The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-24
LETTER FROM LONDON.

h"NDNN1 apr" iOOl'
To the Editor of the National Era:
On Tuesday evening, in the House of Lords
Lord Torrington, in anticipation of attack in the
House of Commons hereafter from Mr.. Ballie,
attempted to defend his atrocities perpetrated in
Ceylon. He made long and able speech, but
could not afford any real justification of his con-
duct. In the course of the debate an allusion was
made to the Duke of Wellington, and his opinions
in reference to martial law, when the old Duke
arose, declaring that he protested against any
Ion!
The somewhat famous Augusta Talbot case has
been decided by the lord Chancellor. She has
been taken from the Convent, and will soon enter
society There has been perhaps too much noise
about the affair, but most certainly the Catholic
Bishop Of Clifton has tergiversatsd grossly about
the young lady.
have noticed recently in the Mem York Re-
corder, an American religious journal, a series of
able articles on Infdelity in England" wherein
the author classes Tennyson, Mrs. Browning, the
Howitts, Grote, and others, as infdels, or on the
road to in6delity. He says particularly that
William and Mary Hewitt never attend church
anywhere-have no creed, perhaps inclining to
enborgianism.
feel impelled to deny the inference which al
most every one would draw, that the Howitts are
infdels Such is not the case. II was only last
Sabbath evening that heard from the lips of
William Hewitt, at his own Preside, powerful
argument in favor of the Bible as a revelation,
and also in defence of its miracles. He and Ma
ry Hewitt that day attended church, as is their
usual custom, and therefore you can judge with
what truth it can be said that they are infidels
1t is not true that William and Mary Hewitt
do not believe in retribution hereafter. They
do; but not in et>rndl retribution.
There can be no possible use in exaggerating
the religious delinquencies Of distinguished PEG.
such people as the Howitts who
are loved wherever their works are known.
1t is to be lamented that Harriet Martineau
has svowed herself an atheist, and among all her
friends there are none who more deeply depore
her error than those who move in the literary cir
cles of London. That there is general tenden-
,y among the laeati Of England at present tomoyds
nfdelity cannot be denied, but il Is wrong to
style either Tennyson or the Howitts disbelievers
of the Bible.
On Wednesday night, In the House Of Com
mons, Mr.. Lock Kings County Franchise bill
was brought up for q second reading. This is
the bill, you will recollect, on which the Govern
rnent VIVA defeated a faw waeLs ooo hpt THAR
promises since have been such that Mr. Kings
motion was defeated on It's second reading. Lord
J ohm Russell declared that upon the opening Of
he next session he would bring in measures for
extending the franchise.
Tonight the long-expected Budget comes on
he amended Budget-and 1t remains to be seen
whether 1t will satisfy the House and nation.
Since the defeat Of the Ministry, Sir g. Wood, |
he Chancellor Of the EKchequer, has been very |
,ame and complaisant but before he was the most
stubborn man In the Cabinet.
Lord Stanley made master-speech on Wednes-
lay evening at dinner given TO him by the Mer-
chant Tailors' Society. There is not perhaps an
.bler speaker In the country than himself and
be is well aware Of IT, He endeavored to excuse
himself from the charge of inability to form
Government during the late crisis.
There has been q report 10 circulation about
London that the United Service Club has refused
% afford its usual privileges and courtcsies to the
Of the United States frigate st. Law
renee, because she brought goodsover to the Ex-
,ibition! Anything that savors Of CONNIE &c or
,usiness is vulgar In the sight Of the members OF
he United Service Club, and they refuse TO al
ow their usual privileges to distinguished for
ign naval officer simply because, in obedience to
ais Government, he transports cargo OF goods
or the Great Exhibition. He degrades himself
% the level of q merchant-man The Tunes comes
tut severely on the Club, and asks, II the report
II their conduct be true, that every member OF
he Club be ostracised In every gentleman's house
n London
The American exhibitors In London held q
,ublic meeting at Freemasons' Tavern last Satur-
lay evening They are quite dissatisfied with
he space Of ground allotted TO them, and blame
he Government, Commissioners, &c. How much
t fault the Commissioners are do not knoW,
probably somewhat, yet theirs Is q most difficult
position To hl-thst Of pleasing all the nations Of
he world. There are complaints from oil quar-
ers, England not excepted
An interesting debate occurred last night In
he House Of Commons In reference TO the East
ndis Company and It's Government, and the
Management Of affairs In India. The charter OF
he company expires next year, and before re-
ewal 10 granted Its conduct up to the present
ime will be pretty thoroughly exposed. The
espotic character Of British power In the East
annot be denied, nor can any one deny that the
aiives have been cheated out Of their rights II
, the old disqualification against barbarian.