The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-15 00:00:00

THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

The Congregational Union is still at work at Leeds. At
one of the meetings Mr. Baines, M.P., made what he
called an avowal and a disclaimer. The avowal was, that
Congregationalists unanimously approved of the measure
proposed by Mr. Gladstone, and carried by so large a
majority in the House of Commens ; and that that
measure was in accordance with their views of religious
equality and the voluntary support of religion. And
the disclaimer consisted in utterly denying that
they were actuated by any want of loyalty to their Pro-
testant faith, by indifference to the interests of religion,
by any wish to see the Episcopal Church in Ireland less
efficient for religious teaching, or by self-interest in any
form or degree, except only the interest which they had
in the triumph of justice and the peace and pros-
perity of the empire. Their animating motive on
this occasion had been a wish that justice should be done
to the people of Ireland, and thus peace and union secured
to the kingdom ; but their disinterested and sincere con-
viction was,that true religion and Protestantism itself would
gain, and not lose, by the change. Therefore they did not
apologise for the position they had taken up, but con-
sidered it altogether honourable and worthy of a great
religious body. _ _

The ministers, members, and delegates assembled for
the second time in session on Wednesday morning. The
Rev. Dr. Raleigh presided. Before the chief business
was proceeded with, the Rev. H. Allon, of London, said
an invitation had been addressed to the members of
the Union that they should hold their next
annual assembly in Wolverhampton. He moved
that the invitation be accepted, which was agreed to.
A paper was read by the Rev. A. Hannay, of West
Croydon, on " The Claims of the Temperance Movement
on the Churches." The Rev. E. R. Conder, of Leeds,
moved "That this assembly cheerfully recognises the
claims which the temperance movement has on the Congre-
gational Churches of this country, being convinced that
the prevailing habits of intemperance impede the evange-
lisation of the people, and frequently bring dishonour on
the name and profession of Christianity. They would
earnestly commend the subject to the prayerful considera-
tion of the pastors and officers of the churches, so that they
may wisely employ such measures as are adapted, under
the divine blessing, to reclaim the intemperate and pre-
serve the young and inexperienced from the ensnaring
influence of intoxicating drinks." Mr. W. H. Conyers
seconded the resolution, which was spoken to by Mr.
Baines, M.P., and Mr. Samuel Morley. Mr. H. Wright
reported from the reference committee that they had re-
ceived two memorials—one from the Central Association
for Suppressing the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sun-
days, whose office was in Manchester, and the other from
the committee of the British Temperance League at
Bolton. He read the latter, and said the other would be
sent to the Congregational ministers, as it appealed to them
to preach on the subject next Sunday, or on the first con-
venient occasion.

THE PRESENT POSITION OF TRADES
SOCIETIES.

--~-

At a meeting held in the metropolis, on Tuesday, of
•rades unionists, the present position of trades unions was
taken into consideration. The meeting was called for the
purpose of adopting such measures and taking such action
as may secure the.passing of a bill which will place trade
societies on a footing of social equality with other
associated bodies. Some action on this point had
evidently (said the circular calling the meeting) become
necessary "by reason of the insecure position in which
the recent conflicting decisions of judges have placed
rade societies." A large number of trades were
represented at the meeting. The chair was taken
by Mr. Spelling, of the Vellum Binders' Society. Among
those present were Professor Beesley, Mr. Lloyd Jones,
Mr. Crompton (barrister), &c. The first resolution was as
follows :—" That this meeting, composed of representa-
tives of various societies in the metropolis, having fully
considered the bill which has been prepared for the purpose
of obtaining legal protection for the funds of trade
societies, and which was brought before Parliament
by Sir Fowell Buxton, is of opinion that it is sufficient
for every legitimate purpose, and should receive the
support of every well-meaning member of the House of
Commons."

Mr. APPLEGARTII, carpenter, explained that the bin
which formed the subject matter of the resolution, having
repealed the Acts 6 George IV., c. 129, and 22 Vic.,
c. 34, provided in the third clause that if any person were
guilty of personal violence for trade purposes, such as
endeavouring to force any journeyman, manufacturer,
workman, or apprentice to depart from his employment,
he would be liable to imprisonment for any term
not exceeding three months, with or without hard
labour. The fifth clause simplified the conspiracy law, and
provided that on the trial of any person for conspiring to
commit an offence against the third section of the Act, it
should not be lawful to give evidence against the accused
of any act committed or done by any other person, unless
evidence be first given that the accused was accessory
before the fact to such act, or that such act was contem-
plated by, and part of, such conspiracy. The other clauses
made provision for the punishment of those who
embezzled the funds of the society. Mr. Lloyd Jones
and Professor Beesley took part in the long discussion which
took place. Mr. Odger suggested that the meeting should
be adjourned ; that the bill should be improved if possible,
but not abandoned. The consideration of the question
was then adjourned.

THE DERWENTWATER EST ATES. —The Derwent-
water romance is still engaging the attention of Northum•
herland. Popular feeling is evidently in favour of " Lady
Amelia." Meetings have been held, at which the impor
tance of having a quick decision was insisted upon. Sub.
scription lists have been opened to defray the legal
expenses. She is still very unwell. No change has taken
place in the position of either party.
THE EASTERN FISHERIES. —There has been
considerable improvement in the size and quality of the
herrings landed at Great Yarmouth during the last few
days. Prices have varied very considerably from day to
day. The Lowestoft boats are now settling their accounts
at the close of a successful North Sea voyage, previously
to commencing the home fishery. Most of them have done
extremely well.

REMARKABLE DISCOVERY.—A short time ago two
lizards, one 54 inches long and one other 34 inches, were
discovered in an iron mine at Brixham, Devon. They were
found in a fragile earthly substance, close to limestone, at
depths of 80ft. and GOft. from the surface. The mine is
about 800 yards from the sea. For several days the lizards
were perserved in a small box, partly filled with soft mine
d6bris, and afterwards placed in a globe of water. Both
now appear to he well. The colour on the back is black
with small white spots ; the belly is of rich gold colour with
black stripes.

PROPOSED VISIT OF Mn. JOHN BRIGHT, M.P.,
EDINBURGH.--It is expected that Mr. John Bright,
M.P., will be able to visit Edinburgh on an early day, to
be presented with the freedom of the city, which the
town council on Tuesday resolved to confer upon him,
"in recognition of his distinguished position as an orator
and a statesman, and especially of his brilliant and suc-
cessful services in the promotion of free trade. The cere-
mony of presenting the burgess ticket to Mr. Bright will
take place in the Music Hall ; but we understand that
Mr. Bright has consented to address a public meeting of
the citizens in the evening, and that the Circus in the
Lothian-road has a- lmdw been engaged for tlv) yeetjng,—
&O man.

THE CHARGE OF MURDERING A
RUSBAND AT LEAMINGTON.

On Wednesday, at theMeamington Petty Sessions, Laws

Court, a besotted-looking woman, was charged witt

having wilfully and of malice aforethought killed and
murdered her husband, Isaac Edwin Court, at Learning•
'nn.

The prisoner said, in reply to the charge, her husband
fell downstairs himself.

The post-mortem examination of the body, it was stated,
had not been completed. The first witness called was
Inspector Horswill, who said that about half-past ten
o'clock on Monday night he went to the deceased's house ;
he saw a light in the shop, and after Police-constable Hunt
had kicked at the door for some time the prisoner appeared
at the bedroom window. She was dressed, but professed
she was in bed. She said she did not know where her
husband was, and refused to admit them into the house.
By and by the prisoner came downstairs, turned the gas
off in the shop, and opened the street door. He and
Hunt went into the house, and, on looking down the
cellar stairs, which open out of a passage between the shop
and kitchen, they found the deceased lying dead on the
floor at the bottom. He apprehended the prisoner on the
charge of being concerned in the death of her husband,
when she said, " I couldn't help it ; he came in
drunk. I said, ' Don't fall on me,' and he went
towards the cellar steps, put his hand out as if to reach
something from the shelf, and fell down the steps." She
was not drunk at this time, but seemed under the influence
of liquor. He asked her when her husband came in
drunk, and she said " To-day." When in custody at the
police-station she made a similar statement as to her hus-
band's falling downstairs, but said it occurred three or four
days ago, in the daytime—she believed the previous Friday.
A. thimble was found near the body.
The prisoner declined to ask any questions, but said she
tried with all her might to pull her husband up when he
fell down the cellar-stairs.

Mrs. Ruth Payne, the wife of a car-driver, living next
loor to the deceased, deposed that on Thursday night last
the prisoner and the deceased came home drunk. Shortly
cater twelve o'clock she heard a heavy fall in Court's
house, apparently as of some one falling on the floor of
the kitchen at the back of the shop. On Friday the
prisoner told her her husband had gone away. On Sunday
morning prisoner was crying, but witness did not know
what about.

Mrs. Julia Daly, who lived opposite to the shop of tne
deceased, said the prisoner told her that her husband had
gone to Birmingham for a spree. On Sunday she went to
the prisoner's house, and saw her crying and washing her
face. Witness wanted to go into the cellar to look for the
deceased, when prisoner replied, " He's not there ; I waa
there this morning myself." On Monday prisoner said she
aad written two letters to Birmingham to her sister,
inquiring about her husband, and was going to write
another. The same night she said, " He's gone and 'listed
!or a soldier."

Mrs. Charlotte Poulton, of the Black Dog Inn, Satch-
well-street, said the prisoner and deceased were at her
Rouse on Thursday night. They were both drunk, but
left about nine o'clock, apparently on very friendly terms.
On Saturday night prisoner came and asked if her husband
was in the taproom. She told her he was not, and she
eplied, " Then he's at home asleep." On Sunday night
prisoner came again, when witness accused her of having
gone something to her husband, and threatened to send for
i policeman to see where he was. Prisoner said he was
tone for a soldier. Witness told her servant to go
'or a policeman, but the prisoner pushed her back, said
'he would not have a policeman about her place, left the
louse, went home, and locked the door. She was more or
ess under the influence of drink every time witness saw
ler. She seemed more sober on Monday night.
The Bench remanded the prisoner for a week. It is
stated that there are injuries on the body of the deceased
which cannot be accounted for by a fall downstairs,
tithough they are not the actual cause of death.