The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-20 00:00:00

- LITERATURE.
CHRONICLES OF GREKVA GREEN. 2 Vole.
lientlem, Iptielon, 1844. S I; N
The title of this work will be pretty sure toreeotn,,,,,jry,..:/?.,
mend it to the favourable consideration of our.fid.e'rs!•.:;-;:-1:=--;:-
,t,A>‘,..
---'\\
--- especially those of the fair sex—for whd-iilli et*,-;',.'a3:::? Itl - ‘,,--,.'.>\1".4_1
that does not feel an interest in Gretna Gr.r!it 1 6 tri;:---*:.:';' ,? '4f4
celebrated scene of so many run-away mitirtciges,'-'2Ns ''•74:i. 1,1,
NA here Lord Erskine figured in .the disguise co-f.1i,i,.-44
woman ; where the younc, and brietiesg John ‘Sc`
afterwards the wealthy Earl of Eldon, receiVektlf 1g1VE15..M.3.10
hand of a lady, against whose father he subsequently,
in his capacity as Lord Chancellor, signed an act of
bankruptcy; and where, at a more recent period, Mr.
Edward Gibbon Wakefield laid the foundation of a
three years' imprisonment within the veryunsentimental
walls of Newgate? The volumes before us give an
historical account of this celebrated border locality,
from the earliest times down to the present day ; and
the " materials and anecdotes"—observes the author,
in his preface—" were collected in the parish of
Gretna Green itself; and that, too, from such sources
as may be held worthy of credit." Much of the
early history of the place is, of course, intimately
connected with the border skirMishes between Eng-
land and Scotland, which continued with more or less
violence for so many ages; and, accordingly, we have
many quaint and singular anecdotes respecting these
conflicts, and those who took part in them, which
serve to relieve and enliven what otherwise would
have been a mere dry detail of facts. In the course
of his historical investigations the author devotes a
chapter to what he calls the " Raid of Solway
Moss,"—the term applied to a celebrated conflict that
took place, in the middle of the sixteenth century,
between the Scotch and English borderers; and. in
another chapter he sketches the rise and progress of
the "Loves of Mary and Bothwell," which, however,
are far too well known to stand in need of repetition.
The volumes are amusing enough, though their
interest is not a little diminished by the quaint,
rugged, and frequently careless and flippant manner
in which they are written. The author's serious
moods are decidedly his best; when he attempts -to
be facetious, he fails as signally as an elephant would
fail who should undertake to dance a gallopade. The
subjoined passage is a fair specimen of his style ; it
commences a chapter, entitled a " Visit to the Gretna
Priest" :
" Simon Laing, ' weaver and priest,' son and heir,
and so forth, to the most notable David the pedlar, is a
personage of much, and most especial respect, a person.
age whose interest is great, whose power is confessed,
‘lhose influence is extensive, whose friendship is worth
obtaining, whose reputation is unbounded, Ikc. In his
custody are the most important volumes of marriage
register, come down to him through a long succession.
and by him hereafter to be transmitted to the latest pos-
terity. This register descended to its present possessor
from his father, who received it we know not whence. It
probably originated in him, when the plan of monopo-
lising the trade began to be systematically established.
It has been the policy at Gretna Green, for the principal
inarrier to associate unto himself some partner in the
business; thus, old Paisley took into his confidence
David Laing, and when Paisley died, David connected
his son Simon with him as his partner; furthermore,
when the Angel of Death breathed upon David, and Simon
was left alone, he, the said Simon, became associated in
partnership with one Robert Elliott,of honourable mention.
Now, this apostolic succession is not thus scrupulously
maintained without good reason, that is, in so far as they
theinselves are concerned ; and, indeed, it was the dis-
covery of certain advantages to be derived therefrom,
that at first established this consecutive dove-tailing,—
this concatenation--of priests. In the first place, it
enables them, by the extreme exclusiveness of their
body, to secure to themselves the whole of the traffic,
and, above all, the emoluments arising therefrom ; in the
second place, it gives vast importance, consideration,
and notability to him that thus holds " the keys ;" and,
in the third, this concatenation tends to prevent the loss,
dispersion, or injury of the sacred books, so reverently
looked upon and so carefully guarded. In these volumes
are entered the names of all those whom the guardian
priest has united in holy bands ; and the custody of them
gives to their possessor his chief ability _ to continue the
prevailing system of monopoly. Their importance,
therefore, is manifest. Hence, that they may not pass
into the hands of strangers, the necessity of partnership
is acknowledged, so that, when the principal dies, the
other being heir by devise, succeeds to the inheritance.
By looking well to these things, they engross much com-
merce and much lucre to themselves, of course not a
little to the envy and prejudice of their neighbours in the
parish, whom the destinies have made less fortunate."

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGI-
NEERS.

The annual general meeting of the Institution was
held on Tuesday evening, when the usual report of the
Council was read. It appeared that the progress
of the Society was satisfactory, and the increase
of members was equal to that of preceding years,
but the amount of arrears of subscription was larger.
The members were pressed to transmit papers
for reading, for, as was justly stated, scientific societies
can only be supported by useful and interesting com-
munications, and by raising such discussions upon them
as are the distinguishing features of the Jneetings of the
Society of Engineers.
Memoirs of Professor Wallace, of Edinburgh ; of Mr.
Buddle, of Newcastle, and of several other deceased
members, were read.

Telford medals were presented to Messrs. F. W.
Simms, W. Pole, and T. Oldham, for communications
presented by them to the Institution. Telford . and
Walker premiums of books were also presented to
Messrs. I). M.ackain, D. Bremner, D. S. Hope, R. Mallet,
W. J. M. Rankine, W. L. Baker, S. C. llomersham,
J. 0. York, G. D. Bishopp, and .B. W. Jackson, for
their papers and drawings, which had been . read' and
exhibited at the meetings during the past session.
Mr. J. WALKER, the President, addressed the meeting
upon the internal management of the Society, the
election of his Royal Highness Prince Albert
as an honorary member, the valuable addition
to the library presented by the Duke of Buc-
cleuch, the course of study and practice most beneficial
for young engineers, and the opportunity afforded
by the institution for coming advantageously before
the world; •he then, among other novel subjects con-
nected with engineering, spoke of having lately visited
the atmospheric railway near Dublin, and said that,
without prognosticating as to the future, the experi-
ments he witnessed appeared more promising than those
with locomotive engines at a corresponding early
period of their introduction upon railways. He
then gave a short notice of the connection of
Col. Stoddart with the institution, as its Honorary Secre-
tary in the years 1834.5, alluding to the exertions now
making by a committee of gentlemen, under the direc-
tion of Captain Grover, for ascertaining the fate, and, if
possible, of obtaining the release of Colonel Stoddart
and Captain Conolly, who, there was every reason to
believe, were really still alive, although detained in a sort
of captivity.
In confirmation of this, Lieut.-Colonel llumfrey stated
that Captain 0 rover had been informed by Lord Aberdeen
that authentic intelligence had been received from Con-
stantinople, and from the British Consul Trezibond, to
the effect im some pilgrims recently arrived direct from
Bolthara had seen both Col. Stoddart. and Capt. Conuliy
alive and at liberty, although strictly watched; that they
mere both employed in the military service of the Ameer,
and that evidently they were restrtiined by some power-
ful reason from attempting to make their situation
known, as it was not probable others isc that two officers
of such merit should allow themselves to be reported
dead, and their names to be struck off the Army List.
The favourable reception of Mr. Woolff at the various
places he had hitherto passed through was noticed, and a
spirited subscription to the Stoddart and Conolly Fund.
was isamediately commenced among the members of the
Institution, who all appeared anxious to Pid in, the
restoration to his native country of a gentleman who had.
whilst connected with them, gained so many friends.
The ballot for the Council took place, when the fols
lowing gentlemen were elected :—Messrs. J. Walker,
President ; W. Cubitt, B. Donkin, J. Field, and H. R.
Palmer, Vice-Presidents ; H. T. Clark, F. Giles, G.
Lowe. J. Miller, W. C. Mylne, J. M. Rendel, G. Rennie,
R. Sdblcv, J. Simpson, J. Taylor, F. Braithwaite,' stpi
tl..7nbtit, oilier rnemb2rs and associ,tes a Council.
pap,-2r • r.cyrr• t<,.b• r.,2;4(1
n)eciin;,-, l n tl.n: retires ay, !eon hia:l time
mecting; r,tijouined --
No. 582. “Ducliption of a VVater cnn6t.turicci
by W. Fairbairn, Esq., and erected in Lombardy ;" by
S. B. Moody, Assoc. Inst. C.E.
No. 586. " Description of a new Chain-bucket Water-
wheel ;" by .1. Wight.
No. :)88. " Description of Whitelaw'a Horizontal
Water Wheel ;" by ;1. Miitelaw.
No. 613. " Description of a Water Meter ;" by P.
Carmichael.

A deputation of licensed proprietors of hackney
carriages, consisting of Mr. Thompson, Mr. Inlcher,
Mr. Bell, Mr. Powell, solicitor, and Mr J. U. Philpott,
their secretary, had a long interview yesterday with
Mr. Manners Sutton at tne Home-office.
llumoutinn I.lr.sEwm, or THE BANK CHARTER.—
Think Stock continues to rise, being up A to li per cent.;
and we may Mention as a " great secret," that it is con-
tblently believed the Corporation will obtain a renewal
of its Charter, and that the present Ministry have
already intimated to the Governor and Deputy Governor,
at a recent interview, that it is the intention of Govern-
ment to support the claim for it. The quid pro quo, it
our information be correct, will be the assistance of the
Bank in any conversion plan, by a large advance to meet
the demands. of those who may dissent from a reduction
of the interest ou their Stock. The matter, however, is
kept so close, that very few are aware of the terms offered.
DENSE Fuo.—A remarkably dense fog enveloped
the town and neighbeurliocd in darkness that might literally be
felt, in the afternoon and night of Monday last. The Derby mall,
which leaves Nottingham at half-past eight, or a quarter to nine
in the evening, was upset whilst going down the Lenten gangs.
The coachman, a very carefril driver, was unable to see the head/
of his horses, and kept so much on the left side of the road, es to
run the coach into the deep hollow adjoining Mr. Pincus' wall,
breaking the springs and other parts of the coach. The inside pas•
sengera, the Dean of Lincoln, Mr. Richard Enfield, and a lady, her
tunately escaped unhurt ; but one of three outside passenger*. Xt.
Dixon, of Stapleford, was much bruised, and taken up insensible.
He was conveyed to Nottingham, and hil friends ease over Iv
fetch him, but he was unable to bear a removal till the next, ay.
The coachman was also slightly bruised. The coach was
..
home in a very shattered condition, and the mallWs arum
to Derby by the railway..—Notting liaws Reirieseil_
Lloyd's., for the ro.
tification, containing rules to be obrrvedcontuutte
at
anus, BRITISH TRADE WITH CritNA.—AinGdon7werninifrotig4Eipofr:
mud of merchants, captain., and others in the trade of CA
amnadnitfheestostthoerbeprtnes, bnastedtwaetnthfaorßwnardtisehd.
to