The Sun. — London, England, 1836-03-15 00:00:00

that theory of government which will give himself, or appear to give him, a greater degree of individual power. T . his the broad falsehood—the disgusting lie—which is branded upon the forehead of every de mocrat, which pollutes ail he says, and makes his cyery act a political t;in and a personal dishonour. And yet these people talk to us of consistency and character.-- Morning Post. If we wish to jndc correctly of any act, whether of the Legislature or the individual, we must look to its effect upon society, and not to the amount of eu logy or invective which a party may bestow upon it. By this criterion we have now an o pportunity of judging of the Poor Law Amendment Act—and in few cases is a stern impartiality more necessary, in order to arrive at a just col:elusion—for it is not alone that the factious and self-interested have raised an outcry against many of its provisions, but even well-inten tioned individuals have been induced, by the occa sional cruelty and misconduct of parish officers, to join in censuring the law, without reflecting that the evil in the cases referred to originated from the ind.vidnal, and not from the statute. Nothing can evince a more 2 purblind perception than to condemn the principle of a law on account of the occasional abuse of its ministration. 'What would be thought of a man who would recommend the abolition of Trial by Jury, because erroneous verdicts have been sometimes returned ? Or further restrictions on the liberty of the press, because the Tory journals so shamelessly prostitute their freedom ? Would he not be scouted as an idiot, or something worse ? Let us not, then, condemn the Poor Law Amendment Act, from its abuse in isolated cases—but judge it fairly by the results of its general operation. If it has aggravated the distress of the poor—if it has in creased pauperism and crime—if it has added to the burden of the rates, or promoted licentiousness and immorality amongst our labouring population, let us demand a repeal of the obnoxious clauses—but if, on the contrary, it has alleviated the sufferings of the poor, diminished the number of paupers and the amount of the rates, promoted habits of industry and good conduct, and developed the germ of individual independence—one of the best safeguards of social order—let us not suffer the operation of such a system to be marred by the intrigues of disappointed malcontents. It has been justly observed, that ,‘ one single matter of fact, faithfully and honestly delivered, is worth a thousand comments and flou rishes." We shall, therefore, at once proceed to lay before our readers the statements of one who has the best opportunity of observing the effects of the pre sent law, and who appears to have brought to the con sideration of the subject an honest zeal and intellectual ability, fully commensurate with the extensive and im portant information upon which his arguments are based. We allude to Mr. John Leslie, one of the Governors and Directors of the Poor of the parish of St. George, Hanover-square, who has lately addressed " A Letter to the Industrious Classes, on the Opera tion of the Poor Laws," and also published another pamphlet, which has already gone through sixteen editions, entitled " A Practical Illustration of the Principles upon which the Poor-late Amendment Act is founded, as exhibited in the administration of the Poor-rates in the Parish of St. George, Hanover square." To these documents we refer for confir mation of the following statements :—ln the year 1832 the actual distribution of the poor's fund amounted to the enormous sum of seven mil lions of pounds, exclusive of law and other ex penses—and yet by the mode of its distribution this vast sum seemed rather to aggravate than relieve the amount of national misery. This will be easily understood when it is well known that upwards of two thirds of this money was expended in out-door relief— in defraying the expenses of transferring paupers from parish to parish—in repaying to overseers money which they might or might not have expended in pay ing exorbitant rent for cottages, and by parish allow ance enabling the pauper to undersell the independent workman in the labour mart. The following table beats its own commentary as contrasting the working of the old and the new system, by showing the pro gress and decline of pauperism in the parish of St. George, Hanover-square, from 1795 to 1835, founded on the numbers actually in the workhouse each year, and the sums spent on out-door allowances, in rela tion to the whole population of the parish, as it varied during forty years. Periods to which the following columns refer. 1795 to 1801 Ism to 1810 1811 to Is2l 1821 to 1831 Year ending Lady.day, 1832 Year ending Lady-day, 1833 Half-year end ing Mich., 153.5 Workhouse in pro p° Win to the poplation of the parish. I in every 44 1 - 53 I - 71 1 - CG 1 - G 7 1 -- 95 Admitted to the wo, khouse uuring each year, in pro portion to the population o the parish. I in every 20 --_, 29 27 1 - 3.3 1 -- 29 I - 27 The foilowi ng sums mill_ ! tiplied by the who'e popu lation of the parish dur. ing each year referred to in the first column, gives the 'annual amount , f money allowance out of ihe workhouse. 29. 2% 2 10 4 9% 5 11i 5 4% 5 7 I -2r,5 0 10 " Such was the progress of pauperism under the system of 1795. A gradual return to the principles of Queen Elizabeth's plan was commenced at Lady-day, 1833 ; in every column an immense reduction took place ; and the first half year, from Lady-day to Michaelmas, 1835, of the third year of the return to Queen Elizabeth's plan, spews the almost incredible reduction of pauperism in two years." If it be asked, what has become of the people who received relief in 1833 ?—it is answered, they have to the extent of many hundreds been traced into bene ficial employment, living and supporting themselves by their owrt industry, and thus have changed the de grading situation of paupers for a situation among the independent, industrious, working classes. It is a fact worthy of observation, that during the last 13 months, with the single exception of a child going with its parents to the adjoining parish of St. James, there has not been one person removed from the parish of St. George, Hanover-square. With regard to the effect on the habits and morals of those admitted to the workhouse, it may be judged from the facts, that 1,200 inmates, who were for years a burden on the rate-payers, are now known to support themselves by their own exertions ; and of 700 in mates received in the two workhouses, who at Christ mas, 1834, were indulged in three holidays, only two returned in a state of intoxication. Bastardy has diminished in an extraordinary degree. When the new system commenced, there were 11 pregnant single women in the workhouse, and on the same day, the following year, there were not more than two. The strictest attention is paid to the morals and health of the inmates, and while the comforts of the poor are increased, the expenses of the parish are diminished by more than one-half. We have given only a few of many facts put forth in the pamphlets, hearing similar evidence, and shall for the present conclude with the following Having shewn the plan upon which the administration of relief is no;‘ , conducted, both in the workhouse and out of the workhouse, it remains to sum up a few of the advantages o." the new system : OLD SY!TEM. Admitted to the workhouse Lady-day, 1832, to Lady day, 1833 NEW STEM. Admitted to the workhouse Lady-day, 1834, to Lady day, 1835 Decrease 969 " But a still more striking illustration of the progressive advantages of the new plan of admissions to the workhouse is exhibited in the following statement : Persons. During the winter six months, 1833-4, admitted 1,099 Ditto ditto ..1!334-5 364 Admissions decreased in corresponding 26 weeks --:Morning Advertiser. WILLS AND ItECORDS.-Our reader may not per haps be aware that a Bill has been introduced into the House of Lords, the effect of which, if passed into a law, will be to remove all the origi na l wills and records of administrations now remaining in the various registries, dispersed throughout the kingdom, to London ; and in future to have all original wills and records of administrations lodged in the metropolis. From this county alone, it is computed that nearly 50,000 ori ginal wills and records will have to be transmitted, should the Bill Pass into a law, and searches must in future be made and wills proved : exclusively in Doctors' Commons. The scheme is supposed to be-connected with the notable one of a general deposit of deeds -in the metropolis. The public and the legal profession are, ban-ever, so strongly and decisively expressing their opinion otr ihe subject, that there is every reason to be lieve oue registry for wills and administrations in each county will be preiiervgd. The number of petitions already presented to- the 1:10nc1e..4 Lords against the Bill, amounts to no less than 1147.-.-Le@ster Journal. PRICES OF SPOCES THIS DAY Al' ONE O'CLOCK. El ..n:•: Stock :1 per Cent Bed. 3 per Cent Con: 91% !i 94 , South Sea Stock — It.. per tent — Old Annnittes Ditto Red Nit, 3 , ,, per Cent luOly 911 7 , , 3 per Cent. Annuities, 1751... Vow 2 per ('ent. , iank LongAnnuiti. sto expire Ditto 30. ..... ... 19 21 pm. Jan 5, ..il. - Doto Small Oct 111, I . \ - ,1 1 •Imi 5. Ice'ir ............. ....•.• 16 1 4 , Ditto Advertised 1. ..• Jail 5, 15S0 — Baltic Stock for Account — April 5, ISSI Jan. 5, IS 7i' — Consul, for Account 014111111111 Persons 1,974 1.111( ES OF FONEIGN FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK Xu,trian C0i15....... Belxian F.0r,1 , Ditto Account . Brazilian Bonds ... . Ditto Account — Ditto New Bonds 79 !, Buenos Ayres Bonds — Ditto Account ..............1"3 1 4 Ditto Account — • Ditto, 3 per cent. 451% Cnilli in Bonds ... — ' Prussian Bonds .. Ditto Account ' Russian Bonds, Ittt: Col.anb an Bonds — , Ditto Account — Ditio Account Colombian Bonds, Its2l 3./14 is N. 'Spanish Bonds — Ditto Account Daiish Bonds Ditto Account4a,„ Ditto Account 43‘ 54: 514 Greek Bonds _ French, 5 per cent. DO . but.. . . . . . Ditto Bonds, 1.-;..t5 Ditto Account Mexican Bonds, 5 poi' cent.... Ditto Account — ' Dutch, 2 1 4 per cent 6 !,', 6 Ditto 6 per cent I htto Account — Diti o, 5 per cent MI% !leapt,titan — ' Ditto Account - PRICES OF SHARES THIS DAY AT oNE O'CLOCK. Paid. Per Shar'. riti,h Iron Company . St. Katliarine's Dock Company — 8734 Aylesbury 1 2 A Birmingham and Derby Railway Company 5 I 6 17 1 .; 17 Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Company 5 15 1-1.!•;, lsirmingham. Bristol, and Thames Junc ion 1 'lli 2 Bristol and Exeter. Railway Company 2% 7 3 4 8 , 4 8 Commercial 131.u.k wall Railway Company 2 Vf, Durham South West Junction E,tern Counti• s 1 2 % lli ... ... . Grit North of England Railway Company Great Western Railway Company lO 3f3 5.; Leeds and Nlanchesto Railway Company ..... Brighton (Gibbs') llailway I 0% Brighton (Rennie's) London and Blackwall Railway Landon and Greenwich Railway Company 2O 3134 London and Southampton Railway Company l5 .2", Northern and Eastern Railway North Midland Railway Company 5 12 11% South Eastern Railway Company 2 ti!.', York and North Midland Railway Cot pany 1 4 ) 4 National Bank of Ireland lO 10)4 South African Bank — 10 9% 10 1 4 10 pm. HAMBURG, FEBRITA Rir 24, 1836. THIS DAY, being the FOURTH DAY of DRAWING of the SIXTY-SEVENTH HAMBURG GREAT LOTTERY, No. 1,126, say One Thousand One Hundred and Twenty-six, obtained the First drawn Prize of Baneomarks One Thousand, and the Premium of Baneomarks 100,000 net. The publication of THE SUN NEWSPAPER commenced this day at 5 minutes past Three o' Clock. ,71t,:, .(4, , , cr: 3 b• %:A7 '• 4 * - '.... 6.1 ) 3 11 .6 . I .;,..P,v - l (( ~lrr ll r c l ey ' Xtll4 LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 1836. REDUCTION OF THE NEWSPAPER STAMP DUTY. This day a meeting of the supporters of Govern ment took place at the Foreign Office, according to circulars issued for that purpose. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained to the Meeting what the intentions of Government were with respect to the consolidation of Stamps, and particularly of the News paper Stamp Duty. He proposed to reduce the present Stamp Duty of fourpence, with a discount of twenty per cent. to one penny, without any discount. This is so far satisfactory ; but to make it both satisfactory and just to all parties, there must be a dis count on the penny, in order to enable Papers to be sold at fourpence, which is the amount Government contemplates. We understand that it is contemplated to abolish some, or all, of the Libel Laws, which act so op pressively on the Press, and are no protection to the public. In the House of Commons last night, the Irish Corporation Bill proceeded in Committee as far as the forty-first clause, despite the opposition of Lord STANLEY, who raised sundry specious objections, which had no other effect than to show the wondrous expedition with which he is descending to his level. MARTLNUS SCRIBLERUS, it may be remembered, wrote a treatise on " The Art of Sinking in Poetry." We wish his Lordship would favour us with one on " The Art of Sinking in Politics," for none can be better qualified for such a task. His faculties of rapid downward locomotion are incalculable. Those of an avalanche are nothing to them. We thought he had sunk as low as he well could sink, when he turned his back on his old friends, on the plausible pretext of a conscientious abhorrence of the Irish Appropriation clause ; but we now find we did him an in justice ; for he has since sunk to a depth com parel with which his former station was one of Himalayan altitude. In a word, his Lordship's repu tation now lies like truth, at the bottom of a well, and long indeed must be the rope, and strangely fashioned the bucket, that can draw it up again. He was never at any time remarkable for his statesmanlike sagacity ; the utmost that could be said of him, even in his most palmy days, was that he was an ingenious, and occa sionally an effective, debater ; but since his secessior from office even this small praise must be denied him ; for not one speech has he made from the Opposition side of the House, which has been characterized by any higher qualities than those of extreme petulance and acidity. But this is scarcely to be wondered at, for it is the weakest wine that soonest turns to v►negar. The Ultra-Radicals have been constantly in the habit of asserting that all morn! qualifications were unnecessary in Members of the House of Peers. This theory is more popular than sound. Common sense and discretion are absolutely necessary to those Members of the Upper House who desire to cut a dis tinguished figure as legislators. This proposition— which three months ago would have startled the country—has been so often confirmed in the case of that rnbit magniloquent of Peers, Lord LONDON DERRY, that he must be a very infidel who will henceforth question its correctness. But with all his buffoonery, we could not help pitying the Noble Mar quis, when, after his harangue about Spain, in the House of Lords last night, he discovered that he had ran foul of the Duke of WELLINGTON. He looked the very personification of mortified vanity, fear, and despair. He had dared to take the lead when it was his duty to have followed, and dearly did he pay for his temerity. Plied with questions on all sides, he knew not what to answer ; and in the hurry and con fusion, blundered on from bad to worse, till, in imita tion of his antitype, the bright satellite of the " Wor shipful Master SHALLOW," he fairly called upon the House to write him down as egregious a noodle as ever wore a coronet. The chastisement thus inflicted upon the Tory Marquis will teach the disciples of the Noble Duke, in both Houses, a very useful lesson. They will learn in future not to presume to attack Ministers without having previously obtained his Grace's express sanc tion of such proceedings. In fact, upon the question of Spain the Tories have, from the beginning, entirely mistaken the sentiments of the Duke of WELLING TON ; and their organs, with the single exception of the Times, have fallen into the same fatal error. This is the real cause of the blundering exhibitions of recri minative buffoonery, which have been so repeatedly exhibited in both Houses of Parliament since the opening of the present Session. The MACLEANS and the LONDONDERRYS must be more cautious for the time to come in pretending to fathom the policy of the Noble Duke. Long, deep, and bitter will be their regret for the offences which they have committed ; but if they possess one grain of common sense, they will henceforth distrust the promptings of that ambition which induced them to move out of leading-strings. To convince the Marquis of LONDONDERRY that we really sympathize with him, instead of taking any pleasure in his repeated mortifications, we will let him into a secret that may he of use to him on some future oc casion. The secret, which is one to nine-tenths of the Tories, is this : --The Duke of Wellington is as eager for the triumph of the Queen of SPAIN and the utter defeat of Don CARLOS as are the Mem bers of His MAJEsTy's present Cabinet. The only question upon which the Noble Duke differs from Lord MELBOURNE'S Administration, is as regards the efficacy of a vo!untary auxiliary force. His Grace holds it as his opinion that if England inter fered at all—beyond supplying the Queen of SPAIN with military stores and money—such interfCrence ought to consist in marching an army into the country sufficient to overwhelm the Carlists. We cannot see the distinction between granting military stores, which the Duke of WELLINGToN did, and permitting volunteers to enlist in the Spanish ser vice. But this is a point of no particular consequence. In all essential matters the Noble Duke Cs views exactly coincide with those of his MA JESTY'S Government ; and with respect to direct in tervention, we have always maintained the same opinion as his Grace. We have said from the commence ment of the war, that Great Britain was bound by the spirit of the quadruple treaty to march a regular army into Spain, and to effect the expulsion of Don CARLOS from that country. We have never swerved from that opinion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER is pledged to bring the question of the Newspaper Stamp Tax before the House of Commons this evening. We will not attempt to anticipate the measure which his MA jesty's Ministers may propose as a remedy for an evil which is no longer endurable. A few hours, and the whole scheme will be before the public, in a form of which the leading points cannot be mistaken. Our principal object in referring to the question is to re peat the substance of our article of yesterday, with respect to the total abolition of this impost. We stated then, on the maturest deliberation, and after having examined the question in all its bearings, that we preferred a large reduction to the total abolition of the tax, as nothing would tend more to widen the circulation of Newspapers than the facility of sending them free of postage. Every inquiry strengthens this conviction. In the Panzphlet published by Mr. CHARLES KNIGHT, from which we made some. extracts yester day, we find this view of the question so ably stated, that we are induced to quote the passage at the hazard of its being thought too long. It is as follows: " There is no one who has contemplated the entire aboli tion of the Newspaper tax, who has not also contemplated the circulation of Newspapers by the post upon the payment of a small rate of postage. The precedent for this mode of charging for the circulation is to be found in the practice of the United States. Magazipes and pamphlets are also cir culated in the United States upon the payment of a postage. We copy the following regulations upon this matter from the American Almanack for Is36: ' NEWSPAPER POSTAGE. ' For each Newspaper not carried out of the State in which it is published, or if carried out of the State, not carried over 180 miles, 1 cent. Over 100 miles, and out of the State in which it is published, 11 cents. ' MAGAZINES AND PAMPHLETS. ' If published periodically, distance } 100 miles I i cents per not exceeding sheet. ' If published periodically, distance over lOO ' If not published periodically, dis- } 100 tance not exceeding 4 If not published periodically, dis- } 100 tance over _ _ _ __ ' Every printed Pamphlet or Magazine which contains more than 24 pages on a royal sheet, or any sheet of less dimen sions, shall be charged by the sheet ; and small pamphlets, printed on a half or quarter sheet of royal or less size, shall be charged with half the amount of postage charged on a full sheet.' " This postage, it will be seen, is a graduated postage ; but not varying for more than a farthing according to distance. The Newspapers of the United States, as we have bofore shown, arc multiplied precisely in the ratio of local demand. Few circulate, we conceive, out of the State in which they are published ; and not a great many 100 miles from their place of publication. The local character of the Newspapers of the United States is an inevitable re sult of the immense extent of the territory. The national character of the Newspapers of the United Kingdom is an inevitable result of the concentration of the territory. The returns of the amount of Newspaper postage of the United States, shew, that if the low rate of postage was charged on all paper, 25,000,000 out of the 75,000,000 would go by post. But take three-fourths at the low rate, and one-fourth at the higher rate, and then 22,000,000 go by post, or about two-sevenths of the number printed. Of the British papers, at least four-sevenths go by post. Large as the amount is of American Neaspapers sent by post, we are still in no condi tion to say that the system of charging a postage could be one of practical application in this country. Of the 20,000,000 of papers annually published in London, 13,000,000 were transmitted through the General Post Office to various parts of the United Kingdom in 1830. A great number of London papers are transmitted daily and weekly by rapid coach con veyance, and a great number remain in London. But here are nearly seven-tenths of the whole number published that have circulated through the General Post. Taking the pro portions of the stamps delivered to the daily and weekly papers, these seven-tenths would give a daily transmission through the post of about 25,000 newspapers, but on a Saturday, when the weekly newspapers are transmitted, the number would be about 50,000, making a total of 200,000 weekly. The number of news papers, therefore, at present sent through the London post is more than the number of letters, of which 196,000 were dispatched. in an average week in 1828. The yearly total of letters transmitted through the General Post Office from London in 1828 was 10,219,000. The yearly total of newspapers trans mitted through the General . Post Office, from London, in 1830 was 12,962,000. But take off the stamp from news papers, and their circulation by post would be at least doubled—it might be trebled. With the present machinery of the Post Office, or indeed with any machinery but one most cumbrous and expensive, newspapers could not be cir culated at all from London, if they had to be examined and charged. They now have only to be sorted. They are put in at the last hour, and they can only be arranged accord ing to their places of destination. Thus it is, that although a partial examination occasionally takes place, by way of punishing a stray delinquent, a great deal of correspondence is carried on by writing on newspapers. With a doubled or trebled sale of newspapers, the mechanical difficulties of their being charged with postage are so formidable, that the advo cates of this mode of raising a revenue, in substitution for the stamp, abandon their American precedent, and give up the notion of a graduated charge according to distance. Whether a newspaper go therefore from London to Windsor, or from London to Thurso, the one being 22 miles, and the other 783, the charge of postage is to be the same. But there is another difficulty, if that of the assessment of dis. tance were got over, and that is the assessment of weight. There must be sonic limit, of one ounce or of two ounces, for the weight of a single newspaper. A double Times will weigh very nearly two ounces. If there were no limit many papers would be put under one cover. And then, again, magazines and pamphlets, and indeed every description of printed book, would be thought to have as much claim to be circulated by the post as the newspaper, provided the news.. paper did not pay a stamp duty, which gives it a privilege of circulation. The graduated scale of the United States for the postage of magazines and pamphlets, would be ex ceedingly difficult of application for London, from which Heady 250 periodicals issue every month. The regulations of the United States charge the postage of pamphlets at a certain rate per sheet, distinguishing between those which are periodical and those not, and charging the non-periodical much higher than the higher. Who would be able to deter mine all these nice distinctions in the hurry of a London Post Office? We once thought that a stamped frank, re gulated in price according to distance and weight, to be purchased by the person transmitting the newspaper or pamphlet, would have surmounted all the difficulty. B ut we have long been satisfied that the plan would be imprac ticable, because, being incapable of any satisfactory check, it would have opened - a door to fraud of the most various description, or would have constantly led to mistakes that would have been punished as fraud. In point of fact, with the exception cf prices current catalogues, and a few other commercial announcements, circulation by post would not be advantageous in this country to any printed production, excepting newspapers. Newspapers, in our mind, have peculiar and exclusive claims to an unlimited, and, we may add, authorized cir culation by post. The whole course of our legislation and our jurisprudence is now happily one that has essential re gard to publicity. • " The newspaper has become indispensable to the conduct of public affairs in this country. It is the interest, therefore, as well as the duty, of those who are concerned in the ad ministration of public affairs, to render the newspaper as efficient as possible. It stands alone in its claims to an unauthorized circulation by the post. Other works, how ever valuable they may be for the education of the people, are not so perishable as the newspaper, and therefore do not require this assistance. By commercial arrange. ments such other publications may be brought within the reach of the entire population at one and the same time ; but the printing of the newspaper cannot be anticipated, and every means ought therefore to be directed to its rapid distribution. Of late years the Post Office has had a due re gard to this point, especially since the exclusive privileges of clerks of the roads have been abolished. That this care may be maintained, and that it may be commensurate with the ex tended circulation of newspapers under a new system of taxa tion, we would not encumber the Post Office with any enormous addition of labour or responsibility. To transmit 200,000 newspapers every week from London, put up as they are singly, is a considerable labour. 'l'o transmit 400,000 in the same way,—a number that would in all pro bability require to be transmitted if the price of newspapers were greatly reduced,—would be a large addition to that labour ; but to assess a postage upon those 400,000 news papers, according to distance, or even according to weight alone, would, in our minds, involve a labour and expense that would not be adequately purchased by any advantages to be derived from an entire absence of stamp duties. The embarrassment of such a system would not, however, end with the first labours of the Post-office. If newspapers and all other printed papers were to be sent through the Post, the receiver paying the postage, the quantities of papers refused to be taken in would be enormous, for all sorts of announcements would be thus circulated without limita tion. Upon the whole, we can see no practical plan that will secure the circulation of newspapers through the Post, without an inconvenience that could be complained of from a large increase of that circulation, but A LOW STAMP DUTY UPON ALL NEWSPAPERS." Here we have an answer to all that has been urged by the advocates of a total abolition of the Newspaper tax, arguing from the analogy of the practice in the United States. At first we expressed ourselves indifferent as to whether the tax was reduced or abolished ; but now that we have paid more attention to the possible ope ration of the new system—now that we have satisfied ourselves as to the means of evading the postage of Newspapers by smuggling, and the door which would be opened to litigation and abuses of every kind—we are convinced that a Stamp Tax on NewSpapers sufficient to cover the •xpense of postage is absolutely necessary. Of course it r. out of our power to state precisely what amount of Stamp duty would be required for this purpose. We believe a halfpenny stamp would suf fice : but the country would not grudge a penny—a sum which would realize a greater amount of revenue in the course of a year, than the present enormous impost. It gives us the sincerest pleasure to find that Government have at length come to the determination of granting a free pardon to the Dorchester labourers. The determination is highly creditable to them, both as men and as Ministers ; but while we say this, we cannot but express our regret that it had not been come to long before. Kindnesses unduly delayed lose half their value, as wearing the appearance of having been extorted from the benefactor, rather than as acceded to by him from motives of pure good-will ; and so, possibly, in the eyes of many, may it seem to be on the present occasion. The Dorchester labourers are no greater offenders now than they were a year ago ; yet a year ago they were not deemed worthy of his MAJESTY'S free pardon ! How is it, then, that they are discovered, at this late date, to be so worthy of the Royal favour ? If Ministers in all transactions of this kind, where acts of grace and kindness are to be performed, would bear in mind SHAKSPEARE'S remark, that "if 'twere done, then 'twere well, 'twere done quickly," they would not fail to find their account in it. The people have been so long habituated to Governments who hurry forward coercive measures, but procrastinate con ciliatory ones, as if the latter could afford to wait, but the former demanded the utmost energy, that they have naturally become distrustful of all kindnesses flowing from a Ministerial fount. However, in this instance, the courtesy is a well-meant one, originating in the best motives, and though, unquestionably, it has been too long withheld, still it is not to be churlishly re ceived by the people. Had the Tories been in power, the Dorchester labourers would have served out their full time. The presentation of petitions against some of the railways projected in the eastern part of London, pro duced a conversational discussion in the House of Commons on Friday night, not altogether unworthy of remark. The petitions seem, by the statements of the Hon. Members who presented them, to have for their object,to oppose the introduction of railroads into the City or its immediate suburbs, on the principle that great numbers of persons would be turned out of their houses were such plans carried into execution. Now, we really think a more untenable, not to say absurd, ground of ob jection than this could not have been taken. Where, we ask, would have been the improvements which have taken place during the last twenty years in the metro polis, and which have added so much to its beauty, as well as to the comfort and convenience of its inhabitants, had this objection been listened to ? Had the princi ple contended for in these petitions been adopted, we must have been content to put up with narrow, crooked lanes, where we now see wide and handsome streets ; and as to opening a new street where none existed be fore, that would have been out of the question. The London Docks, the St. Katharine's Docks, and others, removed a very large proportion of the:po pulation of the districts in which they are situated : but who objected to the removal ? So far from finding fault with it, it was hailed as a blessing ; for the popula tion was crowded together in so dense a mass, that those localities were the constant abodes of typhus fever, and other diseases, which arise from a confined and impure atmosphere. Twice the number of persons who will have to change, their habitations, on account of Railroads, have been displaced by the improvements to which we have alluded, and others of a similar kind Let those who exhibit so much sqeamishness upon this point, look to Field-lane, Saffron-hill, the neighbour hood of Whitechapel, and many other parts of the metropolis that might be mentioned, and say whether the entire depopulation of such districts, compared to their present state, whether moral or physical, would not be a consummetion devoutly to be wished ? To the great bulk of those whom the rail-roads will remove, it is a matter of little consequence where they reside ; and to the rest—to all who can show that they sustain any injury—adequate compensation will be made. And what more can be required? Some indi vidua:s may perhaps prefer remaining where they are to t a e n r y l y c j o m m p p o c s i b a l t e i o tno n s they the feelingsreceive, individuals- in s uc h ca ses. The real question is, are rail - roads a i c 'a o t u lt public benefit or not ? If they are, as is universally acknowledged, then private interests must give way. We cannot help suspecting that these petitions speak the sentiments of an exceedingly small minority, not only of the inhabitants of the parishes through which the railways complained of arc to pass, but of the householders who now occupy the proposed lines. Are the rate-payers aware that in some parishes in England half the parochial rates are paid by railway companies ? This is a consideration which we think the inhabitants of Bethnal-green are not likely to lose sight of, to say nothing of the many other advantages which cannot fail to accrue from the rail-road pro jected through that poor and populous parish. We have advices from Madrid to the 4th instant. They are neither unfavourable nor otherwise, as re gards the capital ; but the accounts which they bring from the Basques are disheartening enough. The Canon EL BATANERO has been driven beyond the Ebro, and his band dispersed ; but this good news is counterbalanced by the sufferings of th e British Legion, and the discontent of General EVANS, who appears in no humour to remain much longer in Spain. The sickness of the Legion is attri buted by the Spanish and French journals to exces sive drinking, ►n a country requiring an abstinence from spirituous liquors. Five thousand French auxi liaries, well officered, were in readiness to march against the Carlists, on the first summons. DUBLIN ELECTION COMMITTEE. The Committee met at half-past 12 yesterday. Mr. TuEssiGER banded in a list of 42 names fur the pur pose of striking them off the majority for the sitting Members. The list had been agreed to by the agents on ci:licr side in consequence of the decisions which have been come to by the Commit tee. Mr. TIIESSIGER then objected to the vote of John M‘Mahon, of Upper-Dorset-street, and proposed to read the evidence of Caleb Palmer in support of his objection. Mr. Joy contended that the evidence of Palmer could not be received by the Committee, inasmuch as that evidence had been placed upon a rejected sheet by the Dublin commission ers, in consequence of Palmer being in the room during the examination of other witnesses. In support of this position the Learned Gentleman mentioned the fact that the Drogheda Committee refused to receive the evidence of Mr. O'Connell, although his evidence only related to the extent of a certain boundary in Dublin, simply because that Gentleman was in the committee-room during the examination of other witnesses. The Learned Gentleman cited other cases in support of his view of the case. Mr. THESSIGER in reply contended that the evidence of Palmer ought to be received. The Committee retired, and in about ten minutes returned, when the Chairman stated that it was the opinion of the Com mittee that Caleb Palmer's evidence was admissible. This decision will affect 20 of the sitting Members' votes. THIS DAY. The Committee met this morning at the usual hour, and proceeded with individual cases, where the rates for the year 1834 had not been paid. Ten votes were struck off the majority of the sitting Members, and at one o'clock, by arrangement between the parties, the Committee adjourned till eleven o'clock to-morrow, in order to afford the agents an opportunity of agreeing, out of Court, upon the votes to be struck off on both sides for the non-payment of rates. THE FUNDS.-(THIS DAY.) CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK. This morning we have no foreign mails—only ship letters from Rio Janiero, and Calcutta, Oct. 1; and Mauritius, Dec. 12, all old dates. THE FUNDS. The boisterous state of the weather has prevented the ar rival of foreign mails this morning, which causes a very great dearth of intel►igence in the city. Consols opened this morning at the leaving off quotations of yesterday, 91; for the Account, and 911 for Money. Exchequer Bills, 19 21 ; India Bonds, 3 5 ; Bank and India shut. In the Foreign Market, owing to a prevailing opinion that the French Government will interfere in the affairs of Spain, Spanish Active Bonds have improved on the closing price of yesterday, from 444 4 to 451 ; Passive, 141; Deferred, 211 22 ; Portuguese, 771 781; Three per cents, 481 ; Co lumbian, 301; Mexican, 33 34 ; Dutch two-and-a-half per cents, 55,1 56/i-; Five per cents, 1024 1934. BALI-PAST ONE. The Express from Paris being still due as well as the Fo reign Mails cause a great dulness in the operations of the va rious Funds to the present hour. Consols have been during the morning at the opening quotations of 91 1 i for the Ac count ; and 911 for Money; Exchequer Bilfs, 19 21 ; India Bonds, 3 5. In the Foreign Market, Spanish Active maintains the morn ing price of 451 ; Passive, 151; Deferred, 211 22 ; Portu guese, 774 78; ; Three per Cents., 481 4 ; Colombian, 301- 31 ; Mexican, 33 34 ; Dutch Two and a Half per Cents., 554 .561. Not much doing in Shares, and no material alteration in the prices. Letters from Rio Janeiro of the 24th January state that the Exchange has got up a farthing. Coffee in demand there, the Americans purchasinc , largely. The current report (which has prevailed for these two days past) that the French intervention is about to take place, was owing to letters being received from Paris, from good autho rity, and in which it was stated that leave had been asked of the English Government in order to agree for 15,000 French troops to enter Spain, with the view to garrison the Spanish towns in the North of Spain, in order that the whole of the Spanish army may be brought to act in the field. THREE O'CLOCK. Censcis fir tic Account, 91i THE FUNDS.-C 1 BRITISH OSING PRICES. FUNDS. rank Stock 1 per Cent. Red .99 . 14 3 per Cent Cons 91% 15, per Cent. 3% per Cent. Red -101 New 3% per Cent 99 , 74 I per Cent. Assented Dissented Long Annuities to expire JAL 1860 Oct 1850.... . — Jan.lB6) 1 6 14 FOREIGI Omnidnn pm India Stock ___ Ditto Vonds South Sea Stock Ditto Old Annuities Ditto New Annuities !... x. Bills, 10 , 0/ 2l pm. Ditto 500/ 2l pi. Ditto 5001 2l pm. Bank Stock for Opg. 219% India Stock for Act. ..... • , 59% Consols for Act. FUNDS. Austrian, 5 par cent Belgian, 5 per cent lO3 Brazilian Bonds Buenos Ayres, 6 per cent Chilian, 6 per cent Colombian, 6 per cent. Ditto, 104 rartuguese Bonds, 5 per cent. Ditto, Now Ditto ",711y, Prussian. 5 per cent. Russian Bonds, 5 per cent. Ditto, Metallic Spanish, 5 per cent Danish, 3 per cent Greek Bonds, 1825, 5 per cent Mexican, 5 per cent. Ditto, 6 per cent., 1325 Peruvian, 1825, 6 per cent, Ditto. don;ohdated 4 5 14, French, 5 per cent ...... ... IV9f. 60c, Exchange French, 3 per cent —l. —c. Dutch, 2 2 percent. 56 Ditto. 5 per cent. ........ ..... . 103 The Countess Guiccioli, la belle blonde of Byron, is at present amongst the leaders of haul ton in the French capital. Sir Francis Burdett still continues indisposed in con sequence of the fall from his horse. The health of the Marquis of Anglesey seems to have been improved from his visit to France. He looks much better since his return to Uxbridge House. Lord Stowell, in his will, which has been proved by Viscount Sidmouth and W. Chisholm, Esq., two of the exe cutors, Lord Eldon, the other, having renounced the probate, gives annuities of 100/. to each of his servants. To the Uni versity and Corpus Christi Colleges, Oxford, 2001. each are given, and to the Middle Temple and College of Doctors' Com mons, 2001. each. The will is dated 30th April, 1830 ; but his Lordship must have been infirm, his signature being scarcely legible. The brig Britannia, of Swansea, Gilbert, master, is on shore behind the pier at Abcrystwith, and is likely to become a wreck.—Crew and materials saved. CUSTOM IN DERBYSHIRE.—The ancient custom of hanging a garland of white roses, made of writing paper, and a pair of white gloves over the pew of the unmarried villa gers, who die in the flower of their age, prevails to this day, in the village Eyam, and in most other villages and lit t l e towns in the Peak of Derbyshire. SUSPECTED MURDER.—The inhabitants of Cross have been much excited within the last few days, in conse quence of the sudden death of a man, named John Edney, which has since been ascertained to have been occasioned by poison. It appears that the deceased, who was a poor but industrious man, contrived to obtain a livelihood by retailing butter, water-tresses, &c., which he frequently conveyed on foot from Axbridge to the Bristol markets. On Friday, the 4th inst., Mr. Wade, surgeon, of Cross, was called to attend the deceased, whom he found in so deplorable a condition as to afford no hope of his recovery. From the symptoms of the disorder, and other circumstances, Mr. Wade suspected that the dying man had partaken of something which had caused his illness; and, upon questioning him, he stated that he bad been unwell on Thursday, but was taken much worse on Friday, after eating some fried potatoes prepared by his wife. Notwithstanding every effort was made by the medical gentleman to afford relief, it proved unavailing, and the un fortunate man continued rapidly to decline until the next morning, when death put an end to his sufferings. Imme diately after this event Mr. Wade proceeded to analyze the scrapings of the frying-pan, which he had previously taken care to procure, and, after applying various chemical tests, suc ceeded in establishing the presence of arsenic. On opening the body, the stomach was ulcerated, and bad the appearance of containing poison : upon part of it being subjected to the tests, the results were the same as in those of the particles of potatoes. Under these circumstances, the Coroner for the county, D. Ashford, Esq., was written to, and he immediately issued his warrant for the apprehension of Mrs. Edney. The deceased was 54 years of age.—Bristol Mercury. " LEGS" OF TIIE BOUTII.-The impunity with which professed gamblers carry on their trade, and the course of crime consequent upon it, throughout these southern coun tries, is one of the most crying evils existing in this society. The Legs are associated in gangs, have a system perfectly organised, and possess a large capital invested in this pursuit; they are seldom alone, always armed to the teeth, bound to sustain each other, and hold life at a pin's fee. Upon the banks of these great waters they most commonly rendezvous; and not a steam-boat stirs from any quarter but one or more of the gang proceed on board, in some guise or other, according to the capability or appearance of the agent. Thus every pas senger's business and means become known—no difficult mat ter amongst men whose nature is singularly simple and frank, and who are as prompt to detail their own affairs, as they are curious to know those of their fellows ; a little play carried on during the passage, opens to the observant gambler the habits of his prey, chiefly the planters of the up-country. These planters arrive in New Orleans or some other cntrepot, settle with their agent or broker, and often receive very large sums in balance of the crop of the past season, or in advance upon the next, intended for the purchase of slaves, &c. Meantime the sharper is on the pigeon's track ; the toils are spread abroad by the gang, some of whom inhabit the same hotel pro bably, drink at the same bar, or, it may be, occupy the same chamber; thus, with nothing to do, and his naturally excitable mind fired by an addition of stimulant, if the victim escape it is by miracle. Hundreds are plundered yearly in this syste matic way ; nor, if at all troublesome, does the affair end here, for these gamblers are no half-measure men—they have a ready specific to silence noisy pigeons, and arc right prompt in applying it.—Power's Impressions of America. ROAD FROM NICE TO GENOA.—This road is near 150 miles over the edges of mountains, bordering the sea for the whole distance. The road is cut into the sides of the precipice, often hundreds of feet perpendicular above the surf, descending sometimes into the ravines formed by the numerous rivers that cut their way into the sea, and mounting immediately again to the loftiest summits. It is a dizzy busi ness from the beginning to the end. There is no parapet usually, and there are thousands of places where half a shy by a timid horse would drop you at once some hundred fathoms upon rocks met by the spray of every sea that breaks upon the shore.— Willis's Pencillinys. A SECOND MILD.—The following is an advertise ment in a Hobart Town paper Found on a suspicious per son, two remarkably fine working bullocks," &c, THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH 15, i-36 COURT CIRCULAR. Their Royal Highnesses the DucheEs of Kent and Princess Victoria, attended by Lady Conroy, Lady Cust, Baroness Lehzen, Sir John Conroy, Sir George Anson, and General Upton, were present at the Vocal Concert at the Hanover square rooms last night. The band was led by Mr. 'l'. Cooke. The concert was conducted by Mr. l'urle. The Duke of Cumberland returned to town yesterday from Kew. The Landgravine of Hesse Homburg, and the Princess Augusta, visited the Duchess of Glocester yesterday, at Glo cester-house. Admiral Fleming, Mr. Buchanan, Chief At for Emi gration to the Canadas, Mr. Archibald, and Mr. Marryatt, had interviews yesterday with Lord Glenelg at the Colonial• office. The French Ambassador transacted business yesterday at the Fo►eign-office. Ewart, M. P„ and a Del:utation, had an interview yes terday with Viscount Melbourne. in Downing• street. The Right Hon. T. Spring Rice entertained a select party at dinner on Sunday evening, at his residence at Dulwich. Among the company were Baron Bulow, the Prussian Mini ter ; M. Hummelauer, the Austrian Charge d'Affaires ; Count Pollon, of the Sardinian Legation ; Sir John Hobhouse, and Mr. and Mrs. Ridley Colborne. The Duke of Marlborough visited Viscount Melbourne yes terday.. Lord John Russell had a dinner party on Sunday evening in Wilton. crescent. The Duke of Devonshire left Paris on Thursday last. His Grace is detained at Calais, owing to the state of the weather, but is expected at Devonshire House this day. Sir Robert Peel's grand dinner on S a t ur d a y ev ening was given to the following Members :—Lord Henniker, Col. Percival, Sir F. Pollock, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Sanderson, Col. Sibthorp, Mr. Pringle, Mr. A. Smith, Mr. Hoy, Mr. Cripps, Col. Conolly, Mr. Eaton, Mr. Chisholm, Mr. Brownrigg, Mr. Balfour, Captain Boldero, Mr. Borthwick, Mr. Fector, Mr. Grove Price, and Mr. liaise. Mr. C. Russell sent an apology. _ _ _ - We regret to state that the Right Honourable Sir Charles 13agot's health is such as to cause considerable un easiness among his numerous friends. Sir Charles and his family have left Eaton-place for Hastings. The union of Viscount Deerhurst, eldest son of the Earl of Coventry, with the daughter of Sir Charles Cockerel', of Sezincote, Bart., is now fixed to take place next week. The Ambassador from the King of Oude, Moulvee Mahomed Ismael Khan, has been elected honorary member or the Athenaeum and Travellers' Clubs, and the Council of th© Royal Institution have invited him to their Friday lectures, in which he appears to take great interest. The Moulvee is an astronomer, and is generally well-informed on many branches of science. By a somewhat singular coincidence, the crest of Lord Langdale, the new Master of the Rolls, is a warrior's bawd and arm grasping—not a battle-axe—but a parchment roll. It is understood in theatrical circles to be C. Kern ble's intention to retire from the stage altogether at the end of this season. The Wigan Beer Barrel" is the soubriquet by which Mr. Kearsley is known at Liverpool. This is the Hon. Member to whom it was said last Friday that in vino veritas, and that it were to be wished that there was also decency. We are given to understand that it is not true, g 9 stated in some of the London papers last week, that Mr. Fielden intends to retire from the representation of Oldham. He has merely inti ma t e d, th at i n case P ar li ament was dis solved, he might possibly retire, but in no other manner has he alluded to such a proceeding; there is no doubt, however, that when an opportunity offers, the Conse-vatives will endea vour to return two Members.—Manchester Chronicle. On Tuesday, as the Hercules steamer, belonging to the St. George's Steam Company, lay in Catwater, a pri vate in the 37th regiment, whilst standing on the deck, having charge of a deserter, suffered the butt end of his firelock to slip off his foot, on which it rested : the concussion produced by its fall on the deck, though short, caused the piece to go off. The contents passed his cheek close enough to sear it, and graze his head, tearing the cap before it, and the knee of his trowsers was singed by the flash in the pan.—Plymouth Gazette. PAISLEY ELECTION.—The contest in Paisley is likely to be more close than we bad imagined, as it is n ow thought that the Conservatives will vote for Mr. Hastio, with the intention of defeating the candidate who has been preferred by the Liberals. The organ of the Tory party calls upon the Conservatives to come forward in support of Mr. Hastie, and if they obey the summons, we have no doubt that, united with the Liberal friends of that gentleman, they will enable him to poll a very strong minority ; but this, We believe, will be the most that, even by so disgusting a coali tion, they can succeed in accomplishing. The great ma jority of the Liberal party will vote for Mr. Aytoun, and, we feel assured, will triumphantly place him at the head of the poll, notwithstanding all the efforts of Mr. Hastie's Whig and Tory supporters.—Greenock Intelligencer. HUGH M`QUEEN, ESQ., WRITER TO THE SIG NET.—We are sorry to announce the death of this gentleman. under peculiarly unfortunate circumstances, at Edinburgh, on Friday last. He had been in confinement for temporary derangement, and having escaped from his keepers, precipi tated himself from a high window, and was killed.—Courier. BIRMINGHAM AND DERBY RAILWAY.—The Committee on the Bill for this railway sat yesterday morning, and after the examination of witnesses on the several points required by the House of Commons, the Committee voted that the whole of the resolutions had been complied with, and agreed unanimously that the preamble was proved. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow, to fill in the blanks of the Bill, and agree to their report. Mr. John Matthew Galway has given up his peti tion against the return of the Attorney-General for Dungarvon. The allegations were so monstrous that one of his petitioners refused to sign the document. Mr. C. BULLER.—It is with no small feeling of pride that we have witnessed the late Parliamentary exertions of our neighbour, Mr. Charles Buller, the Member for Lis keard. In the course of the present session, Mr. Buller bas directed the attention of the House to two highly important considerations—the state of the public Records of the King dom—and the constitution of our Parliamentary Committees. We think it our duty to hold up to public notice those who struggle boldly and wisely in a noble cause, and among such we wish honourably to distinguish the Member for Liskeard. —Devonport Independent. The trade of Paisley was never in a more prosperous state than at present. In the shawl line, in particular, the demand for goods is so grea t th a t i n genera l t h ey are ta k en off as soon as finished. CHURCH PROMOTION.-LORD MULGRAVE.-- The Rev. Mr. Bomfort has been forty-two years a curate in the diocese of Meath. The inhabitants of the parishes Of Kennegad and Killucan, anxious to testify their sense of his exemplary merit, recently addressed a memorial to Dr. Alex ander, the bishop of the diocese, praying that he would be pleased to advance the Rev. Gentleman to the vacant living of Cloward. The reply of the bishop was that he intended that living for his son. With this reply the parishioners were by no means satisfied, and the memorial and the answer were both forwarded to the Lord Lieutenant, and his Excel lency directed the Under Secretary to send to the Rev. T. Fetherston, 14, Fitzwilliam-square, North, who was one of the memorialists, the following reply : " Dublin Castle, Feb. 19, 1836. " Sir—Having submitted your letter of the 15th instant, recommending the Rev. Mr. Bomfort for promotion in the church, I beg to acquaint you that his Excellency has directed the application to be brought befor e hi m w h en an oppor tunity presents itself of complying with the request.—l have the ho nour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, " T. DRUMMOND." Mr. Bomfort is a gentleman of most exemplary character , and the late incumbent of Killucan left him in his will a proof of his esteem. We shall only say, in the spirit of the memorial, that the neglect of pastoral merit is, and ever has been, one of the greatest scandals of the church. The con duct of Lord Mulgrave deserves the highest praise.—Free -711 an's Journal. Sunday afternoon a fire broke out in the house No. 18, Waterloo-road, occupied by a fireman named Goatley. During the temporary absence from the room of the mother, a lighted coal flew out of the grate, and set fire to one of th e children's pinafores. The poor little thing was instantly en veloped in flames, and so dreadfully burnt about the face and neck, that its life is despaired of. Great damage is done to the furniture o f th e room, b ut i t i s i nsure d i n the Ph oen i x Fire office. SILVE R CANDLE STICK'' Six Guineas a pair. A variety of patterns of elegant Silver Candlesticks 10 inches hie!' may be selected from at the above price, at 'l'. COX SAVORY ,S' Working Goldsmith, Silversmith, and Watchm a k er , 47, Cornhillt London. A pamphlet, giving a detailed list of the prices of Plate, Plated Goods, Watches, Clocks, &c. may be had gratis. II IR 771 S. On the 13th inst., in Upper Harley-street, the lady of Richa rd Jenkins, Esq., of a daughter. On the 10th inst., at Cheltenham, the lady of Captain Tinl in g' of the 64th Regiment, of a (laughter. On the 13th inst., at Snaresbrook, Mrs. H. Mildred, of a son• On the 4th inst., at Norwood, the lady of Major-General To"Y' of a daughter. On the 11th inst., the lady of Captain Isacke, of a daughter. MARRIED. On the 12th inst., at Upper D ea l, M r . H enr y Vickress , and spirit merchant, London, to Ann, third daughter of Mr. Cornwell, of Deal, rt, n nb e On the the 14th i ns t., a t S t. M ary ' s, I s li ngton, C. H. hter f g ° Surgeon, Spitalfi e ld s , t o E mma Ri chardson, secon d dau T. Dean, Esq., of Barnsbury Park, Islington. 1)IED. On' the 14th inst.., at Lisson-grove South, John Mayne, Esq': deeply regretted. He was for many years connected with the on don Daily P ress, an d t h e author of several much admire d P oet effusions. On the Ist inst., in College, Robert Field, Esq., of Sidney id), lege, Cambridge, the second son of Dr. Field, formerly of IPs w and lately of Edinburgh. On the 11th inst., William John, second Son of G. Rule, Esq'' of Guildford -street, Russell-square. London Printed and Published by INILTRDO YOUNO, ty 112, Strand, at Th e S un Offi ce , No. 112, Strand, in the coun of Middlesex.