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

UNIVERSITY REFORM.

TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
Grafton-street, May 24.
My dear Duke,—l have read with much interest your
correspondence relating to the proposed University Com-
mission. This interest is owing partly to the course of
inquiry in which I was for so many years engaged in
both Houses of Parliament, and as bead of a Commission
of Inquiry, partly to the accidental circumstance of being
myself the bead of a college which possesses very con•
siderable endowments.

I have studied with great attention the two protests of
Oxford and Cambridge, and I agree in general with the
reasoning of both those admirable papers. My opinion
is very decidedly adverse to any inquiry of the kind in
contemplation; and I felt so strongly the inexpediency
of such a proceeding, that I supported the exemption of
the universities and colleges from the jurisdiction of the
Commissioners appointed first by the 58 George
91, and afterwards by the 59 George 111., c.. 81. When
I was a minister of the Crown in 1831 and the Commis-
sion was renewed, the exemption of institutions having
special visitors was removed, but the universities and
colleges were still exempted (1 and 2 William IV., c. 34).
There appear to me even stronger reasons against a
commission without power to compel attendance and
answers of witnesses and production of documents, than
against a commission armed by Parliament with such
powers. The commission acting by voluntary deposi-
tions can have no efficacy; it can only rely on such in-
formation as private interest, or personal prejudice—or,
peradventure, spleen—may induce persons to give. It
cannot avoid doing injustice to parties accused, because
those must remain unheard unless they choose to submit
themselves and undergo a full examination; so that
parties vvill be placed in the predicament of either being
compelled to give evidence respecting themselves and
their concerns or being condemned unheard; and thie,
under commissioners professing only to exercise a
voluntary jurisdiction. Moreover, parties so situated
may in many cases be unable to make the statements
and disclosures necessary for their defence; because the
commission can give no proteetian to them in telling
that which it cannot compel them to toll, and which,
nevertheless, it may be their duty not to tell. I need
hardly arid that it seems somewhat inconsistent with the
dignity of the Crown to issue a commission to which no
one person in the world needs pay the least attention.
I cannot but fear the inevitable tendency of this com-
mission to obstruct all the good work of improvement
now going on safely because voluntarily, and steadily
because uninterruptedly, in both our Universities. The
subject is a delicate one, and I am very far from saying
that much useful addition has not recently been made
to the course of studies pursued in both. Yet lam apt
to believe that great caution is also required in meddling
with a long established course of study. Thus, at Cam-
bridge, it seems of incalculable use to teach the severer
sciences, I mean the mathematics, in all their branches,
both fur their own sake, and also as the best mode of
disciplining the mind to reasoning and to habits of close
attention, of all others the most difficult to acquire as
well as the most valuable when possessed. That this
most wholesome discipline has none of the tendency,
sometimes ascribed to it by ignorant and unreflecting
persons, of unfitting persons for the pursuits of active
life, is plain from daily experience 'of its prac-
tical results. I have seldom known our bench
without several judges who had taken the
highest mathematical honours ; at this time there
are three Puisno Judges and two chiefs who
were senior wranglers, beside three others
who took high mathematical honours. I earnestly hope
that nothing will be attempted that can so far interfere
with these pursuits, and disperse (as it were) the
studious youth's attention by carrying it over a variety
of less strict and severe, and for that reason less for-
bidding, studies; and I own that I have seen with some
alarm a tendency of late to import from foreign countries
more easy and popular branches of education, and other
methods than those for which Cambridge has long been
renowned.

With respect to London College I speak without any
authority from our Council, at the same time I should
as a lawyer positively object to any such inquiry being
instituted; and I should resist to the uttermost all inter-
ference with our course of study, or our discipline, or
our bye-laws, which we make, and validly make, by
virtue of our charter, our only lawful visitor being the
Court of King's Bench. I also consider that our dis-
posal of our funds, which are chiefly by endowments, is
beyond the power of any Crown Commission, or of the
Crown itself; it can only be interfered with by an Act
of Parliament, and even such interference would be an
act of force, lawful indeed, but still force.
I need not remind your Grace that in all I have said
upon the proposed intermeddling with our Universities
and colleges I have had in view the peculiar circum-
stances of those illustrious bodies, and that to them my
observations are strictly confined. The foundations,
however, of the inferior schools and other bodies which
owe their existence to the bounty, sometimes of Sove-
reigns, sometimes of pious and benevolent individuals,
stand in another predicament. The entire difference of
these foundations in all material respects renders my re-
marks totally inapplicable to their case. Among many
other diversities, I need only mention the kind of per-
sons in whom the trusts have in so many cases come to
be vested. I may also note the undeniable fact that
without legislative aid, the most desirable, I may say
the most necessary steps cannot be taken for enabling
trustees and governors and visitors to make a rational
application of the funds vested in them ; and
bthiagat inw
in-
capacities, while in others those duties and
are
.
himohanyp r instances
even t
ties
o f
importanceinotives had
from
being discharged under cover of restraint a
neglected without even that pretence. If, indeed,
should appear that enabling statutes are required for the
universities and colleges—to statutes only arming them
with powers which they do not now possess, or remov-
ing restraints under which they now labour, no one
could raise the least objection, provided always that no
needless infraction of the wills of founders and benetac-
tors is authorised.
I must before closing this letter advert to one circum-
stance, carefully to be kept in view, more especially in
dealing with the case of such institutions as the one I
have the honour of presiding over. Much, in the case
of these bodies, of necessity, depends on voluntary as-
sistance of benevolent public spirited individuals. We
have received from one 25,0001., from another a larger
sum. Nay, but yesterday,
when a meeting was holden
to promote a subcription in aid of our hospital (rendered
needful by the prevalence of the disease which
afflicted London last autumn) one most bene-
volent and most generous person, a rev.
clergyman of our Established Church, gave us a
munificent donation of one thousand pounds. All those
parties have a full confidence in the persons who manage
our concerns; I have not the least right to suppose that
this confidence would be extended to persons no longer
independent, but subject to foreign meddling and control.
I am myself individually a trustee for considerable sums,
amounting, I believe, to above 5,0004, seat by a gene-

1850.

rous individual, who has never revealed to us his name.
I am directed to follow my own course in applying these
most liberal gifts. How can I suffer any interference
with a trust thus reposed in me? But, also, how can I
be sure that such a trust ever would have been reposed
in me, or that others will follow the Patriot's example
(by this name alone is he known to us), and confide in
others with whom Commissioners and statutes may at
any moment interpose, when I perceive that not even my
colleagues of the Council are thus confided in?
I am, with the greatest affection and respect,
My dear Duke, yours most faithfully,
H. BROUGHAM.

(From the 7 imes.)
To those who have noticed Lord Brougham's singular
ambition to do the greatest possible violence to the prin-
ciples of his life, it will be no matter of surprise that he
has rushed to the rescue of Oxford and Cambridge
against the Royal Commission. The perils of Alma
Mate ;have roused to her aid that most errant of knights,
who displays on this occasion the same capricious sort
of tenderness that a Robin Hood would occasionally
show for the rights of property, or a lawless Baron for
the dignity cf a captive Princess. It is difficult to imagine
any one more incapacitated for undertaking the case of
the Universities than the man who, as it in remem-
brance of his youthful achievemements, still signs him-
self "H. Brougham." As those achievements could
net fail to recur to the youngest memory, his Lordship
has thought it best to quote them all boldly, and
convert them by his peculiar alchemy into arguments
against University reform. Lord Brougham, as he re-
minds the public in his letter to the Duke, has conducted
a series cf inquiries, almost up to the very threshold of
the Universities. There, hoe ever, he stopped, and he
now claims credit for a forbearance, for which he gently
hints the Universities have to thank him, and to thank
him all the more because they stood on precisely the
same footing as many other subjects of those inquiries.
" H. Brougham " is also President of University College,
which is generally supposed to have been founded fur
the express purpose of supplying a better, a cheaper, a
more useful, and more available education than Oxford
and Cambridge. Whether his Lordship has himself ever
given countenance to that view we leave to the recollec-
tions of those who have attended any one of the annual
celebrations of that college, and heard his Lordship's re-
marks on its position and prospects. His most ordinary
and most fertile topic on these occasions is the excessive
folly and vulgarity of London citizens, who prefer
making one son a gentleman at Oxford or Cambridge
to giving all their sons a useful education at the Uni-
versity College, at a less total expense. If " the great-
est happiness of the greatest number" is the maxim of
Paley or of Bentham, then assuredly Lrod Brougham
has left to posterity " the best education of the greatest
number." Such is the man who now comes forward to
protect the old Universities from the painful necessity of
eclarging their studies, or multiplying their students.
It is *4 the schoolmaster abroad" who defends Univer-
sity independence and college monopoly. His Lordship
insinuates some very grave doubts as to the fairness of
a Commission acting by voluntary depositions, and its
compatibleness with the dignity of the Crown. When a
man of uncommon ingenuity is anxious to discover the
possible evils of a course which he has a reason for ob-
jecting to, he vary seldom fails. In the present instance
it is not very necessary to follow Lord Brougham through
all the inconveniences, unfairnesses, and indignities his
strong sense of justice and loyalty has suggested,
because if they apply to one Royal Commission,
they apply to Royal Commissions altogether.
His Lordship is so extremely, so transcen-
dentally loyal, that he would deny her Majesty a
vulgar but useful privilege possessed by every one of her
subjects, down to the smallest and dirtiest crossing-
sweeper,—the privilege of asking a civil question. If
" a cat may look at a king," surely a king may look at
a cat. But why has Lord Brougham only just now
found out that a 'royal Commission of Inquiry is undig-
nified and unfair? Some years since there was a Royal
Commission of Inquiry into the revenues of the Church;
in other words, the Sovereign asked all the bishops,
deans, canons, archdeacons, and other clergy, the value
of their livings, and other particulars; and to this day
the Earl of Guilford, with some other clergymen, has
refused to reply. A little before that there was a Royal
Commission of Inquiry into th© administration and
operation of the poor-laws, which, as it happened, pro-
duced a report of exactly that one-sided character which
Lord Brougham appears to apprehend in this instance—
a report which was one continued satire on magis-
trates, parish vestries, workhouses, and paupers,
and yet vie do not remember that Lord Brougham,
who, as Lord Chancellor, was ministerially con-
cerned in that Commission, ever detected the un-
fairness of its working. As these objections apply to
all Royal Commissions of Inquiry, the question now
started is a very wide one, but one, it is obvious, which
ought not to be mooted under peculiar and prejudicial
circumstances. If his Lordship has taken up a position
out of himself; and at utter variance with his own his-

tory and position, he betrays an equal incongruity with
regard to the Noble Duke the Chancellor of the Uni-
versity of Oxford. " Thus, at Cambridge," he says, "it
seems of incalculable use to teach the severer sciences, I
mean mathematics, in all the branches, both for their
own sake, and also as the best mode of disciplining the
mind to reasoning, and to habits of close attention."
This is addressed to the head of a University where ma-
thematics still occupy a very subordinate place, and are
very rarely considered in the election of a fellow, or for
any other purpose. The only bearing the remark has
to Oxford is, that Oxford ought to turn over a new leaf
in her mathematics. As Cambridge has very much
modified the rigour of her mathematical course,
and is every year enlarging the circle of her
' studies a fact which his Lordship has noticed
with alarm—it is difficult to say whether his remarks on
the incalculable utility of mathematic-,, as the best intel-
lectual discipline, are to be regarded as a compliment or
as a reproor. His Lordship professes extreme anxiety
not to " disperse, as it were, the studious youth's atten-
tion, by carrying it over a variety of less strict, Jess se •
vere, and for that reason less forbidding studies;" and
he owns thaz, he has seen " with some alarm a tendency
of late to import from foreign countries more easy and
popular branches of education." With this wholesome
preference for the sound and severe, it is a pity that the
President of University College has not given the world
an actual specimen of his meaning. We the more regret
this because there is a great deal of truth in these re-
marks. The student has not only to acquire early in
life the elements of various sciences and accomplish-
ments, but in one or two branches he ought to be exer-
cised with peculiar severity, as a mental discipline, and a
field of competition. Perhaps the particular subject is
of less consequence. A man who learns any one thing
thoroughly will have acquired a power of universal ap-
plication. If a young man beats five hundred competi-
tors in a curriculus of cookery, entomology, and as-
trology, though ho may never have occasion again
to use those particular accomplishments, we have no
doubt that if he takes to the law, he will stand a good
chance of becoming a Lord Chancellor or a Puisne
Judge. The question of legislative interference is one
which Lcrd Brougham himself has long since helped
the nation to settle. He says very truly, " such inter-
ference would be an act of force—lawful force, but still
force." Why, any Act of Parliament is an act of force.
A railway Act takes your house from you, if you like
it ever so much. A highway Act forces you to pay
sixpence every time you drive along a road where your
father went free. The Municipal Reform Act destroyed
by force all the corporations of this country, except the
one whose splendid hospitalities are fortunately within
reach of her Majesty's Ministers, the Government
offices, and the two Houses of Parliament. Our recent
ecclesiastical Acts have suppressed by force ten Irish
bishoprics, and cut down the incomes of our English
Bishops, besides many other serious changes. Lord
Brougham's own Charity Reforms were acts of force,
and in our opinion a good deal more force may be ap-
plied in that direction with very great advantage. Ilia
Lordship alleges a difference of degree. " Thus far
shalt thou come," he se) s to the tide of reform, ‘. and
no further." Speaking of it,ferior schools and
other bodies, whether of private or royal foun-
dation, Le says " The entire difference of
these foundations in all material respects ren-
ders my remarks totally inapplicable to their
case. Among many other diversities I need only men-
tion the kind of persons in whom the trusts have in so
many cases come to be invested. I may also note the
undeniable fact that without legislative aid, the, most de-
sirable, I may say the most necessary, steps cannot be
taken for enabling trustees and governors and visitors
to make a rational application of the funds vested in
them; and that in many instances interested motives
had a bias which prevents duties of importance from
being discharged under cover of restraint and incapaei-
ties, while in others those duties; are neglected without
even that pretence." Very good. Matters of degree
are matters for inquiry. Let us see whether the case of
the Universities and of all the other foundations in the
country are so entirely different. The Premier proposes
to ask the very questions here suggested; whether the
will is wanted for necessary reforms. Another interest-
ing letter, from " Oxoniensis," throws some light on
these points, and also on the question whether the Crown
is so tar exceeding its ancient province in visiting the
Universities. That subject, however, we must leave for
another occasion.

EXTENSIVE FIRE THIS DAT AT THE EAST LO
DoN WATERWORKS.—Just after daybreak this morning__ the
engineering departments of the East LondonlN aterworks
Company at Bow were placed in great jeopardyildn
outbreak of fire in the upper part of the building. Ina
fromna
short
e
time three engines were in attendance under directions ofrt
Mr. Fogo, the brigade foreman of the A district. Water, of
course, was abundantly procured on this occasion, and in two
hours the fire was extinguished, after considerable damage.
The firemen prevented any serious damageto the machinery.
IRISH RAlLWAYS.—Government has determined on
giving further aid to the construction of Irish railways. The
Exchequer Loan Commissioners intimated on Friday to the
directors of the Belfast Junction Company that they intend
advancing them, on the security of the line, at 5 per cent.
interest, 100,000/., and an additional 15,000/. or 20,0001.,
should it be required, for the purpose of constructing the
suggetited bridge over the River Boyne. An influential de-
putation, consisting of several Members of Parliament and
1 other gentlemen interested in the prosperity of the Dublin
and Drogheda Railway, waited on the Chancellor of the
Exchequer last Friday, for the purpose of asking him to re-
duce the rate of interest from 5 to 4 per cent. on the sum of
105,004. advanced by the Government to that companv at
their solicitation. Sir Charles Wood peremptorily declined
acceding to their request, and intimated to the deputationists
that if the shareholders felt dissatisfied with the terms of the
contract they would find no difficulties thrown in the way of
at once discharging their liability to the national treasury.—
Weekly Chronicle.
THE SUSPECTED POISONING AT CLAVERING.—
The adjourned inquest at the above village on the body of
Richard Chesham, supposed to have died of poison, was re-
sumed on Friday. What gave increased suspicion to the
case was the fact of his wife being the person who two years
ago was tried for the supposed murder of her two children.
A communication having been received from Professor
Taylor, stating that he had detected arsenic in the stomach,
but had not concluded the analysis, the inquest was again ad•
jopraod......Essex Standard.

---
PORTSIIIOUTII SAILORS .H 03.1.
A public meeting was held on Saturday, at Willis's
Rooms, King-street. St. James's-square, for the purpose
of forming a sail( rs' home at the port of Portsmouth.
Vice-Admiral Sir George Seymour, K.C.U., presided,
and on the platform we observed, among others, the
Bishop of Oxford, Earl lladdington, Earl Manvers,
Earl de Grey, Lord Ashley, Lord Frederick Fitzcla-
rence, Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, the Master of the
Temple, Archdeacon Wigram, the Hon. Captain Maude,
RN., Rear-Admiral Sir Thome Ironbridge, Rear-
Admiral Bowles, Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Chetham,
Captain Sir Edward Parry, Admiral Sir Thomas Coch-
rane, Captain Gambier, &c.
The Gallant CIIAIRMAN, in opening the business,
alluded to the success which had attended the establish-
ment of sailors' homes in London, Liverpool, and other
seaports, and proceeded to state that exertions were at
present making to forward a similar institution at Ports-
mouth.
The E?.rl of HADarNGTorI moved " That the seamen
of Great Britain sere entitled to every return from a
grattful country for the security and increase of their
permament welfare, and that the establishment of a
sailors' home in London, which has been in beneficial
operation for fifteen years, proved the value and import-
ance of such institutions, and that it is most desirable
to extend their influence.

The Bishop 01 OXFORD seconded the resolution, which
WAS agreed to.

Other resolutions, in accordance with the objects of
the meeting, were passed unanimously, and thanks haring
been given to the gallant officer in the chair, the meeting
terminated.

THE FOREIGN AND COLONIAL
MAILS FOR JUNE.

The following are the dates on which the foreign and
colonial mails will be made up at the General Post-office,
St. Martin's-le-Grand, during the present month, anti
when the return packets will be due at Southampton,
Liverpool, and Falmouth:—For Madeira, Brazil, and
Buenos Ayres, on the evening of the 4th inst. (to-mor-
row), by her Majesty's brig Seagull, from Falmouth.
Next packet due, her Majesty's brig Crane, on the 24th
inst., at Falmouth. For British North America arid th•
United States, on the evening of the 7th inst., by steam-
packet via Liverpool, Halifax, and New York; on the
evening of the 14th inst., to Boston ; on the evening of
the 21st, to New York; and the evening of the 21th inst.,
to Boston. Next packets due at Liverpool on the 6th
inst.; from New York, on the 12th, from Boston ; on
the 20th inst., from New York; and the 26th inst., from
Boston. The branch packet for Newfoundland will be
dispatched from Halifax on the arrival at the letter port
of the homeward packet from Boston; and the branch
packet for Bermuda will be dispatched from Halifax on
the arrival at that port of the outward packet for Boston.
Newspapers for the United States must be prepaid (Id.
each), letters optional. For Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Ma-
deira via Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, on the mornings
of the 7th, 17th, and 27th inst., by steam-packets from
Southampton. Next packets due on tne sth, 15th, and
25th inst. For the Mediterranean, Malts, Egypt, Aden,
Ceylon (Mauritius o❑ the 24th inst.),lndia, Hong Kong,
and China, on the evenings of the 7th and 24th inst.. by
the fortnightly overland closed mails via Marseilles.
Next mails due in London (this day) the 3d inst., and on
the 23d inst. Letters and newspapers must be prepaid.
Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt,
Aden, Ceylon, the Mauritius, India, &c., on the morning
of the 20th inst., by steam-packet from Southampton.
Next packet due at Southampton on the 28th inst.
For Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Van Diemen's
Land, and New Zealand, by ship letter bags, as vessels
may sail from London, Liverpool, &c. Newspapers for
these colonies must be prepaid Id. each. For the
British and foreign colonies in the West Indies (except
Bermuda, Nassau, New Orleans, Mexico, Honduras. and
the Havannah), Madeira, Venezuela, Jacmel, Grey
Town (San Juan de Nicaragua), New Grenada, Chilli,
and Peru, on the morning of the 17th instant, by
steam packet, via Southampton. Next packets
due on the 7th and 22d instant. The Tay
steamer conveyed the mails of the Ist inst. France,
&c., twice daily, morning and evening (except Sundays)
by steam-packets via Dover and Calais. Due daily
twice (except Sunday). Belgium, &c., every evening
(except Sundays) via Dover and Ostend. Due daily.
Hamburgh, &c., Tuesday and Friday evenings. Due
Tuesdays and Saturdays. Holland, &c., Wednesday
and Saturday mornings. Due Mondays and Thursdays,
by the General Steam Navigation Company's packets
via the Thames. Madeira, &c.—Mails will be made up
this evening for Madeira, St. Vincent, San Nicholas
(Cape Verd Islands), Sierra Leone, and the Island of
Ascension, to be forwarded by her Majesty's steam-ves-
sel Prometheus, appointed to sail to-morrow from De-
vonport. Letters for Madeira will be liable to a postage of
Is. 1 od. per half-ounce. Newspapers 2d. each, which
must be prepaid.

Fox CLUB.—The fifth meeting of the Fox Club
took place on Saturday at Brookes's. There were present—
the Earl of Scarborough, Sir Robert Adair, Lord Saye and
Sele, Earl of Leitrim, Lord Poltimore, Colonel Ferguson,
M.P., Mr. Rowland Alston, Mr. Stephenson, Lord Cremorne,
Sir W. G. Craig, Bart., M.P., Hun. E. L. Mostyn,
Sir M. J. Cholmnley, Bart, M.P., Lord Marcus Hill, M.P.,
Lord Sudeley, Earl of Fingall, Earl of Zetland, Earl of Gos-
ford, Mr. Edward A. Sanford, Mr. A. K. Stephenson, Earl
Fitzbardinge, Hon. Frederick Dundas, Earl of Leicester,
Mr. E. Ellice, jun., ALP., Right Hon. Andrew Rutherford,
M.P., Mr. A. W. Robarts.

FATAL ACCIDENT.—Last evening, between five
and six o'clock, a boat, containing five persons, through
some unexplained cause, was capsized off Milbank, and the
entire party immersed. Fortunately, several boats were
near the spot, and three of the party were rescued in a very
exhausted state. Unhappily, Mr. Wetherell, residing at
No. 125, Princes road, Lambeth, and his grandson, aged five
years, sunk and were drowned, and though drags were used
for seine time, the bodies were not recovered.

Raphael Lamar West, Esq., eldest son of Benja
min West, the painter, and formerly President of the Royal
Academy, has just died at the advanced age of 84.
Scotsman.

Men become as strongly attached to others by the
benefits they render as by the favours they receive.—Eliza
Cook's Journal.

DEATH OF DR. BARDSLEY.—We regret to an-
nounce the somewhat sudden death of Dr. Bardsley, whose
name was for so many years connected with the practice of
medicine, and especially with the medical charities in Man-
chester. He had been, we understand, in apparent good
health, and was on a visit at the house of a friend at Brigh-
ton, when he died after a very short indisposition. Dr.
Bardsley had, we believe, just completed his 87th year.
NEW BRIDGE AT WESTMINSTER.—Petitions have
been presented to the House of Commons for leave to de-
posit a petition for a Bill, with the view of constructing a
new bridge across the Thames, to be called the Westminster
Temporary Bridge.

Spirits equal in strength and quality to the best
Ilollands have lately been manufactured in Scotland from
turnips.

An improvement recently adopted in the formation of
bricks is to shape them so that they dovetail with each other.
By this means extraordinary strength is obtained.

According to a table just published there has been
a diminution of bankruptcies during the last three months
as compared with the corresponding period last year, to the
extent of 162.

We find the following in the Sheffield Independent:
—J. Locke, Esq., M.P., the celebrated engineer, when a
boy, drove a horse and cart to carry coals into Barnsley.
At that time the boys used to tease Lim by calling him
" Captain Locke," for which they bad very frequently to run
out of his way to escape chastisement. As Ctiantry carried
milk into Sheffield, Locke carried coals into Barnsley.
A curious advertisement has appeared in the Times
as follows :—" Rescue of Sir John Franklin : to the rich and
chivalrous. A gentleman, whose claims to common sense,
respectability, and talents, are corroborated by university
distinctions, honorary medals, and works of art and litera-
ture, offers to construct for 8,0001., and in three months, a
flying machine, able to travel in the air at the rate of one
hundred miles per hour. The expense of an experimental
trip would he 3001. and one month's time.
ST IvEs.—During the last week the drift boats on
the mackerel fishery have taken from 300 to 3,000 fish,
which have been retailed for the home and Bristol markets
at 45. 3d. and Bs. 6d. per 120.—Cornwall Gazette.
s,Ehpasitobraeene
of the Funds," edited by
preYiEoauvesacnoeusdition of this
A new edition (the 15th) of "Fortune'syan
Mr. D. Morier E
issued. It is ten yetparutsbinlliseh
sincebe dv: aahned l‘
carefullr.nhtaosfbugariolthhet
it
changes"'wknnottlnatthwehoarpsk•ree'syteaansken place in the position of the various
securities since that period. In its new form its original
value is greatly increased.

The election of organist for St. Mary-le •Strand
took place on Friday last, in the room of Mr. Staples, re-
signed. There were several candidates for the office, and
the present officers, with Messrs. Smart, Faulkner, Painter,
Elliott, and other influential inhabitants, with a view of
giving every candidate a fair chance, selected as the three
umpires Mr. Mather, organist of St. Bride's; Mr. Brown,
organist of St. Clement's, Their choice, however, fell on
Messrs. Beale, Middleton, and Mott, when a show of hands
took place, and Mr. Beale was elected to fill the office. The
salary is 501. per year, his attendance necessaryon y
re-
cently Sabbath day, and yesterday the successful candidatel n
enteredthe
on his duties.
SALES OF VALUABLE PICTUSEs
choice pictures, by English and foregj-Messrs. masters, Lavel
Christie and
Manson. On Saturday last the following were disposed
taken place at the rooms of n. --S e Yera
lots
of
A banker counting gold at a table,
at the prices quoted of
guineas; portrait of Frederick
ascribed to Rembrandt, 36
landscape •is n
capitally painted with cattle
Dyck, 21 guineas; aTiers, 35 guineas. Among the m
de Marsclaire, of Opdorf, Burgomaster of Brussels, by Va
and sheep, &c., by en
Madonna and Infant seated in a
recent sales a the same establishment were the annex.oerde
with their prices:—Thekneeling
inci, formerly in the
rocky cavern, to the left a Bishop on a Pagan, &c.,
collection of the
one of whose
in family, at Milan, ancestors is repro •
Clive
• the Madonna; this picture is considered to be in
seated in
early manner of the artist, 251/. St. Jerome at his De-
by the same master; the saint is represented in the
by Leonardo dal
the
his breast with a stone, and kneeling before a
al7rttgio:fner'b'teicaittiinxg, landscape, &C. This picture belonged to the
Dominican Convent del Bosco, near Bologna, 9C/. The
Passage of the Red Sea by Pharoah and his host; to the
right. on dry land, a-e the Irar:lites and their families, some
M the act of rejoicing, some in prayer and thanksgiving,
whilst Moses, in the centre, stretches out his arm in com-
mand over the troubled waters in which the Egptians are
pr,gulphed ; inscribed, 19 M.D. XXI., by Mazzolini di
Ferrara. This picture acquired additional value from being
of large dimensions, as the works of this master are princi-
pally small in size, 2201. Christ on the Cross, at the foot
Job reclining pointing with his band to a scroll, on which is
inseribe4 the words, " Dlajora Sustinuit Ipse," by Francesa
Francia. This picture was formerly over the altar of the
Church of San Giobbe, at Bologna ; in the Pitture di
Bologna, 173:1, it is highly commended for the wonderful
knowledge of anatomy and foreshortening which its com-
position displays, 205/. A bridge across a river near some
ruins, &c., by Wilson, 59/. A mounted peasant driving cows
and sheep across a bridge, on which a boy and girl are in
conversation, by Gainsborough, 531. The celebrated picture
by Sir Joshua Reynolds, representing a little girl with a
spaniel, 1,0701.
SClLLY.—Several cargoes of potatoes have bee
shipped off for Hayle, to be forwarded to Bristol per steallie
Cornwall Gazette.

torTitO liCaittati
SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock.

TATTERSALL'S—THIS EVENING.
o'CLocit

No betting.

MEETING FOR IMPROVING THE
CONDITION OF EMIGRANTS ON SHIP-
BOARD.—(THIS DAY.)
A meeting was held this day in St. Martin's Hall,
Long-acre, for the purpose of improving the condi-
tion Of emigrants, and for their protection on the
voyage to the British colonies south of the line. The
Earl of Harrowby took the chair at two o'clock.
On the platform were the Bishop of Norwich, Lord
Lyttelton, Mr. Napier, M.P., Mr. A. Stafford, M.P.,
Mr. Mill, the Rev. Mr. M'Kenzie, the Rev. Mr. An-
derson, and numerous other gentlemen and clergy-
men. Toe proceedings were opened with prayer by
the Rev Mr. M'Kenzie, vicar of the parish.',
The Earl of Ileriaowny then -addressed the meet-
ing. He said that the pet ple of this country, to
which had been imparted the privilege of as it were
founding new worlds, had been content hitherto
with merely populating, neglecting to Christianise
those near countries. Too much stress had been laid
upon the mere commercial statisticts of exports and
imports, but at length the attention of the Govern-
ment had been called to the necessity of providing
something more than the mere means of
transit for the great stream of emigrants.
Much, however, was still left for individual exertion
and it was, he thought, well in some respects that it
was so. In alluding to what had already been
done in this cause, he thought much was: due to the
efforts of the Rev. Mr. Childs, of Plymouth, who was
almost alone in the work, until the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel had turned its attention
to the subject. The object of the meeting to-day
was not only to furnish spiritual aid to the emigrants,
but also to furnish them with employment, while in
in that particular condition in which their minds
were, by a consideration of their helpless and unem-
ployed state, most fitted to receive good impressions
and acquire good habits. Such objects as these, ac-
ceptable to all men, must be doubly acceptable to all
true members of the Church ; and he was sure that
they would be heartily responded to by all true lovers
of their country.
The Bishop of Noawecie moved the first resolution—
"That, as the welfare of a colony depends to a great
extent upon the religious and moral character of its
earlier settlers, every t (fort should be made to improve
and elevate the condition of emigrants from this
country."
He congratuled the meeting upon the recognition of
the principle which was contained in this resolution.
Up to this time the colonies of this country, instead
of carrying with them the beautiful and humane
spirit of the Gospel, had often been the corruptors of
the simple savages among whom they had penetrated.
Let them look to the 'West Indies, and there they
would see colonies formed out of two distinct races,
the emigrant and the negro, torn from hiss own land
to be transferred to a life of toil, which, however, was
not blessed with any of those Christian and religions
acquisitions which it was the duty of those Christian
colonists to haveimparted to them. Other colonies
lied been forrrvell out of classes which were
deemed too vicious to be kept in this country.
lc was, then, the duty of every man who had the in-
terests of his religion and his country at heart to be
ready to come forward to improve the condition of
the emigrant, and, as he considered that this resolution
was one step towards the attainment of this object, it
was with great pleasure that he proposed it.
Mr. NAPIER, M P., seconded the resolution which
was carried unanimously.
Mr. ARTHUR MILLS, in the absence of the Bishop
of Oxford, moved the second resolution—
" That it is highly eesirable that cv-ry body of rmi
grants, especially of such as are about to proceed on
long voyages, should bo accompanied by a chaplain, or
lay-teacher, to superintend the religious service, and to
set on fan classes for the instruction of adults and
children."
He observed that the interest which he took in this
subject was the result of his own: personal experi-
ence of the ill-effects of desultory emigration of un-
educated persons, who had had no provision made for
their proper management on their passage end on
their arrival. He believed it impossible for persons,
who lived in an old civilized country, to appreciate
the extreme miseries which were undergone by those
who were landed in a new country. Government
measures were, to a certain extent, unable to accom-
plish their objects, and it was a great stimulus in the
consideration that so large a field was open to private
effort,. The Hon. Gentleman concluded his remarks
by reading extracts from the diaries of several gentle-
men who bad gone out as schoolmasters on board
emigrant ships.
Lord LITTELTON briefly seconded the resolution,
because he believed the duty of a country to its emi-
grants and of a church to its followers bore a very
close Lnalegy to the parental relation of father and
child. He thiateht tint the present movement eves a
most admirable one, end it was with the greatest core
disiity that he gave it his support.
Mr. BYRNE supported the resolution, and insisted
upon the necessity of forming a committee to impress
upon the Government the necessity of some penal
enactment to restrain the immorality of officers of
emigrant ship, and of there being a clergyman and
schoolmaster on board each ship, at the expense of the
colony to which the emigrants were proceeding. He
considered that sufficient encouragement was not given
by the Government to the emigration of clergymen,
who he considered were decidedly the best class of
emigrant..
The resolution was then put and carried.
Mr. STAFFORD, M. P , proposed the next resolution—
" That, with a view to the improvement of the habit.,
moral and industrial, of the emigrants, it is expedient
that ship should be furnished -with a suitable library
of books and maps, as well as with tools and materials
for rnaeual employment."
Ha con-i lered that the objects, of this resolution
were of the highest importance, and thus would reach
the emigrant on board ship at that moment when the
sorrows natural to a man leaving his native country,
must he greatly increased by the feelings of forced
idleness which would beset him at this moment. He
did not wish to allude to politic, but since a certain
new idea had token its ground in 1846, and by
which our colonies were thrown open to the
world, it become necessary that whatever their
oi,inice.s might be on the old or new idea, that we
should be douhly anxious to fortify our colonies, that
either they night b ready to start fair with us in a
rew race of glory, or be able to withstand the storm
of calamity which might speedily tad upon them.
The duty ef every man was to give the&e emigrants
act' ever to remember with gratitude the old coun-
try England, and to teach their children to pray for its
welthre, not as a country from which they were alto-
gether separated, but with which they still retained

sine
Tne Rev. Mr. CHILD seconded the resolution, which
was cArried uc:•animously.
f,flowit.g resolution was then proposed by de
Rev. Mr. HL:NDERSON
:
"That the c mmi,tec f the Society for the Propaga-
tion the Gosppl, firmed during t••e past year to rnite
n fund for providing the non ans of religionr. instructi6n
for the emigrants, huvin; already sent out no fewer than
25 chaplains and la), it:structors, is entitle I to our sup-
p,ol; aud—That alt contributi4 ns towards the further-
ance of the designs contemplated in rho foregoing
resoititions he coniticd to that committee."
After which the ttterting steparated, having passed
a vote of thlnks to the Chuirmatf.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
(THIS EVENING.)

lIOUSE OF LORDS.
Their Lordships n; et at Five o'clock.
TRUCES'S AND PRA cncE
(IRELAND) BILL.
This Bill w,s read a second time.
TRUSTEE (1850) BILL.
This Bill wls tea,: a third time and passed.
• NAVY PRIZE BALANCE BILL.
Trio Bil! a second time.
BANKRIJI"FCY ACT ANR.NDMENT BILL.
L,,rd Wit KNCLIFFE presented a petition from the
Clerk cf th no'IN in Bankruptcy praying for compezi..
i.; c,i,yqui.:4t.o- of hr. diminution of the fees of
his Aloe, resuiLL. from the operation of e Bank-
ruptei Ac. vt lush The Bill as it originally
pa,;4.4 their LotctsAl:a' .11ou:e ahol•shed the office, and
gavo the k,oldee o,,rnpt-nsaJor. The Commons refused to
1111`,14h the etiice, but they did away with the duties of
th"~.tii d‘priyed him of his fees.
L 4), d b}OUGtiAisi war iiad to Explain the reason of
Vut,
'eP!Y•3',,potwtrent, of tile mcasure which he bad intro-
duce amend the bankruptcy law in February last,
andc iii L
which this case was provided for. It had been
delayed in
actiVe,quc!'ice or the of the Lord
Chanceilorp,ustockie,
dwr he had no chance of carrying
it, he now
pre;einot ne.hxt seesion. He would also
Pta'Ponti tor tho
Equity though h, still the ?Isiaters' Jurisdiction in
hopes to carry it this
session: he woulii
the third reading of that Bill
to this day f,riright.

APPEAL: TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL FROM
HE EC('LE6IASTICAL COURTS IN MAT-
'I.I,IIS OF DCICTLINE BILL.
'She Bishop of SALISBURY presented several peti-
tioLg from it,e cli,rgy in Inner of the Appeal from ti e
Privy Couixil 1311.
Bishop if LONDON presented several petitions
with a similar prayer. The Right Reverend Pre-
late then moved the second reading of the Appeal to
the Privy Cs need from the Eclesiastical Courts
in Mutters of Doctrine Bill. It was impossible to over-
ratu the importaucc; to the Church of the acceptance or
the rt-j( cqou of this Bill. He proposed it with the con-
vic'ion ant the cause which he advocated was the cause
cf jwitice and of truth, and that it must ultimately be
succe•s. • i ul. fie might suffer disappointment, but heahuuld
be disheartened or perplexed, and heshouldnot despair.
The importance of the subject was so great that be
imight be induced to trespass upoti Iheir ;49gloP.ipa at

• • '
some length, but he would et dearour to compress his
,
lobservations. lie must, however, throw himself on
their Lordships' indulgence, or he felt himself
placed in a most embarrassing situation. It
was his duty to endeavour to engage their Lord-
ships' attention in behalf of a measure which, so
far at least as he was concerned, had none of the attrac-
tiona of party feeling. He believed it was for the well-
being of the State that the Church should be permitted
to discharge her functions without let or hind-
rance. It might be objected to the measure he
was supporting that it had resulted from excite-
ment arising from a recent decision, but such was
not the ease. That judgment had forced upon him the
necessity of devising some measure for the removal of
the grave objections to the constitution of that tribunal;
but the necessity for some such alteration had been felt
long before that decision had been given, and indeed
over since the abolition of the Court of Delegates. At
the time of the abolition no one had imagined that such
a case as that which had recently been adjudicated on
could have arisen. In 1847 he had himself introduced
a Bill substituting a new court of appeal for
Ecclesiastical appeal for the Judicial Committee
of the Privy Council ; that Bill was referred
to a S-lect Commit' ee, of which the Noble and Learned
Lord (Lord Campbell) was a member, and had received
the unanimous approval of the Committee. The Bill
had been postponed in consequence of the lateness of the
session, it had been re-introduced in 1848 and 1849, and
early this session he had introduced the same Bill, with
a clause &tering the imposition of the Court of Appeal.
That Bill had been objected to, and he had taken the
advice of his Right Rev. Bretheren on the subject of
that particular clause. He had submitted it to the Pri-
mate; they had held meetings at which 25 bishops had
attended, and the presentation of this Bill was the result
not that all the Bishops there assembled were unani-
mous on the subject, but the great majority of them
were in favour of submitting some measure to Pella-
meet, and he should be contented to attend to any sug-
gestions for amendment, provided they did not interfere
with the principles of the Bill.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the Chair a few minutes before
Four o'clock.