The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-10
LETTER FROM LONDON.
LONDON, March 81, 1881,

y, me Editor of the National Era:
last Friday night, in the House OF Commons
Iobn Russell made an extraordinary declara-
,;,r.-tbot in consequence OF motion made oy
Al, Railue, calling the attention OF the House 10
-. conduct of the Government in reference 10
Ian which was to come upon the 25th, the Gov
N-r.oDt would not bring forward its financial
N,.,.r,ort until that motion was disposed Of
They could not consent, with such motion OF
o.nonre hanging over their heads, to 90 on with
business Of Importance -.
The fact is that the Government Is ueepiy az
81, "a reference to Ceylon and its management
there and the Cabinet fears vote Of censure' and
toa taken this method to force the House into
auooos The country cannot spare the Cabinet
:, this ;npc,ure, and they know it, and therefore
dare n threaten. However, on Monday evening
ard Jobn was checkmated by MIR. Baillie, who
,v;,hdrsv his motion. Without any doubt he
will renew il. after the amended Budget is pre-
osntsd The Premier lost his temper under this
,rsotment for he had hoped finally to have settled
the Ceylon affair under thepeculiar circumstances
oftbe time. As it is now, he can find no fault, for
there Is no motion fixed upon the subject, and he
can have no excuse for delaying business, and
.,;u be well knows that the dreaded motion null
come on by and by, when he will not be 80 well
prepared to meet it.
considerable impression has been made upon
the House and country at large, by the presenta-
ton of petition from the Hon. Craven F. Berk-
lev in reference to Catholic Converts. 1t seems
that a step-daughter of his, although ward in
court was placed some time ago by Catholic friends
in Convent as a "postulate," and that the young
lady, though fair and promising, has been 50
worked upon, that she shortly takes the black
veil. lie himself is pot allowed any intercourse
with her; and his own daughter, her half-sister,
has not sufficient opportunities with her to Guilt
vate any intimate acquaintance - and yet this
Convent is in England The secret of the whole
matter is, that the girl has fortune worth
fsOOOO and all this immense sum goes to the
Catholics as soon as she takes the veil. This
accounts for the untiring care of her Catholic
friends, lin his opinon) over spiritual interests
He the petitioner, asks for clause in the Eccle-
sastical Titles bill which shall coniscate all such
property to the Crown, where young girls have
been. through the arts of the Jesuits, enticed or
frightened into renouncing the world and their
property There is, however, no probability Of
bis petition being granted. Even those who agree
with him in his opinion of Converts, Priests and
Jesuits do not like his law-propostion against
them.
The Ecclesiastical Titles bill has been discussed
in the House pretty thoroughly during the last
week, and some able speeches made on both sides
Of the question On the whole, the country is tired
out with it, and is ready to dismiss it
A frightful explosion took place near Glasgow
on Sunday night, in a coal pit. At the time there
we're SO men in the mine, and only two have been
rescued alive One of them was two days, or nearly
50, buried alive. The utmost sympathy is every
where felt for the families of the sufferers
Recent news from China announces the discov-
cry Of an interesting race Of Jews in that country
$50 miles interior from Pekin. The discovery
was made by missionaries from England.
General Sir Charles Napier arrived in London
from India. His popularity is great with the
him round of cheers when he alighted. He is
veteran soldier, and is thorough-going economist
in all military matters. He is also, well-known
as writer His Lights and Shadows of Militia
ry Life" is a book widely read and admired. Bad
as is his profession there is such stern honesty
in his character, such a boldness in his conduct,
that he is warmly loved and admired He does
not hesitate to arraign the Government for its
misdeeds abroad, for its wretched extravaganza in
military matters, and that too in fearless man
ner. Such men always have enemies, but devo.
ted friends and even his enemies fear and respect
him, if they cannot love him He is a striking
man in his personal appearance resembling faint
y, in some Of his features, that old hero, General
Jackson. His shaggy whiskers and eyebrows
give him herce look, and he is not very tame
when reused. He is very old, and has quilted
india, where he has spent 80 much Of his life,
forever.
The Italian Opera commences its London
season on the evening of Saturday, the Goth in
slant. The old fayorte Madame Grisi, is engag.
ed as well as Madame Viardot, Tamburini and
Others known to the musical world. Although
Madame Grisi is old, and has lost the position
winch she once held in the musical world, yet she
mas vast many admirers, and after one hears
nef IN one OF her best parts, he does not wonder
at it at all
O., Mrs Kemble is advertised next week to read
onakspeare at the st. James Theatre. She is as
popular as ever
=, We already begin to feel the approach of the
Nay opening OF the Crystal Palace. Mustaches
moiupy daily in the sober old London streets,
70 .he great wonder OF nursery children and SER
'a"' girH' ne work goes on at the Palace with
great dispatch, and though an enormous amount
OF labor is yet to be performed there Ia no Doubt
mat the Exhibition will commence on the 6rst of
May: The American frigate St. Lawrence got into
southampton last week, and her cargo of goods for
70, 70, Exhibition is daily arriving here by railway.
ne inhabitants Of Southampton are much pleas
ca with The frigate, and it is proposed that Prince
ALBERT and the Queen honor it with a visit.
rAhipition goods from all quarters Of the globe
are pouring into London the streets are filing
upWith frenchmen, Germans, Chinese, and Amer.
iTans' You can instantly tell an American from
80 ,ne res'-ne has peculiar manner, a mixture
naron, or ana Independence, which betrays his
parentage at once. ''''' "''
susl Ur ane last week or two we have had an unu
bssn aAy OF wet Weather. The streets have
the wo cVuea with wat and II is predicted by
.ne "eather-wise that shall have a vet ann.
mer " 1t be so, it will be exceedingly unpleas.
ci, , Tor .ae Exhibition mongers There is not
In,i ~ the world which is 30 dark and dismal as
M Ma On a rainy day; and IL there be wet
b,c2 a"u June, the world Of foreigners will 70
NO., 70 'neir homes thanking God that they we're
"O5 porn in England
porng the adjourned discussion Of the Eccle.
ca titles bill in the House of Commons last
men, mere was scene Of uproar and excite
Press sIGn as would disgrace the American Con-
pe,so,.i larry Drummond in . speech Of great
be,;s. and vituperation, declared that nun.
once were either prisons or brethels" At
the cau was interrupted by storm Of cries from
gracsS'i SOie members. Amer o scene most dis
Of bI;nn he went on to talk of the importation
mill statues, and drops of Virgin Msrys
roar az, Saena again his voice was drowned amid the
bers va ooniusion Of the House. Several men,
aJooj,n called to order-cries lcat-caling, cock.