10 JULY 1847, Page 7

'be tirobintes.

The installation of Prince Albert as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge commenced on Monday. The Queen's known intention to be present at the ceremony led to unusual preparations in order to confer epon the journey the honours of a royal progress. Her Majesty and the Prince with their suite left Buckingham Palace at half-past ten o'clock, in three open carriages and four, escorted by a troop of Lancers. The party entered the railway at the Tottenham station; where Mr. Hudson, as Chairman, and others of the Directors of the Eastern Counties Railway, were in eager attendance. At about half-past eleven, the train etarted, and reached its destination in rather less than an hour and a half; the travellers greatly cheered as they passed the various stations.

At Cambridge the Vice-Chancellor of the University, and the Mayor, Aldermen, and burgesses of the Town-Council, were at their pests to re- ceive the Queen and Prince Consort; the Mayor presenting the principal mace to her Majesty on his handed knee. Thence the illustrious person- ages went in the state carriage, with a guard of the Whittlesea Yeomanry Cavalry, and, accompanied by the civic authorities in procession, to Trinity College; where the Queen was received by the Master of Trinity, and con- ducted to the wing of the lodge prepared for her reception.

After a short delay, the Queen entered the Hall of Trinity College, to receive the address of the University. The throne-chair was placed upon a dais slightly elevated, and covered with a crimson carpet. The Queen was accompanied by Prince Waldemar of Prussia and his two brothers; the Duke of Wellington, the Bishops of London and Oxford, and other ills-. tingaished visitors, taking their places in the body of the hall according to academical rank. The approach of the Chancellor was made known by the vociferous cheering of the gownsmen in the court. On entering, ac- companied by the University authorities, the Prince Chancellor approached the foot of the dais, and with imperturbable gravity proceeded to read the address. It commenced with assurances of attachment to her Majesty's person, and of heartfelt gratitude for this gracious mark of royal favour; and a hope was expressed that the Queen's presence implied approbation of the choice made by the University in electing a Chancellor. The members of the University were not unmindful of the purposes for which the institu- tion was created-

" We trust that there have not been wanting hitherto a zeal for the cause of literature and of science, and efforts to promote the still more elevated and holy object which ;our founders had in view—the establishment of religion and virtue.

We would venture to appeal to recent discoveries in astronomical and other kindred sciences—to the many persons eminent in literature and sciences, and in the public offices of life—to the statesmen, judges, and philosophers of our country, who have received their early education and been taught to discipline their minds in this seat of learning. We trust we may call attention also to the clergy in ge- neral who have gone from us, and contributed so much to the elevation of the character of our country, and who, by their piety, their truth of doctrine, and their innocence of life, have done so much to prove themselves the blessing and glory of the land.

"While we thus reflect with satisfaction upon the good fruit which has resulted from the past labours of the University, our attention is awakened to the task which lies before us. We see how important is the place which the University occupies in respect to the sound happiness of the world; and how dignified are the duties and how great the responsibilities of those who have to direct its studies and administer its affairs."

In reply, the Queen graciously expressed her approbation of the selection of a Chancellor, and her earnest desire to promote the University's welfare.

The Vice-Chancellor, the Esquire Bedells, the Heads of Houses, and a numerous array of members of the Senate, were next presented by the Chancellor • which done, the authorities slowly withdrew, moving back- wards to the door. The ceremonious bows made by the Prince in retreat.. lug seemed highly to amuse the Queen, who responded to each salute with a smile of delight. The spectatorsjoined; and the withdrawal was effected amidst unrepressed laughter! At half-past three, the Chancellor, arrayed in his robes proceeded to the Senate-house, to confer degrees. An expectant crowd Of ladies had been waiting here for five hours and a half. The general company, assembled to the number of three thousand, greeted Prince Albert, and the Duke of Wellington, who immediately followed his Royal Highness with shouts of applause. The Queen did not arrive until the business hi;r1 made consi- derable progress. A flourish of trumpets then announced "the Queen "- who was met by Prince Albert half-way from the entrance, and conducted. to the throne on the dais amidst loud demonstrations of loyalty. In the interval, her Majesty had changed her dress, and was now attired in "a white chip bonnet with marabout feathers, and white lace visite; her drew was a white net over straw-coloured silk, with lace flounces, having a plait- ing of riband at the top." Amongt those on whom degrees were oonfeared were Prince Waldemar of Prussia, Prince Lowenstein, Prince Peter of Old- enburgh, the Prince of Saxe Weimar, Sir Harry Smith, and Sir Roderick Murchison. A Latin oration of preposterous length followed. It was spoken by the Reverend Mr. Crick, the Public Orator; and although the assembly were amused for some time by the reverend gentleman's frequent recurrence to his manuscript, the Royal presence did not prevent them from beginning to hiss before he had concluded.

At half-past six, her Majesty and Prince Albert went in state to Cathe- rine Hall, to dine with the Vice-Chancellor. The circle of guests, which was rather limited by want of room, included Sir Robert Peel, the Foreign Princes, the Prussian, Belgian, and American Ministers. The choice re- past was enlivened by music from a military band stationed on the lawn.

After the banquet, there was a concert in the Senate-house, under the direction of Professor Walmisley. The singers were Mademoiselle Alboni, Miss Birch, Miss Dolby, Signor Salvi, Signor Lablache, Mr. Lockey, and Mr. Phillips. The Queen and Prince Albert retired from the concert at about ten o'clock.

A display of fireworks in Parker's Piece concluded the day's festivities, The principal business of Tuesday was the performance of the Installa- tion Ode before the Queen and the Royal Chancellor. The Senate-house was crowded, and the heat intense; but the music of Professor Walmisley, and the Laureate's poetry, kept up the energies of the assembly; who in a furor of loyalty called for "God save the Queen " as a bonne bouche.

After attending the horticultural fete in the grounds of Downing Col- lege, the Queen and Prince Albert were present at a banquet given in Trinity College. Her Majesty was conducted to the banqueting board by Dr. Whewell, who did the honours. As on the previous day, the fare was sumptuous; and the Queen's health was drunk with vociferous applause.

A convivial meeting of the electors of Canterbury was held on Tuesday evening, at the Victoria Rooms; summoned by the Honourable George P. Smythe, for the double purpose of rendering an account of his steward- ship and of setting forth the grounds on which he claimed to be reelected. After some loyal toasts, Mr. Smythe stated, that he had called the electors together because he understood that a resolution had been come to at a sectional meeting of the Conservative party, impugning his Anti-Protestant votes. Instead of retorting, he would take this attempt at disgrace and ostracism in good humour— "In your local history, in the records of your Corpomtiont in 1535, one year after the great Reformation, I have stumbled upon the following passage---• Paid 14s. 8d. for the expense of bringing a heretic from London; and for one half-load of wood to burn him, 2d.; fix gunpowder, id.; fora stake and staple, 8d.' (Cheers cud laughter.) I doubt not but there are some corporators in Canterbury who would not begrudge Inc the 14s. 8d., or even the additional 4cL, which the South- eastern Railway would exact; the gunpowder, the stake, or the staple. (Re- newed cheers.) But there is this difference between the two cases—whereas the victim of those days suffered for a creed to which he heroically witnessed, the victim of these days suffers for a creed which he does not, cannot, will not, en- .tertain." (Loud cheers.) Indeed, said Mr. Smythe, when the heat of this election shall have passed away —when even Conservative societies shall have expired—it would probably appear that he has been the better Protestant. If the particular section of adverse Conservatives could send whom they chose to Parliament, he believed that the common sense of the House of Commons would nullify that man's votes and shock him out of his prepossessions. The charges, which he would not shirk, were— that he had deserted the Tory party by the advocacy of Liberal opinions; and that he had apostatized from his particular professions. To both these accusa- tions he gave the most absolute, the most complete, and the most indignant denial. What is the Tory party? Is it a mere chorus of whiners, who have whined, and whimpered, and canted, and cried for a yesterday ? The true prin- ciples of the Tory party are those of the rights of the people; "Place Bills and Triennial Bills—which men like Hynde Cotton and Sheppard flung in the face of a German monarch and a mushroom aristocracy. (Cheers.) I believe that the traditions of the Tory party—the noblest pedigree in the world—are that long line of democratic measures which begin with the Habeas Corpus Act and end with Corn-law Repeal." He would take sanctuary from his accusers in the tomb of William Pitt,—not the Pitt of mythology and the Pitt Chiba, but the Pitt of history; who defeated, if he could not conquer, =TOW, a selfish, a grasping, and a monopolizing aristocracy; an who enacted those measures of free trade which he had inherited in theory from Adam Smith. Mr. Smythe declared that if he did not believe the principles of Toryism to be the principles of liberty, he would rather call himself a Radical or a Chartist than a Tory. He was not ashamed to confess, that at his first entrance into Parliament he "broke down "; nevertheless, the electors had kindly returned him a second time. He challenged proof of any discrepancy between his votes in Parliament and his professions on the hustings. He had entered the House of Commons full of hot thoughts and ardent speculations; and had sat by men, now patriots, who then only knew the will of the Minister. If he spoke of some ancient privilege, the most intrepid thinkers would Fay, with a grave shake of the head, Look at Sir Robert Peel "; the less intrepid would say, "Look at Sir Thomas Fremantle." In those days he had used strong language against Sir Robert Peel; and he would take this opportunity of making an apology to a great man who has since shown that his heart was all the while with the people.

On the subject of Education, Mr. Smythe viewed with little satisfaction the Government scheme. It is meagre as a measure of state, and offensive as a matter of religion. The Church of England had been ill-treated for generations. She had been loaded with pecuniary favours, and at the same time treated not only without confidence but with moral discouragement. He regretted that before she had had time to recover her position, another of those fatal gifts had been forced upon her which only bring abuse, hostility, and reactionary hate. He agreed with Mr. Roebuck, that sufficient cause has not as yet been shown against a large, com- prehensive, and universal measure of secular education. All schemes with an ad- mixture of religion must necessarily injure the rights of conscience and wound the feelings of Dissenters.

A word on the present Ministry—" I do not know that I can do better than to quote what I said six years ago, of Lord John Russell, the chief and champion and best representative of modern Whiggism, in the figurative language of a boy, 'that it was impossible to speak without admiration of a statesman who reminded him of a saying of a great Imperialist general, who made it his proudest boast that he had fought two campaigns against the Conde and Tureinie, and had not been conquered. Lord John Russell had fought more than two campaigns against Stanley, more chivalric than Conde; and against Peel, more far-seeing than Ta- rimne; and had not been conquered.' (Cheers.) But since I spoke that sentence all years have passed away; and Lord John Russell has not only not been con- Tiered, but has himself conquered both Lord Stanley and Sir Robert. (Great Meow.) He has realized to the furthest and the fullest the prophecies of his coming greatness which fell from the greatest of our political poets, Mr. Thomas Moore, and the most eloquent of our statesmen Mr. Canning. (Cheers.) But notwith- standing the greatness of his position, and greater greatness in himself; I may per- haps be permitted to say—I, who have that Sydney blood in my veins which was shed on the same scaffold with his Russell blood in defence of liberties of England—

(Great cheering)—that he remembers too mach and too often that he is a Russell ands Whig, and too little and too late that he is the Prime Minister of a country which is heartily and cordially sick of all the barren inanities of party. (Great cheer- ing.) Besides, the noble Lord belongs to a political school which I do not hesitate to say is the very worst school of all—that which says 'all for the people, but no- thing by the people.' And I am far more afraid of being choked by him with all the chickweed of the statu quo, than I am of being overwhelmed by a torrent of Revolutionary reforms. (Cheers.) If, however, the noble Lord will go onwards, taking that principle of public order as his guide which must ever be the compass of the statesman—if he will fulfil the behests and necessities of our age, remem- bering that 10/. was an absurd and arbitrary limit for the franchise, and that every day a thousand human beings are born in this country to be educated in affection to the commonwealth, and not to be proscribed to disaffection—if he will proceed with those commercial reforms which I have ventured to indicate—if he will, with regard to the Poor-law, recognize those claims to which so great, so wise, and so honest a Minister showed himself so singularly deaf the other even- ing—if, in one word, he will go on—he shall have no heartier supporter than myself. (Cheers.) If be do not—if he shall stand still—if his Administration shall languish into its old and impotent finality—he shall have no heartier oppo- nent than myself." (Applause.) It had been a reproach to him in politics that his watch was always five minutes too fast; but he did not think be was too fast in believing that he should be elected a third time. However, he would go to the poll; and if unsuccessful, be should not repine. In one sense he would admit his appestats to be right— ".Except in a time of movement, I must admit that we man ef theory make in- diflirent Parliament men. My own temper is such, that I willfreskly say, that in these last vicissitudes I would rather have been one of the journalists who led than one of the statesmen who followed."

At the conclusion of Mr. Smythe's speech, which was immeneelycheered, the meeting passed a resolution of confidence in his favour.

The Berkeley family quarrel has produced some more fruit, in the shape of a proposition from Earl Fitzhardinge to Mr. Grantley Berkeley for re- signing his claims as a candidate for West Gloucestershire. Mr. Grantley Berkeley has indignantly rejected the offer, and rushed with the document to the printers. Here it is- " 1. Lord Fitzhardinge to deposit in the hands of two trustees, one to be named by himself, and one by Mr. Grantley Berkeley, the sum of 1,2001., together with Mr. Grantley Berkeley's deed of assignment of part of his annuity to Lord Etzhardinge. "2, Mr. Grantley Berkeley to publish an address to the electors of West Gloucestershire, distinctly renouncing all intention to appear as a candidate, or to sit, if elected, for West Gloucestershire at the ensuing election. "8. Trustees toy over, on the publication of such address in the two Glouces- ter papers, and in the Bristol Mercury and Garotte, the said sum of 1,2001. in the

following proportions' viz. 2001. to Mr. Grantley Berkeley, and 1,0001. to Mr. /tee Berkeley in payment of Leveux's judgment.

"4. Mr. Grantley Berkeley undertakes to do nothing prejudicial to the retarn of Mr. Grenville Berkeley, or to affect his seat when returned, and to dis- countenance all such acts in his friends; and Mr. Henry Berkeley undertakes to preserve strict neutrality. Conditional upon which, the aforesaid deed is to be delivered to Mr. Grantley Berkeley at the termination of Mr. Grenville Berkeley's election; but upon either party failing in their said several undertakings, the deed is to be returned to Lord its Earl Fitzhardinge has sent the following explanatory letter to the Times-

" Berkeley House, Spring Gardens, July 6.

"Sir—With reference to your article of today, headed Sale of the Repreaen- tation of a County,' I beg to inform you, that the terms consented to hy me (upon which the construction quoted has been put) originated and had the sanction of persons of the highest rank and character in the county, as well as of the most respectable and influential of the middle classes. "As for the sale of the representation of the county of Gloucester, the idea that either Mr. Grantley Berkeley had the power to sell or I to purchase is perfectly ridiculous. No such consideration influenced me in acceding to the terms pro- posed. I had family reasons for the concession I made. "I am your obedient servant, FITZHARDINGE." Mr. Edward Hollond, of Dambleton, has consented to stand for East Gloucestershire.

There appears to be a screw loose in North Durham. It is understood that Mr. Liddell's withdrawal is by no means improbable, on the score or expense. A deputation has been appointed to confer with him in London; and to visit Lord Seaham, in case matters cannot be satisfactorily arranged.

A compromise has been proposed by the Conservatives of West Norfolk; which, however, has been indignantly repudiated by the sitting Member, Mr. Edward Keppel Coke of Holkhara.

It is all but settled that Mr. Tatton Egerton and Mr. Edward John Stanley shall be the representatives for North Cheshire in the next Par- liament.

The electors of Birmingham are determined on a careful choice of candi- dates: Mr. Sergeant Allen has visited the electors; and it is rumoured that Mr. M. D. Hill and Colonel Thompson are about to appear in the field.

Sir Frederick Trench retires from the representation of Scarborough. The candidates are Sir John Johnstone and the Earl of Mulgrave.

The electors of Great Yarmouth find much difficulty in getting a can- didate to come forward as the successor of Mr. Wiltshere.

Mr. Hodgson Hinde will vacate his seat for Newcastle-upon- Tyne: he intends to retire from public life.

Sir Denis Le Merchant has issued an address to the electors of Worcester, stating his intention to withdraw from their service. Mr. Osman Ricardo, of Bromesberrow, has come forward as a supporter of the Government in their general policy. Bolton is to lose Mr. Peter Ainsworth: he retires rather than stand a contest with Mr. Brooks and Dr. Bowring.

The statement that Lord Jocelyn was about to seek a seat at Dundalk has been authoritatively contradicted: his Lordship stands again for Lynn. Mr. Lane Fox retires from the representation of Ipswich.

Mr. Horace Twiss is again a candidate for Bury St. Edmund's.

A considerable sensation was created last week by the closing of Birk- enhead Docks. As, however, they were opened again before oukeiast number was published, and as there were manifest imperfections in the statements of fact, we made no allusion to it. The principal facts, as we understand the case, are these. After the enterprise had been commenced, Mr. Price, the lord of the manor, asserted a claim to part of the fore-shore, or strand between high and low water, which had been ceded to the manor by the Crown; and he opposed one of the hills on that ground. It was arranged, however, that if his title were established subsequently, the Company should pay him its value, to be settled by arbitration; and he waived his opposition. This session, bills for further authority have been brought into Parliament: into one of these, Government (by officious dealings in the department of Woods and Forests) introduced a clause asserting the right of the Croton to the fore-shore; thus stealing a march both upon the Dock Company and the lord of the manor. The Company resisted the clause, and the Peers struck it out. But there is dis- sension among the managers of Birkenhead; and a majority of the Dock Commissioners, under that influence, resolved to close the docks until the right of the Crown should be recognized. But a new light on the law of the case broke in, and the docks were reopened.

A Naval Court-martial sat at Portsmouth last week; engaged in two trials, which have excited much interest in the profession.

Mr. John W. Young, acting Master of the sloop Lily, was charged by Com- mander Newton, his commanding officer, with having been drunk on the 21st of last April; with having been disrespectful; and lastly, with having slept on his watch, during the night of the 1st of June, when the sloop was cruising on the West coast of Africa. Mr. Young denied that he was drank. If he had been disrespectful to Commander Newton, it had been only to the extent of saying that he would resign his commission when he was unjustly charged with inebriety; and if his behaviour on that occasion was disrespectful, he deeply regretted it. 'To the third charge the prisoner pleaded guilty; but with an explanation of the circum- stances. At the time of the occurrence he was doing the duty of two officers— Master and Lieutenant, and had two night-watches, besides very laborious duties generally; he was also suffering from illness: thus, wom.out with fatigue, on the night of the 1st of June he sat down on the deck, wrapping a blanket round his legs; and, unfortunately, he fell asleep. The defence stated that Commander Newton treated the accused in a very harsh, coarse, and overbearing manner. Mr. Young called witnesses who utterly disproved the charge of drunkenness: he also put in flattering certificates from officers under whom he had served. The Court-martial declared that the first charge had not been proved, but found the others fully proved; and sentenced the prisoner to be dismissed the service. The second case consisted of two charges by the same prosecutor against John Powell Branch, Second Lieutenant of the Lily. The Lieutenant was accused of "highly insubordinate and disrespectful" behaviour to Commander Newton' be- tween the 9th of October 1845 and the 11th of May 1846; and with having used "highly disrespectful language" on the llth of May. The prisoner had been tin- der arrest seventeen months. The witnesses for the prosecution were two. Cap- taini Brisbane deposed, that in December 1845 he was sent on board the Lily to perform a specific duty: on that occasion, the prisoner made a remark to him about the cause of the First Lieutenant's absence, which should have been made to his own commander: Captain Brisbane admonished Mr. Branch for this; and both Commander Newton and the Commodore of the fleet appeared to be satisfied with that admonition. The other witness was the First Lieutenant of the Lily, Mr. Williams. He stated that the prisoner had refused to sign an order respecting dress which the Captain had issued, on the ground that he did not understand it; but which be afterwards signed. Mr. Branch's manner was "respectful" in ex- plaining to the Captain his delay in signing. On the 15th of March 1846, the prisoner VMS remiss in carrying out orders. On one occasion, Commander New- ton said, "It is the duty of the officers to set a good example by the men, and make them work"; wheu Lieutenant Branch replied "It is also your duty to set a good example to the men " Generally, said Mr. Williams, the conduct of the accused was highly dLy sap:vital."

The defence was begun by putting in certificates from officers under whom the urisoner had served, all highly complimentary to his character, and extending over e coned from 1827 to 1841. Then the Third Lieutenant of the Lily, the Clerk, the urgeou, and the Boatswain, gave evidence contradicting the statements and inferences of Lieutenant Williams, and overturning the charges. The prisoner had not been disrespectful: his speaking to Captain Brisbane, said the Third Lieutenant, "was an error in judgment," not an impertinence: if he had made the disrespectful remark about "duty" to Commander Newton, it must have been heard by the Surgeon, but Dr. Steele deposed that he heard nothing of the kind. The Boatswain also corroborated this; and the last witness denied the breach of duty imputed on the 15th of March. Commander Willmott spoke of the prisoner's earnest desire to fulfil the commands of his superiors.

After deliberating for half an hour, the Court came to this conclusion—" The Court is of opinion that the charges have not been proved against Lieutenant John Powell Branch, but are frivolous and vexatious: and the Court doth adjudge the said Lieutenant John Powell Branch to be acquitted, and he is hereby acquitted accordingly." The President then called the late prisoner to the head of the table, and addressed him thus—" Lieutenant Branch, I beg to return your sword; and I am directed by the Court to express the pleasure they have in returning a sword of which you have been so long and so unjustly deprived."

At the Exeter County and City Sessions, lost week, a large number of persons who were engaged in the late food riots were tried. Many pleaded guilty. Most of the sentences were short terms of imprisonment.

A fatal disaster occurred on the Peterborough and Ely Railway, on Thursday morning. An express-train left Peterborough at six o'clock; it consisted of two carriages, a break-van, tender, and engine; and all went well till it arrived at an incline on the Ely side of Hundred Foot Bridge. It had not gone down the in- cline many yards before the engine was thrown off the rails; as if by the impetus of the tram behind, the engine, with the tender, was hurled completely round, and then fell down an embankment to the edge of a water-way which runs for some distance along that portion of the line. Fortunately, the carriages broke awa7 from the tender, and came to a stand a few feet from the spot; the rails having been torn up by the engine' and the wheels becoming imbedded in the gravel of the permanent way. The few passengers were unhurt, with the excep- tion of bruises in some instances; but the engine-driver was found dead on the rails, having been crushed by the break-iron. One of the rails was found broken into three pieces; but at the moment, the precise cause of the accident was not evident.

The explosion at Kirkless Hall Colliery was more extensively fatal in its con- sequences than was at first reported. No fewer than nine men were dead when they were taken out of the pit, or died soon after; while seventeen persons were injured, some severely, so that their recovery is doubtful.