The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-27 00:00:00

MARYLEBONE THEATRE.

After the play of The Stranger, which was per-
formed in a manner certainly deserving a more atten-
tive audience than was assembled in this theatre last
night, the appropriate and eagerly expected Christmas
fare was served up in the shape of a new grand pan-
tomime, under the title of General Tom Thumb, or
Harlequin Punch and the Spirits of the Elements. The
author of this production, disdaining the narrow limits
of any one ancient story of nursery reputation, con-
ceived the happy idea of blending into one the elements
of all ; and accordingly his audience were favoured
with the company not only of gods and goddesses, of
spirits of fire and spirits of water, but of the genius of
Christmas himself, of " the mighty Thomas Thumb,"
with all the family of the Thumbs and the still
mightier Punch. Here was a rare medley of fun, and
rarely was it enjoyed. The harlequinade was rich in
dancing, jumps, tricks, and tumbles ; and Mr.
Leman as Harlequin, Miss Maile as Columbine, Mr,
Buck as Clown, and Mr. Johnstone as Pantaloon, ex-
erted themselves most zealously and efficiently in sup-
port of their respective characters. Neither was there
wanting hits, palpable hits, at passing events, in
which it will be supposed the parish affairs of St.
Stephen's, Walbrook, were not altogether unnoticed,
and a rapid transformation of scene from the
Mansion-house to the Margate Sea Bathing Infirmary
seemed to afford very great delight. The Polka mania
was also made the subject of muck merriment, and
was excellently burlesqued in a grotesque dance by
Mr. Buck and Mr. Johnstone. The mysterious rob-
bery at Rogers' bank did not escape the jest of this
licensed satirist, who deals his blows with vigour and
impartiality on the vices and follies of all. Altoge-
ther the entertainment went off with great spirit, and
is likely to have a highly successful career. To this
result the excellence of the scenery, dresses, and de-
corations, will not a little contribute ; one scene, in
particular, representing the new Houses of Parlia-
ment, as seen from the opposite ;side of the river, de-
serves to be singled out for especial commendation. A
grand panorama of the scenes rendered famous by the
late fatal war in Affghanistan was exhibited in the
course of the evening, and was loudly and most justly
applauded.

A VETERAN SPORTSMAN.—Mr. Partridge, of Bow,
list week shot seven and a half brace of snipes, a brace
of widgeons, a brace of pheasants, and a wild duck.
Not bad sport for 78 years old.— Western ,Luminary..

44'

DARTMOUTH ELECTION.
THE NOMINATION.
DARTMOUTH, THURSDAY AFTERNOON.—The nomina-
tion has just taken place, amidst a scene of considerable
confusion and excitement. The show of hands has been
declared by the Mayor to be in favour of Mr. Somes by a
slight majority. Mr. Moffatt was propoied by Sir
Henry Seale, and seconded by Mr. Teach. Mr. Somes's
proposer and seconder were Messrs. Cordner and Cutler.
Mr. MOFYATT, in the course of his address, said that
bribery had been resorted to by his opponents, and at
that time there was a warrant out against one of the party
for attempting to bribe an elector, and in all probability
he was then in prison.
Mr. SOMES denied that there was any bribery or inti-
midation resorted to by his friends.
The MAYOR read a notice, signed by two electors,
which had been placed in his hands, to the effect that
Mr. Somes was a Government contractor, and therefore
ineligible to sit in the House of Commons.
Mr. SOMES gave this statement a flat denial, and said
that he was not a Government contractor in any sense
of the word.

MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS

1 The following are the results of "A Table of Mortality
in the Metropolis, showing the Number of Deaths from
all Causes registered in ate Week ending Saturday, the
21st of December, 1844." The Table is issued from the Mice
of the Registrar-General :
Weekly
CAUSES OF DEATH. Total. Average of
Five Years
Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases 258 178
Diseases of variable or uncertain seat lO7 111
Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses 2OO 157
Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of
Respiration
Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 46 21
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other
Organs of Digestion
Diseases of the Kidneys, &c 4 5
Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c.
Diseases of the JointS, Bones, and Muscles 7 6
Diseases of the Skin, &c ....... ... 1 1
Old Age, or Natural Decay 125 71
By Violence, Privation, or Intemperance
Causes specified 1390 942
Deaths from all Causes 1393 946
DEATHS FROM TIER PRINCIPAL DISEASES EXCLUDED UNDER

THE ABOVE HEADS.

Total. Weekly Average
of Five Years.
Consumption 146 147
Scarlatina 42 34
Pneumonia .
Dropsy ..... .. . ... 35 35
Hooping Cough 3l 33
Typhus ...
Small Pox 4B 15
Disease of the Heart
Measles 52 28
Apoplexy .... . ..... ... .... ... 25 18
Diseases of the Brain ......
Diarrhoea..
..

Sudden Deaths
DISTRICTS.

West
North
Central
East 303 207
South 382 242

Total ..... .....1393

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERS A L L'S —YESTERDAY.
There were just enough subscribers present to "make
a house," and just enough business to admit of a short
quotation. The principal bets were 1,300 to 200 agst
Scot's lot ; 16 to I to 100/. agst Idas ; 1,000 to 30 three
times, and 1,750 to 50 once, agst Old England ; 1,000 to
25 agst Pantasa; 2,000 to 30 agst Lycurgus ; 1,250 to
25 agst Cabin Boy; and 2,000 to 20 agst Fuzbos.
CHESTER CUP.
1000 to 30 agst Winesour—taken
30 to 1 agst The Era—taken.
DERRY.
13 to 2 agst Scott's lot—taken to 2001.
11 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Alarm—take 12 to 1
16 to 1 agst Lord Stradbroke's Idas—taken to 100!.
18 to 1 agst Colonel Anson's hedger—take 20 to 1
18 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Pam—take 20 to 1
30 to 1 agst Mr. A. Johnstone's Rebecca colt
33 to 1 agst Mr. Gully's Old England
35 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Laird o'Cockpen
—take 40 to 1
40 to I agst Mr. Mostyn's Pantasa—taken
2000 to 30 agst Lord Eglinton's Lycurgus—taken
1000 to 10 agst Mr. Coleman's Fuzbos—taken
1000 to 20 agst Cobweb colt winning Tuesday's Rid-
dlesworth, 2,000 Guinea Stakes, and Derby—taken.
HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.
Brighton harrs., Men., Patcham ; Wed., Race-course ;
Fri., Dyke.
Brookside harrs., Mon., Newmarket-hill ; Thurs., Tels-
combe Tye.
Mr. Roe's hds., Wed., Babland Gate ; Sat., Creycombe
Village.
Glynebourne harrs., Mon., Berwick Common ; Fri.,
Broyle.
South Wold hds., Mon., Haltham Wood ; Thurs., Hain-
ton; Sat., Kennel.
Whitecross harrs., Tues., Marsworth; Sat., Little Kim-
ble-10.
Devon lids., Mon.,Lindridge House; Thurs., Park House,
near Bovey; Sat., Culver House-11.
Athestone hds., Mon., Glascote ; Wed., Seale Wood ;
Thurs., Cadeby Toll-gate ; Sat., Lutterworth-104.
Warwickshire hds., Mon., Wellesbourne; Tues. Mitford
Bridge ; Thurs., Shuckburgb Park ; Fri., Tues.,
House-10f.
Shropshire hds., Mon., Mountford Bridge; Wed., Acton
Reynald ; Fri., Sundorne-10i.
Albrighton hds., Mon., Whiston Cross ; Thurs., Seigh-
ford; Fri., Atchana Bridge.
United Pack, Tues., Longville Hill; Sat., Chatwall-9.
Sir W. W. Wynn's lids., Mon., Bryn-y-pys; Wed., Piss
Te,,,,r; Fri., (Murton; Sat., Whittington-10f.
Cheshire hds., Mon., Tabley; Wed., Tarporley; Thurs.,
Stamford Bridge; Sat., Darawall-10f.
Mr. Candler's hds., Mon., Shrawley Wood; Wed., Boar's
Head ; Fri., Broad Heath-10i.
Mr. Meynell Ingram's hds., Mon., Catton; Thurs., Rad-
bourn; Sat., Rangendor-104.
Donnington hds., Mon., Coleorton Hall ; Wed., Bunney
Park ; Sat., Hathern Turn-101.
Sherwood harrs., Tues., White Post ; Fri., Sherwood
Hall-11.
Monmouthshire hds., Mon., Tregear Church ; Fri.,
Hendre-10f.
Herefordshire hds., Tues., Venn Wood ; Fri., Hare-
wood's End-10f.
Ross harrs., Mon., Lea-10f.
Tiverton hds., Mon., Sampford Peverell ; Thurs., Dui-
verton-10f.
Holderness hds.. Mon., Bessingby ; Tues., Everingham
Park; Thurs., Bainton New Inn; Fri., Meaux Abbey;
Sat., Kennels-14
Lord Yarborough's hds., Mon., Swinhop House ; Wed.,
Croxton Village; Fri., Moorton House-11.
Eddlethorpe hds.,Mon., Settrington Beacon; Wed., Stam-
ford Bridge; Fri., Mr. Hudson's Lodge, Octon-10f.

A TRAP FOR BURGLARS.—On Sunday morning,
while the family of M. Girardot, living on the route de
Romainville, at Belleville, were gone to Paris, a thief
broke into their house, and having packed up all the
valuables, was about to walk off with them, when he
was tempted by a large pot of comfiture and a bottle of
brandy, which he found in a closet. Having eaten all
the sweetmeat and drunk half the brandy, he found him-
self so overcome that he staggered under his burden,
and resolved to recover his powers by a nap. Having
placed a loaded gun which he found in a corner, beside
him, he laid himself down on the servant's bed, and fell
into so sound a sleep, that Mademoiselle Girardot, who
returned earlier than the rest, discovered her new lodger
still close locked in the arms of Morpheus. The
packages at once told her his character. With soft steps
she went out again, and brought back with her tome
gendarmes, who found great difficulty in rousing the
sleeper, but, having at last succeeded, conducted him to
prison.—Galignanis Messenger
SEASONABLE BENEVOLENCE.—Lady Emily Foley
caused a quantity of excellent beef and money to be dis-
tributed on Saturday last for the poor of Stoke Edith
parish, to provide them with a substantial Christmas
dinner. Her Ladyship has also ordered warm clothing
to be given to the indigent inhabitants of the neighbour-
ing parishes.—Lord William Paulett has forwarded 251.
for the necessitous poor in Bathwick, Someraetshire.—
Hon. Mr. Warneford, of High worth-house, Sussex, has
given a liberal supply of blankets and coals for the dis-
tressed inhabitants of Highworth.—The,Rev. Mr. Morren,
Forfarshire, has received from Lord Panmure the sum of
70L to be laid out on coals for the poor. His Lordship
has likewise given a subscription of 251. to the soup
kitchen.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT ELTHAM, KENT.—
Preparatory to Christmas-day a collection was made in
the village of Eltbam, in Kent, of which H. Baines, H.
Mills, J. Willemotte, A. G. Milne, R. J. Sameders, Esq.,
Dr. King, the Rev. Mr. Fryer, and some charitable
ladies, were the principal contributors, for the poor of
the vicinity, and amounted to upwards of 30/: The dis-
tribution of this seasonable benevolence was intrusted to
Dr. King, who with his characteristic kindness of heart,
exerted his best energies to give individual satisfaction,
and upwards of 150 families were recipients of the gift,
and made happy on the great festival.
FATAL QUARRELLING.—Mr. Higgs held an inquest
yesterday at the Prince's Head, Princes-street, West-
minster, on the body of George Dawson, aged 35, a
butcher, in the service of Mr. Munday, of No. 21, Hun-
gerford-market. From the evidence of two butchers
employed at the same place, it appeared that a number
of mischievous boys were in the habit of assembling in
front of the shops, and teasing and provoking any one
who interfered with their amusements. On Friday week
one of the boys, named John Wilkins, stood opposite
the deceased's shop, and refused to go away when de-
sired by the beadle. The deceased finding words of no
avail, gave him a box on the ear, and drove him away i
but he shortly returned, armed with a piece of tat, to
repay the blow he had received. Deemed rushed upon
him, and in taking the tile away out himself with the
sharp side of it on the thumb, The next day in scalding
a pig the hot water caused the whole arm to swell, and
become exceedingly painful, and the day after the sur-
geon called to attend him, and found that mortification
had already commenced. From that time hp gradually
grew worse, and on Monday last 4 died Verdict—
" Accidental death."

TILE Foq TAAsT Wiuwr.—So dense 'was the fog on
the south side of the river last night, that it was impos-
sible, upon the London find Greenwich Railway, to see
the station lights hetuid half the distance (150 yards), at
which the engine-driver is instructed to slat+l ea &peed.
In consequence of this, signal-men on Iki49s werg 434011(4
at mid-distance, near the slpa-read, station,, tCO tfinixt th'
necessary intimation to tip driver,,
to knd;c*ste to thc. swiechman,Op,sAt itto
• 7;11 was approach-
).3,3 -whistle
iq• eligirl (44 Rit4i much e'.
~ el at more ..,,g
neitclq

--- -
THE MANCHESTER ATHENiEUM.
(From the Manchester Guardian.)
After the very great interest manifested on behalf
of this institution amongst all classes of our fellow-
townsmen, we believe that a brief' sketch of its actual
condition and future prospects at the close of an
eventful year in its annals, will not be unacceptable
to our readers. Without at all wishing to forestall
the gratifying budget, which it will doubtless be the
privilege of the directory to submit to the members
at their forthcoming annual meeting, we may men-
tion, that of a debt of 3,4001. under which the -insti-
tution was rapidly sinking towards the middle of last
year, not one shilling now remains unpaid ; that the
number of members which at one time had dwindled
down to 372, at this moment has reached to 2,210 !
exclusive of life members. These are "great facts,"
honourable alike to the individuals who have been
instrumental, by their exertions, in bringing about
this happy result, and to those who have smiled
upon their labours with a generous and substantial
approval.
A glance at the splendid bill of fare for the next
quarter, which will be found in our advertising
columns, affords very gratifying proofs that the Di-
rectors appear to be fully impressed with the neces-
sity to pursue " the even tenor of their way," in that
judicious course of management under which the in-
stitution has attained to such an unparalleled state of
prosperity. Well might Mr. Dickens remark, at last
year's soiree,
" At all times, now in its most thriving, and in its
least flourishing condition—here, with its cheerful
rooms, its pleasant and instructive lectures; its itn-
proving library of 6,000 volumes ; its classes for the
study of the foreign languages, elocution, music ; its
opportunities of discussion and debate, of healthful
bodily exercise, and though last not least—for by this
I set great store—as a very novel and excellent pro-
vision—its opportunities of blameless, rational en-
joyment; here it is open to every youth and mats in
this great town ; accessible to every bee in this vast
hive, who, for all these benefits, and the inestimable
ends to which they lead, can set aside one sixpence
weekly."
A large sum of money has been expended during
the present year upon the library ; and more books,
we understand, have been added than during any
three preceding years after the establishment of the
institution. Whilst all the best current literature of
the day is being regularly purchased, works of esta-
blished repute, and those likely to prove permanently,
interesting, form a preponderance of the large addi-
tions lately made to this important branch of the in-
stitution. A library of standard French, German,
and Italian literature is also gradually forming. With
a continuance of the present flourishing state of affairs,
we may hope to see the books, ere long, again re-
moved to their former elegant quarters. A large in-
crease has been made in the number of newspapers,
of which the selection appears judicious, and without
the slightest regard to political or party bias. The
leading French, German, and American Journals are
also taken in, as also the principal commercial and
shipping lists. There are various tables loaded
with periodical literature of every description,
including almost every quarterly, monthly,,
and weekly publication issued. Brilliant as has been

the succession of lectures delivered this year at the
Athenaeum, the list of lecturers already engaged for
the next quarter leads us to expect even greater at-
tractions in this department for the ensuing year.
It will be seen that the campaign is to be opened
with a course of musical lectures by Mr. Frederick
Horncastle, of her Majesty's Chapel Royal, to be il-
lustrated by himself and three young ladies from
London, as may easily be imagined, at a very consi•
derable expense. We have heard Mr. Horncastla
very highly spoken of, and hare no doubt his lectures
will afford a rich musical treat to the members :
the programme is very striking, and full of
promise. These are succeeded by Dr. Lyon.
Playfair's anxiously expected course on Liebig's
discoveries in agricultural and horticultural che-
mistry ; after which the inimitable Mr. Charles
Kemble is to delight the members again with a third
series of readings of Shakspeare. Mr. Kemble is suc-
ceeded by Mr. Hodgson, the talented principal of the
Liverpool Mechanics' Institution, with a course of
four lectures on Germany and its literature ; and,
though last, by no means least, to complete this
galaxy, comes Mr. Marston, the accomplished author
of " he Patrician's daughter," with a course of four
!Mures "On the nature and value of imaginative
literature." We understand, that to all these lec-
tures, with the exception of Mr. Kemble's readings,
the members will have free admission. It is impos-
sible to conceive a more rational mode of spending an
evening than in a theatres, where, as Mr. D'ls'.aeli
observed, " Lectures were given; where the eAperi.
meats of philosophy, the investigations of li `,..erature,
and the profusions of art, were rendered, agreeable
to the audience by the charms of the human
voice." The concerts, we understa'ad, are to be
continued on the same scale which has ensured
to them their present popularity ; and a e hear
that occasionally talent from a distance is to be en-
gaged. The directors would consult the tastes oC
the members by confining themselves to mixed vocal
and instrumental concerts, rather than to glee and
choral ones, of which there are already enougli in this
town. The various classes established are, we are
'glad to learn, generally flourishing ; and, the well-
known talent of the gentlemen by •%•1,.0m they are
conducted is a sufficient guarantee of their efficiency.
The essay and discussion society., ever since the
establishment of the Athenaeum; one of its most
important branches, continues Its interesting meet-
ings and debates with undiminished success.
The wholesome rule of abstaining from party-
political or controversial subjects remains in force,
and the best harmony continues to prevail amongst
its members. Ls.dies are admissible to all the
meetings of the society. The gymnasium has been
considerably enlarged and improved of late, and is a
favourite resort of " Young Manchester." We verily
believe it would delight the heart of Lord John Man-
ners to see them indulge in their healthful exercises.
The gymnastic and fencing club, who have the ex-
clusive use of the gymnasium on two evenings in the
week, are, thanks to an active secretary, in a very
flourishing state. The coffee-rooms, though uncon-
nected with the institution, are a source of great
convenience to the members; they appear to be
well patronised. The letting of the lecture
theatre for various concerts and entertainments
affords the directors opportunities to make arrange-
ment to have the members admitted at reduced
prices. This is no little privilege to those in the habit
of attending there. It will be seen that another of
those delightful reunions—the annual soiree of the
Essay and Discussion Society—is announced to take
place on the 15th January, when Mr. Atherton, the
highly esteemed president of the institution, will take
the chair. The meeting will, doubtless, pass off with
the same eclat that has invariably attended these de-
lightful assemblies. As the number of tickets is to
be strictly limited, all wishing to be present will do
well at once to provide themselves with tickets, as we
understand the Committee have very judiciously re-
solved not to have the rooms over-crowded.
Having thus brought our imperfect notice of the
numerous attractions which this noble institution
offers to a close, we cannot take our leave of it with-
out warmly recommending it to the support of our
readers. That it has been productive of immense
benefit to youth is universally admitted; though its
capabilities for doing good are, as yet, scarcely deve-
loped. Its importance is only beginning to be appre-
ciated ; and, with a continuance of the same hearty
support which has been rendered to it of late, and a
judicious management, we feel assured that the Vian-
chester Athenaeum is destined to achieve great things.

A correspondence between Mr. H. L. Morgan, the
importer of a cask of cherry-juice, and the Government,
has been printed and circulated at the request of several
merchants. The article about which the question has
arisen is of small value, but the principle is held to be of
great importance. It appears that Mr. Morgan in Sep-
tember last entered a cask, containing 46 gallons of
cherry-juice, paying thereon 20 per cent. on its value,
considering it to come under the head of " manufactured
goods not otherwise rated." It was stopped at the Cus-
tom-house on the plea that it must pay wine duty, which
would be 121. Os. 6d., instead of 8/. ss. Mr. Morgan
accordingly addressed himself to the Board of Trade,
stating that in August, 1842, a cask of cherry-juiee had
been delivered on payment of 20 per cent., and meeting
the objection that the article contained spirit by offering
to pay the duty as on spirits, the strength being ascer-
tained. The Board of Trade answer, that they have
directed the Commissioners of Customs not to admit the
article in question, unless upon payment of wine duty,
but to allow the article to be warehoused for exports-
tion, provided Mr. Morgan declines to pay the wine
duty; and to return the duty which he paid by apmial
certificate. Upon this Mr. Morgan applies to the Trea-
sury. and quoting the communicatioa of the Borrd of
Trade, observes that it makes the tariff a " dead 'letter,"
as it implies that any duty may be levied contr-,,ry to Act
of Parliament, and also that there is no soturity fur the
importation of goods which are not sre,eifically rated.
The Treasury, however, decline complying with Mr.
Morgan's request, and in the mean time the cherry-juice
has been deteriorated by the delay occasioned by the
correspondence,
FACTS RESPECTING Ma. POLK.—During a journey
in the Wostern and Southern States, last summer, we tra-
I yelled several days with a very candid and intelligent
gentleman from Columbia, Tennessee, the residence a
' the Hon. J. K. Polk, President elect of the Unit.ed
States. He informed us, that in the walks of r civo,to
life Mr. Polk is highly respected ; that he is.
a slave-
holder indeed, but not, as has been often stated in the
papers, one 01' the richest and most extensive slave-
owners iu the State ; that he mr:
f ue
invested in slaves.
worth 25,000
c0n13424 Fart only of which pronr.at
34 Polk has no children.
y
tlis accomplished lady is a
to
consistent member of is -
,ne Presbyterian Church. The
gentleman also statue
-a that though different opinions are
i'.onestly entert:
life . _ot of his political creed, yet so
far as his private
on accoe-
;.....ine-d.as to his fitness for the Presidency
is concerned, he will do honour to the exalted sta-
tion to which ho has sinco been.called.---New Eng Lind
Puritan,

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.
____

GLOBE.—Lord Ashley has, we perceive, pledged
himself—in a letter written in reply to some appli-
cation on the subject from a Ten-Hours' Committee
in the north—to renew his efforts in the next session
to obtain a legislative restriction of labour in factories
to ten hours a day. After the experience of the last
session, when those who advocated the restriction of
factory labour to ten hours afterwards voted against
it when it stood part of the Factory Bill—and thus
shirked the question and stultified themselves, on the
ground of the embarrassments which an adherence to the
" cause of humanity" would occasion to Ministers, who
opposed the ten-hours' resolution—we have no appre-
hensions of any very firm stand by Lord Ashley
and the other advocates for restrictions on factory
labour. There will be a grand exhibition of micros-
copic benevolence. Cases of factory labourers' debi-
litated constitutions, and of their shortened existence,
will be cited. Medical opinions, and statistical returns
of Sanitary Commissioners, will be quoted. Every
effort will, in short, be used to " make out a case" for
legislative interference in the way asked for. All this
will be done—without the least idea, on the part of
Lord Ashley and his supporters, that their attempts
will prevail with the Government or with the House
of Commons. The former will remain firm to their
declared purpose of resisting any legislative inter-
ference with the rights of labour in the
men, and of capital in their masters. The House
of Commons will be careful how it allows itself
to be caught napping, when it ought to be wide
awake. Members who support her Majesty's
Ministers will call to mind the confusion of face
and agitation of feeling which were caused by the
awkward affirmation by the House of the ten-hours'
resolution moved by Lord Ashley ; how Sir Robert
Peel was compelled to employ alternate reproaches
and entreaties—remonstrances and persuasions ; how
Sir James Graham was even driven to utter expres-
sive threats of resigning office—and the fears which
pervaded the possessors and the expectants of place
and profit from the Government, lest, if the ten-
hours' clause passed, the Cabinet should be shaken,
if not, indeed, be broken up. There will be no repe-
tition in the next session of any such scenes as
those which took place on this question in the last. A.
speech of the character we have described may be de-
livered by Lord Ashley. He will be followed by a
few speakers, pro and con. Sir James Graham will
wind up the debate by a good common sense view of
the question, in which he will demonstrate the mani-
fest absurdity and glaring injustice of the proposition.
And thus the matter will end for another year. We
should not think it worth while to advert to the
subject, were it not that there are a number of well-
meaning people who, like Lord Ashley, allow their
feelings to lead their reasoning faculties astray. They
listen to exaggerated and frequently false accounts of
the sad effects of working in factories for twelve
hours ; and embark on a Quixotic enterprise of pre-
venting such results by agitating for an Act of Par-
liament to restrict the hours of labour. The
benevolence of heart which moves to such efforts
as Lord Ashley has employed to effect this ob-
ject, claims commendation—the perversion of in-
tellect, or rather the deficiency of the reasoning
powers, which such efforts display, moves commisera-
tion. Aware of the influence which such schemes ac-
quire over the niore amiable feelings of our nature—by
which the judgment is blinded to their inevitable con-
sequences—we deem it necessary to place before such
persons some of the reasons which induce us to lend
our aid to Government in its opposition to Lord
Ashley's proposition ; although by so doing we find
ourselves in antagonism to some influential indivi-
duals of our own party, with whom, on questions of
national policy, we generally concur. All inter-
position with the employment of labour is in direct
contravention of the principles which ought to go-
vern contracts between employers and the employed,
and is an infraction of the laws of society which are in-
dispensable to the freedom of the individual and the
postulates of commercial undertakings. The prin-
ciple, to be worth anything—and if essential to the
well-being of the social system —must be general.
Where can its limits be placed ? The Legislature
has no more right to interfere between the owner
of It factory and his artisans, than between the mas-
ter of a house and his domestic servants. There are
many trades and commercial establishments in
which it is utterly impossible to apply a restric-
tive enactment to reduce the hours of labour. Take
the case of a daily morning paper. To produce
the journal, a large number of men must be employed
during the entire night. The places in which they
ply their respective vocations, in furtherance of the
common object, are lit with gas. The men are neces-
sarily crowded into a small space, and the ventilation
is more or less imperfect. Let Lord Ashley visit
one of those establishments at midnight, and his
benevolence will prompt him to interfere for the
prevention of the consequences to human health
and life from such intense application in such an
atmosphere, for so many hours, constituting the entire
night. But prudence will step in, and prevent him
from interfering between the proprietors of the morn-
fals- journals and the men in their employ. And
yet, if Lord Ashley's " principle of humanity" be
worlth .anything, he is bound, in consistency with his
princirles. to make the attempt. The same argu-
ment apply to the thousands of tailors who, in
a posture confessedly injurious to health, ply their
calling thro:igh the live-long day, and borrow from
the night some of the hours which tired nature
claims for repose and re-invigaration. Will Lord
Ashley include these in his " charter of benevolence?"
The system of " over hours," by which men extend
the usual periods of work under special circumstances
by two, three, and four hours, should also be taken
into the Noble Lord's humane consideration ; and a
special enactment be made, to render such excessive
taxation of man's limited physical powers penal both
upon the employer and the employed. We
admit the abstract desirableness of assigning to
man a moderate and carefully-regulated por-
tion of • labour, that recreation may be en-
joyed, intellectual and moral improvement properly
cultivated, and rest from fatigue insured. The mis-
fortune of Lord Ashley, and of the
super-humane
persons who adopt his theory, is that it is simply im-
practicable. 'We should be sorry, indeed, to believe
it the only one which could be proposed for the "con-
summation devoutly to be wished," of improvement
in the lot of labour—and amongst the greatest of such
improvements, undoubtedly, must be ranked the re-
laxation of all extreme degrees of toil requisite for
support or comfort.
STANDARD.—The rule which we have pre-
scribed for ourselves, and which our readers have so
long kindly indulged, prevented our alluding as we
could have wished to the admirable charge of the
Bishop of Worcester, published in yesterday's
Standard. That noble and most seasonable address
could, however, well dispense with an introduction.
Our readers have seen and appreciated it, and any
compliments on our part would be flat in com-
parison with their own sense of its merits, and of
the good Bishop's claim on the gratitude of the
country. The excellent Bishop of Salisbury, at pre-
sent administrator of the diocese of Bath, in consi-
deration of Dr. Law's infirmity and great age, has ad-
dressed the clergy of the last-named diocese in pre-
cisely the same spirit, urging the same advice. We
have not seen any copy of the Right Reverend Lord's
address, and we do not know that any copy has been
printed, but we have what we consider sufficient
authority for saying, that it was in all respects
precisely similar to the address of the Bishop
of Worcester. Lastly, what gives us a sincere plea-
sure on every ground, we are able to communicate
the following graceful letter of the Bishop of Exeter,
putting an end to the differences that have lately
disturbed his Lordship's diocese :

" TO TIM CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF EXETER.
" Bishopstowe Dec. 23, 1844.
" Dear and Rev. Brethren,—lt has Ceen represented to
me by many of you, in different parts of the diocese, that
the use of the surplice in preaching is more repugnant to
the feelings of the people than could have been reasonably
anticipated. To these feelings, however erroneous, I
deem it my duty to surrender what may be abandoned
without the sacrifice of any principle. I therefore with•
draw my order, as respects the surplice.
" That order was avowedly issued by me, not for the sake
of enforcing an express rule of the Church, but in execution
of the power given to me to ' appease a diversity' in
Divine Worship, and so to remove a symbol of disunion
amongst ourselves. If my object cannot be obtained in the
way which I had pointed out, without leading to other
evils of as grave a kind, let me, however, hope and en-
treat that in using your own discretion in this particular,
you will so use it as shall least expose you to the re-
proach of cherishing party spirit. Wherever, therefore,
the surplice is now used without offence, there, I hope,
at will be continued in use.

" The enforcement of the rubrics rests on different
grot;nd. In them the Church has spoken clearly; and
to the voice of the Church, when it gives not an uncer-
tain soun:i. every true Churchman, and especially every
faithful mitjater, will hearken with reverence and sub-
snission.—l am, Rev. and dear Brethren,
" Your faithful friend and brother,
" H. EXETER."
May He who guards his Church forbid that any
Churchman fall into the grievous sin of treating
this accommodation as a victory. There can be no
victory in such a case without a war, and he who
rAhould now triumph would confess that he has been
at war with his spiritual superior, and would
re:Ntle r himself obnoxious to the charge of
makii7 a hypocritical pretence of a conscientious
,d to disuise his the scruple,
proper autn, orntYer of theg enm
etit y Church. Lus to
rather
understand the
arrangement as, what in truth it
.
Right Reverend Lord's disco-
is, the effect of the
very, that the innovatiu.'s or renovations to which
he for a moment thought,' it his duty to give
countenance, are in the m;...`ds of the people
intimately and inseparably conntrledi with a
profession of the Tractarian heres, anu that
t4t
it
I only,
WAS on. this account, and this &cooy
W t

his just authority has ever been resisted. Once
satisfied that such is the true state of the case, the
Bishop has acted with the affectionate care and the
manliness that have ever distinguished him.
It remains now for the people to show
that they merit the favourable, and, we are
thoroughly convinced, just estimate of their
motives which has led to his Lordship's con-
ciliatory and truly paternal concession. Let the peo-
ple show that they never ceased to cherish a grateful
veneration for his Lordship's personal character and
sacred office, even while they seemed to resist his
command. This they can most satisfactorily
demonstrate by a careful recollection of all
his Lordship's manifold services to the great
Protestant cause, and the multitude of the be-
nefits he has conferred upon his diocese. As care-
fully dismissing from memory the occurrences of the
last month, as a well-disposed man dismisses recol-
lections of the rare and accidental harshness of a
father, whose whole life otherwise gives proof of
kindness, care, and deeply-seated love.