The Sun. — London, England, 1834-08-29 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. The Lord Chancellor's evidence in the Committee on the law of libel, embraces a variety of points of the very greatest importance to the people of this country. It is but justice to his Lordship to allow that no man has laboured more than he has done, from the very be ginning-of •his career to the present day, to raise the character of the nation, by education and the diffusion of knowledge. The difficulties with which his Lord ship ,had to struggle in the outset, from the prejudices generally entertained on the subject by the higher ranks of Englishmen of all parties, can hardly be ap preciated in the present day. It must always be borne in mind that the education of the higher ranks of this country is in the hands of the Clergy----that the Clergy, at the time we allude to, were almost to a man hostile to the diffusion of knowledge among the mass of the people--and that English gentlemen, even the most liberally disposed, shared, more or less, the views of their early instructors on that subject. It required more skill and address to draw over so many of the higher ' ranks to his views than would well be, believed in the pre s e n t d a y, w h en f ew men are bold. enough to. question the advantag es o f e d uca ti on . We have perused the evidence of his Lordship with Much . satisfaction, and are satisfied that the publica tion of it will be productive of infinite good. His Lordship's views are a legitimate consequence of the principles which led him to promote the instruction of the people. His Lordship shows, that in seeking to diffuse instruction, he was thoroughly aware of the impossibility.of preventing the people from turning their instruction to account. We do not - wonder that the Times should be such implacable enemies of his Lordship ; and we trust that those who call themselves liberal, after perusing his evidence, will be slow to believe - that Henry Brougham will ever desert the cause of the people. The first tax imposed on the press had not the increase of the revenue in view, but to put an end to cheap publications. Swift's Journal to Stella, which reveals so many political secrets, throws light on the motives of those who first taxed papers in this country. On the 19th of July, 1712, he thus writes—" To-day there will be another Grub, a letter from the Pretender to a Whig Lord— Grub-street has but ten days to live ; then an Act of Parliament takes place-that ruins it, by taxing every half-sheet at a halfpenny." On the .7th of August, 1712, he writes 7---" Do you know that Grub-street.is dead and gone last week ? I plyed it pretty close the last fortnight, and published atleast seven penny papers - of my own, besides some of other people s ; but now every single half-sheet pays a halfpenny to the Queen. The Qbservator is fallen ; the Medleys are jumbled together with the Flying Post ; the Examiner is deadly sick ; the Spectator keeps up, and doubles its price ; I know not how long it will hold. Have you seen the red stamp the papers are marked with ? Methinks the stamping is worth a halfpenny." Such is the manner in which Swift chuckles at the ex tinction of the periodical literature of the day. We Owe to the Tories this attempt to crush the press through taxation. What does Lord Brougham say ? —" I am of opinion that a- sound system of govern ment requires the people to read and inform themselves upon political subjects, else they are the prey of every, quack, every imposter, and every agitator who may practise his trade in th e coun t r y. If they do not read —if they do not learn—if they do not digest by dis cussion and reflection what they have read and learned —if they do not thus qualify themselves to form opi, nions for themselves, other men would form opinions for them, not according to truth and to the interests of the people, but according to their own individual and _ selfish interests, which may, and most probably will, be contrary to that of the people at large. The best security for a Government like this, for the Legisla ture, for the Crown, and generally for the public peace and public morals, is, that the whole com munity should be well informed upon its poli tical as well as its other interests ; and it can be well informed only by having access to wholesome, sound, and impartial publications. Therefore, they will and ought to read the news of the day, political discussions, political events, . the debates of their representatives in Parliament, and of the other House of Parliament ; and on not one of these heads can any paper be published, . daily or weekly, without coming under the stamp law ; consequently the people at large are excluded, by the dear form in which alone the respectable publishers can afford it, while they pay the duty." If these are the views of the Lord Chancellor, we may assume that they are shared by other members of the Cabinet ; and the probability is, that one of the first of the taxes which will be repealed, will be the tax on news papers.- It might have been consistent with Tory po licy to tell the people their business was to act, and not to think ; but this system necessarily terminated with virtual representation. The people, having the power, will not consent to deny themselves food for the mind, because .certain persons might wish to have a monopoly of the best instruction. Two questions naturally suggest themselves. How will the repeal of the duty affect the existing newspapers? and what will the effects be on the people themselves ? 'With respect to newspapers, however important the consideration might be to ourselves, the last parties whom the Le gislature ought to.think of are the newspapers. But though we are well aware that some of our contempo raries are enraged at the Chancellor on account of his proposal to repeal the tax, and that 'his Lordship -owes the animosity borne towards him by the Times to his wish to lower the price of newspapers,_ we are quite satisfied that the existing journals will be gainers by the change. To cheapen a commodity is to in crease its sale ; and we have more than once remarked that from the great outlay necessary before it can be determined - whether a, newspaper will succeed, an ex isting one must always have great advantages -in the race of competition. The public would expect to find .._ a newly-started paper as good in quality as one Of those already in existence.. A bad publication may be purchased in preference to a good one, when the latter is dear in consequence of the Stamp Duty ; but when good publications are as cheap as the bad, they will naturally be. preferred. Newspapers have gradually become, in this country, extensive records of all that is interesting in the public life of the people. The establishments necessary for the supply of what is afforded by a newspaper are exceedingly expensive ; and this will always ope rate against the undue extension of them. Lord Brougham answers the other question thus :—" If in ', stead of newspapers being sold for 6d. or ls., th e y could be sold for id., I have no manner of doubt . there would immediately follow the greatest possible improvement in the tone and temper of the political information of the people, and therefore of the political character and conduct of the people. It is my decided .and deliberate opinion, from very long and anxious consideration, that the danger is not of the people learning too much, but knowing too little. It is no longer a question whether they shall read or not ; it is - no longer a question whether they shall be instructed or not ; it is no longer a question whether they shall be politicians, and take part in the discussions of their own interests or not ; that was decided long and long ago. The only question to answer, and the on ly problem to solve is, how they shall read in the best manner ;' how they shall be instructed and have political habits formed the most safe for the constitution of the country, and the best for - their own interests. I can devise no,other means than making that accessible at a cheap rate, which at pre sent they must have at a rate they cannot afford, with " out hiving it bad as well as cheap., ' I wish t o g i ve i t them both cheap and wholesome. Lord Brougham afterwards eulogises the people, as being generally mo rally and peaceably disposed, and very much inclined to respect and submit to those above them ; and the inference he draws is, that sound and useful doctrines would be in the highest favour with them. We know that his Lordship's views are open to controversy, as first appearances are often very deceitful in politics. But we are inclined to agree with his Lordship. How ever we must reserve what farther we have to say on this subject for a future day.—Morning Chronicle. We yesterday quoted a passage from the Standard, in which the distinctio n is justly taken between incon .. sistency and the change of opinion which is consequent .-..upon the change in the subject of opinion. Judgments must of course vary with the variations in the object upon which they are formed. When some stupid fellow charged Sheridan with inconsistency, the wit replied that the accusation reminded him of the rea soning of the entertainer of a convivial party, who hearing his friends observe that it was time to take leave, as the watchman was crying past three, ob served, " Why ! you don't mind that fellow, do you ?. he changes his story every half hour." In performing our duty of watchman we are assailed with the same sage reproach, that for altered circumstances, forsooth, we have an altered note : so even let it be, so that the public perceive, as they ever have done, and ever shall do, a fixed consistency in Our advocacy of the dearest interests of our country. Our petty rivals are welcome to shew that our opinions of certain men are altered, but let them prove at the same time that the men are unaltered, or they do nothing but expose their own spleen and stupidity. We hold up the mirror to a Proteus, but is the inconstancy in the reflection, or in the being of many shapes ? Our lab Ours are attacked with a foolish cry of " You said so and so formerly," but is not the first and the important question whether what we say is true and just, and to the purpose now ? With relation to the public. interests, we shall always be found in the same position of duty ; but as indivi duals shift from the ground upon which we were once proud and glad to show their eminence, so must we alter our views of their desert. The inconsistency is not ours, but theirs. If we have been deceived by the specious mask of a Tartufe, is it the less our duty to society to tear it from his face ? But it is alleged that we disparage intellect we have before acknowledged ; our answer is, that while- talents appear devoted to good purposes, they are gilded by their objects, and the powers and accomplishments to which we give a generous estimation while they are employed in a virtuous cause will naturally be subjected to a more prying and a rigorous criticism when they are in the course of perversion to mischievous uses. Our ene mies and distanced competitors impugn our motives. Interpreting the conduct of others by the baseness of their own natures, they are at a loss to conceive any motive but a personal motive for our censure of a man who has sunk in our esteem as he has advanced in the path of a crooked ambition. Our motive is a motive • which our jealous rivals never can understand, and it must remain a paradox to them that a journalist can speak truth for no. other object than truth. The old shrew of the Morning Chronicle has screamed herself hoarse in attributing base motives to us. May we ask what are the motives of that journal in so assailing us? Is there no envy in the case—no desire to stand in our shoes ? Have the-coveted circulation and widely-spread power of the Times no part in the Chronicle's eagerness to vilify it ? Thee Chronicle would, for half our sale, submit itself to the basest motive it assigns to uS. Its motives, now in the service of a part of the Ministry, are notoriously the motives of a lackey, and. with the spirit of a lackey it hates our independence,, and still more the proud success upon -which our independence is based as upon a rock: The Chronicle makes great boast of its consistency, and in .this . it is pretty safe, for it has this advantage which we do not possess— , -that no one has ever taken the trouble to remember what it has at any time said ; indeed, few have ever known, so private has been its publication, or so un heeded by those 'in the secret of its disquisitions. In the spirit, however, of returning good for evil, we are 'about to lay claim to its gratitude by showing what few can show—namely, that we have read, -and thought it worth while to remember, an observation which. once proceeded from it. In the Chronicle of the 13th of. October last, there is this wholesome rebuke of its pre sent vicious practice :—" The longer we live, the less we feel disposed to indulge in controversy ; and we have a strong distaste in particular for controversy of a carping and splenetic description. By pecking in cessantly at our adversary, and filsinuating that lie is influenced by all manner of corrupt motives, we do not necessarily establish the goodness of our own cause. * *. In fact, the only way to render discussion sup portable for any length of time is to exclude from it all which draws the attention of the reader to the writers, rather than to the subject of dispute. A little good humoured pleasantry now and then may be borne with; and we would not prescribe the application of ridicule where it is fairly called for : " But we are much mistaken if the press do not suffer in general estima tion by'offensive and personal controversy. The public too, we suspect, are charitable enough to attribute the lessons read by' one journalist to another, .to envy and a spirit of rivalry, rather than to a strong love of truth. _The homely adage of Iwo of a trade,' will be but too apt to suggest itself to the reader, when he sees one journalist over, lowing with zeal to expose the sins of his brother journalist." So much for the precept ; now for the practice of the preacher, and then admire the vaunted consistency of the Morning Chronicle :—" The Times newspaper is notoriously now; and has always been, utterly- reckless with regard 'to principle—except -the principle of supporting-what ever opinions its conductors suppose may be acceptable for the time, and that of destroying, no matter by what means, whomsoever they deem it their interest to destroy for the time. It was said by Rochefoucault, that there is something in the distress of our best friends that we are not grieved at ; and, perhaps, the Times, in continually looking out for victims, is guided partly by a wish to impress the world with a high idea of its power, by the constant display of its ferocity, and partly by catering for the supposed malignity of our nature, in which the French . philosopher believed." This is but a small drop from the scavenger's cart. Much more of the same quality is daily shovelled up by our amiable and decorous little rival. Railing is, however, the allowed privilege of the loser. For our selves, if we handle our contemporary at all, it, shall only be to use him for our sport. We cannot honour him with any retaliation of his indignant strain. ; No thing is so ludicrous as these small people in heroicS: We should be chargeable With malignity to the poor Chancellor if we did not feel touched at seeing his defence in such puny hands ; indeed, his defence is virtually abandoned, for the little aim of our little an tagonist has not been to show that the Chancellor is not what we have painted him, but to daub us - over with his foul- calumnies. Call you this backing .of :-our friends ?—Times. Public affairs seem to be at something like a stand still. Ministers, like schoolboys released from .their labours, have most of them flown on the wings of holy day thoughtlessness to scenes of sylvan delight and cheerfulness, leaving their lately oppressive charge to the few who remain at, their posts for form sake. This simultaneous flight seems as yet to have produced neither harm nor danger ; indeed there are saucy people bold enough to suggest whether no heads may not be as safe as the sort of heads .which have of late -been intrusted with the guidance of the' State machine. At any rate the well-known saying of the Swedish Chancellor was never more literally verified than in the paucity of talent which now directs the public affairs of Great Britain. This dearth of intellect, or at all events of official qualification, is not more imputable to the individuals themselves, than to the general state of society at which we are arrived, in which a sort of universal mediocrity 'appears to have taken the place of that brilliant era of Statesmen for which this country was, only a few years ago, so eminently distinguished. It is scarcely credible that so many of the present race as have lived in the age of North, Pitt, Fox, Burke, Windham, and Dundas, should have fallen upon the melancholy spectacle of seeing their large space in the world supplied by names which we will not assume the ungracious task of enumerating. But some men make up in diligence and business-like qualities for their want of mind.. That, unhappily, is not the case with our present race of public men, many of whom; hold ing places to which they could, in past times, only lave aspired to be the clerks, are, nevertheless, defi cient in all those clerk-like qualities by the display -of which such men often raise themselves to higher station. It has been said, and history on many occa sions confirms it, that public emergencies generally raise up talent to meet their exigencies. Such emer gencies, h owever , genera ll y imply a state of thi ngs , such as public commotion or excitement, which we do not wish to see arise. This would, indeed, be pur chasing public talent at much too high a price. But that an emergency, though of a milder character, yet of extreme urgency, at present exists, no one who takes but a cursory view of our foreign or domestic relations can for a moment doubt ; and we heartily wish, without the smallest tincture of party feeling, that we could see at the helm of affairs men fit to meet, to combat with, and disperse the increasing em barrassments under which the country labours : at all events, that the present race of public men would perceive that they have a task to perform not quite of such a matter-of-course nature as their apparent ease and indifference would lead us to imagine that they consider it.—Morning Herald. We fulfil our promise of recurring to the Bill for amending the laws respecting County Coroners ; a Bill with regard to which the Attorney-General, w ith all the nonchalance of a wearied sportsman who de clares he will not fire another shot 'till the morrow, stated that the best way was to leave the subject till the next session. From the cool manner in which the labours of the House of Lords upon this Bill were rendered useless, the public might be induced to believe that its provisions were of little or no moment ; and it is essential,. therefore, as well to prevent such an impression, as to obtain a revival of the Bill immediately after Parliament shall again assemble, that the prominent advantages intended to be secured by it should be generally understood. For this purpose we shall shortly explain some of its principal clauses, and our readers will then be able to judge whether the delay of a single session in the completion of such a measure is not of serious public injury. It will be recollected that at the last election of Coroner for the county of Middlesex, the whole county was kept in the highest possible state of excitement for a period of ten days, during the whole of which time the passions of the lower orders were ' roused in every conceivable form in order to obtain the election of that respected and patriotic individual, Mr. Wakley. The keeping open a poll for such a length of time must also have been attended with a very heavy expense, and we believe we speak within the mark in stating that it cost the successful candidate 4,0001. to secure his election, although lie was a solicitor Of known respectability, whose superior qualifications and fitness for the office could not for a moment be disputed by any intelligent and impartial elector. By the new Bill it was intended to prevent the recurrence of such an evil, for by the 3d, 4th, and sth clauses it was proposed to enact that the Justices of the Peace, assembled in their respective counties, .ridings, or divisions, should, in some one of their Ge neral-or Adjourned Quarter Seasions which should be holden before the Ist of January next, divide their counties, &c., into convenient districts, and that they should appoint one of the Coroners of their respective counties to be the Coroner for each of the districts to be formed under the Act, lists of the places in each district being first made. And -by the 11th clause it was declared that if the election of a Coroner should not be determined on the view, and the parties should proceed to take a poll, then that- such polling .Should continue for one day only, for eight hours, and 'that no poll should be kept open later than four o'clock in .the afternoon. By the 9th clause power was given to Co roners to compel the attendance of Jurors; and by the 10th clause it. was proposed to enact that surgeons and other medical men should be remunerated when called .as witnesses in case of post mortem examination and evidence given thereon. Every person in any way ac quainted with the . proceedings of Coroners' Courts must be fully aware of the inconveniences and impedi ments to justice constantly arising for want of the pro visions of the two last clauses ; and yet the Attorney- General takes upon himself to declare that the public cannot be damnified by reason of the Bill being post poned till the next Session, although besides being de prived of the advantages intended to be secured by those clauses, several counties may in the meantime be kept in a state of ferment for a Space of ten days ; and from the great age of one of the Coroners for Middle sex there are strong grounds for dreading a repetition of the same scenes and consequences which disgraced the last election in that county before a new Bill can now be passed.—Morning Post. The soldier Hutchinson, who was lately subjected to the inhuman infliction on his bare back of no fewer than 300 lashes, called at this office last evening, for the purpose of receiving the various sums which had been transmitted to us for the pur pose of enabling him to purchase his discharge. The sums 'amounted in the whole to four guineas, which were handed over to him, and which he received with much' thankfulness. The wounds on his back are healed.: but he complains sadly of weakness, and appears, indeed, to be in a debilitated state. As to soldiering," .as he termed it, he declares that he has neither spirit or strength—that the latter is gone, and that the former is so broken as to 'render him ashamed of meeting even with the men of his own regiment. Such, however, has been the invariable consequence of the barbarous punishment which the poor fellow un derwent ; and we mention the fact, not as being any thing new in the history of military torture, but in order that,the public attention may be kept alive to the necessity of its immediate abolition, and that the benevolent portion of our countrymen may come for ward and res cue th e poor f e ll ow , b y pur Chasing his discharge, fro m t h e d rea df u l c h ance o f a s i m ilar inflic tion. He de c l ares t h at a f ter h a Vi ng received2oo out of the 300 lashes which he had to bear, he would have given the world, had it been his, to have escaped even one more I 'What awful brutality I—Talk of slavery and near° driving—why they are trifles compared with what is sanctioned by a Christian legislature towards Christian men !—Morning Advertiser: BANKRUPTCY COURT, AUG. 28. (Before. Mr. Commissioner FANE.) MESSRS. COLUIN, BAZETT, AND CO.'S BANKRUPTCY. In this case the bankrupts were large East India mer chants, and were members of the agdncy house, the failure of which, with others in Calcutta, some time back, created a strong sensation both in India and this country. The firm in Calcutta became insolvent in India, and pass ed through the Insolvent Court there. A fiat was issued against the firm in London on the 6th instant, and this day was ap pointed for the first meeting of creditors, and for choosing assignees. _ _ Mr. Drake, the solicitor to the fiat,- stated that Mr. Wm. Butterworth Bailey, the petitioning creditor, attended to prove his debt against the estate. The Commissioner suggested that the proofs should be made in sicca rupees, as the contracts in India bad been drawn up in that mode. • Mr. Drake said it was proposed that that plan should be acted upon, and the affidavit also stating the amount in English money. The Commissioner did not see the use of making the proofs in English money, as inconvenience would be pro duced. The estate had to pay the money at the place of the residence of the creditors in India, although the fiat was issued in this country. Mr. Drake thought that this bankruptcy should be con sidered 'merely as an English question. The COMMISSIONER was of opinion that it could not be, treated as an English question. All that he could do 'wag to state the law, and that was, that the money must be paid where the contracts were made. The creditors would, therefore, have to receive their money in rupees in India. Mr. Drake replied that the petitioning creditor, Mr. Bai ley, was ready to accede to the Couradecision. The COMMISSIONER would state the rights of the par ties. Suppose a creditor was entitled to prove for 100,000 rupees, and that a dividend of ten per cent. was declared, under these circumstances his right would he to receive 10,000 rupees in Calcutta, which he would either receive himself or through an agent. If the party wished to have a bill of exchange on London, and considered he had less than he was entitled to, he could fall back upon his right to receive the 10,000 rupees in Calcutta, with which he might get a bill on England. It was right, therefore, that the parties should make their proofs in sicca rupees, and if they did not choose to go to Calcutta to receive their amounts they must be satisfied with such .bills of exchange as the assignees could give them. Mr. Bailey then proved his claim for 35,180 sicca ru pees, and was appointed sole assignee. No other proofs were made to-day, the greater number of the creditors having already forwarded their amounts to Calcutta. Further sums will be proved, -it is. believed, at the next meeting. The proceedings were then adjourned. BOND AND PATTISALL'S BANKRUPTCY. In this case the bankrupts were bankers in Change-alley, against whom a fiat of bankruptcy was issued a few years ago. Dividends on the joint estate have been declared, amounting to 17s. 6d. in the pound, and this day an appli cation was made to the Court on behalf of one o f t h e bank rupts, in order that he might receive the allowance to which he was entitled by the Act. Young appeared on the behalf of Mr. Pattisall, of the firm of Bond and Pattisall, for a summons against the assignees for their attendance before the Court, to show cause why they did not declare a final dividend, out of which - the allowance to the party for -whom he appeared might be given. • The Commissioner had no objeCtion to granting the summons for the attendance of the assignees to show cause why a final dividend was not made. He (the Learned Commissioner.) had, however, considerable doubts if his jurisdiction extended in a case like this to grant an allowance. Mr. Young said there was a case in point, the bank ruptcy of Howard and Gibbs, where both partners had an allowance. The Commissioner said in this case the whole means to pay the dividends had been supplied by the private estate of one of the bankrupts. He would, however, grant a sum mons for the assignees' attendance. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1834, COURT OF REQUESTS, CITY. Edward Forburn, a dramatist, residing in Milton-street, was summoned before the Commissioners for the sum of 11.8 s. 6d., the price of fifteen sheep's heads and a vast number of trotters. The bill, it appeared, had been running on fora great length of time, the defendant having obtained credit upon the representation that the lessee of the two great theatres had accepted and promised from time to time to perform a tragedy which he had consumed full half of his life in writ ing. The plaintiff sold other delicacies, which the defend ant might have had if he fancied them, instead of the heads and heels ; but, whatever was the cause of it, no order ever reached the shop from the poet which did not particularize one or other of these dainties. Edward Plaistow, the plaintiff, had indulged the defend ant with a much longer tally than he was in the habit of scoring, and would even have trusted him longer had not a very ugly trick been played upon the house by the advice of the defendant, who could not check his disposition to;put people in unpoetical situations. The trade in "jemmies" had been flourishing greatly, when one morning, as the cellar door was up for the purpose of receiving a new half hundred, a fellow emptied a sack of horses' heads right into it, and said, " When you've used these, Mr. Plaistow, I'll bring you another eighteen penn'orth."—(Laughter.) Mr. Forburn—Upon my honour I never was capable of playing you so villainous a trick. Whatever fun I may occasionally cause, I take care that it is never mixed up with mischief. The plaintiff—l han't a doubt on it. What made you begin to laugh before the man was within twenty yards of the house if you didn't know what he'had in the sack ? Why you laughed fit to bust.—(Laughter.) Mr. Forburn—lt was at the comical appearance of the man that carried the heads. Ho laughed so immoderately as he walked that he was obliged to stop three or four times, and every body knows the power of sympathy. The plaintiff—The powers of the devil ! I never seed you cry when other people cried—not a bit of it. I'm blest if you don't laugh more than ever when others is vexed. Mr. Forburn—lf I were given to shed tears I'd have employment enough in your house when I look at your poor wife.—(A laugh.) A Commissioner—You don't deny the debt ? Mr. I'orburn—Certainly not. There is not a more honest man breathing. I never got better sheep's heads in my life than at his shop, and I seldom touch any other meat. The plaintiff—You won't get any more of my meat. Talk to me of cutting and blowing out a half-starved don key by way of a calf! It a'nt half so bad as a norse's head, and then twelve on 'em to be shot in amongst my wholesome wittles."--(Laughter.) Commissioner—Well, we , have nothing to do with that question. We suppose that Mr. Forburn is not able to pay the amount he owes you. He has very frankly ad mitted the debt. Now, what time will you give him ? The Plaintiff—lf he hadn't come down upon me with the horses' heads, he should a had Mil own time ; but you see people says as they pass, " I say, master, ha' you got any stallion broth to-day ?—(Laughter.) Its quite un bearable. It was only yesterday a coalheaver as belongs to the Union was a smoking of his pipe, and he says to ano ther as was doing of the same thing, says he, " I say, Bill, there's the man that's like Sampson, for I'm blowed if he can't kill us all with the jawbone of a norse."—(Laughter.) Mr. Forburn—lt is useless to try to remove this impres sion from his mind. lam willing to pay a shilling a week until the whole is liquidated. You see, Gentlemen, by my dress, that I have had a hard wrestle with misfortune. She not only proved too strong for me ; but she gripped me so hard, shoulder and elbow, as to leave the marks of her nails in my garment. Ay, she is a very tyrant, for she will not leave me a stitch of clothes either upon my back or my stomach. The sheep's head merchant acquiesced, and the unfortu nate poet, who, if he any longer depends upon the produc tion of his play for a sustenance, will doubtless have to shift his custom to the nacker's, betook himself to the " shelter .of the academic bowers" of Milton-street. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. GUILDHALL Yesterday John Roberts, a journeyman plumber, was brought before Mr. Alderman WINCHESTER, charged with committing an assault on a plumber in the service of Mr. Webb, employed in repairing St. Sepulchre's church, with a view to intimidate him to depart from his work. Benjamin Woodland deposed that he is in the employ of Messrs. Webb, who have contracted to repair the church. On Wednesday a number of workmen surrounded the build ing, and he and others (who had assented to sign the anti union declaration) were afraid to leave the place till after dark, when Mr. Webb escorted him home. Just as he reached Smithfield-bars, the prisoner, who was one of the mob who followed him, struck him on the shoulder, and Mr. Webb had him secured. Witness tried to take advantage of th e con f us i on t o s li p away , b u t so many pursue d hi m that he was obliged to return to Mr. Webb for protection, and Mr. W. saw him safe to his counting-house. Mr. Alderman WINCIIESTER asked if the blow was a violent one or a tap ? Witness said it was not very light, The ALDERMAN asked if it was meant to attract his attention only, or to injure him ? Witness said it was not a friendly slap. The prisoner had been upon the building in the course of the afternoon, asking him to leave the job, and promising to support him. He told him he would not ; and the prisoner left him, saying he would give him till half past five to consider of it. Mr. Webb said there were about 150 workmen assem bled about the church, who were hooting and yelling, and pointing at Woodland as he was working on the roof. Woodland refused to join the Union. When he and his brother brought Woodland away, a policeman accompanied them as far as Smithfield-bars ; but as soon as he turned away, the prisoner shouted to his comrades, " Now let us give it them !" and by way of example, he gave the com plainant a smart blow on the shoulder. Two patrols, who were following in plain clothes, immediately seized the pri soner, and daunted the courage of his accomplices. Three other witnesses proved that the blow or shove was given with considerable force. Mr. Deputy Blackett (on behalf of the.parish) said if the man was sensible that he had done wrong, and would undertake to abate the intimidation, he hoped Mr. Webb would forgive him. The prisoner said he had done nothing that he had not a right to do as a free man. He had asked the complain ant if he would belong to the Plumbers' Benefit Society, which was not in connexion with the " Grand Consolidated Union," though they considered it was putting a man in bondage to make him sign the anti-union declaration. He told the complainant that if he would come down and speak to the man below, no harm would be done to him. He gave him till half-past five to consider of it, and when he came out, he tapped him familiarly on the shoulder with " Well, my old fellow, how come you on now ?" He only wished to know whether he would belong to the society. Mr. Webb said, that if the Plumber's Society did not belong to the General Union, they were supported from its funds. The prisoner said that was not true. Mr. Webb repeated his assertion. Mr. Alderman WINCHESTER said he should commit the prisoner for the assault and conspiracy as the Sessions could punish him more severely than a Magistrate could. The prisoner claimed to act like a freeman, and why was 'Wood land not to be permitted to decide for himself, and act like a freeman too ? Why was he to be intimidated by hooting and yelling from doing what he had a right to do.? The prisoner and his associates might choose to strike and plunge their families into misery ; but they had no right to coerce the complainant to act as foolishly, and make his family as miserable. He required two sureties in 40/. each for his appearance at the Sessions. Mr. Deputy Blackett said a subscription was about to be raised in St. Sepulchre's to reward and encourage those who chose to return to their work, in spite of the Union. A great number of plumbers were about the office, and some of them chuckled over the idea that the case was not within the statute, as the strike was not for an advance of wag es, or to alter the hours of labour, but to avoid signing a paper. The statute, however, goes further, and pro hibits the employi ng of intimidation to another, on account of bis not conforming to any resolutions to regulate the mode of managing any business. If a master determines that lie employ only such_ men as will sign a certain paper, that determination becomes a part of his mode of regulating and managing his business, and all persons who abet or assist in forcing him to abandon that determination, become liable to punishment. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. Hannah Brown, a middle-aged woman, whose dress pre sented a complete pitture of wretchedness, was yesterday placed at the bar, charged with having attempted to -com mit suicide. ---- - A mechanic, who was passing through Poland-street ten the previous' night, saw the unfortunate defendant suspended • by a handkerchief from the knoglier of a door, she being at the time in a stooping position. He immediately pulled the handkerchief, and the knot slipping she fell in his arms. She was conveyed to the watchhouse, where medical assist ance was obtained. . The account of the poor woman was that her husband, who was a tailor, had deserted her, and she had been left completely destitute. Mr. CHAMBERS endeavoured to convince her of the enormity of the offence she had nearly committed. The defendant replied that she was miserable where she was, and in any oth er wor ld s h e cou ld not be worse. Mr. Bryant, the parish officer of St. James's, was ulti mately spoken to by the magistrate, and the woman was admitted into St. James's workhouse. S. Hoskins, a publican in Great Windmill-street, was charged with suffering gaming. The informer was Sharing, whose witness stated that some men played in the defendant's house at . a game called " ring the bull." It was done by a ring suspended by a cord from the ceiling, which was flung by the hand towards a hook on the wainscot, and those who got it on the hook most out of twenty times won the game. Defendant produced the apparatus. He said the ring was the bellpull, fixed to call the waiter, and the hook was one of the many round his room for the purpose of hanging a hat on. Mr. CHAMBERS said an informer might as well say that the hooks in this office were put up for the same purpose, and that the Magistrates amused themselves at " ring the bull." The witness swore that the ring was' not a bell-pull, but put up for, the game, having no connection with the bell. Two respectable men disproved this assertion, and the Magistrate convinced himself of the falsehood of the in former by sending an officer to the house. The information was dismissed. Ann Whittaker, an elderly female, was brought before Mr. Chambers, charged with being drunk and also with committing various acts of disorderly conduct, at the house of Mr. Thomas Cribb, the Union Arms, Panton-street, Haymarket. The veteran champion of the ring deposed, that the de fendant came into his house on the previous evening, and asked for a glass of gin. Seeing she was in liquor, he re fused to serve her ; on which she began to use towards him language of a most disgusting description. Finding it was her determination to annoy him and his customers, he turned her out of the house. On her getting into the street she took off her bonnet and challenged him out to fight, swear ing she would lick a fellow like him in five minutes. - The violence of her conduct bronght 'several persons round his house, and he was, at length, compelled to give her in charge. Mr. CHAMBERS—WeII, Madame, do you think you could beat Mr. Cribb ? Defendant--Really, Sir, Ido not think I could. Mr. CHAMBERS—What made You use such disgusting language ? Defendant—l am not aware of doing so ; but really it is a laughable occurrence that I should want to fight Mr. Cribb. • Mr. CHAMBERS --- I shall make the ,matter still more laughable, by ordering you to find bail ; for I will not have the feelings of respectable persons insulted by the nasty language of drunken women. The defendant begged to be let off. Mr. CHAMBERS—You must find bail, and if you do not I shall commit you. The defendant was - then locked up. QUEEN- S QUARE. Yesterday Caleb Ludford, a master chimneysweeper in Duck-lane, Westminster, came before Mr. White to ask his advice how he was to proceed with his business. Caleb made a low bow and said, " Please your Vortship, I feels myself quite done up and conglomerated by this here new Hact of Parliament, wot everybody is chattering about, and I vants a bit of adwice." Mr. WHITE asked him what Act he meant ? Caleb— Your Vortship, I means the Hact of Parliament men have been making about us chimneysweeps. They tells me it is called the Chimneysweeps' Hact, but I'm blessed if its any pact of mine, for I knows nothing about it. Caleb was informed to his great astonishment that there was such an Act of Parliament, which had just come into operation. Caleb—Well, I'm blessid, if it is not a pretty go. - Vy, they tells me if any of my , chaps calls sveep in the streets he must tip 40 bob. Mr, WHITE told him that it was a penalty of 40s. Caleb—Veil, vat a reform here is ! But I'm up to 'em. I thought as how I'd come an' ax about it ; but I tells my chaps never to call " sweep" now, but shout " Soot, ho." They can't make me tip the blunt then. Mr. WHITE told him he was still liable to the penalty. The words of the Act were—" No person acting as a chim ney-sweeper to call or hawk for employment as a chimney sweeper, under a penalty, for every offence, of not less than forty shillings." Caleb—Veil, then, vhat are ye to do ? There is a gem .inan in the same purfession as. myself, vot is set up like in hopposition to me. He d—ns the Hact, and says as how his chaps shall call " sveep" as long as they likes ; and so they does now, and spiles all my riglar custom. I've got nine. young kids to keep, and Ye shall all be ruined, Mr. WHITE told him that his opponent (if he alloWe his boys to call sweep) was liable to a fine of 40s. Caleb-Then I says as this, that the whole country will be completely ruinated by this here Hact of Parliament. I suppose as how a man mayn't speak a civil word in the street but they'll fine him by Hact of Parliament. I'll o into the City to-morrow and' buy the Hact, and if such be the case I'm blowed if I don't sell off my traps and bolt cut of the country. Caleb then made a low bow and walked out of the of fice, declaring that the country was ruined. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—A fine-looking young woman, named Eliza Carter, was brought before Mr. Gregorie by a police constable of the B division, charged with attempt ing to drown herself in the Thames. The unfortunate girl lived at No. 5, Phoenix-alley, Long acre ; she had walked the streets all night and could get nothing but liquor to drink, and her distress of mind and the liquor drove her to the act. Mr. GREGORIE asked her if she had any friends ? The young woman had fri en d s i n the country who were well off. Mr. GREGORIE, after remonstrating with her, earnestly advised her to return to her friends, which she promised to do, and was discharged. UNION -HALL. Yesterday, Henry Brown, .a young man carrying on the business of a newsvender in the 'Old Kent-road, and who has hitherto borne an irreproachable character, was brought up on a charge of robbing Mr. Jenkins Stradling, an elderly gentleman, of his watch and seals. The office was thronged with the friends of the prisoner, and the examination, which lasted for a considerable time, excited much interest, owing to the serious nature of the charge against the accused., The complainant stated that on his return to town from Blackheath on Friday night, about ten minutes past ten o'clock, as he was passing along near New Cross, a man came up to him and said something, the words lie had for gotten, and then gaVe him a push in the breast, which threw him down on the ground. When be got up again he dis covered that his watch and six gold seals were gone, the steel guardchain, to which the watch was attached, having been broken asunder. He recollected that the person by whom he was attacked wore dark clothes, and resembled the prisoner in appearance, for when he saw that person at the office on the following morning he was so much im- pressed with the belief that he w - as the man that he then accused him of the robbery. He added that soon after he was knocked down two persons came up, and he complained that he had been robbed. On the complainant's cross-examination by Mr. Warner he admitted that he was fresh on the night in question, but not so much so as not to know what he was about. He left Blackheath at eight o'clock, but could not say what houses he had called at between that place and New Cross. He might have been in Peckham-lane, but he was not aware of it. Mr. Warner had witnesses in attendance to prove that Mr. Stradling entered the Kentish Drovers about nine o'clock on the night in question, so tipsy that the waiter at first refused to draw him a pint of porter, which he called for, and he then began to tell the company that he had been robbed in Peckham, and described that the robbery was effected by three men. In reply to Mr. TRAILL, the complainant said that the spot where he was robbed was previously to his arrival at the New Cross-gate. Had no recollection at all of having been in any public-house after he was robbed, but went home to his house in Pimlico in a coach. By Mr. Warner—Would not undertake to swear that he might not have been assisted up when he was on the ground by the prisoner. Mr. TnAim. said that it was evident enough that the complainant must have been intoxicated, from the circum stance of his utter inability to account for the two hours from the time he left Blackheath until the robbery was effected, which he stated was after ten o'clock. Mr. Warner—Were you not lying down in the road, near the footpath, when the accused, seeing you in that situation, told you that there was a danger of being run over; and offered to assist you in rising, and your telling him then that you had been robbed of your watch and seals ? Complainant —I have no remembrance of any thing of the kind happening. Mr. Warner—Do you still adhere to your former statement, that you had not complained at the Kentish Drovers that you had been robbed of property to the amount of 60/.? Complainant—l don't think I could have said any such thing, for the watch and seals were not worth that sum. Mr. TRAILL again said that it was not disputed the com plainant was in liquor at the time, and, in reply to the Ma gistrate, the complainant admitted that he could not recol lect the precise period at which he lost his recollection on the night in question. This answer caused some laughter. Josiah Stone, a young man in the service of a gentleilii,t named Hald ane , i n th e p ar i s h o f - Hatcham, sta ted hat about ten minutes before ten o'clock on the night in (1 1 - 1 ,e 1 ,,, tion, as he was proceeding to his master's residence, lire attention was arrested by seeing two persons on the °Pl ° ., s n a side of the road, on the footpath, apparently engag e " T re struggle with one another. He at first thought they ", e i _ e two friends joking with each other, but he waited to see'".. result, and as he stood he observed, that one was an old Haa n and the other a young man. He saw the hat of the former fall off, and then saw him fall down, and the young 1 : 3 0 went to pick up the hat, and he afterwards ran away d w the lane. In running away the young man passe d cloy eof where witness was standing, and he had an opportuniY; seeing his figure and the dress he wore, but not his ounhe nance. When witness saw the young man run aw a y then crossed over and saw the complainant, who im,.mad diately said that he had been robbed by the person 1 01 man took , just left him. Witness ran in the direction the along the lane, but lost sight of him, and then returned, back again.to the complainant. While witness was turned, to the complainant the prisoner approached from a ba be which was along the side of a field, and on coming UP inquired what was the matter, and when told that the co plainant had been robbed by a young man, he said, ", p l , - ; it, he can't have been robbed here." The witness saint,"ot when the prisoner came up it immediately struck him tu ir he was the man whom he had previously seen on the 0 1 3 P4 site side struggling with the complainant, his dress 11 ' 1 figure being exactly the same. In reply to Mr. Traill, the witness was of opinion to t t he man who attacked the complainant had afterwards got over into the field adjacent he lane. It will be I'o°l' bered that the witness stated, that - subsequently to .48 . _ robbery he saw the prisoner approach the place where was i standing with the complainant, from a bank w hic , h pr • parated the footpath of the lane from the field. This - te . cumstance was particularly mentioned by the Magil tr ner The witness then proceeded to state that after the P ri nply made the inquiry he walked away, and witness imnlec h3 ,: aa went towards the Canal Bridge, and informed a Pol ie-- ; a s of what had happened, and also menti o ned his susP i l i g that the robbery was effected by a young man reserah l a l o the accused. Witness and the policeman went fors' , d , and came up to the prisoner, when the p o liceman , 0 , dressing him, said he wanted him. The prisoner then I_o mediately asked him whether it was about an old gentlento that was robhed? art Policeman 130, R divisio . n, corroborated `--the a he of Stone's evidence, andgin addition said 4" that whe b n eeo came up with the prisoner he appeared cit . ter to hav e t h a t running or walking very fast. The policeman a dded , 0 , when he was taking the prisoner along, the following In ° o l- e ing, the latter said that he recollected when he first saw b e to complainant on the previous - night a cart happened latter P passing along. the The witness • Stone; being recalled, stated' that at as time he saw the complainant and the man by whom Ile l ' ea r attacked together, there was a cart happened 'to Pas s t h the spot at the time, and it was rather singular t hat was the only vehicle that had passed that way for 1 13 (1 derable time before or after the robbery, a fact laic' since been ascertained at the turnpike. rson s - Mr. Warner here stated that there were severa l P e elle rit of respectability in attendance to speak as to the ex c A character the prisoner had hitherto borne. He 113 ,700 evidence to prove that at nine o'clock the coniplain'T" l ot into the Kentish Drovers, and there stated that he been attacked by three men in Peckham-lane. Mr. TRAILL said that there was no doubt that the plainant had been robbed, and the evidence against the , for cused was of such a nature that he should send the cas- t hel trial, at the same time he should listen to any witnes ses thought proper to call forward for the defence. , tisll Thomas Blackett, tie former proprietor of the 0-e- , oa Drovers, recollected the complainant having called th e the n the night in question, and had a pint of porter, a nd he It complained that he had been robbed in Peckham -Ling' wa Mr. T RAILL nine o'clock when he called, vrifr again said that the examination of the aC ness did not alter the features of the case against til e or cused, and observed that the witnesses should have an portunity of giving their evidence on the trial. 11, The pr.soner was then committed for trial, the 111 o e§ trate not considering it necessary to exa mine his witLece. as to former character, many of whom were in atten' POLISH DEPOT. descr ibe' i,,c A traveller passing through Portsmouth thus uv- c „i3r the present condition. of the exiles resident there t of fore I sailed for the Isle of Wight, l visited the JO% to Polish soldiers at Portsmouth. You will be delig: hte ro hear some particulars of this remnant of an l ie roic b: it, that not long ago won the admirati on o f the world j ` for valour ; and, small as it was in n um b er , w ithste ° ol o nearly one year the whole power of th e C o lossus e' tite ili north. A building, formerly an ho s pit a l, i s as signe d irn o,; by Government as barracks, wher e th e y li v e in h- r s° l with each other, having elders at th e i r h ea d a nd offic e a menage—a semblance of a family. A p e nal code at'or honorary tribunal is constituted by th em for the 191 s itr 'lance of good order and discipline, a nd punishmen t r j tiie r fitted on the culprits, as I was t o ld, t o .the sound °.` national songs, to drown the cries of the sufferer. ft heit proves hoW anxious they are to preserve the honour ° tbe tr country 'untarnished, and to render themselves bY r i tbs t orderly conduct not undeserving of the generosity ° s o tO nation which granted them an asylum and support' d u rilll have found employment in the town and its vicinitY the harvest. , All are panting after labour, and t h i , r , 0 4 1 ploy.l.rs bestow on them the p ra i ses o f p e rsevera ll ` dexterity. If you had seen them, you would IW: e a tlf pleased at the neat appearance of their clothes, 31 0011 respect they show to British officers when anY ° happens to pass by—a revere nce w hi c h i s left thl their their old profession. Life in a cam p h as no t impairelecerf moral feelings, and you would be pleased to see the lll e% ee Sunday proceed in knots to church. Much of th e i _ lr ,• plary conduct' is owing to the kind reception ti' firi e ' rv itt e ; with from the inhabitants of Portsmouth. - A °°' 31- was formed for .thei relief before Government rtecey the grant of 100,0001. The.most active members of 3 0 i iel mittee appear to be Messrs. Griffin, Lang, Creuie; ric e .° And Gaddock. To the medical skill and benec' e ,,ss ll ,`' Mr. Williams many owe their recovery from dangeriieviT, ness. Ladies are known to be not less zealous in c r , e l"; these homeleSs strangers on the British shore. 11 " . ..,, r ' . 3 111i 0 i f and Misses Brander have provided them with no tb e. tion of linen ; some have sewn shirts for thenl'.," f `, l ) l , 3 ' d own hands. On my visit to the Polish depot, kenzie and Mr. Adam Smith, two members of the 'Ol Literary Association of the Friends . of Poland, ° a nt to Portsmouth in order to inquire into the wall soldiers, - and to regulate the distribution of tie d ., 'r mentary grant betwixt them. 'The soldiers, on `acitr proach, formed a circle around them, and welconleoill'e with loud cheers. A few days before, General C a ' .si renowned both for his gallantry and patriotism , 113 :01 1 °; ? .° that military detachment of his brave countrYrn en ' o re^ whom he found many wh om h e l e d to fight w ith th e . vol' . sors of their unfortunat e coun t ry , to f ree it fromthei. - . ---...>"--- ' BIRTHS. 1 , 2(ly fiery' On the 25th inst., a t Lufpress East Lothian, the '" ii• , Kerr, of a daughter. A f f' On the 28th inst., i n U pper Wi mpo l e-street, the 1" , . ° pg Mitchell, Esq., of a daughter. ~ goo. On the 27th inst., i n H er tf or d- s t ree t , t h e Rig , ' - ‘` Barham, of a son. , f ' PA' On the 24th inst., th e l a dy o f B . M. V an d e r Ole o' Dorset-place, of a daughte r . V° vet i 1 S• On the 26th inst., at Hor nse y, M rs. F re d er ick -• o a son. o,' On the 27th inst., Mrs. Ed war d H . S m i th, G o ugh - '' daughter. MARRIAGES. vie r 0 4 ill i On the 25th in s t., a t B r i xton Church, John Thnsalitgbt Esq., of Burton-crescent, surgeon, to Grace, second 0 1 1 1 1 John Woolley, E lq., o f D enmark-hill. gr. o f t On the 25th i nst., at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, mter - Adams, of Willi ng d on, S ussex, to Sarah, eldest cla u g . 4 00 .IV - tir late Mr. Robert Scales, of Petersham, Surrey. d Olt 4 On the 26th inst., at Littlington, the Rev. Eb .ar t . f XB . o l ' youngest son of the late Rev.' Croxton Johnson, Re c ri t h °- ; 36 , low, Cheshire, to Mary, only daughter of the Rev. ' ° Pm' of Clapham douse, Sussex. olob je ' I‘ ,r ; On the 28th inst., at Trinity Church, Alexander Cr i , ast io .o , of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-at-Law, and of Thornton 1 e , 5 ilioi, cardineshire, to Mary Harriett, second daughter of F'llo°' , son, Esq., of Upper Portland-place, and the late Big ht igo ifr a i Richardson. Arral`. 4 l,, On the 27th inst., at St. Paul's, Islington, Aar o .„,'„,,ke, ' Esq., to Sarah Mary, the daughter of Thomas 1-- "" Suffolk-place, Islington. i fi til e ,f DEATHS. A a lenaf v, On the 27th inst., at Upper Clapton, Alicia Magu 0 0 ,, m' ;, p c. of Captain Beaufort, RN. John O• I .ll ' On the 22d inst., Georgian Jane, wife of „ oho , Esq., of Salthorp Lodge, Wiltshire, and only child of .., wi ,,,1 0 ' Eiq., of Great Ormond-street, aged 22. N o rth, - rtb - e" . " On the 19th inst., at - Strathpeffer, in Ross-shire, (ngiriver Captain Slight, of the East India Company's B 0 ," - 0 1, b g, clatig °U On the 23d.inst., at Fontai n ebl eau , aged 7, I' s ° Captain James Burke, Half-pay U na ttached. , 7 It °s, 'I (4 1 f On the 23d inst., at Boulogne-sur-Mer, ag ed foro t daughter of the late J. S. Meller, Esq. . f Jam € (1 44 On the 26th inst., at Sprigg s O a k-house, Esse - ' , 0' formerly of his Majesty's Customs, in his 74th Y ear ' Rebe r ' ,f' On the 24th inst., in Duke-street, Westminster, 11 ye , Esq. of Peckham-rye, in his 75th year. On the 28th inst., aged 47, Ann, molt, Esq., of Camberwell. t n' ls ' Pet scl'' On the 22d inst., at Guildford-place, Kenning ° 3 ,,, f ,if n u rr i wife of William C u io fir. v ,r, it 87th year, Lucretia, relict of the late George , merly of Bishopsgate-street and Kin Bland. 11° the f la l tb er On the 2d instant, the wife of 111 r. Jell?,e, s _ 1 „ n erab le / Llandogo, was safely delivered of twins. The " - .--' 86 years of age ! the mother 38. <O, ••••••=o...oo E . S.Wraesta - rzaramemsnuseroarovea t se l oreammamon o..... 0 v , London : Printed and Published by MY R str i) aa a. .. at The Sun Office , No. 11 2 , en tire „ PAR Voi