The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-18 00:00:00

PROSECUTION FOR HERESY.

Yesterday, in the Queen's Bench, before the Lord Chief
Justice and Justices Lush and Hannen, Mr. Brown, Q.C.,
on behalf of Mr. T. Bya,rd Shepherd, aparishioner of Frome-
Selwood, in Sornersetshire, applied for a rule for a man-
damus to compel the Bishop of London to issue a com-
mission for the trial of certain charges of heresy made
by the said Mr. Shepherd against the Rev.
William James Early Bennett, clerk, of Frome-Sel-
wood. Mr. Brown said that a Mr. Dale, solicitor to
Mr. Shepherd, had written letters to the Bishop of
London asking for the appointment of a commission ; but
his lordship, through Mr. Lee, his secretary, had refused.
The facts of the case were these. The Rev. Mr. Bennett
had published certain books, entitled " The Church and
the World," " A Plea for Toleration," &c., which were
alleged to contain heretical doctrines. The rey. gentleman
held his preferment in the diocese of Bath and Wells ; but
as the books were published in London, which was
part of the offence complained of, it was necessary, in the
first instance, the Bishop of London should institute
proceedings in order to bring Mr. Bennett under the
Church Discipline Act. The learned counsel proceeded
to read extracts from some of Mr. Bennett's works, in
which it was alleged that he taught, in pages 2 and 3 of
" The Church and the World," " the real, actual, and
visible presence of Christ at the Lord's Supper,"
and in another book, " The Adoration of the
Consecrated Elements," in contravention of the last
rubric of the Communion Service of the Church of Eng-
land, which distinctly stated that "no adoration is meant
or ought to be done." His (Mr. Brown's) client stated
that, if necessary, he could prove that Mr. Bennett had not
only taught, but practised the adoration of the consecrated
elements. These, the facts of the case, were communi-
cated to the Bishop of London, and on the 2nd of
the present month his lordship was asked to appoint
a commission. Mr. Lee, the bishop's secretary, replied,
stating that his lordship did not feel himself called upon
to do so. He did not mean anything with reference to the
doctrine contained in the books spoken of, but must decline
to be made the prosecutor in any case not occurring in his
diocese of London, when a person simply chose to
" publish " the book in London. On the 9th of April
Mr. Shepherd's solicitor again wrote to the bishop,
and received in reply a letter stating that his lordship
declined to interfere unless compelled to do so by legal
proceedings. On these facts Mr. Brown asked for a rule
for a mandamus, and quoted the case of Homer and
Bloomer v. Jones in support of his arguments. After
some deliberation the Lord Chief Justice said that the
bishop refused to exercise his judgment, perhaps, because
he thought that the Church itself might suffer. It was
with extreme reluctance that their lordships were compelled
to go, as it were, against him ; but he (the Lord Chief
Justice) thought that the bishop, in saying " unless com-
pelled by legal proceedings," meant that he would rather
act under the direction of the court than by himself.
Under all the circumstances, their lordships felt bound to
grant the rule nisi.

THE ASSASSINATION AT WESTMEATTI

The following are 'some details of the shocking occur-
rence which was.reported by telegraph yesterday :
We regret to have to record the commission of a mui.
der, accompanied with circumstances of the utmost delibe-
ration, which took place last night in the generally
peaceable county of Westmeath. The victim of the crime
was Howard Featherstonhaugh, Esq., of Bracklyn Castle,
a deputy-lieutenant of the county, and a large landed pro-
prietor. Mr. Featherstonhaugh was a gentleman who
took a very active share in public business, both as a
magistrate and grand juror of the county in which his
estates are situated, and his name and that of the various
members of his family frequently appeared amongst the
guests at Dublin Castle at the various balls and private
parties recently given in it. The unfortunate gentleman
bad been in Dublin yesterday participating in the general
welcome accorded to the royal visitors, and he proceeded by
the mail train at 7.30p.m. to return to his residence. At Killu-
can within five miles of Mullingar, which was the customary
station at which he stopped on his way home, a servant
was in waiting with his master's trap to convey him to
Bracklyn Castle, which lies in the direction of Delvin,
which is the post town. Bracklyn is about four miles from
Killucan, and about equidistant between both places there
is a wild tract of country, very thinly inhabited, names
Knocksheban, and it would appear that at this place, whirl,
afforded facilities by its solitariness and seclusion for the
commission of the dreadful deed, the vehicle in which Mr.
Featherstonhaugh was driving arrived at about half-past
nine o'clock, and was intercepted there by a party of men,
some of whom were possessed of firearms, and he was
dragged out on the road, and several shots were
lwly, with instantaneously fatal effect.
The party having completed the bloody deed, then
dispersed without molesting the attendant, who, after
some time, succeeded in raising the body of his murdered
master into the vehicle and conveying it to his residence.
Prompt information was given to the police authorities in
Mullingar, Delvin, Killucan, and all the surrounding
stations, and parties were despatched in every direction to
scour the country with a view to make arrests of some of the
perpetrators of the crime. No arrests had, however, been
made up to the hour at which we received information of
the desperate occurrence, which, as may be imagined,
has created the greatest excitement throughout the whole
county, where the deceased was so well known. It is
rumoured that the murder had its origin in agrarian
causes. An inquest will be held immediately, when light
will be doubtless thrown on the cause of the lamentable
circumstance:—Freeinan's Journal.

it is announced that the, Prince of Wales will
.sit Belfast in September next, and open the new docks.
THE OPEN CHURCH QUESTION. —The incumbent
of St. Martin's, Bilston, has Made a formal announcement
in vestry that thenceforth his church was to be free and
unappropriated. A weekly offertory is to he made from
seat to seat in lieu of pew rents.

We are authorised to contradict the statement;
which has been going the round of the London press, to
the effect that the Queen had intimated her intention of
honouring the Earl of Derby with a visit at Knowsley in
the course of the ensuing month. There is not the slightest
foundation for the report.—Herald.
BARON FITZWALTER. —On Friday afternoon the
tenants on his estate presented a congratulatory address
to Baron Fitzwalter, of Woodham Walter, on the
occasion of his assuming the peerage which her Majesty
has recently granted to him. The ceremony took plact
in front of the mansion in Goodnestone Park, where, as
Sir Brook Bridges, the noble proprietor has long been
known.

Early in the week information was received at
Frogmore from Wattersdorff of the serious indisposition of
the father of his Royal Highness Prince Christian of
Schleswig-Holstein. A special train was at once pre-
pared at the Windsor Station of the South-Western Rail-
way, and preparations made for the immediate departure
of his Royal Highness for the Continent. A telegram.
however, announced that the patient was better, and the
journey was accordingly given up. Recent advice:,
received by their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prin-
cess Christian announce the recovery of the royal patient.
WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE.—In order to promote
the subscription for raising new buildings for the Work-
ing Men's College, two " Friends" have promised to give
each £lOO if eight others will contribute similar sums fol
the same object, so as to present £l,OOO. The Rev. F. D.
Maurice, the principal, Mr. Thomas Hughes, M.P., the
Secretary at the College, and the London and Count•
Bank, Oxford-street, will thankfully receive notification of
those who will assist in making up the required sum under
these conditions.

NONCONFORMISTS AND THE Caußeir.--The papers
on " The Best Means of bringing Nonconformists into
Union with the Church," read in October at the Church
Congress, have resulted in a meeting of influential clergy.
men and laymen from different parts of the country at
Wolverhampton, on the 15th and 16th inst. After a long
and interesting discussion, it was decided that an associa
tion be formed to promote the reunion of Christians at
home on the basis of the National Church. The interest
excited by this meeting has encouraged the committee
to arrange for a further meeting to be held in London,
in the month of May, for the formal organisation of the
movement.

SUICIDE AT LONDON BRIDGE.-011 Friday morn-
ing, soon after twelve o'clock, Miss Eliza Packer, aged 17:
a respectable young woman, the daughter of a City trades-
man, committed suicide by throwing herself into the
Thames at London Bridge, in consequence of a quarrel
with her sweetheart, who was nearly drowned while endea-
vouring to rescue her from the water. The deceased
resided with her parents at 36, Milton-street, Fore-street,
and for some time past kept company with a young man,
named Albert Smith, who is employed at the warehouse
of Messrs. Bousfield, outfitters. On Thursday evening they
both went to some place of amusement, and on returning
home they had a violent quarrel. Miss Packer said she
would not live any longer, and that she would throw her-
self into the river. She ran away from the young man
and rushed down the London-bridge steps towards the
water. Smith ran after her and succeeded in catching
hold of her shawl, but she threw it off quickly and plunged
into the river. Smith dashed in after her, but failed to
save her, and he was with difficulty rescued himself. The
deceased was carried off down the stream by the tide.
The young man, who made such a vigorous (ffort to save
hex lifer Was quite everwhelmed With brief at her death.

Crou &radar.

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, April 17.

The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High-
nesses Princess Louise, Prince Leopold and Prin-
cess Beatrice, walked and drove in the grounds this
morning.

Her Majesty, Princess Louise, Prince Leopold,
and Princess Beatrice left the Castle this afternoon
at five minutes before three o'clock for Osborne.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

VALETTA, April 9.—Her Majesty's screw troop-
ship Simoom, Capt. Lethbridge, arrived on the 2d
of April from Alexandria with 207 invalids from the
Abyssinian Expedition. After replenishing fuel,
she resumed her voyage on the following day at
coon for Portsmouth. It is understood that the
Simoom will shortly make another voyage to Alex.
andi ia for invalids. Her Majesty's despatch vessel
Psyche, Lieut. Balfour (in temporary command),
arrived on the 3d inst., after conveying Lady Law-
rence and daughter from Alexandria to Brindisi.
Lieut.-Commander Sir Francis Blackwood re-
joined the Psyche on Monday, and Lieutenant
Balfour returned to the Caledonia. Her Ma-
jesty's frigate Arethusa, 35, Commander E. S.
Adeane (in temporary command), returned to
Malta from
,Naples on the 4th inst., after about
a fortnight's absence ; all well on board. She
brought as passengers Captain Ark wright, Mr.
Hitchcock, (and Mr. W. Knapp. The Endy-
mion, frigate, 21, Capt. C. Wake, having on board
Rear-Admiral Kellett, C. 8., Flag-Lieut. Thornhill,
Mr. Tollemache, M.P., and family, Mr. Martin,
and Mr. Roberts, returned the same evening, also
from Naples. Her Majesty's Indian troopship Cro-
codile, Capt. Watson, arrived from Alexandria on
the evening of the 4th inst., and sailed on the 6th,
at 1 p.m., for Portsmouth. She had on board
Brigadier-Gen. Grant, Lieut.. Col. Moore, 108th
Regiment, 30 military officers, six naval officers, 19
ladies, 23 children, seven servants, 723 soldiers,
36 women, 66 children, and 11 seamen. She
brought news of the Indian troopship Jumna
having suffered an accident to her machinery,
which will delay the departure of the Serapis from
Alexandria for some time. On Saturday last
the Commander-in-Chief, on board the Hearty,
took out again the gunboats Wizard and Tyrian
and the steam-launches of the squadron to practise
the new:naval steam evolutions, but returned shortly
afterwards on account of unfavourable weather.
They are to go out again on the first suitable day.
The Wizard, Lieut.-Commander P. J. Murray, is
to leave on the 15th inst. for Candia, to relieve the
Trinculo, Lieut.-Commander F. de V. Sanders,
and send her to Malta. On Tuesday, the 7th inst.,
Edwin Hawke, engineer of the Lord Warden, was
tried by court-martial, held on board her Majesty's
ship Hibernia, on a charge of drinking to such
an excess as to produce delirium tremens. The
Court was presided over by Captain R. Dew, of
her Majesty's ship Lord Clyde, and Mr. J. L. Kirk-
ness, R.N., acted as Deputy Judge-Advocate. The
prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to for-
feit twelve months' seniority as engineer, and to be
dismissed from her Majesty's ship Lord Warden.
The United States' frigate Franklin, having on board
Admiral Farragut, was to leave Naples on the 6th
inst. for Messina, Syracuse, and Malta, and is ex-
pected here about the 10th. The Swedish corvette
Gefle, 8, Capt. Rosengren, arrived on the 4th inst.
from Naples: The English steam-yacht Ceres,
Capt. Gill, having on board the proprietor, Mr.
M'lver, and family, left Malta on the 2d inst. for
Messina, Venice, and Genoa. The English schooner-
yacht ,Blue Bell, Capt. W. C. Cairnie, having on
board Mr. J. Stevenson, Mr. J. Carlyle, Mr. Ro-
bertson, Mr. M'Lennon, and Mr. Jeffreys, arrived
here on the same day from Sicily, to repair damages
suffered by getting ashore at Catania. The Egg-
, lish schooner-yacht Sybil, Capt. W. Jacobs, ar-
rived here on the 4th inst., ten days from tho
Piraeus, on her way to Naples, with the folla,ying
passengers:--Mr. Cooper, Mr. Freeman, Miss Green,
and the Misses Cooper. Silo lac to-day. We have
had a renewal of very boisterous weather during
the last few days, which has delayed the arrival of
both the Southampton and Italian packets. Fortu-
nately there have been copious rains, so that now
not the least fear exists as to there being any scar-
city of water during the dry season. All the crops
look green and promising, and scarcely any traces
remain of the effects produced by the two long years
of drought. The late severe weather, most unusual
for this month, extended to the northern coast of
Africa, and on Sunday night a very severe storm
was experienced in the neighbourhood of Tripoli.
What with storms and the wretched condition of
the cable, there appears to be no prospect of resto-
ration of telegraphic communication with Alex-
andria for a long time to come. Smallpox and
typhus are raging at Tripoli. Among the recent
victims is the Arab chief Georgi, well known for his
munificent hospitality to European travellers. In
consequence of instructions received yesterday from
the Admiralty, the squadron will proceed on Satur-
day week next for a cruise, visiting the ports on
the coast of Syria and some of the islands in the
Levant before returning to Malta, towards the
middle or end of June. The ships which will leave
on the 18th inst. are the Caledonia (bearing the
flag of Vice-Admiral Lord Clarence Paget, C. 8.),
Arethusa, Lord Warden, Lord Clyde, Endymion
and Tyrian. The Swedish corvette Gefle, at pre-
sent here, will also accompany the Admiral."
On the departure of the Prince of Wales fro►l
Ireland the Channel Squadron will probably pro-
ceed from Dublin to Portland, calling at Fir
mouth.

The iron screw steam troopship Urgent, 4, Capt.
Samuel H. Henderson, having had defects mad°
good, was removed on Thursday from No. 1 dock
in Keyhara steamyard to the basin.
The Lyra, screw sloop, Capt. Parr, was dismastea
yesterday under the sheers at Portsmouth. Accord'
ing to present arrangements she will be paid out °I
commission on the 21st inst.
The Simoom, troopship, Capt. Lethbridge, Will
be placed in dock at Portsmouth on Monday for til_
purpose of being surveyed before making anothes
troop voyage.
Yesterday a party of eight officers, two 11011;
commissioned officers, and 78 sappers of the Row
Engineers proceeded from head-quarters, Chathault
to the Government rifle range, Milton, to underg°
a course of ball practice with the new breech-loading
rifle, previously to embarkation. The following
officers proceeded from Chatham with the ROY
Engineers—viz., Capt. H. Smalley, Lieut. C.
Christie, Lieut. E. C. S. Moore, Lieut. H. F. Pa'
ner, Lieut. F. G. Jackson, Lieut. D. C. CourtneYl
Lieut. J. Purcell, and Lieut. J. F. Garwood.
Detachments of the 79th, 91st, and 93d Highland
Regiments arrived at Gravesend yesterday froo
Portsmouth, and will proceed this morning bi
steamer to Leith to join their respective corps a
Fort George and Aberdeen.

ROYAL VISIT TO KNOWSLEY.—A Liverpool paper
on Thursday stated that it had good authority for belies/WI
that her Majesty the Queen on her way to Balmoral 1:164,
month would pay the Earl and Countess of Derby a shot:
visit at Knowsley. The report, however, has not recoil.'
any confirmation.
MINING IN CORNWALL.—The material advatice
in the copper standard and the advance of £4 in the
ti d
standard which have occurred within the last few Won"
have caused considerable improvement in Cornish mining'
and several concerns are being worked with increased
vigour. There is no longer any surplus adult labour, an a
1
the supply may bo said to be unequal to the demand. 11'11
time is now the rule, and the mining districts are general
assuming a healthy appearance.
THE IRISH CHURCH.—A meeting in support of
the Irish Church, convened by the United Protestant Defence
Committee, was held last night in St. James's Hall. sr
be
chair was taken by Mr. Campbell Colquhoun. Resolution'
in accordance with the objects of the meeting having bnerj
passed, and a vote of thanks given to the chairman, the

meeting separated.
UPPINGUAII SCHOLARSHIPS.—At the annual elc"
amination on Easter Monday the scholars elected were :"*.er
W. D. Grant in the upper sot, and C. A. Clark in the 100
set. The following were mentioned with credit : ';
Earle, E. B. Turner, 11. L. Wright, W. M. Cameron,
Gunner, and F. J. Whishaw; next to these, C. H. Welle
and T. C. Cade. The examiner was H. L. Snigrden.