The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-21 00:00:00

THE FUTURE.

It was good, it was kind, in the Wise One above
To fling Destiny's veil o'er the face of our years,
That we dread not the blow that shall strike at our love,
And expect not the beams that shall dry up our tears.
Did we know that the voices now gentle and bland •
Will forego the fond word and the whispering tone ;
Did we know that the eager and warm pressing band
Will be joyfully forward in '° casting the stone ;"

Did we know the affection engrossing our soul
Will end, as it oft does, in madness and pain ;
That the passionate breast will but hazard its rest,
And be wreck'd on the shore it is panting to gain ;

Oh ! did we but know of the shadows so nigh,
The world would indeed be a prison of gloom ;
All light would be quench'd in youth's eloquent eye,
And the prayer-lisping infant would ask for the tomb.

For if Hope be a star that may lead us astray,
And deceiveth the heart,', as the aged ones preach ;
Yet 'twas Mercy that gave it, to beacon our way,
Though its halo illumes where we never can reach.
Though Friendship but flit, like a meteor gleam,
Though it burst, like a morn-lighted bubble of dew,.
Though it passes away, like a leaf on the stream,
Yet 'tis bliss while we fancy the vision is true.
Oh 1 'tie well that the future is hid from our sight;
That we walk in, the sunshine, nor dream of the cloud ;
That we cherish a flower, and think not of blight,
That we dance on the loom that may weave us a shroud.
It was good, it was kind, in the Wise One above,
To fling Destiny's veil o'er the face of our years,
That we dread not the blow that shall strike at our love,
And expect not the beams that shall dry up our tears.

DREAMS OF THE PAST.
As we wander alone where the moonlight reposes,
And the wind o'er the ripple is tuneful and sweet,
When the stars glitter out as the day-flower closes,
And the night-bird and dew-drop are all that we meet ;
Oh ! then, when the warm flush of thought is unsealing
The bonds that a cold world too often keeps fast,
We F ha' I find that the deepest and dearest of feeling
Is pouring its tide in a dream of the past.
Oh ! wile) shall have travelled through life's misty morning,

Forgetting all waymarks that rose on their track, .-
Though the things we loved then had Maturity's scorning,
Though we cast them behind, yet we like to look back.
Though the present may chum us with magical numbers,
And lull the rapt spirit, entrancing it fast,
Yet 'tis rarely the heart is so sound in its slumbers,
As to rest without mingling some dream of the past.
Oh ! th ,:,ys that are gone—they will have no returning,
And 'tis wisest to bury the hopes that decay,
But the incense that's purest and richest in burning,
Is oft placed where ad round it is fading away.
Thfnigli the days that are gone had more canker than blossom,
And even that blossom too tender to last,
Yet had we the power, oh ! where is the bosom
Would thrust from its visions the (beams of the past?

LIVES OF THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND.
Vol. VIII. By Aynes Strickland.
Many and varied as are the branches of instruction,
the-study of history is of all others the one most cal-
culated to interest and improve. From the records of
the past it brings many a lesson to direct the future—it
gives knowledge to the ignorant and wisdom to the
simple—it is second only to experience, and in many an
instance may supply its place. But, though general
history. be instructive and entertaining, how much
greeter is the interest we feel when following the
fortunes of individuals, and contemplating the record of
private trials and sufferings. "In the worst of men
there is more to love than hate"—more to pity than. to
blame; and however much we may disapprove of his
general conduct, we cannot study the life of any single
being, we cannot regard his difficulties and temptations,
without sympathising in his sorrows, and rejoicing in his
success. Politicians may be taught by the annals of
but philosophers will prefer the history of men.
we ma; delight in reading of the actions of the great,
'but we shat; orofit more if we go to the fountain-head,
and learn what feelings animated their hearts, what im-
pulses inspired their mighty deeds. When we think of
the monarch or the warCjor we may admire their genius
and be awed by their glory, but we feel no sympathy—
they are different beings ; but let us look beneath the
gaudy trappings of their imagined greatness—regard
them as men—and we shall find they are even as our-
selves. Hope and fear, love and doubt, joy and sorrow
dwell alike in the'hearts of all, and the highest and the
proudest must feel and suffer like the humble ;. none are
above our pity or beneath our love. It is for this reason
we may regard biography as tie most important branch
of history,. and for this reason we are indebted to Miss
Strickland far, this admirable work, which she has
rendered interesting'as a novel; yet instructive as history.
The "Lives of the Queens of England" are well worthy
of attention ;. they illustrate the influence of individual
character. and the various effects of time and circum-
stance. Not.. pos,essed of authority themselves these
illuetrious ladies occupied a prominent place in the
history of. the country, strangers in a foreign land, their
task was difficult., their fortune hazardous— surrounded by
trials and temptations, their situation demanded the
highest abilities of the mind, and the gentlest qualities
of the heart. A few, indeed, found a happy home in
their adopted country, but many passed lives of suffer-
ing and sorrow ; of this number are the subjects of Miss
Strickland's present volume—the beautiful and unfor-
tunate Henrietta of France and the unhappy Catherine
of Braganza.
The life of Henrietta Maria comprises an im-
portant epoch in the history of England, but the
authoress has been careful to avoid as much as possible
all political allusions, and to speak of the Queen and not
of the nation:- Though evincing a preference for the
Royalist cause, this biography is written in an impartial
strain. We read of the amiable qualities of llenrietta,
but her faults are not passed over in silence, yet whatever
were her errors, surely her situation was a trying one.
Not only a foreigner by birth, but differing religion
from-her husband and her subjects, the English people
regarded her with dislike, all the errors of the king
were attributed to her influence—she became the object
of universal hatred, like the beautiful Austrian whose
sorrows so nearly resembled her own. Ming Strickland
justly observes:--
" At sixteen, Henrietta was no judge of the state cf her
husband's affairs ; it is not an age when the faculties which
produce foresight are much developed in any class of human
beings • those who placed a petulant child in a situation thatrequired all the calm temper and clear judgment of which ti
woman of twenty-five is capable, were responsible for the
whole of the mistakes she committed as queen. Unfortunately
the effects of her childish errors in judgment weighed heavily
against her in after life. Yet there was no moral wrong in the
conduct of the young queen ; her errors merely proceeded
from a fervent attachment to her religion, manifested without
wise calculation on the prejudices of her new country. Alas!
in political history, crimes committed with tact are often
wiewed with complacency, but small mercy is shown to
blunders, even if they may be traced to the virtuous affections."
It we. wished to learn the vanity of human greatness we
could hardly find a titter example than this princess, the
daughter of' Henry the Great, the wife and mother of
English sovereigns, her lot seemed cast in the sunshine ;
but they dawn was overcast. -Believing in the infalli-
bility of kings, she learned by experience they are
but MD.. Her illustrious father was struck by the hand
of an assassin, her husband perished on the scaffold, and
her children were wanderers in foreign lands. In the
following touching scone we find Henrietta hearing the
death of the husband whom she loved so dearly, and
who, whatever were his faults as a king, was eminent for
his private virtues:—

"Greatly exhilarated by the arrival of her favourite son, the
(peen rose on the morning of February 18 (8), with the deter-
mination that a fresh effort should be made to obtain tidings of
her husband; she entreated a brave and faithful gentleman of
her household to proceed to St. Germains to ascertain what
news the queen-regent had lately received from London.
" The messenger accordingly undertook the perilous service

of passing and re-passing both circles of besiegers, and set off
for St.' Get mains.en-Laye, where the court of France was then
resident. 'lho.e who knew the dreadful secret anticipated the
agonizing scene that would ensue if the Messenger ever suc-
ceeded in making his way back ; and after Pere Glamathe had
said grace after dinner, Lord Jerutyti entreated him not to
retire, but to stay to offer the yet unconscions widow all the
consolation she could derive from the ministers of her religion.
Oh, the dull anguish of those hours of suspense, when the
shadow of the fatal event was casting its gloom over part of the
assembly, and the heart of her most concerned in the approach-
ing tidings WAS still agitated by the sharp pangs of hope !'
4' The a,:tual truth had been communicated to the Pere
Gamache, who thus had nothing to distract his observations
from the effect of the authentic tidings on the mind of the
hapless queen : but what words can we find so forcibly to
delineate this climax of a royal tragedy, as those of him who
drew it from the lite ? • At this grievous intelligence,' says the
Pere Gamache, I felt my whole frame shudder, apd was
forced to turn aside from the royal circle, where conversation
went on for an hour on divers matters, without any subject
being started which had the effect of diverting the mind of the
queen from the dire inquietude under which it was secretly
oppressed. At last, she complained piteously of the tardiness
of her messenger, and said that he ought to have returned
before with his tidings.' Then Lord Jermyn spoke: The
gentleman dispatched on this errand,' he said, ' is known to be
so faithful, and so prompt in executing all your Majesty's com-
mands, that, if he had had aught but very disastrous tidings, be
would have been in your presence ere this.'
" 4 Whatever they may be,' replied the Queen, ' I see that
you know them full well.'"
" ' I do indeed know somewhat,' replied Lord Jermyn.
Then the Queen, dreadfully alarmed, entreated him to speak
less darkly, and, after many circumvolutions and ambiguous
words, he at length explained the horrid truth to her, who never
expected such intelligence."
".Oh, the cruel kindness of those who undertake to break ca-
lamitous tidings by degrees ! And yet sudden death has been
known to follow such a tale too bluntly told, and indeed the
communicatlon, es it was, almost stopped the springs of life,
when the widowed Queez at length was brought to compre-
hend her loss.

" ' She stood,' continues Pere Gamache, 'motionless as a
statue, without words and without tears. A great philosopher
has said that ordinary griefs allow the heart to sigh and the lips
to murmur ; but that extraordinary afflictions, terrible and
fatal, cast the soul into stupor, and, by locking up the senses,
make the tongue mute, and the eyes tearless." If the good fa.
ther had been, like Charles 1., himself a reader of Shakspeare,
he would have described the state into which the royal widow
was plunged, by that exquisite quotation
The grief that cannot speak,
Whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break.'

" To all our exhortations and arguments,' the Pere con-
tinues, " our Queen was deaf and insensible. At last, awed
by her appalling grief, we ceased talking, and stood round her
in perturbed silence, some sighing, some weeping, all with
mournful and sympathising looks, bent on her immovable coun-
tenance. So we continued till nightfall, when the Duchess of
Vendome, whom our Queen tenderly loved, came to see her.
Weeping, she took the hand of the royal widow, and tenderly
kissed it : and at last succeeded in awakening her from the
stupor of grief into which she had been plunged since she had
comprehended the dreadful death of her husband. She was
able to sigh and weep, and soon expressed a desire to retire
from the world, to indulge in the profound sorrow she suffered.
Her little daughter was with her, and her maternal love found
it hard to separate from her ; yet she longed to withdraw into
some humble abode, where she might weep at will. At last, she
resolved to retire, with a few of her ladies, into the convent
of the Carmelites, Fauxbourg St. Jacques, in Paris.' Before
Henrietta went into the convent, her friend Madame de Motte-
vine obtained leave to see her; it was the day after she had
learned the fatal tidings. Madame de Motteville's friends had
made interest with the Frondeurs to permit her departure from
Paris, to join her royal mistress, the Queen-Regent of France.
She was anxious to know if the afflicted Queen of England
had any message to send to her royal relatives. ' I was,' she
says, ' admitted to her bedside, where I fell on my knees, and
she gave me her hand, amidst a'thousand sobs, which often
choked her speech. She commanded me to tell my Queen the
state in which I found her ; that King Charles, her lord, whose
death had made her the most afflicted woman on the wide earth,
had been lost beeause none of those in whom he trusted had told
him the truth ; and that a people, when irritated, was like a
ferocious beast, whose rage nothing can moderate, as the King,
her lord, had just proved ; and that she prayed God that the
Queen-Regent might be more fortunate in France, than she
and King Charles had been in England. But, above all, she
counselled her to hear the truth, and to labour to discover it;
for she believed that the greatest evil that could befal sove-
reigns, was to rest in ignorance of the truth, which ignorance
reverses thrones and destroys empires. That if I was really
faithful to my Queen ( Anne of Austria), I should tell her
these things, and speak to her clearly on the state of her
affairs ; and she finished with an affectionate remembrance I was
to make to my Queen, in her name.'
" Then the afflicted Queen gave me some orders relative to
the interests of the young King, her son, (become Charles 11.
through the lamentable death of his father.) She entreated
that he might be recognised as such by the King and Queen
of France, and that her second son, James, Duke of York, might
receive the same entertainment as the King, his brother, had
done previously. As she reiterated these requests, she wrung
my hand, and said to me, with a burst of grief and tenderness,
' I have lost a King, a husband, and a friend, whose loss I can
never sufficiently mourn, and this separation must render the
rest of my life a perpetual torture ! I avow that the tears
and words of this afflicted Queen touched me deeply. Besides
the sympathy I felt in her grief, I was astonished at the words
she commanded me to repeat to my Queen, and the calamities
she seemed to foresee for us ; nor did I ever forget the discourse
of this Princess, who, enlightened by adversity, seemed to
presage for us such disasters. Heaven averted them from us,
but we merited them all from the justice of God.' "

The remaining portion of this v.)lume is devoted to
Catherine of Bragauza, the neglected wife of the second
Charles. Her lot was comparatively calm and tranquil,
yet she was scarcely happier than Henrietta ; her sor-
rows were secret, but they were not less poignant. On
the whole this book will be found interesting to all, and
we await the future volumes with confidence, happy that
the Queens of England have found so able an historian.

A PRACTICAL TREATISE on CONGESTION
and INACTIVITY q/the LIVER: showing some of
the efft.ct produced Fn' nese disorders on the Most Int-
poi tune Organs of the Body. Second Edition.
The author of this well-written little work, says in his
preface :
It has been my desire, as far as possible, to avoid technical
expressions, and to treat the matter in so simple a style as to
come within the comprehension even of those least acquainted
with medical subjects."
In this he has completely succeeded, for it has never
been our good fortune to read a more succinctly written,
clearly understandable book on any scientific subject. It
is not often that we have to compliment the author of a
scientific work on the beauties of his style, but we feel
bound to say tkat this little work is a model as to style,
well-worthy the attention of all scientific and profes-
sional book-writers. His first chapter is an admirably
written, condensed description of the anatomy, phy-
siology, and pathology of the liver. The succeeding
chapters arc devoted to the demonstration of the sympa-
thies existing between the liver and the other organs of
the body, and to a description of the manner in which
those organs become affected in consequence of disease
of the liver. The chapter on the lungs, in which the au-
thor shows how frequently consumption is developed in
consequence of inattention to the functions of the liver is
most valuable and; well-worthy the attention of parents.
The treatment which Mr. Mosgrove adopts is very judi-
cious, and for the cases which he has recorded appeurs to
have been very successful. His directions, as to diet,
are clear and ample, and, altogether, we recommend this
little manual to the attentive perusal of the bilious, the
nervous, and the dyspeptic.

ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—The
approaching flower-show, on the 23d inst., is likely to prove
unusually attractive. The society give sixty-five gold and
silver medals; and Benjamin Hawes, Esq., M. P. , V. P., pre-
sents five pounds for the best miscellaneous collection; Dick-
son, Esq., two cups, value five guineas each; and several other
members extra prizes.
THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY'S GRAND FETE.—
On Thursday night the Marquis of Salisbury gave a magnificent
fête dansante, at the family mansion, in Arlington-street, which
was most numerously attended. .

4

SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION AND EMYLOYMENT
OF DISTRESSED NEEDLEWOMEL —On Saturday a public
meeting of the supporters of this charity, which is established
to protect and employ distressed needlewomen, and for clothing
the poor, was held in Exeter-hall ; Lord Ashley, President, in
the chair. Mr. Jeff_trie3 read the report, which chiefly czno:-
sisted of a very eloquent and strong appeal to the nation its
behalf of the society, and a relation of the ill-paid overworked
condition of our females. According to the report 12,327
females were assisted by the society, and the receiptsamounted
to 1.078/. 75., while the expenditure only left a balance of
4/. I Is.—Messrs. Luke Hansard, Crewe, and several otlikr
gentlemen, moved a series of resolutions favourable to the
society, after which the following subscriptions were an-
nounced :—Miss Copeland, Si. ; Alderman Farebrother, 5/. ;
Lord Dudley Stuart, 5/. ; Luke Hansard 50/. ; Diaklnson,
Esq., 101. ; &c., and the meeting separated.
THE ARYLEDONE VEsTar.—The minute of 0143
vestry, appointing a committee to investigate the charges
brought against the Commissioners of Sewers by Mr. Leslie,
was on Saturday confirmed by a large majority. At the same
vestry it was resolved to appoint a deputation to wait upon all
the metropolitan and resident Members of Parliament in
Marylellolle, to urge them to give their support to Sir
Charles Napier's motion in the House of Commons on Tues-
day,elaus clause,
for b
yr e -wihn
iscehr t i og
the in
largeL o r d
mAesthr
01 epyo'isi n
;yr ißs
hiel ls,
were
heer
es i xe
ex-
empted !t-
-empted front the operation of the 1:211, which had
been ea punged onthe bringing up the of report.
A ROARING ORATOR.—" Mr. President, I shall
not remain silent, Sir, while I have a voice that is not dumb iu
this assembly. The gentleman, Sir, cannot expostulate this matter
to any future time that is more suitable than now. He may talk,
Sir, of the Herculaneum revolutions, where republics are hurled
into arctic regions, and the works of centuries refrigerated to
ashes; but, Sir, we can tell him, indefatigably, that the consequence
multiplied subterraneously by the everlasting principles contended
for thereby, can no more shake this resolution than the roar of
Niagara rejuvenate around these walls, or the howl of the midnight
tempest conflagrate the marble statue into ice. That's just what I
told them." The President fainted.—Boston Paper.
CLERKS.—The first clerk of all is the Government
clerk, whose situation is the most difficult of all; for the filling up
of the office hours from 10 to 4, will require a great amount of
ingenuity. The newspaper will furnish conversation, and, in the
early part of the month, the magazines will afford light reading:
that will be a relief to the dreadful monotony of doing
nothing. It need hardly be suggested, that if a
stranger should enter, he must be received with a
stare and a yawn, while some of the old authorities
recommend the whistling of a popular air from the last new opera.
The bank clerk differs from the Government clerk apparently,
rather than essentially. If an individual enters with a cheque to'
be changed, be sure not to raise your eyes from a desk at which
you are engaged, in drawing some figures on a pad, probably for
your own amusement; and if you are laughing or joking with a
fellow-clerk, do not cut short a good story to attend to an impatient
fellow who comes to pay in or draw out money. Railway clerks
are next in importance, and they should endeavour to show their
dignity by declining to speak to any one who addresses them. If
information is wanted, there are the printed bills to afford it; for
the duty of the railway clerk is confined to taking the fares, and
giving the tickets. If you arc in this situation, you should not
make yourself too cheap, and you should therefore only be visible a
few minutes before the starting of the train, when, as a crowd
will have been waiting impatiently for you for some time, you will
be sure at least of a welcome. Always give the tickets very slOwly ;
for as patience is a virtue, you should take every oppnrtunity of
teaching others to practise it.—Punch.
THE CHELSEA EMBANKMENT. —Tile entire cost of
the embankments about Cheyne.walk will be 75,4251. 4s. 1,7 d.;
of which Earl Cadogan contributes 6,7451. Os. 10d.; Lord Car..
thorpe, 1,706/. 15s. 4d.; her Majesty, 1,9031. Is. fiid. ; the
Chelsea Water Company, 10,403/. Os. 2id. ; the Marquis of
Westminster, 8,1231. 195. 7,1.; Mr. Sloane Stanley, 3,111/. ss.
6yd„ Miss Howe, 1,6481. Is. (lid.; and Colonel Talbot, 5471.
18s. 1 id. Some of these parties, however, have not yet Oven
their consent to this allotment.
Letters from Rome state that the concordat, signed
between the Courts of Rome and Madrid, on the 7th of April last,
provided that the Catholic religion should be exclusively and for
ever professed in the dominions of the Spanish monarchy; that
seminaries far the education of clergymen should be established in
every diocese, and placed under the special direction of the
bishops ; that the latter should have the exclusive right of watch-
ing over the religious instruction of youth in public schools; that
monasteries and convents, still in existence, should be maintained,
and those suppressed re-established at a seasonable moment ; that
the clerical property unsold should be restored to the church. and
the despoiled religious establishments, anti that until then they
should be administered by three ecclesiastical functionaries ; that
the Spanish Government should assign au adequate provision
for the celebration of religious worship and the maintenance
of the clergy, which, together with the unsold property, should
constitute the dotation of the Church, and enable its ministers
to live in a decent and independent spanner; that the Church
should have the right of acquiring and possessing property; that
no union or suppression of ecclesiastical livings should take pYace
without the permission of the holy see; and, finally, that the es-
tates and property of the Church should be held sacred and invio-
lable. The Pope, on his side, undertook from the' moment when
a competent: provision should have been made for the maintenance
of the Church and clergy, to issue a bull, declaring the owners of
clerical property purchased previous to the Ist of January, 1845,
should at no period be disturbed in its possession, either by himself
or his successors. His Holiness added, that he would accredit a
nuncio to Madrid for the settlement of minor religious affairs,
and the period fixed for the exchange of the ratifications of the
convention was not to exceed three months. The objections of
the Spanish Cabinet referred to the dotation of the clergy and the
sanction of the sale of the Church property, but it was believed that
the Pepe would not inter info any compromise on the subject.
VERY HORRIBLE.—A correspondent of the Cin-
cinnati Herald relates the following occurrence. It is said to have
occurred near Oakland Cottage, Mississippi :—" A slaveholder, a
short time previous to his death, made provisions for the liberation

We are informed that his Grace the Duke of of his slaves. Those whe were entrusted with the execution of his
Sutherland has sold his valuable estates in the parishes of Ross. designs failing, or refusing to carry out his last will and testament
keen, Edderton, and Kincardine, to James Matheson, Esq., of the concerning the slaves, the latter became impatient to enjoy their
Lewis and Achany, M.P.—Ross-shire Advertiser. long looked for boon. At length, disappointed, expecting to be
The Speaker of the House of Commons has sent sold, and incensed at their oppressors, they set fire to the overseer's
out cards of invitation to the chief officers of that branch of the dwelling and burnt it to the ground. A little child, which they
Legislature over which he presides, for the customary entertain- were unasle to rescue, was consumed in the flames. The slaves,
ment to those gentlemen, on Saturday, the 2d of next month— eight or nine in number, were taken, and two of them hung on the
the week preceding the prorogation of Parliament. spot. The others were taken into an old log house and chained
NEW STEAM BASIN AT PORTSMOLJTH.—The ground to the floor. The house was then set on fire, and these poor
victims, by a slow fire, burned to death in this most shocking
and buildings required for the formation of this extensive and costly manner,
"while the air was rent with their unavailing shrieks and
work are at length in the hands of Government, and the space corn-
screams.
prises nearly all that part of Portsea heretofore known as the New
Buildings, and shuts the town out from all communication with the ROPE ENOUGH.—We have often heard of " long
harbour on its north side, excepting by a hard or landing place only. yarns," and of giving a man " rope enough," but we think the
The business of removing about one hundred and thirty occupants rope just manufactured by Mr. Thomas Briggs, of Richmond Hill
from their various localities has been most ably managed by Mr. Ropery, Salford, outdoes any of which we have heard. It is
J. 1•1",:wton Robinson and Mr, Edward Wells, the Admiralty 4,374 yards, or nearly two miles and a half in length ; weighs up.
surveyors aird valuers; and Government has testified much amen. wards of two tons; and is without any splicing, and all in one
dfration and liberality in the progress of these ejections. With piece or length. It has been made for Messrs. G. C. Riffling and
one or two exceptions, the properties were of small value, and the Co., in connexion with the works at the New Theatre Royal,
principal purchase was that of Collins's brewery, which amounted Manchester. It is manufactured by patent machinery, and refutes
to nearly 18,0001., but was nevertheless settled without difficulty. the notion that has generally prevailed that such " mortal coils".
The entire purchase money, we believe, is not quite 60,0001., but can only be made at Gateshead.—Manchester Guardian.
now the houses are down their site shows a very considerable space, BAIL IN ERROR.--A Bill has been brought front
indeed, we find it comprises as nearly four acres as possible.— the House of Lords intituled "An Act to Stay Execution of
Hampshire Telegraph. Judgment for Misdemeanours upon giving Bail In Error." It con.
The Medical Gazette states, " upon good autho- tains but seven clauses. The first enacts that in every case of
rity," that there is some prospect of the College of Surgeons throw- judgment given after the passing of the Act for a misdemeanor,
ing open the Fellowship, under certain restrictions, to members where the defendant or defendants shall have obtained a writ of
of twenty years' standing, without examination, and henceforth to error to reverse such judgment, execution thereupon shall be
give individuals the option of acquiring it by seniority, or at an stayed until such writ of error shall be finally determined, and in
earlier period by examination. The plan is not yet matured ; but case the defendants shall be imprisoned under such execution, or
We are satisfied that it would meet with the approbation of a ma-
any fine shall have been levied, either wholly or partly, in purse.
jority of the fellows as well as the members of the college. It ance of such judgment, the said defendants shall be entitled tt...
obn*
would at once tend to put an end to much of the 111. feeling which discharged from durance, and to receive back any money leviedb
account ofsuch fine from the person in whose possession it shall e,
the recent conduct of the Council has excited in the profession.
FOREIGN WINES AND SPIEITS.—A. return re-
any such judgment shall be stayed,
be
cently made to the House of Commons shows that in the year defendants acknowledged
until such final determination ; provided always, th,aatnado euxnecuul ttlohies
shall become bound by
ending Janmary 5, 1815, the total quantities of foreign wine
in inch
cwhistuhmtwaso
imported into this country. amounted to 8,584,586 gallons, of before one of the judges of thoevedCooufrbt
recognisance,
f sil echuejeundleikV,
which 1,662,788 gallons were re-exported. Upon 7,077,451 suffihcieindt suretiesliall
dtiorebcte approved
prosecute the writ of error with effect;
forthwith to rencier the
gallons duty was paid. The quantities retained for home con-
sumption, after deducting the amount exported subsequently sasuaniedd ijdn'ecfiag.nseedltnlitesj
to prison,
,i'leacliorbdeinagilinntoette said judgment, where
tO i.et paynt;eit of duty, amounted to 6,638,648 gallons,
imprisonment
viz., a 49,257 ga;::,ns of Cape, 473,789 gallons of French,
me shall have been adjudged. The time of impr,son-
nt is to be reckoned to begin from the day when the defendants
2,887,501 gallons of Portuguese, 2,478,360 gallons of Spanish,
shall be in actual custody under such judgment ; and if the defend
111,577 gallons of 211a.,`,ira, 53.865 gallons of Rhenish.
ants shall have been discharged from imprisonment, such de.
16,4:1 gal;en,s of Fayal, and 463,527
20,650 galiois of Canary,
'Llie quantities remaining fendants shall be liable to be imprisoned for such further period
as, with the time during which they may already have been ins.
gallons of Siciliai;, &c., wines.
anuary last amounted prisoncd under such execution, shall be equal to the period from
in warehouse under bond on the sth of .:,
to 10,367,781 gallons, viz. 6,186,256 gall"•l'which such defendants were so adjudged to be imprisoned. The
',e seen that
1,181,525 gallons at other places. It will I.
,writ of error may be quashed in the case of delay or neglect to
e of Oporto
in London,
the
princii•al wines consumed in this country are tho-i7rene.,,
Trench, and prosecute it. The Act is not to extend to Scotland.
and Xeres (port and sherry) ; Cape'par. whilst the WILD NUTMEGS.—An importation has recently
Sicilian (Marsala) wines are pretty inuell.
1 on
~Tgnificant. The taken place of wild nutmegs, divested of the shell, in an mile-
consumption of Madeira is almost inere....
' b.
li jBn.l 4 amounted to rican vessel from New York. The tariff contains two distinct
quantities of foreign spirits imported it. home consumption rates of duty for the article, viz., " Nutmegs from foreign coun-
that the
tries and British possessions respectively, Os. 6d. and 2s. 6d. per
5,766,787 gallons, the quantities retained for . to 2,352,636
gallons ; 1b.," and " wild nutmegs in the shell," 3d. per lb. ; and as these
to 3,267,878 gallons ; the quantities exporte,: ...,)9
gallons; the quantities shipped as stores to 384,t, , 359 924 were, although wild, and evidently inferior to those usually im.
and the quantities delivered for the use of the navy toC Jan. ported, not, according to the Act of Parliament, actually in the
gallons. The quantities remaining in bond on the sth 6, .47 shell, they were detained for the higher rate of duty. Application
last amounted altogether to 5,383,4.67 gallons, viz., a o7g
. -,-• -it., was subsequently made to the Customs Board for their delivery at
Amortghsetret hweer3e,12,69758,8,79888 pontaseerseitnainthede !
tiL-e lower rate, and permission has been given for the nutmegs in
gallons in London, and 2,106,708 gallons at other
gall
rum, 104,324 gallons of East India rum, and ton, being of a very inferior description, although not actually
domesticfUlonrndii United d.
nK coloniali Kingdom. g
consumption,do m.
gallons of West ' qu"L• ' ell, as required by law, to be admitted as " wild nutmegs'.
1(15,185 gallons of West India, East India, and Mauritius rum, in the st. - . ..
of 3d. per lb. Since the above privilege was al:owed,
at the duty
all vatted together, making a grand total of 2,198 592 gallons has made a similar application with respect to a
of rum. There were also retained for home alone, 1,023,073 another party . , of . .
c; c _ he
sat.. •e sort article in bond, which being precisely
gallons of brandy, 14,864 gallons of geneva, 6,077 gallons of
other foreign and colonial spirits, and 25,272 gallons of Channel similar to those pre..
par ei f t ,ously admitted at thelow duty, has also been
conditions. This is of considerable im.
granted on the 6311`e 'ed difference in the rates of duty oath,
Islands spirits. portinCO, flfl there is a. Mora_
article.

FREEMASONRY IN fIINA, )
The initiatory ceremonies take pt at
secret chamber, in which there is an ;104u:hick ptfll.77::'
inga are pr6sented, and before which VOrtth SeOfS,",7:':);)
*A is taken. The Chinese say there ar A -fah At;
i.e. " thirty-six oaths." These are, we9r;-wrofibly
so many diff,rent particulars, with irng*ntiolts
those who shall disclose the nature Mksitactii of
society.
A small subscription is given to support the general
expense. Kwo Kcaou, or, '` crossing the bridge." This
bridge is formed of swords laid between two tables (au
end resting on each), or else set up on the hilts, and
meeting at the points. The peilsons who receive the
oath, take it under this bridge, which is called " passing,
or crossing the bridge." The yih ko, or chief ruling
brother, sits at the head of this steel bridge (or each
with a drawn sword), reads the articles of the oath, to
every one of which an affirmative response is given by
the new member, after which he cuts off the head of a
cock, which is the usual form of a Chinese oath, inti-
mating " thus let perish all who divulge the secret."
But it is said the grand ceremony can only be performed
where there is a considerable number of members per-
sent. They worship heaven and earth on those occa-
sions, and sometimes, when the place is sufficiently
secluded, perform the initiatory rites in the open air.
SECRET SIGNS.—The members recognise each other
by mystic numbers ; the chief of which is the number
three, probably from their name, " The Triad Society ;''
and adopt odd rather than even numbers, when it can be
done. They say three, three ten times ten, three hundred,
three thousand, three myriads, rather than two, lour times
ten, &c.
The word Hung, before-mentioned, contains the num-
ber three hundred and twenty-one, and is often used by
them for particular purposes.
Certain motions of the fingers constitute a second class
of signs; e. g. using three of the fingers in taking up any
thing. If a member happens to be in company, and
wishes to discovcv whether there be a brother present,
he takes up his tea-rep or its cover (Chinese tea-cups
have always as cover). with the thumb, the fore, and
middle fingers, or with' tbefire, middle, and third fingers,
and which, if perceived by ttn initiated person, is
answered by a corresponding sign. :It does not, however,
follow from this that every Chinese who uses three
fingers, in taking up, or holding, his tea-cup, is a mem-
ber of the San ha hwuy, for many of them do it from
mere habit. But there is a certain way of doing it by
the initiated, which they themselves only know. Its
lifting anything that requires both hands, they use three
fingers of each hand.
They also have recourse to odes and pieces of poetry, as
secret marks.

The Committee met at eleven o'clock, the Earl of Ellenborough
in the chair.
The following gentlemen were called in and examined by Mr.
ROWE in opposition to this Bill: —Mr. Pendarves, M.P. for Corn.
wall, Captain Reset, and Captain Holland. These witnesses, for
the reasons already repeatedly stated by other witnesses, preferred
the central line to the southern, and alleged their belief that if
the central line had been deemed a successful project, many of the
influential men in CornwaH, who were now in favour of the
southern line, would be advocate• of the central one.
Mr. Brunel laid before their Lordships a section showing curves
in the Cornwall line.
Mr. Rows addressed their Lordships for the opponents to the
Bill at great length. The scheme was a great delusion, and the
failure of the central line was entirely owing to the panic which
existed in the Money Market at the time it originated. The suc-
cess of the Cornwall line up to this time was, in a
great measure, owing to the assistance of the Great
Western Railway Company, aided by the repent of the
Board of Trade ,in its favour. There could, however, be
no doul t that the Cornwall line was highly disagreeable
to a great mass of the inhabitants of Cornwall and Devon, for 150
petitions had been laid on the table of their Lordships' House against
it. Amongst the opponents to the line he had called some of
the must wealthy and influential men as witnesses, even including
noblemen and Members of Parliament. The Cornwall line was,
In truth, a most impracticable line, and would never answer the
purpo,es for which a railway should be established. It would
neither have speed or regularity, and he might acid safety.
T;,e Learned Counsel then went on to read the passages of the
report of the Board of Trade, and confute them seriatim. After
a long and very argumentative speech, the Learned Cremsel con-
chided by cr.lling upon the Committee to declare the preamble of
th, Bil not pros ed.

Mr. MONTAGUE SMITH followed for the promoters in reply.
The Committee retired shortly before nine o'clock to consider
their decision. On their Lordships' return,
The Noble CHAIRMAN( intimated that the Committee were of
opinion that the con.tructi9n of a railway from Plymouth to Pal-
rr.,,uth, with a branch to Bodmin, would be of great public ad
vantage. But theyo ere also of opinion, that without a further.
end more a .curate survey, with the view to procure gradients of a
more favouraOle character, and to awls, if possible, the crossing
of she Hamoare, the Bi:1 should not now be further proceeded
with
The ahnouncement was received with cheers on the. part of the
opponents, which were instantly checked.
AWARE VIZED, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE

Counties Company would have an opportunity of obtaining an in-
vestigation into what might be the most favourab e portion only of
their case.
The Committee at once determined on refusing the application.
It was then arranged that Mr. Sergeant Wrangham hould com-
mence his closing address for the London and York ne at the
meeting of the Committee at twelve o'clock on Monday.
The Committee adjourned at a quarter past three o'clock.