The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-28 00:00:00

THE STOCK EXCHANGE.

MONDAY, MAY 9. 6 . —Government Three per Cent. Console,
983-Al ; Three-and-a-Quarter per Cent. Stock, 101 A 101 A; Na-
tional Bank, 23A ; Steam-ship Building Company scrip, 54 ; Great
Southern and Western Extension, 13 12ii; Dublin and Belfast
Junction, 10411; Dublin to Mullingar and Athlone, 41; Dublin
to Galway, 41 4 ; Belfast and Ballymena, 81 ; Dundalk and En-
niskillen, 5 ; Waterford and Limerick, 7a 8 ; Wexford and Car-
low, 4ii ; Cork and Bandon, 8i , Derry and Enniskillen, 4AI ;
Dublin, Belfast, and Coleraine Junction, 241 ; Limerick, Ennis,
and Killaloe Junction, 5A ; Limerick and Ennis, 3i.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—I see in The Sun of the 14th current, an extract article
from the Times,headed" Kirkmichael and Cullicudden," beginning
with—" The minister writes," and concluding thus : " He states
that none of the heritors contribute anything to the poor funds,
except an occasional small contribution on the Sabbath."
Will you permit me, as one who ought to feel, and does feel,
a deep interest in the poor of Kirkmichael and Cullicudden, to
correct an erroneous impression, which the concluding statement
in this paragraph is calculated to make, and which might prove in.
jurious to the poor.

The paragraph bears to be in reply to an address of the House
of Commons, inquiring into the " Management and Support of the
Poor, from 1836 to 1841 inclusive." I was not minister of Kirk-
michael and Cullicudden until 1843, and would not advert to any
statement made by its former minister—it being but fair to as-
sume that he knew what he stated, as he is responsible for its accu_
racy—did I not suspect that many might read the statement, as
showing :not only the present condition of the poor, but also as
proving heard-heartedness and cruel indifference in the owners of
the soil to their present privations.
In justice to them, and with the confident hope that I may have
continued proofs of their charity in benefactions to the poor, whilst
they depend, as they do.now, on the contributions of the charitable,
I have to state that the heritors of this parish do give more to the poor
than an " occasional small contribution on the Sabbath." Most of
them, in proportion to the extent and population of their estates, have,
regularly, since I became its minister, made very liberal money
donations to the poor. The principal heritor, besides his money
donation, annually, gives meat and fuel to the poor; and from two
heritors, whose estates add only one to the number on the poor's
roll, I have regularly had donations for general distribution.
These are facts which justice demands of me to state, and which it
might be injurious to the poor to suppress.
Doubtless the poor in the Highlands and Isles of Scotland are
numerous, and occasionally their privations are severe; and it
forms an important part of the duty of the Legislature of the
country to make a searching inquiry into their condition, and to
devise the means for its improvement—which should be means, at
the same time, to release the soil and to relieve its owners from the
heavy pressure of pauperism—whether a legal assessment be, or
not, the best means to accomplish that important end ; but surely
this may be set about, and ought to be effected, without denying
the merit which really belongs to any set of men, or injuriously
affecting their character.
If the proprietors of other Highland parishes were so heartlessly
indifferent to the state of their poor as those of this parish are
said once to have been, I have had the good fortune never to have
come in contact with such. For twenty years that I have been
minister of a parish, forming a part of the Duke of Sutherland's
domains, I witnessed the most munificent liberality to the poor,
and to many representations in their behalf I never received an un-
favourable reply.
Hoping that you will, in justice, give a place to the above few
lines in your intelligent and talented journal, I am, Sir, your obe-
dient servant, JOHN MA C K ENZIE.
Minister of Kirkmichael and Cullicudden.
Manse of Kirkmichael and Cullicudden, May 19.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
should be much obliged if you would be good enough
to correct two: errors which have accidentally crept into an
article, in The Sun paper of the 22d inst., connected with the
Austrian and Sardinian Railway, the original line, and which,
for the sake of distinction, is called Parken•s Original Line. The
errors consist in my name being given as Parker, instead of Mr.
John P. Parken, and in the name of the Ambassador being called
Count Pillon, instead of Count de Pollon.
I am sorry to give 3ou so much trouble, and remain, Sir, your
most obedient servant, JOHN P. PARKEN.
New BoswelLcourt, May 24.

TIIE QUEEN'S BIRTIIDAY.--Yesterday being the
day appointed fur the celebration of her Majesty's birthday, the
London District and General Postmen, in accordance with annual
custom, shone forth in all the glories of new hats and coats. The
mail-coach guards and the few remaining coachmen were similarly
decorated. The procession of mail coaches through the City has of
late years been discontinued, in consequence of their number being
reduced•by the powerful competition of railways.
We understand that A. Macpherson, mail•guard
between Thurso and Helmsdale, stands fully committed for trial,
on the serious charge of opening the mail-bags, and abstracting
money therefrom.—.Ross.shire Advertiser.

LITERATURE.
SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN SPAIN

from 1835 to 1840. By l'oco.1171;s.
The writer of this work describes many of the
singular events which took place during the civil
war carried on by the Carlists, and though facts of
importance are not exhibited al ways with the striking
effect that might be expected from an eye-witness,
they bear the stamp of truth. The author performed
a part in the dismal tragedy which so long afflicted
Spain ; he was acquainted with the leading men of
the Constitutional party, but he neither overrates
their deeds nor fails to do justice, when merited, to the
chiefs of the other side. We only regret that the
descriptions of the stirring scenes which occurred
are so few, and that lie should have filled up so much
of the book with minute details of adventures at
inns, conversations with the worthy I osts or their
daughters, and descriptions of yentas, and cathedrals,
and convents, which are already so well known to
the reading public. The account of the downfal of
the Liberal Ministry at Barcelona, the deceitful con-
duct of Queen Christina, and the plots of the new
race of Absolutists which now govern Spain, is so
well written, and contains so many interesting facts,
that we only regret the writer did not devote more of
his work to similar features in the brief history
which he relates. The following conclusion of the
Barcelona affair will show what confidence could be
placed on the honour of Queen Christina. After
having formed an absolute cabinet, after being com-
pelled by the public voice to break it up, she at last
appealed to Espartero, and he obeyed, though un-
willingly, her commands. We give the result :
" lle speedily formed a ministry at Madrid eomposd
of men well-known for their attachment both to the
Sovereign and the Constitution; hastened, in their com-
pany, to Valencia, presented his colleagues to the
Queen-Regent, who expressed her approbation of his
choice, and acceded to their programme—which ►e as the
same as that originally proposed by the Duke to her
Majesty at Barcelona—signed the decrees, appointing
then her Ministers, received their oaths in due form,
and when his colleagues had retired, her Majesty an-
nounced to the Duke de la Victoria her intention to
embark immediately for France!
" The Duke's astonishment at this startling declara-
tion may b© easily imagined. He implored her Majesty,
in energetic but respectful language, to change her re-
solution, and it is even said that, on his knees, the tears
flowing from his eyes, this faithful veteran besought her
M ,jesty not to abandon her adopted country, her i❑fant
daughters, her faithful subjects ; and pointed out the
evils and the perils which must arise from adopting so
fatal a course.

" All was in vain. Queen Cristina embarked, shortly
afterwards, in a steam-vessel fur Port Vendres, in
France, leaving her two royal daughters under the
chargd of the Duke de la Victoria, notwithstanding his
earnest and dutiful entreaties that she would remain, and
not deprive them of her maternal care at their tender
age.
" When Queen Cristina and her agents arrived in
France, they lost not a moment in denouncing the Duke
d, la Victoria, in whom her Majesty had, but a few
hours previously, declared that she placed such implicit
confid,nce as to leave her infant children in his charge
—as a traitor, and an unpolished military adventurer!"
The subjoined description of a military execution
will be read with melancholy interest :
" The place appointed for the execution is called the
Campo del Sepulcro, an ample space at a short distance
outside the city. The battalion to which the deserter
had belonged, and some cavalry, infantry, and artillery
of the National Guard, were drawn up in the Campo, at
oae angle of which there is a tiled shed, its blank wall
facing the troops. At a short distance in advance of
this wall was a wooden post, from which at about a foot
and a half from the ground a narrow seat jutted; three
musket-balls which had evidently traversed the body of
some unfortunate malefactor were imbedded in the post.
" The concourse of persons was not very great ; a
considerable portion consisted of women and boys. The
Campo del Sepulcro is paved all over, and is used as a
threshing-floor for the corn gathered from the neigh.
bouriug fields. Thero were several heaps of bean-straw
ready placed for being trodden out; some of them were
close to the spot where the man was to be shot, and
great numbers of boys were amusing themselves by, at
one moment, examining the fatal seat, and the next,
tumbling over head and heels on the bean-straw, cover-
ing each other with it, and laughing and leaping with as
much buoyancy of spirit and action as though they were
beguiling the time until the arrival of Punchinello, or
any other puppet dressed out for their diversion.
" Soon the sound of the funeral drum was heard, and
the melancholy procession approached. It passed
behind the ranks of the troops drawn up, and entered
the Campo del Sepulcro at an open space between the
cavalry and infantry.
"Immediately afterwards came an ecclesiastic carry-
ing a large crucifix; the wounds and flagellated back of
the Saviour were prominently marked. Close to the
bearer of the Cross was the prisoner, attended on each
side of him by a military chaplain bareheaded. The
prisoner, a man of about thirty, wore a green military
jacket, c iarse white linen trousers, and alpargatas, or
sandals ; on his head was a foraging cap. His hands
were tied before him, and fixed between them was a
small crucifix ; the procession was closed by a few
soldiers. The countenance of the culprit was forbidding:
the colour of his face was a dark yellow ; he was
perfectly collected, and kept pace with the beating of
the funeral drum. The chaplains were constantly ad-
dressing to him short sentences in under tones, and, ap-
parently by the movements of his lips, he was making
responses. Ever and anon the large crucifix which was
carried in front of him was lowered by the ecclesiastic
who bore it, so that the penitent might kiss the hands,
side, and feet, which he did with apparent reverence.
When the procession arrived in front of the regiment to
which he had belonged, he was instructed to kneel down
whilst the Town-Major of Zaragoza read the sentence
in a loud voice.
" A new white cotton handkerchief, doubled trian-
gularly, was now tied over his eyes and face, and the
chaplain who had retired about two yards pronounced
the creed in short sentences, which were firmly repeated
by the penitent sinner, now on the brink of eternity.
The effect was most solemn, singular, and affecting; the
voice of the robust young man who was so soon to be a
corpse, coming from under the white handkerchief ; the
black brethren with their lighted tapers standing to the
right and left; the chaplains performing their last duties;
the solemn silence which reigned around ; and, just as
the creed was being finished, the quiet approach of eight
soldiers belonging to the culprit's own regiment under
the command of an officer; all this, I say, was imposing
and affecting. The soldiers were drawn up in two ranks
—four in each. The credo being finished, and every
one having retired from the soldier's side—his breast
having been previously bared—the chaplain, who stood
by the officer, absolved the prisoner in a clear and
elevated voice. Whilst this short ceremony was being
performed, the four soldiers in the front rank were
ordered by the officer to 'make ready and present.' As
the chaplain uttered the last word, the officer said fire!'
and in a second the soldier's breast was pierced with
four musket balls. lie fell dead without a groan."

BEARS versus BELLS.

On Saturday last, the 24th instant, being the anniversary of

the birth-day of our beloved Queen, a scene, which we hope is a
solitary instance of disloyalty, occurred at Downton, Wilts. In
consequence of the vicar and churchwardens refusing to allow the
church-bells to be pealed in honour of so important-an event,
Mr. James Hobbs, Mayor of the borough, addressed the vicar as
follows :

POLICE TELLIGENCE.
BO TV-S7 REE7'.

A labouring man, named Martin Connor, somewhat advanced
in years, was charged with cutting the throat of Jane Kelly by
means of a razor, with intent to kit her.
The prosecutrix and the prisoner lived together as man and wife,
in Charles-street, Drury-lane. and had gone home drunk at a late
hour on Monday night. The policeman on the brat (25 F) was
dircctcd by a woman enter their lodgings at about half.past one,
and on doing so he saw the woman lying on the bed, with her
throat cut and blteding profusely—the man being by her side. On
seeing the constable the prisoner said, " If I have done it, I'll die
for it;" but he subsequently declared that she had inflicted the
wound herself in a fit of drunkenness. The woman spoke in an
excited manner, desiring the officer to take the man away, for he
had done it. The prisoner was taken into custody accordingly, and
the wretched woman conveyed to St. Giles's workhouse.

Mr. Bennet, medical officer of the union, described the wounds,
which were two in number, one of them being an inch and a half
in length, close to the wind-pipe, but escaping the important Ves-
sels.

A lodger in the house pro,ed that the man and woman reached
home very drunk. He heard a noise with them, and was asked by
the prisoner to go into the room, as bl.e (the prosTeutrix) was en,
deavouring to cut his throat.

Mr. Jaßntxr. thought it deeirab!e to defer the inquiry until the
woman was able to attend and give evidence. lle therefore re-
manded the prisoner fur the pressrit.
A French " teacher of languages," named George Gerrard,
was charged with indecently exposing himself to a lad, named
Charles Smith, under the Adelphi arches, the preceding night.
He was ordered to find bail to answer the charge at the see.
sions, himself in 100/., and two sureties in 50/. each.

Edward Stebbing, described as a shoemaker, was charged with
stealing a Newfoundland dog, valued at 101., belonging to Mr. H.
A. Roberts, a law student.

About a month ago, as the prosecutor was walking in Southamp-
ton-row, he missel the dog (a remarkably fine animal, and one
dearly prized by him), which had a leather collar with a brass
plate, having the owner's name, round its neck. The usual steps
were taken to recover it, and ultimately a negotiation was opened
with a man named Wilton, of tire same nature as that pursued by
all dog stealers, and the sum of 51. was agreed upon as the price of
restoring the animal to its rightful owner. In order to se-
cure some little delay, for an obvious purpose, Mr. Roberts
affected to believe that the dog, when shown to him, was
not the one he had missed ; but Wilton and his companion
(of whom the prisoner was the chief in this case) declared
that the dog was tho property of Mr. Roberts, and demanded the
amount which he consented to pay for its restoration. The pri-
soner had the dog in his possession, and was the party who returned

it to Mr. Roberts, by whose instructions a policeman, especially
devoted to the subject of dog-stealing and stealers, apprehended
the man at the bar.

Mr. JARDINE intimated that he should commit the prisoner on
suspicion cf stealing the collar; but on learning that it was the
wish of the prosecutor that the magistrate should dispose of the
case summarily, there being some doubt about the probability of
proving the theft of the collar, which had never been discovered,
the magistrate ordered the prisoner to pay a fine of 101., besides the
estimated value of the dog an additional sum of 101. ; in default of
which he was committed to hard labour for four months.
MA /1 YLEBOIVE.

About a week ago Lucy Templeman, living in Titchborne-row,
Paddington, applied to the sitting magistrate for a summons under
the new bastardy clause of the Poor-law Act, against Seymour
Sadler, 8, Carlton-chambers, Regent-street, to show cause why he
should not support a bastard child, begotten by him, and of which
the said Lucy Templeman was the mother.
The alleged father, Captain Sadler, holds the situation of Exon
of the Corps of her Majesty's Yeomen of the Guard,

The mother of the infant was in attendance, with her illegiti-
mate offipring, soon after eleven o'clock. She was accompanied
by an elderly female, and a young woman, said to be her sister.
They took their seats in the outer office, and at a quarter before
twelve two gentlemen, whom our reporter imagined to be solici-
tors, arrived. They were for some time in close conversation with
the mother of the infant, and it was quite evident, from what trans-
pired, that " publicity " would not be altogether agreeable. A
proposition was in the first instance made that 3s. per week should
be allowed for the infant's maintenance, but this being considered
insufficient, an additional 6d. per week was offered and acceded to.
This arrangement was all managed outside of the Court, and the
particulars connected with the affair were not gone into before the
magistrate.