The Sun.
London, England, 1831-07-26 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The shameful indifference of Members of Parlia-
ment in absenting themselves on divisions on the Reform
Bill appearing to me to require some other means of keep-
ing them at their post than have hitherto been adopted,
I beg to suggest whether it would not be better to publish
the names of those who are absent rather than of those
who are preseut.—Yours, M.

REFORM BILL.-COVENTRY, JULY 25.-
The delays in the progress of the Reform Bill begin to
excite considerable apprehensions, and the people have be-
come perfectly nauseated with the fifty-times•repeated tale
of the boroughmongers, who may fancy that the desire for
the accomplishment of the " great maasure" is decreasing.
They are, however, much mistaken ; the patience of the
people of England is proverbial, but there is a limit even
to that. On Friday evening last a public locating was
held here at the Political Union Rooms, when a petition
was agreed upon to the House of Commons, requesting it
to adopt snore energetic measures for the speedily passing
the Bill through that House. The petition lay for signa-
tures at various places yesterday for about ten hours, when
upwards of 3,400 names were attached to it, without
any ether means being adopted than by a hand-bill com-
municating the circumstance to the inhabitants. The
petition is to be presented by our Members, Messrs. ELLICE
and BuLwEo.

The following requisition is in course of sig-
nature :—" To the Right Worshipful the MAYoa of Exe-
ter. Sir, We, the undersigned freemen, freeholders, and
inhabitants of the city and county of Exeter, request that
yo;4 will be pleased to convene a meeting of freemen, free-
holders, and inhabitants of the said city and county, at
your earliest convenience, to consider the propriety of pe-
titioning Parliament to pass the Reform Bill of his MA.•
IVSTY'II 'Ministers with all possible expedition, in order to
put an end to the vexatious opposition now carried on
against thin salutary measure, which opposition appears to
the requisitionist:, to be highly derogatory to the dignity of
Parliament, detrimental to the necessary and urgent busi-
ness of the State, and most inimical to the commercial wel-
fare of the nation."—Western Timed.

Mrs. SIDDONS, during many years of the
latter period of her life, in her hours of leisure, was em-
ployed in writing her own memoirs ; and at her death left
sixty or seventy of what are called copy-book, entirely
tilled with manuscripts relating to herself, and dramatic
history in general—from 1732, when she first appeared in
the character of Isabella at Drury-Lane, until she retired
from the stage at Covent-Garden. Mrs. Swoons has
likewise left many interesting letters, which at different
periods were addressed to her by the most eminent indivi-
dnils who figured in the world within the last sixty years.
All of :od4cli, together with the memoir., have, we under,-
stand, been gig to CAMPBELL, the poet, by Miss Stn.
miss, to enable him to j...omplete the life of undoubtedly
the greatest tragic actress of this pr any other country.
LAUGH-ABLE AFFAIR.--On UpJaylasttwo
girls named At.jA r ORLENER and LvntA SUGDEIi, pire-
semed themselves at Middl,t!ton church to be mat ried to a g
man name) JOON Cgitri.:,vicas. each was aware of the
other's errand, and they both stood the body of the
church patiently awaiting the election of ;the much-loved
aka much-to-be-envied swain. At last 4XVF
GRE.e.;Aolf found herself the object of her idol's preference,
as gently leauh4,- her up to the altar's foot, lie requested
the hymeneal knot to k.:2 indissolubly tied. At the conclu-
. Li?ri of the service, the brid.-4,r0m0 left the church with
his bride fondly hanging on one aril:, :;,nd supporting the
gentle Lzroo. SunoEN with his other. They ;hen all re-
turned to the bridegroom's house to dine, where they mu-
tually pledged each other's happiness, Miss LYDIA SUG•
lai-N consoling herself with the reflection that she Should
one day become the wife of hex beloved CIIADWICK. We
understand the man is about 30, and has been married
before. The girls Are about 20 years old each, anil are
weavers in the same factory. --Manchester Advertiser. .

LONDON,
TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 26, 1831.

Nothing of particular importance occurred in
either House last night. In the Lords, the
Bishop of BATH and WELLS complained of
the demoralizing effects of the Beer Bill, and
the Earl of ABERDEEN announced his intention
of putting some questions to Ministers this even-
ing, on the subject of the French KING'S
speech. In the Commons, after some observa-
tions from Mr. O'CONNELL on the state of
Ireland, the Marquis of CIIANDOS enquired
of Ministers whether they had sanctioned the
destruction of the Belgian fortresses, as an-
nounced in the French KING'S Speech. Lord
ALTHORP replied, that it had been agreed,
on certain conditions, that some of those for-
tresses should be destroyed; and Lord JOHN
RUSSELL added, that such destruction would
not take place till after the recognition of the
King of the BELGIANS by all the Great Powers.
The question of demolition is one replete with
difficulties, involving many complicated interests.
Some further questions were then put on the
subject of Portugal, after which the House re-
solved itself into a Committee of Supply, and
Mr. S. RICE brought forward the Miscel-
laneous Estimates, one of which—that respect-
ing the Consular establishments—occasioned
much discussion.

The country, as we hinted yesterday, is be-
ginning to evince symptoms of restlessness and
dissatisfaction at the slow progress of the Re-
form Bill. At Coventry a petition, earnestly but
respectfully intreating Ministers to carry it for-
ward with more energy and expedition, received,
in the course of a few hours, upwards of three
thousand signatures, though no particular exer-
tions were used to induce people to affix their
names to the petition ; and in the West of Eng-
land, at Exeter and some few of the adjoining
parishes, the principal inhabitants have resolved
to
_meet and petition Parliament with a similar
intent. In the course of a few days, if Govern-
ment do not show a bolder front, and
urge their measure with more pluck—for
whom, or what, can they fear, when the
country to a man is with them ?—such
meetings will become general from one end of
the kingdom to the other. The Birmingham
Union will rouse itself—the numerous Branch
Unions throughout the North will awake, and
in Scotland particularly, the people will begin to
express themselves in a style and fashion by no
means equivocal. Nor can we be surprised at
this. The late Parliament was dissolved for the
express reason that it was refractory, and threw
vexatious obstacles in the way of the Reform
Bill; and yet, here we are, with a new Parliament
consisting almost wholly of Reformers, chosen
by the people, pledged unfathomably deep
to them, for the sole purpose of carrying the
Bill, at the end of the second week, nineteen
from the bottom of the very first schedule ! if
the measure proceed at this snail-like pace, the
Christmas of 1832 will have come and gone,
before the measure is carried even through the
House of Commons. It will then have to be
debated and thwarted, and opposed in the
Lords ; so that God only knows when it will be
brought to a termination ! We perfectly agree
with a Morning Cotemporary that a call of the
House should be insisted on day by day, and
nothing be permitted to excuse the attendance
of Members but duly certificated physical inca-
pacity. A list of the Absentees should also
be daily published ; for a question like this, of
overwhelming moment to Great Britain, as well
as to Europe, must be dealt with according to
its importance. It is not a Turnpike Act for
Members to fall asleep over. In a word, it is
high time that the country should be enabled to
distinguish its friends from its foes. We take
for granted, that the remaining boroughs of
schedule A will be disposed of to-night.

We have no further accounts from Poland that
can be depended on. It is confidently stated
that General GIELGUD had laid down his arms
on Prussian ground—and that the battle be-
tween the main armies on the Vistula was daily
expected.

German Papers, received this morning, con-
firm previous accounts that Austria had sus-
pended her military operations for the present,
and was taking active measures for arresting the
progress of the cholera morbus. This fatal
disease continued to spread with great violence,
and even threatened Vienna, from which it was
only 44 miles distant. Its ravages in Gallicia
were deplorably extensive, upwards of 14,500
persons having fallen a sacrifice up to the `5L1.1
June, while a great number remained on the sick
list :---

VIENNA, JULY 14.—An express has bought today
the news of the death of the Grand Duke Constantine, at
Witepsk. The Grand Duke had latterly too little
in-
;?hence to authorise an expectation that his death will
erect anY
change in the relations between Russia and Po-
!awl. But niany regulations in the Russian army may
be revoked, and the military operAtions conducted with
mare facility. Though the Poles did not love him, and,
during his residence in Warsaw thought they had groune:s
fo; innumerable complaints, the news of his death is said

to have been received with much regret at Warsaw ;
many officers, in particular, who served under him, and
had received favours from him, are said to have expressed
the most lively sorrow.
Though the accounts received to-day from Brussels
l•ave many doubts respecting the acceptance of the pro•
posals of the Conference at London, our Funds have kept
steady, as letters from Paris represent the elections as
favourable to the Ministry. The military armaments here
are now put a stop to. The second battalion of the
landwehr, the organization of which was already ordered,
is not to be formed; and many contracts for the army are

rescinded.
MATEsex, JULY I5.—A second battalion of Austrian
landsvehr from Bohemia has halted in the neighbouring
towns on the left bank of the Rhine, and will come here
when arrangements are made for its accommodation. To
lessen the burden borne by the citizens, part of the Gym-
nasium is set apart for the troops. As the inhabitants
have an indemnity of six kreuzers per man, and the Go-
vernment does its utmost to lessen the burden of quarter-
ing the troops, it may be expected that what is unavoid-
able will be endured with patience, especially as the pre-
sent state of things cannot last, and it must be decided in
a short time whether we are to have war.
Letters from Paris say that many of the respectable in-
habitants leave the city, for fear of the scenes of riot and
plunder which the republicans threaten.
VIENNA, JULY 15.—The Peith Gazette of the 10th
says the cholera continues to spread, though in no great
degree, on both sides of the Theiss. There had even been
some cases resembling cholera at Izolnok, where four pri-
soners had died : there were also some symptoms of it in
Herez anti Erlau. It is, however, hoped that the further
propagation of the disorder will be prevented, as through the
precautions that have been adopted, it has been confined
to the places either immediately adjacent to the Theiss and
Bodrogh, or at the most five miles (ten leagues) from those
rivers.
From a view of the ravages of the cholera in Gallicia
from its commencement to the 25th June in the circles,
and to the sth July in Lemberg, it appears that 4'77 places
had been attacked ; the number of persons seized with the
disorder was 40,506, of whom 21,086 had recovered and
14,500 died ; about 4,000 still remain ill. By the ac-
counts from Lemberg to the 9th the disorder was abating;
on the Bth there were only 30 deaths ; on the, preceding
days always between 60 and '7O.
AUSTRIAN FUNDS.
JULY 14. JULY 15.1
Four per Cents
Bank Shares lOl3 1003

The French Papers of Sunday have been re-
ceived, but they contain little news, being chiefly
occupied with discussing the KING'S speech,
which, on the whole, appears to have given pretty
general satisfaction ; but we are deceived if the
satisfaction be of any long continuance. The state
of affairs in Poland, and the direful progress of that
malady which seems to threaten all Europe with
its ravaging visitation, will arouse the French people
to lively apprehensions if not discontent . The
Government of Louts PHILIPPE may depend
on it that a general war is only to be avoided by
a prompt interference in favour of Poland—first
by bold remonstrance, backed by powerful de-
monstration—and next (should that be
necessary, which we very much doubt)
by active measures. Let France ask
herself the question—why does Austria—why
does Prussia arm? What has provoked the
war in Poland—what now influences the con-
duct of Holland ? What but their united fear
—their Holy Alliance hatred of France and
her revolution. Why then should France
be humbugged by their mock professions
of friendship, while they are but preparing
the more surely to subvert her free institutions,
that they may restore the ancient order of things
as being more congenial to their own despotic
♦iews? Let the Emperor of RUSSIA but once
capture Warsaw, and see with what scorn he
will treat the remonstrance of France, and she
will then assuredly deserve his Imperial rebuke.
But what will then become of Louis PHILIPPE?
—Will France—will the French people—be
always enduring ? We think not—indeed, we
hope not.

ELECTION COMMITTEES.

GREAT GRIMSBY.

The Counsel for the petitioners (Mr. Haaarsoti and
Mr. Serjeant LunLow) having gone through most of the
objections to certain voters for the sitting Members, pro-
ceeded yesterday to open another cause of objection, viz.
that of persons having been rated, who had no rateable
property.
Mr. Hartarsox said he intended to show, that it was
the custom in this borough (the qualification being re-
sident freemen, paying scot and lot) to put a person on
the rate-book upon his being admitted to the free-
dom, without making the slightest inquiry whether
he occupied a house, or had any rateable property,
and indeed in some instances with the knowledge
of the overseers that such persons had not rateable property
but were residing with their parents; this custom being
adopted solely to complete the qualification of freemen,
and to entitle them to vote at elections. In such cases the
late would be fraudulent, and the qualification being
obtained fraudulently, the persons who voted in respect of
it must be struck from the list of the sitting Members.
Several witnesses were called, among whom were
two overseers of the poor, from whose testimony
it was clear that the custom alluded to by the
Learned Counsel had prevailed ; when a young man got
his freedom, he called on the overseers, and requested to
be put on the " pound rate," which made him liable to
pay about two shillings a year for the purpose of enabling
him to vote at elections. The custom was well understood
and no inquiry was made whether the party had a house
or any other rateable property. One of the overseers se-
lected from the rate-books a number of these " pound
rate" payers.
Mr. Capitos, for the sitting Members, took an objec-
tion to this course of proceeding.. He contended that as
all rates were allowed by two magistrates they must be
taken to be correct, unless they were appealed against at
the Quarter Sessions, and either confirmed or altered by
that authority. He therefore submitted that the rates, not
having been appealed against, could not be impugned by
this Committee.

Mr. HARRISON contended on the other side that he
could for this purpose impugn the correctness of the
rate ; this was not a question as between the parish
and the persons rated, but it was one iu which
he meant to show that persons had been by means of
fraud put upon the rate, in order to give them
votes at elections. The qualification was not only being
free, but being rate-payers, and to be rate-payers they
must be legally so ; if he could show they were not legally
rate-payers, but were so fraudently, he should then claim
to have their names struck off the poll.
The room was cleared while the Committee deliberated
upon the question, and upon our re-admission, the CHAIR-
MAN (Sir W. Guise) said, the Committee bad decided
that Mr. Harrison was entitled to .examine into the legality
of the votes.
The Learned Counsel proceeded to examine his witnesses
until three o'clock, when the Committee adjourned.

THIS DAY.
This morning the Committee met, and the examinatioi
of the witnesses was proceeded in.

Anti-Reformers, and to 4filist
tlie
A Noble law-Lord, whose sentiments have
been hitherto in abcyana, has, it is now said, determined
to join the ranks oifetiht
.e_Ajnitot; n n 9
Herald.mwitkalllli ms

Several Members who have either served, or
are beyond the age of serving on Election Committees,
tired of the endless discussion on the Reform Bill, have
left town, having paired off for the remainder of the Session.
Captain CLIFFOAD, a relative of his Grace
the puke of DEYONSIIiRE, has been returned Member
fur tb* borough of Bandon.

A curious fact occurred last week at tlie farm,
house of Mr. War. NICHOLSON, Meathop. Mr. N. bad
bees troubled with rats for some time, and, in order to
destroy them, put in a goad cat, which, to his groat
astonishment, en opening the door the next morning, was
found entirely devoured by the rats, excepting the head
and tail,-.Kendal Chronicle,

LAW INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.)

Co UR T OF 'CHANCERY.
WELLESLEY V. BEAUFORT.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL appeared at the sitting of
the Court, agreeable to appointment, to apply, on behalf of
Mr. Wellesley, to discharge the order which had been made
on the 16th of the present month, directing the commit-
'cent of Mr. Wellesley for removing his daughter from the
custody of the Misses Long, and placing her beyond the
jurisdiction of the Court. The Learned Counsel stated
he should make his application on two grounds, namely,
the facts of this particular case as they applied to Mr.
Wellesley; and secondly, that be was entitled to privilege
of Parliament. After occupying about an hour in
stating the facts collected from all the various pro-
ceedings throughout the cause, he proceeded to read
an affidavit made by Mr. Wellesley, which stated
that Mr. Courtenay, the surviving guardian (the two
guardians of the three children having been the late
Duchess of Wellington and Mr. Courtenay) had informed
him (Mr. W.) that upon the death of the Duchess the
guardianship expired of those two individuals; that con-
sequently the children were without guardians, or a
guardian, and that as the boys, who were then with him
(Mr. C.), desired to return to their father, he formally
delived them up to him ; and that upon this statement, he
(Mr. W.) considered himself perfectly justified in taking
away his daughter from the custody of the Misses Long,
she having been in their custody only by the authority of
the guardians, that authority ceasing (according to Mr.
Courtenay's statement) upon the death of the Duchess,
when all power vested in the guardians themselves expired.
Sir E. SUGnEN observed that Mr. Courtenay had not
had an apportunity of answering this affidavit ; he wished
to answer it, and he should be under the painful neces-
sity of denying the greater part of it.
The LORD CHANCELLOR thought it right, upon what-
ever point the result of the present application might have
to depend, that Mr. Courtenay should have the oppor-
tunity of answering what had been sworn to by Mr. Wel-
lesley, which undoubtedly appeared to the Court to be
strange law, if it were law at all.
The arguments were then ordered to stand adjourned
till Thursday morning for the above purpose.

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT.
TOMLINSON O. LYMEIL.
The Court was occupied the whole of the morning with
this part-heard case, which was of no possible interest, the
object of the bill being to settle the rights of parties to the
tithes of a parish in Stoke-upon-Trent.