The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-22 00:00:00

This is the title of a little work on the point of pub-
lication, stated to be the result of the occupation of the
scanty leisure of the author—John Overs, a working
man. Mr. Charles Dickens has contributed the following
preface to the volume ; and it is hard which to admire
most—the modest intelligent spirit of the unknown
writer, struggling with difficulty and clinging to litera-
ture, as alike the hope and the charm of his life ; or the
generous and kindly encouragement afforded by the
successful and celebrated author to his humble compe-
titor :
" The indulgent reader of this little book—not called
indulgent, I may hope, by courtesy alone, but with some
reference also to its. title and pretensions—may very
naturally inquire how it comes to have a preface to
which my name is attached ; nor is the reader's right or
inclination to be satisfied on this head likely to be much
diminished, when I state, in the outset, that I do not
recommend it as a book of surprising originality or
transcendent merit. That Ido not claim to have dis-
covered, in humble life, an extraordinary and brilliant
genius. That I cannot charge mankind in general with
having entered into a conspiracy to neglect the author
of this volume, or to leave him pining in obscurity.
That I have not the smallest intention of comparing
him with Burns, the exciseman ; or with Bloomfield, the
shoemaker; or with Ebenezer Elliott, a worker in iron ;
or with James Hogg, the shepherd. That I see no rea-
son to be hot, or bitter, or lowering, or sarcastic, or in-
dignant, or fierce, or sour, or sharp, in his behalf. That
I have nothing, to rail at ; nothing to exalt ; nothing to
flourish in the face of a stony-hearted world ; and have
but a very short and simple tale to tell.
" But, such as it is, it has interested me; and I hope
it may interest the reader too, if I state it, unaffectedly
and plainly.
" John Overs, the writer of the following pages, is, as
is set forth on the title-page, a working man. A man
who earns his weekly wages (or who did when he was
strollg enough) by plying of the hammer, plane, and
chisel. He became known to me, to the best of my re-
collection, nearly six years ago, when he. seat me some
songs, appropriate to the different months of the year,
with a letter, stating under what circumstances they
had been composed, and in what manner he was occu-
pied from morning until night. I was, just then, relin-
quishing the conduct of a monthly periodical; or I would
gladly have published them. As it was, I returned them
to him, with a private expression of the interest I felt in
such productions. They were afterwards accepted, with
much readiness and consideration, by Mr. Tait, of Edin-
burgh; and were printed in his magazine.
" Finding, after some further correspondence with my
new friend, that his authorship had not ceased with
these verses, but that he still occupied his leisure mo-
ments in writing, I took occasion to remonstrate with
him seriously against his pursuing that course. I pointed
out to him a few of the uncertainties, anxieties, and
difficulties of such a life, at the best. I entreated him
to remember the position of heavy disadvantage in
which he stood, by reason of his self-education and im-
perfect attainments; and I besought him to consider
whether, having one or two of his pieces accepted occa-
sionally, here and there, after long suspense and many
refusals, it was probable that he would find himself, in
the end, a happier or a more contented man. On all
these grounds, I told him his persistence in his new call-
ing made me uneasy; and I advised him to abandon it as
strongly as r could.
" In answer to this dissuasion of mine, he wrote me as
manly and straightforward, but withal as modest a letter,
as ever I read in my life. He explained to me how
limited his ambition was, soaring no higher than the
establishment of his wife in some light business, and the
better education of his children. He set befbre me the
difference between his evening and holiday studies, su^2.", as they were: and the having no better resouret,t than an
alehouse or a skittleground. He told me, how every
small addition to his stock of knowledge made his Sun-
day walks the pleasanter ; the hedge flowers sweeter ;
everything more full of interest told meaning to him. He
assured me, that his daily work was not neglected for
Etceount, bituand-bye, in
his self-imposed pursuits; but was faithfully and honestly
performed ; and, so, indeed, it was. He hinted to me,
that his greatest self-respect was sonic indncement and
eager to peruse and
reward: supposing every other to elnde his grasp and
ha would tuna thls or
tshhaotwacedqumieskihoonwfrtohme tlu
writing, made him more Neu and
profit by them, when hie long dr.lY's work was done.
"I would not, if I could, have offered one solitary ob-
jection more, to arguments so unpretending and so tree.
" From that time to the present I have seen him fre-
quently. It has been pleasure to me to put a few
books in his way; to give him a word or two of counsel
in hie little projects and difficulties ; and to read his
compositions with him, when he has had an hour or so to
spare. I have never altered them, otherwise than by re-
commending condensation now and then; mu. have I, in
looking over these sheets, made any emendation in them,
beyond the ordinary corrections of the press: desiring
them to be his genuine work, as they have been his sober
and rational amusement.
"The latter observation brings me to the origin of the
present volume, and of thin, my slight share in it. The
reader will soon comprehend why I touch the subject
lightly, and with a sorrowful and faultering hand.
"In all the knowledge I have had of John Overs,
and in all the many conversations I have held with him,
I have invariably found him, in every essential particu-
lar, but one, the same. I have found him from first to
last a simple, frugal, steady, upright, honourable man ;
especially to be noted for the unobtrusive independence
of his character ; the instinctive propriety of his manner,
and the perfect neatness of his appearance. The extent
of his hiformation—regard being had to his opportuni-
ties of acquiring it—is very remarkable ; and the dis-
crimination with which he has risen superior to the mere
prejudices of the class with which he ie associated, with-
out losing his sympathy for all their real wrongs and
grievances—they have a few•=-Impressed me, in the be-
ginning of our acquaintance, strongly in his favour.
" The one respect in which he is not what he was, is
in his held an life.

TELLS as.
Bright, John
Gibbon,

I ‘..;INORITY—NOES, 30.
/Unit, John. 7-eter Fuller, A.E. Newry, Viscount
Antrobti Edward Goring, Charles O'Brien, A. s
Archdall,'Captain Gregory, W. H. Round, John
Bateson, Thomas Grogan, Edward Rushbrooke Co7bnel
Bradshaw, James Hamilton, J. H. Smyth, Sir H
Cnetwode, Sir John Hamilto.,, Lord C. Snonner R;
Cole, Hon. H. Ingestre, Lord Ifailor, k. -chard
coiviie, C. Robert Lefroy, Anthony Verner, Colonel
DiA, Q. Masterman. John Farnham, E. B. Maxwell, J. P
Forbes, W. Newdegate, C. N.
Colored SseilbuttnhoprprtEr,e u,

-------
lesi Jay was the birth-dav of her Royal Highness the
Hereditary Grand Duchess of Ilecklenburgh Strelitz. The
Duchess of Kent, and the Duchess of Gloucester, paid congra-
tulatory visits to her Royal Higithess, at Cambridge House.
The Duchess of Gloucester dined with the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge last evening.
The Duchess of Kent left Clarence House yesterday, about
four o'clock, for Frugmore. Her Royal Highness was at-
tended by Lady Anna Maria Dawson, and the Countess
Wratislave,
The Duke of Cambridge paid a visit to the Duchess or
Kent yesterday morning at Clarence House.
Dispatches were sent off on Thursday night from the
Colonial-office to the Governors of the North Atu'erican Co-
Mr. Brickwood, of the South Sea Company, had an in-
terview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at.
his official residence in Downing-street.
Lord and Lady Mahon, Lieutenant-eeneral Sir Edward
and Lady Kerrison and family left town yesterday for Mel-
bury, in Dorsetshire, where the man iage of Mr. Kerrison
and Lady Caroline Strangways takes place next week.
GR"

" He is very ill ; the faintest shadow of the man who
came into my little study for the first time half a dozen
years ago, after the correspondence I have mentioned,
He has been very ill for a long:, long period his disease
is a severe and wasting affection of the lungs, which has
lucttpaoltated him, these many months, for every kind of
occupation. ' If I could only do a hard day's work,' he
said to me the other day, how happy I should be " Having these papers by him, axnangst others, he
bethought himself that if he could get a bookseller to
purchase them for publication in a volume, they would
enable him to make go temporary provision for his
sick wife and very young family. We talked the matter
over together ; and that it might be (may of accomplish-
to hisa
book, I promised him that I would write an introdw:iiion

-EAT OARS RACE AMONGST THE GENTLEMEN
OF TI-5.: LEA.NDER CLUB.
the
The great oars rane on Friday, amongst the gentlemen of
Leander Chili was certainly one of the most dashing a
spirited contests of the season. It is to be regretted that the threatening aspect of the weather for an hour or two before
the start, deterred many gentlemen, patrons of aquatics,
from attending a race which, from its first announcement,
had given promise of first-rate sport. As it was, however,.
the Guy's first and second crew, and several other long boats„
were afloat, and their occupants amply compensated for any
little inconveniences they might have sustained by being
afloat a trifle earlier in the afternoon than usual. The cir-
cumstance of the lottery of partners having taken place a few
days before, instead of being delayed until an hour before the
race, gave an opportunity of speculation not often presented,
and necessarily increased the interest of the race. The dis-
tance differed also from that of former years, the start taking
place from Vauxhall, instead of Westminster, and the contest
finishing at Putney-bridge, an alteration which it was deemed
expedient to make, in consequence of the frequent crossing of
steamers in the lower part of Lambeth-reach, and the number
of craft moored there. The gentlemen having waited until
the violent thunder-storm had passed over, rowed from Ho-
berts's to the starting-place, accompanied by two eights.
Messrs. Jefferies and 1
Newman......
Messrs. W........
Wood and Dalgleish
...... ..... .. . . 2
Messrs. Shepherd and Fellowes 4
........ .•.
Messrs. l3umpstead and Lea.. ....
........... Messrs. APDonald and Soames
....... 4
.. 5
...........
The race, as we have before said, was admirably contested ;
Mr. Shepherd and his partner had the No. 1 station on the
Middlesex shore ; Bumpstead and his partner next, then
Macdonald and his partner, and Jefferies and Newman out-
side, nearest the Surrey shore. A beautiful start was effected,
all oar and oar at thanmoment ; a few rapid strokes followed,
and then Sheherd d partner took the lead, closely fol-
lowed by Bumpstead's boat, the others being nearly level, or
pair were, however, in a few more strokes, showi:.,k-
Wood and his partner being a trifle astern of all ; the latter
slight
improvement of place, when, owing to the heat (~f the con-
test, Jefferies' boat accidentally fouled DaJgleis''s, and both
were of course delayed a little. Jefferies and his partner then
drew up to Bumpstead's boat, and challenged them to a very
severe struggle, the result of which was Bunipstead's boat
taking the third place. Jefferies rrid partner then laid down.
to their work again in gallant style, and off Chelsea College
took the first place from Shepherd and his partner, who had
held it fYom the start, and did not part with it without a
severe struggle. Jefferies and his partner retained the lead,
and one of the most plucky contests ever witnessed occurred
between I3umpstead's and Shepherd's boats. They were oar
and oar, with alternate leads, if they might be so termed, of
a few inches, the entire distance from Battersea to Putney-
bridges, Shepherd's boat just contriving to draw a-head ;
but the rowers, despite their utmost exertions, being unable
to do any more. 'While the three leading boats were in the
positions above described, Messrs. Wood and Dalgleish drew-
upon the two last named, and off Wandsworth, having
shipped their oars, Dalgleish taking the labour forward, they right by Bumpstead and his partner and Shepierd and
partner, while in the middle of their struggle, and took the
second place, which they retained, Jefferies and Newman
winning by four lengths.

"I would to Heaven that I could do b.lm better set..
vice! I would to Heaven it were all introduction to a
long, and vigorous, and useful lige I But Hope will not
trim her lamp the less brightly tbr him and his, because
of this impulse to their strer.r,gling fortunes; and trust
me, reader, they deaurve her light, and need it sorely.
hel
" lie has Inscribed this book to one whose skill will
p him, under Providence, in all that human skill can
do. To one who never could have recognised in any
potentate on earth, a higher claim to constant kindness
and attention, than he has recognised in him.
"I have little more to say of it. While Ido not com-
mend it, on the one hand, as a prodigy, I do sincerely
believe it, on the other, to possess some points of real
interest, however considered; but which, if considered
with reference to its title and origin, are of great in-
terest.

" If any delicate readers should approach the perusal
of these Evenings of a Working Man,' with a genteel
distaste to the principle of a working man turning
author at all, I may perhaps be permitted to suggest
that the best protection against such an offence' will be
found in the universal education of the people ; for the
enlightenment of the many will effectually swamp any
interest that may now attach, in vulgar minds, tq the
few among them who are enabled, in any degree, to
overcome the great difficulties of their position.
" And if such readers should deny the immense im-
portance of communicatine• io this class, at this time,
every posEible means llowledge, refinement, and re-
creation; or :Lc cause we have to hail with delight the
least ;,oxen that may arise ameng them of a desire to be
wiser, better, and more gentle; f earnestly entreat them
to educate themselves in this neglected branch of their
own learning without delay; promising them that it is
the easiest in its acquisition of any: requiring only open
eyes and ears, and six easy lessons of an hour each in a
working town. Which will render thorn perfect for the
rest of their lives;

~ CHARLES DICKENS.

" London, June, 1844."
" The following is the dedication :—This little book is
affectionately dedicated to Dr. Elliotson, by one who has felt
his kindness to those who have no other claim upon him
(and on such, a man can have no higher claim) than sickness
and obscure condition.

HAYMARRET.—The prize comedy has been with-
drawn, and its place well supplied by the revival of
standard comedies, with a cast unapproachable at any
other theatre in London. The season, it is expected,
will terminate on the 7th of August. It is a curious fact,
in connection with the prize comedy, that during the
examination of the competitors' productions by the
Committee, Mr, Webster received a letter from the
author of Quid Pro Quo, requesting to withdraw it
"419121 r, THE MADRAS TRANSPOTIT..---This vessel',
from competition, and to submit it to the dictum of the
manager, considering that it was more an actin 7-hi°)7,. took fire, and was scuttled off Deptford Dockyard, jig ; - .suing a cargo of stores and ammunition on board for her
than a readable play. The manager of course clined to interfere, by taking the play out
jo!' trllo Majesty's troops at the Island of Asetnsion, has at last, by
of the Committee. The comedy - wfii-L s t. Majesty
and's- mea n s
boyf
tthe
e direction Government chainol el lertssrs 0
ffrot
the
tAlidernßit:llyiat3l
,!3,
boecekn-
point of merit, and upon pass;- -
ler• •
weighed3'ards and brought a .gside the Dockyard-quay. She is
mittee were for some • • _ilg.
c,ivt--;',,,,:ixdthneecxot
min-
much burnt, MONO n—rticularly the fore-part, and she has
.."
prize bee!, - --..me Unaecided, would not, had the
also received considera_b.le damage by the chains which raised
andlztredakitng her upper parts. As for the stores,
- •
._ awarded to its author, have been entitled to
.ecetve it, the writer having since acknowledged that it thheer,slaiPrPing'3l•gi,closththeir loss will fall on the
Government. completelyont. The troopsesro
was not written in accordance with the advertised stipu-
e was to 11 have conveyed
lations. This play has been represented to us as a pro- ' from Gravesend to Hong;-Kong,
_have. since sailed in another
duction of considerable merit.—Dramatic and Musical s vessel. The Madras will be athwith taken into dry dock to
Review,
be overhauled.

MINORITY—NOES, 41.
Barclay, Da
E.
Hill, Lord*Marcus Stock, Sergeant
BBellew, arnard,
It. MG. Martin, John Villiers, Charles P,-.
. Mimelfe, Henry Walker, R.
Bernal, Ralph Morris, David Warburton ,Henry
Brocklehurst, J. Morrison James
ohn I.
Brotherton, J. Mont;Wawn, JG. F. Wilde, Sir T.
Browne, R. D. Philips, M. Wil
bomm
am Browne, W. Plumridge, Captain Wri Et.
Busfeild, Power, James Wg li
on• wW.yse, hsts, W.
Ts
Chapman, B. Protheroe, F.dward York., Redhead
Collett, John Pulsford, Robert
Elphinstone, Howard Rawdon, J. D.
Esmonde, Sir T. Ross, David R.
Forster, Matthew Sheil, R. L.
Gill, Thomas . Somerville, Sir W.

(IN THE COMMITTEE.)
Motion made, and Question Put, " That a Sum not ex-
ceeding 8,9281. be granted to her Majesty, towards defraying
the charge of the Roman Catholic College in Ireland, to the
31st day of March, 1845:" The Committee divided:—
MAJORITY—AYES, 87.
Acland, Sir T.:D. Esmonde, Sir Ir. Ogle, S. C. H.
Forster, Matthew Palmerston, Via.
Acland, T. D
Adderley, C. B. Fremantle, Sir T. Peel, Sir Robkrt
Ainsworth, Peter Gardner, J. D Peel, Jonathan
Archbold, Robert GaskelL James M. Power, James
Baring, W. B. Gibs,
T. M. Praed. W. T-
Bellew, R. M. Gill, Thomas Pulsford, R bent
Bodkin, W. H. Gladstone, W. E Rawdon, J. D.
Boldero., H George Gladstone, Captain Ross, D. R.
Borthwick,_Petot Gordon, Hon. W. Scott, R.
Bramston T. W, Goulburn, Henry Seymour _ Lord
Brotherton, Joseph Graham, Sir James Sheil I Browne, R. P, Henley, J. W.
c. CL.
-with, R. Vernon
Brace,Browne, Ron. W. Herbert, Hon. & Smith, T. B. C.
Lord E. Hope, G. W. Somerset, Lord G.
Busfeild, William Howard, C 4, W. Somerville, Sir W.
Clerk, Siran GeorgeßeWamin legraar'lrd, Spit. H.
Sutton, Hon, H. M
Thesiger, F.
Clive, Viscount Ifussey, Ambrose Trench, Sir Frederick
Cockburn, Sir G. Jermyn, Lord Tufnell, Henry
Compton, H, C, Knatchbull, Sir E. Wawn, J. T.
Corry, P..
Lennox, Lord A. Wilde, Sir T.
CrAlg, W. Gibson M`Geachy, F. A Wodehouse E.
Cripps, W. Manners, Lord J. Worsley, aril
Darner Colonel Martin, John Wortley, Hon. Jr.'. 8
Dawson, T. V. Mil ne it. Richard Wyse, Thomas
Denison. E. Beckett Mitcalfe, Henry
DichinsoN F. H. Murphy, F. S.
TELLER 8.
Douglas, Sir C. E. Nichol', John Young, John
prington. Viscount Norreys, Sir ix
.7. Baring, Henry
g.ilot. Lord O'Conr.-n, ju. J. --'

(Prom The Sun of Saturday Evening.)
WThroson, FRIDAY.—The Queen and Prince Albert, accom
panied by the Princess Royal, walked in the pleasure grounds
of the Castle this morning. Prince Albert, attended by Co-
lonel Bouverie, after Wares inspected the battalion of Scots
Fusilier Guards stationed here, in the Great Park.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the
Princess Alice were taken their usual daily excursion this
forenoon.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent returned to her
residence, Frogmore Lodge, in a carriage and four, at
o'clock this afternoon, from town. Her Royal Highness was
attended by Lady Anna Maria Dawson, the Countess Wra-
tislaw, and Sir George Cowper, Bart.
The Queen, accompanied by the Princess Royal, and at-
tended by the Countess of Mount Edgcumbe and the Hon.
Miss Paget, took an airing in the afternoon in an open car-
riage and four. His Royal Highness Prince Albert ac-
companied her Majesty on horseback. The Equerries in
Waiting, Colonels Buchle,y and Bouverie, were also on
horseback..
The Royal party returned to the Castle at six o'clock.
The Prince of Wales and the Princess Alice were taken.
airings in the afternoon.
The Royal dinner party at the Castle in the evening in-
cluded her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent,
Maria Dawson, the Countess Wratislaw, the Earl of Liver-
pool, and Viscount and Viscountess Ernlyn.
The band of the Scots Fuisilier Guards was in attendance§
at the Castle, and performed during dinner.
Her Hajesty's private band attended during the remainder
of the evening.
Yesterd,