The New York Herald Newspaper, August 18, 1853, Page 2

THE EASTERN QUESTION. HeTeBY OF THE RUSSIAN-GREEK CHURCH. Me Ries, and Character of Ks Priests, Ge Rey die. Under the title of “ the Russian Question,” s new ‘work has just appeared from the pen of Mr. Léouzon Leduc, calculated to throw great light on the events Rew agitating Europe. Mr. Leduc considers in his ‘work what he calls the three elements of the Rassian question: The person or the instrument— Prince Men. sekikoff ; the principle or the pretext—the Russian Greek Church ; the fact and the consequences—the ob- pect of Russia and foreign intervention. The follow- img extract from the second part will enable our yeaders to appreciate the true character of that Rus- sien-Greek Church, about which so much has lately Deen said, and upon which the Emperor of Russia persists in founding the new policy which he has just adopted towards the Porte. RUSSIA, HER CHURCH, ETC. Ffranslated from La Patrie, of Paris, of July 14.) * What is the Russian Church? It is the Greek @hurch reduced to the petrified state.” So aaid one @ay the Rev. M. Lacordaire, from the pulpit of Notre Dame. These words bear the impress of profound ‘auth. A transfoge from the Church of Rome, and a ser- ‘vile imitation of the church of Constantinople, the ‘Ressian Church appears to have had, during the last ‘@aree centuries, no other object than gradually to mother the principle which originally constituted ‘Iner vitality, to arrive at that dull, torpid state, where- Be abe is now languishing. What signifies that title orthodox with which she mow 80 vainly decks herself? I search history for @m answer, but to no purpose. History tells me that im 867 the Byzantine Patriarch, Ignatius, who was fen living on a footing of the most perfect harmony ‘with the Roman Pontiff, sent’ missionaries into Rus- mia for the purpose of making converts. History tells me, too, that in 980 Wladimir the Great, the first Grand Duke of Russia after the Princess Olga, ‘who solemnly embraced the Christian faith, received Daptiam at the hands of the Greek Bishop of Kher- wen. Now, in 867 and in 980, what faith did the Bassians consider to be the orthodox faith? Evi- @eatly that which they openly professed—and what was that other than the Catholic faith in its parity, other, in a word, than the Romish faith? I am well aware that Russian historians, accumulating elements of darkness around the cradle of their con- version, have sought to persuade the world that their eborch came originally and airectly from Photius. History, fortunately, speaks louder than these his- terians. Was the name of Photius ever mentioned in 967? No. Photius only appeared in 880. Was there any question of Photius in 980? No. That period was for the church of Constantinople a period of rest; she was then living without a thought of ‘Me daring innovations of Photins, and it was only sixty years later that Michael Ceralarius resumed ence more the work of schism, to consummate it ir- ‘Still, it shonld not be supposed that the Russian @hourch, even from that period, exclusively followed ‘the Byzantine Church. For a long time after this she remained faithful to the deference, which from her origin she had evinced towards the Holy See. She kept up with it an uninterrupted correspondence, frequently asked advice of it, and although hierar- ehially a tributary of Constantinople, she seemed to Dove to seek at the sources of Saint Peter for the pu- ity of dogmas, the rules of canonical discipline, and the splendors of faith. Do we not learn from history that in 1075 the | Grand Duke Isarlof sued for aid and protection at the hands of Pope Gregory VII. against the en- eroachments of his brother Weserlaf. The Pontiff re-established harmony between them, confirmed the former in the possession of his dominions, obtained for him, in addition, the alliance of Poland, and be- stowed upon the latter, in the name of the Prince of | Apostles, the sovereignty of Russia. We all know what was then the importance, in the eyes of nations, of those solemn sanctions which the superb Hilde- brand conferred upon the rulers of the earth. But already had the Tartars invaded Rassia Bowed down beneath the yoke of the most painful slavery, the Russians gradually lost their former espirit—the national character was blasted in its budding pride. How, situated as they were, could shey resist the injurious influence of schismatic pon- ‘tiffs, sent them from Constantinople? Slaves al- veady, politically and socially, they became slaves evclesiastical'y ; tley copied Byzantine ; still the bond was not d:finitively broken before the end of the fifteenth centary. | Having discarded her dependence upon Rome, | he Russian Church wished also to free herself from | | | | the supremacy of Constantinople; in other words, whe wished to place at ber head an independent and mational Patriarch. This reqnired the consent and intervention of the Patriarch of Byzantine. They were obtained as follows:—At that time— fhat is to say, in 1572—there was an unblushing rivalry as to who should fill the Patriarchal chair of | tinople. Jeremy IL., a prelate of doubtful faith, inclining now towards the schism of Photius, | mow towards the heresy of Luther, was the firat to fill it. He was driven ass by Metrophanus, who, in his turn, bad to yield to Pachomius, then to Theolept, wo Simoniacal bishops. The reign of the two latter | was short. Jeremy II. supplanted them once more ; | and, in consideration of a pension of 500 ducats a | piece, they bound themselves to abandon all competi- tion. A prelate who knows so well how to buy others must know, when the opportunity presents itself, | how to sell himself—so reasons the Grand Dake of Muscovy, or rather Boris Godounoff, his favorite | and minister. He therefore invited Jeremy to | Moscow, and Pes nart him all the gold which he | could desire, if he would confer the patriarchal dig- | ae Ivl, recently elected Metropolitan of the | ly City. Jeremy did not hesitate to accept; he appeared at | ‘Moscow in all the pomp of Orieatal priesthood, and | it is he who, when he corsecrated the national Patriarch of the Russian Chnrch, was supposed to | inspire him with that power and wisdom which were thenceforth to constitute this church in her dence, and to free her from her former tutil- age. A wonderful genius, indeed, was that of | Jeremy I!., and marvellously proper, above all, to | found that orthodoxy which Russia nov makes a | title to influence. | Still, the bargain thus concluded by the Patriarch | of Constantinople was far from being ratified by his brethren of the East. In a synod whieh he convoked, shortly after his return to his metropolis, the majori- ty ‘of the bishops declared themselves against him; nothing could silence their opposition but the inter- vention of the Ambaseador of the Grand Duke him- self, and the insidious efforts of Meletius, Patriarch of Antioch, who had been bribed beforehand to side with Boris Godounoff. The year following, more- over, Jeremy having died, the Grand Duke, by dint of gold, prevailed upon Theophilus, his successor, to him at Moscow, where the new institution was then confirmed for the second and last time. Such was the original of the Muscovite Patriarchs. At the end of a century the institution was abolish ed by Peter the Great. But what light did it throw uring this period on the orthodox church? Even as they had borne all the expense, so did the Grand Dukes naturally arregate to themselves all the pro- fits of the institution, and they disposed of it accord- ing to their caprice. All these sovereigns, which the atan Nicholas now styles his giorious ances- tors, allowed the patriarch of Moscow no other im- monities than the honor of being the servile instra- ment of their despotism, and the faculty of moving as their own imperial decrees or ukases dictated. ‘The consequence has been, that beforo as well as sinee Peter the Great, the orthodox church has onl, precipitated her own rain. Lopped off from the ori- gz! trank that supplied her with life and vigor, she gradually become petrified, and, for want of in- ternal animation, wrapned herseif up in countless eeremonies and empty formulas, which rival perhaps the superstitions enthusiasm with which the Russians of bygone days bowed before a block of wood or stone. And hence it is that the Rassian church is now, in point of fact, nothing but a dead institution. The Catholic Church has distinguished herself by pte cal of civilization; the Protestant Churches ives have emancipated thou, for there is im these churches an internal principle which ele- | vates the soul. The Russian Church, on the contrary, | wants animation; everything around her becomes deadened, as it were ; and if we should sum np the account of her progress, we would find, it eertain total of signs of the cross, of fe nut and prostrations added into the ouginal programme, | bat not one single ferttie idea, Hot Me single orev tion marking the advance of inteligértce. The Ras- sian Church may be well calvuluted to serve ay the | ness of this yoke, I know not, bat wha | Would it have the power or tl lever of a bratifying work of a faith frien spontaneous evotutions He times 2 low many times ey icy, but not as the frame- to ‘bunan liberty and the the mind. : in Rewsia, have I been strack with the hat mass of for- molas which have been baptized with the name of orthodox ehureh! Buried in the sacred books, as in Seen eee lis, the poo of religion aamae leave resti ve to beam upon the peop! Are not the ae Paks itea from making them too frequently the object of their sermons, lest they should detract aught from their purity? They keep watch over them, like the dragon of the fable, with- out understanding, themselves, their beauty or their ‘A few theological books are now printed, it is true, but they are notbing but isolated compilations and falsified ‘extracts, the frait of solit ‘and un- assisted labor, without credit among the or in- fluence among the people. As soon as the bas learned that God is God, and the Czar his pro- phet, his religious education is complete. To main- tain bim in the ways of morality trust to an in- stinctive naturalism, as innate ina fostenas ina disciple of Christ. And now let us cast 2 glance upon what we may call the astics of the Russian faith—the images, ——- , the fasts, the pretended miracles of saints, conveat life, &c. Intoxication is in Rassia the indispensable com- pement-af oll penins rajcieiogs. Not only the pot dissuade their sei 3 from it, bat they even urge them to immoderate drinking. “Why should we,” they say, “deprive these of so great an clement ‘of ha 7 The State itself seconds them in this with suecess; for of all the righte it ht have arrogated to iteelf as their it has reserved that of establishing taverns. What a country'is that, where the ple measure the du- ration of their hay by tof the hours when they have lost reason! And how could the Ras- sian le do otherwise than get intoxicated? Is not 68 sanctioned in their e: the example of the priests, their natural mode! ve known & parish, whoee name I could cite, where the inhabit- ante were in the habit of shutting up their pastor, under lock and key, e Satarday night, that they might be sure he would have a clear head and steady limbs for the celebration of mass on Sunday. It is true they did not allow for the bottle which he at times succeeded in concealing under his dress. Such a tendency as this on the part of the Russian clergy proceeds, aside from personal passion, from their peculiar ritual habits and from the papelar In France and in other Catholic count 4 customs. the church is pretty nearly the only place open to what I mo: a a call ‘flicial heat Not 60 in Rassia. Any one is free at wiil to his parlor or bed room into .a chapel, and to invite the man of his parish to officiate there. This is called saying a Je Deum. The Russian lords are very lavish of this kind of ceremony. On theoccasion of every important event in their family they send for the priests ; they summon them, too, when the: set out upon or return from any journey. Then the household of the nobleman come together in a room, where a table covered with a white cloth serves as an altar,and then they have the same songs, the same genuflections, the same signs of the cross as in the church. Iam not Hy or to say whetber the Russian religion gains much from being thus peddled about from house to house; what is certain, however, is, that the sobriety of its minis- ters rarely triumphs over the danger which it meets; for after the domestic celebration they eat and drink, and as it frequently pees that the same priest officiates ceveral times in different families, it is easy to imagine in what a condition he is when he reads his last Te Deus. pg Thave often been a witness of this singular man- ner of imploring the blessing of heaven; but it is as Easter approaches that the spectacle becomes most curious. At this period they no longer wait till their ministry is requested ; they go forward of them- selves to their parishioners. Not only do they in- vade the ces of the nobles, but even the most humble isha, or but, cannot escape their zeal. The peasant, who sooner or later requires their assist- ance, takes advantage of the oj ity thus af- forded him to gain their good ; they suppose, for irstance, that they will be more easy to deal with in the matter of matrimonial indulgences in proportion as they have retained an agreeable recollection of their visit and reception. The priests, then, everywhere find an open table; brandy flows in profusion in honor of them, and each of their Te Deums is freely impregnated witb it. From isba to ba, from hut to hut, they wend their way, singing, eating, drinking; finally, when night sets in, they return home, sated with food, heated with drink, and the most holy of mysteries terminate as the vilest of orgies. Still, when the Russian priest is not under the in- fluence of liquor be offers a type of majestic so- lemnity—that long beard flowing down upon his breast, the long hair never touched by the scissors, give him an air of Christ, of an imposing character. Add to this a toga of very ample dimensions, a high furcap, forming a diadem, a respectable pastoral baton, and you will have an idea of the impression which the Russian priest (or pope, as he is called) might produce on the masses, if his moral state were only in keeping with outward appearance. Another feature, and one of a painful character, tobe noticed in the physiognomy of the minister of the orthodox faith, even when not stupefied by drink, is an insignificance of expression surpassing apything that can be imagined. The Catholic priest, however little favored by nature, either ia point of physical appearance or intelligence, always bears about him a sort of mysterious reflexion, showing a consciousness of his superhuman mission. But no- thing of the kind is to be observed in the Russian pope. The pontiff of a dead faith, he offers its cold dumb image. monks, friars who never leave their cloister, the Russian priestsare, in general, completely devoid ot instraction. Placed at an early age in a seminary, they learn | | the Sclayonic tongue, singing, the art of the ortho- | dox sign of the cross, and ali the gymnastic of the | iturgy; as for th touch upon their first rudiments. controversies. Who in Russia would dare to argue, even in a seminary? The most important litigated points between the Latin Church and the Greek Chureh, are not submitted to their examination. These are scarcely allowed even the most intelligent minds; and is less among the priests than a few de- yout nobles, that anything like intelligent reasoning on these subjects is to be sought for. logy and logic, they scarcely Is there not. too, something singularly anomalous | to our Catholi¢ idea at least ing a priest to tarn soldier? simple application of , the eccle: sia. According to that code order does not impress apon its recepient an indeli- ble character. The priest is free to shake off, as soon as it pleases him, the yoke of bis vows, and to retarn to civil life; a few trivial ceremonies alone are neces- in the thought of fore- yet al code of Ras- this is but the | If we except a few members of the | high clergy, who ali belong to the order of the | few But there are no | | | i sacrament of the | | sary. A criminal condemnation suffices to make | him lose, spiritually and temporally, the virtue of his consecration. But what will appear still more | strange, is that, while in the Latin church the sacra- ment of the order necessary excludes marriage, in this church on the contrary, marriage is its indispen- sable corollary and inseparable concomitant. Hence, no individual can be ordained in Russia, unless he have previously married; and the better to indicate that marriage,#s the essential basi: consequently, his sacred character, during the life- time of his wife. Jf she dies, he is prohibited from marrying a second time, the Russian church not ad- mitting a priest the husband of two wives; so that the only resource left the unhappy widower is either to become a monk, or formally to re-enter civil life. That is indeed a sad institution, which makes so im- portant a principle as the sacerdotal character subor- dinate to a natural event which no one can control, and which exposes itself to driving from his vocation aman, it may be still young, whose only crime has been to survive his wife. Saint Paul would perhaps be greatly surprised at this interpretation of te pas- sage in his epistle to Timothy, ‘ A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,’ &c. It is true that be would be scarcely less so were he to seek in the Russian priest for those other qualities which he has fixed in the same epistle as distinctive types of the sacerdotal order. non-indelibility of the sacrament of the order among Rnssian priests, gives rise, in relation to the secrets of the confession, to consequences ,which have not escaped the atten- tion of reflecting minds. Suppose, for instance, that the Emperor should#e desi one of hia nobles, or employ has confessed to his pastor, and that the latter, ful to bis duty as a priest,should refase to speak. The Emperor hasa ver simple method of bringing him back to obedienc is of priest- | hood—the priest only preserves his functions, and | | intention, in realizing them, to obtain the redress ! upon some pretence or other, he will lave him ex- | pelled from the order. The discrect confessor having no longer anything in his character to authorize an further scruples, will immediately asa citizen, what he had refased to disclose asa priest. It is, perhaps, useless to state that Russian priests, geterally speaking, appear bu little dis- posed to provoke such extreme measures. it would indee impossible to fourm any concep- tion of the spirit of dependence and servilify of the Russian priest; accustomed to mingle, in his pray- ers, the name of the Emperor and the name of Gol, he ends by uniting them in his adoration. He trem- bles before the one as before the other, and still more before the Emperor than before God. From the out- set, hut especially since the.time when the patriar- chal institution was abolished by Peter the Great, the Russian clergy have been at the feet of the Czar. | The latter may occasionally flatter the priesthood, but it is none the less crushed under their power. Whether or not the Russian clergy hast strength to off? What is done cannot | ized rock cannot again becom usual when the aut ive hi make the sign of ¢ e—ehiele the mp jeld, and reveal, | oy Wr aahi. i | she did Washington city, But what will be the | inevitable consequences of these feats? Everybody | wise men of the British Cabinet should have been | bility, disperse the Russian fleets; she can bombard | it will be a political blunder of the greatest magni- | Sultan ordered warlike preparations, cilled to ceremonial, with the ex the priest not-daring to hold out kias, “Give me » but the intimi 7 , Alexander exclaimed, “will you me your (dourak) ?” The Qemtfing priest obeyed. Such, then, is e Rasslon church—sueh is that church whose ctorate tt to be imposed upon the G: , Subjects of the Sultan—a haughty pe mh nothing justifies, ther the peounts history, or political or ‘reigious las Russian Cburch, then, forgotten that she is the daugbter of the Ghurch of Constantinople—that it is sh away from e that has schismatically torn the latter—that it is from that. same Church of Con- stantinople, up to the end ot the sixteenth century, she re d her Patriarchs, who have never a bot the fifth rank in the Oriental hierarchy. Has she then forgotten that at the very instant when she could have ascended to the highest step of supre- macy, she suddenly fell, Peter the Great having broken the link that bound the daughter to the fear by secularizing in his person the patriarchal y, thie is precisely the title that is sought to be thhentsdventaee of, by virtue of whichthe autocrat calls bimself orthodox sovereign, and dreams he has aright to extend his sceptre over the head of the Sultan, Se Be Macpeaeren mene at ke Salers ye Rate ey If this principle were admitted, would not the Catholic Emperor of the French prolet, against Leopold and against Frederic, the tholics of Belgium and Germany? Why would he not call the Em, of Russia himself to account the Catholics of Poland? for his treatment Ah! if the Russian Church carried in herself that > im- the accustomed the character of elevated science, of venerable morality which call forth respect; if, by the extent of her munities, the 0; her privileges, ahe really ruled that other church whose tutorship she requires, her pretensions might to some extent be un H but a church reduced to the condition of a corpee; a church which scarcely succeeds in efending. agate the subterranean efforts of sects, her interior unity; a church whose every minister is a serf of the throne; whoce almost every minister is a f Letty ignorance and immorality, a church where simony is a normal regimen, where religion is but a confused mass of vain formulas and ridiculous superstitions; where the administration of the sacrament is but a parody, where the word of Christ meeta with no echo, and awakens no conscience ; should not such a church as this, instead of aiming at a protectorship, rather seek for a protector ? What, then, is the snare that the Cars of Russia have for .so many years aught to lay for the West? Itis true that as soon as they are discovered, they hasten to find a delusive eae and take refuge in the question of the Poe nd. But even there, are they treading a qponndt What title have they to the privileges which ey claim to possess in the case of Jerusalem? Have they bled to snatch the sepulchre of Christ from the bands of infidels? Alas! while the men of Western Europe were flying to the crusades, the aap crouching down under the yoke of the Tartar, kis: the stirrups of their Jords, and licked from the dust the drops of milk fallen from the cup which they were forced to present to their haughty masters. ay OUR CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SAME SUBJECT. We have; received the following communi:ation upon the exciting question of the impending war between Russia and the other European powers,and publich it, so that our readers may” understand both sides of the controversy:— ‘ TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. _ The Russian View of the Matter,and what Eng- land may Expect for her Interference with the Pro- Jjrts of the Czar. The arrival of Prince Menschikoff at Conatan- tinople was the signal of a tremendous outbreak against him and his sovereign. The letter-writers of Istamboul, without losing a moment, and without the least foundation, stamped Menschikoff as the arro- gant and insolent Minister of the Czar—of that ene- my of the Sultan—always ready to swallow the whole Turkish Empire. Meanwhile, Prince Menschikoff, with moderation, but with the firmness becoming his high position, presented, in succession, the three modes in which he was authorized to eettle the ex- isting difficulties. Having exhausted the limit of his instructions, Prince Menschikoff left Constantinople, and was again villified and ridiculed by the press; and a correspondent of the New York Tribune did not hesitate to represent him asa downright fool. The truth is, that Prince Menschikoff is seventy-two years cf age—that he has served fifty years with d's tinction—and at the present moment is Minister of Navy, Governor-General of Finland, Governor of rabia, and Commander in-Chief of the Ruseian fleet in the Black Sea. The friends of Turkey must certainly rejoice to see the Emperor place so much confidence in a “downright fool.” The French and English press, after having sound- ed the war trumpet in advance of the events, tried to the utmost to mislead public opinion, and succeeded £0 far as to induce two great powers to send their ficets into the Turkish waters, and thus contributed most essentially to complicate matters. It is proper here to mention that the ambassadors of France and England acted in a very conspicuous manner to sus- tain the press in its crusade against the great con- servative power, especially Lord Radcliffe, who, in this case, was prompted by his intense hatred of Russia, who had dared to refuse his admission as English Ambassador at St. Petersburg. To this must be added his natural domineering disposition and feverish propensity to make himself conspic- uous, and to pass for a t diplomat. The Sultan was our letely misled by these two wily advisers. Instead of admitting simply the last proposed Russian note, which would have thrown the whole affair into a slumbering statu quo, oh 1s protection two foreign fleeta, and put himself, by this false step, in a really humiliating and dependent position, expeaing openly his weakness to the whole world, and clearly establishing that Turkey could | only exist by the good pleasure of two ‘powers, which, the Sultan must be aware, cannot agree any great length of time. The Russian cabinet, on the other side, had pursued a mild and steady course. The two great powers were warned in a friendly manner of the consequences that the stubbornness of | the Sultan would bring about. Count Nesselrode announced in advance the contingencies, under whicb, to preserve her dignity, Russia would be obliged to occupy Moldavia and Wallachia. She has done 20, exposing, in a masterly despatch to her ministers abroad, herjust expectations, and her firm due to her for all the abuse and misrepresentations that bave been heaped upon her by an unscrupulous press, by a misguided sovereign, and by diplomatic mareuvring, which cannot as yet be clearly explained. That the Emperor of France—who calls himself an upstart (parvenn), who, in reality, is a youngster among the sovereigns, and who is bound to act for effect—should have sent his fleet to Besica Bay fe: a be easily understood. for it is his interest to isolate England from the Continental powers. But that the dragged into a measure uncalled for, premature, and which can in no way, and under no circumstances, lead to a satisfactory result, isunaccountable. It is hardly to be supposed that England’s demonstration was only an empty threat. ie mettle of the Em- peror has been tried for these twenty-six years, and surely no member of the English cabinet, not even Lord Palmerston, could suppose that Nicholas would, or even could, submit to any threatening demon- stration. He cannot be treated jike the King of Ava or the last Dey of Algiers. The T'mes,in a rather unfair article, abuses Connt Nesselrode, and insists that England and France had a right to send their fleets into the waters of a friendly power. ‘ly denies that; but has not Russia the right to asider that demonstration as a threat? and it is one of the most insulting kind. If the French and English fleets were to be sent into the Cuban waters, in consequence of any supposed inyasion of Cuba, would the Americans tolerate it any length of time? on not. The Emperor knows that he will be sustained by the whole empire, if forced to take Constantinople. England can, with some proba. some ports, and wantonly destroy some places, as recollects that the battle of Navarino was called “an untoward event.” Well, the destruction of the Russian fleets will be more than an untoward event; tude. Ruesia can boldly say she will never want the aid of Great Br.tain; can England say as much of Russia’ Certainly not; and, in case of a French in- vasion, Russian intervention would be of some aid and comfort. Jn a war between England and the United States, a friendly Rossian mediation would be worth more to England than the Sultan's friendship. England, that great, haughty, overbearing and unscrupulons Power, will soon find in the legitimate self-defence of Russia that her iron rule in India can be shaken. The time is pear when she will lose her colonial pos: | sessions on this continent, and she will besides be | sufficiently oceupied by ‘the daring competition of | the United States in all the markets of the world. The Danish fleet was destroyed at Copenhagen; unfortunately, Denmark bad not the power to resent the outro } lome enongh to en and will be By some eoncessions to Persia, alti Zombinstion Rossian army ein sai Ee the hiant of Goo Ege 0 press the Emperor Nicholas as wement. Such an at- strong-minded men coming into existence like mushrooms, and lasting as long. 8 shacking the progress of red republicanism the fm eror ineurred the highest Sear of the revolutionary press. An IoparriaL AMERICAN. Greater Safety to Railroad Travellers. a: ine Beathern Michigan Hatroed Corspany have that the Soathern Michigan Company have ado; asystem of along their road, ah to that of the iver Railroad, which will very materially lessen the Mability to ac- cidents upon it. Some eighty flag men are station- ed along the line of the road, under the direction of the master, Wm. G. nee pe business ig to watch the trackand give g of danger to to this, the entire line id previous to the pas- sage of the night train. This care eabee ne: of lives entrusted to itis entitled to comme! ion, and is an example other companies might follow with profit. It willbe seen above that the Michigan Southern Railroad Company have awoke to a sense of duty, in adopting measures for the greater safety of the lives and limbs of their passengers. Will the other rail- road companies adopt the same or similar securities, and thus lessen the chances of these daily wholesale murders? Will they do it? ComPimmentary Driver TO GovERNnor VR0oM.— Axumber of the gentlemen of the bar of New Bruns- wick, N J., have united together in te: the honor of a public dinner to Gov. Vroom, previous to his depar- ture on his mission to Prussia. The Governor returned the following apawer to the invitation :— Taraston, August 15, 1853. GenTIEMEN :—I bave just reseived your very kind invi tation in bebalf of the Court and Bsr of New Jersey, to dine with them before my departure. This flatter! testimonial of respect, coming from those with whom have been associated for many yesrs, is particularly gratefal to my feelings, and will always be@ighiy appre- ciated. Although my time is much occupied, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of meeting once more with friends to whom Tam warmly attached, and to whose uniform kindness and confidence I shall ever feel myself great), fj indebted. I sherete arg the pre Cres sceording to your req mame as ‘Wednesdsy, es inst. : oe se great respect, your ob’t servan' P. D. VROOM. Harlem Railroad origi OA [From the Westchester Journal, Aug 13.] We have received the following communication from a gentleman fally competent to judge, and whose undoubt- ed integrity forbids the idea that he would express an opinion ccntrary to his jadgment. The public msy rest assured the bridge is perfectly rafe :-— Mr. Epiror—I noticed in a recent number of your paper, some comments on this structure, which, perhaps, creat: ed some unnecerssry alarm, and hence the following observations of my own, on the subject, which you are at liberty to dispose of in any way you please :— The main bridge was built in 1687, on Trun’s lattice pla, and placed on three piers and one abutment, the ‘pier serving as a support for that end of the bridge, avd the end of the draw, which latter connects with the Harlem shore, ‘These piers were foucded on crib-work, filled and sunk with loose stone, and surmounted with a very good class of masonry ; and thus the whole structure was designed for the purposes of highway travel. Subsequently it beeame expedient to use it for railroad traasit ; and look- ing, I suspect, to the difference in weight of an engine and wagon, rather than to the strength of their bridge as it was, they inserted underneath it no less than eleven pile dents; of suchfformidable size, and perfect adaptation to the pu lecigned, that each was capable of carrying as much weight as one of the piers. Indeed, when the structure came to be wedged up, it was found that the latter were of little or no use, and being deprived of the weight that had steadied and supported them, they were swayed too and fro by the tides, until finally the crib- ‘work gave way, and they sunk from the superstructure, without detriment to its strength or stability. The bents still remain e bridge, strong and fully adequate to its support Slide from them it can- not, for it the weight of the trains did not prevent this, the bolsters under the chords would. The original lattice work having been always covered, is also in a good state of preservation. In fine, after a very careful examination of the whole, I think the bridge bas been, and is safe; and when the company shall have substituted two bents for the draw pier, and added another under the main bridge, near the north shore, and completed the repairs of the draw, all of which I perceive they have in an advanced state, and are progresting with as rapidly as possiole, I shall not doubt the adequateness and safety of the entire struc- ture for the immense aud important transit over it. And, Mr. Fditor, you have the means of knowing that I would not willingly mislead you, or the public, in a matter 60 *wyortant. B Theatrical snd Musical. Bowrry Turarre—tThe performances ef Mr. Burke, the Yankee comedian and great favorite, are admired by all who visit this theatre. His Yankee personations are capital. The amusements com- mence this evening with the “ Wool Dealer,” Mr. Burke as Deuteronomy Dutifal. This will be followed by the “ Toodles,” with Burke as Timothy, and the amusements will close with “ Putnam,” Mr. E. Eddy in his great character of Oneactah, and Mrs. Baker as Violetah. No doubt the house will be crowded. Broapway THEATRE.—Mr. Jos. Silsbee appears to-night in two of his best characters. The amuse- ments commence with ‘To Paris and Back for Five Pounds,” and will be succeeded by the comic drama of “Yankee Land,” Mr. Silsbee as Lot Sap Sago, which he played in London with great success. In the course of the drama he will relate his celebrated story of Debby Jones. Miss Adelaide Price will dance a pas seul, which will be followed by the al We Dealer,” Mr. Silsbee as Deuteronomy Duti- ul. Nisio’s Garpey.—The famous Ravel Family, whose performances are always pleasing, will appear this evening in two excellent pantomimes. ‘he amusements commence with the overture “ L’Enfant Prodigue,” and will be succeeded by ‘‘ Godenski, or the Skaters of Wilnia,” in which the renowned Ga- briel, Antoine, and Jerome Ravel, with other artists of great celebrity, will sppear Two new dances will be given, and all will close with the “Red Gnome and White Warrior.” Burton’s TuEatRe.—A bill of great variety is presented for this evening’s amusement. The Ca formances will commence with the musical piece called “Swiss Swains’—Mrs. Brunton as Rosetta, with the song, “Bless Thee, My Fatherland.” The Chinese tumblers will next appear. After which a Jaughable sketch, called ‘A Duel in the Dark,” will be’ performed—Mr. Burton as Greenfinch. The whole will terminate with “A Day After the Wed- ding,” Mr. Holland sustaining seven characters. Nationa Tnratre.—tThe great surprise as re- ards the lergth of time the drarsa of “Uncle Tom’s Sabin” has been performed, and why it is continued £0 long, is answered by the manager that the thea- tre is filled every night, and so long as it contiaues so successful he is determined to continue its repre- sentation. It will therefore be presented again this evening. Sr. CoarLes TrEATRE.—Thorne, the active and intelligent proprietor of this establishment, gives the reatest satisfaction by his dramatic delineations. ‘he amusements commence to-night with the come- dy of “My Sister Kate.’ The next feature will be the melodrama of the “Murdered Waterman.” There will be a clog hornpipe, by the Lancaster Brothers; also, a favorite dance, yi Miss Lefolle; and all will terminate with the “The Monkey of Frankfort.” American Mvcseum.—The entertainments an- nounced for this afternoon and evening, are such as cannot fail to draw a large audience. The amuse- ments in the afternoon consist of Readings by the Boone Children, a scene from “ Romeo and Juliet,” one from ‘“ Macbeth,” and one from the “ School for Scandal,” and the concluding piece will be the farce of “ ‘Tryin It On.” In the evening the new drama of ‘‘ Pauline.” Hirproprome.—The beautiful equestrian exercises which are every day given at this spacious'and ele- |, with histo: gant establishment, are greatly admired by large and Mf a aca audiences. The great contor- tionist, De Vernay, is nightly received with cheers, Cunisty’s Orrra Hovse.—The programme for this evening contains a variety of favorite melodies and instrumental pieces. Woop’s Minstrexs also announce a very attrac- tive entertainment, consisting of melodies, instru- mental pieces and dancing. Buckiey’s SeRENADERS are liberally patronized. The choruses are given with great harmony, and the instrumental performances are excellent. Horr Caaret.—Those who have not seen the janoramic views of the Falls of Niagara, &c., should by all means call at Hope Chapel, and view paint- ings of great artistic merit. Mont B1LANc.—Owens’ excellent entertainment, consisting of a brilliant lectare and grand scenic illustrations, should be heard and seen by tourists. Owens’ possess great versatile abilit; Revolutionary Soldiers In Connecticut, ‘There are now residing in Hartford coun'y, Connecti- cut. the following revolutionary penstonerr:— omas Bissell, Bonth Windsor, aged 06, oomfield, OF Burlington, 89, in this county who reryed t whose service wag not Jo thew tos pension. } ENjah Da: . Other persons may bi 1 the army of The new publications for the last month are few in number, bat comprise @ very useful and import ant selection of works. The Legislature not being in eession mow, we have received no public docu- ment whatever. Some very handsome bound novels have jnst been issued by the publishers, which con- tain an unusual amount of interesting matter to those fond of reading romances, Appleton & Co. have published the romance of “Abelard and Heloise,” by O. W. Wright. This work, eo well known to all readers of romance, is neatly got up by the publishers, and demands the special attention of the public. “Salad for the Solitary” is the title of a work just issued by Messrs. Lamport, Blakeman & Law, touch- ing upon all topics of any interest. This work is embellished with a great number of handsome en: gravings. It contains an unusual amount of highly interesting and valuable reading matter, resembling somewhat a magazine in style. 2 Crosby, Nichols & Co., of Boston, have published a well written work, entitled “ The Cloister Life of the Emperor Charles the Fifth.” To all lovers of history, this work will be a rich trea’, as it gives a full description of his life during his stay in the con- vents of Spain. “The New Rome, or the United States of the World,” is the title of a book just published by G. P. Putnam & Co., written by two Germans named Theodore Poische and Charles Goepp. This book seems to be devoted entirely to the politics and the fature destiny of this country, touching at intervals upon republicaniam and socialism. Bunce & Bros. have sent us a titled “‘ Annie Grayson, or Life Washington.” This work, which is written by Mrs. Lasselle, gives a startling description of the vices practised by the fashionable people of the capital. Several of the characters in this work are no doubt living embodi- ments of a great portion of a class known as the ton, who reside in Washington during the winter months, and as soon as the summer arrives resort to the nor- thern watering places, for pleasure and dissipation. Mrs. Moodie, sister of Agnes Strickland, has writ- ten a novel called ‘‘ Mark Hurdlestone, or the Two Brothers.” The work is neatly bound, in morrocco, and is published by De Witt & Davenport. A.B. Barnes & Co. have just issued a usefal and dea eruering voumnes entitled ‘The Teacher and the y of a book en- Parent,” being a treatise upon common school edu- cation, containing practical sug; ions to teachers and ta. The writer of work, Charles Northard, A. M., is entitled to the highest praise for laying before the public a treatise so beneficial as the sulfect of our notice. “Miles Tremenhere,” is the title of a novel written by Annette Maurice Mallard, author of “ Linja, the ei which has on appeared from the estab- lishment of Stringer & Townsend. lot of this novel is laidin England. The hero, Miles Tremen- here, has been cheated out of his estate by his cousin, Squire Burton, on the ground of his illegiti- mate birth; but in the end is restored to his birth- right, and finally triumphs over his villanous &nd avaricious cousin. Henry Cockton, author of ‘Valentine Vox,” has lately written a novel called “Percy Effingham,” which is full of tragedy and romance, but lacks that force that he has displayed in some of his former works. This book is published by T. B. Peterson, of Philadelphia. G. H. Davison has just published illustrated 1i- bretto books of all the Spee composed by Bellini, Rossini, Zingarelli, Donizetti, Mosart, Beethoven, Auber, Mayer, Meyerbeer, Verdi, Arciro, with the music and prefatory remarks attached. This collec- tion of the operas of the great masters is indeed worth binding, and every family fond of music should have them in their poe if it was only as a book of reference. A. 8. Barnes & Co. have published a musical yol- ume entitled “‘ Templi Carmini,” being a collection of church music, mostly selected from Earo- pean composers, arranged and sored for churches of different denominations, in the form of anthems, chaunts, &c., composed by the most celebrated com- ers of the day. The author of this valuable col- lection ot sacred music is George any. Lamport, Blakeman & Law have published a vol- ume on physiology, written by Justin R. Loomis, late Professor of Che: at Waterville College. Among the various ines that we have re- ceived isthe ‘‘Practical Mechanics’ Journal,” for Jaly, which, as usual, contains a large amount of valuable information relative to machinery, steam, and engi- neering. It is illustrated with some very fine cuts epainty the most recent inventions made in ma- chinery of all descriptions. “Appleton’s Mechanics’ Magazine and Engincer Journal” is chiefly devoted to engineering, and will be found by all highly instructive, as it treats at Jength upon the machinery adapted for ocean steam- ships, the manufacture of gas from wood and turf, observations on Major Barnard’s ‘Theoretical Inves- tigation of the Caloric Engine,” and on gold washing and digging machines. Minifie’s Mechanical Drawing Book for Self-in- struction, is a well got up work, and deserves the at- tention of all mechanics and engineers. It is illus- trated throughout with beautiful engravings. We have received copies of Dunnigan’s “Family Bible,” for July and August. This work is got up in a good style, with explanatory notes and illustra- tions. It is well worthy the attention of every Roman Catholic, and every one should possess a complete edition of this Bible. A. S. Barnes & Co. have published a school book, called “‘Youth’s Manual of ay cau combined and astronomy, written by James Mon- teith, principal of Public School No. 18. . Gould & Lincoln have published a small volume, in pamphlet form, called ‘Hannah Corcoran,” being an authentic narrative of ber conversion from Ro- maniem, her abduction from Charleston, and the treatment she received during her absence. As the promise of this narrative created a great excite- ment sometime ago among the good folks of Boston, and other cities in New England, on account of her abduction by a priest in order to prevent her be- coming a Protestant, this work will be, no doubt, digit with great interest by persons of all religious sects. i “ The Patent Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, or Mra. Stowe in England,” is the title of a poem written by a New York lady, in reply to the last effort made by Mrs. Uncle Tom Beecher Stowe in behalf of the Southern negroes. The poem is full of sarcasm and wit, and exhibits the ignorance of the authoress of dane Tom’s Cabin’ upon our Southern instita- ions. Appleton & Co. have just issued a book exposing spirit rappings and table tippings, written by Prot. Page, M.D. We have received from the publisher the speech of James E. Calhoun, Esq., on the Sunday question, before a meeting of the stockholders of the South Carolina Railroad Company, held in Charleston on the 8th and 9th of February last, who desired a sus- pension of all railroad business on Sunday. “ Revista Americana” is the title of a new review just published,in Spanish,for the benefit of the Cuban. and Spanish residents of this city. It treats upon science, literature, economy, and commerce, “ The Anti-Lancet’” is the title of a pamphlet ex- planatory of the doctrines and practice of the chrono- thermal system of medicine, and an advocate of fe- male medical education. We think, however, that the editors of this pamphlet are wasting their elo- quence, as the railroads perform most of the bleed- ing pret now-a-days. “Mind and its Creations” is the name of an essay on mental philosophy, Nt ae by Appleton & Co., and written by A. J. Hart. We have received from the publishers a copy of “The Commemoration on Board the Steamship Hermann, on her Passage from Bremen to New York, Fourth of July, 1853,” and the 29th number of “ The African Repository.” Several pieces of fine music have been lately pub- lished by Horace Waters, from whom we received the following pieces :—“ Re Say, Polka,” “TI cannot tell thee how I love thea,” |“ The Pride Schottisch,”’ “ I will nét leave my Mountain Cot.” From Messrs. Griffith & Co. we have received a ver, pretty melody called “ the Crystal Palace Song,” prepared expressly for the Spent of the Industrial Bxhibition of all Nations, and dedicated to Theodore Sedgwick, Esq. Flae Arts, A Lirerary Party at Sin Josnvs# Reynoups’. This is the name of a splendid piece of art, published in London, by Owen Bailey, and sold by H. Schansy of this city. The print, which is engraved on steol, Tepresents a literary party at the house of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and among the guests might be seen Oli- ver Goldsmith, Charles Burncy, I’. Warnton, Samuel Johnson, and Edmund Burke. The likenesses of these men are well done, and exhibit a great deal of skill on the part of the artist. The party are seated at their host's table, where they are partaking of the choicest wines and pure Hollands. The grapes and a on the table, are exceedingly well en- fraved, Lirnocrarn or Danie, Wenster.—Goupil & Co. have just published one of the best likenesses of Daniel pater that we have ever seen. The por- trait, wl lle, is half length, and beautifully executed, th extraordinary exactness. ie same establishment has also published a large print, entitled the “Orphans,” representing two Jdren, one some years older than the other, who seoms to be deep {arpremed with their trying situa- tion, while th he r, an interesting cherub, exhibits no #igne of for the loss of her parents, being ch is drawn on stone by the artist, Emile | | which a ting every feature of this celebrated states- | | leaves a wife and children in a Ser bh . . Ey ey ey raph cable on Louis and New Orleans line, was laid across Obio river, at this place, on Monday last, the 26th int. #, this stiaage piece of mechan a few day to the time it was de ite wat atode, and wan note Lie. astoalshed at it a large nls covered Sipe cha, making a cord of an inch in diameter’ from wear, and for security of in- coverings of es a burg, none electrics; and around this are large iron wires, drawn tight as the wire bear, and the: whole en ly lashed toceteg with nother e wire, aroun ei The ‘whole forms a cable of near two inches- in diameter, and it is much the largest and most suh--* stential cable of the kind in the known, world, We are told that the great cable across the r nel from England to France, is inferior in size to and by no means as well insulated for electrical ap-- plication; while in point of strength, it will not com-. pare at all with the one at this place. The wire acroas the channel is surrounded by eight wires,” only, while ours has eighteen. ane ede = vee while the British one is not. The electric in the, British cable has but one coating of gutta percha, while ours has , and is altogether superior in oneny Pesiealas bs A stu) wire, which now conducts the tea reg ean srcne beneath be ea of the mojestic Ohio, fee! , and the longest, one to be found in the United Sates It has been: . constructed by that amiable and accomplished gentle- / man, Tal. P. Esq., late presidents of te ‘ company, and now 7 Telegraph Confederation, {assisted by J. B. Sleeth, mechanical engineer. These gentlemen have made: improvements in the construction of cables, both sci- feters patent, and the country may well ue prowd. Ot letters patent, country may wel them as men [of skill and abil’ se whatever they may um e. e wires on this line, we understand, have bee exceedingly troublesome and expensive to the com- pany, tpwards of $20,000 having been expended in unsuccessful efforts to crogs the rivers in such a man- ner as to secure them against accident; : great effort has accom, the object, and there can be no future lose on account of break age of masts, wires, é&c. ; ‘We rejoice that the work has been successfally ac: comma and that it has proved fally equal tothe ' most calculation our friend Bhaffoer had made of its utility. We had tie pleasure of receiv ing the first despatch which ever passed under the ony on this mammoth cable, which rans as fol- 3 “Truwo1s Bottom, July 26, 1853. , St! the three coatin about five-ei; wrote: “Cox, Pree :—I send this through the suc. censfu)ly laid to-day. \FPNER ?? Success to Shaffner; he may well be styled the- _lightning King,” after thie. May he live a thou- sand years, and succeed in syeryening which he un- de es, a3 he has in this i ce. We to learn that he will soon 9, from amongst us, to en- fase in his new duties at Washington city; but even that far distant point we shall ex; to hear from him occasionally, through the mediam of elec- tricity, which seems to be his favorite element. Faran Accrpent at Mount Desert, Me.—We learn the Ellsworth Herald that last week, while two girls by the name of Douglass, aged thir- teen and ten years, were upon Mount Desert, engaged in picking blue-berries, they attem| to approach. the brink of a ‘ipice some thirty feet ir height, , by creeping out on a shelving rock, overhanging the fearful abyss below. They had arrived almost at ita very edge when it suddenly tipped and fell over the brink, carrying them both alone with it. The rock fell upon one of the girls, grinding her to atoms im an instant. The younger was severely: injared, but it is thought will recover. She retained her con- sciousness through the whole of the fragedy, peed her cries was enabled to call some men r - ance. They were found upon a Proiee rock, upon a part of the cliff inaccessible In any other way than by lowering a man down to them with ropes, Epwarp Everett.—We take pleasure in copying: the following from the New Orleans Bulletin :—“ Mr. Everett comes as far as Louisville, he should, all means, extend his tour down the Mississippi, look upon the wonders of the ried vall The’ delta of the Mississippi viel him as warm and asthe Ohio valle as respectful a greetin, 7, OF other section of the West, ibly cau. Reagates man of distinguished merit and worth—asa citizer whose is undoubted—and as a scholar whose attainments have reflected lustre upon the country, our people will greet him with a cordial, honest enthusiasm, if he will only visitus. We sin- cerely hope he may be able to doso. There are now few such men in the Union as Edward Everett. Our great men have nearly all departed.” Recatra.—A regatta for small yachts came off Saturday afternoon, near Spectacle Island. Tne fol- lowing entered for the :—The Glide, , Banshee, Macdnff, Wave, of Quincy, Dolphin, Silver | Bell, Grace, Laura Ann, and Wing of the Coot. The prizes were a spyglass,a compass, and a on The race was from the wharf at Spectacle Island, around Long Island, to the point of starting. The wind was moderate from the east. The fleet got under weigh about lo’clock. The Macduff, Captain Hinckley, won the first prize; time, lh.13m. The Banshee, Captain Thatcher. won the second prize; time, 1h. 16m.; and the Glide, Captain Waite, the third prize; time, 1h. 22. All the yachta made good time.—Boston Herald, Aug. 15. Cans Srorrep py Grassnorrers.—One day during the present week, the cara on the Watertown Railroad were petsied between that place and Cay Vincent, by the multitude of shoppers upon the track. Now don’t, dear reader, suppose for a mo- ment there was an embankment of the critters— neither set it down in your diary as an infernal lie. But to explain—the rails were so thickly covered with them, and the car-wheels smashed them up 80 beautifully between a hop and a jump, that it had the effect of grease on the rails, making the wheela revolve swiftly, while the train remai: stationary. This was witnessed by several gentlemen of the first respectability, and is true. ‘In union there ia strength.’—Vernon Transcript. Generat JarL Devivery—Four ms confined in the Ocean county, (New Jersey) jail, awaiting their trial for breaking jail at Freehold, and rob- bing a store in Ocean county, made their escape or Tuesday night last. One of the prisoners, by some means, prevented the catch from passing ch the bclt in his cell door, when he was locked up for the night, and was thus enabled to open bis door and walk out in the outer hall. He then broke the locks on the other cell doors, and let out his comrades, when they broke a hole through the outer wall and made their escape —Newark Advertiser, Aug. 15. Vaaraxt Sotp in Sr. Lovis.—A white mau, named Charles Denoyer, convicted of Me Has td in the town of Carondalet, was yesterday sold by the Deputy County Marshal at the Court House door im this city, for ten cents. Sights of this sort are re- pene to the feelings of freemen, and we hope that if our sister city of Carondalet has any more vagranta to sell, the bidding may come off within her own limits. By the by, the heathenish custom of selli free white men ought to be abolished. It is one the usages of the dark ages—St. Louis News, August 9. Drownep at PoucnKerpsie.—The Poughkeepsie Daily Press gives the particulars of the drowning of a@ man named John Wickham, of New York, near the Lower landing in that village, on the 12th inst. He went into the water to bathe, got beyond his depth, and being unable to swim was drowned. Two men saw him struggling, and in their attempta to save him, both came near being drawn under water by the drowning man. Wickham was in hia- twentieth year, and had been at work on the new Catholic church there. The body of Wickham was- found floating in the river on Sunday morning. Fatat Array In Vicxspura.—A rencontre took place in this city, on the 2d inst., between Mr. Hill, a ginwright, as we learn, by trade, and Mr. A' Kegel, in which the latter was stabbed three or four times by the former, of which stabs he died in afew minutes. The deceased was a quiet citizen, and # caeeinl gern Hill has not been long in this place, and brougl with him a very bad character. He has been arrested and committed to jail—Vicksburg Sentinel, Aug 4+ Usrortunate Accipent—The Richmond papers atate that the beautiful cast of Houden’s statue of ‘Washington, which Mr. Hubert, the artist, had just completed, and was in the act of taking with him im the Jamestown to New York, for exhibition at the World's Fair, was, by an accident to one of the mem em loged in removing it to the vessel, thrown down and shivered into fragments. It will require some six months to perfect another cast, Drowned at Hartrorp.—A colored man, by the name of Nathaniel Roberts, a waiter on board the steamer oar of Hartford, was drowned on Sanday while washing himself. He was si on one of the buckets of the wheel and fell off; not being able to swim he was drowned. He belonged to New York. ‘This is the seventh Sunday in succession om person has been drowned in this city.— Hartford Times, August 1 A C NotHER RAmRoap AccipENt. nmercial of the 16th inst., has a ‘h from », Which says the lightning train on the Erie and orth East Railroad, when about ten miles east of Erie, the hind truck of the baggage car broke, throwing off and smashing two baggage cars— happily unconacidur of the valuable Jose that she haa | fifteen or twenty persous were badly injured, but no nourred. } ong killed.