The Sun.
London, England, 1837-04-08 00:00:00

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LONDPN,
SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 8, 1837.

la the liot:sE of Loaus yest:rday various petitions were
presented. Those on the subject of Church-rates took prece-
dence.

On the presentation of syveral petitions by the Bishop of
EXETER, regarding the Pour Law Amendment Act, a dismis-
sion of considerable interest ensued. The Duke of WELLING.
TON declared his approval of the existing law generally.
ert--Gerd. Belili.,L.lLubour lid' was
read a second tune by 1;:iliOli!y of t 6 over 43.
Petitions in favour of the abolition of Cbureb.rates were-
presented.
A Indkrous petition from a recreant reporter mai presented,
praying that no election should take place except only nhcn the
King or Queen ascended the throne!
The Post Office Girl was postponed till Friday in next
week, Mr. LABOITHERE stiting, in reply t. 3 a qusstioi), Olt
the object of the measure :YU only to consolidate, not to alter,
the ixisting
On the order of the DAy for proceeding with the Mutiny
Bill, Lord G. Sova charge ntszT addressed himself to the cha-e of.
plrtiality which Capt. BER:;ELEY preferred on the preceding'
evening.
Mr. HOPE contradicted the report respecting the alleged
conduct of his relative with refereace to the Catholic Eman-
cipation Bill.
Major FANcounT then brought Lc-Iv:LI-4, in an admirable
speech, his annual motion for a Select Committee to inquire
and report on the question of Military Punishments." The
Hon. end Gallant Member's motion W. 24 of course lost; but on
the division last night we arc gratified to find an accession of
32 votes as compared with the numbers last dear. Last right,
in a Haute composed of 239 Members, 72 voted against the
continuance or military torture.
The Mutiny Bill and Marine Mutiny Bill both passed through
Committee.
The House then went into Committee on the Navy Esti-
mates. After they were gone through, and the Report had
been ordered to be brought up on Monday, the House, at a
Quarter past One o'clock, adjourned.

For some time past the Torie.- have been bard at
work, endeavouring to get up a popular claineur against
tiic New Poor LAW Bill. In Parliament, and through
their organs of th.,i Press, they hare been daily repre-
senting it as a mcrt inlquitous measure, fraught with
the worst consepences to the community. They
have put forth ex-parts statements, and reasoned upon
these, just as if they were impartial, and gave a fair
idea of the measure as a whole ; thereby rivalling the
architect alluded to by old Flierocles, who carried about
a liriek as a sample of the building. Yet with all
these maneenvrings—with all this show of industry—
the Tories have been unable to render the Poor Law
Bill unpopular. Their motives in decrying it are so
obvious—lie so completely on the surface, that no
one thinks it worth his while to pay the slightest atten-
tion to their assertions. Nevertheless, they arc not
discouraged, but pursue their game of chicanery with
as much eagerness as though it were a thriving
one. Last night, for instance, in the House of
Lords, that rank Tory, the Bishop of EXETER,
pounced tooth and nail upon the Poor Law Bill, con-
demning it in the most remorseless manner, while at
the same time he professed to he anything but anxious
for its repeal. He objected only to parts of it, he ob-
served, yet the tendency of his speech was to decry
it in toto. In fact, it was an elaborate, sophistical
discourse preached upon the text—as Lord BROUG-
HAM justly remarked—of " No Bill, nothing
of the Bill, and anything but the Bill." But this
is in exact accordance with the Rev. Prelate's
usual mode of proceeding. He never comes straight
to his point, but works round and round it, preferring
to deal with insinuation rather than with frank argu-
ment. Inuendo is his favourite weapon of attack. He
would have his hearers believe that he is all candour,
all openness, when he is undermining the object of his
hostility by every species of covert attack. What was
his whole speech last night but a crafty attempt to
undermine a measure which he wanted the courage
openly to assail ? Against the rine* ha professed
to have nothing to allege, yet he was throughout carp-
ing at it in the most insidious and persevering man-
ner possible ! As we become better acquainted with
the Bishop's system of Parliamentary tactics, we
are enabled to appreciate them at their proper
worth. They arc ingenious but easily over-
turned, as Lord MELBOURNE proved last night,
by the facility with which he parried all the
Rev. Prelate's home-thrusts, and the ready, triumph..
ant manner in which he disposed of his most formi-
dable objections. The Duke of WELLINGTON, too,
with his wonted candour, professed himself wholly
opposed to the good Bishop ; and even Lord WYN-
FORD—the ultra-Tory WYNFORD—refused to row in
the same boat with him. His Grace's observa-
tions on the subject are important, and will go far
to silence all the cavilers against the Poor Law Bill.

I consider it my duty," said the Noble Duke, " to '
come forward and state that this Bill has surpassed my
expectation. Ido not talk of it generally, but of its
details, from having myself witnessed its effects
in work- houses in different parts of the country
in which I have resided. It has put the la-
bourer and his employer on a truer footing, a
friendly footing, and a footing of confidence ; and it
has connected the man of property and the men of the
highest rank in this country with the lowest classes."
We suppose after this, the Rev. Prelate will hold his
peace on the subject of the Poor•law Bill.

In our Parliamentary report of the debate on Mr.
WA LLAcE's motion relative to the Post-office, on
Thursday evening, Mr. EWART is reported to have
recommended to the consideration of the House the
plan of a Mr. PIGOTT, for the conveyance of letters
by means of stamped covers. This was a mistake.
The Hon. Gentleman informed the House, that
valuable suggestions had been made to him on the
cheapest and best mode of conveying letters by Mr.
ROWLAND HILL, and by Mr. DICKENSON ; but
neither the Hon. Member himself, nor any other
Hon. Gentleman who spoke on that occasion, made
any reference to any individual of the name of PIGOTT.
I Mr. ROWLAND HILL'S plan consists in establishing
an uniform rate of postage throughout the Empire,
which he thinks might not exceed a penny—the price
now exacted by law for the conveyance of newspapers.
Mr. DICKENSON is for stamped covers to be sold
by the stationers, so that each letter would be
post-paid of necessity to the receiver. Upon the
merits of these plans we are not called upon to
offer an opinion, nor shall we just now volunteer
one. Nothing, however, can be more certain
than that a reduction of the rate of postage to half its
present amount would more than double the revenue
produced by this branch of the Post -office business.
The good otherwise would be truly incalculable.

It seems to be quite true, as Mr. WHITTLE HAR-
VEY lately observed in the House of Commons,
" that there is a re-action in railways ; and taking ad-
vantage of this feeling, every sort of stratagem appears
to be resorted to by interested parties hostile to this
great improvement, which must nevertheless, like other
important reforms, go on, notwithstanding the vexa-
tious inconvenience and expenses which the promoters
of some of these•undertakings are put, by the unworthy
attacks and annoyances with which they are assailed.
About a fortnight ago we called the attention of our
readers to a motion made by Mr. PRAED on a peti-
tion presented in the name of a person of the name of
LILL, as to the ability of a few of the subscribers to
the City of London or Southwark and Hammersmith
Railway to pay the amount of their subscriptions.
We apprehend that all the Directors can do is
to see that the deposits are paid, and if the parties
be unable to pay further calls, the shares, as in all
similar cases, must be forfeited ; but that the Direc-
tors can carry their investigation into the private
affairs of every subscriber seems ridiculous. Poor
LILL has, however, since petitioned the House, stat-
ing that he knows nothing whatever about the parties,
and that he has only been made the instrument of
others. The Southampton Railway Company have
consequently come forward and shown the cloven foot,
by stating that they believe the allegations of LILL's
petition to be true ; on which frivolous grounds the
City of Landon Railway, although before the Committee
on tire Bill, which is the proper place for inquiring into
any char,,c against them, is ordered before the Select
Contmittee on the Dover and Deptford Railway.
We should just like to see the subscription list of the
Southampton Railway people themselves, which we
darc, say was rotten enough, and as patched up as their
line we understand is injudicious, and as the extra-
vagant and total expedture of their capital before their
o crk is hail finished is notorious.

Another attack of a difFerent kind was made by
Mr. WILKs iln 'Fbursdav last, accusing the Directors
of the City of London Railway of changing the title
of their Bill, and although it must be now pretty well
known that the change was made by the Clerks of
the Table, or of the Journal Ofiiee, as has been
done in several other cases, and with which the pro-
moters understood the SPEAKER had been satisfied,
yet the parties are sent back to the sub-Committee on
i)ctitions for private Bills, contrary to the Standing
Orders of the House ; so that this Bill is now actually
before three Committees.

Thcso are grievances in the proc2dure of the
House of Commons which call for reform ; but we
trust that the City of London Railway, which pro-
mises to be of so much utility and ornament to the
metropolis, will, notwithstanding this petty warfare
against it, ultimately triumph.

We have received the whole of the French journals
of Thursday. France continued without a Cabinet.
file KING had nearly exhausted all his resources,
without being able to bring together the materials of a
strong Government. It was supposed that ,if all
would fail, a certain Princess would be charged with a
mission to M. THIEII.S. We a:tnex all we find of
any interest in the Journals :
The Monitcur of this morning contaias in its official part
the following ordinance of Louis Philippe, &c., being Art.
3 of the law of 22d March, 1831 :
" On the report of our Minister, Secretary of State for the
department of the interior, we have ordained, and ordain
as follows :—Art. I. That the 4th company of the third bat-
talion of the sth legion of the National Guard at Paris is dis-
solved.
" Art. 2. Our Minister, Secretary of State for the depart-
ments of the interior, is charged with the execution of the
present ordinance. Given at the palace of the Tuilleries,
April 4, 1837. LOUIS PHILIPPE.
" The Peer of France, Minister Secretary of State for the
department of the interior. " GASPARIN."
The 4th company of the 3d battalion of the sth legion,
nliich a few days ago chose Messrs. Hulat and Bastite as cap-
tains, has just been dissolved by aßoyal ordinance. The ordinance
merely quotes the fifth article—the law relative to the Na-
tional Guard, which gives to the King the right to dissolve or
suspend it in the several localities. Hitherto the exercise of
this right has always been accompanied by a statement of the
reasons. This was done when the citizens of Lyons, Sivas-
burg, Chalons, and Grenoble were dissolved, and when the Paris
artillery and the two companies of the sth Legion were dis-
solved.
This morning we read in the Journal de Paris—
" Midnight.—We this moment hear that his Majesty has
ordered M. Guizot to propose a Cabinet to him."
The Journal des Debats, which is as much interested as the
Journal de Paris in being well informed, says that Ministry is
terminated, and that the only important fact of yesterday is
that M. Guizot was sent for by the King at two o'clock in the
afternoon.— Constitutionnel, April 6.
A letter from Toulon, giving an account of the state of
Algiers, says that " It does not seem possible that the expedi-
tion to Constantine should take place before September. Ge-
neral Bugeaud was still at Port Vendres on the 30th March,
waiting till all the troops should be embarked, when he will
take his passage in the Sphinx steam-boat.
The mail from Calais had•not yet reached Calais this morn-
ing at ten o'clock, being doubtless detained by the snow, which
had fallen all night and was still falling.
The English journals arrived just before we went to press,
from which we can only quote the price of stocks.—Journal
du Commerce, April 6.

The Court of Peers sat on Wednesday to hear M.
BARTHE'S report of the crime of MEUNIER read.
The reading of the Report occcupied the Court two
hours and a half. The following is a summaty from
the Correspondent of a Morning Contemporary. The
public trial will commence on the 21st inst. :
The acte d'accusation against Meunier, Lavaux, and Lacaze
is at this moment in the hands of the engrossing clerks. Copies
Of it will, if possible, this evening be served on the accused.
Lavaux is the only one of the prisoners who has yet made
choice of counsel ; he is to be defended by M. Ledru Rollin.
Meunier and Lacaze (if they name none themselves) are to be
defended ex officio by M. Delangle, the senior member
of the Paris bar, and M. Paillett. From what has trans-
pired respecting the contents of the act of accusation,
Lavaux is seriously implicated in the affair. It appear t
that his establishment was doing little business, and yet he'
vas observed never to want for money, and no one could. tell
where he procured it. He generally went out m a cabriolet
every moining, and remained abroad the entire day, but how
he employed his time was a complete mystery. He generally

cased the cabriolet to stop at a
_distance from the place he
was going to, and aserved the same precaution when he was
returning home. lie kept Meunier strictly under his control,
and having made a peculiar stud) of his disposition, he could,
it seems, manage him as he pleased. Lavaux had given po-
sitive orders that not a word about politics should be uttered
in his house, and whole months elapsed without either he or
Meunier opening their mouths, even to one another, on the
subject. The plan for murdering the King was conceived
about fifteen months since, and one night, after an orgie,
Meunier, Lavaux, and Lacaze, drew lots to know who should
kill Louis Philippe. The lot fell upon Meunier, who at first
conceived it to be a plaisanterie, and it was only when urged
to fulfil his engagement that he seriously thought of perpe-
trating the crime. The unfortunate wretch Meunier has been
the victim of his inordinate vanity, for, if defied to commit the
most extravagant act, lie would not hesitate one instant to
undertake it. Lavaux would be sometimes a couple of
months without reminding Meunier of his promise ; but
on the approach of any public feast, at which the King
was obliged to appear, he never failed to urge him to the
commission of his crime. Meunier states, that six
months ago, on the pressing solicitation of Lavaux, he had
gone out to Neuilly, armed with a saddler's knife, for the pur-
pose of stabbing the King. Meunier relates a conversation
he had with Lavaux, on the Boulevard des Varictes, on the
eve of a national feast. Lavaux said to him—" To-morrow a
favourable opportunity will offer to redeem your pledge, but
as you may be killed in the attempt, take care to remove the
mark from your linen." Lavaux denies having used those ex-
pressions, as he does, indeed, all the charges brought against
him by Meunier; but there are a variety of facts also denied
by him, which are attested by respectable witnesses, a cir-
cumstance which would seem to prove that Meunier is tell-
ing the truth. One day when confronted, in presence of
Baron Pasquier, with Meunier, Lavaux, in a moment of an-
ger, said, " Meunier has accomplices ; he could name them
to you ; but lam not of the number." Meunier replied,
" If I have accomplices, so much the worse for you, for it
was you who introduced me to them." Though pressed by
by the President, he would say no more. Meunier describes
in most forcible terms the acute remorse he often felt when
he thought of the crime lie had undertaker[ to commit; but
his vanity, and the empire Lavaux had over him, soon
strengthened him in his fatal resolution. A few days before
the 27th of December lie had conceived the idea of putting
an end to his existence by poison. On another occasion,
after a secret interview with Lavaux, at which a plan had
been laid to kill King Louis Philippe, lie fell into an epilep-
tic fit, during which he was heard to utter these words by
all the clerks and parsons in the employ of Lavaux :—" Louis
Philippe," he exclaimed, " if thou hest any accounts to settle
with Heaven, think of thy soul, for I have come out of
heaven with this dagger to plunge into thy bowels."
Meunier excuses Lacaze, as much as possible, and it is
expected, that although he had a full knowledge of Meu-
nier's intentions, and may, in fact, be considered as his ac-
complice, he will escape with his life.
The Committee of the Court of Peers have endeavoured by
all means to ascertain if Meunier and Lavaux were members
of the Societe des Families, but could not discover their affilia-
tion thereto, although Meunier's name figures on the lists of
three sections, not as a member, but as a man on whom full
reliance could be placed. It was thought that Meunier had
been present at a dinner given by the association, in December
last, at Grenelle ; but no certainty existed of his having been
one of the guests. An individual, initiated into the society on
that occasion, did not recognise Meunier. He mentioned
having been sworn in by four persons, who withdrew imme-
diately after, and whom lie never saw since. Very little was
said on politics during the dinner, but the following significant
toast was drunk after:—" Honour to Alibaud 1 and disgrace
and abhorrence to Fieschi !"
FRENCH FUNDS—Pear., Arm 6.
Five per Cents., 106 f 8,5 e. 90c. 75c. 89c. -
Four per Cent., 9Sf. 9.5 c
Three per Cents., 7Sf. 95c. 79f.
Bank Actions, 9,410 f.
Acute de Naples, 99f. sc. Isc. 10c.
Roman Five per Cents., 102%%•14.
Spanish Actives, 2.0,6 217. `251,6 .
Spanish Differes, 953.
Spanish Passives. 6%
Loan, rive per Cents., 100!,
Portuguese Loan, Three per Cents, :3074.
excnANop: ON LONDON.
o.ic month, paper, 25c. 4714 c.; money, 25r. Cic.
free months, paper, 251.25 c. ; money, 25f. 25c.
—Cours duthentique.
LAST PRICES.
Five per Cents.. 107 f.
Three per Cents. W.
Bank Actions, 2,110 f.
Bente de Naples, 991. 20e.
Rumen Five per Cents., 102%.
Belgian Loan, 101%.
Brussels Bank, 1,310 f.
Belgian Society, I, 030 f.
Pcrtuguese Three per Cents.,
zpanish Actives, 251,i.
ntAsives, 6%.
Spanish Differ,s, 7%.
New Differes,

Letters and papers from Madrid,
.to the 30th ult., •
have been received. A Royal decree announcing the
retirement of Senor LOPEZ from the Home Depart-
ment appears in the official columns of the Madrid
Gazette. His successor is Senor PIO PITA PIZARRO,
an ultra-Liberal, and an honest well-meaning man ;
but it is doubt.ed whether he possess that vigour of in-
tellect which is requisite to the successful direction of
the affairs of Spain. The ostensible cause of LOPEZ'S
retirement is ill health ; but had he laboured under no
physical infirmity his manner had so alienated from
him the personal esteem of his Sovereign that he could
not have remained much longer in office. The Royal De-
cree, announcing the retirement LOPZZ from the Home
Office appeared in the Gazette of the 28th, and on the
same day the Ex-Minister appeared in the Cortes, and
took his seat on the front bench of the opposition.
This is equivalent to a declaration that he is at open
war with the Cabinet, and will neither give nor take
quarter. He is much more to be dreaded as an oppo-
nent than desired as a colleague. The more timid
among the Madrid politicians were convinced that the
retirement of lioPEz would prove the precursor of
another outbreak among the political Juntas, and
that the Minister only quitted office to he ready
to place himself at the head of them. Such an
event was certainly predicted by Senor CALVO DE
RosAs, whose agents in Barcelona, and throughout
-Andalusia, were at work, re-organizing the materials
of another ultra-Liberal movement. In the cities of
Granada, Malaga, and Zaragossa, the Exaltados have
been for some time doing all- in their power to make
their fellow-citizens discontented with certain verbal
alterations and omissions in the new Constitution.
These men know" nothing about the liberty they are
perpetually clamouring for ; and, in point of fact, seek
only to throw the country into a state of general
anarchy. We are only surprised at the apathy-,-
the culpable apathy of the Cortes, who permit such
public incendiaries to cast their brands among the
people. We are further surprised at the seeming in-
difference with which that assembly chooses to regard
the aspect of affairs in the north of Spain. No mea-
sures have yet been taken by that body to stimulate the
activity of the Executive, and thus with ample means
of restoring tranquillity to the nation at their disposal,
the Cortes peril a kingdom rather than suffer them-
selves to be diverted from the perfecting of a parch-
ment Constitution. There is a report that CORDOVA
is about to return to Madrid, where he expects to he
honoured with the post of Captain-General of New
Castile ; and if it prove correct, he will not be long
ere he make work enough for the Cortes. His brother,
Colonel CoaDovA, is in high favour with the Re-
gent, and her MAJESTY is no longer averse to the
return of the hero of Arlaban, who at present enjoys
the confidence and friendship of the CITIZEN KING.
The influenza had seized upon one-third of the in-
habitants of Madrid. In no instance had its attacks
terminated fatally.
Our advises from the North of Spain are to the
2d instant. Of General RIBEIRO'S division, 500
men had arrived at San Sebastian from Portugalette,
and other reinforcements were preparing to leave Bil-
boa to join General EVANS' division.
Both Christinos and Carlists were in a state of
inactivity—wherefore we know npt, for the weather
was favourable, and the soldiers were ready to take
the field at an hour's notice. Colonel WYLDE, who
had returned from his visit to ESPARTERO, stated
that there were no fewer than 28,000 troops in Bilboa,
of which he insisted that 10,000 should be sent to
• San Sebastian. Another movement upon Irun or
Fontarabia may be confidently expected in the course
of a few days.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING-(THIS DAY.

DEAL, APRIL 7.—Wind N.E., strong breezes.—Arrived
the Pera, Fleming, from the Mediterranean.
PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 7.—Wind E.N. E., blowing hard.—
The Abercrombie, Butcher, having completed her repairs,
came off the slip-way this day, and will commence reloading
to-morrow.
DARTmotiTu, APRIL 7. Arrived the Lark, Stevens, Lisbon.
MILFORD, APRIL 6.—Arrived the Eliza, Saunders, Smyrna.
WATERFORD, APRIL s.—Arrived the Laura, Crookley, from
Buenos Ayres. . . _

CORK, APRIL s.—Arrived the Speculator, Bishop, from
Cadiz ; Tweed, Slocomb, from Sierra Leone ; and Reeves,
Bailey, from London.

SHIELDS, APRIL 6.—Arrived Alfred, Stager, Copenhagen.

The Azores packet, from St. Michael's to London, grounded
on an anchor in Stonehouse,Rool on the 6th instant, and filled
with water—cargo discharging.
The Eagle, from Livei pool to Donegal, took the ground in
Donegal Channel on the 3d instant, and filled with water.

CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DA. Y.)

OLD COURT.

CASE OF GREENACRE.
When the Learned Judges tool: their seats on the Bench,.
Mr. C. JONES applied to have a trial in which he was con--
corned fixed for some particular day.
Mr. Justice LITTLEDALE said it was out the power of the•
Court to make any such arrangement until the case of Green-
acre had been disposed of. It was specially fixed for ten
o'clock on Monday morning, and the Lord Chief Justice had
taken home the depositions, in order that he might make him-
self acquainted with the nature of the case. Till that case
was disposed of, the Court cuuld not fix any other with any
certainty.
Simeon Stammers was indicted for the manslaughter of
Wm. Thomas Wright, on the 3d of March last, in the parish
of St. George, Southwark. The prisoner was also given irt
charge to the Jury for the same offence upon the Coroner's
inquisition.
Dr. Hughes attended to and prescribed for the boy ; and,
from the appearances he observed, he thought he had received
injury from some external cause. He made a post mortals
examination of the body, and found the midriff much ulcerated.
He had no doubt the cause of the ulceration was external vio-
lence, and might undoubtedly be caused by a kick. In his
opinion the cause of the death of the boy was violence.
Mr. DOANE addressed the Jury for the prisoner, and called
two boys, who said they had seen the deceased fighting in
February when he got severe falls.
Mr. CLARKSON replied.
The Learned JUDGE summed up, and the Jury returned a
verdict of—Guilty.
The Grand Jury, having finished their labours, made a pre-
sentment of thanks to the Sheriffs and Under-Sheriffs for
their attention to them showing them over Newgate ;
they also begged to state their approbation of the state in
which they found the prison. They also folt it their duty to
state the pleasure they felt in bearing their tes;ingony to the
efficiency and good conduct of the New Police.