The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-11 00:00:00

were not acceptable either to the clergy or the laity,
and that, therefore, he shrank from introducing them on
his own responsibility until he could furnish himself
with a pretext for interfering in the character of a
mediator."
If one asks for instances bearing out the charge that
there is a degree of insincerity, or, to avoid as far as
possible every harsh expression, an under-current of
feeling, a hidden motive of action influencing the Bishop
in his public conduct in his diocese, which is not the ap-
parent motive, one is immediately answered by some
half-dozen notorious public ac:s of this kind. You are
told that be approved the letting of pews in the parish
churches of Plymouth as a means of avoiding the
quastio vexata of a church-rate. In a decision a few
years ago, in which his Lordship was called on to decide
this very question, arising out of a demand by the Go-
vernor of the garrison of Plymouth to have free church
accommodation provided for him, the Bishop is said to
have expressed his unqualified approbation of the means
adopted of supporting the fabric of the church by letting
pews without exciting animosity in the parish on the
question of church-rates, although he decided in favour
of the Governor's demand. Last January the same
Bishop, in the strongest language, denounced the prac-
tice of pew-letting as a robbery of the poor of their
rights, which he would no longer permit, without the
slightest previous intimation to either the churchwardens
or the vicar that he saw reason to object to the practice.
Again, one is referred to a former charge of the Bishop, in
which, speaking of the Methodists, he said, " I regard
the NVesleyans as scarcely a dissenting body, there is
but a thin and almost imperceptible line between them
and us;" but of these he has recently stated, not being
members of the Church for whom there is a covenant of
mercy for their salvation, they are left " to the uncove-
nanted mercies of God." These and many other in-
stances are given of a direct change of opinion, for which
at the time there were apparent political motives, and
which excite distrust. At the same time it is thought
that he is far too acute and sagacious either to express a
change of opinion, or to sanction and enjoin any change,
however trifling, without ample consideration of its pro-
bable effect, and without having a definite object in view;
whilst many are, perhaps, uncharitable enough to sup-
pose that that alteration of expressed opinion, or that in-
junction of change, has not proceeded from the sincere
conviction of its necessity, but from a determination to
carry out a design. They ask suspiciously, " Why has
the Bishop only just discovered the necessity of the strict
observance of the rubrics failing in nothing,' after

quietly permitting their partial observance only, accord-
ing to long usage, for fifteen years as Bishop ? Why
this new-born zeal ? We know the Bishop, though he

thinks he deceives us. What is the policy beneath the
surface ? We think it is a covert attempt to obtain in-
creased power and influence; and we will have no Pro-
testant priestly domination."
ST. SIDWELLS AND ST. JAMES.

At a meeting of the parishoners of St. Sidwells and
St. James, Exeter, held the 9th day of January, 1845,
pursuant to a requisition to the churchwardens, signed
by a large number of parishioners, " to consider the
course to be adopted respecting the continued use of the
surplice by the clergymen of the above parishes," Air.
W. Jackson in the chair,
On the motion of Mr. W. W. HOOPER, seconded by
Mr. C. Mu., it was unanimously resolved—
" That this meeting observe with feelings of the
deepest pain and regret, that the ministers of St. Sid-
wells and St. James still continue the use of the surplice
in the pulpit, thus setting themselves in direct opposition
to the wishes of their parishioners, thereby producing
- discord and strife where peace and unity alone ought to
'be found, and this, too, notwithstanding the withdrawal
of so much of the order as related to the use of the sur-
plice by the Lord Bishop of the diocese.
" That this meeting readily admit, that the use of the
surplice in the pulpit was introduced before the present
ministers were appointed ; and, that although at its first
introduction it produced much dissatisfaction, yet no re-
monstrance against its use was at that time openly made,
which we now most deeply regret, and more particularly
so, as our dislike to set ourselves in opposition to our
ministers on that occasion is now brought against us as
a reason for further submission, if not of the absolute
relinquishment of the right of private judgment.
"That this meeting now view the use of the surplice
in the pulpit as a matter of deep importance, admitted,
as it is on all hands, to be the sign of a party in the
Church whose doctrines and proceedings we are of
opinion are calculated to undermine and destroy the
Protestant Church as by law established ; that it has
already caused many to decline attending Divine service,
the empty state of our churches fully prove ; and its
continuance will be followed by evils which will be de-
_

plored when it will be too lateto remedy the mischief
produced.
" That this meeting, for the reasons before stated,
earnestly and respectfully request that their ministers
will discontinue the use of the surplice in the pulpit,
and also, that the service of the Church in all its part.,
may be conducted in the manner it was performed be-
fore any of the recent changes were introduced, by
which means unity and peace may be again restored.
" That the churchwardens be requested to sign the re-
solutions on behalf of the meeting, and present a copy
of them to the Rev. F. Courtenay and the Rev. P. Car-
lyon, and that this meeting be adjourned to Saturday
next, at twelve o'clock at noon, to receive the answer of
the clorgymen thereto.
"That these resolutions be printed and circulated.
" JOAN JACKSON,
Wardens of St. Sidwells.
" THOMAS WOOD,
" C. A. WILLIAMS, }
Wardens of St. James."
-"CHRISTR. HILL,

TERRIFIC FIRE IN THE STRAND

Last evening, shortly after 10 o'clock, a terrific fire
suddenly burst forth on the premises of Mr. Seyer,
French hootmaker, 126, Strand. Five minutes
before the fire broke out everything appeared quiet ;
then there was perceived a slight light in the
window of the shop, and immediately the flames burst
forth with terrific fury from the shop window, shoot-
ing quite across the pavement. The shop had the ap-
pearance of an immense oven vomiting forth
flame. Mr. Seyer and his family were from home
when the fire broke out, and the only persons in the
house were the servant, her mother, and another
person, who all fortunately effected their escape,
and were eventually taken into the Savoy Palace
Tavern, in Savoy-street, where they were safely lodged.
Some time elapsed before the arrival of the engines,
and when they did arrive the supply of water was
deficient. The engines commenced playing on the
flames from the Strand front, and speedily subdued
them in that direction. The fire, meanwhile, was
extending towards the back of the premises.
Considerable delay occurred in bringing the
engines to bear in that direction. At length an
engine was wheeled down Savoy-street, and a
plug opened, when a plentiful supply of water
was obtained. Then there appeared to be some
difficulty in screwing on the hose. After a long
delay, however, all things were prepared, the engine
commenced playing, and the fire was speedily sub-
dued, but not until the premises of Mr. Seyer were
completely'destroyed. The office of the Globe news-
paper, which is next door to Mr. Seyer's, was at one
time in very great danger. We are, however, re-
joiced to state that it escaped without any serious da-
mage. The shop of Mr. Reynolds, hatter, was also in
considerable danger, and he commenced removing his
stock. Sotne of those miscreants who always take
advantage of calamities of this sort for the purposes
of plunder, committed many depredations on Mr.
Reynolds's stock. Inspect )r Pearce, of the detective
force, accompanied by a numerous body of the police,
was, however, early on the ground, and prevented the
plunder from being carried on to any great extent. It
is impossible, at present, accurately to ascertain
either the actual extent of the damage or the origin
of the fire. The servant of Mr. Seyer attributes it to
an explosion of gas in the shop ; and a report, such pz,
would be produced by an explosion of gas, was heard.
we understand, a few seconds before the breaking out
.of the fire.

THE CROWN ,JEWELS.—The claim of the King of
Ilatover to a large part of the Crown jewels will be
beard in the course of a few days. It has been referred
to the Lord Chancellor and two ether Learned Lords.
who, after hearing counsel, are to draw up a report for
her Majesty's guidance. Sir Charles Weatherell will
appear for the King of Hanover, the Solicitor-General
and Sir Thomas Wilde (the Attorney-General being
absent) for the Queen. There is no doubt that family
jewels belonging to the house of Hanover, to the amount
of 50,000/. or 60,0001., were brought over by George the
First, and have been mixed up with the English Crown
iawels; hut, as they have been frequently re-set, it has
become impossible to identify them. It is said that the
royal personages concerned manifest an extreme anxiety
in the result.—Post.

EXETER. HALL.—Last night the Messiah was re-
peated by the Sacred Harmonic Society, at Exeter Hall,
and although it has been several times performed this
season by the same Society, at the same place, there
was yesterday evening a remarkably full and unequivo-
cally delighted audience. Madame C. Allan, Miss
Dolby, Mr. Manvers, and Mr. Machin, were the prin-
cipal vocalists ; and it is sufficient to state that they did
ample justice to their former exertions in this sublime
oratorio, and were continually rewarded by the
gratified auditory with hearty plaudits. Miss
Dolby was encored in the beautiful air, " He shall feed
his flock," which she executed with great taste and
lodgment. Madame C. Allan received a like compli-
ment in the air, " I know that my Redeemer lieeth."
The recitative " Behold I tell you," and "The trumpet
shall sound," were mast effective, and the trumpet obli-
gat°, by Mr. Harper, jun., was so excellent as to
elicit the longest and loudest applause of the evening.
Indeed, the whole oratorio was most creditably per-
formed, and the crowded audience appeared to be in the
utmost delight with the musical treat afforded.
How Mum CAN BE DRUNK ?—A London dray-
man will consume a couple of gallons of ale or stout in
I day, by a process of perp .tual inhibition in moderate
quantities. It is a common habit with carriers and
waggoners, who journey from country villages to towns,
to stop at most of the public-houses on the road, both
going and returning, and partake of refreshment in the
*ape of ale and spirits. Add to the quantity thus
obtained that which they drink at their different
houses of call in the town, and the aggregate becomes
enormous. In this way they will often swallow two or
three gallons daily of ale, as variable in in its age and
strength as in its amount of adulteration. But still
Freater quantities of beverage are frequently consumed
Dv harvest labourers. In Herefordshire and Devon-
enire, it is not considered an excess for a man, when
Aelowing, or making hay, to drink from 12 to 16 quarts
Girough cyder in the day.—Medical Times.