The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1878-05-24 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE " TIMEII.I  If it is clearly understood that the judgment of the Master of the Rolls is altogether based on the effects to be apprehended in the position of the infant daughter of Mrs. Besant, if left under her care, an objection that might otherwise be raised to some parts of the judgment will be abandoned. Freedom of opinion is undoubtedly imperfect if it does not extend to the freedom of professing and inculcating the opinions entertained; and it may be hastily thought thatthe judgment abridges Mrs. Besant's freedom of opinion, inasmuch as it deprives her of the companionshiß and education of her child because of the opinions she holds and teaches. But the motive of the judgment isfound in the interests of the daughter, and, if the mother is punished, it is only as a secondary consequence. Her freedom to deliver Atheistical lectures remains the same as ever, but she is not permitted to destroy the prospects of her child by throwing her own shadow over her. The child is a different personalty with rights and interests of its own, and its sacrifice is not necessary to make perfect the mother's freedom. It is, of course, a difficult point to determine the measure of injury to the prospects of a child that must be proved probable to justity an interference with the ordinary powers of a parent. It would be impossible to lay down any rule on the matter, and each case must be judged on its merits as it arises, and will be decided, as we have seen, by reference to the current opinion of the generation. The authority of a father is a primary principle of our society, and it may not be lightly interfered with. Numberless instances could be adduced, occurring round about us, of children whose worldly prospects are injured by the evil teaching and evil examples of their father, in which, however, the interference of the courts would be sought in vain. The general principle of paternal authority prevails until a strong case is established to set it aside; and if a father has consented to allow his children to be brought up by tuck mother, his consent will not be binding upon him if the court thinks it for the interest of the children that it should be disregarded. It is inevitable that the thoughts of a court touching the benefit of an infant should vary with varying circumstances. Time was when to be a Dissenter of any kind was to be cut off from society, and to be a Unitarian was to be an outlaw. It may be that in some obscure corners social disabilities still attach to particular sects, and it is probable that a girl's chances would not be improved by her mother becoming a Plymouth sister and dragging her child after her. The wrong that would have been done to Mrs. Besant's daughter if she had been left with her mother is incontestable, and the future may be left to take care of itself.  Musurus Pasha had a conference with the Marquis of Salisbury at the Foreigu Office on Saturday afternoon.  With respect to the murder of Lord Leitrim and his servants, it is reported that the case for the Crown will be supported by the evidence of an  " informer.  • Mr. Serjeant Gaselee has placed 4000 at thel disposal of the Governing Body of the Ports, mouth Grammar School for a scholarship, tenable for three years, at Oxford or Cambridge.  The functions discharged at the Comedie Francaise by Leon Guillard will be divided henceforth among three persons: I. Adrien Decourcelles is reader and examiner of plays; M. Coppee, librarian; and M. Georges Monval is charged specially with the care of the archives.  A committee of the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church has pronounced against a claim (which was largely supported) for restoration to the privileges of church membership made by a Mr. Steel, who had been suspended by his kirk session for having married his deceased wife's sister.  Shortly the Sacred Harmonic Society will per. form Rossini's oratorio in English, " Moses in Egypt," originally produced during Lent at the flan Carlo in Naples; the solo parts will be snug by Madame Lerumens, Mdlle. Enegnist, Miss Elton; Messrs. Cummings, Lloyd, W. Wells, tiautleY, aud Herr Henschel.