The Sun. — London, England, 1842-12-20 00:00:00

Published This Day, Bvo., 10s. 6d. dais, the Second Edition'ofl LLsk.Y S of ANCIENT ROME. By the Righ' - Hon. THOMAS BABINGTON MAOAULAY. ' Loudon s Longman, Brown, Green, and Lonzmans. Now ready, in 3 vols., post Mo., CHARLES HARCOURT, Or, the ADVENTURES of a LEGATEE. * • A NOVEL. Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street. To be had at all the Libraries. Just ready, in 3 vols. Bro , with Portraits, MEMOIRS of the COURT of ENGLAND, from the REVOLUTION in 1683 to the DEATH GLORGE 11. By JOHN HENEAGE JESSE, Esq., Author of" Memoirs of the Court of England during the Reign of the Stuarts." Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street (Publisher in Ordinary to her Majesty). • THE NEW NOVEL. Now ready at all the Libraries, in 3 vols. , COL EGE LIF E, By J. HEWLETT, M.A. Late of Worcester College, Oxford. Author of " Peter Priggins," " The Parish Clerk," &c. Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street. Just ready for publication, in small Bvo., lIISTOR Y OF WOMAN IN ENGLAND, AND HER INFLUENCE ON SOCIETY AND LITERATURE. By Miss LAWItANCE, Author of " Memoirs of the Queens of England from the 12th to the 16th Century." (EXTRACT FROM THE PREFACE.) " Although the study of English history has of late become en popular, the progress of female society in England has newer received the attention which its importance demands. .Little has been told us of women in Saxon times ; and yet, even then, ihere were illustrious Queens and female scholars whose exertions for the diffusion of knowledge deamud the gra titude of their descendants—and scarcely more is known of female society during the Norman period, and yet it was at bidding of the lady that the poet-fathers of England first sung. Even during the age of chivalry, many a lady illustrious for her talents, and interesting from her romantic history, has no re cord, save in the seldom-opened pages of the Monkish Chroni cles. Descending to more recent times, we find the history of woman in England linked with the Reformation, and each great event-, To trace the progress of wo man in England through these var*is phases of her history is the object of the present work: Beginning at the es fiest period, it has been the chief aim of the 'writer to colleen-contemporary information from every available source, and thus the obsolete code of laws, the ancient pqpilu tales ; will, the inveiktßry, the legal record, the legend, and the satire, the testimon3 of the grave chroni cler, and that of the manners-painting trouvere, the letter, and the diary, have all been laid 'under contribution to throw light upon a subject as curious and interesting as it is important." HencitColburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street. •*• Orders received by all Booksellers. BETTS' PATENT BRANDY.—The unparal leled and still increasing sale of this favourite beverage, has been attended by its natural consequence—the excitement of envy in every branch of the Spirit trade. Hence, each suc ceeding year brings to notice competitors, whose announce ments, under fallacious pretences and high sounding titles, urge upon the public notice i pticles, whose only distinguishing fea ture is their vast inferiotity to the Patent Brandy. It it to guard purchasers against the consequences of such attempts, and for that reason only, that J. T. Betts and Co. are agatn, induced to state, that the Patent Brandy is manufactured only at the Distillery, No. 7, Smithfield-bars, leading to St. John-street • where it may be obtained, pale or coloured , at Eighteen Shillings per Gallon, of the highest legal strength. TIE NEXT DISTRIBUTION of MONEY DIVIDENDS, AUTHORISED and GUARANTEED by HIS MAJESTY the EMPEROR of AUSTRIA, contains MONEY DIVIDENDS of £5O, £6O, £7O, £BO, £9O, £lOO, £llO, £l2o-, £l5O, £2OO, £4OO, £6OO, £BOO, £l,OOO, 4:1,500,f...5,000, and £25,000 Sterling. Amounting together to £72,179 sterling. Direct for PROSPECTUS with full particulars, WITH OUT DELAY, to HEINE BROTHERS, at HAMBURGH, Or, to HEINE BROTHERS, at LUBECK. 'TUNE BROTHERS having remitted during a very short time very large amounts of Money Divi dends to their Correspondents in Great Britain and Ireland. Dividends of 25,0001., 18,0001., 9,0001., 5,000 1. , and 3,6001. to London; 3,6001., 8001., and 7001. to Edinburgh ; 3,600/. to Dublin ; 3,6004 to Beverley ; 3,6001. to Halifax ; 1,2001. to Perthleaven Harbour ; 9001., 7001. , and 6001 . to Liver pool ; 9001. to Hull; 900! . to Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; 900/. and 6001. to Manchester ; 700/. to East Retford, Nottingham shire • 7001. to Colne. Lancashire; 700 1 . to Ryde, Isle of Wight; 600/. to Cork ; 600/. to Bideford ; and 600/. to Bradford, Lie.. &c., they beg to call the attention of those desirous to obtain large Money Dividends to the approaching EIGHTEENTH DISTRIBUTION of LUBECK, gua ranteed b' the Government. This Distribution offers the possibility of obtaining more than 25,000/. upon One Share. 2,400 of the Shares obtain Money Dividends of 11. and upwards. Price of One Share, 14 ; twe Shores, 2/. ' • three Shares, 31.; four Shares, 41.; fire Shares, 51. ; six Shares, 61.; seven Shares, _74 ; eight Shares, 84 ; nine Shares, 9/. ; ten . _ Shares, 10/. Direct for Shares, without delay, to HEINE BROTHERS at Lubeck. _ _ _ The full Prospectus, with all particulars, may be had gratis, - upoupaddressing a line to Heine Brothers. THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN. THIS EVENING. DEC. 20, Will be repeated a Comic Opera, called THE SECRET MAR RIAGE. Being an English version of Cimarosa's "II Ma tch:genii) Segreto." The Character of Carolina, by Miss Adelaide' Kemble ; Fidalma; Mrs. Alfred Shaw ; • Elisetts, Miss Rainforth Signor Geronimo ' Mr. Giubilei ; Count Meatoni; Mr. Leffler ; Paolino, Mr. W. Harrison. To conclude with Auber's Opera of MASANIELLO ; or, THE DUMB GIRL OF PORTICI. Masaniello, Mr. W. rrison ; Alphonso, Mr. Travers ; Elvira, Miss Poole ; P - enelli, Miss Bain. Doors open at Half-past Six, and the Performances com mence at Seven.—Dress Boxes 75., Second Price 3s. dd. ; First and Second Circles 55., Second Price 2s. EKL ; Pit 3s; Second Price 2s. ; Gallery ls. Tickets and Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr. Whit low, at the Boa-office, from Ten till Four, where Season Tiekets may be had. Private Boxes to be had at the Box-office • of Messrs. An drews, 167, New Bond-street; Mr. Mitchellold Bond-street; and of Mr. Sams, Pall Mall. THEATRE ROYAL, HAY-MARKET. THIS EVENING, DEC. 20, Will berformed Coogreve's Comedy of THE WAY OF THE WO RLD (Adapted for Representation). Period, 1699. Sir Wilful Witwoud, Mr. W. Farren ; Fainall, Mr. Vining; Marwoud, Mr. Stuart; Witwoud, Mr. Charles Mathews; Petulant, Mr. Buckstone • Waitwell, Mr. Strickland; Mil lament, Madame Vestris ; Lady Wishfort, Mrs. Glover. After which, a new Drama, called THE BASTILE. Louis Quatorae, Mr. H. Holl; Fricandeau, Mr. Webster; the Duchess de Montbazon, Miss Charles; Ninon Labatte, Ma dame Celeste. To conclude with the Farce of MAKE YOUR WILLS I Joseph Brag, Mr. Buckstone. THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI. THIS EVENING, DEC. 20, Will be_repeated the new Burletta, entitled THE MER CHANT AND HIS CLERKS. The principal characters by Messrs. Lyon, 0. Smith, Paul Bedford, Wright, Maynard, Wieland, Miss Chaplin, Miss Brooks, and Mrs. P. Grattan. After which a New Drama, in Two Acts, called YOU KNOW WHAT. The principal Characters by Mr. 0. Smith, Mr. Wright, Mr. Maynard, and Miss Faucit. To be followed by a Grand Burletta Spectacle, entitled ALMA. Principal Characters by Messrs. Paul Bedford, Wieland, Frampton, Mrs. H. P. Grattan, and Madame Proche G i 7Vconclude with a Comic Burletta, called ANTONY and CLEOPATRA.- Antony, Mr. Wright. To conclude with NORMA. Pollio, Mrs. H. P. Grattan ; Norma, Mr. Paul Bedford; Adalgisa, Mr. Wright. Boxes, 4s. ; six, commence at Pit seven, 29. ; o'clock Gallery, Is. D oors open at half-past . MAP OF CHINA. THE NEW CHINA SUN IS NOW ON SALE, CONTAINING EVERYTHING INTERESTING WITH RESPECT TO CHINA, AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE FIVE FREE TRADE PORTS OF G.ANTON, AMOY, FOO-CHOW-FOO, NINGPO, AND SHANGHAE ; WITH 'A LL THE LATEST NEWS Orders ?vented at the SUN-OFFICE, 112, Strand and of all News-Agents. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS DAY. 'Morning 20 minutes after 2 I Evening 41 minutes after 3. t it; ,Alr" : I;s j i f( 4 irAL: --- L 4 " 11 1 4 tr. Ad 'l, titt e§int. LONDON : TUESDAY MOnNING. DECEMBER 20, 1842. We learn with satisfaction that "a consider able increase of demand is felt at Bolton, and that the weavers are now more employed than at any time during the summer;" " that more inquiry- has been made for goods at Halifax ;" that the markets in Leeds have been very ani mated "that buyers at Bradford last week were numerous, and purchases as extensive as might have been expected ;" that in Kiddermin ster " the,carpet trad e is improving," and it is there expected that "after Christmas the trade will be as good as ever; " that at Carlisle, "the wages of the hand-loom weavers have risen from n to 10 per cent.;" th at at Dundee, the " markets are active," and that at Bromsgrove there is a prospect of the " n a il b usiness in . creasing." All these are cheering indications, and as the price of food is now c( imparatively low, we may hope on good grounds that the extremity of the national distress has been passed, and that Nature is bounteously sending that relief which our rulers have doggedly denied. While we rejoice in this prospect, we fear, when the danger and the extremity of the evil are over, lest the lesson which the present and recent national sufferings should teach may be forgotten. Should the natural anxiety on the part of both employers and labourers to enjoy as speedily as possible the return of prosperity make them forget what they have suffered; should our rulers, no longer alarmed by the pressure of a famished multitude, think they may postpone the aboli tion of restrictive laws to some more favourable period, and so avoid the appearance of being forced into a just policy ; should they suppose that they can carry the present political system, encumbered with monopolies, safely through the difficulties which beset it, then the present gleam of prosperity will be fatal to the future peace and happiness of the empire. From such a narrow system of restrictions on trade, framed from a very partial and most incomplete and imperfect comprehension of the numerous and vast phenomena affected by such restrictions, there will ever ensue periods of hollow, gaudy prosperity, and periods of severe depression and suffering. A spurt, at present, of manufacturing progress—not unaccompanied, however, by agri cultural depression—without a repeal of re strictive laws, would be followed most likely by a severer check, a year or two hence, than manufactures have lately experienced, and the calamities of the last two or three years must be suffered over again, perhaps as needlessly and as unavailingly as they have already been suffered. If the League, through its organisation, should now continually enforce on the public the im portant truths which the recent and present condition of the country teach, and prevent the lesson being thrown away ; if it shall compel the Legislature by its remonstrances to act at once, while the impression is fresh, it will perform a most important service to the public. Respect for the decision of last year—legislative decorum, as it is called—ought not to be suffered to stand in the way of exertions to procure at once and for ever the removal of the restrictions which caused the distress of the last four years. If' they be not now removed in consequence of the sufferings, then may we dread that still greater sufferings will hereafter fall on the people, leading to insurrections, compared to which that of last year will pass away as an unremem bered trifle. Amongst the most strenuous supporters of the present system may be numbered the landlords of Ireland. At the same time we read almost daily of violent attacks being made on property and life in that country. No landowners, how ever amiable and however exalted, who live there, are safe. Is there no connexon between conten tions for plots of ground in Ireland, ending in bloodshed and murder, and the restrictions on trade ? We believe there is, and if we can make the connexion apparent, we shall show how much more extensive are the ramifications of restrictive laws than is supposed, we shall supply another argument for their repeal, and we may hope to win the support of the land owners in Ireland for the cause of free trade. It is the boast of the Whigs that agrarian out- rages had much diminished, and had almost ceased under their rule. But during the time they were in office there was an increase of mills and of employment in the manufacturing dis tricts—trade was extremely brisk, and a very considerable number of Irish found employment in Lancashire and the west of Scotland. The effects of that great demand for Irish labour did not cease till 1840. The comparative security of life and property in Ireland was coeval, then, with the manufacturing and trade prosperity , of England and Scotland. Latterly the ma nufacturing districts have sent back their hands to the agricultural districts ; there is no longer an extensive demand for fresh Irish labourers in Lancashire and Scotland ; we no longer hear of their coming over in crowds on the decks of the steam-boats; and coeval with the slackness, or rather the cessation, of demand for Irish labourers in the manufacturing districts, agrarian outrages are becoming so numerous in Ireland that it is again an insecure place of resi dence. Does not that show a connection between agrarian outrages and those restrictive laws which impede trade and manufactures ? In Ireland land is almost the only means of obtaining a subsistence. To that end, possession of a little plot of ground is required. If men can get a comfortable subsistence without pos sessing a plot of ground, they will not fight and commit murder to obtain possession of it. The Irish have, on all occasions, shown themselves ready to emigrate to England or to the United States, or to any other part of the world where their services were an demand and wages were good. Even if we had established no connec- Lion, therefore, between manufacturing prospe rity in England and peace in Ireland, is it not clear that the best method to put an end to agrarian outrages in Ireland is to lessen the competition for plots of ground as a means of subsistence, by enabling a large portion of the people t o ge t a comfort- able subsistence by other :means But it has been shown over and over again that the abolition of restrictions on trade would imme diately give employment to a great multitude of hands; it would relieve • the poor-rates of England, and would lessen the competition for land in Ireland; it would increase, more than the best devised code of criminal laws, and more than the most rigorous police, the security of life and property in both countries. Restrictions on trade are peculiarly injurious in Ireland. They both increase the competition for land, and encourage landlords to break up small holdings, and cultivate grain for the high priced markets of England. They have a direct tendency to raise rent in Ireland, and restrict the quantity of land in the market, though at the expense of secu r it y and life. N ow, t h e compe tition which the landowners of England fear the most, is that of the Western States of North America. For the plains there, however, to supply England with any great quantity of food, they must be cultivated. They need hands. They arc the very spots, then—forming as they now form, by the continued Passing to and fro of steamers and sailing vessels, almost a part of the old world—to draw off the too crowded population of Ireland. If we had no re strictions on the trade between that country and England, there can be no doubt that the 'Western States ofAmerica would be cultivated to a consider- able extent to supply our market ; and no doubt that our own capitalists and American capitalists would go thither, and would carry labourers from Ireland. There is no country where labour is so much in demand as in the United States, and where there is yet so muchework to be done. A few weeks ago we published an elaborate account of a magnificent aqueduct which has been con- structed at New York. That, like other great undertakings in the States, was mainly executed by the hands of Irish labourers. Every town, nearly, requires some similar erection. In fact the work to be done in the United States isquite endless; and the more, therefore, wecontribute to the prosperity of that country, the more we shall cause a demand for that labour which, from not being wanted in Ireland—SATAN always finding mischief for idle hands—is there the cause of insecurity and murder. The removal of restrictions extending over manufactures would increase the demand for labour at home and the de mand forlabourin the United States; it would both give security to life and property in Ireland, and prosperity in England. We do hope, therefore, that the landlords of Ireland, for their own sake, will join our cause, and demand the removal of those restrictions which prevent the gradual ex tinction of agrarian outrages in Ireland. We are pretty sure, too, if we have been successful in connecting those outrages with restrictions on trade, we shall not want for some time in the be the mo continuation of them—whatever may tpentary prosperity of England —mementos of the folly and guilt of our present system. We are glad to perceive that the Testimonial subscription to Sir JOHN and Lady PIRIE, in token of their esteemed private worth and ac knowledged public character, is making rapid pro gress among all those classes of the com munity who appreciate in others that vir tue which is the practice of their own lives. There cannot certainly be a stronger stimulus to ambition than the sure but steady rise of private worth to the highest attainments of public honour. And such honour, Sir Joisx PIRIE, from poor but worthy origin, has attained in the first city of the civilised world. By what means ? Let his conduct, by its proud and dig nified reward, answer ! In this world all men are rated by their apparent worth—not by their prospective merit : the man of ten thousand to-day, is infinitely greater than the man who promises, however truly, ten times that amount to-morrow. But it has been the fate of Sir JOHN PIRIE—we speak of him as of any other man, wholly irrespective of . politics —to work his way to eminence—that is, to the good-will and according testimony of his fellow-men—as an instance of singular fortune. His acknowledged merits are not confined to one class of moralists, or politicians—the wide and diversified circle of society crowds in to welcome him, by one simultaneous consent, as one who bath done honour to the best, because the least obtrusive sympathies of humanity—charity--that well-spring of the heart which overlooks the cause, in the effect, of its benign benevolence. To such generous sympathies do we assign the spon taneous contributions of men of all classes— politics apart—to a testimonial to Sir JOHN and his amiable Lady. Among the long list of sub scribers will be found the worthy names of such men as Sir CHARLES FORBES, Sir JAMES DUKE, T. A. HANKEY, Esq., J. MASTERMAN, Esq., M.P., Mr. GROTE, Mr. COTTON, &c., all of dissimilar politics; and therefore is their tes timony the more valuable. And, if such be the contributors in London, what will be the ex pression of public sympathy from the shipping interest, to which Sir JOHN is so decided a friend, all over the kingdom ? The answer, no doubt, will be as creditable to the one as honourable to the other. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, MONDAY.—Monsieur and Madame Van de Weyer took their departure from the Castle on Saturday. Her Majesty and Prince Albert walked in the Home Park this afternoon, and her Royal Highness the Princess Royal was taken an airing. His Royal Highness Prince Albert went on a shooting excursion, attended by the Earl of Liver pool, Hon. Captain Duncombe, and Mr. George Ed ward Anson. The Prince returned to the Castle to lunch. Sir Henry Wheatley arrived to-day on a visit to her Majesty. Her Majesty and her Illustrious Consort walked out again in the afternoon. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and Lady Fanny Howard will join the Royal Circle at the Castle at dinner this evening. Covers are laid for fourteen. The Royal dinner party is also expected to include the Viscountess Can ning, Hon. Miss Murray, Hon. Miss Devereux, the Earl of Liverpool, Sir H. Wheatley, Viscount Sydney, Hon. Captain Duncombe, and the Equerries in Wait ing on her Majesty and his Royal Highness. Mr. Kay Shuttleworth had an interview with Sir James Graham yesterday at the Home-office. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone has left town for Hagley Park, Worcestershire, the seat of Lord Lyttelton. ___ - Sir George Clerk left town yesterday morning on a visit to the Marquis of Exeter, at his seat Burghley House, Northamptonshire. Sir Thomas Fremantle has arrived at Drayton Manor, Staffordshire, on a visit to Sir Robert and Lady Peel. ASSESSORS AND COLLECTORS OF THE PUBLIC TAXES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUZY. one of your legal friends and occasional correspondents would be pleased to favour your readers with the law on the subject of the appointment of assessors and collectors of the public taxes he would confer a great obligation. I am not able at this time to make reference to that point, but my impression is, that if a party who has been agreed upon in public vestry be tendered to the Commissioners of Taxes, with parties prepared to enter into security on his behalf, that the Commis sioners are bound to accept such person; but, in case of such default on the part of the parish, the Commis- sioners .may appoint parties either with or without security, the whole parish being liable to any default, in case no security be given. In the :spring of the year, I believe, the Commis sioners have a preliminary meeting, at which their clerk is ordered to issue a precept to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the poor, to return proper persons as as sessors and collectors for the year ensuing; by some juggle or other, these precepts are too often delivered to the old assessors and collectors, to be given to the Churchwardens and Overseers, but which are in a vast many instances surreptitiously withheld, so that the old ones actually return themselves, and by this means get re-appointed. There is one point which I would wish to point out as objectionable beyond mea sure, which is the appointment of the same parties as assessors and collectors ; this must be evident to any parties who consider that the collectors are paid a per centage, therefore, if the assessor can surcharge parties' returns, he insures hims e lf an increased pounda ge . Parishioners are liable to serve the offices of Church warden, Overseer of the Poor, Surveyor of the High ways, and constable, without any pay or remunera tion, and, I believe th e o ffi ce o f C o ll ec t or o f t h e T axes is almost the only one a parishioner is compellable to take that has any emolument attached to it; there fore, I think it would be fair and reasonable for the parishioners in vestry to agree- that the outgoing Overseers of the Poor should be the Collectors of the Taxes for the year ensuing, if they choose to under take the office, and give proper security, and not to allow one individual to monopolise a yearly office, being the only beneficial one.—l am, Sir, yours, &c., Dec. 16, 1842. JUSTICE. , POST-OFFICE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—If I were to prefer the complaint of which I am about to inform you, directly to the Post-office authorities, I should most likely be called upon to point out the parties whom I should consider in fault; therefore, I hope the case will be remedied by your mention of it in your journal, without my adopting the more unpleasant alternative. Some time since the Post-office authorities supplied the different country postmasters with placards for public exhibition, stating that "stamps at Id. each, and covers at lid. and 21d. each," might be had at the office. One of my complaints is that this placard is withdrawn from the public view; and another, that if you ask for a penny stamp, you will be told " We are out of them; and a further complaint is, if you ask souhefpii miotnl f he o :sh r bsa a up 0 svt thi c nil ie raalist r ipse o i r nreg:ket envelope, you are told " We do not I do not mean to say that if a party being aware postmaster's duty single the cover, country were r t i e rty t % s o n, 00 u d t l e bd m e i a nb n eg d s ro a e n fa d u sw insist eaa e to of the postmaster's duty, would go away without that which he ought to have been supplied with. With regard to the penny stamps, which the country post masters try to be out of, I would suggest that an order should be given to them that whenever they had less than a single sheet of stamps (viz. 240), they should be ordered to apply for more, and strict orders should be given to them to take care that they 'are not with out a supply for the public.--I am, Sir, IA your s,TOß. Sic., V Dec. 18, 1842. ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.—A party of distinguished savans met the Directors and Profes sors of this Institution on Saturday evening, to test the powers of the colossal electrical machine. Amongst these were the Earl of Enniskillen, Sir. M. A. Shee, Professors Faraday and Brande, of the Royal Insti tution, Professor Groves, Messrs. Pepys (the veteran electrician), Tite, Cubitt, and several members of the Electrical Society. , In addition to the immense bat tery of the Institution, those of th e R o y a l and London Institutions were put in requisition, presenting a sur face of 200 square feet, the jars in all amounting to 135. The plate of the great machine, offering a sur face of 60 square feet, was mounted with two pairs of rubbers, producing an electrical force of unequalled intensity. The deflagration of the metals was the principal object of experiment, and presented results of the most curious and beautiful description. The series of experiments was conducted by Professor Bachoffner with much success. CORNUILL WARD.—In consequence of the resig nation of Clement Harris, Esq., one of the repre sentatives of this ward in the Court of Common Council, a requisition, signed by the leading inhabi tants of the ward, has been presented to Thomas Lund, Esq., a resident for full forty years, solicititig him to allow his name to be put in nomination for the office. It is understood that Mr. Lund has con sented to stand. , ERUPTION OF MOUNT ETNA. (Extract from a letter, dated Palermo, Dec. 1.) The day before yesterday,l passing along the Ma rina, or public walk that skirts the exquisitely beau tiful bay of Palermo, and casting my eye over the range of the Madonian mountains, and beyond the picturesque hills of Termini, I saw resting above the snowy ridge of hoary-headed old Etna (which lies literally east of sunrise from here) a long line of feathery whitish cloud, which, from its peculiar tree like shape, I knew at once to be smoke from the vol cano. Accordingly towards night, when the sun had dropped down into the bay of Mondello, a deep-red lurid glare became distinctly visible at the foot of the column of smoke, and all the world was then aware that the volcano was in active operation. This has continued ever since, dimly discernible by day in a pillar of cloud of that peculiar form which an eye, experienced in eruptions, instantly perceives to be the vapour from a crater—and more conspicuous by night in a body of deep-red fire, of the apparent size of an or di nar y h a y coc k, b u t brightening and less ing fitfully with the swells and lulls of the blast of the fiery furnace. - Telescopes have been much in requisition of nights, since Tuesday, and many persons say they see the showers of red hot rocks rising and falling in the air above the crater, but I myself have as yet seen nothing more than what I have described above, and this much is as clearly visible to the naked eye as is the outline of the Surrey hills from the cockney moun tain of Highgate. The air-line distance of Mount Etna from Palermo (which in the vulgar vernacular is commonly called the distance as the crow flies) is above ninety English iles, and to any one unfamili ar w ith th e marve ll ous ranslucency of the Sicilian atmosphere it might seem almost incredible that a mere smoke in the air could be discerned a hundred miles off; yet true it is that never when on board a steamer have I seen the smoke out of its own chimney more plainly when the smut was falling on my own very nose than I see from hence the column rising out of old Vulcan's chimney on Mount Etna. To-day I watched it, from the rocky heights of Belmonte, for an how or more before sunrise. At first, while quite dark, only the fire was visible, like a great bonfire, or furze burning on a mountain top, save that it was in colour of a deeper red. But with the first faint touches of the coming day the smoke became gradually visible, and more and more distinctly marked, streaming along due north, till it stood over the islets of Volcano and Lipari, where it brought up with a round turn, as we tell the Marines, and thence swept ,away eastward towards the further Calabria. As the rosy tints of the rising sun came up behind the smoke or vapour (which, by the way, is much more steam than smoke), it was illuminated with the ruddy light, and assumed the gorgeous appearance of a prodigious blazing cloud, flaming in the forehead of the eastern sky, until it gradually faded into the light of common day. At this time, too, the delicately pen cilled crescent of the waning moon became indistin guishable from the brightened light of the surrounding sky; but the volcanic vapour soon again became vi sible, stretching its fantastic but exquisitely pic turesque form along the horizon, in the tamer cha racter of cloud-like smoke, and much resembling the cloud vomited forth from the funnel of a gi gantic steamer. - As you may not be aware of the precise shape of a crater, I think it as well to tell you that it is exactly like the washhand basin in the dressing cabin of the said steamer, when the stopple at the bottom is pulled out to let off the water you have used in washing. The basin itself resembles the crater, commonly so called, at the very bottom of which is the huge funnel shaped bottomless pit, that spouts forth smoke and steam, white hot stones, black mud, grey ashes, and streams of many-coloured lava. The outer basin, commonly called the crater, or cup, as aforesaid, varies in different volcanoes from a hundred yards to a quarter of a mile deep. The depth of the fiery funnel itself Empedocles (of mortals) only knows, and ho, though he threw back his slipper, by way of wishing the world good luck, never returned to tell. The height of Etna is the best ascertained of any lofty mountain in the world. Cacciatore, the pre sent Astronomer Royal at Palermo, and our coun trymen, Sir John Herschell and Captain Smyth, the celebrated trigonometrical surveyor, by processes entirely independent of and unknown to each other, all fixed it at 10,874 f e et English, not differing a fathom in the three computations. So exact a coin cidence, in a case in which several compensations had to be allowed for, must necessarily have been partly accidental ; but, as Dr. Wollaston said of it, the acci dent was one upon which no three fools could by any possibility have stumbled. It is worth observing that Etna, which is m ore th an twice as high as Vesuvius (about twice and a h a lf), has not half so large a cone of clinkers a n d as h es a t the top, nor is its crater any thing like so large or deep as that of Vesuvius, which latter is in fact quite a model volcano, as if made for show. Generally, in volcanos, the height of the cone and depth of the crater are in the inverse ratio of the whole heights of the mountains to which thy belong. It would seem as if the expansive forces within the volcano, having a greater vertical height to work through bef o r e th ey reach the surface, either do n ot eject the scoriae and ashes so far, or in so groat quan tity, or perhaps both t h e se circu ms t ances com bi ne to been render the :hollow conical cup at the top small in diameter and shallow in de pth in proportion as the undiminished general elevation of each firs t volcanic has visible greater. at Pa lermo moment The present flaming brilliancy (it is at this and grandeur) is the since 1832. Intelligence travels slowly in Sicily, and we have not yet had any authentic advices from the scene of action. The weather is indescrib ably delicious, like a May of the best quality in Eng land. Sitting on the rocks the cold hour before sun rise this morning w as perfectly pleasant. The flowers and many fruit trees are in full bloom, and the newly dropped lambkins are frisking i n the fields. E. J. P.S. I have just seen a letter from Riposto, within fifteen miles of the crater. The hurly-burly began its pother on Sunday night. The smoke that after noon, and the drying up of the springs, betokened that Enceladus was getting fidgetty; and in the dead of the night the mountain heaved and quivered like the midships of a three-deck er , when she pours her first broadside into the ribs of the enemy. A roar succeeded louder than a thousand train of artillery, and myriads of red hot rocky fragments shot up to the heavens. No lava had yet begun to flow. Many persons here saw, or thought th e y saw , it floating down the flanks of the mountain to-day; but, as I do not tax my imagination for my facts, on this head I can at present tell you nothing. But you may — With fancy speed on golden wing, To sunny climes of classic lore; Where poets touched the trembling string, And still delighted shepherds sing On Italy's enchanted shore ! Sicilia's vales shall greet thine eyes Where Etna's fires sublimely rise, Tinging the evening skies with flame ! Or midnight glories widely shed In grand—yet soul-subduing dread— Or hide in clouds his towering head From young Aurora's purple shame ! ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS.—At the second meeting of the session, held last night, Mr. George Godwin, Fellow, rea d an essay on the architecture and history of Tournay Cathedral, a building of cons iderable e x t en t, an d s triking cha racter, which is but little k nown . It is about the same extent as Salisbury Cathedral, and has fine towers of large size. The transept terminates at each end in a semi-circular absis of great beauty, inter nally. Monsieur Dumortier, a member of the Bel gic Chamber, ascribes the name and transept to the 6th century, but Mr. Godwin showed that they were probably not older than the 11th century. The choir was rebuilt at the noble specimen of poi n t e d ar chitecture. Restorations end of the 12th century, and is a at the national expense are now going on. Mr. Hosking continued his paper on the Church of St. to which we have alr ea d y a ll u d e d. J o hn Shaw, Esq., Mary, Redcliffe Brist o l, an d it s p ro posed restoration, was in the chair, , and the meeting was numerously attended. CHRISTMAS IN . rfliDEN.—The period of the festi vities of Christmas the 6th of Januar , which continues in Sweden till custom of knockin g ings ; presents are the peace of Ch r i Y . , is dedicated to universal rejoic made, the receivers of which are required to guess the givers ; the people have also a On the 24th of December a crier solemnly proclaims at each other's doors at this season. the punishment o f all offences against social order is double that incur re d at any other per i o d o f the year. of the peace of Christmas is a cus tom This proclamation as (Julafred) ;in virtue of this, 'of great antiq u i ty, an d ex t en ds over the whole kingdom, and nothin g is suffered to disturb the tran quillity of the season, Symbols of this rite are to be discovered on the old Runic stones. .< CHARTIST . MEET/N-s or —Last night a number of district meetings were held in and about the metro polis, having for their object the election of delegates to represent the various localities at the Conference to be held on Tuesday next in Birmingham, which has been called by Mr. Joseph Sturge. The principal meetings were held in the National Association Hall, Holborn ; the Old Bailey, Turnagain-lane, West minster, and Walworth. CHRISTMAS.—We are informed that the house of Leaf, Coles, Smith, and Old 'Change, intend making next Monday a close Co., ay, in consequence of Christmas -day falling on a Sunday. In many coun try towns requisitiens have been got up to the chief local authority to sanction the making of that day a holiday for the working classes ; in most of these cases the idea has been gladly acted up to, and it is probable that next Monday will be a day of general rejoicing and abstinence from labour. GREAT LEAGUE FUND.--The ADDRESS of the NATIONAL ANTI-CORN-LAW LEAGUE to the Inhabitants of the Metropolis, of the date of the 13th instant, calls upon the citizens of London and the Metropolis generally, to organise and assemble in public meetings, to sub scribe, and otherwise aid the League, in their public-spirited exertions to promote FREE TRADE, and to accomplish the abo lition of the Corn and Provision-laws. To give effect to these objects, a distinct Association and separate Provisional Committees have been formed for the Metropolis ; one Committee for the City, and another for the other districts of London. These Committees will sit daily At the Guildhall Coffee House : JOHN TRAVERS, Esq., Provisional Chairman and Treasurer. G. H. HEPPEL, Esq., Secretary and Sub-Treasurer, At the Britisl. Hotel, Cockspur-street, Charing-cross : The Honourable CHARLES P. VILLIERS:Ii, M.P., Pro visional Chairman and Treasurer. J. C. SYMONS, Esq., Secretary and Sub-Treasurer. In the course of the week the Committees for the Aletropolis in aid of the above object will be formed, and advertised. A list of banking houses will also be advertised, where subscrip tions may be paid. The Provisional Chairmen, Treasurers, and Secretaries, and the Metropolitan Anti-Corn-Law A MO.. ciation, 448, Strand, in the meanwhile will receive contributions. THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, DEC. 20. THERMO➢IETER, Lowest, 38 ; Highest, 52 : Noon, 50. BAROMETER, 30.50.-WIND, W. - 7A- st:: ‘9 Olt g *mutt 72 Witten SUN OFFICE Three o'Cloch The country gentlemen, it appears, begin to be alarmed at the increasing amount of county- rates, and to be ashamed, as well they may, at the increase of crime. In Devonshire, the fol lowing expense was incurred in the year ending Michaelmas, 1842 :—The committal of 370 pri soners cost 5471. 13s. Bd.; prosecuting them, 2,868/. 18s. 4d.; maintenance while in impri sonment, 20s. each, 3701. Total charge upon the county-rate, 3,7861. 12s. The expense of other counties may be inferred from that of Devon, giving a sum, probably, of 150,0001. a-year for the county expenses of administering the cri minal law, independent of an immense number of other expenses. .The facts which have lately been brought to light are stimulating Devonshire Magistrates to inquire into the matter. A plan to save the :county-rates, poor-rates, a speedy administration of the law, and check the practice of arbitrary commitments, of which the following is an outline, is proposed : The several Counties of England and Wales shall be divided into districts, in each of which shall be holden, at least once a fortnight, by Justices of the Peace for the County, a Sessions to be called, The District Sestions. That a Jury of six persons, taken, if practicable, from as many different parishes, shall be impanelled at such Sessions. That the power ofpunishing by the Court shall be limited to fine, solitaryconfinement, and, if the prisoner be . a male, private whipping ; and that a clerk with a salary, to be paid out of the county-rate, in lieu of fees, shall be appointed by the majority of the Magistrates resident within the dis trict, but irremovable, except at a General Sessions of the Peace. We offer no opinion on the plan, but we can assure the country gentlemen generally, that their administration of the law is calling down reproaches from all quarters; that their ma nagement of gaols is a subject of continual cen- sure in the most influential of the Tory and Whig journals ; and that their credit and honour require them no longer to administer in routine supineness a system which at once creates and multiplies crimes and criminals, and entails pro digious expense on the country. The Tory journals appear to be in a sad state of embarassment and perplexity, as regards Sir R. PEEL'S intentions on the subject of the Corn laws. in Is he going to ma k e any mater i a l altera tion them, or is he not? Is he going to repeal them altogether, or is he not? The Ministerial organs seem specially uneasy and sensitive on these points, doubtful what opinions to entertain, and they vent their anxieties from time to time in a manner that pro vokes laughter, notwithstanding their pathetic earnestness. One day our perplexed Contem poraries are confident that the Corn-laws will be allowed to remain, for the next session at least, in precisely the same condition in which they now are; and the next, they frankly confess that they are quite at sea on the subject; even while they tell you that they hope for the best, their manner indicates that they are not without apprehensions of the worst; and the Post, in an agony of impatience, piteously supplicates Ministers to make at once a clean breast of it, and not keep all their friends and supporters in a state of torturing suspense. If you have anything to say, say it without any more fuss or ceremony, is our Contemporary's earnest advice to Ministers. "Her Majesty's Government," observes the Post, " would do much good, if they would take some mode of authoritatively informing the public, whether it is, or is not, their present contemplation to make any important alteration of the Corn-law of last session." Our Contemporary's amiable solicitude on this subject is wholly thrown away, for Sir ROBERT PEER, who is as wary a fox as ever sacked a hen-roost, will be hurried into no pre mature revelations of his policy; he will quietly bide his own time ; and when that time arrives, and the Right Hon. Baronet's intentions are made manifest to an expectant world, we are not without a suspicion that they will be such as will by no means tend to throw our Contemporary into extacies of admiration. The present isolated state of France, and the unfortunate issue of every attempt to increase her power and influence at foreign Courts, form remarkable features in the government of a Sovereign who is allowed on all hands to be a man of great foresight, experience, and judg ment. Every scheme of aggrandisement, and every approach to a closer alliance with foreign Powers, have sivnally failed. In Spain, in Tur key, in Germany, and even in Belgium, French influence is at a very low ebb, and, as far as any jUdgment can be formed from present appear ances, cannot rise much higher for many years. The fault, we believe, lies entirely with the Sove reign. He commenced his reign as an ultra-Libe ral, nay, almost a Republican ; he courted LA FAYETTE and FOY, and LAFITTE for a time, but as their political principles were not quite suited to Royalty, he cast them off in turns, and has finally assumed a character more resembling that of the Grand Monarque, than the Citizen King. The fact is, that he deserted the Liberal party in France, without inspiring either the Conserva tives or Legitimists with much confidence. He has deceived the same party in Spain. At the commencement of the civil war, he formally allied himself with England to support the friends of the Constitution, but it was soon ob serva b le that his heart was not with them ; and since the triumph of ESPARTERO and the establishment of peace, that country has been twice convulsed by the intrigues and plots of his cousin. We will not say what countenance he has given to her schemes, but, at all events, he retains her in F rance , and thereby encourages the discontented to look out f or some favourable opportunity to dethrone the RE GENT, and destroy a Liberal Government. No surprise, therefore, can exist that the family of Louis PHILIPPE is not admired in Spain. His policy, too, in espousing the cause of MEIIE MET Au, and encouraging a subject to rebel against his master, has ruined him in the esti illation of the Courts of Russia and Austria. They have a natural horror of rebellion, they hate its abetters in any shape, and they cannot place confidence in one whom they have long regarded as an usurper, even though he now imitates them in checking liberal institu tions, and ruling his country by military force. His MAJESTY is in a false position, and is the less to to be pitied as it is entirely the work of his own hands. How different would have been the influence of France throughout the world had the policy with which he commenced his royal career been faithfully observed ! He would have been looked up to by all the liberal spirits of the age—he would have secured the affection and loyalty of his people, and made the name of France a watchword to the free, and a terror to oppressors. intelligence We have received the following from Cologne, dated Dec. 11:—"On the day be fore yesterday, Captain BLOOMFIELD, of the English Artillery, passed through this city on his way to Trieste, in order to make arrangements for the conveyance of the mail between India and England through Germany, by way of Frankfort, Cologne, and Aix-la-Chapelle. It is not yet decided whether the English steam-boats shall land at Trieste or Venice." The Paris papers, both Conservative and Li beral, have changed their tone in commenting on the revolt at Barcelona and its results. The Ministerial party know that LOUIS PHILIPPE set ESPARTERO the example by bombarding Lyons, and are equally aware what gave rise to the in surrection. They appear, therefore, anxious to get out of the awkward predicament into which their devotion to the Court has brought them. "We do not blame the Spanish authorities," says the Journal des Debats," for having vigour ously repressed the insurrection at Barcelona. We never, approved or justified an insurrection in any country ; we have ever condemned the violation of the laws, whatever be the pretext or cause; but we can never approve of the barba rous measures employed to reduce the unfortu nate city, and, after its reduction, the illegality, more cruel and, if possible, more culpable—the means taken to punish the inhabitants. We did not say to the Spanish authorities, when they were compelled to abandon Barcelona, ' Humble yourselves before the insurgents or treat with them.' We told them, When you have secured the victory,- be humane and respect the laws. What we advised the Spanish Government to do is what the French Government has practised during twelve years, and has had no cause to repent of it." The turn in the Liberal papers is still more remarkable. From hatred to England the writers blindly took part with the Government in opposition to their professed principles, and to save their character they attack the French Go vernment, that is Louis PHILIPPE, for insulting Spain, by conferring with so much precipitancy a mark of honour on M. LESSEPS, the Consul at Barcelona, and also intimate in plain terms that they have not the courage to carry out a plan so rashly and inadvisedly begun. The National 'in adverting to these facts, says:— The French Government being convinced that our Consul was calumniated, replies by conferring a new distinction on M. Lesseps. This is nothing less than a challenge to the Spanish Government. This chal lenge is the first act of the drama which may produce the most unpleasant differences between the two countries. If Espartero, seeing that his representa tions have been despised, sends his passports to M. Lesseps, M. Guizot will send his passports to the Spanish Charge d'Affaires. All diplomatic relations will be then interrupted, and from this situation to open hostility is but a step. To cause the bayonets to advance there wants but a pretext, and pretexts have ever been found when wanted. No, we know the degree of valour belonging to the present system for now twelve years. We know all of which it is capa ble, and we know that, pretend as it may, it will never dare to go to war with England. The Commerce thus follows up the attack on the KING:—. The different organs of the national opposition in FranCe have expressed a very natural indignation against the bombardment of Barcelona; but if they have censured with severity the conduct of Espartero, they have censured with equal severity the conduct of their own Government under similar circumstances. The principle which has inspired their remarks has been at once political and moral, it does not change according to circumstances; injustice is always consi dered injustice, and inhumanity is always inhumanity. Can the Ministerial journals say as much ? Is the indignation which they express against the Govern ment of Espartero as frank and natural ? Is it in spired by a feeling of humanity and by the interest of civilisation ? We doubt it much; and we cannot help thinking that they would have shown less horror for the excesses of which Barcelona is the theatre if the Government which commits them had not been that of the Regent. You inveigh with warmth (it adds) against the bombardment of a rich and commercial city like Bar celona. You enumerate the disasters that have ac crued from it ; but have we not cause to wonder at the feeling you affect for the fate of Barcelona ? Who was it that ordered the bombardment of that noble city, Lyons ? Were the batteries of Fourvieres less terrible than those of fort Montjuich ? Did they not spread death and destruction like the latter ? The ruins of Lyons deserved as many tears as those of Barcelona, and nevertheless your eye remained dry, and you opened the mouth only to demand fresh means of re pression, and other restrictions of our liberties. No more fabricated dispatches had been re ceived at Paris, on the departure of the mail. The affair turns out a coup] manqué, and the guilty parties look at one another with shame and sorrow. DUTCH FUNDS.—AMSTERDAM, DEC. 16 Money. Bills. Actual DeLt, 2% per Cent Ditto, ditto 5 per emit. Amon Syndic, 4% per cent..... ........ 91 94% D.tto, ditto. 8% per Commercial Company, 454 per cent l3O 130 1 Loan 1837, 5 per cent. 9954 E9A. Exchange on London, One month l2 20 Two months Hazaburgh, One month 35 117% Twomonths Dutch Papers,' Dec. 17. BELGIAN FUN .13.—Bayssate, DEc. 17. Actual Debt, 2 54 per Cent , Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent. 102% Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent ..... 93 . Three per Cent.... -.Thirty-seven Millions, ditto Loan of City, 1832, Four per Ce n t. ... 1P3); 96 Society of Commerce, Four and a Half per Cent. Bank of Belgium, Five per Cent. 77 National Society Exchange on London (short) —Brussels Papers, Gee. 17. AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, Dec. 9. Five per Cents. Metalliques Four per Cents. ..... ....... .............. 100% Three per Cents . ••••••••••• Bank Shares ...... . ........... ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••te 1614 rillgemeine Zeilung, Dec. 13. I'RUSSIAN FUNDS.—Beams, Dec. 13. Bills. Money St. Schuld Sch., 4 per cent. —... 104 103)/ Prussian English Bonds, 1630, 4 per cent. 102 K 1 , 2 Exchange on London Prussian State Gazette. Dec. 14. The family of Dost Mahomed have been all re moved under an escort from Loodiana, where they were established and are marching down the country; it is supposed that Benares will be their final desti nation. THE INCOME-TAX IN MARYLEDONE.—ASSESSMENT OF WORKHOUSES.—Considerable excitement has this last two or three days pervaded the Borough of Mary lebone, in consequence of the rigid manner in which the assessment of tradesmen, and the poorer class of persons, is carried on. The course pursued, is to assess them indiscriminately at 1501. per annum, leaving the onus upon the parties who are assessed to prove that they have not so much ; and although it would ap pear from the notices served, that fifteen days are al lowed for the assessed to give notice of appeal, still the actual time allowed is but five days, and a large number of persons, from the vague manner in which the document served on them is worded, have already been thus shut out from an appeal against their assessments. At the weekly meeting of the Board of Directors and Guardians of the poor, held on Fri day, great astonishment was manifested when the Se cretary, Mr. Thorne, laid before the Board a notice he had received from the Income-tax Commissioners, as sessing the Marylebone workhouse, to the income and property-tax, at the annual value of 2,6391., the 7d. in the pound duty, on which he said was 761. 19s. sd. Mr. Gibson said this was the most monstrous demand he had ever heard. What in the world could the Commissioners be thinking about to assess a parish workhouse ? Mr. Rathbone thought this assessment of a workhouse to the Income-tax involved a very im portant question, and that was whether workhouses did not come under the denomination of cha ritable institutions.—(Hear.) He believed there was a clause in the new Income and Property Tax Act, expressly exempting all charitable institutions from assessment, and as he conceived that workhouses for the reception and maintenance of the poor could not be looked upon in any other light than charitable establishments, he thought the Board ought to claim exemption. After some further discussion, the Board, on the motion of Mr. Gibson, unanimously resolved to appeal against the assessment. THE FLAG OF ENGLAND. Not a port have I visited since I left America, that I did not see the flag of England. It was the first flag I saw on entering the waters of F rance; it was th e on l y one floating in the ancient h ar b ou r o f R o m e , a t Ci v ita Vecchia, Again I saw it in the deserted harb o ur of the Piraeus, where once rode the fleets of Themistocles. I first saw the dome and minarets of Constantinople from beneath a cloud of cannon smoke that issued from British line -of-battle ships, saluting the Mahommedan ally of Britain. The first object that met my eye on scaling the summit of the Pyramids was the cprloasisl planted St. George, which some English traveller there. Beyond the cataracts, on the borders of the Desert of Nubia, the only sign of civilization that I saw was the English cross flying from the masts of a traveller's boat. Here, on the extreme verge of civil ization, I stood before this emblem of th e un i versal presence of that nation ; and in the la w l ess reg i ons it gave me a pleasing . sense of security to find myself so near a representation of that Power b enea th w h ose broad aegis there is protection abroad f or th e most I humble fugitive from violence and oppr ess i on .— I American Traveller ' s Journal. SUMMARY OF NEWS AND Vtibitt 14= ptuton. " Who runs may r 4"f POREIGN. The Moniteur Parisien confirms a former announce ment in our columns that the Sugar Bill wo uld be one of the first questions submitted to the Chambers. It adds its belief that no decision had been come to' as to the bases of the project of law by the Cabinet, but a belief prevailed that it would be unfavourable to the beet-root growers. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday at Mar shal Soult's hotel. The Duke of Nemours visited Count Mole and Marshal Valee ; and on the same day Count Montalivet had a long audience of the King of the French, and M. Guizot had conferences with several political personages. It is announced that the Duke Decazes, Grand Referendary of the Chamber of Peers, will bring ars action against M. Cretineau Joly, for announcing the, e publication of eighty-three letters alleged to hav been addressed by the Duke to an agent in Grenoble' to provoke the conspiracy of 1816. the Augsbmrgh Gazette of the 1 4 th inst. states that the British Admiral, Mason, had arrived at the, Piraeus, with the intention to proceed to the coast et Syria, where it was believed Great Britain had deter-- mined to make a demonstration. The Franconian Mercury annou ces that the Pr's' sian Government was seriously occupied with the ar" rangement of a treaty of commerce with Belgium., a The intelligence from Barcelona comes down o'clock in the morning rri of the 13th inst. Most of h n e shops and warehouses had remained closed. 11 thirteen individuals shot on the preceding d a y were a either militiamen or civilians. The accounts from Madrid of the 11th inst. ar without interest. to t t e . e PUBLIC OPIWION. a The French Governm t " says_the Times, " have thought fit to make their agent en' f a the late disturbances at Barcelona the object lofa_ marked and immediate expression of the 11°33 f an your. In conferring on M. Lesseps the rank 0 an officer in the Legion of Honour, they have giVell . _ 0 and representative in open and unequivocal proof that they policy of France with the conduct that indivl"B of f the At the very moment when the official organ . ° tet uy Spanish Cabinet, the Gazette of Madrid , pow the denounces the French Consul at Barcelona 3S lOUS notOr _ main instigator of the insurrection—wh en and incontrovertible facts demonstrate that be too k .eeu., identif.r thi, b mo i st active part in recognising the Junta of t.h dis ,,, e s, in fomenting their revolutionary desr e l the Queen's troops, couraging and deceiving the cominan ell fl i g ht and, finally, in protecting the f Bar . of the poltroons who had incited the populace ° , la celona to their own destruction—and before any e a P ral" nation whatever has been attempted of these leduntiPoos_- violations of the law and courtesy of L l° these the French Government declare' tha t l e a fit acts M. Lesseps has shown himself t°,_ ". f a sts object for a national recompense. To tne"d ou bt no comment is required. We can not . 0 that the Regent of Spain will think 1111n 5 00 u tation Was bound to make the strongest represe such an occasion. But, as if this state of thi n g s not already sufficiently serious, the Journa/ da. th % its . thinks fit to taunt the Spanish Governmen t wi w hich intrigues and its ingratitude' (ingratitudei w. b , have well-nigh exhausted the patience of hei n e igh' bour and creditor.' Is this the language of the ° lit of France ? Is this the temper which a with M. Guizot at its head, can hold to en alliedtea Power ? Or is it some outbreak of disapPonre, treason against the institutions of Spain 7--the whole: cursor, possibly, of acts of violence which the win of Europe would view with indignation .the Vile asperity show. Time will probably mitigate OOO Governrne virtuous which now follows the failure of M. Lessee the vi exertions. Satisfied with having acknowledgeaisill value of such services, the French Government, ect perhaps reflect that insurrections are double'ete weapons, even when they are directed theyagains cause of liberty and good government. Bat .os may rest assured that upon no former occ ion n the public mind in Europe required stronger evidence . to remove the impression that a gross n ational ° II 0 rage has been committed : and no event could ha v f occurred more calculated to strengthen the inter est :f, all the Powers in the stability and independence the present Government of Spain " to the The Chronicle gives the following advi . er, mpou .. members of the Anti-Corn-law League :---- ''''"- ^r k, time, the Leaguers have but to complete their vi. Let them be prepared for treachery—let them hey/at:- of false lights—and, above all, let them redouble the exertions, even in the very hour of victory. b .- , sp i ! e of all the rapid conversions, there are syinptoins M certain quarters that a fight may be made over the wounded and dying body of monopoly; and thour the triumph of free trade is as certain as that the s ue shall rise to-morrow, let no false secur ity lull th fe e• i . into repose. We have no very great reverence the wit or the wisdom of the Post, but we must, e° , e ; fess that it has maintained its anti-free-trade doer with a stupid consistency which entitle it to s e r' t consideration; h and, therefore, when it lets out stoat e Tory ranks are divided, scattered, and confoundel we may draw from it tolerably sure indications ° ultimate triumph—indications more certain, hY s ' great deal, than are afforded by ~Slipperar Standard, or the smile and tear of the Janus laced Times. In the words of the Post, then, we that ' the conclude, by assenting to the fact, Corn-layir pression is very general that the present the tsvistings of the® must go.' " . “iv e are We take the following from the POSS. — under no apprehensions that the between the French and Spanish Governments on the at subject of the conduct of their respective age nts at Barcelona will compromise the friendly re a, and which have hitherto existed between the rr Irenco Aa misunderstandig British Cabinets. A quarrel of subalterns exists -„..is inquiry has been instituted by the Madrid and ,re! , .... Executives and one or other of the functiotnig .. must be dismissed. Senor Guttierez, the rell ti ch , Chief of Barcelona, and M. Lesseps, the Fre ° _„d Consul in that town have to justify accusations The afford explanations. have former, in a report from uso Regent's head-quarters, dated Sarria, the 3d, ac e o d M. Lesseps of having fomented the insurrectioniono of having aided the insurgents. This report fumes gravity, because it has appeared in the Madrid Official gravity, organs, and because there is reason to believ e ( l in k ) . been made, or will be made, the subject of 3 o l e at matic communication from the Spanish Gov its to the French Cabinet. The French Ministry'', e" i ts pporti n g re , side, has evinced no want of alacrity in su subordinate agent at Barcelona. He has eir,a„,4,nor ceived the Grand Cross of the Legion of, lei_nt a s Perhaps this approval was as hasty and indseirr,,hs the conduct of the Spanish Government 'in P"„i, o f ing prematurely serious charges against an agelck rz , the French Cabinet, without first resorting t° " I f t isi F. matic means to obtain redress and reparato n • t TOl clear that Senor Guttierez and M. Lessep e eanne-bet , main together in the same town. The latter In recalled or the former dismissed." by the , • The Herald says :—" Complaints are mad e - 4 1 d o es Opposition Press that the Queen's Governmen' in . not at once issue a programme of the measu res i t erva• ' tends to submit to Parliament, and by the Cons _ __. tive alarmists that they do not know important alterations 'of the Corn-law of last, tor are in contemplation. The grumbling Of the w hich is part of that incessant warfare of faction for. re- Sir Robert Peel and his colleagues are pe rfectly I.) i , i g he latter is but .. , pared, while the murm • uring of t pater act escape of querulous disapointment.-A- g r- be p p to whether sessiona 11 )T of folly than premature disclosure of meas ur-s t be. introduced for legislative consideration conwhere' able committed by any Government in a countryder party politics run so high as this ; that cons! forth' commercial changes will be proposed in ti ded t° coming session no one doubts who has at t; jaiest sr 'S the diplomatic efforts now making by b" • ns with , Government to improve our trading relall ° , et se ts other countries; but that those changes are 0 5 .3 oss i..' tied in all their details by Ministers is quite lin ,,P re ag ble, because the results of pending negotiations," t hat yet unknown. Thus it is exceedingly a preposition to alter the sugar duties will be hrV an forward ; but such alteration depends very rin i . e a nd the conclusion of treaties of commerce with Spa e a Brazil, and for the Administration to announeand • measure for the reduction of duties on foreign Ellis colonial sars before the return at least of Mr. /.., probable __bt from Rio do Janeiro would be an act of the most en to pable precipitation. People, too, seem strangely forget that fiscal changes depend very much °n the state of the revenue, and certainly the deficien c y 6 : 0 - hibited by the last Quarter's return is of it ie lf eau... , eno ugh why Ministers should be most guarde " d I pledges or disclosures of this description." The following appears in the Morning Advertiserh: —" The recurrence of the frightful murders of whit Ireland has recently been the scene, has ev oked 8 , 0 interest in a subject which might otherwise have continued in dangerous and deceitful slumber. A s 5 is, the voice of the public Press is nearly unanimev in asserting that the true real panacea fo r the grie antes of Ireland must now be applied—and the rde: medy appears to be at hand when it is at leng th a cl, mitted, by the once most formidable foes of Irelan that the evil of her system is in the law subs isting be tween landlord and tenant. Now it is impressive:Y obvious that this chord must be harped on t ill th e Legislature comes forward with a plan of cerq ° redress. We say this cause of the tremendous call; mity which has befallen the sister country mo t re removed, now that public thought is once I l3° $, directed to it; and that to let it return into its previelle oblivion after the awful occurrences which Wirt roused it into its present notice, were as foul an 8,70 of supineness, or worse, as the very perpetr ation of the deeds which have given to it new life, is atrocious a°,°. c deperate crime." , • - THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20. 1842.