The Sun.
London, England, 1830-12-25 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sta,—l have seen a paragriph in your Paper of this
evening, reflecting on the conduct of my brother, in giving
notice of a rnotiisn for an address, prayii.g his Majesty to
appoint a Fast-day. You observe that " AN a sample of
cant, Mr. Percevars notice puts forth strong claims to per-
fection ; as a sample of good sense, it is deserving only of
ridicule."

The serious illness of a very near and (lear relation obliged
my brother to leave London for Irel old this evening ; and
I cannot tell what notice, if any, he would have taken of
this severe rene.rk. In his absence, however, I feel it my
dutr to give you an opportunity to apologize for'an attack,
which,. I think, a very little reflection will convince you
was uncalled for, end unjustifiable. I know nothing. of
the individual I um addressing ; but I have read in re-
spectable Oldie/166ns that the Editor of The Sun is a
man of talent and education. I feel, therefore, that I ant
safe in ascribing to him the station and the feelings of a
gentleman ; and I look for that readiness of reparation for
offence given by hasty and unguarded words, which belongs
to that character.
Allow me first to observe that your antithesis is not a
fair one. The opposite to " cant" is genuine piety.
" Good settee" is incompatible, with cant. But I need not
go far for proof, that genuine piety has been found united
with good sense in no common proportion.
know that the simple charge of " cant" does not always
imply an accusation of hypocrisy. The merely injudicious
and unnecessary obtrusion of religione terms and sentiments
nut Of place and seamen may provoke, and justify the
phrase. But, I • presume, you will not deny that some
suspicion of insincerity is involved in " the perfection of
cant," to which you say my brother's notice !aye claim.
Whether, or no, it be out of place and out re/season to
propose that the representatives of u Christian people
should, at a time of acknowledged distress and perplexity,
call upon their Sovereign to proclaim a day for national
humiliation before their God, and intercession for His mercy,
I leave to the judgment of all those who believe that the
affairs of this world are in the hands of the Most High.
In this number I trust that I include most of my fellow-
countrymen : I am sure that I include all of them whose
opinion is worth having. If I include yourself, Sir, and
then, neither you nor they can
tllthi:kpe hmtaybt I mayrothet' brother's so, then,
fairly cliargeablewith " cant,"
even in the mitigated sense which I have noticed above,
in which, however, I have ehewn that you did snot use
the term.
As to the " good sense" of the proceeding, that can
scarcely be pronounced upon till the House shall have de-
cided upon the motion ; at all events, it is rather early to
call it " only deserving of ridicule," upon the bare no-
tice, and before the mover has pronounced his reasons.
I would not speak harshly of a sentence which has
borne a sting that I will not yet thinly intentional. Much
must lie allowed for the natural eagerness of a inlblie
writer to catch at so obnoxious and tempting a witticism
as that with which your sally commences. It would have
been hard to wait six weeks for an opportunity to use it.
But forgive me if I Add, that it would have been wiser and
• better to have suppressed it altogether. It led to the ne-
crei.eity of rounding the paragraph with insult upon a
person whose motives few will condemn, and whole feel-
ings, 1 believe, still fewer would wits!' to injure. I ant
much mistaken if you, Mr. Editor, will not now be one
of the first to regret its insertion.
I will only add that the reporters have, in some measure,
misled you. The`notice was not received with " much
merriment." There was,- I understand, a slight tittering
among some gentlemen who did not ,at first catch its
meaning. Whether, on reflection, they are pleased with
their good taste in this matter, it is not for me to divine.
But the country will he glad to learn that there is not yet
that general absence of &comae in the House of Commons,
which the reporter's statement would imply.
I have the honour to he, Mr. Editor,
Your obedient humble servant,
DUDLEY M. PERCEVAL.
16, Wilton-street, Belgrave-square,
Friday evening, Dec. 9.4,
[We readily insert the` above letter, and as readily dis-
claim the imputation of any persinality towards Mr.
Perceval. We merely alluded to his motion as a public
act, which we thought was injudicious, and should have
left to the discretion of Minister*, Who have already di-
rected prayers to be offered up on account of the distress
of the country. With respect to the Honourable
Gentleman's motion—we accord him all due credit for
sincerity—and only question the "good sense" of giving
notice of such a motion on the eve of a recess of six weeks,
when it could he productive of no good whatever.-s-En.)

REV. HR. BON:TOL—The Eenivng Packet
announces that the Rev. Mr. ilovTores opinions have
undergone a Illtklification on the question of a repeal of the
Union, and that aspersions have, in consequence, been east
upon his political consistency. We are confident, how.
ever, that Mr. Borrox it too enlightened and high.minded
to be intimidated by such vulgar and ungenerous rebukes.
When the mind is eonvinc.eil, an effort at consistency in
error is a crime. We trust—indeed ire are confident—
that Mr. Borrots will soon he an avowed anti-Unionist,
and that the cause of his country will have the aid of his
falseassiss.Dublin Morning Regitter.

STATE OP Tilt COUNTRY.

(FROM OUR CAMBRIDGE CORRESPONDENT.)

CAMBRIDGE, DSC. 24.
SHERIITS QEFICER KILLED BY POACHERS.
An account:his' pat been received of an affray with
poachers, whicliV place last night on Colonel Peel's
estate, at Wallingt Lnear Downham, and in which Mr.
James Weston, Officer to the'Sheriff of Norfolk, and police
officer at Downham, lost his life. It appears that Colonel
Peel's keepers, hearing the report of fire-arms in the pre-
serves soon after eleven o'clock, sent to Weston to assist
him in apprehending the poachers. Having assembled
their party, they proceeded in the direction of the firing,
and on approaching one of the plantations they saw the
poachers apparently in readiness to receive them. The
keeper's party determined to attack them, and on advanc-
ing for that purpose, and after having crossed a hedge at
the outside of the plantation, and which separated them
from the poachers, one of the latter called out to Weston,
who headed the party, " Jem, you are near enough."
The same person, or some other of the poachers, itnme-
diately fired. The contents of the gun lodged in Weston's
right side, between the ribs. The keeper's party then de-
' aisted front the attack, and, after removing pow. 'Weston,
sent to Downham for aaaistance. The poachers remained
some time in the plantations, but left them before the keepers
strengthened their forces, a fruitless search, which conti-
nued some hours, having been made for diem. Weston,
after lingering two hours in excruciating agony, expired.
He has the character of having been a high spirited, cou-
rageous mm, and of having acted in the execution of his
offices with fidelity to his employers, and great kindness
and humanity towards prisoners under his charge. He was
about 32 years of age, and has left a wife and five chil-
dren. Colonel Peel, I believe, is a brother, or near re-
lative, of Sir Robert Peel. It is said the poacher who
spoke can he identified by his voice, and that the constables
are in active selrch after him._ _

.. -
On 'Wednesday evening, about seven o'clock, a fire
broke out in two places in a hay-stack, near the centre of
the town of Chatteris, belonging to Mr. J. C. Dunn, a
maltster and farmer of that place ; but, by great exertions,
it was got under, without extending to the adjoining
stacks and premises. Suspicions fell upon a labourer of
the name of John Drake, who was apprehended, and,
after under►toing an examination before the Rev. Dr.
Chatfield and John Fryer, Esq., two Magistrates for the
Isle of E,ty, he was fully committed yesterday, for trial, at
the next Ely Mazes.
The labourers of the parish of Voulmire, near this place,
struck for an increase of wages on Monday last, and as-
sembled in groups in the street, on th it day and Tuesday.
Having refused to disperse on Wednesday, the Magis-
trates of the district obtained the assistance of the troop of
mounted constables, recently established at Royston,
and after the lapse of an hour frem the reading of the
Riot Act, a skirmish took place, which continued for
some time, and terminated in the capture of five of the
ringleaders, all of whom were committed by the Rev. Mr.
Leworthy, to the Castle here. It is said some heavy
blows were exchanged, stud that the troop manifested peat
personal courage on the occasion. It was under the di-
rection of 11. Hawkins, Esq. of Royston. Many of the
principal occupiers at Foultnire and the neighbouring pa-
rishes rendered their assistance.

Fifteen sheep, belonging to Mr. Porter, a farmer, at
Caveney, were killed Oil Sunday night, in one of his
fields. None of the carcases were removed. The perpe-
trators of the villainous act have not hen discovered.

- ----
PRESENT STATE -OF IRELAND.

(From a Correspondent of the Times.)

DUBLIN, DEC. 21.

I have for some time abstained front addressing you, be-
cause you tight gather from the Dublin Journals a rough
notion of the species of agitation which has for some time
prevailed in this cauntry. I write now because that I
think that a crisis of some kind or other is at no very
great distance ; and it is material that the English !Attalla
as well as the Government should be made acquainted
with our actual condition. The Times is probably the
best medium in the empire which could be chosen with
a view to attain this object.
I shall sty no king about the motives or the designs o f
those persons who started the repeal of the Union as
subject for agitation. Perhaps there are some political
fanatics among the leaders, and I am satisfied that the
bulk of the pop's: do not contemplate a separation from
Great Britain. Every man here of sense and considera-
ti.su is thoroughly convinced that the repeal of the Union
if the thing were practicable, must inevitably terminate in
the dismemberment of the empire. I by no means assert,
however, that this is the opinion of the Anti-Unionists.
On the contrary, they are in the habit of expressing
the strongest indignation against any man who
, argues that their proceedings would lesd to that Was-
! trophe. -You will, therefore, be cautious In crediting. the
accounts which *lay reach you, that there is a strong
anti-English feeling in Ireland. I do not think there is.
At the same time you will have observed in the reports of
the speeches made on this side of the water, that there is
expressed a very lively interest in the disturbances and
distreesee of England. This feeling arises, I should rather
think, from the same source which actuates some of your
' public men in exaggerating these distresses, with a view
of applying for a radio, remedy, and not from the indul-
genes of a sentiment hostile to the connection.
I think it necessary to make. these preliminary state-
ments, because I foresee the probability of your receiving
from other quarters certain accounts of a wide extended
conspiracy, the object of which will be described to be
no less than the forcible repeaLof the Legislative Union,
in case the British people should negative the proposition.
There is no conspiracy—there is nothing bnt what he that
runs may read. But there is quit enough to produce se-
, dons alarm, without the mention of any plot, in the pre-
sent circumetances of this country.
When the question of the repeal was first broached,
many laughed at it—many supposes' it was raised only for
a purpose, and that it would speedily disappear. I con-
fess I had my misgivings ; and in a short time it was felt
necessary, by those opposed to the agitation, to obtain a
public declaration of sentiment to that effect. The Lein-
ider declaration accordingly appeared ; and it now contains
the names of most of the Peers and men of landed property
in Ireland, as well as a considerable display of mercantile
and monied signatures. Many, however, have been de-
terred front coming forward by their position in respect to
the inferior ranks of society, who look, nevertheless, with
apprehension on the success of the agitation. In the
north of Leland the liberals and radicals have almost uni-
versally declared against the repeal ; and in the south
they have been getting up a similar declaration, which
has obtained the signatures, I understand, of a great
proportion of the resident landed gentry in the county
of Cork. Besides these manifestations of opinion, the
Grand Orange Lodge of Dublin got up a declaration of a
similar kind, but only expressed in much more indignant
language, against the agitation of the question, which they
described as pregnant with revolution, and meaning nothing
but a forcible separation, anti Popish ascendancy. This
declaration was very numerously signed, and contained
among the signatures several highly respectable names. I
beg your readers to bear this fact in mind.
But what the repealers wanted in respectability (and
I am not using the term in an offensive sense) they amply
made up in activity and numbers. In the course of little
more than a month they have organized all the trades and
most of the shopkeepers in Dublin. It is true that few
of the latter appear at the public meetings but 1 should
deceive you if 1 led you to infer that they do not take a
most lively interest in the agitation of the measure. In
short, it is extremely popular among all the middle ranks;
and it has become a passion, a sort of fanaticism, with the
lower orders.
The flame has spread through the country, with, per-
hops, for the present, the exception of the North of Ire-
land, with singular rapidity. rEhere is scarcely a town of
vote in the three tither provinces which has not had its
parochial or trade meeting. In the rural districts the pea-
santry are addressed in a similar manner by the rustic
orators ; and resalutione 'breathing the most determined
hostility to the Union, and to all the enemies of indepen-
, dent Ireland, are passed. It is true, that at very few of
these meetings the merchants of the towns, or the gentry
of the country, or the mere substantial farmers, appear.
But, on the other hand, neither is any attempt made
to discountenance them. Many secretly approve, and se-
veral who do not, feel it most judicious to remain silent.
In truth, I doubt whether those who a few years ago would
he called the natural 'elders of the people, have flaw any
influence among them. The lest general election furnished
a tolerably striking example ref the feebleness of theta
ties which had to a certain extent previously bubsiated be-
tween the parties. If there should be a general election
next spring or summer, as they report, 1 am satisfied thst
the man who would not pledge himself to the repeal elthe
Union in at least 20 conntlee out of the 82, would have
but a faint chance of success, provided gentlemen could be
found who would promise any thing far a seat.
Pram this statement, you will have concluded that there
is a complete dieseveration between the higher and the
lower orders of society. I inn afraid that the inference
would be too trite ; and, in fact, the people glory in it.
There is no doubt whatever that the rank, property, and
intelligence of Ireland is against the repeal; but neither
can there be any doubt, ou the other hand, that the mil-

Hon are enthusiastically, l was almost going US say, pledged
to it.
Your readers may be anxious to he male acquainted
with the part which that mostimportant body, the Catholic
Clergy, have taken in this agitation. Some of them have
appeared at their public meetings, and made speeches, bait
in general they are not prominent agitators. I woo d not
have you infer from this, that they are hostile. On the
contrary, I believe that they are generally for it ; but the
discipline of their church is so rigid, that they will soarely
disobey the direction of their ordininaries. With regard to
the latter, I have some reason for believing, that they are
generally against agitation, though not perhaps against
the repeal of the Union. At the Lune time you must
remember, that the priests live in the midst of the
people, and that they derive their means of sub-
eistenee front the voluntary coelrihutions of their flocks
Without at all imputing to then! unworthy motives.
which I ate far from Insinuating, for 1 know them to b,
an exemplary body of men, it is natural that they shoulde
catch the colour of the sentiment with which they may be
said to be surrounded, and identified as they are with the
feelings and wants of the people, it is nut in human na-
ture that they should not be imbued with their pasaious
and their prejudices. There may be other causes deeper
than these, upon which you would not have space, or
the writer of this communicatioe a dealer, to expatiate at
present.
I am now coming to the most singular, end perhaps
to the most formidable part of our condition ; indeed,
it was the circumstance te which I had princhm;ly to
refer, that induced me to break my long silence. Its
a preceding part of this letter, mention is made of is
declaration got up by the Orangemen against the
Union, and very numerously signed by members of.
that body. This declaration emanated almost Avow-
edly from a jealousy of that got up by the liberals, under
the presidency of the Duke of Leinster. The p,l ideal
Prote.tants, or the ascendency if you choose, were --As-
pleased at the lead taken. by those Protesitants who had
signed the Catholic declaration in ISO, and the more
p:irticulary as the latter invited Catholics to the meeting;;
the Secretary, Mr. Murphy, being, in point of fact, a Ca-
tholic, and one of the moat minus and eltatteent agitators
of the Catholic Association. The Orange anti.Unionios
pledged themeetree far abide, Unwires allover the king-
dom, and continued ringingl at. loud peal against Popery
through their organs at the Press. They bad valeue
Wed manifestly that the influence at. Governtnent
would be thrown into their scale, and hence their
hostility to the Leinster declaration. Whether there
were any signs in the late Administration which
ehouldlinapire them :with this hope, I will not undet;•
take to say ; I believe there were not. The ehangei
however, came While both parties were labouring to. stem
the torrent,—the Orangemen, in the interim, fighting a
by-battle with the Liberals. But when the appointment
of Lord Grey's Ministry was made known, there appeared
to be a manitest diminution of their energy against the re-
pellets. They lay upon their oars. They Waited for
the appointments which were to be made in Ireland. They
began to abuse Lord Anglesea, but when Lord Plunkett
was raised to the high office which he now Alla, their hos-
tility became boundless. The most active leader amongst
them hinted at the necessity under which they might find
themselves of joining their fellow-citizens for a repeal of
the Union, as they could have no confidence they declared
in the present Administration—of those fellow.eitietius
whom they declared, little more than a mouth before, to be
not much better than rebels and traitors. The hint worked
well. In the north, the lower Catholics and Protestants
have congregated in several places, with orange and
green banners, calling fur a reduction of rents, mid an
abolition of tithes. But it was in Dublin on Saw-
day last, that the grand federation was coneutrimated•
Perhaps one year ago there was not a man in existence
more odious to the Orangemen of Ireland than Mr. O'Con-
nell. Mark the contrast :on Saturday the trades met to
welcome his arrival ; there were at least 60,000
craftsmen, with banners and flags.--the rolours universally
orange and green, and the respective trades beteg headed,.l
understand, generally by Orangemen. The roe t,..frout
Dublin to lluwth, a distance of nine miles, sees crowded
with spectator.. The march into town, I am told
,1x
those who witnessed it, was one of the most imptOing ealue
bilious possible. It was dark when they reached Summer.
hill, when, partly through affection, and partly, no double
through an apprehension of danger, most of the houses
were lighted up. The leaders of the trades were provided
with torches, and it was, en the whole, a spectacled wbich
a monarch might be proud. You will readily believe -me
wlienel tell you that O'Connell is no favourite of mina;
but certainly, whatever the motives of the parties might
be, who banned the long array on Saturday last, the abject
whom not only Catholics but Orangemen sought to honour,
must have been proud, if he were even less vain than he is,
of seeing his old enemies shouting at his chariot wbeele.
This is a state of thing' suite new in Ireland: whether
it will continue is a question which I have no disposition
to discuss. That the Liberator does not mean 'to be idlee
is evident. Not only is Chief Jostitter Doherty,l hue-Lord
Plunkett, already denounced; and the people era' advised
not to exhibit any manifestations of regard to lessist,Ane
glesca. In this course the ultra. of both parties wee,
But what is the intelligent and liberal pert of the pub?•
lie doing, you will ask. What can they do ? They .catt!..
not condescend to make mobs, even if they had the power,
which I very much question. nesidee, we are,at this ano-
inent without a Government. The press, orange and
green, is with the agitation, or if there be a jaurnal or
two against it, the conductors must feel that they are
working against the sympathies of their former readers, as
well as decidedly against their interests. Still there is
strong party who are resolved not to submit without mak-
ing a struggle to the dictation of the ultras.
You will see in the Dublin papers a formidable array of
speeches, which it is vary possible you will net reed, but
they are read here and produce their effect.
There are letters from the north to-day, which show
oluit)shfirioalniitp:kiitte:
vytren,atultit)ntijiilues
will
receive
of
eed,
Orangemen
tiirivanoei
nosm ,
go:t
olamaensetdCi
paieotfhrwet.l4:ri irsitn:
inapcnindlueobcOtikirsnaain gevleitnrintyt
iestlr
itoloilsrietan
yt
amen have committed some cruel out-
rages on the Catholics ; and there is some apprehensions
entertained that the latter will retaliate if prompt relief be
nut afforded. To do the magistrates justice, they steem
inclined to preserve the peat*, if they can.
Lord Anglesea will arrive at Kingstown harbour to-
morrow evening, will sleep on board the packet, end conic
into Dublin on Thuready. There is no doubt that he will
be numerously amid most respectably welcomed back to Ire-
land, notwithstanding the efforts which have been made
to prevent a popular display. His Nuelleriey willhave a
difficult and delicate duty to perform in the govertititent of
this country during the next three months.