Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
16th December 1837
Egham, December 15
Sunday Trading
The second adjourned meeting of the tradesmen and shopkeepers was held at the Vestry-room at the Church, on Monday evening last, pursuant of the wish of the Rev.T.Page, to devise measures and agree to a resolution to wholly discontinue trading on the Sabbath-day. The Rev.Gentleman stated in an appropriate address the nature of the meeting, and considered it was his duty, as minister of the parish, to call upon them to unite by all means that laid in their power, for the attainment of so desirable an object, and hoped they would unanimously agree to the resolution he should propose to them, which was to the effect that they would abstain from all dealings (both buying and selling) on that sacred day, except in cases of absolute necessity; at the same time wishing any objections that could be urged against the resolution might be candidly and fairly expressed. A lengthened discussion ensued, in the course of which it was contended that it would be impossible to comply with the proposition, as their interests in some cases would be seriously affected, and were they all to agree with it, they might immediately expect strangers to set up in opposition to them, who would deal on the Sabbath, and it was well known the lower class of people would support them. Eventually the resolution was signed by about twenty of the number present, and the meeting separated without coming to an unanimous arrangement.
Staines, December 15.
The Public Dinner
A full report of the proceedings at the Dinner at the Bush and Clarence Hotel, on Tuesday last, given by the Reformers of the Western part of this county to their old and highly respected Member, George Byng, Esq., will be found in another part of our paper.
Literary and Scientific Institution
On Tuesday last a lecture was given before a large auditory, by James Innes, Esq.[my note reported at Henry Innes 23rd Dec], on "The Literary History of Great Britain, particularly its Poetry," Mr.Innes commenced by insisting on the claims which, in these scientific days, literature makes upon our notice and support. Science would avail little without literature united; they strengthen and embellish each other. The lecturer proceeded to his thesis, and divided the literary history of our country into three eras - that of Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne, and George the Fourth. He took a rapid review of the writings of Chaucer, Lydgate, Gower, and others, till the period of the reformation; after this a galaxy of genius sprang up unequalled in any age of our literature, namely Sydney, Spencer, Raleigh, Jonson, &c., but more especially Shakspeare; from the works of the latter Mr.Innes quoted, with great effect, many striking but well-known passages. This
last era is distinguished by vigour of thought and beauty, and strength of language, exemplified more especially in the writings of Milton. The lecturer concluded by contrasting these authors with those who followed, and pronounced and recommended their works as forming the great basis of English poetry. On Tuesday next, in the afternoon, Mr.Innes has promised to conclude his subject; and from the specimen of talent and attainment already displayed, we are led to expect a rich and varied mental treat. The lecturer gave universal satisfaction.
On Monday night last as one of the policeman was going his round he discovered that a house in Clarence-street, building for Mr.Holgate, was on fire; he instantly gave the alarm and promptly obtained the engine and necessary assistance, and thus fortunately subdued the flames without much injury being done. The fire was accidental, and occasioned by the temporary fire for drying the walls.
Brentford, December 15.
On Wednesday evening last the members of the Mechanics Institution in this town were favoured with a second lecture on Astronomy, by William Walker, Esq., of Hammersmith, a gentleman who is busily engaged in assisting to establish a similar institution in his own locality. After some brief remarks on the infinity of space, which the worthy lecturer attempted to explain by analogy, he proceeded to expatiate on the architecture of the heavens. He spoke of the clusters of stars - 3,300 in number - the situation of which had been distinctly marked by astronomers; also of the nebulous clusters, which were sometimes called star dust, because they could not be resolved into separate bodies; these were supposed to be gravitating towards their centres in order to the formation of suns for future systems, this conjecture being drawn from the fact, that the sun of our own system is still surrounded by some such nebulous appearance.
The bodies in Castor, which had long been taken for stars, were said to be suns, the revolutions of which were so arranged that the planets within their influence were favoured by perpetual day. Other and more complicated systems were adverted to, in some of which three, and even five, suns were supposed to perform their functions with unerring precision, two or three of them shining on the same spot, and at one and the same time, thus producing a day of truly celestial brilliancy. Some merriment was excited when reference was made to the colours of some of the heavenly bodies, and the conjecture thrown out, that the light produced by them might partake of their peculiar tints; thus giving to the inhabitants of the neighbouring planets the remarkable phenomenon of a green or a blue day. In the course of the lecture Mr.W made some
observations on the nature and use of the telescope, and described the penetrating power of that instrument, from the smallest pocket glass, to the very powerful possessed by Sir John Herschel. The audience were also entertained with beautiful transparent representations and brief descriptions of the most important of the heavenly bodies, together with the solar system in motion; and the astronomical student who might wish to pursue the speculations which had been thrown out, was referred to a work on the Architecture of the Heavens, recently published by Professor Nichol, of Glasgow. At the close of the lecture the secretary announced the receipt of a second donation of ten guineas, from the newly elected President, Thomas Berry Rowe, Esq.