The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-20 00:00:00

NINO, DECEMBER pp_L
_teal

7-

ilisTonrcAr., mtiStliilit Or
VERSAILLES.
(From the illoniteur des Arts.)
This gigantic » oik is nearly finished, and now that we
may judge it both in its ensf.ruble and in its details, now
that we may follow in all its developments the grand cen-
eewiees of which it is the imposisg expression, we may
do justice to the patriotic and liberal feeling that presided
at its birth, to that lofty tet timers, that rising superior
to the selfish exigencies of politioal opinions, seemed to
have in view but one object, that of bringing together
a vast collection of historical monuments, classed in clear
and progressive order. In 1832 the Chamher of De-
puties was near depriving the Crown of the Palace of
Versailles, and the classic souvenirs of the age of Louis
XIV. were to be effaced, to satisfy a feeling of hostile
jealousy, or a sordid calculation that would add a few ad-
ditional millions to the treasury. A majority of seven
votes saved France the shame of suing one of its finest
mentnnents razed to the ground. The princely habita-
tion v<herd genius and talent so eft received the honours
of noble hospitality ryas saved from tse hammer of the
auctioneer, and Europe rejoices at a victory thus ob-
tained by civilisation over barbarity. Those who from
a narrow-minded motive would have sacrificed one of
the proudest monuments of France, will find some con-
solation in the reflection that Ho en millions of francs
have been circulated by the Museum of Versailles. Every
one is now aware of are motive of the King in forming
the Museum ; the obj: ct is evident, and the execution
nobly answers the intention, and may be read in the
motto inscribed on the front of the Palace, "A touter les
gloires de la France." It would be unjust to attribute to
the French Monarch anything like an exclusive feeling,
and we must confeSs that no Prince would have under-
taken shat he has so generously done. Had Louis
XIV. or Napoleon conceived a project, the fame of which
will live in after ages as one of the proudest titles of
Louis Philippe to the gratitude of a nation, they wouldhave
suppressed more than one fact, and effaced the image of
more than one man ; the King banished from this classic
sanctuary only what might call up the recollection of
misfortune or of crime. We perceive a strong proof of
rare impartiality, a feeling of enlightened liberality, in
opening the Museum to men, his personal enemies, but
who have played a certain part in some of the important
scenes of the political drama that has been acted for the
last fifteen years seemed entitled to a place in a work
intended to represent the history of the country.
Party feeling was more than once invoked to assail this
national institution, which in their eyes was either de-
mocratical and revolutionary in the extreme, or leaned
so strongly to monarchical principles that tyranny
seemed to receive a sanction in lauding the splendid
vanity of the past. To please the one, the history of
Versailles should not have descended below 1788, and to
satisfy the other the royal decree should have blotted out
all that preceded 1789, and all that succeeded 1831. The
restoration that effaced from the monuments raised by
the empire, the s3nibols engraven upon them by the Em-
peror ; the Republic that would destroy the traces of the
ancient grandeur of France.both found it difficult topardon
the King his noble moderation, his steady and exem-
plary justice ; but the country and Europe have under-
stood all that is great and royal in so much equity an
moderation. Abstracting from political feelings the.
Museum has been the object of satire and unjust criti-
cism, and, strange to say, even from artists. It is true
there are many pictures that have no claims to excel-
lence—some that may be considered bad. It would be
to be wished that all were of the first order, both in
point of composition and execution ; but where are
two thousand master-pieces of art to be found ? Where
could the King have got them, where have found artists
to paint them ? But this is not the question ; even
though there was not a single master-piece, the Museum
would still be a national monument. Painting in this case
is not to be considered as the end, it is only the means. A
picture at Versailles must not be considered exclusively
as an object of art ; it is above all a page placed be-
side another, to help to form a volume of history. The
Museum may be considered an illustrated work, and as
such will produce a sure effect on the majority of readers.
Local memory being the one by which we best remember
facts, in order to impress those facts more forcibly on
the minds of the people for whom the Museum was in-
tended, what more rational line of conduct could the
King have adopted than to bring together a long series
of images more or less striking by. the composition of
the subjects, the variety of the episodes, and the bril-
liancy of the colouring ? Art must necessarily have
been but a secondary consideration, and yet it is easy
to perceive his Majesty did not neglect it. The royal
" Chateaux," the stores of the Louvre gave in their
large contributions ; the " lit to civile' opened its
treasures to swell the number of this vast historic
collection. Among those numerous pictures, busts,
and statues, there were some of a high order of merit,
which in themselves would have flamed a valuable
museum. There were those of Van der Meulen and of
Philippe de Champaigne, master-pieces of David and of
Gros ; the Battle of Austerlitz, the Entry of Henry IV.
into Paris, and Philip V. of Gerard, which, in my
opinion, cannot be placed in the same line as the
" Sacre " Aboukir, and the Pestiferes de Jaffa, but
which in the esteem of the critics of the Empire and of
the Restoration were works of rare merit. Martin was
not, it is true, a great painter, but, like Van der Bleu-
lan, he painted contemporary facts under the eye and
dictation of the heroes who performed them. Battles
painted by Parrocel, a few official pages by Lebuen, a
few pictures by Guy Halle, Antoins Dieu, Antoine rezy,
Rudolphe Huber, Dumenil, Charles and Ignace Par-
rocel, Pierre Leupant, Segue, Lapson. Those pro-
ductions would unquestionably be misplaced in a gal-
lery composed exclusively with a view to art, but how
could they have been rejected in a collection of paint-
ings representing historical facts, and executed by artists
who were almost contemporary with those facts. Con-
sidered in another point of view, they possess a certain
value in a Museum like that of Versailles ; they are the
record of the history of the second order of painting
during the reign of Louis XIV., a history which is
nowhere to be found. Pictures during the Empire re-
presenting military feats, scenes of the interior of the
palace, are, with few exceptions, but very indifferent, so
much so indeed,: that it is hard to imagine they were
done at a moment when David was painting the Ther-
mopylm, the Portrait of the Pope and the Sacre (conse-
cratien) ; when Gros was rising to immortal fame by
productions that, with those of his illustrious master, will
suffice to class the French school from the beginning of
the nineteenth century among the great schools of paint-
ing, where Guerine, Girodot, and Gerard gave to the
world productions inferior to those of David and of Gros,
but of a very high order, when Prudhoe claimed the
place of a fine, soft, and delicate colourist. Weak,
nay bad, as those productions may be, it is well they
have been grouped and brought together, because with
those of the masters who come immediately after David
they form a history of the art during the Empire both
curious and instructive. All, or almost all, the pictures
were ordered by Napoleon, and it would be unfair to ac-
cuse him of want of taste in refusing to limit his choice
to the small number of artists whose talents placed them
in the highest rank of art. A monarch, were he con-
noisseur, and did he feel a repugnance for what in art
is without grandeur or excellence, would, however, be
obliged to make a sacrifice of his taste, and confide to
mediocrity a portion of the monuments he wishes to
raise. His taste might be shocked by the necessity
of consulting more than one interest, and extending his
choice to those who have but slight claims to excellence.
Thss consideration, and the laudable desire of encouraging
every talent, however humble, influenced Napoleon in the
choice of his artists. When Depose advised him to confide
to such or such an artist a work destined for one of his
palaces, he replied, "As Emperor, I am not free to
choose; were I in another station in life—were I even
but a Royal Highness, I should have my own artists,
but in the station in which I am placed, whilst reward-
ing
those who by their talents honour their country, I
cannot forget that there are others of inferior merit, who
have a claim cn my protection." Louis XIV. yielded
to the same motives. Leburn was his artist, and through
him came a swarm of artists of the second and third
order ; so much was to be done, and in a limited space
of time, that it was necessary to have a whole legion of
artists. Leburn was commander of that numerous host,
and taught them discipline, and so skilful was the direc-
tion given that the numerous productions seemed
to be the work of one hand. Thus were
trained those artists whose productions live un-
consecrated by a name, and thus the works
of the sellers which strike the eye so agreeably when
viewed from the terrace of Versailles, near the bason of
Laton, have been ascribed to Coysevox, of whose
pompous styles they stem the correct representation.
A nearer inspection, however, tells us that those pro-
ductions remarkable for the majesty of the positions,
the grace and variety of the details, belong to Ilungre,
Magnier, Le Regitandeir, Baptiste .Tuby, P. Le Gros,
Run, or some other artist, to whose name and fame we
are equally strangers. Napoleon was not so successful
as Louis XIV. The works of his secondary artists
possessed neither the intrinsic merit nor fine ap-
pearance of those of Martin, Raon, Jubez, and
others ; he was, however, obliged to accept such
productions, which were but's poor ornaments for his
imperial castles. It is true the defects of those
works were not always discriminated by a man whose
knowledge of the art was rather limited, equally unable
to appreciate the distinguishing beauties of the Sabrina,
or the splendid colouring of the plague of Jaffe, the battles
of Aboukir and Nazareth. He was more engrossed with
the subject than the style or tone of the painting, and
providing the artist was faithful in recording historical
truth in the material part of the details, he cared little
about the truth of the colouring, the grandeur or simpli-
city of the composition. The King had undertaken a
mighty task, and expedition was necessary, that time
might remain for other important . works, such as the
completing of the Louvre, which, w e trust, his Majesty
will execute in spite of the narrow-minded feeling of poli-
tical approbation so unjustly raised against an under-
taking worthy of a Prince, the enlightened patron of
civil institutions. ARTHUR DAVITT,
IProfessor of Modern Literature.

FRIGHTFUL DEATH.—Yesterday Mr. William
Payne held an inquest in the board-room of Guy's Hospital,
on the body of John Baylis, aged 47 years; lately in the ser-
vice of Messrs. Randall and Ca., the proprietors of the ex-
tensive malt-mills at South Lambeth. James Hill, an en-
gineer, deposed that it was deceased's duty to clean the ma-
chinery every morning before it was put in motion. On
Thursday morning, between six and seven o'clock, witness
had lighted the fire, and got the steam up ready for work,
The engine was put in motion, but was not performing its
usual work, consequently it was travelling at full speed.
When witness saw the deceased last he was standing in a
small space, between the wall and shaft, in a leaning position,
cleaning the machinery. Witness left the room for a minute,
when he was suddenly alarmed by hearing loud screams for
assistance. Witness ran to the spot, and found that Baylis
had been drawn in among the machinery. The engine was
stopped by witness, who, after a few seconds, found the de-
ceased apparently lifeless. His left leg was completely torn
from his body above the knee joint. The right leg was also
seriously injured. He was carried to the above hospital,
syhere he died in three hours after his admission. Verdict—
" Accidental death."

; r

LORD Nt OR 1 Tll To-i
At a juncture like the present, a Parliamentary election is
regarded with more than ordinary interest, as affording an
opportunity to the expression of popular sentiments, and the
manifestation of the popular will on a subject which has de-
steyed one Cabinet, and may be doomed to destroy another.
We do not speak of elections which are decided by the fiat
of an individual—where venal cr vassal constituents are
transferred from one political cipher to another by the cam-
mend of a petty autocrat, or at the bidding of a wealthvpar-
ventt—but where men intelligent enough to think, and inde-
pendent enough to act, for themselves, are called upon to ex-
ercise the constitutional right of sending a representative of
their opinions and interests into Parliament. An opportu-
nity of this kind has just occurred. The death of Lord
Wharncliffe makes the representation of the Westßiding va-
cant by the succession of his son to the peerage. To
no constituency could an appeal be made which would
provoke FO' important or so decisive an adjudi-
cation. Superior in superficial extent to many counties, the
West Riding of Yorkshire exceeds every county but one in
the wealth of its inhabitants, and the numerous sources of
that wealth. Combining in its population the representa-
tives of the oldest families among the landed aristocracy, as
well as the most opulent of the manufacturing classes, it
sends to the hustings the interpreters of every opinion and
the adherents of every pat ty. On one side may he seen ranged
the champions of the Dukery and that older nobilty which
dates its title to hereditary distinction from an epoch long
antecedent to the English peerage ; on the other the deni-
zens of Leeds, Barnsley, and Sheffield—men wbo have
grown rich in the routine of mechanic toil, and the acquisi-
tion of industrial wealth. On no hustings, perhaps, in all
England can ideas so opposite, habits so diverse, and
opinions so conflicting, be pitted against one another as
on those of Wakefield. The creed of an old school, the
theories of a fiery—the sober dogmatism of hereditary rank,
the adventurous speculation of a new-born fortune—the
prejudices of the peerage, the longings of the people—
all here meet with a numerical and dynamical force that no
other polling• place in England can parallel. It must indeed
be a season of profound tranquillity and of political apathy,
in which the candidate of any side can centre in himself the
suffrages of a constituency so heterogeneous and divided.
And it must at all times be a subject of proud reflection to
the man who has won the prize of its representation. For
whether it be the genius of a Conservative or the spirit of a
Liberal policy which triumphs on these hustings, one thing
is tolerably certain—that no ignoble drudge of a party, no
insignificant or unintelligent herald, will now be sent to Par-
liament to interpret the wishes or protect the interests of the
West Riding. It was no vain or commonplace compliment
which Lord Morpeth uttered in his farewell address at Wake
field in 1841, when he expressed his determination to seek
or accept the suffrages of no other constituency than that
which had formerly elected him its Member, and had
only then deprived him of its confidence. He appreciated
the honour of his former position too highly not to feel
its loss acutely; he valued it too dearly not to hope for its
restitution. That time has now come. The representation
of the West Riding is again vacant. He has another oppor-
tunity of soliciting the support of those whose favour he
values, and of testing their dcv ion to principles which he
has consistently advocated. lie carries with him the recom-
mendations of private character and public distinction. He
adds to these the influence of high birth and ancestral con-
nexion. His qualifications are such as would earn for him
the unanimous approval of men who were influenced by per-
sonal ratb.er than party views; they would guarantee to him
the enthusiastic assistance of any party with which he might
profess to act. The Liberals would support a man whose
rank and intelligence reflected honour on their side ; the
strongest Tory would reluctantly oppose one who, though
brought into daily and official contact with the pitch of Whig
jobbery and Irish debasement, came out with his word un-
doubted and his purity unsullied. But it will not be on per-
sonal grounds that Lord Morpeth will stand for the West
Riding, nor on these grounds that he can hope to succeed.
A great principle is at stake—a principle to which the
electors of the West Riding are not indifferent. Lord
Morpeth will appear before them as the champion of free
trade. In this character he will be supported; in this cha-
racter he will be assailed. Viewed in this light, the election
for the West Riding becomes a matter of grave import and
anxious consideration. The hustings at Wakefield are the
first great battle-field, whereon the contest between free
trade and its antagonist is to be fairly waged. It is of no
slight import which side secures the superiority in the first
engagement ; for the first fair omen of a contest is half the
victory. It is against no trivial or contemptible foe that he
may have to contend. His adversaries can send into the
field wealth, numbers, intelligence, and that stubborn energy
which teen insures success when every other qualification
fails. Tfat they will forbear such a contest, and that they
will forbear to set the manufacturers of Yorkshire in array
against its landowners, is a thing much to be hoped, but
hardly to be expected. Party feeling is too strong, the ex-
citement of the two opposing classes is too vehement, to ad-
mit of the supposition that the representation of the West
Riding can be won without a fight. We hope, therefore, that
the men of Yorkshire will be true to the cause of free trade,
and restore Lord Morpeth to the honour which he lost with
so much regret and so much grace.—Times.

THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.
(From the Times.)
'We yesterday announced that the interregnum had termi
nated, and that Lord John Russell had accepted from her
Majesty the task of forming an Administration. His Lord-
ship, as we then explained, entered upon his office with the
utmost hesitation, and only assumed the responsibilities of a
Minister when he found that Sir R. Peel declined to return
to power—at least until his rival had experienced the diffi-
culties of the crisis and failed in surmounting them. If we
are rightly informed, it is by no means improbable that Sir
R. Peel will have an opportunity of resuming office even
upon those terms. Lord John Russell has found the difficul-
ties of his position greater than, even after a week's consi-
deration, he had anticipated. At a meeting yesterday,
at which all the chiefs of his party were present, so much dis-
union prevailed, and so much doubt as to the ultimate suc-
cess of an Administration which would have at the outset to
encounter in the House of Commons an immense adverse
majority, with the assistance only of the precarious support
which Sir R. Peel could afford, that it remains until this
morning in doubt whether or not Lord John Russell will,
afar a more exact calculation of his strength, persevere in
the task he has undertaken, or resign the trust once more into
the hands of her Majesty. We should do Lord John Russell in-
justice if we did not except him from those among. whom
any doubt or hesitation prevails. His Lordship has been
anxious to emancipate himself from the prudery of faction,
and to construct his Cabinet on the widest possible basis, so
that it might be in every respect equal to the emergency, and
might possess a large share of the national confidence. Like
Sir R. Peel, however, he has had to encounter among his pro-
posed colleagues every variety-of disappointment, from direct
opposition to lukewarm support ; and, although himself hope-
ful of success, and willing io adventure upon his great enter-
prise, the reluctance of some among his political friends to
engage in a struggle from which Sir R. Peel, with his ma-
jority of 90 in the House of Commons, and his great advan-
tage in the Upper House, has been compelled to withdraw,
may induce him to give way, and to throw upon Sir R. Peel
the full responsibility of the crisis he has created.
(From the Morning Chronicle.)
From our first announcement of the resignation of Sir R.
Peel we have not ceased to impress upon the public how
many and how serious were the obstacles to the formation of
a Liberal Government. In the face of them, nothing less
than the absolute necessities of the public service could
justify Lord John Russell in undertaking the task. Unless
he could calculate upon the cordial support of the heads of
the late Government, and upon the hearty and generous co-
operation of the whole of his own party, it was obvious that
he could not so much as entertain the subject of forming an
Administration; and even with such support as this, it must
still be a matter of grave doubt whether his Lordship had
such reasonable prospect of success as could alone warrant
him in encountering the difficulties of the present crisis.
It is only as the formation of a Cabinet progresses
that these difficulties come to be fully developed ;
and it is altogether uncertain whether they may not even yet
terminate in Lord John Russell's abandoning the task upon
which he had already entered. In a merely party view we
confess we should not regret this result. While the great
object upon which the heart of the people is fixed would
perhaps be more surely and more thoroughly, accomplished
by a little delay and the wreck of another Administration,
the position of the Liberal party would be greatly
strengthened by throwing back the Government upon those
who have fled from its responsibilities. But this this is not
a time for the playing of party tricks, or for the stiff assertion
of peculiar views. At what time during the last few years
have we had more need of the care and watchfulness of a
strong Government than at present ? If the country will
require to be told why, at such a time, Sir Robert Peel broke
up his strong Government, depend upon it, it will also require
to be told why Lord John Russell has not been able—if un-
happily he shall not be able—to form any Government.

TIIE WEATHER AT LIVERPOOL.—The weather
still continues boisterous, and our dispatches of yesterday
state, that since the memorable storm of January, 1839, the
barometer has never fallen so low.

ARAB VENGEANCE.—The following appears in an
Algiers journal of the 2d :—" A Frenchman, named Justine,
was living in a small bowie near the copper mines of Mou-
zaia, with his family, when on the 19th ult. he was shot by
an Arab, the ball entering between the shoulders. On his
dropping, a party of the marauders entered the cottage and
assailed the three children who were in it, a girl about 15, and
two boys, one eight and the other four years old. The girl,
though stabbed in 12 places, had sufficient strength left to
escape, and go to Medeah and give the alarm. The com-
mandant immediately mounted his horse, and, followed by a
picket of men, hastened to the scene of murder. The Arabs
were gone, leaving Justine still living, but weltering in his
blood, with his feet in a fire, to which he had been dragged
by the Arabs, who bad laid upon him the bodies of his two
younger children. They were immediately carried to the
hospital, where the daughter had been already placed, and
where she and her younger brother are still living, but the
father and the elder boy expired the next day. Madame
Justine, the wife and mother of these victims of barbarity,
was absent from the scene of blood, having gone to Medeah
with a still younger child. During the night of the same
day, two men, named Blache and Levy Joseph, belonging to
the same copper mines, disappeared. They had gone to the
market of Arba Djendel, both armed, Blache taking with him
900 f. in silver. They had two dogs with them, both of which
were covered with blood, which circumstance leads to a belief
that another murder has been committed."

DISTRESSING CASH OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN
ST. JAMES'S PARK.--Thursday morning, about ten o'clock, as
one of the keepers of St. James's-park was passing along the
northern bank of the ornamental waters, he observed a female
suddenly plunge in and disappear. He made an alarm, and
two gentlemen came up, when it was resolved, as neither of
the persons present could swim, that each individual should
grasp the other's hand, and thus proceed into the water,
Walker taking the lead, followed by one of the gentlemen,
whilst the friend of the latter held 'firmly by a projection n
the bank, for the purpose of endeavouring to rescue
the
e
drowning woman, and by these humane and intrepidfe by exer-
tions the keeper succeeded in catching hold of the ma
the hand as she was sinking for the third time.
another park-keeper, named Farrar,
his charge to the Westminster Hospital, .w
WalkerhAssisted by
e hastened
ro,bm with
eansof
aNsvasincthhaerloctiuerAsesiolf, anl
hour enabledand
tootle
state
trinetdihees,r
m
years o she
ewe
f age • that she had been aservlint, but having for
some
time past been out of a situation, she had been
obliged to part with almost every article of clothing she
possessed, and had suffered the greatest privations, fre-
quently going without food for days together. She had that
morning left her lodgings, at No. 8, Cumberland-place,
Marlborough-road, Chelsea, for the purpose of proceeding to
her mother, who is also a servant, but, on passing through the
Park, she suddenly made up her mind to put an end to her
miserable existence. She remains in the hospital in an ex-
tremely low and weak state.
Low TlDE.—Yesterday, about noon, the river
between Blackfriars-bridge and Somerset-house presented an
extraordinary appearance, in consequence of the tide, which
fell unusually low, causing the greatest inconvenience in the
navigation of steam-boats and other craft, especially above
bridge, where several were aground for some time.
An Envoy Extraordinary, says the Constihtionn,
is expected in Paris from the republic of Mexico, to treat for
the establishment of friendly relations between France and
the republic,—.Galignani.

--Int e lk r- f'ti411,137-
DEATH OF PROFESSOR DOD, OF PRINCETON
COLLEGE, NEW JERSEY.
We regret to learn, by the last steamer from America,
the death of Professor Dud, of Princeton College—a
gentleman well known by repute in this country. Pro-
fessor Dod was celebrated for his conversational talents,
which were little, if in any way, inferior to those of Samuel
Taylor ColeriAge. We copy the following tribute to his
memory from a Boston paper :
Professor Dod, of Princeton, is dead. He breathed
his last yesterday afternoon (Thursday), at a about half-
pastfour o'clock, after a week's illness.

The College of New Jersey, of which the deceased was
a distinguished professor, will long- mourn its irrepar-
able loss—the Church:; of which he wasl a learned and
eloquent minister—the country, of which he was au
intelligent, patriotic, and faithful citizen—the friendly
and the family circle, of which he was the hope and the
ornament—each will mourn a dispensation—so littlo
anticipated—so inscrutible, so overwhelming.
Albert B. Dod bad reached his fortieth year, and
was, therefore, in th® vigour and promise of life ; with
all his faculties bent to the accomplishment of the great
trust to which he had devoted himsaf—that of advancing
and perfecting liberal education.
His deoarttnent in the Cunt ge was mathematics, tut
his intellectual grasp comprehended all the kindred
sciences—and his thirst fur knowledge, combined with
a discriminating taste, led him to the cultivation and
appreciation of the classics and belles lettres. lle was

indeed a fine illustration of an uccoitiplishid scholar
:Ind Christian gentlenian—?:howing in all thing 4 the
Liberalising influences of good studies upiAt an ingenuous
nature.

In his intercourse with the students of the CZege,
Mr. I)od was most happy in conciliating- their regard,
while exciting their emulation. Ile taught them to
value knoll], dge, as much by his example as his precepts,
and he, in like manner, taught them, too, that !with, r
talents nor knowledge are valuable, or to he valued,
except as founded on and strengtEnned by good principles
and good conduct.
Of his social and domestic qualities, we will not trust
ourselves to speak—for what to those who
.knew him
not in those relations might seem exaggeration, would,
to the friends that loved him, sound like faint and feeble
praise.
But he is gone.

'Muftis ille bonis flebilis occidit,
Nulli flebilior quam mihi.
OnEcosi.---The origin of the proposition to which
allusion has been made, for the adjustment of the Oregon
question, appears to be indicated in the following para-
graph from the Toronto Banner :—" Mr. Buchanan, late
British Consul at New York, has proposed a plan for
preventing collision, which has been submitted to both
Governments. It has been noticed by the New York
papers, and suggests a Board of Commissioners mutually
chosen. If this board does not agree, it proposes
that a portion of the territory shall be set aside as
mutual ground till 1860, or till it shall have contained
100,000 inhabitants for the five previous years; that
then, if two-thirds of these inhabitants agree, it will be
open to them to become an independent state, or to
annex themselves to Britain or America, as they see fit,
reserving to both countries equal rights of trade.
The worthy ex-Consul's plan may be a very good one,
but it would be better that every question between
our belligerent neighbours and us were settled at once.
It is impossible, however, to think that the formidable
preparations for defence of the English coast, are dic-
tated from fear of an American war. The British
Cabinet must have information, that, in such an event,
France will be likely to take part with the United
States. The value of the Oregon territory is not great,
in itself, but our Government will not allow herself to
be bullied out of what is conceived to belong of right to
the British Empire."
The Washington correspondent of the Charleston
Courier thus writes It is, I have uo doubt, the wish
of the people of the United States to treat Mexico ge-
nerously and liberally in this matter—more especially
since she has offered us the olive branch. We
ought to be willing to grant her an ample equiva-
lent for the boundary which we propose to take, or
rather have taken. This is the proper time, also, for pur-
chasing the Californias of Mexico. Her hold is exceed-
ingly weak on that State, and she must relinquish it to
England. Would not our people do well to take Cali-
fornia, with its fine harbours and fertile lands, while
they can be got for a few millions, instead of marching
an army across the Rocky Mountain to conquer from
the British some wild and worthless lands on the
Pacific North of Columbia River ? This is the time to
settle this matter."

WELL DESERVED TRIBUTE.—The following is a
copy of a letter addressed, by T. G. Grattan, Esq.,
British Consul for Boston, Massachussetts, to Capt. Up-
ton, of the ship Governor Davis, one of Train's Line of
Liverpool Packets :
" H B. M. Consulate, Boston, Oct., 17, 1845.
" Sir—l have to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of yesterday's date, accompanied by one from
Captain Salter, of the British ship Glenview,' detailing
the particulars of your humane conduct, in rescuing, at
great risk, from the wreck of that vessel, the master,

of and crew, consisting of twenty-two individuals,
and your having provided them with clothing, subsisted
them on board your ship for three weeks, and treated
them throughout with the greatest kindness.
"For this conduct I beg to offer you my cordial
thanks, and to assure you of the gratitude of the persons
who owe their lives to you. Such instances of gene-
rosity and humanity are by no means uncommon in the
American merchant-service ; and I shall have grtat
pleasure, as I have had on simi!ar occasions, in report-
tag the circumstances of the case for the consideration
of her Majesty's Government.
4‘l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
" T. C. GRATTAN.
"Captain Upton, of the American ship
Governor Davis, Boston."
Mr. Grattan is the well-known author of " Highways
and Byewaya."

The Marquis and Marchioi ss of Douro are ex-
pected to return to this country on the 15th of the ensuing
month, from Rome, after a tour -of nearly six months in
Germany and Italy. They were to leave Rome for Naples
this month, and thence to Florence. _

THE N'ORTIIRRN COLLEGE.—We are enabled to
state that the Vice-Principalship of the Northern College has
been conferred upon Dr. Thomas Andrews, of this town.
This reponsible situation was tendered to Dr. Thompson, of
Glasgow, and by him refused. Dr. Andrews is a gentleman
of high scientific attainments, and is at present Professor of
Chemistry in the Medical School attached to the Belfast In-
stitution.—Belfast Chronicle.
GLASTONBURY.—FREE-TRADE MEETING..—III this
benighted, Tory and priest-ridden town, the seeds of free
trade have at length struggled through many impediments
and brought forth fruit. On the evening of Thursday se'n-
night a public meeting of the inhabitants and its neighbour-
hood took place, to try the strength of free trade with pro-
tection, and it is with much pleasure we state that the opinion
in favour of opening the ports was unanimously expressed.—
Somerset County Gazette.
BEVERLEY .—R EP RESENTATION.-- wing tothe un-
certainty which prevails as to the_ course which Lord John
Russell will adopt, no positive announcement has yet been
made as to the intention of the two parties in Beverley, but
we understand the Liberals will be fully prepared with two
" good men and true," should an election take place.—Hull
Advertiser.

SALE OF A CURIOUS COLLECTION OF BLACK..
LETTER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS.—Yesterday a sale by
auction, of a curious collection of black-letter books and
manuscripts, forming a portion of an episcopal library, re-
ceived from the Continent (commenced on Thursday), was
resumed, and concluded at Mr. Fletcher's rooms, in Piccadilly.
The following, from their rarity, are deserving of notice :
" Mita Germanica," without date, place, or printer's name,
but printed in 1462. This book (the catalogue stated) is
a first edition of the German Bible, and of the utmost
rarity, being alluded to by De Bure, Clement, and Vogt,
in their works. It consists of 404 leaves, each page having
two columns, each column containing 60 lines. The book
sold for 15 guineas. Two copies of the first edition of Lu-
ther's Bible, with wood-cuts after designs by Albert Durer
and Luca• r;ranach, sold respectively for Si. 2s. Gd. and
11/. 15'. rhe autographs of the various German monarchs
fetched very low prices, the highest price being 11.45. for
the autograph of Charles V., Emperor of Germany. An auto-
graph of Napoleon fetched only 95., and one of Charles XII.
of Sweden but ISs.

COAL-PIT ACCIDENT.—THREE PERSONS KILLED.---
An inquest was held at Aspull, on Saturtav last, before Mr.
Ilenshall, deputy county coroner, on the bodies ofJohn Shep-
herd, aged 44, William Shepherd, his son, 13 years of age,
and William Butterworth, aged 18. From the evidence
adduced, it appeared that the unfortunate individuals, who
were colliers, were at work, on the Thursday previous, in a
coal-pit at Aspull, belonging to Earl Belcarres ; there was
some foul air in the pit, which came in conduct with a lighted
candle, and caused an explosion to take place. Another man,
named Thomas Seddon, 'who was working in the same level,
was also so dreadfully injured that he is not expected to
recover. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death in
every case ; and the coroner severely reprimanded the over-
looker of the pit for not using greater caution in examining
into the state of the pit, as to the existence of foul air in it,
and also preventing the men from working with lights that
were not properly guarded.—Liverpool Mercury.
CHRISTMAS BOXES.—The Corporation of Colchester
have taken the necessary steps to prevent the police,. town
sergeants, and other paid officers, from receiving Christmas
boxes.—Essex Standard.
WRECK OF A. COLCHESTER VESSEL.—It Is our
painful duty to record the total wreck of the brig Mercury, of
this port, with the loss of three lives, viz., Captain Nunn,
jun., and two of the crew. She was on her passage from the
north, coal laden, and on Thursday afternoon last, whilst off
Whitby, encountered some rough weather with a very heavy
Aboutsea.
rrie
ds Loa;c..l clock she shipped a sea over her stern.
which c
the
jolly boat and stove in her stern
frame, with all the bulwarks to the main rigging. The crew
then hove to till about nine o'clock, when another tremen-
dous sea went over her, washing away the long boat and
breaking in the main hatch ; the fore bulkhead also gave
way at the same time, and the ship began to settle down by
the head. On sounding the pumps between four and five
feet of water was found in the hold, so that the only chance
of the crew saving their lines was to run her for the shore,
upon which about eleven o'clock she struck. At this junc-
ture the captain's rope broke and he was washed overboard,
but the rest of the crew took to the rigging, where they re-
mained nearly four hours within a short distance of the
beach ; the sea, however, was so heavy that the life-boat
could not put off to their assistance; but by means of a
rocket a rope was ultimately passed over the vessel, by
which four of the crew, named 111‘Nish, Ezekiel and S. Ben-
nett, and J. Baker, were pulled ashose. Robert Barrett,
another seaman, unfortunately lost his hold of the rope and
was drowned ; and a third, named Joseph Humm, who was
in the fore-rigging when the ship parted, met a similar me-
lancholy fate. The body of Ilumm was picked up the fol•
lowing but neither the captain nor Barrett had been
found.—Lssex Standard.
A MisEu.—A few days ago, died wretchedly in a
garret at Boulogne, a woman who had attained her eighty-
fifth year. Her relations, when they examined her chamber,
found concealed in a closet money to the amount of 1,730 f.
She was the owner of a farm, and also of a Louse, at Bou-
logne, both well let, and yet had the audacity to beg in the
streets. She had when found by the tenant of her farm who
came on business, been dead, as declared by the medical men
called in, at least thirty-six hours, and probably from starva-
tion, as not a morsel of food was to be found in the room.
The property of this miserable creature is estimated at 42,000 L

The Secretary then read the following report :
" The Directors are most anxious to lay before you a
Full and explicit report of.the resources and prospects of the
Company, being fully aware that in the present agitated
state of the. railway interest, nothing but the most perfect
eonfidence and co-operation between all parties con-
cerned can bring any project to a successful termination.
Commencing under the most favourable auspices, and
supported by a numerous and highly respectable provi-
sional committee, the applications for shares amounted
teabout five hundred thousand, and were declared by
the allotment committee to be the most respectable they
bad ever witnessed. Of these 118,865 were applied for
either personally or by letter to the Provisional Com-
mittee. The panic occurred at the time when the allot-
ment took place ; and, as under the circumstances it
uld have been unfair, as well as impolitic, to
press the applicants, it was deemed advisable
to allow a reasonable time to pay up the depo-
sits. The 20th of November was named in conse-
quence for that purpose ; few, however, had availed
themselves of that extension of time; still it was thought
that the best course for those who bad paid would be to
perfect the plans and sections, which was accordingly
one. The engineer had completed his survey in time,
the plans, &c., had been deposited, and the whole had
been calculated to be completed at a cost of 1,200,0001.
In fir t, everything had been done to perfect the scheme,
and nothing was wanting but for the committee to take
up the necessary number of shares to which they were
pledged, so as to go forward in the ensuing session of
Parliament. The report further set forth that the pre-
bable returns on the line had been estimated at 6i per
cent. on the capital subscribed, and that nothing now
was wanting but the co-operation of the provisional se-
cretary to carry the project to a successful termination.
The report concluded by stating"that the Company had
decided to amalgamate with another company that
almost took the same course, and that the sanction of
the shareholders was only wanted to carry out that ar-
rangement."
After the report had been read,
The CHAIRMAN said that, perhaps the meeting would
like to hear Captain Moorsom, the engineer of their own
Company, and a statement of Mr. Gibbs, from the rival
line, as to the prospects of their Company.
Captain MOORSOM then came forward, and said that,
when he first looked over this line, he thought that the
scheme was not one that would be of public advantage ;
but he found, upon a more careful scrutiny afterwards,
that the line under consideration would be of great pub-
lic advantage. He found, on examination, that there
was a series of valleys extending from ravesend to
Reigate, and again, from Watford to Hertford, which
would allow them to construct a line with a due regard
to economy. A very considerable extent of the line
could be constructed at 7,0001. per mile, but other por-
tions required a larger amount ; still no portion would
be so expensive as the Eastern Counties, the London
and Birmingham, or the lower portions of the Great
Western, towards Chippenham. It was intended that
the capital subscribed should be reduced, as the
peculiar circumstances of the line would war-
rant ; and, without troubling the meeting with
any mysterious expressions as regarded gradients
and other matters connected with the engineer-
ing department, he would endeavour to give them
a plain statement of the matters as connected with the
Company. As they then stood, they bad many cir-
cumstances to consider in treating this matter. They
could not flatter themselves with the expectation that
" long " passengers would go by their trains through-
out the entire distance ; but it might be supposed that,
from such a town as Birmingham, they might expect
that a portion of the passengers would require to go on
to Chippenham. When they looked at the towns that
lay upon the line—Watford and the intermediate towns
to Hertford on the one hand, and St. Alban's and
Chelmsford on the other—they might properly appre-
ciate the importance of the line. They looked for large
traffic on a hundred miles of distance, and he knew no

line of an equal distance that would be equally remu-
nerative for " short " passengers. He wished them
thoroughly to understand what he meant. Supposing,
for instance, that a passenger were coming up from Bir-
mingham, if he wished to go to Southampton he should
go to Watford; thus saving a journey round by London.
Be thought, therefore, that this line was worthy of
Tory aupport in the forthcoming session of Parliament,
because it afforded every convenience to the district it

was intended to supply.
In answer to several questions, it was stated by
ThA CHAIRMAN that 250,0001. was the capital sub-
scribed, and that it was intended to be a double and not
$ single line. There were no peculiar difficulties
throughout the line, and the money subscribed would be
quite sufficient to construct a double line. After paying
every preliminary expense they would bare enough to
spare for the purposes of the line.
To a question from a Shareholder with respect to
amalgamating with another company,
The CHAIRMAN stated that the Metropolitan Railway
Junction had lodged their plans and sections with the
Board of Trade. It was added, that after paying all
expenses there remained 11,0001 in the banker's hands,
and tho outstanding debts amounted to 3,000/. The
Company with which they were going to amalgamate
were richer in funds than they were, but as the present

Company had lodged their plans, and as the rival Com-
pany had not done so, they were in an equal position.
A resolution was then passed for the amalgamation of
the two Companies, and a vote of thanks being given to
the Chairman, the meeting separated.

GREAT LEEDS AND LONDON
RAILWAY.

A meeting of the shareholders of this Company was
held yesterday, at one o'clock, at the George and Vulture
Tavern, Cornhill, to consider and determine what course
it was expedient to pursue under existing circumstances.
On entering the room each person was presented with a
printed circular, signed " One of yourselves," calling on
thane, instead of dissolving the Company and receiving
back their deposits, minus expenses, to amalgamate with
the London and Nottingham Railway, a line that pro-
posed to supply the district of country for which the
present scheme had been projected, and which had suc-
ceeded in depositing its plans and sections, and had every
prospect of obtaining an Act in the ensuing session of
Parliament.
The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Riddell) opened the business by
stating that the present meeting of the shareholders
had been called by the Provisional Directors, to lay
before them a statement of their present position ; and he
was serry that they had not been convened under
more favourable circumstances. Still, the Committee of
Management had. considered it to be their duty to
give an account of bow they stood. He would now call
on the Secretary to read the report prepared, after which
he would be open to make any further remarks, or give
any explanation that might be deemed necessary.
The SECRETe RI then read the report, which was in sub-
stance to the folio wing effect:—lt set out with stating that
at the first meeting of the Company, held on the 7th of
October last, the so;.;citor had stated that the survey of
the line would he competed in good time to comply with
the standing orders of Parliament. The whole number
of shares iu the Company was advertised at 100,000,
which application had been made to at least the extent of
500,000. The Committee issued the letters of allotment
immediately after the applications were made, but before
the deposits were paid the panic came ; the consequence
of which was, that only 12,000 shares were paid on,
realising 3.0,000 L. and representing a capital of 300,0001.,
On the !aril of October the Committee were led to be-
lieve that the survey of the portion of the line south of
Chesterfield would be at least half, if not the whole
line; but finding early in November that Mr. Higgins
was not in se. forward a state as was expected, Mr. Mil-
ford was employed to finish the northern portion. It
'vas the 11th of November before the first sheet was re-
ceived from the engineer; and on inquiry, finding that
the piens and sections could not be got ready by the
30th, or, if ready, in a most imperfect state, it was
deemed best not to proceed further, but to call
together the shareholders, to take their advice
as to wharf course it was best to pursue. An
amalgamation of the present Company had been pro-
posed with the Lorulon and Nottingham Company, which
would be brought under their consideration that day.
The financial position stood thus :—A great many claims
bad been made upon the Company for payments, which
were overcharged and unwarrantable, especially the
angineering and advertising bills. The principal items
charged against the Compaq .y were, for advertising, 3,395/;
engineering near to 10,0001. ; solicitors, 2,2001.; making,
with the smaller sums, a total in round numbers
of 18,0001. The
.Committee had objected most
strongly to the engineers' and advertising bills, and
on remonstrating with Mr. Higgins and Mr. Milford,
the runner agreed to accept In full payment 3,5001.,
and the latter 6ao/., thus reducing their claim upwards
of 5,0001. The advertising account had not yet been
settled, but the Comm
leaving
entire, repudiated the
which were charges leaving a balance due of 7,5111/. As,
therein made. pwards of 10,5001.
had been settled,
had given up so much of their
however, the enginee:s .
claim, and as it was prouilhle that the advertising ac-
count would he much reduced,it was believed
that the whole expanses would
.bc reduced
under 10,000/. The Committee had considered three
courses which the Shareholders might pursue r—lst, .to
hang back till another session of Parliament, and with
correct plans and sections seek for-an Act; 2d, toarnalga.
mate with the London and Nottingham; or, 3d, to dissolve
the Ccinpany-, and return the deposits to the Share-
holders, minus expenses. The Committee were opposed
to the first course in the present state of the railway
market ; the second they recommend to the careful
consideration of the Shareholders; and, with regard to
the third, they recommend a dissolution at the earliest
period practicable, in which the meeting would have to
consider what steps It would be necessary to take
regarding the settling of CliiiWS and the returning of
deposits.

The report being finished,
The CrtaxamAN said he was now ready to answer any
question. With regard to the advertisement account,
he begged Leave to state that the agent at first had put
in a bill for 1,0431, whioh at the time of delivery was

r?lilpefittattit,XTA,N TtAti, WAYS
JUNCTION COMPANY.
'epler shareholders of this Company was
elte—idar. at to Offices, No. II , Clement's-lane,
consideration what steps it was
60y to pursup,•
under existing circumstances. The
,cb 4we, alititakestat4half-past two by Major Croft.'
,LTheliiiiintoi.,l+4.l,. opened by the Secretary reading the
v Ssatintcalimg the meeting, when
SA* eif rose to address the meeting. He
said t a e wished to inform them that negotiations for
an amalgamation with the Northern and Southern Com-
pany had been commenced, and a communication bad
been received from them on the 11th of the present
month. The communication was signed by Mr. De
Bourg, and they, in consequence, called a meeting of the
Board next day. From that date they (the Company)
had no doubt that the amalgamation would hare been
carried out, but the future prospects of the negotiation
'would be better told by the report which would now be
read.