, or more devotion to its encouragement,
than
The
aristocracyha d been 'e xhhaidb i
longte d
since
the
given
Sovereign.—(Cheers.)
ei gnall
t
patron-
age to art—it was the encouragement of the people
alone that was necessary, and that could only be ob-
tained by diffusing among them a general love
for it. That that love was becoming diffused
among them, he thought their conduct during the recent
exhibitions in Westminster Hall gave proof. Not the
slightest injury had been done to any of the
works of art, and the assistance of a police-
man had had never once been required on any occasion.
Was it not possible but that the country which had
produced Shakespeare and Milton, Scott and Byron,
must also produce great artists ? and all that was
wanted was to popularise art in order to bring them
forth. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving
that the report be received.
Mr. W. TooxE seconded the motion.
Mr. EWART, M.P., moved a vote of thanks to Lord
Monteagle and Mr. Wyse, M.P. He would not de-
tain them with many observations, as they were then
on the stage and about to perform the comedy of
" The Wheel of Fortune."—(Laughter.)
Mr. CHRISTIE, M.P., seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously.
Lord MONTEAGLE, after passing a high eulogium
upon their conduct, moved a vote of thanks to the
Committee. The Noble Lord, in alluding to the Bill
which he had introduced into the House
of Lords on the subject of art-unions,
stated, that he had received, with respect
to that measure, the most strenuous exertions
of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.—
(Hear, hear.) His Royal Highness had not only
attended on every occasion that the Bill came before
the House, but he had thrown in the weight of his
exertions and of his high experience of the subject.
He had also received great assistance from the Mar-
quis of Northampton, who was the president of the
first scientific Society in this country. The Noble
Lord then proceeded to eulogise the Society, and to
express the pleasure he felt in its having been so
largely supported by the public, and concluded by
moving the vote of thanks.
Alderman J. JOHNSON seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously,
after a few observations
from Mr. Wvse, bearing testimony to the great exer-
tions of the committee.
Mr. T. L. DONALDSON, as Chairman of the Com-
mittee for General Purposes, returned thanks, and
concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the Ho-
norary Secretaries. The motion was carried, and
thanks having been returned by Mr. Gordon,
The Duke of CAMBRIDGE said, he must now re-
quest the meeting to permit him to vacate the chair
in favour of Lord Monteagle, as this happened to be
the Queen Dowager's birth-day, and he had to go
to Bushy Park.
His Royal Highness retired amid much cheering,
and the chair was taken by Lord Monteagle, when
the drawing commenced.
Among those who were most successful, we may
mention :
I The Countesi of Arundel and Surrey ...... £3O
The Countess of March ..
Lady Lushington .........
The Earl of March ...... .
2350
The Right Hon. Earl Grey
A. Cooper, R.A. ...........
20
11Iiss C. Hennington, near Lonsdale, a prize of 400
Mlr, P.
Saunders,G
300
IVr on-Trent
Mr. J. Flamanck, of Tavistock
Silentio ....... ...... , ................. 150
.George,
orfg a 9r2t Barton-on-Trent
Edward Hazlitt, Hounslow
Mrs. Watlington, Upper Bedford-place lOO
Mrs. W. H. M'Queen, Tottenham-court-road lOO
Mr. Stephen Maberley, Dublin Post-office
Mr. W. Collingwood, Liverpool lOO
Charles Gildon, Port Philip, Australia Felix
Joseph Chandler, Pipe-lane, Bolton
H. L. Leod, Columbia .•• 80
H. Luscombe, Andover
A. Scott, Nova Scotia ........
80
P. Morris, Lombard-street .....
John Gliddon, Camden New Town •. 80
Thomas Rawlings, Stourbridge....
80
A. J. Symington, Paisley ..........
80
Henry Hill, Wolverhampton ............
70
Wm. Davis, Wincanton ..................... . 7O
T. Sambrook, Arundel Wharf . ......
70
Samuel Walker, Leeds ...... . ...
Hyde-park-gardens
Mrs. P. Cruickshanks, Hy ga rd ens.
Charles Coombwell ...... . ..... . 70
Rev. C. Parker, Epsom ...............
... 70
Rev. Mr. Bacon, Norfolk
...... • •
Dr. Callum, Dartford... ••• • •• • • ...... 70
Dr. Smyth, Glasgow .. • •••
Branstone, Old Change ............ . 60
John Feat, Croydon .. • .. ••• •............. 60
Musgrove, Mount Pleasant, Leeds ......... 60
H. Stridfield. .•.. . ...................... 60
R. Winter, Bedford-row .
Thomas Hopwood ............................. 60
W. E. Walmslev, Adam .street, Adelphi
.......
60
E. Pritchard, Atontgomeryshire
........... 60
A. C. Turbot, Reading ... •• •• ...... ••• 55
Buckley Ward, Leicester • ... ••• • •• •• • . 50
E. 11. Brady, Suffolk ...... .• .• ............ 50
Edward Branch, Islington .• .50
D. Rawlings, Stourbridge. •........ 50
Greig, Plymouth .. • • •• • •
E. S. Tyson, Bradford .... •
Cockshot, Clitheroe ............ 50
E. W. Hazlewoorl, Bridgnorth . . ........ 50
Hawkins, Royal Society •. • ••• ...... ..... 50
Minor prizes varying in amount from 401. to 51.
were also declared. The total number of prizes, 283,
in the drawing occupied two hours and a half.
At the conclusion of the proceedings a vote of
thanks was carried unanimously to the two young
ladies who had officiated at the wheels, and who were
each presented with a copy of the exquisite engraving
of " Raffaele and the Fornarina.
Thanks were also voted to Alfred Bunn, Esq., for
the use of the theatre, and the meeting then broke up.

Dr. Pusey preached his first sermon, since his sus-
pension by the Vice-Chancellor, in the parish church of
Ilfracombe, on Sunday last, the 11th instant, in aid of
the funds of the National Schools of that parish, from
Matth. xyiii.s.—"Whosoever shall receive one such little
child, in my name, receiTeth me."

LORD BROUGHAM AND HIS
NEIGHBOURHOOD.
Chief Baron Pollock, and fourteen of the leading
members of the Bar on the northern circuit, on Thurs-
day evening last dined with Lord Brougham, in the
grand entrance-hall, at Brougham Hall. The display of
plate was of the most splendid description, and the din-
ner consisted of every delicacy of the season.
The Hon. Colonel Lowther, M.P., arrived at Lowther
Castle on Thursday last, where the Hon. Gentleman will
remain during the greater part of the shooting season.
The Gallant Colonel, in the course of a few days, will be
joined by several distinguished visitors.
Sir C. Taylor is at present paying a visit to Lord
Brougham, and his son-in-law, W. Brougham, Esq., and
family, at Brougham Hall.
The Earl of Lonsdale, the Postmaster• General, on
Saturday last arrived at Lowther Castle, from London,
by way of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Chief Baron Pollock, his son, and other branches of
the Learned Judge's family, from Saturday till Monday
last, made a short tour to Keswick, and the Cumberland
and Westmoreland lakes, the business at Appleby assizes
having terminated on Friday night. Mr. Justice Cress.
well, during the same interval, sojourned with the Hon.
Mr. Howard, of Levent Hall, near Milnthorpe, in West-
moreland.

The Duke and Duchess of Bedford passad through
Carlisle on Tuesday last, on their way from London to
their seat in Scotland, where theyarrived on Wednesday.
Sir Charles and Lady Lamb, on Sunday evening last,
changed horses at Mr. G. Poster's, the Crown Hotel,
Penrith, on their journey from London to their seat in
Scotland.

DELIBERATE ASSASSINATION OF

A GAMEKEEPER'S SON.
(Abridged from the Staffordshire Mercury.)
It is our painful task to record the perpetration of
one of the most atrocious and cold-blooded murders
chronicled in the annals of crime. The scene of the
catastrophe is a sequestered spot, called Halmerend,
about two miles from Audley, on the estate of Sir
Thomas Fletcher F. Boughey, in this county, and
only about a mile and a half or two miles from the
place where Beech, the policeman, met his fate, while
attending a gamekeeper last year. It is also remark-
able that the murder was committed on the night of
the anniversary of Beech's funeral, being just twelve
months since the interment of that unfortunate officer.

The name of the deceased is William Cooper, a
labourer, and an unmarried man, about twenty-three
years of age, son of Thomas Cooper, gamekeeper to
Sir Thomas Boughey. Up to the time of his murd6r
he was still living with his father. The house at
which he resided is situated at the extremity of an
eminence which commands a view of the sur-
rounding country and of the woods below, and,
as it is far removed from any public thorough-
fare, it is a very secluded spot. Another
house adjoins it, which is occupied by Thomas
Shooker, a labourer on the estate. The deceased was
in the habit of going out occasionally in the night with
his father, to assist him in watching the game—a
circumstance well known to the gangs of poachers which
infest the neighbourhood, for he had sometimes
been engaged in conflict with them, and assisted in
their capture. The last occasion on which he had
been out was on the night of Saturday, July 27,
when nothing unusual occurred. On Sunday even-
ing last the deceased left home between five and six
o'clock, stating that he was going to attend Audley
Chapel, where sermons on behalf of the Sabbath
school were that day delivered. On his way he
called on Daniel Colclough, a collier, who resided
about a quarter of a mile nearer Audley, with whom
he walked in company to the chapel, where they
arrived a little after the opening of the service, and
remained together until it was concluded, which was
about eight o'clock. On leaving the chapel they
went to the Boughey's Arms Inn, where they
met with William and Samuel Cooper, two of
Colclough's relatives, with whom deceased and
Colclough adjourned to the King's Head beer-
house, where they drank a pint of ale each, over
which they sat in conversation until about eleven
o'clock. Among the company present no persons of
known suspicious character were noticed. At eleven
o'clock the deceased and Colclough, and Samuel and
William Cooper, left the house, and George Dean, a
resident at Scot Hay, left at the same time. The two
Coopers, after a parting salutation, turned immedi-
ately in the direction of their own homes, and de-
ceased and Colclough, in company, took the direction
of theirs. They were accompanied as far as Halmer-
end Chapel by Dean, who there parted with them to
go to Scot Hay. Colclough and the deceased con-
tinued in company without seeing any one, except a
known friend, until they arrived at Colclough's house,
at which time the clock announced the hour of mid-
night. Deceased, as he stood before the door, took a
draught of water, and after bidding his friend good
night, pursued his way home, which was about a
quarter of a mile across the fields. On his arrival at
home about a quarter-past twelve o'clock, the family
and neighbours were gone to bed, but his father was
awake. The back door, which is the usual and
readiest entrance, was left unlocked. When the de-
ceased had approached the door, and had put his
right hand upon the latch to open it, his body would
very naturally be turned half round towards the left
hand; at that precise moment, some vile miscreant,
who would appear to have been lurking behind a low
wall, about seven yards to the left of the deceased, or
else at the corner of the house, at the same distance,
fired a gun, and the unfortunate man received the
contents in his breast. The report of the gun, as
well as a dreadful shriek of the victim, was heard by
his father, and also by the neighbours, Shooker and
his wife, who all hastened to the spot. The father
found the door partly open, and his son lying partly
within and partly without the house, having his
head on the threshold and his body in the yard. It
was broad moonlight. The father lifted up the head
of his dying son, and asked what was the matter ?
Raising his eyes expressively to his father, indicating
that he was sensible of the question, the poor fellow
made an effort to reply, but " there was no voice,
nor none to answer," the power of speech was gone
for ever. One affectionate farewell look of recog-
nition concluded the tragical interview. With the
assistance of Shooker he was placed on the floor in-
si le the house, and his clothes were removed from his
breast, which was covered with wounds, which bled
slightly. Life was fast ebbing out, and in ten
minutes from the time the gun was fired, the unfortu-
nate man ceased to exist. The father, however, sent
for Mr. Warburton, surgeon, who arrived in about
three hours after. Some poachers are in custody on
suspicion of being concerned in the murder.

PRINTERS' PENSION SOCIETY.—On Monday the
friends of this Society took an excursion per railway to
Anerley-gardens, on behalf of the funds of this laudable
institution. The company were highly respectable, and,
notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather,
enjoyed themselves to the fullest extent.

TIE OLD HOUSES IN WEST-STREET CHICK-
LANE, SMITHFIELD.—These old houses, said to have
been the residence of the notorious Jonathan Wilde,
and the resort of Jack Sheppard, which excited so
much public curiosity, are now nearly levelled to the
ground, they havinc, been sold to a builder in the Dover-
road, for the sake of the old materials. An old rusty-
pronged fork, with a silver handle, evidently of very
ancient manufacture, was found in the lower part of the
premises, which was handed over to Sergeant Miles, of
the G division, who presented it to Mr. Combo and some
other gentlemen for inspection, at Clerkenwell police-
court, on Friday last, informing them that it was found
in Jonathan Wilde's old house in West-street.
TILE LIVERPOOL ASSIZES.—The Commission for
the southern division of this county will be opened in
this town on Thursday next, before the Lord Chief
Baron and Mr. Justice Cresswell, and the trials will be
proceeded with on the following day, at twelve o'clock.
There are 81 prisoners for trial at these assizes, of
whom 1 (Owen Leonard) is charged with the murder of
his wife, 5 are charged with attempts at murder, and 7
with manslaughter. The other offences in the calendar
are of the usual description, such as burglaries, highway
robberies, aggravated assaults, &c.—Liverpool Albion.
TIGHT LACING.—On Monday an inquest was
held before Mr. Higgs, at the Coach and Horses,
Avery-row, Bond-street, as to the death of Miss Eliza-
beth Allen, aged twenty, a pupil of Madame Devy, of
No. 75, Lower Grosvenor-street, the fashionable milliner.
Mr. Robert Druett, of No. 6, Bruton-street, surgeon,
stated, that he was called in to see the deceased on
Friday afternoon, about five o'clock, and found her quite
dead on the bed, and very nearly cold. He was of
opinion that she had died very slowly from the appear-
ances about the mouth. He could discover no traces of
poison about her or in the room. He understood she
had gone up to her room at two o'clock, after eating a
very hearty dinner. She was of very full habit of body,
had come up from the country, and was one of the finest
young women he ever saw. She had been found by the
side of her box, and he heard she was subject to fits. He
had no doubt the stooping posture and tight-laced stays
had brought on congestion of the vessels of the head,
which no doubt was the cause of death. lie had mea-
sured her corset, which was one foot eleven inches
round, and on her body it would not meet in the smallest
part by two inches. lie was not aware if that was the
usual way they were made, but if so it was certainly too
much contracted. Mrs. Cowley, housekeeper of Mr.
Evans, of No. 4, Avery-row, the deceased's uncle, stated
that she had lived at the house for about four months,
having come up from her father's, at Barnstaple, in De-
vonshire, to be " finished" in the millinery busieess, at
Madame Devy's. Witness saw her at two o'clock on
Friday, when she appeared in excellent health and
spirits. She had eaten a very hearty dinner. She had
had holidays from Madame Devy, in fact was not to re-
turn till the Ist of October. The jury retuined a ver-
dict of " Died by the visitation of God."
ANOTHER " MONSTER TRAlN."—Monster trains,
as well as monster quadrilles, are all the rage. On the
South-Eastern Railway, on Sunday evening, a train was
dispatched from Dover to London, at half-past six, con-
sisting of 40 carriages, which were all literally crammed
with passengers, consisting principally of persons who
had availed themselves of " excursion tickets, and who
were returning homeward, having reached Dover by the
trains on Saturday and Sunday mornings ; but it ap-
peared as if they had made a mutual agreement all to
return by this particular train. Four engines were used,
and the number of passengers amounted to upwards ofl
1,000.

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS

FROM THE DAILY PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.
GLOBE.—The close of the session produced at
least one measure of considerable promise. Though
long delayed, it will—if perfected in conformity with
the outline, as explained by Sir James Graham—be
the means of obviating a host of grievances that are
now inflicted on the poorer classes of society in the ad-
ministration of justice. We allude to the Bill which
Sir James Graham laid on the table of the House of
Commons on Thursday evening, for regulating the
appointment and mode of payment of clerks of the
peace, clerks of petty sessions, and other officers of the
inferior criminal courts. The Bill was read a first
time, and was ordered to be printed. It will, we
presume, be introduced early in the next session. In
the meantime it will be considered by Noble Lords
and Hon. Gentlemen, who, as members of the Legis-
lature, will be called upon to discuss, and determine
upon, the principle and provisions of the measure,
as well as by the public generally. Every class
of society is deeply interested in whatever re-
lates to the purity and impartiality of punitive
Justi▪
ce. The substitution of salaries for the present
mode of paying magistrates' clerks, and similar func-
tionaries, by fees, will be regarded with satisfaction.
The disproportionate amount of fees on summary con-
victi▪
ons, upon which fines are inflicted ; and the de-
mand of fees by clerks of the peace, clerks of the
arraigns, and other functionaries, on the charge of
defendants who had been tried and acquitted on in-
dictments for misdemeanors, have been often adduced;
and shown to be as unjust in principle, as they are op-
pressive in practice. Lord Worsley has applied himself,
with praise worthy diligence and perseverance, to bring
this subject under the notice of the Legislature and
the Government; and has developed the fearful extent
of oppression which the existing system has caused
throughout the kingdom. The returns his Lord-
ship moved for and obtained, by a vote of the
House of Commons, furnished evidence so con-
clusive as to the character and extent of the evils
complained of, that the Government was induced
to take the subject into its own hands. A promise
was given by Sir James Graham that the Government
would prepare a measure, which should place the
whole of the functionaries alluded to on a basis at
once better calculated to ensure competency for their
duties; and at the same time relieve the public from
the fees they were in the habit of exacting. The
measure we have alluded to is the tardy ful-
filment of that promise. If we are not greatly
mistaken, Sir James Graham will have to encoun-
ter strong, if not formidable, opposition in car-
rying hissmeasure through Parliament. The emolu-
ments derived by clerks to justices, both in boroughs
and in counties, from the present system, are
very considerable ; and their endeavours to prevent a
change from fees to a fixed salary will be great. The
greater number of these magistrates' clerks are active
electioneering agents in the Tory interest. They wield
extensive influence in their respective localities. The
Parliamentary representatives, to whom they have ren-
dered material services in contests for the seats they
hold, will be applied to. These Honourable Gentlemen
will be urged to bring the weight of their influence to
bear against the Bill; which, if it become law, will
curtail the emoluments of these functionaries. To
' this influence, partly from gratitude, and partly from
hope of future benefits, the Members will yield, and
will endeavour to prevail with the Government
to abandon, or mutilate the measure. We, therefore,
' thus early, invite the attention of the Liberal
Members to this proposed beneficial change in
the existing law. The Bill will, we presume be
printed without delay. Let its provisions be consi-
dered ; and every effort used to render it complete,
as a remedy for the evils it is designed to cure.
When it comes before the Legislature, it will, we
trust, be watched and guarded with vigilance against
the intrigues that will be in motion to defeat the ob-
jects it is designed to accomplish.
STANDARD.---A statement, evidently ex parte,
which appears in a rabid Popish Maltese newspaper,
has been greedily seized upon by a contemporary,
as a pretext for a truly jesuitical attack on the
Bishop of Gibraltar and the Governor of Malta,
for an imputed disregard of the feelings and preju-
dices of the Roman Catholic portion of the inhabi-
tants of the latter dependency. The facts of the case
appear to be these, and we derive them, be it under-
stood, from the very suspicious authority above
referred to. Sonic ten or twelve months ago Don
Michael Angelo Camilleri, about 35 years of age,
having become a convert to the Protestant religion,
left Malta for Gibraltar, for the purpose of being
married to a lady—said to be the widow of a Maltese
Roman Catholic, who had also embraced the Pro-
testant religion—according to the rites of the
Anglican Church, of which they had become mem-
bers. So soon as the news of this marriage reached
Malta, the mother of the lady's husband claimed
the right to tear from her son's widow her two chil-
dren, in order that she might train them up in the
Roman Catholic faith ; and after a trial in the Royal
Civil Court—the whole of those officials are, if we
mistake not, Roman Catholics—her appeal was de-
cided in her favour ; and the verdict confirmed
by another Court, presided over by Judges of
the same tolerant faith as that professed by
the complainant. Of course, nothing then
remained but the execution of the sentence;
and a warrant was accordingly issued to deprive
the mother of her children, the execution of which
was confided to the usual officers. " Nothing" (says
the Portofoglio Maltese) " could be more regular,
more formal, or more solemn" than this attempt to
drag the two infant orphans from the arms of their
mother. The whole ceremony was, in fact, per-
formed secundem artem. " It was not to be expected,"
says the grave journalist to whose account we
must be content to be indebted for the facts of
the case, " that the Marshal would separate these
unfortunate orphans from their mother, without some
resistance on her part." Her " tears and lamenta-
tions" appear, however, to have drawn her husband to
the spot ; who, finding how matters stood, seized a
" thick stick" and would have struck the officer,
but that it was wrested from him. A gun
was afterwards produced by him, which
shared the same fate ; after which the mother
and her husband were overpowered and the
children torn from them, and delivered into the
hands of the " paternal grandmother," who, with her
priest was, no doubt, in attendance to receive them.
A complaint was then made in the police court of
the resistance offered by Don Camilleri, and the
" very moderate penalty of twenty days' impri-
sonment" inflicted upon him. The Popish jour-
nalist is quite scandalised at the extreme leniency
of this sentence on a clergyman. But " his senses
were overcome by an unexpected weight," when
the frightful fact transpired
that " the Execu-
tive" had commuted his imprisonment to a fine
of twenty-seven shillings and ninepence ster-
ling ! This decision is described as " an attempt
to destroy the happiness of a faithful people," and
" compromise the honour and integrity of the
supreme Government ; and a series of cases evidenc-
ing the utter unfitness of the native Maltese to
administer the laws of the island are quoted, which
do not appear to have attracted the notice of the
Government. It was only some twelve or eighteen
months ago, that a young British officer, sta-
tioned at Malta, was sentenced to a long im-
prisonment, because, whilst enjoying his dessert
at an open window after dark, he happened to dis-
encumber himself of a few nutshells at the moment
when some idolatrous procession was passing through
the street. It was not enough that several of the
witnesses for the prosecution proved that the act
was wholly unpremeditated; that the night was so
dark, that it was impossible to say which of the
three parties seated at the table was the offender; and
that the aforesaid nutshells struck no person who
formed part of the procession. The most savage
sentence it was possible for these Popish judges to
inflict they did not hesitate to award, and had it not
been for the consideration of the Governor, the young
gentleman's prospects in life would have been irre-
trievably ruined. It is surely time that the adminis-
tration of the law should be taken out of such hands,
at least so far as Protestants are concerned. Mais
rerenom a nos moutons. A Morning Contemporary,
on the assumption of the very respectable autho-
rity above quoted, that the release of Don
Michael Camilleri was obtained at the instance of
the Bishop. of Gibraltar, attacks that estimable
gentleman, and having reminded him that " the mar-
riage of a priest who has made a vow of celibacy
in Catholic countries, a great crime whether canoni-
cally, or civilly, or both, he cannot say,,, hisand bridet
at the moment of bringing themselves. together, So
ought
'
to have excited the Bishop'ssuasup
suspicion." .ty a Bishopthen,
according to this great Puseyite
ought not to have countenanced two persons
in
abjuring the errors of Popery, and be coming com-
municants of his own Church; and still less ought
he to have consented to marry them by the rites
of that Church on which alone they could hare had
any claim.
A Roman Catholic priest, whether a
titular bishop or not,
would,
we suspect, have
.
little hesitation in qualifying two Protestants at
the altar by their conversion on the spot, did
such course appear feasible. The conduct of the
Bishop of Gibraltar appears to have been perfectly
unimpeachable. " Probably, 7 says his monitor, " in
Such countries the law provides for the removal of
children born of Roman Catholic parents from under
the roof of a person who has embraced another faith."
If it do, the sooner such a law is abolished in a British
dependency the better. In the case in point, how-
' ever, the mother of the children as well as her hus-
band, had abjured the Roman Catholic faith ; and if
there be any law in Malta which empowers relatives
to drag from their mother her children, because she
happens to have embraced the Protestant religion, it is
a most iniquitous one, and one "more honoured in the
breach than in the observance." We trust that the
interference of the Government in this matter will
extend to the compulsory restoration to the bereaved

mother of her children ; for it is impossible that the
civil courts of Malta can have a legal right to annul
; a marriage and remove children from the protection
of their natural guardians, if those guardians are the
subjects of a country in which the Protestant religion
! is the religion of the State.
'TIMES.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer on
Thuirsday last made an announcement, on which, as it
somewhat regards ourselves, we may be excused for
conamenting. He then intimated, that it was the in-
tention of Government in future not to furnish a re-
turn of the stamps issued to each individual news-
paper, but to give the aggregate of those used by all
of them. And the reason assigned for this recurrence
to ancient custom was one the fairness of which we
readily admit, inasmuch as it appears that the returns,
as hitherto published, have been prejudicial to the
circulation of some of our Contemporaries ; those of
them which have been but lately established, and
others which had not yet formed a connexion, having
made earnest remonstrances against a system which,
by a premature disclosure of their condition, too effec-
tually prevented them from improving it. As for us,
we are by no means sorry to see Ministers revert to
the practice of former days. This practice was first
infringed by a Whig Chancellor of the Exchequer for
the express purpose of injuring us. Mr. S. Rice,
whose political connexions had naturally made him
suspicious of trickery and cunning in every
department and profession, had lent himself
with too facile credulity to the notion that, for
the purpose of deceiving the public, we were
in the habit of purchasing an unnecessary number of
stamps, and selling those we did not require to other
papers. Hence the distinctive die—an invention
which, like many other shabby devices, instead of
effecting the harm it designed, was of great advan-
tage to us, and, we flatter ourselves, ultimately
visited its own authors with condign retribution. In
the amount of our circulation they have furnished
the public with a gauge of their own unpopularity.
They have given to our humble efforts to expose
them and their miadoings a weight—not altogether
factitious—but which we never could have obtained
for them ourselves, by enabling us to publish a quar-
terly evidence of our success. When we bade adieu
to the Whigs, we remember well the auguries of
failure by which we were beset. We had de•
serted, it was said, the cause of the nation, and the
nation would desert us. We had dared to separate
ourselves from the public opinion to which we owed
our strength, and public opinion would avenge itself.
The contrary has happened. It is not too bold to say
that the English nation has sanctioned the sentiments
which we then dared, at some hazard, to express. If
ever the circulation of a public journal testified the
accomplishment of a great revolution in public opi-
nion, such an evidence is to be found in the increas-
ing amount of support which we have ever since
enjoyed, and, most of all, which we at this moment
enjoy; and fur the official, incontrovertible, and con-
tinually recurring proof of this support, the Whig
Ministers of 1834 have only themselves to thank.
However, gainers as we have been in every way by
an innovation which owed its origin to the most con-
temptible spite, we are not unwilling to forego an ad-
vantage which can be obtained only at the expense
of our Contemporaries. It is true that each succes-
sive quarterly return has exhibited our continued
superiority both in circulation and advertisements—
it is true that the prestige thus obtained itself reacts
by increasing the success to which it owes its birth—
it is true that to Mr. Spring Rice's manoeuvre we
are indebted for the most satisfactory, because hostile,
testimony to that position which it is our pride to
have achieved, as it must he our ambition to maintain;
yet we willingly abandon these advantages, convinced
as we are that we can well afford to dispense with
those guarantees of success which are furnished by
the indirect depreciation of our brethren of the press.
CHRONICLE.—The Otaheite affair is still the
subject of much discussion in the Paris papers, and
we are glad to observe that both the Ministerial and
Opposition journals begin to look upon the quaition.
with more moderation than heretofore, and with a
more decided inclination to look into the true merits
of the case, and judge of the conduct of all parties
according to that conduct. We bear of no more such
absurd pretensions as that the conduct of Mr
Pritchard should be disavowed, and that gentleman
put upon his trial, and the Journal des Deficits has
ceased to speak of the conduct of Messrs. Bruat and
D'Aubigny as being perfectly justifiable. When the
affair first burst upon the public followed, as it was,
by the declaration of the English Prim. Minister
that "a gross outrage " had been committed, the
French Ministerial press spoke of it as a matter
which required explanation ; and while they did not
deny that, according to the statements which ap-
peared in the English papers, the affair looked badly,
they held out a hope that, since the statements were
erparte, the explanations to be received from the
French officers would, in some degree, exculpate
them. No sooner did Lord Aberdeen, and his
Lordship's organ, the Times, show symptoms of
weakness and vacillation than the pretensions of the
French papers rose. They declared that there was
nothing in the conduct of MM. Brunt and D'Aubigny
that was inconsistent with their honour as French
officers, or with the law of nations. Since that time
the strew feeling exhibited by the people of England,
the manked opinion expressed in Parliament, and,
above all, the last declaration of the Duke of Wel-
lington in the House of Lords, that a gross outrage
had been committed, for which some one must be ac-
countable, have made a strong impression in France.
Some accounts of the negotiations going on between
the Governments on the question are looked for-
ward to with some anxiety. It was reported in Paris
that the answer given to the first communication of
the English Government by the French Cabinet
was simply that it had received no official accounts
from its officers, and that it was necessary to wait for
information. A second communication from the Bri-
tish Government is said to have given very complete
and authenticated documents, which place the impro-
priety of the conduct of the French authorities in a
very striking light; and it was further said, that, in-
dependently of the conduct of M. d'Aubigny to Mr.
Pritchard, he had offered a decided insult to the Bri-
tish flag in the manner in which he ordered the Cor-
morant steamer to quit the island. It has always
struck us that the unceremonious manner in which
the Cormorant was told to " be off" was not a little
extraordinary. The expulsion of that ship removed
almost the only protection remaining to the British
inhabitants, and we shall be glad to find that further
light can be thrown on the matter. Should it be true
that there was discourtesy or insult on the part of
M. d'Aubigny in regard to the British flag, the in-
jury sustained by Egland will certainly be greatly
aggravated ; but the difficulty of settling the quess
tion will, if anything, be lessened, as the French Go-
vernment should have no difficulty in at once acknow-
ledging and repairing the injury.

POST.—Our modern clever men have a wondrous
facility at detecting and denouncing an evil when it
is quite too late to rectify it After four months or
more of the Parliamentary sitting are wasted in im-
pertinent or mischievous talking, and much less than
two months devoted to the actual " dispatch of the
business " of the country, Lord John Russell and Sir
Robert Peel, the two great party leaders, simulta-
neously discover that the superfluous talk is a con-
summate nuisance and a hindrance to urgent and im-
portant matters. In the month of August these pro-
minent members of the Legislature come to the ac-
knowledgment of the lugubrious truth that three-
fourths of all their fellow-senators have been doing
and saying for more than six months were a good
deal worse than useless—that the time occupied in
Parliamentary prating would have been more bene-
ficially addressed to practical pursuits of local and
general utility—that the session holds much too long
—and that a bad use of a long session is to spend all
the early and vigorous months in sheer logomachy,
giving only the dwindling, thinly-attended skeleton
sittings of the few weeks at the "fag end "
to the actual performance of legislative func-
tions. Caution and prudence are qualities surpassingly
commendable in your grave and potent statesmen who
have charge of the public interests ; and to caution
and prudence we suppose we must refer as a reason
why these two great men put off their avowal of a fact
notorious to all England, to the very moment whereat
the fact ceases to have present importance. In the
llpa
asr tre
inlys
ieinaegrr
from
lonoodm, wes
fmr
iaedned
se aorfn
tehs
et rf eo r3e, saenn
months of February, and March, and April of this
d
public
sa
snt
coda tnohdfe a
the time wasted in listen-
mg to the outpourings of dull
noisy and impudent intruders
at inane
either conceit, c osicdeei t fro
m
noisy
of the
I louse more especially among "gentlemen opposite."
Exactly what has happened we then made bold to
predict—that, as matters were proceeding, so much
time would be sacrificed in noise and prate, as to leave
none whatever for thought and legislation. We re-
minded Sir Robert Peel that there were many
questions of exceeding importance that would re-
quire long and deliberate consideration by both
Houses of Parliament—that some of these questions
were embodied in Bills—and that a first duty of a
" strong" Government was to see that such business
have clue and timely attention, and not be shelved for
the gratification of vulgar, ignorant, and frequently
disgusting garrulity. Most of the motions in which.
the " debating" of the session was spent were evi-
dently and confessedly factious, or brought forward,
for the purpose of ‘-‘ testing some principle" which.
any presuming shopkeeper might choose to make the
stalking-horse of his loq iacity. Our strong Govern-
ment was certainly strong enough to crush or curtail
such discreditable displays—to break them in the •
opening with stern, and, if necessary, with con-
temptuous reproof. Not numerically merely, but
morally, intellectually, the Administration was strong
enough to sweep away this unclean froth of the re-
presentative seething-pot. Our strong Government,
had it taken counsel from the warnings we addressed
to it in the early months of the year, by going on
with business and despising the bubble and muddle of
the vulgar, would have found full time for the con.