The Sun.
London, England, 1842-09-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 16, 1842.

Western Railroad. IV ay his voyage to his native
land be a pleasant. one—and may that happiness,
which is the best reward of good actions, attend him
through the remainder of his life.
HIS LORDSHIP AT NEW YORK..
(From the American of the 31st ult.)
Lord Ashburton will receive any citizens who may
desire to visit him to-morrow, from twelve to two
o'clock, at the Governor's room, City-hall.
It was first designed that his reception should be
to-day, but, owing to the uncertainty of his Lord-
ship's arrival, it was postponed till to-morrow.
Lord Ashburton came down from Albany last

evening.
The dinner will take place at the Astor House to•
morrow afternoon, and will be as fully attended as
the spacious apartment will permit.
Mr. P. A. Jay, the son of the man who signed the
first treaty with Great Britain,:was, with great fit-
ness, invited, and has consented to preside.
The President of the United States, and heads of
departments, Major-General Scott, and other distin-
guished functionaries, have been invited to attend.
Of those named, however, no one probably would be
able to leave Washington just at this moment.
Since the above was in type we have this official

notice :
The Committee appointed by the Common Coun-
cil to make arrangements for the reception of Lord
Ashburton respectfully gives notice that his Lordship
will receive the visits of the citizens at the Governor's
room to-morrow, Thursday, September 1, from twelve
to two o'clock."

SPEECH OF THE KING OF
PRUSSIA AT COLOGNE.
On the conclusion of the religious observances
which preceded the act of laying the foundation
stone, the King took the trowel in his hand. When
he advanced in front of the stone, a loud shout of
exulation arose, which continued until his Majesty by
signs indicated his wish that it should cease. Silence
being restored, his Majesty delivered in a loud and
clear voice, the following remarkable speech (of which
we gave an outline some days since) :
"1 take this opportunity to welcome heartily the
numerous guests who, as members of the Cathedral
Building Association, have met here from all parts I
of Germany to celebrate this day. Gentlemen of
Cologne, a great event is about to take place
among you. Your feelings will tell you that it is
no common edifice you are about to erect. It is the
offspring of the spirit of union and concord among
Germans of every creed. When I reflect on this, my
eyes are filled with joyful tears, and I thank God that
I have lived to witness this day. Here, where this
foundation stone is laid, will arise the noblest portals
in the whole world. Germany builds them, may
they, by the grace of God, be to her the forerunners
of a new, a great, and a happy future. Far from
them be all that is anti-German—that is to say, all
that is base, false, and insincere. May this portal of
honour never be disgraced by bad faith or by the un-
worthy disunion of German princes or of the German
people. May this structure never disturb the
peace of creeds, nor impede the progress of
social order ; and may that spirit which once inter-
rupted the building of this house of God, and injured
the well-being of our common fatherland, find no en-
trance here. The feeling that has prompted the
building of these portals is the same that 29 years ago
made us break our chains, rolled back insult from
our native land, and division from its shores ; it is the
same spirit which, fortified by the blessing of my de-
parted father (the last of those three great Kings),
two years ago displayed itself with a vigour undi-
minished in power and unimpaired by time; it is the
spirit of German union and of German power; and
oh ! may the portals of Cologne Cathedral be its most
glorious triumph ! May the spirit which has given
birth to this great work serve to complete it;
and may it prove to most remote genera-
tions, that Germany is great and mighty by
the union of her rulers and her people, and that
she has without bloodshed consolidated the peace of
the world ! May it attest that Prussia is happy in
the glory and prosperity of her own fatherland, and
in the fraternization of her different religious creeds,
all one and alike in the eyes of the Divine Creator. I
pray to God that the Cathedral of Cologne may con-
tinue to tower above this town and all Germany, and
that it may be a witness of peace and happiness
among mankind until time shall be no more. Gen-
tlemen of Cologne, your city has by this structure
obtained a high pre-eminence over all the other towns
of Germany; she has this day proved herself worthy
of that pre-eminence. Join then with me as I strike
the trowel on the foundation stone. Shout with me
the thousand times repeated rallying cry Alaaf Co-
logne!' "
This speech, spoken with the most lively enthu-
siasm, kindled like lightening in the hearts of the
thousands present,and called forth an astounding storm
of joyful shouts and acclamations. The King having
once more looked joyfully and enthusiastically on the
assembled multitude and on the Cathedral, and the
cheering having burst forth afresh, his Majesty struck
the usual three blows with the hammer on the founda-
I tion stone, and then retired to the Tribune, where he
was received by the Queen, in a manner that pro-
duced a deep impression on the minds of all present.

BANK OF ENGLAND.
COURT OF PROPRIETORS.

The Half-yearly General Meeting of the Court of
Proprietors of Bank Stock was held yesterday, at
twelve o'clock, in the Court-room at the Bank of
England. Ww. COTTON, Esq., Governor, in the Chair.
'lle minutes of the last Court having been read,
The GOVERNOR said that this was one of the
Quarterly General Courts, held in compliance
with the provisions of the Charter, and also
a General Half-yearly Court, held agree-
ably to the bye- laws, for the purpose of
declaring a dividend. The Court of Directors having
considered the state of the accounts, were of opinion
that they ought to recommend to the Court of Pro-
prietors to declare a dividend of 3i per cent. in
terest and profits, deducting the 7d. in the pound,
paid for the income-tax, which would make the net
dividend amount to about 3/. Bs. per cent., instead of
31.105. per cent. It had appeared to the Court of
Directors better to make the dividend in this way,
than to declare a dividend of less amount than usual,
in consequence of the deduction made on account of
the income-tax, more especially as he hoped the in-
come-tax would not continue much beyond the
period for which it was originally granted.
I:: order to declare this dividend, they were
obliged to make a diminution of 5,9961.
in the Rest. The Rest in April, 1842, amounted to
2,869,284/., and after the payment of the present divi-
dend and income-tax, it would amount to 2,863,2891.,
being 5,996/. less than in April. He concluded by
moving,
" That the Court do order the Directors to declare a
dividend of 31. 10s. per cent. for profit and interest,
deducting the 7d. in the pound, paid to duty on in-
come and property."
Mr. FIELDER said thot in 1834 the Government
had offered to pay back one-fourth part of
their capital in Three-and-a-Half per Cent.
Stock, and the Bank had acceded to the
proposition. Afterwards, to suit the convenience of
the Government, the Bank had consented to extend
the period of repayment over 26 years. If the Bank
had held the Government to its first proposition the 1
income-tax would only have been payable i
on the interest of the whole sum, whereas I
now, the income-tax was deducted from the
annual payments which were made, partly
on account of interest, and partly on account of capi-
tal. This was unfair, and he trusted representation
would be made to the Government on the subject.
If the Bank had had any idea that such a course of
I conduct would have been pursued, the Court would
have held the Government on that occasion to its first
proposition.
Mr. COOKE complained of the conduct of the Go-
vernment in regard to Joint-stock Banks, which had
been most improperly permitted to encroach on the
privileges of the Bank of England.
Mr. ANNAN wished to know if the income-tax
were deducted in the manner proposed whether the
Proprietors would not have to pay the income-tax
twice.
The GOVERNOR assured him they would not. With
respect to the subject alluded to by Mr. Fielden, the
late Governor and himself, in compliance with a reso-
lution of the last half yearly Court of Pro-
prietors, had waited on the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer to represent to him the unfairness of assessing
the payments alluded to, and also the dead weight, to
the income-tax. They had, however, failed in this
object, and a motion in the House of CoMmons for
i making a difference in regard to taxation between
' terminable and permanent annuities had also
been lost ; the Directors, however, still had the sub-
\
jeect under their most anxious consideration, and
would do all in their power to procure a remedy for
the injustice complained of.
A PROPRIETOR wished to know whether Proprie-
tors whose incomes were under 1501. would have to
pay the tax ?
The GOVERNOR said they must apply to the
assessors of the districts in which they resided for
the proper documents on filling up which they would
have the amount deducted
Mr. Tnomp_, returned to them.
'UN asked whether the branch banks
were a source of profit.
The GOVERNOR—They
are.
Mr. THOMPSON then
put
ata 3
series of quesiions as to
the amount of money lent
I per cent. in Exche-
quer-bills, and to whom, and
dunbteeouf
money lent on mortgage,
lent to the Duke of Buckingham chamhao
also wished to know etherenthmerertgate. any He
alldaialuNtvo
much
provision making for the formation of a fund for the
payment of dividends when the terminable annuities
should cease.
The GOVERNOR said that the terminable annuities
consisted partly of interest, party of capital. The in-

terest only was .appropriated at present to the pay-
ment of dividends,_ the capital forming a fund for the
future payment. With regard to the other question,
he thought it would not tend to the prosperity of
the Bank to proclaim to the world who
had borrowed money of them. With regard to the-
Duke of Buckingham, however, he would state that
the Bank held none of his mortgages.
In reply to questions from various Proprietors,
The GOVERNOR stated that if the Court were
to abstain from declaring any dividend the Govern-
ment would still claim the same amount of income-
tax ; that the Directors were anxious to pay the in-
come-tax on the amount of the profits, and on no
more, and that they would use every means in their
power to pay the tax only on the amount of
profits. It was impossible to state the exact amount
they would have to pay. They had been assessed on
the dead weight, but they considered that as the in-
come-tax had been paid on the dead weight once, the
Government could have no further claim on it.
Mr. TuomrsoN asked if the Bank would be paid for
the trouble of calculating and collecting the Income-
tax in the funds.
The GOVERNOR apprehended they would. As Com-
missioners himself and the Directors would be en-
titled to no remuneration, but the Bank, acting as
assessors and collectors, would, he apprehended, be
entitled to the same pro rata remuneration as others.
In reply to Mr. WILLIAMSON,
The GOVERNOR stated that the Rest was now
65,0001. more than it was in 1839, when the reduc-
tion in the dividend had first been made.

On the question being put,
A PROPRIETOR moved the omission of the words
"deducting therefore," and all the words following
them. He thought the income-tax should be paid
from the Rest.
Mr. THOMPSON seconded the amendment.
Mr. FIELDEN thought that under all the circum-
stances the best mode was to deduct the income-tax
from the dividend.
Mr. SALOMONS opposed the amendment. It would
be setting a bad example to other public companies
to encroach upon the Rest to pay the income-tax.
After a short conversation, the amendment was put
and negatived, only four hands being held up in its
favour.
The original motion was then put and carried.
The GOVERNOR then announced that the dividend
warrants would be delivered and payable on Tuesday,
October 11 next; and the minutes having been read,
the Court adjourned.

QUEEN'S VISIT TO SCOTLAND.
We are indebted to a second edition of the Edin-
burgh Observer of Tuesday evening, for the following
account of the Royal progress from Drummond Castle
by Stirling to Edinburgh :----
CRIEIT, SEPT. 12.—This morning Prince Albert
set off by six o'clock for Glenartney, and was out
shooting till three o'clock, when he returned to Drum-
mond Castle. The Queen, in the interim, reviewed
the Drummond Highlanders, and made a great many
good-natured inquiries about their dress, &c. She
shook hands with a number of the young High-
landers, to the infinite gratification of the clansmen.
Upon Prince Albert's return, her Majesty and he
drove through the town of Crieff, visited Verntower,
the residence of Lady Baird, Abercairney, and Mon-
zie House, and returned through Crieff in about two
hours. It is almost superfluous to add, that, both i
going and returning, her Majesty was loudly cheered
the people ran a great way,alongside the carriage.
HER MAJESTY AT STIRLING.
STIRLING, SEPT. 13.—From the moment her Ma-
jesty's intention of visiting. Scotland became known,
and that the Royal visit would embrace a consider-
able portion of the magnificent scenery and interest-
ing localities in her Scottish dominions, the exertions
of the Magistrates and inhabitants of Stirling, to be
included in the number of those who should be ho-
noured by her presence, became indefatigable. To
their repeated and earnest representations, her Ma-
jesty was graciously pleased to accede ; and, from
that instant the endeavours of all classes were bent to
enable them to offer such a reception as should be
worthy of the Soverign accepting, and the ancient
dignity and present importance of the burgh offering,
the invitation. Long the chosen residence of the
Stuarts, it was embellished by an architecture of rude
magnificence, and fitted with appurtenances suited to
the chivalric sports which lent a barbarous lustre to
the period of their sway. It is true her palace halls
are now deserted by their once Royal occupants,—
that. the tilting yard is no longer thronged by
"Courtly Knights and ladies fair;" yet even still the
crumbling walls and broken mounds are embalmed
among the treasured reminiscences of centuries; nor
call we readily forget that here the chivalrous refine-
ment of James presided, and that here were spent
some of the brief periods of happiness awarded to the
beauteous and ill-fated Mary.
No Sovereign having visited Stirling for several
centuries, the excitement on the present occasion was
unusually great, and the preparations on a splendid
scale. The road from the North, along which the
Royal party was to pass, for several miles, was lite-
rally an arcade of triumphal arches, decorated with
laurels, surmounted by floral crowns, and festooned
by brilliant draperies of mountain-ash berries. A
splendid over-arched barricade, with battlements be-
decked with full-length portraits of the Queen and.
Prince Albert, the Royal Scotch arms above the cen-
tre of the arch, and flags on each tower, was erected
on Stirling-bridge, and another at the Burrow's-gate,
on the road to Falkirk.
At twenty minutes past eleven, the guns of the
Castle fired a Royal salute, announcing the arrival of
her Majesty at the northern end of the bridge, where
she changed horses, and at half. past eleven the cortege
arrived in front of the barrier. The Provost, Town-
clerk, and Magistrates, then stepped forward, and after
making their obeisance, his Lordship addressed her
Majesty, and then presented the keys of her ancient
burgh.
On the cortege being about to pass on, the Provost
again said—
" Permit me one word of your Majesty. I had
the honour to serve under your Majesty's lamented
father, his late Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, for
24 years. It gives me sincere pleasure that, as Pro-
vost of this town, I have had the honour to receive
your Majesty, under whose father I have had the
honour to serve."
Her Majesty then replied—lt gave her great satis-
faction to meet in the Provost of this ancient town,
one who had served under lysr revered father.
Immediately after which the procession moved for-
ward up Bridge-street, St. Mary's Wynd, Broad-
street, and the Esplanade. On the Royal carriage
arriving at the Castle gate, her Majesty alighted, and
leaning on the left arm of Prince Albert, was received
by Sir Archibald Christie, and walked slowly up to
the Lower Barrack-square, where they were received
by a guard of honour of the 42d Regiment. The
Royal pair then entered the Governor's house, where
they remained about 20 minutes. Her Majesty
directed the attention of the Earl of Liverpool to the
splendid Palace of James V. On returning, they
visited the Chapel Royal, where they were received
by the Rev. Mr. Watson, garrison chaplain ; they
then entered the carriage, and proceeded slowly down
the street, towards the Burrow's-gate, where the Pro-
vost and Magistrates left, and the Royal party drove
rapidly off about one o'clock, under an escort of the
Inniskillen Dragoons, and attended by the Stirling-
shire Yeomanry.
On leaving Stirling the Royal cortege passed through
a succession of triumphal arches and other decora-
tions with which the hamlets and villages along the
road were thickly studded. At St. Ninian's bedizened
arches were placed at each end of the village; Ban;
taste-
fuloak eonlraeucrt
eisi
n; t e OpreWr
soeodd ••Ntvoi It lh
nockburn presented no fewer than five of these
N.s
fine flowers
t eadn
dw
moun-
tain-ash with a n
berries, which
stretched across the road :
Glenbervie had a laurel arch; Sir Gilbert Stirling's
gate was ornamented with an arch of laurels and a
large flag ; Larbert, a handsome laurel arch ; at
Camelon, three arches ; Falkirk, at the west end, a
motto, " Welcome to Falkirk," decorated with flow-
ers, heather, and evergreens ; at the east and north,
" God save ire Queen and Prince Albert," surmounted
by . "V. R.," handsomely done up in flowers, the
whole decorated by evergreens. Here her Majesty
was received by two companies of the 66th Foot,
which came from Glasgow by the railway in the
afternoon. This being Falkirk Tryst, the Sheriff of
the county issued orders that no sheep or cattle should
be lifted from or to the New Market, between the
hours of twelve o'clock—an arrangement wisely made
to prevent confusion and interruption to the Royal
party, and calculated to avoid danger to all.
HER MAJESTY AT LINLITHGOW.
Her :Majesty arrived at the West Port of Linlith-
gow about half-past two o'clock. Every preparation
that the, zeal and loyalty of the civic authorities could
suggest had been made for the reception. The Royal
cortege riached Linlithgow bridge shortly before
reaching the town, escorted by the Lord Lieutenant
and a gallant cavalcade of the gentry and yeomanry of
Stirlingshire, who were then relieved by the Earl of
Hopetoun, and the gentry and yeomanry of Mid-
Lothian. The bridge had a triumphal arch across it,
and-the entire road thence, and the street through
Linlithgow, was crowded with throngs that had pour-
ed in all the forenoon from the neighbouring towns
and county. The Union flag waved aloft on the
tower of the church, and on Queen Mary's Tower of
the Palace ; while the Town-house and numerous
other houses were decked out with gay banners (we
counted nearly 100), with festoons of flowers, and,
above all, with fair and smiling faces.
As the cortege approached from the westward, the
interest became intense. The Magistrates and Council
had been stationed for fully two hours at that point,
under a double festoon of laurels, and with a crown of
dahlias suspended, and a scroll bearing " God save the
Queen and Prince Albert," and it was intended that
the Provost should here have presented an address to
her Majesty, and an honorary burgess ticket to

Prince Albert. 'I he escort, howevel., and the pox:;
drove Lhat point 11:-.6
ere the Royal carriage could draw up to receive theu
marks of respect; and before this could he accompli!,.hcd
the advance of the mounted gentlemen and the pres-
sure of the crowd was.so intense, that -Magistrates, con-
stables, and all were swept onward by the stream of the
populace, who were mostfervent in their demonstrations
of loyalty. On reaching the centre of the town, the
Royal carriage (unfortunately for many, a close
one), drew up in the area betwixt the Town-house
and the Cross well, and the pressure around was fear-
ful—but no ,accident happened. The horses were
there changed, and while this was going on amidst
loud cheers, at that spot, Sir Robert Peel's hands
were shaken by many lusty fists extended to him from
both sides of his carriage.

.:41fter about half an liour consumed in the progress
lirough the town and at the cross, the Royal pair
went out at the east port about three o'clock—the

throng following and cheering throughout, and the
usual demonstrations being made all around.
At Boathousebridge the West Lothian escort of
gentlemen were relieved by those of the Mid-Lothian
who mustered to the number of nearly 200.
EDINBURGH, TUESDAY NIGHT.— Her Majesty
passed through this city, on her return from the
'Highlands, at half-past four o'clock this afternoon,
and at about five, or a few minutes after, reached Dal-

keith H.mse in perfect safety. Her Afajesty seemed
in excellent health and spirits; but travelling in an
open carriage, exposed to the fresh and balmy air of
the mountains, has somewhat enibrowned her face,
though it has detracted nothing from her beauty.
At nine o'clock this morning, as I informed you in
my last, her Majesty and the Prince left Drummond
Castle, and, taking leave of her hospitable and kind-
hearted hosts, Lord and Lady Willoughby d'Eresby,
set out on her journey to Edinburgh.
Her •Majesty changed horses outside of Edinburgh
at half-past four o'clock, and then proceeded through
the town to Dalkeith House in a private manner.
Her Majesty. it is said, remains at Dalkeith House
when she will embark at
untilGrantor Th u
prisedraiyb morning,r
London.

The Town Council of Edinburgh give a grand din-
ner to-morrow in honour of her Majesty. His Royal
Highness Prince Albert, together with Sir R. Peel
and the Earl of Aberdeen, it is stated, wee invited to
be present at it, but.they declined the invitation.

THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF
STIRLING.

LUNDIE (to Cressingham)—l would advise
Your prudence nct to venture by that passage.
The bridge is wood ; so old—and full of danger:
Besides, too narrow for your numerous army,
Whose moving weight may strain it eie the hilt
Attain the other side.

The bridge of Stirling is the most memorable spot
in Scotland. It was here that Wallace, by his valour
and fortune, freed his country from the claims of a
superior, and the Scottish people from the oppression
of strangers. The facts as related by the annalists
are as follow :—Warenne, the English commander,
who wished to avoid a general action with the Scots,
tried, even by negotiation, to induce Wallace to
lay down his arms. The Scottish chief con-
temned submission, and answered in the lan-
guage of defiance, "We come not to treat,
but to set Scotland free." So bold a defiance
made the English army impatient to be led into ac-
tion. Warenne hesitated, but Cressingham, the
treasurer, cried out, "Why waste we the King's
treasures, by protracting the war : let us fight as the
best economy." A narrow bridge—the bridge of
Stirling—alone divided the hostile armies. Prudence,
suggested, that a fora should be sought, as the safest
passage over the Forth. Cressingh am, however, blindly
insisted in leading the army along this dangerous
defile. The bravery of the English induced them to
follow a leader, who showed, by his temerity, that he
was unfit to conduct spirited men. Before one-half
of this misguided army could form, after defiling
from the bridge, Wallace charged them with as much
cndu ct, as fierceness. Cressingham met his merited
fate : thousands of his devoted followers fell.
on the field, or perished in the river. Panic
seized that portion of the English forces, which
Lad not felt the swords of the Scots : the fugitives
burnt the bridge, built of materials from the neigh-
bouring Torwood, and fled to Beret ick, before they
considered themselves safe. The victory of Stirling
put into the possession of the true owners the castle of
Dundee, and other strongholds, with Berwick.—
Chalnier's Caledonia, vol. i. p. 660-L
The ancient seal of the town of Stirling which may
be seen in Astle's work on the "Scot. Seals," seems to
commemorate this important victory. On the obverse
of it is to be seen the wooden bridge, on which stands
a crucifix ; the south side of the bridge has soldiers
upon it, with their bows, the characteristic weapon
of the English, who are attempting to pass ; on the
northern side are soldiers with spears, the national
weapon of the Scots, who defend the passage. The
legend is, " Hic armis Braid, Scoti stant hic cruse
tuti "—a plain allusion to the safety of the Church and
State, resulting from the valour and victory of
Wallace.
solely obtained on this important
We cannot refrain from noticing that, despite the
glory which Wallace
occasiou by his own powers; that in a copy of pro-
tection which he and 3lora.y, as Commanders of the
forces, gave to the Prior of Hexhildesham, that Wal-
lace modestly allowed the name of Moray to stand
before his own, as the leader of the Scottish army.—
(Hemingford, i. p. 135)
The foundation of Stirling Castle is fact of past
history, which no antiquarian has satisfactorily traced.
Boethius, if he may be credited on this point, states
it to have been a place of great strength in the middle
of the ninth century. The Romans had a camp and
a military way on the west side, which is by some
adjudged to have been their Alauna.
Stirling is a miniature resemblance of Edinburgh,
built on a rock of the same form with that on which
the capital of North Britain isplaced, with a strongfor-
tress on the summit, impending over a steep precipiae.
In the interior of the Castle, stands the Palace,
built by James V., a Prince much attached to the
arts, as appears by his buildings here and at Falkland.
ith pillars, resting on grotesque
T his pile is large, and of square form, ornamented
statue. Two rooms, called the
the wall; on the top of each
(6)pngi
pillar
atchersie.,eesjtusstitadi enfsgan
fanciful
Queen sand the Nursery are • large, and the roofs, of
wood, well carved. A closet also is shown, noted for
the murder of William, Earl of Douglas, in 1452,
trepanned here by a safe conduct from James 11.
This Nobleman, too potent for legal execution, had
entered into associations injurious to his Prince, who
commanded him to rescind the offensive alliance, and,
on refusal, stabbed the Earl with his own hand. In
revenge, the friends of Douglas instantly burned the
town. The Parliament House is a vast room, 120
feet long, with a timbered roof.
From the top of the Castle is by far the finest view
in Scotland ; to the east is a east plain, rich in corn.
adorned with woods, and watered by the river Forth,
whose meanders are, before it reaches the sea, so fre-
quent and so large, as to form a multitude of most
beautiful peninsulas ; for in many parts the windings
approximate so closely as to leave only a small isthmus
of a few yards. An old abbey, situated in the plain,
with the country as far as
Edinburgh, a view of
Alloa, Clackmannan, Falkirk, and the Frith of Forth
are to be seen. On the north lie the Ochil hills, and
the moor where the battle of Dumblain was fought;
to the west the strath of Menteith, as fertile as the
eastern plain, and terminated by the Highland moun-
tains, among which the summit of Ben Lomond is
very conspicuous.—Pennant's Tour, Vol. 111., p. 226.
Stirling has experienced many sieges and other ca-
lamities of war. In 1175 it was delivered by William
to the English, with several other places, as a security
for his acknowledgment that he held the crown of
SCotland from the
Rings of England. "An inglo-
rious cession," says Major, " extorted by his unfor-
tunate captivity. But Richard 1., the succeeding
Monarch, restored thete_Major, lib. iv., p. 135.
During the wars between the English and Scots
under Bruce it often
was in possession of changed masters. In 1299 it
Edward 1., whose affairs at this
tihte upe onocinuero termsn
In 1303, it was again taken by the Scots, under
period were so bad in Scotland, that he was obliged
to send its governor an order to surrender. But the
year following, he retook it, after a most gallant de-
t'e
whichn ce
werel V
fittrmw
aOrdlisPhant,
ill-observed
Lord John Sowles : Oliphant refused the command,
and in the next year sustained a second siege. It
was battered most furiously by the artillery of the
age, which cast stones of two hundred weight against
the walls, and made vast breaches. At length, when
the garrison was reduced to a very few, the brave
governor submitted, and was received into mercy.
It was the siege of Stirling Castle in June, 1314,
by the Scottish army, that occasioned the movement
of the English troops to march to its relief,a move-
ment which brought both sides to an engagement,
known as the celebrated battle of Bannockburn.
Robert Bruce headed the Scottish force, and Edward
the Second the English. This battle decided the fate
of Scotland, and seated the former firmly on the
throne. Stirling is still further renowned. for a battle
fought at the same place in 1488, between King
James 111. and his subjects, who marched under his
son, in opposition to him. The King, who escaped
from the field, was murdered in a mill close to the
village, by a real
or pretended priest, taking his con-
fession.
During the wars of Edward 111. it was reciprocally
taken and retaken ; the last time in 1341. Other
great events connected with it have occurred, but the
last was the memorable siege in the winter of 1746,
when the gallant and aged officer, General Blakeney,
baffled all the efforts of the rebele to reduce this im,
portant place.
Stirling, or
Sterling, says
Boethius, the before cited
authority, gave name to sterling money, because
Osbert,
a Saxon Prince, after, the. overthrow of the

Scots, established a mint here. Others, however,
. . .

frinin'the rnercha:::a of the Labtertings. ihe
also, was aileiently called •.I•;triveling, as is said, from
the frequency of strifes or conflicts in the neighbour-
hood, and from this old name the present is -affirmed
to have been formed.—Boeth. lib. v., p. 204.
Among the houses- of the nobility in Stirling, the
most sumptuous was that of the Earl of Mar,- begun
by the Regent, but never finished; the front is orna-
mented with the arms of the family, and a quantity of
sculpture. It is said to have been built from the
ruins of Cambus-Kenneth, the ancient church of the
St. Augustine order; and that being reproached with
the sacrilege, the builder directed these words, yet
extant, to be put over the gate—"Esspy. Speik.
Furth. I cair notht'."

Near Stirling Castle are Edmonston's walks, cut;
through a little wood, on the steeps. Beneath, on
the flat, are to be seen the vestiges of the gardens be-
longing to the palace, called the " King's Knot ;" above
the walks is the " a spot where the
beauties of former times sat to witness the knights
exhibit their vigour and address in the tilts and tour-
naments, performed in a hollow between this spot
and the castle.

NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
Nortwicir, SEPT. 13.--The preparations for this
festival, which commenced on Tuesday, have been on
a most extensive scale, and not less judicious than
liberal. The entire vocal and instrumental band con-
sists of four hundred performers ! The choral band is
composed of 268 voices, divided into 80 trebles, 50
altos, 64 tenors, and 74 basses ; proportions which are
found to be excellent, balancing admirably the weight
of each of the four parts of which choral harmony is
made up. The instrumental orchestra contains 115
performers; 44 violins, equally divided into first and
second ; 20 violas and 10 violoncellos, also equally
divided ; and five double basses. The wind and brass
instruments are all doubled, there being four in place
of two of each, and six trombones instead of three.
The principal vocal performers are Madame Caradori
Allan, Miss Rainforth, Miss Ilmies, and Signora
Pacini ; Messrs. Hobbs, Phillips, Balfe, Bradbury,
Young, Walton, and Rubini. The leader of the band
is Mr. Cramer, the organist is Mr. Turk, and the
conductor is Professor Taylor. All the performances,
both morning and evening, are in the same place, St.
Andrew's Ihll, a structure at once spacious, beauti-
ful, and venerable for its antiquity. It is singularly
well fitted for occasions of this nature, and its capa-
bilities have been judiciously turned to account in the
disposition of the orchestra. The organ, in place of
coming forward, as in most other places, and cutting
the performers into two divisions, a great part of
whom can neither see nor hear each other, is com-
pletely behind the orchestra, bo that the whole host of
performers, choristers, and instrumentalists, form one
united body, all animated by the same impulse, and
all acted upon by the slightest movement of the con-
ductor.
Yesterday and to-day the general rehearsals took
place, of NI/filch there are always two at Norwich in-
stead of only one, as every where else. This is an
advantage gained at the expense of the performance,
which in other towns takes place on the Tuesday
morning, and the pecuniary proceeds of the festival
must thereby be to that extent lessened. But at
Norwich there are not only the two general re-
hearsals, but the new works are put into a course of
study and preparation for months before the festival.
Above two hundred of the chorus-singers are people
of this town and neighbourhood, who form a choral
society, and, in the course of their regular meetings,
occupy themselves in practising the forthcoming
novelties. The instrumental band consists almost
entirely of London performers ; and they, in the
course of the summer, have been repeatedly assembled
in the Hanover-square Rooms, along with the prin-
cipal vocalists, for the purpose of studying and re-
hearsing Spohr's new oratario, and the new version of
the oratorio of Samson.
TUESDAY EVENING.—The concert this evening
was well attended. The patron's gallery was graced
by a numerous body of the nobility and gentry of this
part of the country, among whom were—the Bishop
of Norwich and Mrs. Stanley, the Marquis of
Northampton and the Hon. Miss Compton, Lord and
Lady Colborne, Lord Ebrington, Major and Lady
E. Wathen, Sir John Boileau, Bart. ; Sir William
B. Proctor, Bart. ; Sir 'William Foster, Sir James
and Lady Flower, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Irby and
family, Lady Foulkes and family, Mrs. E. bacon,
Daniel Gurney, Esq.; E. Wodehouse, Esq., M.P.
The concert opened with the pastorale symphony of
Beethoven, and the magnificent band played it to per-
fection. This was followed by " God save the Queen,"
our national anthem, sung and played by the whole
orchestra, and in the usual extraordinary style, at
once an evidence of our standard of musical taste, and
John Bull's determination to exercise his high privi-
lege of the liberty of doing what he will in the ex-
pression of his loyalty and fealty to his Lady Sove-
reign the Queen. The attractive solos of the vocal
music were those sang by Rubini, Madame Caradori
Allan, and Miss Rainforth. Rubini, in his two
song from the Pirata of Bellini and the Brigarti of
Mercadante, was enthusiastically applauded, and com-
pelled to repeat them. The singingof Rubini is the new
school, resultingfrom the style of Bellini, who added the
surprising charm of a warm, voluptuous, and yet melan-
choly expression to that school of music which was
originally the invention of the lively and versatile
Rossini. Curioni, Donzelli, and the great tenors be-
fore Rubini, were elegant, and facile vocalists, but
passionate they could not be, since Rossini is without
that feeling. Bellini has created the style, and
the style gives Europe a Rubini. Miss Rainforth
was also warmly encored. Mr. Phillips substituted
The "Angel of Life" for a song of Dibden's. Mr.
Hobbs sang a national song of his own composition,
and Miss Hawes sang twice a song also of her com-
position. Mr. Balfe sang very finely a song from the
Sonnambula of Bellini, and with Rubini, in the duet
from L'ltaliana in Algiera. The instrumental per-
formances were the overture to Anacreon, by Cheru-
bini, and a concerto composed and played by the ve-
teran Lindley, who, at its termination, was greeted,
with deserved acclamations.

THE" GREAT BRITAIN," or " MAM
MOTH," IRON STEAMSHIP.

It is difficult to ascertain the precise limits ofthe speed
which this vessel is calculated to perform at sea. Probably
the expectations of the Directors are greater on this
point than they choose to confess until an actual trial,
but something considerably exceeding that of any sea-
going steam-ship at present afloat may be looked for.
The rate at which the Oriental steam-vessels accom-
plish their voyages does not average more than eight
miles an hour ; the Atlantic steamers about nine, and
the most rapid sea voyage yet accomplished has not
exceeded an average of 10 miles an hour. It is esti-
mated that the Great Britain will accomplish from 10
to 16 miles an hour, according to the nature of the
weather and the sea, and no doubt is entertained but
that her average will be at least 12 to 13 miles per
hour; taking the lowest of these rates, there would be
an amazing increase over the greatest triumphs of
steam navigation hitherto heard of. Let us consider
some of the advantages which might accrue to this
country by the success of the Great Britain. Our
overland mail is now received by us by the favour
alone of jealous neighbours in Europe and of semi-
barbarians in Africa. By these means alone is our
overland correspondence and our passengers to and
from India transmitted in about 35 days, at a great
expense and inconvenience, in varous transhipments
and intermediate land carriage, subject to many annoy-
ances and anxieties; our Indian correspondence liable
to be. intercepted and all communication cut off for
at least a month at any moment that either of these
Powers to which we have alluded might choose to do
so. Who then can properly estimate the value of our
being able to secure, in defiance of the world, the same
expedition by our old and rightful track round the
Cape of Good Hope ? And by the " Great Britain"
this may be done.

SUPPOSED MURDER OF A WIFE
BY HER HUSBAND.

Between six and seven on Wednesday evening a poor
woman, about 35 years of age, with her clothes satu-
rated with blood, and who had evidently been beaten
about the head, face, and neck with inhuman bruta-
lity, made application at the police station-house of
the B division in the New Way, Westminster, stating
that the violent ill-treatment she had sustained had
just been inflicted upon her by her husband, a tie-
maker, living at No. 47, Old Pye-street, Westminster.
The Inspector on duty, apprehending from the dread-
fully-injured state the woman was in that some
serious result would occur, immediately despatched
Police-constable No. 100 of the B division to take
the man into custody. The woman accom-
panying him to point out her husband ;
he was soon captured, the constable proceeded on with
him to the station, leaving the wife to follow and enter
the charge against him. She had with great diffi-
culty, and the assistance of several of her neighbours,
got on her way as far as Orchard-street, when she
complained of faintness, and said she could go no
further, and adding, " I shall die," sank down on the
step of a door, and instantly became insensible. She
was carried with as little delay as possible to West-
minster Hospital, and, on being placed on the floor of
the surgery, she was discovered to be dead. The
husband was detained on suspicion of murder.

ART UNION or LONDON.—No less than 85,000
persons have visited the exhibition of pictures selected
by the pt:izeholders of 1842 ; and it is a gratifying cir-
cumstance to record, that, notwithstanding the great
pressure occasioned by so large a body of visitors, not
the slightest accident has happened to any cf! the
pictures.
We understand the Liberator has had some splen-
did hunting with his beagles on the mountains of his
native Kerry since his return to Darrynane Abbey, after
his long absence.—Freeman's Journal.

LONDON
FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 16, 1842.

The friendly reception of Lord ASHBURTON by
the Mayor and citizens of Boston, will sink deep
into the hearts of the people of England. No
matter what may be their political opinions,
whether they are ultra-Tories or Chartists, they
will not the less participate in the Christian joy
expressed by the citizens of Boston that Old
England and her blooming daughter, North
America, still regard each other with the affec-
tion suitable to such near relations. It was well
and truly observed by the Mayor of Boston that
whatever there is glorious in our history must
redound to the honour of the United States.
These States can therefore achieve no glory in a
conflict with England ; and it truly delights us
to find that such a conviction appears to be gene-
ral among our Transatlantic neighbours. Never
was there delivered a more truly noble welcome
than that of the Mayor of Boston to Lord AsH-
BURTON. "We welcome you, Sir, as the repre-
sentative of your country, and not yours only,
but in a near sense our own; for so long as there
is a tie to link a child to its parent, America will
not forget that England is her mother. We
partake in the honourable pride which must
thrill through your bosom at the recol-
lection of her glorious history." No words could
be spoken of a kindlier import than these. No
words could be spoken better calculated to pre-
pare the public mind on both sides of the Atlan-
ic for entire oblivion with respect to past diffe-
rences. And truly the Mayor of Boston is quite
right. The English and the Americans are the
same people--they are identical in language, in
manners, in historical and literary recollections,
and, to a greater degree than either of them ima-
gine, in tastes, in feelings, and in social gym.
pathies. We grant we differ upon many points,
but not upon more than are customary in the
case of parents and children. Thus, the old are
generally Tories, while the young are, for the
most part, downright Radicals. No young man
of strong feelings, and really distinguished
talents, ever was a Tory, and yet the invariable
bias of old men is in that direction. Now, it is
upon this principle that we account for much
or the ultra-Republicanism of the United
States. There political institutions are in
their infancy ; and hence the ultra-Republican
-zeal manifested in their preservation. Thus
there is really after all no difference between us
which should beget ill feeling on either side.
Then let it be remembered that the more friendly
the relations between us, the stronger is the
guarantee for the peace, prosperity, and happi-
ness of the whole world. We can hope to gain
nothing, and may reasonably expect to lose
everything, by war. Most sincerely therefore
do we trust that the amicable sentiments ex-
pressed by the Mayor of Boston will find an
echo in every bosom in the British empire. P:a.
ourselves, we respond to them with all ou, heart;
and we trust that the citizens of London, Edin-
burgh, and Dublin will testify their sense of the
noble address of the Mayor of Boston by
bestowing upon him the freedom of the capitals
of Queen VICTORIA'S dominions.

The Town Council of Edinburgh is not the only
one that has incurred ridicule by the rapid move-
ments of her MAJESTY in Scotland. It appear..l,
from one account we have scen, that on arriving
at the ancient and venerable burgh or Stirling,
the Royal train was proceAing at such a rail-
road speed, that the Magistrates, with the High
Constable and the Guildry, would have been
passed without notice but for her MAJESTY catch-
ing a glance of their official robes and calling out
to the drivers to stop. At Linlithgow the most lu •
dicrous scene of all took place. The Magistrates
and. Council were waiting at the western entrance
to present an address to her MAJESTY, and also to
confer the freedom of the Royal Burgh on
Prince ALBERT, but thecarriages were driven at
such a rate that they passed the civic body sorri
thirty yards before her MAJESTY ObSel'Ve4 them.
The Provost, like " FORAEST," gave
chase, but 11pfor,,Ani*..iely, when he got within it
vices of the QUEEN, the crowd pressed upon