The Sun.
London, England, 1837-03-08 00:00:00

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LONDON,
WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 8, 1837.

In the House of Lords last night, amongst the petitions
on Church-rates, was one presented by Lord BROUGHAM,
signed by 6,000 persons, many of them Churchmen, praying
for a total repeal of the imposition. The merits of the
Church-rate Bill, now before the other House, were then
incidentally canvassed with considerable eagerness by Lords
ELLENBOROUGH and ASHBURTON. Lord MELBOURNE,
however, refused to answer isolated questions ; nor would he
suffer himself to be dragged into the discussion prematurely,
and before the Ministerial measure was fully before the
House. The Bishop of EXETER having expressed a hope
that Lord BROUGHAM would not less regard the rights of
lessors than those of lessees, the Noble and Learned Lord
said that the Government proposition, in its fundamental
principles, was in no respect whatever against right, or jus-
tice, or principle. That part of the Bill, however, which
regarded the lessees of the Church was bad. He was of
opinion that it ought to be left optional to them to renew
with the customary fines.
With a view to the amendment of the statutes of the
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, a Bill was pre-
sented by Lord RADNOR, and read a first time.
The Scotch and Irish Vagrants' Bill was read a second
time, after which their Lordships adjourned.
In the House of Commons some Railway Bills were
advanced a stage ; the Portsmouth Railway Bill was lost
by a majority of 33 against the second reading.
Several questions relative to Foreign affairs were seve-
rally answered by Lord PALMERSTON and Sir JOHN
HOBHOUSE.

A great number of petitions from various places in
England and Ireland were presented in favour of voting by
Ballot. Mr. GROTE then brought. forward again his mo-
tion for leave to introduce a Bill, to provide for the Elec-
tion of Members to serve in Parliament by means of
Ballot. The motion was seconded by the Liberal Mem-
ber for West Kent—a district in which, it is notorious,
the foul influences pretty plenarily prevail.
A long debate ensued, which we have alluded to else-
where. On a division, the numbers were-153 for, 265
against, the motion.

Leave was given to Mr. HARDY to bring in a Bill to
consolidate and amend the laws relating to Bribery and
Corruption in the election of Members to serve in Par-
liament.

On the motion of Lnrd MORPETII, a Select Committee
was appointed to inquire into the operation of the Educa-
tion Commission in Ireland, with reference to tho instruc-
tions given to the Board of Commissioners, and the terms
of the Commission.

Some documents regarding Railroad Bills were ordered,
on the motion of Mr. WARataToN.

Mr. ROEBUCK then obtained leave to bring in a Bill to
provide for the issuing of writs for the election of a Member
of Parliament in cases of lunacy ; after which the House
adjourned at a quarter past one.

A conversation on the Ministerial plan for abolishing
Church-rates took place last night in the House of Lords,
which is worthy of notice, chiefly on account of the attempt
made by the Bishop of EXETER to entrap Lord BROUGHAM
into a condemnation of the measure. The Noble and
Learned Lord had expressed a doubt of the propriety of
that part of the plan which deprived Church lessees of the
option of not renewing their leases till the last year, or eve❑
of letting them expire, without being subjected to any loss
by so doing. This was eagerly laid hold of by the Right
Rev. Prelate, who wished to enlist Lord Baoucrikm at
once among the opponents of .the measure, under covert
of protecting the rights of the lessors as well as the lessees.
Old birds are ❑ot to be caught with chaff, and certainly
HENRY BROUGHAM is not a man to be caught in the snares
of lIENay PIIILLPOTTS, artful, or, if he likes the expres-
sion better, " wise in his generation," as he may be. Lord
BROUGHAM saw at once the drift of the Bishop,
and dispelled the ray of hope that seemed to have shot
across his Right Reverend mind, by the following expres-
sion of his opinion, which will, we are sure, be gratifying to
the public. " If," said the Noble and Learned Lord," the
Right Rev. Prelate meant by justice to the lessors a re-
sistance or opposition to the measure as it was under-
stood to be founded, he (Lord BilouGHA would only say
that he had directed his attention about three or four years
ago to another subject, in many particulars the same, both
in that House, and in conjunction with his then colleagues
in the Administration ; and that on the fullest consideration,
viewing the rights and the interests of all parties, they came
to a clear and unhesitating, but nevertheless a deliberate
opinion, that the right of the lessors would not be ire-

paired, and that justice would not be sacrificed lay the prin-
ciple of the measure. He would say with great diffi-
(knee—a diffidence becoming in any person when the subject
was so important, that the case as regarded its justice was
perfectly clear, and from the best opinion he was able to ar-
rive at, it appeared to him that the measure, in its fundamental
principles, and with the exception alluded to respecting the
lessees, was peifeetly consistent with riuht, justice, and
principle." Let not the Tories, after this, claim the great
authority of Lord BROUGHAM as a weapon wherewith to
destroy a measure which is invulnerable by any weapons
of their own. We perceive that some of their public
organs have already, with their usual want of principle,
attempted to do this ; but what is there that men will not
do who follow no guides but selfishness and faction ?
As to the point which gave rise to the discussion, we
shall not give any opinion until we have the materials of
forming that opinion before us, and we would recommend
the Lords to follow the same course. With all due defe-
rence we think it rather premature for their Lordships to
commence discussing the details, or even the principles, of
a measure which has not yet passed through its prelimi-
nary stage in the Commons.

Though Mr. GROTE'S motion on the Ballot was nega-
tived last night in the House of Commons, yet the minority
in its favour was so great, compared to what it was last
year, as to satisfy all who possess the slightest foresight,
that the time is fast approaching when it must be carried.
An addition of upwards of sixty to the number of its usual
supporters, is an unerring indication of the speedy triumph
of the question. Then as regards the petitions—these
are equally significant. Where one was presented last year,
ten have been presented this ; and the language of each is
become just as decided and resolute, as before it was tame
and cold. For this the Tories have to thank themselves.
It is from their electioneering chicanery that the Ballot has
received its strongest impetus. They have brought it to
its present adult state. It is the offspring of their loins, as
surely as the Irish National Association is the egg of Lord
LYNDHURST'S hatching.
Does any man doubt this ? Let him read the Report
of the Intimidation Committee, where he will find the most
flagrant proofs of Tory tampering with purity of election
staring him in the face in every page. But, observes Mr.
PouLTER, this Report is not to be implicitly relied on.
Indeed! Then what are the statements on which reli-
ance is to be placed ? The Report in question was drawn
up with the most scrupulous care—it was no crude or
hastily concocted production, manufactured to serve a par-
ticular purpose—but was strictly founded on the exami-
nation of a host of unimpeachable witnesses who attended
from all parts of the kingdom. Whig, Tory, and Radical
alike bore testimony to the evils of the present electioneer-
ing system ; some reluctantly enough, but all proved by
their evidence that the Ballot was an indispensable pro-
tection. Many a man has been hanged at the Old Bailey
where the weight of testimony against him was infinitely
less heavy ; yet the Report founded on such irresistible
data, Mr. POULTER declares to be inconclusive. Assuredly
this is scepticism with a vengeance I
Mr. GROTE'S speech on introducing the question was
shrewdly and forcibly reasoned. He coloured nothing—he
omitted nothing—but dealt with plain facts and unvarnished
argument. The consequence was, that few Members at-
tempted to reply to him, and the few who did, succeeded
about as well as Colonel SII3THORP when he essays the
facetious, or Mr. BORTHWICK when he played Othello at
the Surrey.

Of Lord HOWICK we think well, and would fain speak
respectfully ; but we cannot disguise our opinion that his
speech last night was not an answer to Mr. GROTE, but a
virtual evasion—a studious begging of the question ; see-
Sawing between the pros and cons—now throwing a sop to
the Tories, and now to the Reformers. Had his Lord-
ship's opposition been bold and unhesitating, we should
have appreciated it more highly—for we like a strait-
forward enemy—but it was anything but this, being
throughout little better than a mere apology on the
part of the speaker, for not exactly knowing his own mind.
" He did not deny," he said, " that there might be some
advantages attending the introduction of the vote by Ballot ;
but they should endeavour to compare its advantages and
disadvantages ; they should balance the two fairly together,
and make up their minds un the result of the cutnpari-
son. After having given the best consideration in his power
to this important subject, he confessed in his opinion the dis-
advantages still preponderated ; he did not say what might
hereafter be his opinion, but fur the present he was not con-
vinced of the necessity of the measure proposed." This is
an adroitly balanced sentence, which, stripped of its ver-
biage, means neither more nor less than that if the de-
mand for the Ballot becomes more general than it is just
now, Lord HowicK will veer round and support it, but till
then, he will oppose it. Now, why, instead of doubting and
hesitating, could not his Lordship have given a decided opi-
nion at once on the subject ? Does he expect that the ne-
cessity for the Ballot will be more apparent next year,
than it has been for the last few years ? Impossible
Bribery and corruption can never be carried to a greater
extent than they have been, nor can intimidation become
more general. As for arguments, there can be no new
ones urged to enlighten his Lordship's faculties ; for the
Ballot is a practical, common-sense question, and the stock
of logic requisite to elucidate such subjects is necessarily
limited. However, be this as it may, it is a point gained for
the Ballot, to find that one of his Majesty's Government
is only " for the present" averse to it. A voucher like
this is an auspicious omen of the future. It is the first
getting in of the wedge, which a few after strokes will be
sure to drive home.

Mr. VERNON SMITH made a very silly speech—such a
speech as is not often made even on the Tory side of the
House, where Messrs. BORTIIWICK, TENNENT, and SIB-
THORP, cut conspicuous figures." He could not conceive," he
observed, " that any man would imagine but that the
vote given in public, before the public, and for a public
man, was infinitely more independent than the vote given
in a private society." Really, this is wretched quibbling !
Has the Hon. Member never heard of Carlow and Long-
ford, where votes ware given with all the publicity he so highly
praises, but where they were given under the direct influence
of Tory despots, and were consequently the very reverse of
independent? But it is useless to say more on this head ;
nor indeed should we have noticed Mr. SMITH'S speech
at all, except from a generous wish to do justice to its
amazing foolishness.
Mr. BERNAL announced himself a reluctant convert
to the Ballot—a striking proof, among numerous others
we could mention, of the rapid advance this
great question is yearly making. But of one
thing we are convinced—namely that it will never
triumph, if the people do not make a vigorous de-
monstration in its favour. They must still continue
to agitate, or it will assuredly drop to leeward. Mi-
nisters, it is plain, are not unwilling to give it a
favourable consideration, inasmuch as their former de-
cided " No" has been softened down into a "if you please,
I'd rather not ;" still they can do nothing with it, if the people
do not accord them their enthusiastic and unanimous support.
It gratifies us to state that the numbers last night in favour
of the Ballot, were nine more than they have ever yet been
since the passing of the Reform Bill.

The Paris Journals of Monday state that on Sunday
morning a Cabinet Council was held to examine a project
of law prepared by M. PERSIL, the Keeper of the Seals,
for regulating the liberty of the person. M. PERSIL pro=
poled that a power should be vested in the Crown of
seizing and banishing all persons found in Paris suspected
of treasonable conspiracies, without going through the
troublesome, and, in his opinion, very unnecessary prelimi-
nary of a trial by a jury of their Peers. The arguments
employed by M. PURSIL in recommending such a simple
mode of exterminating treason have not unfortunately been
made public; but we think it would not be difficult to form
a tolerable conception of them. He began, of course, by
reminding the Cabinet that the result, as regarded the
suspected persons, would be precisely the same ss now ;
his distinguished colleague, M. GASPARIN, having pro-
vided against the possibility of acquittal by the new system
of bribing juries and suborning witnesses. Here then
there would be a clear saving of time, of trouble, and
even of perjury, which under the present system was un-
necessarily wasted.

In the next place, his project was a most important im-
provement upon the sanguinary principle of the law of
treason ; for though it was possible that some few innocent
persons might incur banishment, the guilty would be al-
lowed to quit Paris with their heads on their shoulders.
The farce of a Jury system was all very well when the Go-
vernment was weak, and when it was necessary to respect

the feelings and prejudices of men of antiquated ideas ; but
now Ministers had the majority of both Chambers at their
back, and armed with such a law as he proposed, could
make short work with his MAJESTY'S enemies—whether
newspaper writers or infernal machine contrivers. But
whether M. PERSIL employed these arguments, which are
not unsuited to the shallow understanding of a fifth-rate
lawyer and a flippant parasite, or had recourse to others
more to his immediate purpose, his Colleagues, one and all,
shrunk from the responsibility he sought to impose upon
them. The bright project was rejected, and, in
consequence, a rumour prevailed of M. PLltsn's resignation
of the Seals. Now there is really no fear of such a loss
happening to the Cabinet. PERSIL is not a man of such
nice honour as to give up the emoluments of office, because
his colleagues happen to have no very high opinion of his
prudence or his probity. Nor would the KING readily
part with a servant who studies only to make himself use-
ful and agreeable, and cares very little for country, con-
science, or character.

Infernal machines, on the plan of FiEscites, have been
discovered by the police of Darmstadt and Brussels. The
possessor of the first committed suicide. He was a Ger-
man. The contriver of the machine found in Brussels is a
Frenchman, and is now in custody.
The following most extraordinary paragraph is copied
from a Journal published at Lyons. It has created quite
a sensation among the police of Paris :
" Au extraordinary fact, which is of a nature to give rise
to serious reflections, took place at the Hotel Dieu of our city.
A young man, about 26 years of age, a journeyman confec-
tioner, had been brought there to be treated for an attack of
acute rheumatism. This young man having learnt, either by
the attendants or from a journal, of the arrest and suicide of
Champion, immediately became violently agitated, and his
complaint flying to his brain, he was rendered delirious.
While in this state, he said that, as Champion was dead, it
was his turn next to attempt to assassinate the King. He
went on giving circumstantial details of some regicidal asso-
ciation, of which, from his remarks, it would appear that he
was a member. He at length expired, but without giving
any further particulars. Whether the news operated on his
mind, which was predisposed to become deranged, and caused
the above remarks, or whether the disease was actually brought
on by his agitation at finding himself placed in such a situa-
tion, must now remain undecided. The first idea appears the
most probable; the only circumstance which would induce a
belief of the latter is, that the young man had lately visited
Paris, during which time he might have enrolled himself in
some society of the kind above alluded to. The police have
taken all the particulars of the affair, and the depositions of
those parties who were present at the time."
The accounts from Bayonne are of the 2nd inst. A
courier from Madrid had arrived in that town with a mil-
lion of francs fur the army of the North. 30,000 dollars
were for the British Auxiliary Legion, being the second
sum to the same amount received at San Sebastian within
one month. Annexed are the only reports we find in
these journals relative to the great Christino expedition,
which is likely never to take place if the matter be left to
ESPARTERO. We strongly suspect the loyalty of this
officer :

The Sentinelle of the 2d, received this morning, continues
to complain bitterly of the inactivity of the Queen's Generals,
and can attribute it only to their disagreements with each other.
But the following accounts, which we have from the same
source, would seem to announce that they at length think of
commencing operations :
" The Generals who command the army of the North have
sent a note to the Spanish General-in-Chief, informing him
that they have prepared every thing that is necessary to begin
operations.
" A person who arrived from Bilbao on Tuesday evening.,
stated that Espartero was to march the preceding day towards
Durango, at the head of 20,000 men.

" A-bargain had just been made between Espartero and the
contractors for the daily supply of 40,000 rations for three
months, beginning on the Ist of March.
" The Pretender has just ordered a new contribution, which
will be levied in the provinces ; he also enjoins the inhabi-
tants to abandon their villages immediately on the approach of
the Queen's troops; those villages in which these orders are
not executed will he burnt by his troops."
The Journal de Paris says that it is true that M. Thicrs is
going to London ; he will pass some time on a visit to Mr.
Ellice, formerly Minister of War, and son-in-law to Lord Grey.
The illness of Messrs. Pasquier and Simeon delays indefi-
nitely the affair of Meunier and the law of " non.revelation."
—Journal du Commerce March 6.

FRENCH I'UNDS.—PA RIF, MARCH 6.
Five per Cents., 109 f. 55c. 60c. 7tlc. 50c.
Four and a Half per Cents. 103 f.
Four per Cent., 100 f. 75c.
Three per Cents., 79f. 40c. 35c. 45c. 40c.
Rank Actions, 2,405 f.
ftente de Naples, 9Sf. 50c 55c. 60c.
Roman Five per Cents., 1024 y 4.
spaiiish onl.o‘.
Spanish Dilferes, 11
Spanish Passives.
Belgian Loan, Five per Cents, 103.
Brussels Society, 1,:.60f.
11Rytiall LO4l, 360 f.
EXCHANGE. ON LONDON.
One month, paper, —c. —c. ;" money, 251. 3•?V,c.
Three months, paper, —f. —c.; money, '2sf. I 2 ~c
—COSTS AuthentiQue.

BOURSE, HALF-PAST FOUR.—Little business was done in
the French stocks, which closed at pretty nearly the same
prices as on Saturday.
The Spanish Actives, after being sold at 26i, closed at 26y.
It was reported that a letter from General spartero, dated
the 27th ult., had been received in Paris, announcing that on
that day the first division of his army was to enter Durango,
and that he would follow the movement with the rest of his
forces on the 28th. Others believed that the military opera.
tions had not commenced until the sth instant. The rumour
of a change in the Spanish Cabinet seemed to gain credit.
M. Ferrer was again spoken of as the successor of M. Nlendi-
zabal in the Financial Department, but it appealed almost cer-
tain that Count Almadovar had accepted the War-office.

. - -
LAST PRICES.
Five per Cents., 109 f. 75c.
Three per Cents. 79f. 55c.
Bank Actions, 2,405 f.
Bente de Naples' 99f,
- Roman Five per Cents., 102%.
Belgian Loan, 103.
Brussels Bank, 1,415 f.
Portuguese Three per Cents., 31N.
Spanish Actives, 20%.
Spanish Passives, 7N,
New Differes, 11;4.
Belgian Society, 1,56 Cf.

MA RRI ED.—At Christchurch, Marylebone, James,
second son of the late Mr. J. Russell, of Goswell-road, to
Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Mr. Simpson, of New-street,
Dorset. square.
CITY, TUESDAY.—The demand for money for com-
mercial purposes is evidently becoming less severe in the city,
and there were, we think, well-grounded hopes that the diffi-
culties which have now for some time existed, will speedily
pass away. The foreign exchanges wear a firm appearance
this afternoon, and may in fact be quoted the turn better.__..
211,rning Paper.
BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY, No. 111.—130 z has
commenced a series of papers in the March Number of this
humourous publication, entitled the " Pantomime of Life,"
rich in the peculiar aptitude for scrutinizing the foibles of
humanity, for which the author is deservedly notorious. The
comic and the pathetic are equally perceptible in his masterly
touches of vicious senelity and youthful recklessness, and the
whole article may be regarded as one of Hogarth's satires re-
modelled into prose. We hare seen nothing from the same
prolific pen more satisfactory in all respects, and this we say
with his second chapter of " Oliver Twist" figuring almost
beside it. Cruikshank's illustration of " Oliver's" escape from
a threatened apprenticeship to a sweep is admirable. Morier
has a capital story relating Hajji Baba's Last Mission to Eng-
land, which is excellently worked out. " The Old Sailor"
spins a humourous yarn, in his very best style, called " Nights
at Sea ;" Maxwell's " Devil and Johnny Dixon" is equal to
the best thing of the same writer's former admirable stories.
The " Little Bit of Tape," by Lieutenant Johns, does hint
great credit ; and Jerdan brings his jokes out with great
point in " Hippothanasia." The " Memoir of Samuel Foote,"
with a superbly executed engraving from Sir Joshua's pic-
ture at the Garrick, is worthy of high and special commen-
dation. Nor must we omit to mention Cruikshank's very able
coadjutor " Phiz," who with Lover and the insurpassable
George himself, form a trio that throw all other periodical
" pencillers" into irredeemable obscurity. We thought Bent-
ley's first Number could not again have been equalled, but this
excels it.—News.

Sir Edward Sugden and his family are residing at
Boyle Farm, the beautiful villa near Richmond, purchased by
the Hon. and Learned Gentleman some years ago from Lord
De Ros, who inherited the property from his mother, the late
Baroness de Ros, the lady of Lord Henry Fitzgerald.
Yesterday morning a little boy, four years of age,
the son of Edward Wins, one of the constables employed on
the Greewich railway, was burned to death under the follow-
ing circumstances. The mother of the deceased, who lives
at No. 14, White's.grounds, Horsleydown, left her child by
himself in her apartmect, where there was a fire, while she
went to see the execution of the convict Pegsworth, and dur-
ing her absence it appears the boy, while playing with lighted
pieces of paper, set fire to his clothes. His screams brought
some of the inmates of the house to his assistance, and on
forcing open the door, the poor little fellow was found writh-
ing on the floor in the greatest agony, with the whole of his
dress consumed to a state of tinder, his flesh in many places
being burned completely black. Ile was directly taken to
Guy's Hosbital, but expired nearly as soon as he arrived there.
An inquest will be held on the body.
The executors and trustees under the will of the
lats Sir John Soane have refused to make themselves partici-
cipators in-the testator's feelings, by taking upon themselves
the trusts conferred on them by that document, which conse-
quently remains unproved. Mr. Soane, the heir-at-law, has,
under the advice of several advocates of the Ecclesiastical
Court, entered a caveat against the admission of the testa-
mentary paper, on the plea of insanity. He has left a great
number of small annuities, and after the death of all thelega-
tees, he has left a Mr. Foxall residuary legatee. This in-
dividual, who is a respectable tradesman, is in no degree re-
lated to or connected with Sir John. The majority of the le-
gatees have expressed a desire to see the family property,
which amounts to nearly 200,0001., restored to Sir John's
own family