The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-07 00:00:00

THE PASTORAL LETTER OF THE

BISHOP OF EXETER.
Good intentions, doubtless, partake, in some mea-
sure, of the quality of virtues ; but they are like
virtues meditated rather than virtues performed; and
mere intentions are, after all, not only as unsub-
stantial as shadows ; but, like them, they often throw
a chill upon objects which were previously enjoying
the light of the sun, and flourishing in its warmth.
Of the good intentions of the Lord Bishop of
Exeter, no man, we think, will be so hardy or so
prejudiced as to doubt. At all events, we do not.
Yet must we, nevertheless, confess the disappoint-
ment we have felt on laying down his Lordship's
pastoral letter on the observance of the rubrics—to
find in it so much of promise, and so little of per-
formance—itself so great in intent, and 5o small in
accomplishment.
We are sure that this letter will perplex many a
young clergyman, who has been anxiously awaiting
its appearance, in order to be guided out of the con-
fusion into which he had fallen, amid the l.byrinth
of contradictory passages in the well-meant, but un-
decisive, Helston decision. Like him, though look-
ing with great respect on that judgment, and
viewing it more as the summing up of conflicting
testimonies by a judge than the decisive verdict
of a jury, we hoped to discover in the promised
pastoral letter such fixed directions for the guidance
and knowledge of the Church at large, that
such cases as that of Helston might never have
a chance to rise again to disturb a Church's
peace, or to perplex a bishop's judgment, by calling
on him to make a decision where he could decide
nothing. For this we have sought throughout the
various paragraphs of this letter, and sought in vain.
To us it appears that the clergymen of the diocese of
Exeter must be more at a loss, not as to the know-
ledge of what they may do, but as to that of what
they may expect by so doing, than they were be-
fore. The non-decisive decisions of the Helston case
are left precisely where they were ; and the expectant
public, who allowed the difficulties of the case, and
the general fairness with which they were treated,
though not settled, are precisely in the same predica-
ment. They are exactly, with regard to enlighten-
ment, where they were. They know that that which
is legal is according to law ; beyond that, all is still
dark, confused, and perplexing.
Yet no blame can be charged personally on the
bishop. He has a matter to treat which, by a single
individual, is not treatable. " A bishop on his throne
(it has been said) is entitled to profound reverence, as
also is a parish priest in his pulpit ; but in any ques-
tion of usage, doctrine, and law, unless they are de-
livering the judgment of a lawfully constituted court,
they are only private clergymen—the one a private
priest, the other a private bishop." In all honesty
and fairness of purpose, the Bishop of Exeter takes
upon himself what can only be fitly undertaken by
the united wisdom of the heads of the Church, and
he consequently fails. Nothing else, in such a case,
could possibly be expected.
Since writing the above, we have learned that the
bishop has issued a circular to the rural deans of his
diocese, directing them to convene the clergy of their
respective deaneries on an early day to hear his
Lordship's pastoral letter read, and to fix a day for
holding another meeting to consider its contents!
Alas ! what can ensue from such partial proceed-
ings but a species of religious protocolling, from
which neither the Church nor the laity will derive
any benefit ? Such directions remind us of the words
used by an Elizabethan poet, who says—

" Strong fevers are not eased
With council, but with best receipts and means—
Means, speedy means, and certain ; that's the cute."
—Church and State Gazette.

SUICIDE BY INHALING THE
VAPOUR. OF CHARCOAL.
Thursday afternoon, Mr. Walton, the Coroner for
the Tower of London and its precincts, held an in-
quest at the Queen's Head public-house, Tower-hill,
on the body of Thomas Smith, aged 35, late book-
seller at 2, King-street, Tower-hill. The inquiry
lasted nearly three hours.
David Itiates Lewis, staymaker, 29, King-street,
had known the deceased for about nine months,
but until lately had not had any conversation
with him, except on business. Last saw him alive
on Monday evening about five o'clock ; but be-
tween nine and ten o'clock the same night witness
heard him talk to somebody. Did not see deceased on
Tuesday. 'Wednesday morning witness's wife informed
him that the street-door was not fast, and that she
did not think the deceased had come home on Tuesday
night. Witness lives on the first floor of the premises,
and deceased had a sitting-room on the second, and
slept in a back attic. Wednesday morning witness
went up stairs and knocked at deceased's bed-room,
but not receiving'any answer, he pushed open the door
and saw deceased lying on his back on the bed, ap-
parently dead. Witness did not go into the room at
the time, but went and informed Mr. 0. Dowling,
the landlord, living at No. 30, in the same street,
what he had witnessed. Mr. Dowling and Mr.
Pringuer subsequently accompanied witness to
the bed-room, and having felt deceased's feet
they found them cold and stiff. There was no
lock on the door, and a large flannel bed-gown
was fastened between the door and door-post, and a
brown cloth coat was found lying at the back of the
door, evidently for the purpose of preventing the admis-
sion of air. The most important evidence given was
that of Mr. Pringuer, who deposed to his having
known the deceased between seven and eight years.
Deceased had given up his shop in King-street about
three weeks ago. Had formerly been a grocer,
schoolmaster, linendraper, and lastly a bookseller,
and had accumulated a little money, which he bad
laid out in the purchase of a Dutch bond, said to be
for 1,000 guilders. Latterly he had been getting
into debt.
Mr. John Hutchins, surgeon, Trinity-square, said
he went to the residence of the deceased, and found
that the body was partially warm, but in his opinion
life had been extinct between two and three hours.
Searched the room and bed along with Mr. Child,
the summoning officer, but could not find anything
calculated to produce death, except an ash-pan con-
taining partially consumed charcoal. Attributes
death to suffocation by the charcoal, and believes,
from the contents of a letter addressed to Mr.
Pringuer, and the care which had been taken to pre-
vent the admission of air into the room, that deceased
had purposely destroyed himself. Two letters, sup-
posed to be in the handwriting of the deceased, were
found in his coat-pocket, the one simply addressed
" Mr. Pringeur," and the other to " Mr. Ruff,
Hysted, Sittingbourne, Kent."
The CORONER called for the production of Mr.
Pringuer's letter, which was read to the jury. It
was without signature or date. It commenced " Dear
friend," and contained expressions of the most incohe-
rent kind, that life was not worth enjoying when as-
sailed by adversity, and he tells Mr. Pringuer that
the " less publicity that is given to the letter the
better."
Verdict—That the deceased, being of unsound
mind, killed himself by inhaling the vapour of effluvia
of charcoal.

NOVEL FEAT.—A Plymouth correspondent fur-
nishes the following aquatic novelty :—" A great deal
of curiosity and surprise has been manifested during
the past week by those who have witnessed the manner
in which one of the officers of the Caledonia, flag-
ship, now lying in Hamoaze, comes on shore. He
descends the ship's side to the water's edge, puts on
a mackintosh-dress, and inflates it with air by means
of a small pair of bellows. He then steps into the
water, and immured nearly up to the breast, with two
small paddles very rapidly works himself on shore.
As soon as he lands he takes off his dress, and throw-
ing it across his arm, it being very light, attends
to his duty or his pleasure as it may be. On Monday
last he landed twice at the dockyard in the way
described ; and he now laughs at the idea of
taking a boat. During the time the Caledonia was in
the Sound he left that ship in a similar manner, and
unattended by any boat, landed at the Admiral's Hard,
Stonehouse, a distance of three miles. He carries tlw
bellows with him in case of too rapid an exhaustion of
air. It has been told me that during the trial cruise to'
the ships in the Channel he passed by this extraordinary
means from one ship to the other. I cannot vouch for
this fact ; but the truth of the rest may be relied on.
Should it be generally adopted, it will be a very amusing
trip for half-a-dozen to take round the Eddystone
Lighthouse."
THE GAME Liws.—Report is gaining ground, to
the effect that a Bill will he brought into Parliament
during the ensuing session, to limit the price which game
dealers are to charge the public for game, and that at a
very low rate. This would be a most excellent measure;
it would be a check upon those game preservers who
" make a trade" with surplus game ; a check also upon
the poachers, for it would not then be worth his while to
poach, his profits so scanty, that the present temptation
would be ended ; and a check too upon the dealer who
purchases of the poacher, because lie could buy as cheap.
of those who have legal right to sell as he could do of
the poacher. It is high time something was done re-
specting the disgraceful game-preserving and the game-
lawc. The cost of the game mania to public is scan-
dalous ; let those who wish to have their tyrannical pet
—for such it is—pay for it, not the community at large,
they are taxed and oppressed enough without paying for
the exclusive game propensity of the aristocracy.—Front
a Correspondent.

AFTER,DINNER SESziIONS.
(From Punch.)
The following report of the trial of a prisoner
" after dinner " will serve to show the expediency of
discontinuing evening sittings, recommended by Sir
James Graham.

___
Judge (taking his seat)—Ha, ha, ha! very good ___
(coming in)—Ha, ha, ha! The wine's
exceilont—a capital joke. Ha, ha!
betterco
they gave us last session. Ha, ha !
Jury (ent..
ring the box)—A very goof! house that !
and the brandy
li 'it:.
--and-water prime, wasn't it?
Officer of the.. ,Court—John Thomson ! oh, that's
the prisoner—(to the gaoler). John Thomas, you
stand charged— I
Gaoler—My name's not John Thomson, I don't
stand charged—you mean the prisoner.
05icer of the Court—Well, it'' all the same. What
does the prisoner say—Guilty or Stot Guilty ?
Prisoner—Not guilty.
Ist Counsel—Gentlemen of the jury,. it is my painful
duty to appear for the prosecutor—
Prisoner—That's the gentleman who was paid tr.i
defend me,
2.d. Counsel—Oh, then it's a mistake. You're for the
defence, I am for the prosecution, ha, ha, ha!
Jacigv—That's a good joke—ahem ! ahem ! I mean
to sass the gravity of justice requires that we should
~,
sift-1 aay sift—every case that comes before us.
Prisoner gt the bar, you have been convicted of
having-
-Ist Counsel—,Your Lordship mistakes, the mall is
not tried.
Judge—These interuptions from the bar are very
unbecoming. It is impossible I can sit here to be in-,
terrupted by counsel.
2d Counsel—Call the first witness ; what's his
name?
Usher (calls)—" What's-his-name."---(A general
laugh, hi which the bench, bar; and jury join.)
Judge—l must commit if this sort of conduct is
ripeate,l. Prisoner at the bar, what have you to say
to the charge ?
Ist Counsel—Aly friend has not made out any
case ; I submit there is nothing to go to the jury.
Judge—Gentlemen of the jury, you have heard
such of the facts of this distressing case as are capable
of being conveyed to your knowledge. Gentlemen,
the criminal law of this country draws a happy dis-
tinction between assumed guilt, and guilt actually
proved. In Hawkins's " Pleas of the Crown," you
will find all this laid down much better than I can
explain it to you. Gentlemen, I shall not detain you
with any further observations, but I leave the case in
your hands, with this simple observation, that if you
have any doubt you must give the benefit of that
doubt to the prisoner.'
The jury (laughing among themselves)—Of course
we must let him off. We've heard nothing against
him.

Foreman of the jury—We fincr,the prisoner not
guilty.
Clerk of the Court—Both of them ?
Ist Counsel—Both of them! There is but one.
Really, Mr. Associate, this is very annoying.
Judge—Prisoner at the bar, you have had a very
narrow escape. If we see you here again you will
certainly be transported. You belong to a bad lot.
lam quite convinced of that. Rollo 1 where's the
prisoner ?. _ _

Gaoler—lle's gone, my Lord.
Judge—Gone ! I wanted to warn him (smiling
at the bar). These fellows are rather too quick
for us.

Counsel (tying up their papers)—Yes, my Lord.
Ha! ha ! ha ! ha! Are you going towards the
Temple ? I've got a Cab waiting.
Jury (going)—Well, that's the way to get through
the calendar, anyhow.
Usher (putting out the candles)—l believe you.

MILITARY RULES FOR PROVOST
PRISONERS.
A new code of regulations has been prepared by corn
mand of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington, o
which the following is a summary. By it we find
that it is intended that a strictly regimental system of
imprisonment is to be established, by the construction of
cells in every garrison or barrack in the kingdom. The
rules consist of 31 sections. By the first, every garrison or
barrack cell is to be applicable for confinement of sol-
diers, for periods within the limits of present regula-
tions, and for carrying into effect the sentence of
imprisonment by courts-martial, for periods not ex-
ceeding 28 days. Imprisonment in cells to be
either solitary or mixed; in the former case
prisoner not to leave the cell except for air and
exercise; in the latter case, when imprisonment and
hard labour aro awarded, drill in marching order
to be the means of punishment. For irregularities,
or minor breaches of discipline, while under confine-
ment, commanding officers of garrison or commanding.
officers of corps may order the diet of prisoner to be
reduced, or placed on bread and water, period not ex-
ceeding seventy-two hours, and to be deprived of bed-
ding. Offences and punishment to be recorded and
furnished to prisoner's commanding officer. Cells to lw
inspected and prisoners visited by orderly officer of gar--
risen. When necessary to imprison soldiers of corps sta-
tioned at a distance in barracks occupied by any parti-
cular regiment, such prisoners to be attached to and
subsisted by such regiment, while under confinement,
and until opportunity offers of forwarding them to
their own corps. In garrison or barracks a sergeant
to be appointed to cells, to perform duties of provost-
sergeant ; to perform no other duty whilst hold-
ing that office, and to be allowed such assistants
as may be deemed necessary. Provost-serjeants will
be especially employed in taking charge of cells, and
responsible for safe custody of prisoners, and for
carrying into effect sentences, and bound to receive,
and release prisoners, on requisition signed by com-
manding officer, without reference to any other
authority. Commanding officer to send for pri-
soners at expiration of imprisonment ; failing to do so,
provost-sergeant to send them to their regiment or corps,
so that no man be detained in confinement beyond
prescribed period. To take care prisoners are sup-
plied with regular meals ; not to hold or permit un-
necessary communication with them. No one to
visit prisoners, except chaplain and officers of their
regiment. Health of prisoners to be attended to. Not
to hold conversation with each other, or any one, during
exercise, under pain of further punishment. Prisoner,
when in cell, to have means of communicating with
provost-sergeant. Regulations as to cleanliness, ven-
tilating, and warming cells, &c. Tobacco and liquors
of all descriptions prohibited. No books allowed in
cells, except such as approved by garrison or army
chaplain. Provost-sergeant to make daily report to offi-
cer of the day. To treat prisoners kindly. In case of
urgent necessity, any prisoner to be placed in hand-
cuffs. Prisoners to attend Divine service on Sundays
with rest of troops. Diet of prisoners in cells—Bread
and potatoes, or oatmeal and potatoes only, with milk,
if recommended in special cases by medical officer.
Provost-sergeant to perform police duties of barrack or
garrison near which cells are situated. To visit can-
teens in neighbourhood and prevent drunkenness or
riot, to repress irregularity, &c., in barracks. Provost-
sergeant to keep journal and record occurrences re-
lating to health and discipline of prisoners, &e., for in-
formation of commanding officer; also a book in which
shall be entered offences against prison rules, and pu-
nishments awarded. The three last sections relate to
fitness of cells for use, occupation, &c.

" LIFE IS SWEET."—On Friday last, the 29th ult.,
as the Lady Brisbane steamer was on her way from
Stranraer to this port, when nearly opposite Lendalfooi
the captain and passengers observed two of the feathered
tribe flying towards them, the one apparently in deadly
pursuit of the other. When first noticed, they were at a
considerable distance seaward. Many a sudden wheel
and hair-breadth escape the poor fugitive made ; and on
their approaching nearer, the one was discovered to be s
lark flying for life from its pursuer, which belonged to
the hawk species. So close was the hawk on the poor
lark, that the latter made a halt and sat for afew seconds
on the surface of the ocean ; while the former wheeled
past, and, making a circuitous turn, was just on the eve
of pouncing fatally upon his victim, when it again got
on the wing, and, flying on board the Lady Brisbane,
actually alighted on the breast of the mate, who was at
the helm, the hawk not being more than six yards dis-
tant. The mate took up the little songster, and brought it
safely to Ayr, where he set it at liberty.—Ayr Observer.
INCENDIARY FIRE ON THE FARM OF MR. AI3EI,
SMITH, M.P., AT WATTON.—HERTFORD, WEDNESDAY.
—A fire broke out last evening at Bardolph's Farm,
Watton, in the occupation of Mr. Kimpton. The fire
was first observed in a barley barn, in the centre of the
extensive farm-yard, at about half-past eight o'clock, and
expresses were immediately sent off to the neighbouring
towns for the engines ; and in the course of two hours
the Hertford, Ware, and Stevenage engines were upon
the spot: The flames had in the meantime extended
with frightful rapidity, and by the time that the first
engine arrived five extensive and substantial barns, filled
with barley and wheat, were on fire. It was at once
seen that it would be utterly useless to attempt to step
the progress of the flames on the buildings, which they
already enveloped, and all efforts were directed to pre-
vent their extending to the stables attached to their
barns, immediately communicating with the dwelling-
houses, and also to protect the ricks from the lighted
fragments dispersed by the wind. The farm belongs to
Mr. Abel Smith, M.P., and is not far distant from his
farm at Bromfield, which was destroyed by fire about ten
weeks since. While we write this account five barns
are still blazing, and no portion of them can be saved.
The loss to the occupier is estimated at 2,000/. and is
insured to that amount in the Phoenix.
loafbctihuererh
The buildings
are insured in the Sun. No doubt is entertained that the
fired,
apnadr partbeen agriculturala impll'ed-
(lnaTu%;iecrieonw.ilfuTlll3e'
ments were preserved.

TIIE LATE EXPLOSION ON BOARD TIIE GIPSY
QUEEN.—The sum collected for the relief of the families:
of the ten poor unfortunate persons who perished by the
late exprosion on board the Gipsy Queen, off Blackwalc,
amounts to near 6001., and it is expected that ere the
subscription closes 1,0001. will be obtained, The sur-
vivors of this sad catastrophe aro rapidly recovering.
The funeral of Mrs. Blomfield, mother of the
Bishop of London, took place at Bury St. Edmund's tin
Friday.