Star.
London, England, 1822-08-29 00:00:00

THE NEW MARRIAGE ACT.

This renowned measure has created, and is creating
no ordinary bustle. It bas made the Clergymen, in
and about London in particular, unusually occu-
pied with the publication of banns, as the new Act
commences its operations on the first of September.--
It• is rather a singular coincidence that the new Act
should make its debut on tha first day of the sporting
season! On the subject of this Act, we understand,
there has been very generally circulated in the parish
.1f St. Mary, Lambeth, the following notice:
" The Clergy of St. Mary, Lambeth, give notice that, in obe-
dience to certain provisions of the Act Sd George IV. ch. 75,
which will be in force on the Ist of September, they must, on and
after that day, abstain front solemnizing marriages by virtue of
any banns published according to the Old Marriage Act ; and
that banns already published will only have effect until Saturday,
the 31st instant."

On Sunday, the II th instant, there were seventy
publications of banns at Lambeth Church ; sixty-
seven at Newington; and on Sunday there were so
many marriages to be solemnized at St. Martin's, that
the C:ergyman could with difficulty attend to the so-
lemnization of them all, before the commencement
of Divine Service.
OPINION OF THE KING'S ADVOCATE, SIR CHRIS.
TOPHER ROBINSON, UPON THE ABOVE ACT.

Referring to the late Act, Sd George IV. cap. 75,
sec. 16, and the former Marriage Act, the opinion of
the King's Advocate is requested, on the following
questions :—Whether any marriage or marriages,
from and after the Ist of September next ensuing, can
be valid ; of which marriage or marriages all the
three several publications of banns, or two or one of
such publications, shall have taken place conformably
with the before-mentioned Act of his Majesty King
George 11. " for preventing clandestine marriages,"
and previously to the first of September? Or whether
any Minister or Ministers solemnizing the same, be in
the legal exercise of Ns or th-ir duty ?

" DOCTORS' COMMONS, A IMUST 27, 1822.
.1 The clauses of the late Marriage Act (a. 16, 2:0 relating to
banns, contain nothing contrary to the former Act, nor substan-
tially differing therefrom.
_

"'The names, anode, and age of the patties are required to be
stated in the affidavit, and the names and abode are to be affixed
to the church door, and remain there during the three Sundays
on which the banns shall be published ; that is, in future cases
(as I understand it), but not excluding exceptions of former pub-
lications, before legally existing, which are not annulled by any
terms in this Act, nor by necessary implication arising therefrom.
" The 19th clause declares, that after the solemnization of
any marriage under a publication by banns, such marriage shall
not be avoided for want of, or by rkason of any defect in any
such affidavit, or en account of the true name or names of either
party not being used in the publication of such banns, or for such
name or names not having been affixed as aforesaid: There can
be no nullity or invalidity, therefore, arising out of the forms in-
troduced in the above clauses. •

" Considering that those clauses are to be construed, in con-
junction witk the former Act, beneficially for the furtherance of
marriage, and so as not to interrupt the ordinary means of con-
tracting lawful marriage, I am of opinion that banns published
under the former Act before the Ist of September will endure
and be valid, solely, if completed, or as the case may be, in con-
junction with banns duly published after that day, under the pro-
visions of the late Act; and that the Minister solemnizing mar-
riage thereon will be in the legal exercise of his duty.
(Signed) " CHRIST. ROBINSON."

Yesterday, a Ballot was taken at the East India
House, for the election of a Director, in the room of
JOHN Iscus, Esq. deceased. At six o'clock the
glasses were closed and delivered to the scrutineers,
who reported the election to have fallen on CHARLES
MILLS, jun. Esq.

UNIVERSAL SUPPLY- OF WATER.—The Monthly
Magasine, published August 1, contains full details of the prin-
ciple and practice of Boring the Rarth for Water. Recent expe-
riments, in many parts of England, have proved that constant
supplies of the best water may be obtained by properly boring
the earth to a sufficient depth; the expense appears to be very
trifling, while the result is of the highest importance to all landed
property. Fountains have been made, by this means, in parishes
where water has usually been sold by the gallon, which yield a
constant supply, the year round, of s hogshead per hour.
The celebrated St. Stephen's Chapel, which has un-
dergone so many changes and improvements, again
presents a most. dilapidated appearance. All the seats
are bare, all the mattings and coverings have been re-
moved, and the whole is filled with scaffolding.—
Much noise as may have been made within this me-
morable building, it is surpassed by the noise and
dust of the troops of workmen now busily occupied
within its walls. Be,ides many other alterations to
promote the commodiousr.ess of the House, the whole
of the very curiously wainscotted ceiling is to be taken
down, for the purpose of introducing several more
ventilators. Although the ventilation of the House
was much improved within the last few years, it was
still in a very defective state, and the proposed ad-
dition of ventilators will be a great improvement, 41141
one that was much wanted, as all know who were
ever compelled to sit. in the House or gantry for any
length of time.