The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-20 00:00:00

A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

(From Punch.).
To Church betimes ! The Christmas chimes
Are calling high and low in ;
To Church then all, bath great and small !

CHORUS OF MANY VOICES.
We've not a coat to go in !
Like our old sires, with roaring fires,
The fangs of winter braving,
Huge logs pile high, to sit thereby.
CHORUS.
We've not a single shaving !

Good Christmas fare is physic rare
To warm the regions inner
Plum-pudding join to stout sirloin.

CHORUS.

We've not a crust for dinner !
Fill glass and bowl, each jovial soul,
As round the hearth we close in ;
Our wine is bright in its ruddy light.
CHORUS.
Our very water's frozen !

Right late we'll sup, and keep it up
Till time to morn shall creep on ;
Then sink to rest in downy nest.
CHORUS.
We've not a bed to sleep on 1
Loud be the song, the laughter long ;
Our joy no care shall leaven ;
Christmas is here but once a year.
CHORUS.
For that, at least, thank Heaven 1

DRURY-LANE THEATRIL—The deepest interest
continues to be manifested in behalf of the benefit which
is to take place here on Monday next for the family of
poor Clara Webster. The Committee have forwarded
25L, and Mr. Bunn has received numerous other dona-
tions.
ST. JAMRS'S THE...TAB.—A concert was given on
Wednesday at this theatre by the Messrs. Distin and the
Misses Smith. The names of these professionals are
sufficient to guarantee a very delightful musical enter-
tainment to the public, nor were the public disappointed
in their expectations. The concert was divided into
two parts, according to the usual course in these times.
In the first part there were a quintette by Mr. Distin
and his four sons on the improved Sax horns," Fra poco a
me" (Lucia di Lammermoor) ; a tersetto, " Dolce tran-
quilits , ' by the Misses Smith ; and a variety of other
airs, &c. The duet, " The light guitar," by the Misses
Smith, was sung with great taste, and was most de-
servedly encored. A quintette, " Robert, toi que
j'aime" (Robert le Diable), arranged and executed on
the horns by the Messrs. Distin (tleyerbeer), and said
in the programme to have been performed, by command,
before her Majesty and his Royal Highnecs Prince
Albert, at Windsor Castle, on Saturday last, was very
effective, and was received with loud applause. In the
second part, some equally good music, both vocal and
instrumental, was performed, and altogether the concert
was one which deserved patronage. It will be repeated
on Monday next, when some additional inducements will
be in the bill of fare. The house was well attended ;
the boxes were completely filled, and there was a tole•
Jably good pit.
ANOTHER INCENDIARY FIRE IN HERTS.—HERT-
FORD, TUESDAY.—Last night a very large straw rick on
Highfield farm, Hemel Hempstead, in the occupation of
Mr. Thomas Woodman, farmer and auctioneer, was dis-
covered to be on fire, and no doubt the entire contents
of an extensive and valuable farm would have been de-
stroyed, had not the burning rick been a considerable
distance from the others, and also from the buildings,
sheds, out-houses, &c. A large number of the surround-
ing farmers, labourers, and others were soon attracted
by the reflection of the flames, and very fortunately the
fire was confined to that stack in which it broke out.
That which gives rise to the supposition that it was the
act of an incendiary is, that the isolated position of the
stack precludes the possibility of its having been acci-
dentally set on fire by any of the farm servants passing
that way with a light. _ _

EXPORTATION or BEER.—An instance having re-
cently occurred at this port of a quantity of beer, entitled
to Excise drawback, having been noted as shipped on
two certificates issued by that department, for the same
goods, and it having been suggested, with the view of
preventing the recurrence of a similar irregularity, that
the shipping searchers be directed, in future, to note on
the shipping bill, the date of their having certified the
fact of the shipment on the Excise certificate, orders
have been issued for the said officers to govern them-
selves accordingly in future, and copies of this order
have been furnished to the several departments for their
information. _ _ _

A foot race came off on Pitchcroft on Monday,
which excited a good deal of interest among the little
sporting world. The competitors were one Albert, a
vendor of nuts, and bereft of one arm, and a man named
Smith, a dealer in eggs and bacon. They had to run
round the whole of the course, or about two miles, and
to jump over ten hurdles. Smith had a slight advantage
in the starting, but they both remained together for the
first three-quarters of a mile, after which the baconian
fairly ran away from him of the nuts, and finished the
race at a tremendous pace, accomplishing the whole two
miles in a few seconds under thirteen minutes l He
cleared the hurdles in capital style, but his opponent,
who was completely " done up" long before the goal was
reached, touched them nearly all. Four or five hundred
spectators seemed greatly gratified with the scene.—
Worcestershire Chronicle.
A Vicious HonsE.—The National states that a
waggoner, who was proceeding on Saturday last with a
cart-load of paving stories along the boulevard, near the
Barriere de Sevres, having had occasion to give his horse
a blow of his whip, the vicious animal rushed at the
man, threw him down, placed one foot on his breast tc
prevent him from rising, and whilst in that position,
seized the waggoner's arm with his teeth, and broke it in
two places. But the horse's revenge was not yet satis-
fied, and he would have strangled the man had not some
travellers come to his assistance, and with considerable
difficulty convey al the man to an hospital, where he lies
in a dangerous state.
THE HEALTH OP TIE MITROPOLIS.—The indus-
trious fleas were so indieposed last week, that they were
confined for three days to their Witney blanket. Napo-
leon is still laid up with chilblains, owing to the severity
of the weather. His charger, also, is suffering from
weakness in the knees, in consequence of the slipperiness
of the wood pavement of the pembroke table. They are
not expected to perform again with their usual anima-
tion before the return of the spring.—Punch.
ALICE HAWTHORN THE QUEEN or THE Tulip.
—Alice Hawthorn was bred by, and is the pro
perty of, Mr. John Plummer, who resides within
a few miles of York. In consequence of Mr. Plum-
mer's pleasure not being in racing, but as a breeder, he
did not put his mare into training as a two-years
old, but sold her to Colonel Cradock, who, not liking
his bargain, returned her. Mr. Plummer again endea
voured to sell her, his price being 300 guineas, but not
meeting with a customer he determined to put her into
training. In 1841 she started three times and won twice;
the following year he leased her to the late
Leonard Heseltine, of Hambleton, the celebratee
trainer, for 1501. for that year. Her perform
ances were excellent, having won for her lessee
the sum of 1,7451. in stakes. Mr. Leonard Hescl-
time dying, she continued to be trained by his nephew'
Mr. Robert Ireseltine, who leased her for the season of
1843, for a larger sum than had been previously paid
for her, but very small in comparison to what she
won, via., 2,166/. G. Salvin, Esq., of Croxdale,
near Durham, became her lessee this year (1844),
it is supposed iu conjunction with Mr. Robert
Heseltine; the sum paid for the season was 800 guineas.
Her performance this year has never been surpassed,
having started 23 times, won 20, and ran a dead beat.
She has undoubtedly proved herself one of the best
horses that ever was bred. She is now by many called
" The Queen of the Turf"—well does she deserve it.
Alice Hawthorn has started GI times, won 47f lost 13f
times. Won 18 cups and 7 Queen's Plates, and won in
the aggregate 7,4761. in four years. The celebrated
mare Bee's-Witag was on the turf eight years, and won
50, lost 13; won 23 cups, and in the aggregate 6,8211.—
Tyne Mercury.
ENTERTAINMENT TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM
PARK it.--•A grand entertainment was given on Tues
day evening, at the Royal Naval Club, in Bond-street.
to Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.8., or
his return from service in China. Admiral Sir Byaii
Martin was in the chair. On his right hand was tin
Gallant Admiral and Vice-Admiral Sir G. Hamond;
and on his left he was supported by Admirals Sir Ir.
Codrington and Sir C. Ogle. Captains Sir C. Napier
and Lord F. G. Hallyburton were the Vice -President
Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with which thi
health of Sir William Parker was received by his brother
officers, on its being introduced by an eloquent and v, ell
deserved eulogium from the President, on his successtti
career in the war with China. The dinner was serve
in the new dining-room of the Club, in elegant stye
from the cuisine of Long's Hotel. There were preset
also Admirals D. Gould, G. Martin, and E. King ;
Earls of Cadogan and Hardwicke ; Lord Edwart
Russell, &c.
THE STATUE OF WILLIAM THE FOURTIL—Co:_
siderable interest was on Wednesday excited in tf
neighbourhood of Eastcheap by the raising upon it
pedestal of the colossal statue of his late Majesty W.
ham the Fourth. Three-fourths of the sculpture
placed upon the plinth prepared for its reception, and ,
is expected that this day the remaining portion will 4..
COlRpletoll

MEETING AT EXETER-HALL FOR

THE PURPOSE OF RELIEVING FATHER,
MATHEW FROM HIS PECUNIARY DIF-
FICULTIES.
A public meeting, convened by advertisement for
the above purpose, was held yesterday evening in
Exeter Hall.
The large room was well filled, and on the plat-
form were many gentlemen distinguished, some for
their zealous philanthropy, and others for their literary
attainments.
At a quarter after six the Right Hon. Lord John
Russell took the chair, amid the most hearty applause.
The Secretary to the National Temperance Society,
Mr. Theodore Compton, read letters from the Mar-
quis of Lansdowne, the Bishop of Norwich, Dr.
Bowring, M.P., Joseph Hume, M.P. and other no-
blemen and gentlemen expressing their hearty con-
currence with the objects of the meeting, but ex-
cusing their absence in consequence of other engage-
ments.
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said—Ladies and
Gentlemen, I now appear before you for the purpose
of opening the business of the evening. I have felt
so deeply the merits of the Rev. Mr. Mathew, and the
value of his exertions in the cause of temperance, that
I was most anxious to be able to attend this meeting.
I need not assure you that this cause in which we are
at present engaged is connected with DO political party,
and no sect in religion.—(Great cheering.) It is the
common and universal cause of all religion and of all
morality.—(Continued cheering.) Whatever may be
the sin, and the guilt, and the folly, of intemperance
among all orders of society, there is no class which is
so much exposed to temptation, and at the same time
suffers so severely from its consequences, as the poor-
est class of the community.—(Hear, hear.) I say,
no class is so much exposed to temptation, because, in
the midst of misery and the hardships of poverty, to
be enabled to steep the senses in forgetfulness for the
time, might well be a temptation to the great majority
of mankind.—(Hear, hear.) At the same time, ne
class suffers so severely from its consequence, because
the comforts of the poor man's family depend, not
so much upon his industry as upon his sobriety.—
(Cheers.) It is a curse of intemperance to be obliged
to leave his wife and children without the comforts
of life, and without that clothing which a reform
in this particular might enable him to procure them.
—(Hear, hear.) It is a consequence, too, that he is
obliged to fall into evil company, and is led to take a
share in those broils and fights which accompany in-
temperance wherever it exists.—(Hear, hear.) It
renders hi children strangers to him, and makes his
neighbour-his enemy. If such, therefore, are some
of its consequences, it requires no ordinary effort to
produce a great impression on a whole nation—to
bring them at once from habits in which they had
ever indulged—to bring them to the practice of those
virtues by which their domestic happiness is in-
creased, and their moral and religious conduct im-
proved.—(Cheers.) I say, no ordinary inducement,
no common exertion, suffices for this object; but we
all know that the extraordinary labours, the untiring
energy, the disinterested forgetfulness of all self, did
enable the Rev. Mr. Mathew to accomplish this moral
miracle.—(lmmense cheering.) That change in Ire-
land, effected by his exertions, surprised an admiring
world.—(Continued cheering.) But, gentlemen,
although Mr. Mathew was endowed with that zeal and
that energy, and although he felt his great reward to be
the very producing of that great change in the conduct
of his countrymen, yet unhappily it was, that thus,
while pursuing his course with hand and with heart,
and with a zeal which persons less interested in the
cause could not possibly follow, that he got into diffi-
culties, and let me assure you, that from all inquiries
which I have made, the stories which have been cir-
culated of the wealth being acquired by Mr.
Mathew, or those belonging to him, are entirely with-
out foundation.—(Hear, hear.) In numbers of cases
—in a hundred thousand instances—the very medals
which were obtained by those who took the pledge of
temperance, were given gratuitously.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Mathew had to pay the expenses of journeys, the
expenses of printing, and all other expenses of a simi-
lar kind, nor, while engaged in this career, did his
seal and enthusiasm allow him to perceive that he was
not following the rule of worldly prudence. What,
then, ought to be the conduct, both of that country to
which he belongs, and of this country, with which I
trust it will always be closely and perpetually united
—(Cheers)--what should be their and our conduct,
I say ? If we have not the merit ourselves of
effecting that reformation, if we ourselves have not
undergone the fatigue, if we have not achieved the
moral victory which Mr. Mathew has obtained, at
least we may have the satisfaction of contributing
something to that success by relieving him from his
present difficulties—(Cheers)—and enabling him to
start afresh in that most glorious career.—(Great
cheering.) I feel, I think that you all will feel, that
this change so sudden—a change from habits long-
rooted—a change so extensive that no less than
4,000,000 of persons accepted the pledge from his
hands—that this change, so sudden, so extensive, re-
quires great watchfulness to insure its continuance.
Is is not evident that if his efforts are to be entirely
relaxed, many will fall again into that evil from which
they had formerly abstained—(Hear, hear)—and if
that watchfulness and that care be so necessary, who
so likely to have a great and beneficial impression on
them, and to bring them again, if fallen, into the
practice of that moral cause which they had
once before professed, as he, the Apostle of
their conversion?—(Loud and continued cheering.)
He who brought them formerly from the paths of sin,
to better courses, was now oppressed with pecuniary
difficulties, and he could not now continue his labours
with the same disregard of worldly concerns as be-
fore, if not relieved by the generosity of the people of
Ireland and their countrymen of England.—(Cheers)
Let us, therefore, embrace this opportunity of contri-
buting, both in this and in the sister country—
rlesamstalwl egrsahtauliltyhazveillthbee snaetfiistfaactgioonodofmtahnin, king
(Cheers)—to promote the cause of temperance, and
ttt hhh rea ont u oagut h him, our fellow-men.—(llis Lordship and,
down amidst loud cheering.)
Mr. BIRD read the address of the Committee of
the National Temperance Society to the British
public on behalf of Father Mathew.
Sir E. CODRINGTON moved the first resolution,
in thentnav
that 'the address then read be circulated under the
direction
the
proceeded
y o.
I
ft het to
w Committee.speak
etahkeof u
athes e
effects
of The
almost
c Gallant Admiral
o f
ll
the acci-
dents
intemperance
by fire or falling over shipboard that occurred
in the service, arid the man who had been so emi-
nently serviceable in reducing the evil, he hoped
would soon again be enabled to resume his career of
usefulness.

J. S. BUCKINGHAM, Etiq., seconded the resolution,
and, in a lengthened speech, detailed the rise and
progress of the temperance cause ; and, at the con-
clusion of his speech, read the list of subscriptions,
headed by the Noble Chairman, whose name was
down for 25/. The total sum was 3421. 2s. 2d.
JAMES POREELL, Esq., of Upper Clapton, briefly
addressed the meeting, and was followed by Ewart,
Esq., M.P., S. C. Hall, Esq., the Rev. Mr. Sherman,
of Surrey Chapel ; L. Heyworth, Esq., of Liverpool ;
and Mr. Henry Vincent, who was observed upon the
platform, and was loudly called for. The latter gen-
tleman delivered a most eloquent and effective speech,
in which, with great good taste, he forbore any allu-
sion to party politics.
Mr. THOMAS, of Bristol moved, and Mr. POTTER se-
conded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was
carried amid deafening applause.
Lord J. RUSSELL felt that he was greatly honoured
in being permitted to attend that meeting, for the pur-
pose of promoting, humbly, but sincerely, the great
cause of which Mr. Mathew was the apostle. He
said again that that was no party and no sectarian
question, and he was convinced there was nothing so
likely to elevate the people of this country, whether as
regarded religion, political opinions, literary or moral
qualifications, as this great question of temperance.
He returned them his thanks for the honour they had
done him.
The meeting then broke up.

MASTER MARINERS and MATES.

- -
SOUTH SHIELDS, DEC. 14.—A meeting has just
been held here of the Marine Board, some time since
established for the examination of masters and mates,
end the report made by the committee is very in-
teresting, and shows the exertions of the parties to be
of the utmost value to the shipping interest.
The report states that the examiners have not been
inattentive to the duties for which they were elected ;
and it is gratifying to show that the number of ap-
plicants who have attended for examination is on the
increase :

Mates passed the board, and obtained certificates,
last year
47
Refused certificates:—
From incompetency and ignorance of the coast and
of navigation
Not having been full two years mate, and therefore 3
not examined
Want of testimonials of character .

Total ........................ 54
Of the 47 who obtained certificates, two passed, for
navigation and nautical astronomy, in Class 1 ; 21
passed, for coasting and plain navigation, in Class 2 ;
and '24 passed, as coasters only, in Class 3.
The report refers to the six preceding years, and
the result is as follows:
First year—Applicants examined and granted cer-
tificates .

46
..........- .
ditto ..................... 4B
Second year—Ditto,....
ditto 25
Third year—Ditto,
ditto 34
Fourth year—Ditto,
ditto
4
Fifth year—Ditto,
ditto
47
0
Sixth year—Ditto,

Total 240
The amount received for certificates during the
last twelr• months was 681. 51., from which, deduct-