The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Paul's, Pimlico,
passed off this year without the usual uproar and scandal. Mr. Westerton retires, and is succeeded by Mr. Kingsbury. There was, however, a scene. A very dirty chimney-sweeper, named Groves, was introduced, and, in virtue of his right as a parishioner, proceeded to address the meeting. He took up his position close to the table at which Mr. Liddell and the representatives of the press were seated, and by way of emphasizing some of his weakest remarks, slapped his sooty breast with his sooty hands, to the great inconvenience of those who were immediately around him. He said he had resided for thirty years within the parish, and had had the privilege of hearing the Rev. Mr. Ashdall, a kind and considerate man, preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the late Bishop of London consecrated St. Baniabas Church he went down to see it, thinking it was to be done upon Protestant principles ; but the ceremony was one with which he did not at all hold. Standing by his Protestant principles he had accordingly left the church—(cheers)—but Mr. Trower, of Victoria-street, a barrister-at-law they called him, came down to him and sought to show him that lie was in error. " I said," he continued, Show me where I am in error.' He said, Have you a Prayer- book ?' and I said Yes.' He then took my Prayer-book and I took his—(laughter)—but on looking over it I found his had not the Articles. Look here,' said I, yours has not got the Articles.' Oh,' says he, mine is the Oxford edition." Then,' said I, mine is the Cambridge.' (Loud laughter.) If,' said I, you are a Protestant, there can be no difference between us, for I am a Protestant ; but if you show me I am in error, I will acknowledge my fault.' What more could any man do ? (Great laughter.) 'Are you back in your rent, Groves ?' said he. Yes,' said I, 'I am; I owe 10/.' He then said, If you wish to hold with us we will pay your rent for you.' Do you see that shelf ?' said I, I would sooner nail up a penny loaf there and nibble it off bit by hit than sell my conscience.' (Loud cheers.) Oh,' said he, then, I take my church from tradition.' `Do you ?' said I; 'then, it is you who are iu error, and not I.' After that the great God, who is above, took me to Mr. Westerton, and in him I found a father and a friend. I have nine in family to feed with this one pair of hands, but Mr. Westerton came down with me, and paid my rent for me, as a man— ("Hear, hear," and laughter)—and I now come forward to help him for the benefit of the Protestant church of England."
Men are subject to strange aberrations. Some time since two brothers, named Wedmore, murdered their aunt, at Dundry, in Somersetshire. They were arrested, convicted, and condemned to die. Whereupon Sir John H. Lethbridge, of San dhill Park, who has recently joined the ranks of the " National League for the Suppres- sion of the Traffic in Intoxicating Liquors," 'addressed an extra- ordinary letter to his brother magistrates for the county of Somerset, in which he unhesitatingly declares that the persons responsible before God for this murder are " the men who sanctioned the iniquitous sale of intoxicating drinks, and not the unhappy men who have unwittingly added to the revenues of the country, and fallen into the trap, drink, sanctioned by their brethren of high degree, and who are necessarily the cause of the crime these brothers of less degree have committed."
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