The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-12 00:00:00

THE AIAYNOOTII BILL.

Dissentient I.—Because I have always viewed the establish-
ment of the Roman Catholic College of Maynooth as a mea-
sure bad in principle, and not productive of any of those advan-
tages which (as an experiment and a mere measure of
political expediency) might possibly have, on those grounds,
justified its original adoption.
2. Because I have always entertained the strongest convic-
tion, that the annual grant to the College of Maynooth was a
measure to which, as a Protestant, I could not assent; as edu-
cating, for the spiritual instruction of the Roman Catholic
population of Ireland, an inferior class of persons taken, in
most instances, from the lower orders of the people ; and,
therefore, riot likely to use, for the general advantage of the
country, the immense power which they must possess as the
spiritual guides of a naturally intelligent, sensitive, and easily
excited people.
3. Because my sentiments as to the character of the educa-
tion adopted in the College of Maynooth have been fully cor-
roborated by the evidence taken before the Commissioners
of Irish Education in their Bth report ; and the admissions t,f
the professors of that Institution prove, to my complete satis-
faction, that the authorised class-books of Maynooth (which
every student is obliged to purchase), and the standards; to
which they are referred, contain doctrines, the innoculation of
which upon the youth, who are to he the spiritual guides and
directors of the great body of the Irish people, must be fraught
with the greatest danger to the peace and well• being of the
united-empire.
4. Because, objecting so strongly to the annual grant to the
College of Maynooth, those objections are infinitely increased,
when it is proposed to give to that institution a permanent en-
dowment, unaccompanied by any check or control on the part
of the Legislature.
5. Because, it is my firm conviction, that the effect of the
present measure ftr the permanent endowment of Maynooth
will be to increase the number of the Roman Catholic priest-
hood, without improving the quality of that body.
6. Because, considering this measure to be bad in itself, and
dangerous in its consequences, I cannot but view it as the pre-
cursor of other measures which, in the march of events, it must
carry with it—involving (perhaps at no distant period) the de-
struction of our Protestant Established Church.

FARNHAM.
KENYON.

DEATH BY FIRE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sia—ln reference to a letter headed as above, and
signed " H.," which appeared in the Times of the sth
instant, I beg to offer the following additions to the ex-
cellent suggestions of the writer, to prevent the loss of
by fire.
The writer states that the proposed fire escapes can be
obtained at the small outlay of 50s. each, and that two or
three ought to be placed in long streets, whilst one will be
sufficient in short streets. But he has omitted to advise
the necessary amount to defray the expense; I therefore
beg to suggest-
-Ist. That the amount required be raised by subscrip-
tion among the inhabitants of the respective streets from
ls. and upwards, the surplus, if any, be deposited as a
reward for acknowledged services rendered at any cala-
mity that may happen ; such reward to be adjudged by
the housekeepers.
2. That those inhabitants in each street, who have
spacious ground premises, should be waited on by their
neighbours, and requested to allow the fire escapes to be
deposited in their yard or outhouses, so as to be readily
accessible in case of need, and surely no reasonable
objection can be made if they consider that the machines
may be required for their personal security as well as
their neighbours ; and the machines can be constructed
so as to be doubled up and occupy but very little space.
Nor can it be pleaded as an excuse that the keeping of
the escape on the premises might render themselves and
their families liable to be disturbed on any fire hap-
pening in the street Curing the night. I think it an
advantage thus to have early notice of danger. Las:ly,
3. To effectuate these propositions, I most readily beg
to offer my own premises as a deposit for the fire escapes
in this street, which is one of the shortest, and my house
is in its centre, provided no Later locality can be
selected ; and I trust that other housekeepers will follow
me, and not mind a trifling inconvenience, whilst they
contribute their share to the general security against
loss of life by fire.—l am, Sir, your most obedient
servant, J. 111. JOHNSON.
10, Castle-street, Holborn, Jam 10, 1845.

DREADFUL EXPLOSION AT
DURHAM.

A catastrophe of rather an unusual nature in that part of the
country occurred at Durham on the afternoon of the 9th inst., in
the shop of a respectable tradesman, named Steele.
It appears from the best information that can be obtained that
Mr. Steele was from home, and that an apprentice, of about 14
years of age, was left in charge of the shop, in which and in the
cellars underneath there was as much as 100 lb. weight of gun.
powder, which it is the custom of shopkeepers in this part cf the
country to keep in large quantities, in order to supply their cus.
tomers employed in the mining districts. No accurate information
can be obtained as to the immediate cause of the explosion; but it
is supposed that the boy, having occasion to go to a part of the
shop which was rather dark, had lighted a candle for that purpose,
and incautiously placed it near a package containing between 30ib.
and 401 b. of powder, and that a spark having fallen upon the
paper caused it to ignite. The effects of the explosion were felt
in every part of the city, and in its more immediate neigh-
bourhood, and the shop windows of the tradesmen within 30 or
40 yards were literally shattered to atoms. The house in which
the explosion took place presented a singular appearance, the whole
front and all the floors being blown into the street. The daughter
of a Mr. Robson, who was in a room on the second floor, was
precipitated, with the furniture it contained, into the street, and
buried amongst the ruins, from which situation she was shortly
afterwards released, but in such a condition that no hopes are en.
tertained of her recovery ; her collarbone and several of her ribs
being broken, besides being severely burnt. On searching the
ruins, the boy who it is supposed had been the cause of the acci.
dent, was found on the steps leading to the cellar in a most deplor-
able condition, the hair being completely burnt off his head, and
his face and body dreadfully scorched. He was immediately taken
to the infirmary, but his death is hourly expected. The wile and
child of Mr. Steele were most miraculously preserved, having been
buried in the ruins, but they were taken out without having sus.
tained any serious injury. Several persons who were passing at the
time were severely cut and injured from the broken glass and other
materials that were flying about the street in all directions.

It being known that a much larger quantity of gunpowder than
had exnioded still remained on the premises, great excitement pre-
ar of another explosion ; but this was fortunately pre.
vented by the da7inB
conduct of two or three persons, who at the
imminent danger of
vailed for 1:."
fir lives penetrated into the cellar, and suc-
ceeded in getting the three .barrels in which it was deposited into
a place of safety. The amount 91 damage done is considerable ;
but it has not at present been aseertaitml. The premises were not
insured.

WORCESTER, TENDURY, AND LUDLOW RAILWAY.
—The landed proprietors along this line of railway have deter.
mined to enter into an arrangement with the Great Western Com-
pany (in case they get their Act for the Railway to Worcester),
for this intended railway to form part of the great route from Lon-
don to Dublin. It is supported by the whole of the landed pro-
prietors who form the Provisional Committee, who are all of the
highest respectability.
ACCIDENT AT THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.-
On Monday afternoon an accident occurred at the Paddington ter.
minus of the Great Western Railway. It appears that, in con.
sequence of the departure of her Majesty and her Illustrious Con-
sort and visitors to Windsor, and the number of carriages belong.
ing to the nobility also going to Slough, a large number of addi.
tionai carriage trucks were got out to meet this demand, two of
which, by some means unexplained, got upon the up.line between
the Paddington bridge and that at Westbourne-green, On the
arrival of the up-train, which reaches Paddington at half-past four
o'clock, the trucks not being seen by the engineer in time to stop
the train, were run into and completely destroyed, the passengers
in the train being greatly alarmed by the force of the collision.
Fortunately, however, no personal injury was sustained by any of
the passengers or the Company's servants.
ALARMING FIRE NEAR THE VICTORIA THEATRE.
_Yesterday morning, between eight and nine o'clock, a fire
broke out upon the premises in the occupation of Mr. Brooks,
surgeon; Mr. Russell, a carpenter; and Mr. Williams, a plas-
terer, situate in the Waterloo-road, next door but two to the
Victoria Theatre, The Brigade and West of England engines
from the neighbouring stations were remarkably quick in arriving,
and the Lambeth water-works afforded an instant supply of water,
from which the engines were worked with full vigour for the space
of three-quarters of an hour, when the firemen at last got the mas-
tery over the flames, but not until a very considerable deal of fur-
niture had been destroyed, and the upper part of the premises
burned out. The fire is supposed to have been caused from Mrs.
Williams's child, which had been left alone in the room on the
second floor, playing with lucifer matches. The inmates escaped
with considerable difficulty.

TIIE _DIVISION ON THE CORN-LAWS.—(Frorn a
Correspondent.)—ln considering the division in the House of
Commons on Wednesday morning, on Mr. Villiers's motion for the
repeal of the corn-laws, it is curious to look back to previous divi.
sions for a few years back, upon the same important question.
The last numbers were, 122 for the motion and 254 against it ; in
favour of the present system of restriction 132. In February,
1842, there was a debate in the House of Commons, also upon Mr.
Villiers's motion for the abolition of all duties payable upon the
importation of foreign corn, and after several nights' debate 90
voted in favour of that motion, while there were 303 against it ;
being between three and four to one against the Hon. Member's
proposition. In 1843, there were five nights' discussion upon the
same question, upon which occasion Sir Edward Knatchbull sub-
mitted his celebrated argument in favour of the corn.laws in all
their integrity, " that they might maintain marriage settlements
for the younger branches of their families;" and upon this occasion
125 Members voted for the motion for the repeal of the corn.laws,
the opponents numbering 381, thus being in proportion a far
weaker majority than in the preceding year. Last session there
was a debate of two nights' duration upon the Hon. Member's
motion, at the conclusion of which discussion 124 voted for the
motion and 328 against it, being a much weaker majority than
previously. Thus in the four above.named years the supporters of
the motion have severally numbered 90, 125, 124, and 122; the
opponents (or monopolists) having numbered on the same occasions
303, 381, 328, ane 254.—Advertiser.
POST-OFFICE NOTICE. • —The following notice, issued
by command of the Postmaster-General, was put up this morning
at the General Post-office, the Royal Exchange, and the several
branch Post-offices :—" General Post-office, June, 1845. The
Postmaster-General having now reason to believe that letters and
newspapers addressed to South Australia or to New Zealand, and
i.ransmitted by the monthly mail packets to Sydney, will not be
liebtti to any postage for their receipt and dispatch by the Post-
on-ice Of Ngw South Wales, provided they are made up in this
country its seined mails, addressed to South Australia or New
Zealand, as the e c may be, but that they will be forwarded to
s.--
their destination by the pest opportunity presenting itself; all
letters and newspapers, posted heiTart,er, addressed to South AU,.
tralia or New Zealand, not directed to be arwarOd ' by private
kets
ship,' will be dispatched in sealed mails to Sydney, by thbefore a 11,404 to. Under this regulation the rate of postage to be
e. pki
taken hereafter oil !setters for South Australia or New Zealand, not
direci.ed to be forwarded by `private ship,' will be Is. for a letter
not exceeding half an ounce, 2s. fora later not exceeding an
ounce, &c. British newspapers, however, provided they are Oiy
stamped and posted in conformity with the regulations required by
this department, will not be liable to any postage in this country
unless itAtTekSed ' by private ship.'"
NOVEL consequence of the re-
duction of the duty on pp?.ars to be in contemplation to
bring it into use for the roofing of houses. 41, hpportation of a
thick description of window glass has already taken face, tpyptip..d
fog roofing, and were it generally introduced those who 'require a
strong iisbt to enable them to carry on their occupations, might
effect their abject, and
~,,typid the window-tax. This roofing will
be much lighter than tile,s and siatps,
and if it be extended into the
to country, the poor will then be enabledpartake pt late paltry of a
bunch of black cluster grapes grown under the root's 9f their own
humble cottages. But then glass will also be of great use to marii.et
gardeners, and it will serve far thp roofing of green-houses, which
suffer much from hail stones, and upon which ltisyrgnces arc gacted
as against fire.