The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-16 00:00:00

THE ARREST OF MURPHY.

Mr. Murphy has again been checked in his attempt to stir
up the ill-feelings of the Roman Catholics in the manufac-
turing distticte. Having been of late denied the use of all
the public buildings in Bolton, and being unable to obtain
land whereon to-build "a tabernacle," the lecturer has been
pract'cally excluded from that town. A few days ago, how-
ever, he managed to obtain from a Mr. Eckersley the use of
a piece of land at the corner of Bridget-street and
St. George's-street. Mr. Eckersley lived in a house
adjoining the laud, and Murphy took up his abode
with Lint, and began to erect his tabernacle. As
soon as this became generally known crowds bega❑ to con-
gregate. Those members of the crowds who were opposed
to Mr. Murphy were by no means disposed to regard his
proceedings tolerantly. Their attitude was decidedly
threatening. This continued for several days, the town
being the -,vhole time in "a state of considerable excitement."
Meanwhile the first lecture was announced for Tuesday
night, and the excitement increased, especially among the
Dish portion of the populace. It thus devolved upon the
magistrates to consider what should bo done to pre-
vent disturbances, which, if the lecture took place,
appeared inevitable. Having the precedents of Ashton
and Stayley- bridge before their eyes, they resolved
to proLlb:t Mr. Murphy's lectures. Proclamations were ac-
cordingly issued to that effect. Every ether precaution was
taken to prevent a collision. A large forco of constabulary
was brought into the neighbourhood of the tent—which_
is close to the country police- station for the Bolton
division. This force included one hundred and fifty
police-constables from the country, under the command of
Colonel Bruce, and the members of the Bolton fire brigade.
About GOO special constables were also warned to be ready
to go on duty. In the course of Tuesday afternoon a
number of tradesmen waited upon the magistrates and made
affirmations that they were afraid a breach of the peace
would be committed if Murphy was allowed to lecture.
The mayor and magistrates, acting upon this evidence, issued
a warrant for the apprehension of Murphy, and he was ar-
rested at his lodgings and brought to the Bolton borough
police station in the course of the evening. His apprehension
caused not a little alarm amongst his adherents, but (accord-
ing to a local contemporary) the general impression feltin the
town was that the magistrates had exercised a wise discretion
in pursuing the course they had adopted. Murphy was after-
wards brought up before the magistrates, and, on his pro-
mising not to lecture before Friday next, he was admitted
to bail—himself in a recognisance of .£5OO, and two sureties
of .£250 each. He will be brought up before the magistrates
on Friday morning, and the question as to his right to lec-
ture will be fully gone into. As Murphy, after his libera-
tion, was proceeding to his lodgings in a cab, an Irishwoman,
named Mary Walsh, threw a large piece of coal at him. She
PM immediately taken into custody.

Dean Stanley has written to the Guardian to
defend Bishop Colenso in various matters of conduct, and
amongst other things mentions that the Bishop's Hymn'
book, whereof so much has been said, contains a large
number of hymns which shew that he is not so unorthodox
as is supposed.
RETIREMENT OF THE REV. BAPTIST NOEL.—On
Wednesday evening, upon retiring from the pastorate of
Bedford-row Chapel, which he has held since he relin-
quished his connection with the Church of England nearly
twenty years ago, the !Pin. and Rev. Baptist Noel was
presented by his congregation with one thousand guineas.
The rev. gentleman, who on Thursday ended his seventieth
year, intends devoting himself to evangelistic work.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM—On Wednesday, one
of the most violent thunderstorms which has occurred for
some Years broke over the Kennett Valley, in the neigh.
bourhood of Theale, near Reading. The hailstones were,
of an extraordinary size, and a very great quantity of raja
fell, partially flooding the Great Western Railway, near
the Theale station. The lightning was frequent, and un,
usually vivid, while the peals of thunder wore terrific. A
stack of chimneys on a row of houses stanclin.g near the,
mill of the Kennett Paper Company was strut* by the
lightning, and fell through the roof iota the bedmexcv,
but fortunately no one way butt, Bet xal tam to tb,t
neighbourhood werQ a 149 61cliNiitiptiffiVItOe