The Sun. — 1839-12-16 (London, England)

NATIVE COUNTRY.—Yesterday an immense number of persons assemhled in front of the Lord Lovat pUblic-house, in Ratcliff-highway, for the purpose of witnessing the departure of a young New Zealand woman, who has been for some time staying at the public-house above named, to embark on board the ship Coromandel, now lying at Gravesend, bound for New Zealand. The woman in question has been in this country for several months, and was brought over by a seaman named Wilkinson. to whom she was married on their arrival in England. She is the daughter of one of the aboriginal chiefs, and during the time she has been in this country has been presented to the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, and a great number of the nobility and gentry, and has excited considerable interest. The climate of England has agreed with her very well, it being very similar to that of her native country. Wilkinson, her husband, sailed from Scotland about four yeas ago in a whalingship, and was shipwrecked off the Bay of Islands, and, after great difficulties, managed, with three others, to reach the shore in safety. The New Zealanders at first mistook them for Frenchmen, and were about to sacrifice them, in consequence of the crew of a French whaler having murdered a number of New Zealanders a short time before, but, finding they were English, they were treated in the kindest manner, and employed themselves in capturing seals for a long time. One of the chiefs took a fancy to 'Wilkinson, who soon afterwards married his daughter according to the custom of the country. Wilkinson will accompany his wife back to New Zealand, and intends opening a warehouse for the sale of English commodities, their passage out being paid by the New Zealand Company. The Coromandel will carry out a great number of emigrants, and an immense quantity of English manufactured goods. A band of music and a vast concourse of persons accompanied the New Zealand Princess and her husband to Blackwall, where they embarked on board a steam-boat, and were conveyed to Gravesend. NEW CONVENT AT DOCKIIEAD, BERMONDsay.—The ceremonial of the professions of six of the " Sisters of Mercy" took place yesterday at the Catholic chapel in Bermondsey, recently erected by subscription, from the designs of Mr. Pugin. High mass, performed by Mr. Collinridge, was celebrated at eleven o'clock, at which the Right Rev.:Dr. Griffiths assisted, after which the novices were introduced, and, after the usual preliminaries, a sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Maguire, and a collection made towards the funds of the convent. When the sermon was concluded the " profession" took place, the novices, attired in the plenitude of worldly ornament, repeating the accustomed formula, whereby they renounced the world, and dedicated themselves to works of charity. Tbis ceremony over, they retired, and assumed the sober garb of Sisters of Mercy, and the service, consisting of antiphonies and prayers, was concluded. The assemblage of spectators was numerous, and the collection apparently a very good one. Amougst the nuns who were clothed was Lady Barbara Eyre (second sister of Francis Earl of Newburgh), who has been a liberal benefactress to the chapel and convent, and has taken the vows under the name of " Sister Mary."—.Morning Paper.