MISCELLANEOUS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 730, 31 July 1852, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Derby Familt and the v -Town of Pkeston. — When the late Earl of Derby entered parliament for Preston, 1796, this town was the winter residence, as well the resort at other times, of his lordship's* and the other aristocratical families of Lancashire, although/ from the recent introduction of the cotton trade, it was lo lose the character for exclusive gentility which it had' so long enjoyed, and which obtained for it the name it yet bears of "Proud Preston." The earl's father was a native of Preston, and received a portion of his education at the grammar school in this town. His grandfather was also born in Preston ; and his great grandfather, the eleventh earl, served the' office of mayor of Preston, in the year 1731^2. The inhabitants of Preston, at the time the late earl first represented the town, numbered about 7,000 or 8,000 ; the introduction of the cotton trade had just given an impulse to the population, which had been almost stationary at about 6,000 for nearly two centuries. The corporation, allying itself with the new interest, was strong enough

in a few years afterwards to divide with the Stanley family the representation of the town ; their joint nomination, though often assailed, was triumphant until the year 1826. The small genteel horough has now risen to rbe an important manufacturing town, of 70,000 inhabitants ; and its representation, though gained sometimes by very questionab'e means, is at any rate no longer at the disposal of a peer or coterie of aldermen. Great, indeed, are other changes. The extension of trade and the rapidity of communication with the gay metropolis have displaced the nobility and gentry from the ranks of our residents, the Earl of Derby being one of the last to leave : and the completion of the change from the old to. the new regime was characteristically marked by the raz ; ng of the ancient mansion of the Stanley family in the town, to make way for a row of shops. — Preston Chronicle, \

Death of one of Burns's Heroines. — -A Glasgow contemporary records the death of one of the six " Mauchline belles," on whom Burns confers the fame of his' verse. Mrs. Findlay. relict of Mr. Robert Findlay, of the Excise, Greenock, was one of the very few -persons, surviving to our own times, who intimately knew the peasant bard in the first flush of his genius and manhood, and by whom j her name and charms have been wedded to immortal verse. "When we consider that 65 ■ years have elapsed since Burns wrote" thelines in which this lady is noticed, and that the six Mauchline belles were then in the pride of opening womanhood, it is surprising that two of them, who have often listened to the living accents of the inspired peasant, still survive. The fate in life of the six belles was as follows : — Miss Helen Miller, the first named, became the wife of Burns's friend, Dr. Macken2i'e, a medical gentleman in Mauchline, latterly in Irvine ; Miss Markland we have already spoken of; Miss Jean Smith was married to Mr. Candlish, a successful teacher in Edinburgh, and became the mother of the eminent divine ; Miss Betty (Miller) became the wife of Mr. Templeton, in Mauchline ; and Miss Morton married Mr. Paterson, cloth- merchant, in the same village. Of the fate and of "Bonnie Jean" (Armour) we need not speak. The survivors are Mrs. Paterson and Mr. Candlish. — Scottish Press.

A Liberal Bishop. — The Westmoreland Gazette states that the Bishop of Durham has subcribed £15 towards an Independent chapel in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and gives the following as a copy of his lordship's letter, transmitting his donation : — "4, Upper Portland- place, June 7. — Sir, — Although with ample means at my disposal, I can scarcely satisfy the demands of my own church and my • own people, yet I have never forgotten that all Christians are brethren, and that, however we may differ as to the meaning of Scripture upon some points of doctrine or discipline, very few Protestants fail to inculcate what is essential in Christianity. I am painfully aware of the spiritual destitution of Newcastle, of its increasing population, and of the pains which have been taken to disseminate infidelity and socialism ; I cannot, therefore, feel myself justified in resisting your appeal on behalf of a more spacious and commodious place of worship, and especially for a larger establishment of schools in the principles of revealed religion. Towards those joint good purposes you and the congregation will be pleased to accept the inclosed cheque. — I am, Sir, your obedient servant, E. Dunelm. — James Wilson, Esq. Enemies. — Have you enemies ? Go straight on, and mind them not. If they block up your path, walk around them, and do your duty regardless of their spite. A man who has no enemies is seldom good for anything ; he is made of that kind of material which is so easily worked, that every one has a hand in it. A sterling character — one who thinks for himself, and speaks what he thinks-; — is always sure to have enemies. They are as necessary to him as fresh air ; they keep" him alive and active. A celebrated character, who was surrounded with enemies, used to remark — " They are sparks which, if you do not "blow, will go out of themselves.'" Let this be your feeling while endeavouring to live dpwn the scaudal of those who are bitter against you. If you stop to dispute, you do but as they desire, and open the way for more abuse. Let the poor fellows tah ; there will be- a reaction if you perform but your duty, and hundreds who were once alienated from yoa will flock to you and acknowledge their error. — Alexander's Messenger. Another Gorham Case. — Circumstances have recently transpired in Plymouth which are likely to give rise to another inquiry similar to that 'of the Rev. G. C. Gorham. Through the instrumentality principally of the Rev. John Hatchard, the vicar of St. Andrew's, Plymouth, some years since a new church was built in Oxford-street, Plymouth, and called Christ Church. In this church the Rev. G. F. Whidborne for about three years exercised his ministry, and was, succeeded by the ReA. Richard Malone. On, Sunday week, Mr. Malone having acceptsd a preferment elsewhere, took his farewell of the congregation ; and the patronage being in the Rev. J. Hatchard, who is well known as a sturdy opponent of the peculiar doctrinal and disciplinarian views of the Bishop of Exeter, he nominated the Rev. L. H. Gray. In consequence of the sitting of the Synod at Exeter, Mr. Gray was unable to present himself for examination by the bishop until Saturday last, when he did so at Exeter, and was then questioned very closely as to his views on baptism. On this point he fell short of the 'Bishop's standard, and of the standard of the declaration of the Synod ; and the bishop therefore refused to license him. This was on Saturday afternoon : and, as Mr. Malone had left, it became important at once to communicate with Plymouth, in order that arrangements might be made for the service on the following morning. It happened that Mr. Hatchard was in London, and therefore could not be communicated with until Monday. Mr. Gray sent off to F. Bone, Esq., R.N., one of the churchwardens of St. Andrews, stating what had occurred, but no provision was made for the service. On Sunday morning the bell, as usual, invited people to church, buj; as they approacned, they were told that the bishop* had rejected the clergyman, and, as no other could be procured' that morning, there would be, no service. The bell was stopped, and the church doors were locked. In the evening the Rev. Mr. Wallis,

one of the curates of St. Andrew's, "conducted I the service, and preached. The Rev.- the Vicar j of St. Andrew's not having yet returned it . is uncertain what course will be taken. - At the present moment Trinity Church, in -Plymouth, is similarly • situated ; the Rev. Plintpn. C. Smith, a truly, able, energetic, and evangelical clergyman, having been compelled to relinquish his charge of it, in consequence of ill-health, and the nomination to this church also;being in the hands of Mr. Hatchard. Botn Mr. Smith and Mr. Malone were protestors against the synod. ;

The First Chime op Bells in Upper Canada. — On Monday evening last the long-looked-for chime of bells were brought into town by the Messrs. Peter and Roger Smith. The union jack, floating over St. Paul's church, denoted the place for which the bejls were destined. A large procession, headed by the band of the rifle company, and displaying numerous banners, marched out of town to escort' the bells in proper state. ~ Nothing chuld exceed the joy that appeared to animate our people as the procession marched' through the town to St. Paul's Church. The bells (six in number) were made by Mears, of 'London, England, and cost £500.. paid by the private contributions of the people of London (not, we are proud to state, exclusively Episcopalians). Among the subscriptions are many liberal sums from dissenting gentlemen, w.ho, feeling a-pio-per pride in the growihg\ prosperity and religiaus zeal of the people of London, generously contributed tc procure a chime of bells that, altfeo.ugh to be erected in St. Paul's Church, will awaken all alike on each succeeding Sabbath to the duties that all Christian denomiuations wish their people to perform. The bells will be ready for trial on the 20th. when the people of the country will (many of them for the first time) have the pleasure of hearing the most grand, sweet, and thrilling music that ever vibrated through the forests of Upper Canada. — Montrerl Weekly Herald.

The Statue of the Queen at Holyrood. — On Friday, this statue, the production of Handyside Ritchie, was placed on its pedestal, jn front of Holyrood Palace. It is by far the most successful effort of the sculptor, and one of. the most graceful statues, of the Queen which has yet been placed jn connexion with any public bnilding in her dominions.' Her Majesty is crowned with a simple tiara, and wears a regal mantel, embroidered round the collar with the trefoil or flevr-de Us ornament, and entirely surrounded by a thistle bordering Her Majesty's left hand is pressed to her breast, and in her right she holds a palm branch. f^The pedestal is richly ornamented' with foilage and wreaths of fruits and flowers — the four sides being panelled, and having in•fantile figures in alto relievo personating the seasons. Spring is scattering rosebuds, and is surmounted with a wreath of snowdrops, primroses, violets, and other early flowers. Summer is laden with roses, and has her'accom.panying wreath of sun flowers, &c. Autumn with his horn of plenty, rejoices' amid golden grain and ripe fruits. And Winter, with his dried faggot and withered leaf, is merry amid mistletoe, holly, ivy, palm, and laurel. The figure is colossal, being nine and a half feet high, and with the pedestnl and- % subplinth, measuring twenty feet in height. The stone is from the liver rock of Redhall quarry, and its light warm Eint contrasts well with the cold grey tone of the surrounding buildings. — Scotsman. Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to give a donation of £25 for the benefit of the funds of a school erected in connexion with the Aberdeen Ragged Kirk. Dreadful Loss op Life in Russia. — A letter from Moscow states that, on the 20th ult., as the monks of the convent of Wladimir, a town about 120 miles to the norjh-east of that city, were setting out in procession, to visit an image of the virgin at a neighbouring village, a wooden bridge thtown over the moat of the convent (formerly a fortress) gave way, and out of 200 of the monks 158 were drowned. This immense loss of life was- caused by the water being 45 feet deep, and the sides of the moat being perpendicular. The Glengatrry Bonnet. — An order has lately been issued by the military authorities that the 42nd, 78tli, 79th, 92nd, and 93rd Highland regiments, which wear the kilt, are in future to wear the Glengarry bonnet instead of the forage cap hitherto worn ; but the 71st, 72nd, and 74th Highland regiments, which wear the trew, or trowsers, are to continue to use the old pattern forage cap.

California atHome. — The herrings caught in the Wick district alone in two days realised in hard cash to the fishermen engaged in their catch no less a sum than £10,000 sterling. — Greenock Advertiser.

Attack by Wasps. — A clergyman, whilst passing through a shady lane, in the neighbourhood of Stroud, Gloucestershire, was attacked by a swarm of wasps. He defended his face as well as he could, but at last had to fun for it, and escaped into a house_pear, but not before receiving above 20 stings — on both ears, the back of his neck, and the crown of his head, his hat having fallen off during the battle. Had there not been a house at hand he might have lost his life, his foes having clustered on him so thickly. Fortunately the pain was removed by a timely application of oil and honey.

The Duke of Atholl met with his own Weapons. — The Duke of Atholl has of late been paying visits to several places in the district of Stathraore, with his pack of otter hounds, and he waited upon several of the proprietors for the purpose of obtaining liberty to go through their grounds where it might be necessary. They acceded to the request, .with one exception, the refractory gentleman telling his grace that as he had prohibited the. public from passing through Glen-tilt, he f" would not permit the man who had been guilty of surh tyranny to pass through his demesnes. His grace maintained that no one who had asked permission had been hindered from passing through Glen- tilt ; but the recusant was not to be propitiated, and the duke was obliged to depart. — Perth paper.

Remarkable Recovery. — A remarkable instance of recovery from the effects oHightning, is related in the Bridgeton Chronicle as having occurred near Estleville, in Atlantic County (N.J.) Mr. Samuel Evans, with a team of

mules, was in the woods, and while hauling out a log preparatory to loading, from under a large tree, he was struck down, v witH /l his four mules, by an electiic sho^k. He did not lose his consciousness, but he was unable to move hand or foot, and his mules were in the same helpless condition. After remaining in this state for about fifteen minutes, vitality returned, first in the forefinger and thujnb on one hand, enabling him to rub them together. Fearing that the mules might recover before he could gel from among them, and in their struggles injure him, he worked his, fingers, and by slow degrees regained the use of his hands, then his arm, &c, when by great exertions he dragged himself out of the rgach, of the mules' heels. The mules gradually; recovered also, and he got them upon their feet.

Electric Phenomena . — A rumour haying prevailed at Brussels, that M. Quetelet, the" director of the observatory in that city, had been killed by lightning, that gentleman has written to the journals to contradict the rumour, and to state what really occurred. He was making some observations in the midst" of a violent storm, he says, with his assistant, when all of 3 sudden he found himself enveloped in a blaze of light, and received a violent electric shock, which threw him down. His assistant was also flung to the ground, but neither was seriously hurt. The electric fluid returned almost immediately after, just as they had raised themselves up, and with great force threw them towards the door. They then went out on the platform, where they found the rain falling in torrents, which was fortunate-for them, as their clothes had caught fire. The freshness of the air soon recovered them completely. With the exception of some burns on the face and hands, -and their hair being- scorched, they met with no other injuries.

Young Sailors in 1851. — A correspondent says : — An instance of the improved tastes and habits of the young sailor of the present day has just occurred. About thirty boys -of her Majesty's ship Excellent, at Portsmouth, on receiving their wages obtained leave of absence to vist London for the purpose of seeing the Exhibition, and other sights. They arrived at the Sailor's Home, Well-street, on Tuesday morning, and returned to Portsmouth on Saturday. In this short pei iod they managed to devote two days to the Crystal Palace, and also found time to visit Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, the British Museum, Greenwich Hospital, the Polytechnic, the Tunnel, Wyld's Globe, the Tower, and, through the kindness of the Duke of Northumberland, they were also admitted over Northumberland House. In their perambulations they were accompanied by the schoolmaster ; their conduct was most admirable, and they appeared delighted with the interesting objects thus, for the first time, brought to their notice.