The Sun.
London, England, 1850-06-28 00:00:00

DISCOVERY OF AN IMPORTAN

_
NATIONAL RECORD.
A few evenings ago a paper of unusual interest, by
John Richard Walbran, Esq., a Ripon, the oath sworn
by the Parliament of Scotland in 1641, was read before
the Society of Antiquaries at Somerset House. This
very important national record which was discovered in
1846 by Mr. Walbran, in the charter chest of a (bawl-
guished Scottish family, who were quite unconscious of
its existence, was always supposed to have been
destroyed at the Restoration of King Charles
11. After a preamble to the effect • that the
" honor greatness, and happines of ye Kibgis
Royall Matie, and the welfare of the Subiectis
dependeth on the puritie of religioun, as it is
now established in this kingdome, the Lawes, liberties,
and peace thairof," the subscribers declare, that " in
this present Parliament, they would faithfulhe and
frielie spent answer and expres ouselfia" on all matters
touching the glory of God, the peace and good of the
church and state, and that they would maintain the royal
estate as expressed in the covenant, the authority of
Parliament, and the rights and liberties of the subjects.
According to an order of the house, made 10th August,
1641, this oath was to be taken by every member, peer
or commoner, before they proceeded to any act, and it
was so taken, with few exceptions, until 1648. The
oath is engrossed in a small but neat band, in
twelve lines, at the top of a sheet of parchment
about 20 inches square, the whole of the space below
being occupied by thR signatures, which are about 300
in number. They are arranged in three divisions. The
uppermost series containing those of the peers, the next
those of the commissioners for shires, and the lowest
those of the burgesses—the lines of demarcation being ap-
parent even by the general character of the autographs. Mr.
Walbran's paper, which was of considerable length, gave,
after an introductory account of the circumstances which
produced the oath, its history in each successive session,
and a great mass of biographical information tending to
identity the subscribers and the places which they re-
presented. We are glad to learn that the paper; accom-
panied by a facsimile of the record, is to be published.

THE SCOTTISH FETE.
The energy of a Scotchman is proverbial, he carries
it with him into every convention, but in nothing does
he display it more tbaa when he is engaged in pro-
moting some scheme for benefiting his fellow-country-
men. Witness some of the magnificent charities that
now grace the great metropolis ; many of them can
trace their origin, and not a few their success, to the in-
defatigability of a canny Scot. Everything he under-
takes is well done ; it may look gloomy at first, but,
nevertheless, it is carried on with spirit, and ultimately
triumphs. For instance, lust year some of the Scottish
charities needed additional support, and the Scottish
fete was projected. It was a noble effort, which sought
to combine a work of charity with the revival of a na-
tion's sports and pastimes. It deserved to succeed,
which it did, beyond all expectation, and this year it is
renewed, with every prospect of its becoming an an-
nual event in future. It is unnecessary to revert to the
pleasure and delight which the fete afforded the public
last year, but having examined some of the admirable
arrangements for the forthcoming entertainment, we can
safely predict that the attractions this year will far ex-
ceed those of last.
The file will take place in Holland Park, a spot grand
in beauty and big with literary, classical, and historic
associations. The grounds have been laid out by Mr.
T. H. Brown, the architect to the Holland estate, with
much taste and discretion, while the managing committee,
in securing the erection in an amphitheatrical shape of
three spacious and substantial grand stands, and pro-
viding handsomely fitted-up tents for supplying the crea-
ture comforts, seem to be determined that there shall be
no room for complaint on that score. The refreshments
are to be supplied by Mr. Youughusband, of Gerrarsi's
Hall, whose name is a sufficient guarantee that they will
not only be good, but that the company will be catered
for without pressing upon their purses beyond the bounds
of moderation. Mr. Scobie, the bailiff of Lord Holland,
appears to take great interest in the preparations, and he
superintends the details of the general plan, so that in no
respect is there likely to be anything wanted to insure
either the comfort and convenience of visitors.-. Weather
permitting,then, the meeting must certainly prove a most
brilliant one, for already have her Majesty and Prince
Albert, with the Nepauleso Ambassador and suite, ac-
cepted invitations, and promised to attend, while Lord
Holland will be surrounded by a whole host of the aria-
tocr.icy. Still the splendour will net surpass the merits
of the exhibition, and we confidently recommend all who
can avail themselves of it not to lose the opportunity of
being present on Monday or Tuesday next.

POISON.—If a few slices of onion be placed in a
room recently painted, they will shortly absorb sufficient of
the vapour of the white lead as to become highly poisonous.
A somewhat similar operation takes place upon the first
entrance of a person into the apartment, the lungs taking up
the noxious exhalations which float around. The enemy is
not seen, and is therefore thought but little of, but to this
cause, and to this cause alone, may be attributed many ap-
parently incomprehensible physical attacks, either commu-
nicated direct or from the domestics and children of the
family, or even the furniture and hangings. By the new
method of preparing the white paint, made from zinc, the
secret of which has been entrusted exclusively to the Messrs.
Hubbucks, opposite the London Docks, any injurious conse-
quences are rendered impossible—indeed, the very reverse is
the case, as the white zinc paint exerts a positive sanitary
influence upon the air, and disinfects all furniture to which it
is applied.—Post.

[ADVERTISEMENT.]—Bell's Life in London.—ln
consequence of the new postal arrangements, a portion of the
publication of this journal will take place before 5 o'clock on
Saturday mornings in time for the morniug mails and early
railways. To insure the insertion of advertisements in
Bell's Life, they should be sent to 170, Strand, early on
Friday afternoon. The average sale of Bell's Life exceeds
28,000.

[A.DVEUTISEMENT.]—THE FOUR REQUISITES FOR A
COMPORTAIILE SHAVE!—Firstly, a good Razor—Secondly, a
good Strop—Thirdly, good Soap—Fourthly, a good Shaving-
brush. And these are to be obtained, of the best quality,
and newest construction, of Ross and Sons, who can strongly
recommend their triple converted railway razor; their rail-
way strop, with hone attached ; their pearl shaving-paste,
beautifully scented and making a durable lather; and their
medium badgers' hair shaving-brush. They also recommend
travellers to inspect their Rossiau dressing-case, which contains
the largest number of conveniencesin the smallest space.—Ad-
dress,. Ross and Sons, 119 and 120,Bishopsgate street, London.
[ADVERTISEMENT.] —Complaints of the Stomach,
Indigestion, and Sick Headaches, cured by Holloway's Pills.
—This extraordinary medicine will effect cures after every
other remedy has been tried in vain. Persons suffering in any
way from general debility, sick headaches, bile, stomach or
liver complaints, may rest assured that a course of these pills
will effect a radical cure, however bad their cases may be, as it
is confidently asserted that this medicine acts so directly upon
the very mainsprings of life that no disease, however severe,
can resist its influence ; every one. therefore, who is subject to
any of the above mentioned disorders should have recourse to
Holloway's Pills. —Sold by all Druggists, and at Professor
Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London.
THE NEw CHAPEL AT THE HOSPITAL FOR CON-
suatrrioN.—The newly-erected chapel, in connexion with
the Hospital for Consumption at Brompton, has just been
completed. It is both a neat and elegant building, decorated
with elaborately stained-glass windows—the latter presented
by various friends of the charity. Yesterday being the day
fixed for the performance of the imposing ceremony of con-
secration by the Bishop of London, shortly after eleven
o'clock his Lordship arrived at the sacred edifice, attended
by his chaplain, registrar, &c., when, in the presence of the
principal clergy of the district and a crowded congregation,
the solemn ceremony of consecration was proceeded with,
and was succeeded by the service of the day, after which
his Lordship delivered an appropriate discourse. The corri-
dors and various portions of the hospital leading to the
chapel were profusely decorated with tasteful floral
emblems.

INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM', WANSTE4D.—Yester-
day the anniversary of this excellent charity was celebrated
at the Asylum. Wanstead. The proceedings commenced by
an examination of the youthful inmates by the Rev. Thomas
Dale, M.A., canon residentiary of St. Paul's and vicar of St.
Pancras. The answers to the many questions put to the
children were, indeed, very satisfactory, and greatly pleased
the ladies and gentlemen present. B B. Cabbell, Esq., M.P.,
presided. 'lhere was a very large mpany present on the
interesting occasion.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert, naving received
an invitation from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh to honour
that city by laying the foundation stone of its new intended
National Gallery, has signified, through his private secretary,
that he will be happy to comply on condition that he be not
invited to attend any public banquet. The time has not been
vet fixed for the ceremony, and must depend upon that fixed
for the departure of the Court tior Balmoral.