The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-04 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

- -
Sir,—There are but few truths involved in any controversy,
but the falsehoods which may be advanced are innumerable;
it would be silly, therefore, to notice every anonymous slan-
derer of Sir C. Napier. I will, however, expose two gross
assertions made by your correspondent " 0.," and having
done so, henceforth treat him, and all other anonymous
assailants, with the silent contempt they merit. It is not
true that Sir C. Napier has "publicly expressed, at his own
table, regret and vexation" at the publication of my work
on Sinde. He feels neither regret nor vexation ; he is well
pleased with it.. It is not "probable" that my work has pre-
vented him from being made Commander-in-Chief at Bom-
bay. Ido not know if it ever was intended to offer him that
situation ; but Ido know that if it bad been offered within
the last year, he would have declined it. His present Go-
vernment is nearly as good in point of emolument, and far,
very far superior in point, of distinction and utility. I believe
also that the value of his presence in Sinde is too well
known and appreciated to encourage any project for removing
him. But these despicable insinuations are part of a system
adopted by the friends of Col. Outram at Bombay ; this
assertion as to the loss of the appointment there, in conse-
quence of my work, was published a fortnight ago in the
newspapers of this island.
Guernsey, Sept. 23, 1845.

W. NAPIER, Maj.-Gen.

CURIOUS PARALLEL.
It must; indeed, be admitted, that there had been through-
out the whole course of the French Revolution, a chain of
very remarkable coincidences with corresponding events in
English history, which we have before incidentally noticed,
bat which we think it is worth while to exhibit more clearly
in the following synopsis :
Charles I. Louis XVI.
Unpopularity of the Queen. Unpopularity of the Queen.
The Long Parliament. The National Assembly.
Flight to the Isle of Wight. Flight to Varennes.
Trial and execution. Trial and execution.
Government by the Parlia- Government by the Conven-
ment. tion.
Cromwell. Buonaparte.
Expels the Parliament. Expels the Councils.
Military despotism. Military despotism.
Richard Cromwell set aside. Napoleon 11. set aside.
Restoration of Charles 11. Restoration of Louis XVIII.
Amnesty to all but regicides. Amnesty to all but regicides.
Popish and Ryehouse plots. Conspiracies of Berton, Bo-
ries, &c.
Unpopularity of the Duke of Unpopularity of Count
York. d'Artois.
Fear of the Jesuits. Fear of the Jesuits.
James 11., late King's bro- Charles X., late King's bro-
ther. they.
Suspected birth of the Pre- Suspected birth of Duke of
tender. Bordeaux.
Influence of the Jesuits. Influence of the Jesuits.
Royal declaration of indul- Royal ordinances.

gene.
Convention Parliament.

Meeting of the dissolved
Chamber. •
Flight and abdication of the Flight and abdication of the
King. King.
Expulsion of him and his Expulsion of him and his
family. family.
They take refuge in France. They take refuge in England.
And, finally, both revolutions arrived at the same identical
result—the calling to the vacant throne the late King's
cousin, being the next male heir after the abdicating family.
These leading coincidences, and some collateral ones too
complicated for a synopsis, are very curious, and at first
sight surprising; but they are not unnatural nor even acci-
dental ; they only prove, when closely examined, that the
rule of like causes producing like effects is almost as certain
in the moral and political as in the physical world. But
there were in France stronger incentives to the change of dy-
nasty than existed in England. The English rebellion had
not essentially disturbed the great foundations of-society—
and the English Restoration endangered no private rights,
and rather satisfied than alarmed public principle: But
in France everything had been subverted—bodeverse
—not merely the face of things, but the things, them-
selves—property, above all, had changed hands, and that,
too, under the operation of such cruel and unjustifiable
illegalities as could not but render the new possessors very
sensitive as to their titles. The usurping Government of
France had been, moreover, of longer duration, and had, of
course, spread deeper roots, and it had created an extensive
nobility and gentry of its own ;—now all those interests and
feelings were offended, and pretended to be alarmed,
by the return of those whom they affected to fear
as claimants of their properties, and whom they really hated
as antagonists of their principles, and rivals to their new-
fangled aristocracy. Many even of those who most wished
for peace and quiet under the shelter of a monarchy were not
sorry to have a monarch-the son of a regicide—whose own
revolutionary title to the Crown should be a guarantee for
all the interests that had grown out of the revolution.—
Herald.

FUNERAL OF THE BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS.—
The remains of the late Bishop of Bath and Wells (Dr. Law)
were interred on Tuesday afternoon in the family vault at,
the cathedral, 'Wells. The funeral procession arrived from
Banwell soon after one o'clock. The Rev. James Thomas
Law, Chancellor of Lichfield, was chief mourner. Amongst
the other mourners were the Venerable Henry Law, Archdea-
con of Wells, and the Rev. R. V. Law (sons of the deceased),
Alexander Powell, Esq., Rev. J. Slade, Hon. E. C. Law,
M.P., Recorder of London, Hon. and Rev. William T. Law,
Chancellor of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, Hon. Henry
Law, and Colonel Sinling. The Earl of Ellenborough was,
absent owing to a severe accident by4t fall from his horse.
A large body of the clergy of the diocese attended the cere--
mony without invitation, being anxious to testify respect to
the memory of their esteemed diocesan. The remains of the
venerable Prelate were committed to the vault under the
south aisle of the Lady Chapel, where those of his LordshiP'S
wife, and other members of the family, are deposited. The
whole of the funeral obsequies were characterised by appro-
priate solemnity, devoid of ostentatious parade. It is gene-
rally rumoured that the Rev. Dr. Jell, . Principal of King's
College, will be appointed to the vacant see.
INQUEST ON CAPTAIN J. G.D'URBAN, R.N.—Wed-
nesday afternoon a long inquiry took place at the Old Cock
Tavern, Market- street, St.-James's, respecting the death of
Captain John Gooch D'Urban, aged forty-five, residing at
No. 8, Norris-street, Haymarket. Mary Ann Huson stated
that the deceased came home on Sunday evening between
nine and ten o'clock, apparently in good health. He went
up stairs to his apartment, as witness supposed to bed. On
Monday morning, about eight o'clock, witness proceeded to
the deceased's bed-room with some hot water, as was her
usual custom. Witness knocked several times at the door,
but not receiving .any answer, opened the door, and went
into the room. She then discovered the deceased lying
on bis left side upon the bed, undressed, and quite in-
sensible. Witness raised an alarm and sent for Mr. Arm-
strong, the surgeon, who pronounced life to have been
xtinct several hours. Captain W. S. Cooper, R.N., de-
posed that lie had been on very intimate terms with the
deceased, whom he had known for several years. He was
the son of Sir Benjamin D'Urban. Deceased had formerly
been in command of the Griffin, which came home from
the West Indies about five years ago, since which period he
had been of very weak health. Witness had dined with the
deceased nearly every day for the last six weeks. He gene-
rally. complained of an affection of the heart. On Sunday
evening last, about seven o'clock, they dined together at the
Junior United Service Club-house. Deceased was much
better than he had been for some weeks past. He told wit-
ness he had had a long walk in the Regent's-park. Witness
left him about half-past eight o'clock at the Club-house. Dr.
Michael Lambton Este, formerly surgeon to the Life Guards,
said that he had known the deceased for the last two years.
He bad been labouring under disease of the heart, or some
large vessel in its immediate vicinity. Witness saw him on
Sunday evening last. He was then in better health and
spirits than he had seen him for some months. Witness was
strongly of opinion that he had over-exerted himself in
walking too far on the Sunday afternoon, as such excitement
was likely to prove fatal to a man in his condition. Other
corroborative evidence having been adduced, the jury re-
turned a verdict of " Natural Death, from disease of the
heart." Several officers and many friends of the deceased
were present during the inquiry.
GRAND RAILWAY CLUB.—A most numerously
attended and highly influential meeting of gentlemen connected
with railways was held at the London Tavern, at which Sir George
William Prescott, Bart., presided, and amongst those present were
the Hon. Mr. Gore, Meteyard, T. Arnold, and W. J. Arnold,
Esqs. The Chairman explained that the object of the meeting
(which was of a preliminary, character) was, to adopt measures for
the formation of a club, to be composed of Railway Directors, and
pasties Interested in railways, for the interchange and record of
valuable information connected with railways. The proposition
had already had the approbation, by letter, of Upwards of one
hundred 'and fitly noblemen and gentlemen, directors of railways.
Mr. Owens, solicitor, and other gentlemen, addressed the meeting,
and urged that the proposed plan would' have the effect of dif.
fusing railway knowledge generally, particularly as respects the
geological state of the country, and improvement of locomotive
engines, ftc. ; and resolutions were unanimously carried to the
eftbct that the meeting thought it expedient, to form a society with
theeonvevience of a club, as a place of resort for railway directors,
&c., and an institution to receive and record railway inforrnation ;
to take suitable premises for the above ; and that a Committee be
appointed to carry such objects into effect. It was suggested to
the Committe which was appointed, that professors of geology,fte.,
be appointed to give occasional lectures; and another gentleman
observed that he was of opinion that a new Bourse should be
erected, to be devoted exclusively to railways. The meeting then,
after the usual courtesies to the Chairman, &c., broke up.

GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN THE ART OF PRINTING.
—As everything that tends to advance the interest and influence of
the " fourth estate" is, in our estimation, important to the public,
we have much pleasure In calling attention to a remarkable im-
provement just effected in the printing.press by Mr. Alexander
Burton, of Glasgow. That gentleman has invented what he calls
the " Patent Caledonian Printing Press," which is so constructed
that two sets of men, without hindrance to each other, can work
two distinct forms at one time—there being two " tables," and but
one " platten,'' which, operating upon the tables alternately, pro-
duces an Impression from each. One. principal advantage which
this press possesses over the Columbian and other presses is, that
while they are invariably exposed to breakage, and expend nearly
half their pressure on "dead metal," It effects a saving of labour,
and is proof against breakage, from the fact that the whole weight
and force of the press is dependent on a perpendicular pillar. To
sum up, it is easier wrought, produces a finer impreasion, occupies,
less space, and is cheaper and more durable than any, other of the
existing printing presses. Many eminent scientific and practical
gentlemen have examined the press, among others Professors Gor
don and Nicol, and Mr. Smith, of Daanston, all of whom have
tested it, and expressed themselves, regarding its capabilities, in
terms ofthe greatest satisfaction. We have no doubt that as woo
as it is knOWII it will conic into general use among the trade-.
_..„.