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    fabric of the church . It might as well be said ( argued Mr . Roberts ) that a rate could J > e laid to provide a vehicle for the clergyman , or a sentry-box to protect him from rough weather while performing the funeral service . The third objection -was , that some of the votes in favour of the rates were given by persons who -were not present at the meeting , but who sent servants to give their votes as proxies . Forty-nine votes had been given , for the rate and . forty-two against

    it ; but of the forty-nine , sixteen were the votes of proxies . The magistrates said this last fact -would be conclusive as to the invalidity of the rate , if Mr . Roberts could prove it . Mr . Roberts then called witnesses who proved that fact , and the magistrates at once dismissed the summonses . Before Mr-Roberts ' s arrival in . court , eight cases had been disposed of , and decisions given in favour of the rate . If any attempt is made to enforce these decisions , appeals will be made . —Manchester Examiner .

    Ckuise of the Yacht Miranda . —A few days ago , Mr . Gray ' s yacht , the Miranda , arrived in Southampton Water from a six months' cruise to tie Canary Islands , the West Indies , and the United States of America . The Miranda is about 9 O tons burden and has a crew of nine men , chiefly natives of the Isle of "Wight and Southampton . Mr . Gray undertook the voyage in search of entomological specimens , and obtained a rare and beautiful collection of insects , particularly from the Canaries and Barbadoes . The Miranda reached Jamaica about the time at which the American man-of-war Susquehanna arrived there with her crew struck down

    with yellow fever . The Miranda ' s crew escaped the fever . Mr . Gray ' s insects are in a beautiful state of preservation . He landed at Charleston in South Carolina , and sent his yacht home thence , purposing to travel one thousand miles in the United States , and then to come to England in a steamer . He fully expected to reach this country before his yacht , but the latter has arrived at Southampton before liim , having made a splendid run of four thousand miles in twenty-three days , averaging about one hundred and sixty miles a day . There is only one instance known of such , a yacht performing a similar voyage as the Miranda has done during the last six months .

    Memorial , to the XiAtb LordPubley Stuart . — The Earl of Carlisle bas consented to preside at the inauguration of a new building situate in Market-street , Edge ware-road , which is designed as a memorial to the late Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart , wlio for some years represented the borough of Marylebone in the House of Commons . The building is intended , for a nightly refuge for the . houseless poor , in whose welfare the deceased lord always took a deep interest . A likeness of his lordship , in bronze , executed by the late Mr . Thomas Campbell , ¦ wil l be fixed over the building in tbe course of the ceremonial . Mr . N . P . " Willis , the American author , after recovering from an illness , took a ride on horseback , and ¦ was thrown , and dragged for some distance by the stirrup . He was badly bruised , but no bones were broken .

    The British Embassy at St . Pktersb ' ukg . —The Ihissian Gazette of St . Petersburg , under the title of "Diplomatic Change ? , " says : — " Several modifications are about to take place in the diplomatic body here . The Duke of Montebello , the now French ambassador , has already arrived . Lord Wodeliouse , of the English Legation , leaves his post in a short time , and . it is said that the noble lord -will resume hia seat in Parliament , and quit entirely the diplomatic career . It must be added that the family of the English Minister has not been able to habituate itself to our climate ; Lady Wodehouse

    has been frequently ill , and all . the family are plunged into sorrow by the death of his lordship ' s youngest son , which took place this winter . Society Ivcre greatly regret the departure of Lord Wodehouse , wlio is justly esteemed . Almost all the members of his legation , which is very numerous , willleavo Russia with him . Sir « T . Crainpton , ' successor of Lord Woclehousc , is expected by one of the first steamers . The names of the persons who arc to accompany him as secretaries or attaches are not known . Mr . Seymour , Minister of tine United States , is also to leave St . Petersburg ; and Mr . Tierce , his secretary , went some time back .

    California is the Paradise ok Skrvantoalism , where Biddy , whoso accomplishments don't rise beyond boiling a lumper , spoiling a roast , anil washing tho floors and dishes , gets her forty dollars a month and round , with tho privilege , too , of saying " I shan't ! " to what it doesn't please her to do , a privilege very extensively exercised ; and where she can also enjoy tho franchises of having her mistress do the dirtiest and heaviest part of th « work for her , such ns pumping water nnd the like , and of wearing fine clothes , and sporting Californian

    jewellery to any extent her funcy will carry her . Yes , indeed , California in general , nnd Snn Francisco an particular , in the paradise of servant-girls . The extroines to which misplaced iinory is carried is vory often exquisitel y ridiculous . To se * « some of tho " gala " deport themselves ia as good ( to a good-natured man , ol course ;) ns a well-sustained character in n farce . A ackadnisical-looldng damsel , whom I saw performing the duty of "taking the children out to walk » one day , was dressed in « manner which I would not dare attempt to describe , tho task being far boyond i « y

    powers . I may liowever , mention the chief features of the " display . " On the fingers of both hands there were several gold rings , and from the neck a gold chain dangled long enough , to bind the / wearer " hand and foot . " Besides these ornaments , she wore a buckle in a girdle of leather which encircled her slender waist , and a brooch of gold stuck in some highly coloured mystery high up on her bosom or low down on her neck , I don't know which . But of all her finery , what struck my unsophisticated eye as the most remarkable object was " the love of a cap " which she wore , not on , but far down the back of her head , stuck on tlie occipital region and held there by some mysterious agency to the deponent unknown . Her mistress , when I saw the servant , was very plainly dressed , and quite busy nursing one and amusing another child . I daresay the servant will marry a richer man than her master . —Letter from San Francisco .

    Testimonial to a Staffordshire Liberal ,. —A grand banquet took place on Tuesday evening , at Wolverhamptoh , ou the occasion of the presentation of a testimonial by the Liberals of South Staffordshire to Mr . William Mathews , as a recognition of his long services to the Liberal cause in the district , but more especially to mark the high sense entertained of his disinterested conduct at the last general election . On that occasion , Mr . Mathews was himself induced to come forward as a candidate for the representation , upon the unanimous invitation of a meeting specially convened for the purpose . Subsequently , however , he waived all pretensione of his own and withdrew , in order to conciliate the leading members of the iron trade , who were in favour of Mr . "William Orme Foster , one-of the present members .

    Mr . Folev ' s Equestrian Statue of Lord IIardlngk . —This magnificent work of art , the equestrian statue of" Lord Hardinge on his charger ' Meean . ee' at Ferozeshah , " is now completed and on view in " the court-yard of Burlington House . It will be shipped for Calcutta about three weeks hence . " We were able to express our high admiration of the model as it appeared in the artist ' s studio , and we are now glad to have an opportunity of congratulating Mr . Foley on the completion , of a work which does equal honour to the hero and the artist . "We may extend our congratulations to our Indian fellow-subjects whose capital city will be graced by this noble monument . May we express a hope that London will at least possess a copy , -if only as a contrast to the venerable caricatures which at present disfigure anil disgrace our metropolis , and as an example of what British art , inspired by national feeling , can achieve .

    Photographic Miniatures 021 Ivoiiy . —Messrs . Beard and Sharp are exhibiting at their rooms , 23 , Old Bend-street , some exquisite specimens of this new and precious application of science to art . The discovery of the means of taking sun-pictures on ivory is entirely due to their persevering experiments , and the results in miniature portraits excel all former triumphs in photography indelicate finish and reiinemeut of expression . These ivory portraits combine the unerring accuracy of the photograph with the grace and freedom of manipulative art .

    English ani > Kussia-m Sailors at the Cavk . —Bet-ween the sailors belonging to her Majesty ' s ship Castor nnd the sailors belonging to some Russian corvettes , lying in Simon ' s Bay , about one hundred and twenty in number , there has lately been a dreadful light . The town was kept in an uproar . They fought with staves and stones . The English drove the Russians to their boats , and were punished by the magistrate for the assault which they were proved to have commenced . — Gape Argus , April 20 . Corporation Reform The bill for the reform of the corporation of the City of London was under the consideration of a special Court of Common Council on "Wednesday . After along discussion , the court resolved

    to waive , for the present , all minor differences , nnd to unite for repelling the common danger . The report of the Inquiry Committee- concluded with the subjoined suggestion : —" We therefore recommend your hon . court to present a petition to tho House of Commons to recommit the bill to the select committee , and praying that tho corporation may be heard against tho confiscating clauses thereof , and generally against the measure . " Mr . Deputy Harrison moved to add to the report a recommendation of the committee , with regard to petitioning against the bill—a recommendation that the committee should take all other measures that might bo ( . leaned advisable , either by printing and circulating the objections to be urged against the bill , or 0 tI 1 erwi . se , to

    call the attention ot tins freemen , ratepayers , nnd others to the glaring injustice that would be done to them if the bill should puss . —Mr . Wood , as chairman of the committee , accepted the suggestion offered by tho last speaker , ns an addition to tho roport . —Mr , Anderton denounced the . measure nt some length , and in conclusion tore to atoms a copy of tho bill which he held in his hands , exclaiming , amid tho laughter of the court , " Dash tins bill ! 1 don ' t liko it at all ; I should like to hco it burnt by the common hmtgmun . "— 'l'he motion ( that the report be adopted ) was put from th « chair , and agreed to Hiiflnimou . ily , mm was also a resolution in favour of a petition to the House of Commons , to bo signed by tho town clerk , and presented by tho ahorin ' ti . —Tho court then adjourned .

    Supplying Convicts -with Money . —A respectable looking young man has been convicted by the county magistrates at "Rochester of having supplied with money some of the convicts confined in the convict prison , St . Mary's , Chatham . He was fined 3 / ., which he paid . An Inveterate Reader . —Shelley was always reading , at his meals a book lay by his side , on the table , open . Tea and toast were often neglected , his author seldom ; his mutton and potatoes might grow cold , his interest in a work never cooled . He invariably sallied forth , book in . hand , reading to himself , if he was alone , if he had a companion reading aloud . He took a volume to bed with him , and read as long as his candle lasted ; he then

    sleptimpatiently , no doubt—until it was light , and he recommenced reading at the early dawn . One day we were walking together arm-in-arm , under the gate of the Middle Temple , in Fleet-street ; Shelley , with open book , was reading aloud ; a man with an apron said to a brother operative , " See , there are two of your damnation lawyers ; they are always reading ! " The tolerant philosopher did not choose to be reminded that he had once been taken for a lawyer ; he declared the fellow was an ignorant wretch ! He was loth to leave his book to go to bed , and frequently sat up late reading ; sometimes , indeed , he remained at his studies all night .

    In consequence of this great watching , and of almost incessant reading , he would often fall asleep in the daytime —dropping off in a moment—like an . infant . He often quietly transferred himself from bis chair to the floor , aud slept soundly on the carpet , and in the winter upon the rug , basking in the warmth like a cat ; and like a cat his little round head was roasted before a blazing fire . If any one humanely covered the poor head to shield it from the heat , the covering was impatiently put aside in his sleep . " You make your brains boil , Bysshe . I have seen and heard the steam rushing out violently at your nostrils and ears . —Life of Shelley .

    Beyond the Barrier .- —What volumes of smoke are rising all around us ! What a number of chimneys they issue from ! What ranges of large and dirty factories and workshops meet the « ye in every direction ! What a clanging there is of hvmruers in every direction ! What a rushing sound of steam ! What a busy hum of labour and labourers ! We are in the midst of one of the working quarters of the capital . Call it Grenelle , call it La Villette , call it La Cliapelle , no matter which . They are all much alike . They are all centres of labour , of rough heavy labour that hardens the hand , broadens the back , and begrimes the face ; Paris , you see , is not one vast liegent-street . It has its business quarters as well as its pleasure quarters . Could the one exist without the other ? Honestly , is it not as dirty as Dockhead ; as muddy as Soiithwark ; as repulsive as Eatcliffe-highway ? How , in fact , could it be otherwise ?—Aspects of Puris .

    England and New Zealand . — -With a working man in England a large family is not unfrequently regarded as a social calamity . In-New Zealand a large family proves a source of ultimate wealth ,, as any lad of twelve or fourteen years of age can , in return for his services , readily-obtain a comfortable home , with a salary of 20 ? . or 301 . a yt'ar . On this subject there is one important fact , the knowledge of which may be found useful to or taken advantage of by a few married but childless individuals in the mother country . While most parts of the colony under consideration , are highly favourable to

    agricultural or pastoral purposed , the invigorating effects of its delightful climate would appear to be equally favourable to a local increase in the population . We have met with settlers who for many years in England liad despaired of ever becoming parents ; but since their arrival in the colony they- have been blessed with the parental title—a title without which man ' s estate , however beautifully supplied with the periodical riches of the land , would be still poor without those tender saplings which can alone perpetuate the seed of domestic bliss . —J ' ttJieluifs l \ cw Zealand .

    Kktikuu Tuauics&iak . —Horticulture , I have reason to believe , was the cliicf occupation of my neighbours ; although I < lo not speak with any amount of certainty upon tho point . One , with whom I made acquaintance , entirely gave himself up to photography . He had been in business in Paris ; had , comparatively early in life , made a fortune , and with much good sense , as it appeared to me , had nt once retired to enjoy it . The class to which lie belonged arc accustomed to act thus when they have made money , instead of waiting until old ago renders the enjoyment of that money almost us laborious as its acquisition lias been . My photographic neighbour was thoroughly in lovo with his new pursuit . Although ho followed it as ji simple amateur , ho worked all day

    long , as though existence itself depended upon his labours . You might have suj > po . sed that ho continually hud a number of important orders on hand , which it was absolutely necessary ho must exuciitu without a moment's loss of time . Ho was always t .-iking views o £ everything . Now of the front of hi . s liou . 'u , now of the back ; now of the littlo outbuildings atthumdo ; and now of the rabbit-lmtch in one corner of his garden , Ho took portraits , too , by the liumlred . s . Portraits of hit servants , of his do ;* , of hia old man . Whenever he invited friends to sea him ho took their portraits also . All tho people in the neighbourhood had been similarly treated . 1 inngino thnt striking likencssca wero produced , no feo being asked by the producer ! And yet not ex-

    Untitled Article

    No . 427 , ; -JyUr 29 , 1858 /] THJ ) LEADER . 513

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), May 29, 1858, page 513, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2244/page/9/