The Sun.
London, England, 1838-02-24 00:00:00

HA T TON- GA RDEN.

Yesterday Henry lllyddix, aged 16, John Barrows, aged 19,
and William Cuuke, aged 14, were placed at the bar b. few
Mr. ROGERS, chrged by Mrs. Eliza Cooke, a widow, crippl,d,
the mother of the prisoner Cooke, on suspicion of having rub-
bed her house.

Mr. li.ooEas remanJed the prisoners, with directions that
every inquiry should be niafie to trace the stolen property and
an owner for that found at Barrows's lodgings.

MARLBORouGH-STREET.

Mr. R. Dillon Brown, M. P., appeared before Mr. DYER
and Mr. COURTNEY to answer a charge of assault brought
against him by Mr. E. nest Sievers.
Mr. Sievers stated that he livid in Homer-strecet, Lam-
beth. The assault occurred in January last at Long's Hotel.
Complainant bad made many attempts to see Mr. Brown on
a private matter, but they had been frustrated. Having, how-
ever, perceived Mr. Brown enter Long's Hotel, he sent in his
card, requesting a private interview in a private room. Mr.
Brown sent out a refusal, and complainant then told Mr.
Markwcll, the proprietor, that he was determined to see Mr.
Brown, and if he could accomplish the matter no other way
he would dine in the coffee-room, when a scene would ensue
of a very unpacific character. Mr. Somers, a friend of Mr.
Brawn's, came out to complainant, and spoke to hire, and
soon afterwards Mr. Brown made his appearance. After a
few warm words had passed between them, complainant ad-
dressed Mr. Somers, and while so doing he received an un-
expected and violent blow on the face from Mr. Brown. The
persons present interfered, and complainant came to the office
for a warrant.

Mr. Brown admitted the assault, but begged the Magis-
[rates would look at the provocation which he had received.

Mr. Sievers having- intimated his wish that the case should
be dealt with in a summary fern), the I3cnch inflicted tho fine
(f M.

The manner in which her Majesty conveyed her in-
timation to the Fitzclarencii family respecting the continuation
of their allowance was as gratifying as the act itself ass
gracious. Listead of the common official notice, such as is
customary on similar cocasions, her Majesty addressed private
communications, through her Secretaries, to each member of
the fimily, stating the gratification she experienced in acting
in accordance to what her late uncle had conferred upon the
family, and that all the allowances were to be continued as the
late King had given them.
SJlre misapprehensions seem to have prevailea lately
with respect to the measures adopted by the Scotch banks,
which have reduced the rate of interest on deposits, and have
been charged in consequence with inflicting a wilful injury on
their customers. Heretofore the rate of interest on loans was
5 per cent., and the allowance to depositors 3 per cent., leav-
ing a profit to the banks of 2 per cent. on the two operations.
Since the reduction, the rates are 4 per cent. on loans, and
9} per cent. on depcsits; so that the banks are not so well off
as they were, making a profit of only I per cent. With re-
spect to the alteration, the Scotch banks could not help them-
selves, after a reduction to 4 per cent, had been made by the
flank of England:— Times.

THE COAL TRADE.

The Committee sat yesterday at the usual hour, Captain T.
Won in the Chair.

A petition was presented from the Deptford Pier Company,
signed by the Secretary, Mr. C. Barker, complaining of. the
injury sustained by them inconsequence of the Colliers driving
against the pier. The petition stated that every accommo-
dation had been offered the vessels to unload at the Pier, at a
time when the inhabitants of Deptford, Greenwich, and that
neighbourhood were very scantily supplied with coals ; but
although there were 720 vessels in the river at the time, none
f them would discharge their cargoes, in violation of the regu-
latione of the coal-factors and coal-owners. The petition
strongly deprecated the combination among these parties, and
Prayed that they might be allowed to tender evidence in sup-
port of these allegations.
Mr. Thompson was then called in and again examined. In
Itaswcr to questions by Mr. Pease, he stated that he could not
me the precise sum he paid the seamen of his vessel per
voyage. The Captain he paid 9/. per vo)age, and some per-
ritii•ites. If there were 7,500 vessels at present employed in
the trade, that was occasioned by the system is hich prevented
their taking more than a certain number of voyages per an-
num. Nu doubt if the system was altered some of them would
be unemployed ; freights would come down, and sonic of the
vessels would seek other employment, perhaps in the foreign
trade. That would result from vessels making twelve voy-
ages a year instead of eight. If 500 ships were lost in ties
course of a year, that number might be built, if required, in
the cruise of a year, at the different ports and docks. The
Coal Trade is a profitable one at present to the ship owners,
hut it might be made more profitable without injury to the
public. I don't know what the current per tentage of profit
is at present to the ship-owners. If all vessels were allowed
to lead in the North, and discharge in the Thames,
without delay, there would not be so many vessels
now employed in the trade. The ship-owners, al-
though they might not have such high freights, would have
more money at the end of the year, and coals would be sold
at a lower price. There has been an increased rate of profit
for freight of late years, but that has been counter-balanced
by the delay in loading and unloading. I think the trade
has been profitable for the last three years. When the trade
was free we bought the coals at a loss, but the public was
benefitted. If the factore regulations had not interfered, the
thing would have found its level, and we could have carried
the coals under the free system at a fair profit. A vessel
could easily make twelve voyages per annum, in an open trade.
The witness was asked a great number of questions relative
lto the freight at which a profit could be made. If the trade
were open, there would be no jostling or confusion in discharg-
ing vessels in the river.
By Mr. `VARLET—There is no doubt that the regulations of
the coal-owners have had the effect of raising the price of coals.
By Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET—The colliers generally are
insured. They are insured at twelve guineas per cent. per
annum. That per-tentage would not be increased if the ves-
sels made twelve trips instead of eight per annum. Some
vessels have been nine weeks lying in the port of London wait•
ing for their turn. The ordinary time is two or three weeks.
If coals were lower there would be a greater demand for
them, and that would be advantageous also to the ship-owner.
I have heard that the shipowners generally do not concur in
the regulations. Many of them complain of them.
By Mr. Ilumellßßy.—Vi by then do not the ship owners com-
bine, if it is injurious to them ? I don't think they could do
Ilt• Ship owners, who are also coal factors, approve of the
gulations.
By Mr. Weeeev--The actual ccst per ton to take coals
om Newcastle, and deliver them in London over the ship's
side, is about 6s. to 6s. E3d. including City dies.
By Mr. Heetrnase—,The last voyage on my own account
was in December. I got 20s. per ton at the ship's side for
them. I don't know what I paid for them at the other end.
By Lord G. SOMERSET—A person is stationed at Gravesend
who takes the names of the captains and ships as they pass, and
reports them to the Coal Exchange, and they are discharged
in their turn. I don't know how the communication is made
to the ship owners when alterations are made as to the regu-
lations.
Captain Young, of the Eliza, examined—The coals brought
in December to London from Shields cost 7s. 6d. per ton, free
on board. The expenses of a voyage on a vessel of the Eliza's
size is about 801. We pay five guineas per voyage to the
seamen, and a pound extra to the mate and carpenter. We
provide them with victuals also. We average eight or nine
voyages per annum, but we could make twelve easily if the
trade were free. I have never made a calculation of the ex-
penses on the average of each voyage. We could take the
coals at 6s. 6d. all the year round ; but not with a profit.
I found no difficulty in procuring cargoes in the North,
when the trade was free. When the regulations were in
force, I have been sometimes detained four or five weeks.
The demurrage is about 4/. per day. I never was detained a
week when the regulations did not exist. I have sometimes
taken my turn in the river here, according to the factors'
regulations. I have on this last occasion been in the river
since the 6th of February, and have not yet delivered. lam
waiting for my turn, and expect to commence to discharge on
Monday. I have seldom been three days detained when I did
not comply with the regulations. I never signed a ticket as
an official coal-meter. I don't think the tickets we have got
printed contain the words " official meter."
By Mr. BELL—There is a Turn Act on the Tyne, and ships
must wait to take their turn. I never violated the engagement
I made not to sell out of turn.
By Capt. A LSAGER—When I refused to sign the document
in the North they refused to give me a cargo. They have
often offered me a freight for a foreign port, and would be
glad if I took it, but that would not answer me. If the pool
is full, I wait till there is room. I have been more than a
dozen times refused cargoes in the North, both on the Tyne
and at Sunderland.
By Mr. HUMNIERY-1 have been refused by the Holly-
well, the Heaton, the Beucham, and in fact all the collieries.
I was last refused in December, and was then obliged to take
a cargo in freight. I was detained on that Occasion five or six
weeks, and it was accident then gave me a cargo. The ice
did not prevent ships loading. I left the North about the 3d
of February, and arrived in London about the 6th. I applied
frequently during the five weeks I was at Newcastle, but was
refused, being one of the 32 vessels then in the port of New-
castle which were proscribed. One of the 32 vessels has
since arrived in London. She cleared out from Newcastle,
I believe for France, and sold her cargo at Gravesend.
By Mr. BELL—The men in the north generally get some
holidays in January, but many of the collieries were at work.
All I applied to refused to load me except one, who offered to
supply me if I paid Is. per ton extra. I received les. 6d.
freight, which I considered a good one. I know that cap-
tains and crews frequenting the Tyne and the Weare are
anxious to have the regulations done away with. One cap-
tain (of the Emma) told me that he was not able to afford his
family more than les. per week.
By Lord G. SOMERSET—The reason why I got such high
freight as 10s. 6d. was, because there was a greater demand
for coals in consequence of the frost. When a change is made
in the factors' regulations, no intimation is given to the ship-
owners. We see the list of ships sold and unsold, and make
a calculation of when our time may come. I believe a meet-
ing was held in the north at Christmas by the coal-owners, at
which it was resolved to limit the quantity, and not to enter
into any new contracts till March. My detention was entirely
owing to my haying refused to sign the regulations. [The
document was put in and read.] That paper is handed to me by
the person in the office where I purchase the coals. One vessel
arrived after me at Newcastle, and wa3 dispatched before me. A
great number of vessels arrived after me, and obtained their car-
goes before me. I think coals can be as easily obtained inthe north
in December as at any other period of the year. We could
sell coals considerably less in London if there were no regula_
tons. I was obliged to keep all my crew during the five
weeks I was detained in Newcastle. The los. 6d. freight
was not a large freight on that account. In summer time 7s.
a ton freight would pay, but it would be nearly 2s. a ton more
in winter. I have not lately applied for a meter in the port of
London. My customers arc satisfied with our own weighing.
In this last voyage we sold on Wednesday, and expect to have
a meter on Saturday or Monday. There is a want of meters
in the river. If the cargo were on my owe account, I would
have sold and delivered within three days after our a-rival.
I could have done so even with the obstacles to the nag igation
that existed during the last six weeks. If all vessels were
allowed to come up and sell as fast as they pleased, they could
sell much lower.
By the CrTAIEMAN—Those vessels which do not comply
with the regulations, experience more difficulty in obtaining
meters than the others.
By Mr. liUMPHERY—i applied for a meter on one occa-
sion, when I did not comply with the regulations, in October
last, and was told I could not have one. Mr, Horne, to
whom the coals were sold, procured one a day or two after-
wards. I think there are too few metera in the river. I
tried the Tyne, the Wear, the Tees, and in other places to
load me, but they all refused; I tried at Stockton, and en-
tered into a charter-party to obtain a cargo, but when the
person applied, as soon as the narce of the vessel was men-
tioned, she was refused ; I then stated that I would come upon
the other party for the brear:h of his charter-party, which
would subject him to Pen7e.tty of 100/., and then the vessel
was "fitted" to load ';eith Chiltern's Walls-end, a rery infe-
rior sort of coals.
By Mr. Pe ....,Es.4 object to the combination of coal-owners,
because I. (*slink they can ship as fast as they can work them.
The S'ecoteh coals are not in the combination, nor the Welsh,
istli, they arc only fit for particular purposes. The Yorkshire
Coals are not included, but we cannot get to the ports. The
coals from the Humber cost too much on board ; they cannot
compete with the north country coals in price. In December,
1836, Hollywell Main coals were Bs. 3d. Since then they
have been 95., and a shilling for quay dues, and to put on
board. I think the coal owners ought to be content with a
moderate rate of profit. I saw it stated that I said they could
sell at les. per ton lower, but I contradicted the statement,
because it was incorrect. I complain that I cannot get coals
to purchase, in consequence of these regulations. I do not '
know of any detention, in either my own case or others, dur-
ing the time the trade was open. The pitmen generally have
a fortnight's holidays in December. There were at that time,
I believe, six or seven hundred ships in the Thames. The
eel-owners in the north are obliged to waste a great deal of
the best time to repair the engines, &e., in the collieries. I
know nothing about these matters.
The Committee then adjourned.

Her Majesty's Mail steam packet, from Pembroke
to Waterford, which we supposed to have been lost in the
snow storm of Thursday, has reached Youghall, her engines
being much damaged. She is likely to remain for some time
at Youghall to repair.

LONDON:
SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24, 1838.

In the few cursory remarks made last night by Lord
MELBOURNE on the subject of the Ballot, we can plainly
trace the moral influence of the late discussion in the House
of Commons. His Lordship, as a matter of course, ex-
pressed hiasself hostile to the great experiment, but his
opposition bore no trace of decision or energy ; but, on the
contrary, was of a subdued, irresolute—we might almost
add—desponding character. He did not deny that the
question was fast gaining ground, but " hoped that
the measure would not be pressed forward by the
country, but that the people would weigh well the subject,
and take a comprehensive view of it." How different is this
language from that held, some weeks since, by Lord JOHN
RUSSELL 1 But then the discussion on the Ballot had not
taken place ; the numerical force of its supporters in
the House of Commons had not been ascertained—possi-
bly not even suspected—whereas, it is now clearly
demonstrated that the experiment cannot be with-
held much longer ; end that Ministers, whether they
like or dislike it, must make up their minds, at no distant
period, to concede the point. We fancy we can trace an
anticipation of this sort in Lord MELBOURNE'S speech last
night, and hail the omen accordingly, as one of brightest
import. We should be guilty of gross flattery to his
Lordship, were we to observe, that in the few quiet re-
marks he urged against the Ballot, there was anything like
sound argument. He hazarded but one observation which
was intended to be logical ; and this one was triumphantly
refuted by Lord BROUGHAM, who added, in speaking of
the necessity of the Ballot, that he " knew of a case which
happened in a great city not far from that place, where
a tradesman received not fewer than sixteen letters, all
insisting on his voting one way ; and intimating, if he
did not, that the writer of each letter would with-
draw his custom from him. The poor man perceived ruin
staring him in the face, if he dared to exercise his political
rights." This is by no means an aggravated case of op-
pression, for hundreds of a far more flagrant character oc-
curred daily during the last elections—more especially in
the south-west of England, where voters were brought
up to the poll in droves, like cattle to Smithfield, and
compelled to give their suffrages just as their Tory drivers
dictated. Surely these are grievances that call trumpet-
tongued for redress ; and when, in addition to this, it is
borne in mind how officiously and how scandalously the
Tory parsons persist in tampering with the consciences of
their flocks ; how, regardless of their vocation as ministers
of peace and good-will to man, they thrust themselves pro-
minently forward as mere electioneering agents,
stirrers-up of strife and heart-burnings ;—when all
these things, we say, are taken into consideration,
it will at once be evident that justice, morality, and com-
mon sense are alike interested in—alike call for, the pro-
tection of the Ballot. We suppose it was an anticipation
of the speedy success of the measure, that induced the
Duke of WELLINGTON to exclaim last night, with ill-disguised
bitterness of feeling, that "we had gone back halfa century."
Were it worth while to refute this exceeding foolish observe-
tion, we could convince the Prince of WATERLOO, that so far
from " going back," we have advanced in our political con-
dition far beyond anything he could ever have dreamed
of. We have no Tory Boroughmongers now to coerce
our House of Commons ; no Tory jobs remarkable only
for their impudence and iniquity ; no influence behind
the throne, greater than the throne itself ; all this is past
for ever : a circumstance which we can readily imagine
that the Noble Duke regards as indicative of a return to
the most barbarous politic periods in English history.

As we yesterday anticipated, the personal question of
which Lord MAIDSTONE gave notice caused a great ex-
citement in the House of Commons, and will certainly
give us, unless it be dropped, frequent opportunities of
referring to it. Mr. O'CONNELL, it %Nil' be seen by the
debate, answered Lord MAIDSTONE'S question in the affir-
mative, and acknowledged that ho had used every word
contained in the report. He was going on, as we expected
he would, to justify his assertions, when the SPEAKER in-
terposed, and the debate was cut short by Lord MAIDSTONE
giving notice that on Monday he would call the attention
of the House to the conduct of Mr. O'CONNELL.
'Thereupon Lord JOHN RUSSELL, with much spirit, and
greatly to the delight of all his supporters, gave notice,
that if Lord MAIDSTONE'S motion were entertained, be
would bring under the consideration of the House the
charge of perjury made by the Bishop of EXETER against
certain Members of the House. This naturally excited
and will demand continued public attention. It is the be-
ginning of a war of heated personalities, of which we defy
any man to forcsoe the issue.
An imputation has been cast on Lord JOHN RUSSELL for
making his notice contingent, but this is undeserved.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL no doubt thinks, as all reason-
able men think, that the House of Commons is a most
improper body to enter into those personal discussions
whenever they can be avoided ; and on that principle,
a!though he thinks, as he has before stated, that
the conduct of the Bishop of EXETER is most
objectionable, he would not submit any motion on
the subject to the House of Commons. But if
the House break through the good rule of abstaining from
such discussions at the instance of Lord MAIDSTONE, and
establish a precedent on which Lord JOHN will be bound
to act—if the House entertain Lord MAIDSTONE'S mo-
tion—then Lord JOHN RUSSELL, feeling himself under an
obligation to defend his own friends and party, will bring
the conduct of the Bishop of EXETER under the
notice of the House of Commons. In that we see only
a judicious warning to Lord MAIDSTONE, and his ghostly
and prelatical advisers, against the certain consequences of
their injudicious proceedings. They are embarking on a
sea of contention, where disaster and wreck must await
them.

The Morning Chronicle publishes the following passage
of the Bishop's triennial visitation in 1836, as containing
the accusation which Lord JOHN RUSSELL will probably
bring under the notice of the House :
" I will first remark on the Bill entitled An Act for the
Regulation of Ecclesiastical Revenues, and the promotion of
Religious and Moral Instruction in Ireland,'—in plain Eng-
lish, for seizing on the revenues of the Protestant Church in
Ireland, and applying them to some undefined purpose of
teaching morality without religion, and religion without a
creed, a a I cannot but congratulate you • » *
that those moderate funds (for such they have been proved to
be) which the piety and wisdom of former ages have
provided for the maintenance and extension of a pure faith
throughout Ireland have not become the prey of a perfidioca
faction, which could not have acquired the powers of mischief
which unhappily they possess and exercise, but by entering
into engagements and binding themselves by pledges which
Englishmen and Protestants would deem it impossible for
any who call themselves Christians to dare to violate. In
the discussion of the measure in Parliament I felt it my duty
to rest my resistance to it on this point—to denounce as trea-
chery, aggravated by perjury, such an exercise of rights, Sc.

qttired under an oath not to weaken or disturb the Pro -
ttstant religion.' !'
That journal takes the opportunity of reminding its
readers that the higher classes of the ecclesiastics have
bandied accusations of perjury against each other, as well
as against the Catholic Members of Parliament ; and
quotes appropriately what the Rev. SYDNEY Smint has
published, of which the following is the gist :
" The Archbishop of Canterbury, at his consecration, takes
a solemn oath that he will maintain the rights and liberties of
the Church of Canterbury ; as Chairman, however, of the
new Commission, be seizes the patronage of that Church, takes
two-thirds of its revenues. and abolishes two-thirds of its mem-
bers. This little apparent inconsistency is not confined to the
Archbishop of Canterbury, but is shared equally by all the
Bishop Commissioners, who have all (unless I am grievously I
mistaken) taken :similar oaths for the preservation of their re-
spective chapters."
So that accusations of perjury «ill not be wanted on all
bends should the matter be once stirred up. If we arc not
mistaken, the one example Mr. OVONNEI.I, has quoted
might be matched by many others. At least, were we
to compare rigidly sshat the Members of both Houses
of Parliament swear to perform with what they actu-
ally do, we should find many revolting discrepancies.
Prayers are publicly put up every Sunday that they
may do justice, love mercy, and walk in the ways of
righteousness ; and they tax the bread of the poor for
their own enrichment, and inflict pains, penalties, and
humiliations on men of a different faith, for their own
aggrandisement. There is a %ulgar proverb—a great
favourite with SaNctio PaszA—which the rash Lord
MAIDSTONE would on this subject: do well to remember.
Whatever may be the private virtues of English gentlemen,
their public, political, and legislative virtues will be the
more honoured the less they are discussed. In the in-
terest of his class Lord MAIDSTONE should be silent.

The public naturally ask what is the cause that Colonel
EVANS is so slow in bringing forward his promised motion
relative to the treatment of the British Legion, and to the
strong remarks made in Parliament during his absence on
the manner in which he conducted his military ope_
rations in the North of Spain. He is now returned
eight months. He arrived before the last Parliament was
dissolved, and he has now been three months in the present
Parliament, with ample opportunities to reply to the
charges made against himself, and to the still more serious
charges made against the Spanish Government ; yet we
have had only the promise of a motion, with a few occasional
assertions praising, rather than blaming, the Spanish autho-
rities. There is but one opinion in this country on the
subject ; and if that opinion be wrong, Colonel EVANS
fails in his duty to the Government under which ho
served for three years, by delaying for a week to
place the real facts before the public, and remove the bad
feeling which the people of England entertain towards
Spain, on account of the treatment which the Gallant
Officer and his unfortunate men received at the hands of
the Government, the Generals, and the soldiers and popu-
lation generally in that country. A strong belief prevails,
that atter the Legion took up its quarters at Vittoria many
hundreds were carried off by diseases, induced by cold
and want ; that in an attempt to penetrate into
the provinces, the Legion was nearly sacrificed by
the hitherto inexplicable conduct of the Spanish General ;
that in the last unfortunate engagement the attack failsd
from a similar cause ; and that the men, after having fought
bravely, and endured many privations, have from some
cause or another been reduced to about one-fifth of their
original number, and that even that miserable remnant is
forced to remain in that inhospitable country, on ac-
count of the non-fulfilment of solemn engagements en-
tered into with Spain. Some of these charges were
reiterated by Sir HENRY HARDINGE last night, and
from that Gallant Officer's statement it appears that the
unfortunate men are now kept at St. Sebastian in a state
of great destitution and misery ; and that two hundred of
them had been put on board a British vessel by Lord Jour;
HAY, to preserve them from starvation. Lord PaLstu a-
STON rather admitted than denied the statement. Colonel
EVANS asserted that there was no such thing as starvation
existing among them, and, amidst great noise, added thatthey
were not in a worse condition than the troops were under
his command, and amidst still greater noise asserted that
they were not in so bad a state as the British army was at
different periods during the Peninsular war. Such asser-
tions will neither exonerate the Spanish Government nor
relieve the public mind ; and, till Colonel Evarts brings
some proof to the contrary, we will believe the official de-
claration of General O'CoNNELL, that " the conduct of
the Spanish authorities towards the Legion has been in-
famous." Colonel EVANS cannot have any object in screen-
ing the Spanish Government ; there arc no reasons for de-
ferring the requisite explanation ; and if it is not made
speedily, Sir HENRT HARVINGZ could not perform a more
acceptable service than by a motion to bring the points at
issue under the immediate and deliberate consideration of
the House.

Lord NUGENT has judiciously withdrawn his pretensions
to represent Marylebone, and has earned the future sup.
port of Reformers. There now only remain in the field
Colonel THOMPSON, backed exclusively, it is said, by Mr.
MURPHY—and Mr. Ewart, who is promised the suffrages
of the great body of the electors. Which of these two
Reform Candidates ought to retire seems to us no longer
in the least doubtful. It was distinctly declared yesterday
at the public meeting, held at the Yorkshire Sting°, that
Colonel THOMPSON had no chance whatever of success,
and for him to continue in the field can have no other
effect than to promote the return of Lord TEIGN-
MOUTH. Colonel THOMPSON is, we arc persuaded, too
thorough and too consistent a Reformer to injure the
cause of Reform, and he will, no doubt, imitate Lord
NUGENT'S example, and retire from the contest. His own
personal and political friend, Major REvaL, declared last
night that he sacrificed his own feelings on the altar of
patriotism, and gave his support to Mr. Ewaa-r. Colonel
TuomesoN cannot be less magnanimous than his own
friends, and persist in a hopeless contest, after they have
deserted him. If Mr. EWART wore a half-and-hall Re-
former—if ho were not a staunch, unflinching, uncompro-
mizing enemy to abuses of every kind, and as thorough-
going a friend to the Ballot and extension of the Suffrage as
Colonel TnostrsoN himself—we should advise the Colonel
to test the constituency at all hazards. But Mr. EWART
being as good a Reformer as the Colonel, and more popu-
lar with the Electors, there is no good reason whatever
for the Colonel continuing in the field. We have a vivid
recollection of Colonel THOMPSON'S many valuable ser-
vices to the cause of Reform. His letters to his consti-
tuents were a most instructive commentary on the proceed-
ings of the Honourable House, the non-continuance of
which we—in common, we believe, with the Reformers at
large—deeply regret. We scarcely know one gentleman
who:e services we miss more, and whom we more
desire to see restored to that As-emblY ; and
his contiriLd exclusion from it, Which would be the re-
sult probably of his offending the Reformers, by causing
the return of a Tory for Marylebone, is one of the strongest
reasons we have for pressing on him the duty of retiring.
Many months cannot pass over before there will be a
vacancy in some borough, where his frank character and
eminent sera i'es are more highly appreciated than they
appear to be in Marylebone, and where his return will be
ensured by his present retirement. He has too much
good sense we are sure to suffer hire:TV to be made
the tool of any disappointed individual, or little
party, if such there be in the borough ; and now,
finding the majority not for him, he will, with that
onlymad ea
bd iys gt rhaec e
0, r
ga
at
no:
ec ef
thewit h
Td roarwi
Tories
grace, which will at present make resignation an honour
n
to himself, while,
hereafter, either it or defeat will be
AntaTattmacuksts
heMrv.irEuwle-
convince the Colonel that he it the person whose success
they most apprehend, and Colonel THOMPSON will only add
to his present numerous claims on the Reformers by
generously, but patriotically, lending all his influence and
power to secure Mr. EWART'S return.
We refer to a communication in another place for an
explanation of the supposed slight, which makes Colonel
THomPsoN say in his advertisement that laid
on a necessity is
on him to go to the poll. '

The Middlesex Magistrates held a Court yesterday, to
receive the Report of a Select Committee, appointed by
their sapient Worships, to consider the expediency of re-
commending to the Government some newfangled con-
coction, in the shape of a Spirit-and-Beer-selling-restriction,
and Sabbath-protection Bill. Whenever the dignitaries of
the Middlesex Bench assume the functions of a Council of
State, we take a peculiar pleasure in making ourselves ac-
quainted with their proceedings. The reports of their Com-
mittees are as amusing in their way as any prose farces in the
language, and were they not so long, would furnish capital
entertainments at the minor theatres. As for the report
presented yesterday, it is by no means an exception to the
rest ; and until we can learn the names of the members of
the Committee we shall set them down as gentlemen " of
infinite humour." The report,consists of twelve resolutions,
upon which it is proposed that the Ministerial Bill shall be
framed. The first Resolution sufficiently manifests the
presence of the presiding genius of the Worshipful oracles of
Cl'erkenwell

That the rice of drunkenness, and its worst consequences,
are greatly increased by keeping houses open for the sale of
intoxicating liquors in the night time, and on Sunday morn-
ings, and also by supplying strong liquors in such houses to
persons when in a state of intoxication."
To make intoxicated persons already intoxicated greatly
increases the vice of drunkenness and its worst conse-
quences ! There is a magisterial discovery for you! But
who is to prevent this ? How is the information requisite
for the conviction of the offender to be obtained ? What
remedy do the Committee propose ? Here it is
" That Victuallers supplying strong beer, wine, and s:piri-

tuous liquors to persons while in a state of intoxication, or
who have drunk so much liquor on their premises as to be
likely to be intoxicated, be not entitled to payment for liquor
so furnished ; and thst if they have procured payment for it,
they may be compelled to refund the same on a summary
process." _ _ _

The substance of these resolutions is, that it be declared
illegal for publicans to do more than make their customers
drunk. Their Worships have not defined what is drun-
kenness, and we arc sorry for it, for we are acquainted
with no other equally grave body so well qualified to give
such a definition. But suppose the law violated, who shall
give evidence against the landlord ? Not the drunkard
surely, while waiters can so imperfectly distinguish when
hilarity gives place to intoxication. The above resolutions
are simply absurd. The following one, which embodies the
essence of the Report, would, if adopted by the Legislature,
interfere most cruelly and wantonly with the necessary com-
forts of the people :
" Your Committee, therefore submit that it be respectfully
recommended to her Majesty's Government to bring in a Bill
to limit the hours for the retail sale of strong beer, wine, and
spirituous liquors, to between six o'clock in the morning and
eleven o'clock at night, and that such houses be cleared of
their guests before half-past eleven o'clock at night, but on
Sunday mornings that such be not opened before one o'clock,
P. M . "

The Middlesex sages, upon whose worshipful shoulders
the mantle of Sir ANDREW AGNEW has descended, forget
that their swadd:ing-clothes maxim of " early to bed and
early to rise" is inapplicable to the highly artificial state of
metropolitan society. There are thousands of persons,
quite as exemplary in their lives as the members of the
Committee who prepared this report, whose labours, mental
and bodily, only commence a little before eleven o'clock at
night, and for whose comforts as much care should be
taken, as for those of their sleeping fellow-subjects.
Among this class we may refer, by way of illustration, to
the Editors, Reporters, Clerks, Compositors, Printers, and
Messengers essential to the conducting of a daily Morning
Journal—a body of men whose services are quite as essen-
Cal to the morality of their countrymen, as those of the
worshipful fraternity who volunteer advice to the Legisla-
ture, from the classical regions of Clerkenwell. With-
out imputing any motives to the Middlesex Magis-
trates unbecoming the judicial bench, we can conceive
nothing more preposterous than their systematic attempts
to add to the gloom of the Sabbath, and their petty annoy-
ances of the working classes, by constantly interfering with
public-houses and lseer-shops. If they want objects where
with to exercise their holy zeal, why do they not close the
Hells, the Gambling Clubs, and other haunts of Aristo-
cratic vice and intemperance ? Why do they not compel
the rich to set an example to the poor, instead of vexa-
tiously disturbing the few moments of relaxation which
the latter can enjoy, after a day of painful, and often
ill-requited toil ? For ourselves we are of opinion that the
working classes would be one hundred times more moral than
they are were there not half so many absurd laws for
the regulation of their conduct. Twelve, or even one
o'clock, P.M., is early enough to close a public-house in Lon-
don, and upon the opening of coffee-shops there ought to be
no restriction whatever. Coffee-shops are the political
schools of the metropolitan working-classes, and more has
been learned in them within the last seven years than in all
the academies in the kingdom.

We have received a letter from a Correspondent at
Bingham, in Nottinghamshire, detailing the proceedings
at a late Vestry Meeting in that town. 'We are extremely
glad to learn that the Church-rate agitation has reached
Bingham, and that a formidable opposition to that dis-
graceful impost has been organised there. We should
have been glad, if our space would have allowed us,
to insert our Correspondent's interesting communication
at full length ; but in the presentistate of our columns that
is impossible. We can only make room for the queries to
which he is anxious to obta►n answers. He asks " Ist. Is
the rate retrospective, when the church-wardens were ap-
pointed in March, 1837, and do not demand a rate till
February, 1838. 2d. Is it illegal to more that a meeting
be postponed for six months? 3d, Can a person whose
name has not yet been placed on the Kate-hook demand
to hare it put there before the polling and then vote ?
4th. Has the Chairman a right to restrict the polling to
one day ?"
We think we may safely inform our Correspondent that
every rate is retrospective which is levied to defray ex-
pences already incurred. The 2d, 3rd, and 4th questions
must be answered in the negative. If we are wrong,
pothaps some of our legal friends will have the goodness to
set us right.

The Paris Journals of Thursday are as barren of interest-
ing news as those of Wednesday and Tuesday. Advices
from Madrid of the 14th state, state that MENDIZAISAL has
taken his seat in the Chamber of Deputies as one of the
Representatives of the Capital, GOMEZ PARDO haying re-
signed in his favour. No other change had taken place.
Annexed are the only other announcements of any moment
in these Journals :
" The learned world has just sustained an immense lose :
the Most Illustrious of the Orientalists of Europe, Baron
Silvestre de Sacy, died yesterday. On Monday morning he
was still in perfect health. After having delivered his lecture
in the College de France, he went to the sitting of the
Chamber of Peers, and even took part in the debate. Leaving
the Luxembourg after the sitting he was seized with an
apoplectic fit, as he was stepping into a hackney-coach to re-
turn home. He did not afterwards recover the use of his
faculties. M. Silvestre de Sacy was eighty years of age.
" Lieutenant-General Castellano arrived in Paris yesterday.
A letter from Toulon of the 17th says that the grounds of
the strike of the shipwrights at that port was, that on receiving
their pay on the 15th they found that their daily pay was re-
duced to 1 franc 46 centimes, whereas they expected 2 francs
50 centimes and 3 francs. This enormous reduction exaspe-
rated them, and they refused to go to work. No disturbance
has taken place, but groups collect every morning at the
gites of the Arsenal and of the Monrellon to prevent any
workiaen from going in. The 500 or 600 who have continued
there go to their homes or into the country. The military
authorities cause troops to patrol in the city. It is to be hoped
that the Minister of Marine will do something for these poor
people.— Commerce.

FRENCH FUNDS -Pettis, Fus. 22.
Five per Cents., 109 f. 85c, 90e. 75e.
I hree per Cents., 79f. 60c. Psc. 75e. 80c.
Bank Actions, 2,660 f. 2,6'J5f.
Rente de Naples, 99f. 20c. 15c.
Roman Five per Cents., 101% 102.
Spanish Actives, 12%34.
Spanish Passives, 4N.
Belgian Loan, 1045 v.
Belgian Bank, 1,52'f.
Haytiati Loan, 390 f.
EICHANGR ON LONDON!.
Oar month, paper, 25f. 47%c.; money, 25f. 471,ic
Three months, paper, 251. 35e. ; money, 25f. 321,4 e.
LAST PRICES.
Five per Cents. 1001. 85c.
Three per Cents., 79f. 75c.
Bank Actions, 2,(355f.
Romans, 102.
Belgian Bank, 1,220 f.
Belgian Loan, 104!.
Haytlan Loan, 390 f.
Spanish Actives, 1934.
Spanish Passives, 46.

THE SPOTISWOODF. GANG, Which has enticed
so much dearly beloved money out of the pockets of the
parsons, turns out to be an arrant job to promote the interest
of some attornies. The Herald complains of it as making a
" mock resistance," and " a real disbursement of the large
subscription collected from the Conservatives, amongst its own
connections." It is said to have done " the Ministry some
service," and the Herald adds, that the only question now
seems to be, whether the gang should not withdraw, and be
obliged reluctantly to restore what yet remains un-
squandered of the pelf which was coaxed-out of the
pockets of political parsons. The spirit of jobbing is so
strong in the Tories, that not being able to plunder the
public, they prey on each other. The Standard, too, is
dissatisfied with the manner is which its favourite subscription
has been appropriated, and it Inds out that the bar is " now
an emasculate profession or rather a peddling trade," because
the banisters have taken fees to carry on the " farce of a
trial." Such a failure is the net,aral consequence of the
IT
as
icor
sutp othe us
liberties bigotry and u
of
Irelandnbhe
ro
wast
concocted.rlines in whichNvc h theo:,e
thatplot
attg7j3 will be a good lesson to the simple-minded, well-meaning
their
yogeentlind thatemenla henceforthdiesandel they willergyenw hhoe en their havesubscrihed
innys iguard
against Conservative jobbers,
THE NEW WORK', EDITED BY Boz.—We are
requested to state that the new work entitled " Memoirs of
Grimaldi, the Clown," edited by: Charles Dickens, Esq.,
(Boz), author of the " Pickwick Papers," " Oliver Twist,"
&c., and embellished with numerous characteristic illustra-
tions, by George Cruickshanks (in 2 vols. post 6vo), is pub-
lished this day by Mr. Bentley, New Burlington-street, and
may now bo obtained of all the booksellers. Agents :—For
Scotland, Messrs. Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh ; for Ire-
land, Mr. John Cumming, Dublin.
The General Steam Navigation Company's packet,
the Menai, from Scheveningen, arrived off Blackwall last
flight, with the Rotterdam Mail, and Journals to the 20th
instant. They contain, however, no news of importance, and
very little of any kind, exclusive of rumours about the dispute
between Prussia and Rome.
J. GIBSON, Esc.—lt is with regret that we record
the death of Jabez Gibson, Esq., banker, of Saffron Walden,
which melancholy event occurred rather suddenly about six
o'clock this morning.
DUBLIN.—Our Correspondent in this city states
that the election for Tipperary commences this day ( Saturday),
and that, if a contest take place, Mr. Shiel is sure of being
returned free of expense.
To-day is the birth-day of his Royal Highness
Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Cambridge, who completes his
sixty-fourth year, having been born in 1774.
Lady Edmund Antrobus gave a soiree musicale last
evening on the Terrace, Piccadilly, which was attended by
one hundred and fifty fashionables.
During 1837 the arrivals of vessels in the port of
Genoa were 1,466. Of these, 1,103 were Sardinian, 101
Neapolitan, 95 French, 70 English, 15 Spanish, 14 Ameri-
can, 12 Tuscan, 11 Austrian, 10 Dutch, and the rest in
smaller numbers from other countries.

MARYLEBONE ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

COMMITTEE ROOM, ALBANY-STREET, 24th DEC. 1638.

Sta,—l hare this moment seen an advertisement in your
paper of last evening, which I am compelled, in justice to the
public and the Electors of Marylebone in consequence to give
the fair statement of facts. It is true, an advertisement ap-
peared. inviting Colonel Thompson to the meeting at the
Yorkshire Stingo, and that gentleman was also invited by
letter—it was certainly not known at the Central Committee
Room that such invitation had been sent—it originated
thus :—a meeting of Mr. Ewart's supporters was held
on Thursday evening, to form a district Committee, &c., to
which meeting some of Colonel Thompson's friends came,
and suggested the course which was adopted, and a resolution
was carried to that effect, with the entire concurrence of Mr.
Evrart's friends then assembled. Colonel Thompson must
mistake in saving it was not a public meeting, as it was known
to be so by Colonel Thompson's friends.
Colonel Thompson says that a necessity is thus laid upon
him to go to the poll, which he cannot evade if he would. I
have reason to believe that fact, and that Colonel Thompson
is not altogether a free man in this business. I spoke to his
friend Mr. T. Murphy yesterday, and urged him to stay; but
Mr. Murphy disdained to take any notice of an opportunity
for disabusing the minds of the electors, and abruptly left the
meeting, thus confirming, to my judgment, what he had ad-
mitted nearly two months since, in my presence—That he had
a man in his eye for the Representation of the Borough, in
the event of an election occurring, by the disqualification of
Sir S. Whalley; and rather than come to any understanding
on the subject, to prevent a division of the liberal interest, if
ho saw there was no chance of his man succeeding, he would
take that course which would ensure the return of Lord
Tcignmouth, rather than any other liberal candidate, not
brought forward by him, should represent the Borough.
I beg distinctly to be. understood as not reflecting
on the conduct of Colonel Thompson individually, as
I would support him as soon- as any man I know,
under other circumstances than the present ; but the contest is
now one of principle, and the majority of Liberal electors are
decidedly in favour of Mr. Ewart. The meeting at the York-
shire Stingo, with the exception of two, I believe, was unani-
mous; as also were all the other meetings yesterday. I now
leave you and the public to judge who it is that divides the
Reform interest, to the danger of bringing in a Tory.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
H. S. LOVE.

P. S. I omitted in haste to mention a material fact, which I
can prove, that the invitation to Colonel Thompson was mooted
at a meeting of that gentleman's friends, at which Mr. Murphy
was Chairman, and they came to our meeting and proposed it.

ELECTION COMMITTEES.
(THIS DAY.)