The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-16
LETTER FROM LONDON.

LONDON, DsceHbcg ~, loOO
To the Editor Of The National Era:
The Presidents message was received here on
the 18th instant, but has created very little ex-
element. 1t is looked upon as a well-wrtten
document, and, with the exception Of certain por-
tons, is generally liked. Those parts which adj
vocate protection are disliked by the great mo-
jority of intelligent people and the press. The
Times styles Mr.. Fillmore "a mild proteetiOHid,"
and bestows few paragraphs upon his falacious
reasoning The opening paragraph of The Tmss
leader upon the message is so striking, that will
quote il:
"The last address Of an Executive Chief pre-
sented TO the world was that Of Louis Napoleon,
who only the other day was in lodgings in King
street, ST. James,, but who now, by the expulsion
OF an elected King, presdes over the fortunes of
| France. The address which this morning occu-
| pies so many Of these columns is from Milard
Fillmore, formerly linen-draper's shopman, and
now, by the death Of his superior, the Federal
Head of the United States of America. CEN
fury ago, in the days of Louis XIV or George II,
the widest imagination could not have fore
| shadowed two such documents two such person
ages, and two such trains Of events as have placed
them where they are.n
The stand Mr.. Fillmore takes upon the Fugi-
tive Slave bill is everywhere reprobated, it is
thought he betrays in his message an inclination
70 serge y" sog'b ns,ASss iha7 ''o N1s5sth. S@e
Of the journals argue that it Is the fault Of our
peculiar form Of Government, which places him
in so peculiar a position but the majority are
indignant that he should not, at least while de-
claring his resolution TO carry ont the odious law
while 1t exists also express his desire that it be
repealed
| A striking proof Of the folly and even danger
of the late ti-Cstholic excitement is afforded in
the conduct of the Rev. DR. McNeile, of Liver
pool. lie is one Of the most distinguished pulpit
orators in Great Britain, and belongs TO the State
Church. During the late agitation he has taken
a prominent part among those who have devoted
time and talents to the ant-Popsh cause, and,
though reverenced by thousands, heretofore, for
his dignity of character has several times been
carried away with excitement
Last Sunday, while preaching extemporaneous-
ly to his church, (which to a man half worships
him. upon the subject of the Confessional, he
became 30 excited, that he declared it the duty
of Parliament to pass law against all those who
administer confession; and transportation would
not be a sufficient punishment He called for
the punishment Of death upon all priests rho mere
gully of the practice!
His congregation were shocked, and in the
course of the afternoon he received note from
one of his dearest friends, demanding retrac-
ton Of such horrible sentiments. AT the evening
service, he asked the pardon Of his audience for
"the atrocious sentiment he uttered in his morn
that he knew not what aneaase "b be ~ e1''ed
Mr. Golden, during the past week, has received
challenge to fight duel with Admiral Sir
Thomas Hastings, and the whole affair has af-
forded infinite amusement for the public.
A few weeks since, nj a meeting Of the Friends
of Peace, in Birmingham, John Bright related an
anecdote of Admiral Hastings, which was to this
effect That while being examined before Com
mittee of the House of Commons in reference to
the state of the national defences and the danger
of French INVASION the gallant admiral was
messed for reasons TO substantiate his opinion,
that the French contemplated INVASION and he
replied, that the Bishop Of Japan, in a steamboat
somewhere, let fall certain words, which were
warlike, &c Mr.. Brights intention was to ridi-
Guile the annual war-cry of the admirals and other
officers living upon the people, and succeeded In
his wish
Admiral Hastings however, felt "insulted"
and wrote letter to Mr. Bright, demanding an
exclamation, inasmuch as his anecdotc only gave
norton of his evidence before the committee,
and was an unfair representation. Mr.. Bright
turned the Admiral over to Mr.. Golden as his
authority. lie then wrote to Mr.. Golden, who
replied TO him that he was member Of the com
mittee of the House, and could not retract word
that he had uttered to MIR Bright. Sir Thomas
feeling himself nsulted aud utterly unable to
| get any retraction OF the offensive words, chal-
! lenged the great Anti-Corn Law Agitator to tight
duel.
Mr. Golden. letter, declining to be shot at, Is
the most humorous and yet biting reply ever re-
ceiyed by the Admiral, or any other duellist
| After facetious preface, in which he describes
the reoeption Of the letter "on Sunday" and his
C hearty fit Of laughter after reading 10, and his
| thought OF Applying TO Mr. Punch as his second"
| he advises the extremely nervous Admiral to re-
tire from the service Of his country into the bosom
of his family, where his delicate nerves will re-
ceiye better attention than from the public, from
| which he receives liberal stipend.
|
from the affair can hardly be imagined with you.
The whole correspondence Is published, and Sir
Thomas Hastings heartily repents ever having
demanded an explanation from Messrs. Golden
and Bright.
Parliament has been again prorogued-this
| time TO the 4th Of February next The coming
session will not, it Is expected be An exciting one
The approaching Worlds Fair will prevent all
agitation and violent disputing, and IL Is quite
probable that Parliament will be In session the
| whole summer, which will give all foreigners
present a good opportunity to study the legisla-
tive branches Of the English Government
The medical world has been good deal inter.
ested in a surgical operation performed on one Of
the bears In the Geological Gardens, Regents
Park, one day last week, by a distinguished sur
geon IL consisted 10 the removal OF q cataract
from the eye and although, from the structure Of
the animals eye, it was more difficult than the
ordinary operation on the human eye, yet II was
| perfectly successful Through the aid Of q heavy
dose Of choroform, Bruin was rendered helpless
and quiet, and restored TO perfect eyesight.
Mr. Thackersy, the talented author Of :" PEN
dcnuis,n which Is just concluded, announces new
| Christmas book under the title Of " The Krkie-
Jurys on L Rhmep The very title smacks
strongly of his usual style OF half humorous half
sarcastic sketches Of society, and treat may be
expected.
Richard Doyle, also--a gentleman who has re-
Gently left Punch because Of the stand that jour-
nal has taken against the Pope he being a Cath
olic-has Issued a new story, and acapi,al Christ
| mas book
| Mr. Croker, the renowned Parliamentary enc
my Of Mr.. Macaulay, has Ia his possession an
extraordinary collection Of letters written by
Pope TO his cosdjators, Broome and Fenton, never
before published, and only Just discovered and
will publish them in the next edition Of his life OF
tho great poet. This correspondence, II 10 said,
n AZ sxceednv value M 10 illustrates the life and