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

"TO THE REV. RICHARD PAYNE.

"Sir,—As her Majesty's chief representative in this borough I
feel it my duty to observe every demonstration of loyalty on the
occasion of her Majesty's natal day, and therefore request that you
permit the parish bells to be rung to-day, the 24th instant, in
honour of so important an event.

(Signed) "JAMBS HOBBS, Mayor."
To this, it Is said, the Rev. Gentleman gave a very evasive reply,
Ind the day being far advanced the (worthy Mayor, determined
taking the responsibility on himself, immediately engaged the only
set of ringers in the parish, at his own expense, to welcome the
joyous day with a merry peal. Accordingly, the ringers and him-
selfproceeded forthwith to the belifi•y for that purpose, when just
as they had got the bells oiled—and what is termed " up"—up
came the said Rev. Gentleman, and his churchwardens, in breath-
less rage, and demanded the ringers to desist, when his worship
insisted on their commencing, and what may be termed "a jolly
row" ensued—the parson declaring if the ringers offered to pull
the bells in honour of the Queen, or any one else, he would have
them taken into custody. On the other hand, the Mayor threat-
ened to put the parson into the stocks if he prevented them from
so doing. In the midst of the row the ringers, fearful of the con-
sequences, left the bellfry,
No reasonable cause can be assigned for this disloyal conduct
on the part of these worthy officials. And it may here be ob-
served that the ringers are all respectable tradesmen—one of them
at the present time, and for years past, filling the office of parish
clerk, another that of sexton, and a third that of organist. The
parson, till very lately, was curate of St. Michael's, Winchester,
but through friends was presented with the living of Downton,
worth about 7001. per annum—a sum it appears inadequate to
purchase a parson's loyalty Mr. John Reeves, hoop and sieve
maker, &c., is the vicar's churchwarden, and Mr. John Woodlands,
tanner, &c., that of the parish.

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY AT WOOLWICH.—Yester
day the troops In the garrison assembled on the Common, in review
e
order, at a quarter before 12 o'clock at noon. The Royal Morse
Artillery,dor th e command
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of Lieutenant-Colonel RawflsleY, with Captain and Adjutant
Needham, of the 4th battalion. The Royal Sappers and
Mners formed on the left of the Royal Artillery, under the com.
mans of Captain Howarth, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Webb,
of the Royal Engineers. The right wing of the Royal Marines
formed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Powell, and
the left wing under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Coryton,
with Lieutenant and Adjutant Maxwell. The field batteries of
the Royal Artillery occupied the extreme left of the line, under
the command of Col. Cleaveland. CoL Turner, C. 8., commanded the
whole of the troops assembled, and proceeded along the line
and up the rear, accompanied by Brigade-Major Cuppage, Royal
Artillery; Brigade-Major Sandham, Royal Engineers; Captain and
Adjutant Cockburn, R.A., and Lieutenant and Adjutant Varlo,
Royal Marines. At precisely 12 o'clock the Royal Horse Artillery
commenced firing a salute, which was followed by afeu de joic by
the Foot Artillery, the Royal Sappers and Miners, and the Royal
Marines, and subsequently a salute was fired from the guns of the
field batteries, the bands of the various corps playing the National
Anthem. Three hearty cheers were then given by the whole of
the assembled troops. They were then formed into marching
order, the field batteries in the rear of the Royal Horse Ar-
tillery, and headed by their respective bands, marched past the
Colonel commanding at slow time, which concluded the duties for
the day. The weather was remarkably fine, and many thousands
of spectators were present to witness the scene. The workmen at
the dockyard obtained a holiday, and consequently there was no
admission for strangers to that establishment; but the workmen of
the Royal Arsenal having obtained their holiday on Saturday last,
that great national depot of naval and military stores was open, and
thousands of strangers availed themselves of the opportunity to in-
spect it.