The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-28 00:00:00

The defendant (who, it is stated, intends to bring the
whole matter before the full Court, next term) conse-
quently still remains in Reading gaol.
Mr. Baron Rolfe's decision of Monday last has caused
great consternation on the minds of those persons who
had previously fondly Imagined that they were living in
a state of privileged security. The royal residence at
Windsor is no longer privileged from the intrusion of an
officer of the Sheriff of the county.

THE CHURCH.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Thanks are due to you for keeping the
Church question constantly before the public, and for
the zeal and moderation with which you have
written. The intense interest I take in the subject
forces me to write to you, although I am aware that
the reading of past years has faded from my memory,
and that I have not at my command any leisure for
research. Longing as I do, not for the destruction
of the Church, but for its thorough reform and con-
sequent extension, I cannot keep silence at a time
when the imbecility of some, and the tyranny of
others are encouraging the enemies of the Church to
raise the cry "Delenda est Carthago."
The controversy which now agitates the country,
and which must before long rend the Church, is not
a mere rag question, it is not a contest for black or
white gowns, otherwise it might easily be settled by
one of two compromises—the grey or the magpie. It
is not a question of candles nor candlesticks. The
question does not concern the points of the compass,
nor is it one that can be solved by the nautical skill
of Blomfield. The question is What is the Rule
of Faith ?" and before this question is answered it
will become plain to all men that what we at present
in courtesy call the Church of England is not in any
intelligible sense an Ecclesia. Should the bishops
meet, summoned by the Archbishop of Canterbury,
any decision of theirs will be no more binding upon
us laymen than one made by the assembled sextons.
The Church at present has neither head, hand, or
voice, to think, to act, or even to speak.
Each of the two contending parties can prove that
their views are those of the Church by print, either
red or black. History would explain this, and show
that the unamalgamating materials of the unfinished
work were derived from places which yield only arti-
cles of antagonistic qualities. We have taken the
right of private judgment from Geneva, and the au-
therity of the priests from Rome. You, Sir, cannot
deny that the Evangelical party are sustained by the
Thirty-nine Articles. Lord Chatham long since de-
clared what was nearly tantamount in the House of
Lords. It cannot be necessary to write a line in
proof of the fact, that the Thirty-nine Articles are in
favour of the views of the Evangelical and popular
party.

Ica it is of great importance to show that the
Church of England supports the claims of those who
would lord it over us as priests. It i; essential to
every one who would judge correctly on this point
to pay attention to this mischievous and ambiguous
word, whereby they tamper with us in a double sense.
Priest is our translation of " hiereus" and of presbyter.
Heathenism had its hiereus—Judaism had its hiereus;
but no Protestant Church can allow that any of its
ministers are hiereus.' It is not justice to the igno-
rant to call them priests, although this word is often
taken as a translation of "presbyteri." I will now add
a few remarks to show that those clergymen who call
upon us to obey them as hiereus are justified by the
Church of England.
In confirmation of the assertion, let me call your
attention to the absolutions which cannot be given by
any clergyman who is not a priest. In unison with
the claims of priestly power are the views of the
Lord's supper taught by the Church, that "the body
and blood of Christ are verily and indeed taken and
received by the faithful." In unison with the claims
of the hiereus is the whole of the rubric in the Com-
munion service. Duport, in his Greek translation of
the Prayer-book published in 1665, translates the
word priest by hiereus. The hiereus consecrates the
elements, lays his hand upon all the bread to be used,
and upon the vessels containing the wine to be used.
If more is required a new consecration. If any con-
secrated bread or wine is left it must nut be taken
away, but reverently consumed by the hiereus and
the communicants. No wonder the communicants
kneel at such a supper.
To multiply proofs that the Church of England
presents to the people all her clergymen who are in
full orders, not only as presbyteri, but also as hiereus,
is surely needless; but it is very painful to dwell on
matters where we are tempted by frauds and decep-
tions to speak with levity on topics associated with
the memory of Jesus, and with " the glad tidings for
the poor."
There has too long existed in our Established
Church a compromise between two great but opposite
principles, and I will conclude what I have to say on
the subject, by expressing a wish that issue may be
joined, and that the year 1845 may witness the down-
fall of priestly power in our establishment, and that
the Church may become a Church not in name, but
in reality—not as some would have it the clergy
solely, but the people also united in faith and love,
and zealous for good works.
There are two other questions connected with the
Church on which I should be glad to write to you,
but I must delay until the present controversy has
prepared the minds of men for Church Reform.
In the mean time, I beg you, Sir, to call upon
Lord John Russell. We have not in this country
what is so much needed, a minister for the affairs of
instruction. His Lordship is now out of office, but
enjoys the confidence of moderate men of all parties.
He would earn the gratitude of his countrymen
throughout all generations, and bless our vast colo-
nies as well as our native land, if, without party poli-
tics, he would devote himself to the infinitely im-
portant questions of the Church and the school.
Sir, your obedient servant,
AN ENGLISH MECHANIC.

* The word " hiereus" does not occur in any one of
St. Paul's Epistles.

DARTMOUTH ELECTION.

DARTMOUTH, FRIDAY, FIVE o'CLocK.—This election
has terminated in the return of Mr. Somes. The re-
turning officer made the official declaration immediately
after the close of the poll, when the numbers were—
Mr. Somes 125
Mr. Moffatt

Majority for Mr. Somes ...

THE GUANO TRADE.—Advices received in the
City to-day, from Ichaboe, state that previous to the
23d of October, several vessels unable to procure cargoes
had left for India. Ships were paying 1/. a- ton for
guano, taking their turn with the other vessels in load-
ing, and their own crews employed in shipping it.
Arrivals still continued. The following is a list of some
of them which arrived previous to the 18th of October:
he Tom Cringle, of London ; Fifteen, barque Hope,
and schooner Hope, of Liverpool ; Hampton, of Wick-
low; Millman, of Belfast; Ferris, Butterford; Claremont,
Tremayne, and Fanny,
FIRE AT BRAINTREE.—The inhabitants of Brain-
tree and Bucking were greatly alarmed on Tuesday
night, about nine o'clock, by the cry of " Fire," it being
discovered that a thatched barn, situate in Panfield-lane,
in the parish of Bocking, and very near to the back
premises of Mr. Smee, coach-builder, and the Horse and
Groom public-house, was in flames. The engines were
promptly conveyed to the spot, and with a good
supply of water from a pond near, and pumps on the
neighbouring premises, they were most efficiently
worked, but by eleven o'clock the barn and its con-
tents—a quantity of straw—were reduced to ashes,
and all apprehension of an extension of the damage
ceased. At one time fears were entertained that the
flames would communicate with Mr. Smee's premises,
but most providentially the wind lay in a direction to
carry them from that quarter, and no other buildings
were near enough to be in any danger. A small wheat
stack, only a few yards from the barn, was preserved
by a plentiful discharge of water from the engine and
the indefatigable exertions of those present. The building
destroyed was the property of the late Mr. English's
trustees, and is insured in the Sun-office ; it was In the
occupation of Mr. Durrant, of the White Hart Inn, who
is insured in the Essex Equitable. There is every reason
to believe that the fire was occasioned by an incendiary.
—Clic/ins/ord Chronicle. _ _

A burglary of a most daring character was com-
mitted a few days ago, in the residence of Miss Cham-
bers, of Radway, near Kineton, on the borders of War-
wickshire and Worcestershire. The villains, who were
three in number, with blackened faces, and armed with
pistols, having made a forcible entrance into the house,
two of them proceeded to Miss Chambers's apartment,
whilst the third kept watch at the stair-foot door, leading
to the apartments of the servants, who were disturbed,
and whose brains he threatened to blow out if they made
any noise. The same threat was made to Miss Chambers
by the two men who entered her room ; they then pro-
ceeded to rifle the house, and carried off cash, plate, and
other property to a considerable amount. A reward of
201. has been offered for the apprehension and conviction
of the offenders.—Ten Towns Messenger.

FoGREAT STEEPLE-CHASE FOR ONE HUNDRED
urms.—On Thursday a very large concourse of per-
sons assembled at the race-ground of the Rosemary
Branch, Peckam, to witness the race between the two
celebrated steeple-chase horses, Moonraker and Robin
Hood, the former belonging to Mr. Griffin, and the
latter to Mr. Ball. Large sums of money were specu-
lated on the race. The distance to be run over was one
mile, and to clear five gates, four feet high. At the start
Robin Hood took the lead, and cleared the first gate in
an admirable manner, closely followed by his opponent.
They ran nearly together till nearing the third gate,
when they increased the speed, and Robin Hood, in
taking a flying leap at this gate, fell with great violence.
The jockey of Aloonraker availed himself of this advan-
tage, went ahead, and rode in the winner in a canter.
The backers of Robin Hood appeared much disappointed
at such an unsatisfactory termination of the race.
The Marquis of Lansdowne is recovering from
his recent accident to his foot, and from the attack of
gout with which the Noble Marquis has been troubled.
His Lordship is entertaining a family circle at, Bowood
during the holidays, including the Countess of Berry and
her youthful daughter, the Lady Mary Fitzmaurice. The
Earl and Countess of Shelburne are staying at Lans-
downe House.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' FRO-

POSED CONFERENCE AT NOTTINGHAM.
(From the Birmingham Advertiser.)
An important nlceting of delegates, appointed by
the licensed victua!leri throughout the kingdom, at
the suggestion of Licensed Victuallers' Protection
Society of Birtim.liatn, and other societies of many
large boroughs, will •assemble at the central town of
Nottingham, on Tne,day, the Bth January next, for
the purpose bt—detern.ining on an address to both
Houses of ParliaineLt, and of adopting such mea-
sures as may fully expose the monstrous injustice
certain contemplated changes in the laws relating to
their trade would inflict upon them, and of organis-
ing such plans as may tend best to preserve their
interests.

It appears that two most important innovations (for
such they are) ar& sought to be effected with respect
to matters of ; itsl epnsequence to this great branch
of trade, and we feel called upon to make a few re-
marks thereon. In the first place, then, it is an-
nounced " that it is in contemplation to apply the
clauses of the 11Ietropolitan Police Act to large
towns." The effect which the extension of this Act
to all large boroughs will produce, has been thus
briefly, and, in our opinion, correctly described:—
The peculiarity of the Metropolitan Act, as affect-
ing the interests of the trade in country towns, is this
—that all houses within the boroughs proposed to be
included, must be shut up at twelve o'clock on Satur-
day night, and not to be opened until one on Sunday
afternoon ; thus driving persons requiring accommo-
dation during that period to coffee-houses, or others
of a disreputable character, or to such as are situated
without the borough, and not within the jurisdiction
of the magistrate. The effect of this must be obvious
—it will deprive the established trade of a consider-
able portion of its fair and legitimate business, and
have no other result to any party than the injury
of the present proprietor of houses situated within
boroughs.
We give place to no public journalist in our advo-
cacy of the proper observance of the Sabbath, and, if
we thought this measure likely to do away with any
portion of its desecration, it should have our warm
support. But to us it appears but a choice of evils;
travellers and others (a numerous class, it is to be
feared) make this day too often subservient to worldly
cares and worldly business, and, unless a general law
be passed prohibiting Sunday travelling and Sunday
trading in Coto, it is idle and worse than useless to at-
tempt these partial forbiddings. Driven from decent
and respectable inns and taverns, the keepers of which
are well known, responsible, and oftentimes most
worthy and conscientious persons—the traveller, the
wayfarer, the hungry, and the thirsty, must resort to
some coffee-house, or perhaps low place of light and
disgraceful character, for the necessary rest or the in-
dispensable refreshment. Besides, by the law now in
force, all licensed places of public entertainment, such
as hotels, taverns, &c., are closed during the hours of
Divine service. But, as in immediate connexion
with this branch of our argument, and most intimately
connected with the working of the prohibitory part
to which we have just alluded, what, we ask, will be
thought of the following clause, which is also to form
a part of the new measure ?

It is proposed to empower whosesale dealers, or
any persons taking from the Excise the requisite
licenses, to sell wines and spirits in so small quan-
tities as a reputed quart bottle (actually less than
three half-pints).
Shut out, as would be the case by such an enact-
ment, from inns and taverns, on the Saturday
night and the Sunday morning, the traveller or
the public-house visitor, at the very next door
could and would be received as a guest,
a friend, or relation, and there might legally
obtain wines and spirits sufficient to satisfy the wants
of nature, or administer to intoxication. Let us here
remark, however, that beyond the abuse of the pro-
posed privilege, the advantage (?) goes not a step
further. At these new " wine and spirit vaults,"
which would abundantly start into legal existence in
all the squares, streets, and alleys, hamlets, and vil-
lages in the empire, where would the occasional fre-
quenters find either proper security or necessary
accommodation ? We ask, is the publican, with
these fearful odds against him, still to be expected to
furnish extra accommodation at all hours ? Is no
reduction contemplated in the amount at present paid
for his licenses ? Are all his burdens to remain ?
Are soldiers still to be billetted upon him ? and is he
to fight against a host of fresh opponents and enemies,
shackled as before ?

Leaving out of the question the moral effect of
opening a multitude of new gin-shops in every quar-
ter, without requiring the sanction of the local ma-
gistrates, it is a fact well known that, from the arti-
cles wines and spirits (both, let it be remembered, in
a cold, wet, and uncertain climate like ours, in con-
stant requisition) :is derived a very considerable por-
tion of the profits of the licensed victuallers. To re-
duce these without a manifest and imperative public
want as regards their supply, would be such a wanton
exercise of legislative power as ought not, and must
not, be tamely submitted to. We are gratified, then, to
find that, sufficiently alive to this wholesale jeopardis-
ing of their interests, and determined respectfully,
yet firmly, to rrsist this attempted inroad upon their
first sources of legitimate profit, the licensed vic-
tuallers of England are about to respond to the call
of their brethren in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds,
Sheffield, and other large towns, and send delegates
to join them in conference, on Tuesday week, at Not-
tingham—then and there to discuss calmly and dis-
passionately the proposed new enactments.

THE CASE OF POISONING AT
ASHFORD.

The interest in this extraordinary and mysterious
affair appears unabated, and during the whole of yes-
terday a great number of persons from the adjacent
villages, and for several miles round, came to Ashford
for the purpose of making inquiries into the sad affair.
No public allusion has yet been made, for obvious
reasons, to one of the reports that was very generally
circulated as to the cause of the deaths of the de-
ceased persons, viz., that they were occasioned by
starvation, and that the union had refused to grant
the necessary relief to the deceased and their family ;
but it is satisfactory to state, from the most careful
inquiry, that there is not the slightest foundation for
such a rumour; and it appears that, en the Friday be-
fore the melancholy occurrence, five quartern loaves
were given to them, together with other necessaries.
The village of Ashford forms a portion 'of the
Staines Poor-law Union, and although its labouring
population has, in common with that of most other
agricultural parishes, suffered a good deal from want
of employment, yet it has been very favourably
situated by reason of having a most humane and cha-
ritable minister, and several resident gentlemen who
have been most ready to relieve any case of real dis-
tress in their neighbourhood. One gentleman in
particular, Mr. Higlet, has recently behaved in a
most munificent manner, having at his own expense
given a new suit of clothes to every poor boy in the
parish ; and upon a suit being shown to him as a pat-
tern which was made at the workhouse, he is repre-
sented to have said that- the poor boys should have no
workhouse clothes or any of the same pattern, and he
very liberally ordered them a good useful suit, equal,
in fact, in quality to those worn by the children of the
tradesmen and farmers of the parish. In addition to
this act of liberality, it appears that finding the pro-
ceeds of some land appropriated to charitable pur-
poses in Ashford was sufficient to provide a little more
than two sacks of (-oak for each poor family, he gave
directions that it should be made up three sacks to
each, and paid the difference out of his own pocket.
Although the deceased man and his wife bore a very
indifferent character, they were constant recipients of
Mr. Iliglet's bounty, and on the day before they were
found dead, the woman applied to him and received
half-a-crown, so that it is not possible they could
have suffered from want of necessaries ; and indeed
the children state that they were not, but on the con-
trary, they had as much food as they wanted.
Although the most diligent inquiry has been insti-
tuted, up to the present time no discovery has been
made of the purchase of any poisonous ingredient by
either of the deceased persons. So far as the woman
is concerned, it does not appear probable that she at
all contemplated self-destruction, as on the day before
her death she had carefully cleared up the sitting-
room, and decorated it with holly, intending, as she
told a neighbour, to enjoy herself at Christmas.
The children of the deceased are still in the union
workhouse, but they are both now quite recovered.

Sir William Follett, and Lady Follett and family
have, according to the last letters, arrived at Rome from
their tour in Sardinia and Tuscany. The Learned Gen-
tleman is, we arc happy to learn, in improved health.
Viscount Clifden is also among the recent arrivals in that
city.
The Countess of Flahault (Baroness Keith and
Nairne), lady of the French Ambassador at the Court
of Austria, and the Hon. Misses Elphinstone, are pro-
longing their sojourn at Hastings, and are not expected
to return to Vienna until after the accouchement of her
Ladyship's daughter, the Countess (f Shelburne.
Viscount Barrington, Lord Camoys, Sir Robert
Throgmorton, Mr. W. C. Blackstone, M.P.; Mr. Walter
Long, M.P.; Mr. C. Russell, M.P.; and Mr. J. H.
Sotheron, M.P., have accepted the stewardship of a ball,
which is to take place at the Swindon station-rooms of
the great Western Railway, and which is intended to be
given on the 15th of the ensuing month.
The Earl of Eldon has made a donation of 10/. to
the funds of the Durham Infirmary.
The Marquis of Exeter has forwarded 251. to the
Mayor of Stamford, to be added to the fund for the
relief of the poor of that town during the present incle-
ment season.

The Earl of Glengall, who has been indisposed at
Dublin, is now convalescent. The Noble Earl and the
Countess are not expected to return to Grosvenor-street
until the meeting of Parliantcsnt.

The Earl and Countess o f Gainsborough have re-
cently sent 201. to the Oakhar a and Barleythorpe clothing
club,•;and last week 201. to :the poor of those places, as
well as 201. to the Uppinghtuj poor.