The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-30 00:00:00

There was one amusing instance of the tenacity with
which an old piece of folly sticks in the law. In the
present Bill was, and is, a continuation of the old pro-
vision by which, if a debtor is found to have made away
with his property to the privation of his creditors, the
creditors shall have no remedy if it be proved that ho
made it over to some of his children on their marriage.
So that if; for instance, there existed some individual
who had amassed an enormous fortune through the cre-
dulity of those with whom he was connected, and the
Bankrupt Law was the engine under which his creditors
must seek redress, he has only to proffer his daughter in
marriage to a needy noble with the mass of his ill•gotten
wealth, and the law hes specially provided that he may
snap his fingers at all claims upon the property, like the
man under the Jewish regime who bad made " Cerban
or a gilt" of all whereby his aged parents might be
benefited. This is a facetious provision of the
law ;—and hark to the reason:. The reason is,
because there was a valuable consideration given
in return. The man who took the ill-gotten money,
gave himself. On the same principle, apparently, the
law should have maintained the compact with the Evil
One, which iu primitive times was believed to be a matter
of easy and frequent occurrence. And in the present
day, the vigour of the old precedent was considered to
be such, as to bar all chance of altering the absurdity.
On Thursday a debate was entered into on the subject
of Orange processions in Ireland, and the fatal conse-
quences which have lately resulted. The point must be
at once conceded, that the Government have subjected
themselves to blame for having allowed the old laws
against party processions to expire, of the same kind as
the captain of a ship who suffers loss through not having
reefed his topsails to-day as he did yesterday. He says
he thought it was politic to impress his crew with a be-
lief, that he did not think there was bad weather coming.
This may relieve him from any charge of ill intent; but
it will not go down with the profession as an excuse.
It certainly is a shame and a horror that in any
country a minority should be allowed to go about armed,
in celebration of victories of gone-by days, where every
step is justly considered as intended for an insult, by a
suffering majority. Imagine, for instance, that some
hundreds of men with names ending in ois or vile in-
sisted on going about armed in commemoration of the
battle of Hastings, and the blessed and glorious memory of
those who conquered there, as somebody always must.
How soon should we Saxons give them a mittimus to the
ward for broken heads, if not for more serious sur-
gery. Yet men do this in Ireland, and defend themselves
in Parliament by an appeal to the right of reading the
unadulterated Bible, as if there was danger of anybody
hindering them. A disposition was shown to "pooh-
pooh " the fact of the Orange Societies having attempted
to unite the army for the purpose of changing the succes-
sion to the Throne, and placing upon it the Grand Master
of the Orange Lodges, the King of Hanover, in lieu of
the present occupant. On which all that can be said is,
that those who were in Parliament at the time, from
what was produced there, had no more doubt of the fact,
than that the King of Hanover is not Sovereign now ;
and some of them remember it by the token that they
cast about to consider what old regimental connexions
they could revive or join, if there was to be a field-day
in support of the legal succession to the Crown.
The Government opposed debate, by stating that ex-
amination was going on. Upon which all that can be
said is, that it is to be hoped it will be as prompt and as
effectual as it would have been if " fifteen hundred men
armed to the teeth" had been received in somebody's
park in England under the name of Chartists or other-
wise, and their sallying forth had ended in as many
wounds and deaths as have occurred at Dolly's Brae.
On Friday there arose something like collision be-
tween the two Houses on the subject of the Lords'
Amendments to the Poor Relief (Ireland) Bill. In four
divisions, two were agreed with, and two disagreed. It
is probable that nothing very dangerous is to arise out
of this. Enough has been done to show that the House
of Commons does not shrink from disagreeing. And if
there is to be anything more serious in the question, the
Government must take the lead, or if not, we must have
a Government that will. In these days, we do not live
upon a cask of gunpowder. If wrong has been done in
conceding too much to the Lords, popular opinion must
be rallied upon the subject, and there will only be the
more determination to do right another time. A man is
not prepared, at half an hour's warning, to find his
country in danger; and if it really was the fact, ho must
only be the more vigorous on the first opportunity. The
retiring before a brewing storm, is great part of the
policy of a mixed Government; and the Lords have never
demonstrated that they were not as weather-wise as their
neighbours.
On Saturday the House met, mainly with the intention
of hearing the Royal Assent to a number of Bills. But
an important_ debate arose on the motion of Mr. Baillie
for a Commission to inquire, on the spot, into the
means taken for the suppression of the late insurrection
in Ceylon." It is to be borne in mind that the motion
was made in conformity with the decision of a Com-
mittee; though the votes of the Committee were equally
balanced, and the decision made by the casting vote of
the Chairman. Everybody knows the difficulty of get-
ting inquiry into anything presented as demanding it.
The usual objections were raised, and the motion was
finally negatived by 90 against 33. The inference from
which with the public ought to be, that their attention
should be doubled to the future stages of the case.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
AN OLD REFORMER.
London, July 30, 1849.

LIVE AND LET LIVE.
(From Eliza Cook's Journal )
Methinks we should have this engraven
Where all who are running may read,
Where Interest swoops like a raven,
Right eager to pounce and to feed;
For too often does Honesty dwindle
In bosoms that fatten on wealth,
While Craft, with unsatisfied spindle,
Sits winding in darkness and stealth.
It is fair we should ask for our labour
The recompense fairness should give;
But pause 'ere we trample a neighbour,
For Duty says, " Live and let live."
Shame to those who, secure in their thriving,
Yet fain would keep poorer ones down—
Those, who like not the crust of the striving
To grow to a loaf like their own.
Shame to those, who for ever are grasping
At more than one mortal need hold,
Whose heart strings are coiling and clasping
Round all that gives promise of gold.
Shame to those, who with eager attaining
Are willing to take but not give,
Wh se selfishness—coldly enchaining—
Forgets it should " live and let live."
There is room in the world for more pleasure,
If man would but learn to be just,
And regret when his fellow-man's measure
Runs over with tear-drops and dust.
God sent us to help one another,
And he who neglects the behest,
Disgraces the milk of his mother,
And spreadeth Love's pall o'er his breast.
And the spirit that covets unduly
May doubt if that God will forgive;
For Religion ne'er preaches more truly,
Than when she says, "Live and let live."
ELIZA COOK.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT BROCKWELL-lIALL BRlX-
TON.—Yesterday (Sunday) forenoon a fire, which con-
tinued to burn most furiously for upwards of eight hours,
broke out upon the premises belonging to Mr. Joshua
Blackburn, known as Brockwell-hall, Water-lane,
Brixton. The flames commenced in ono of the newly-
erected ricks in the homestead, which contained upwards
of fifty loads of hay. The bead gardener, it appears,
was the first person to make the discovery by seeing
smoke pouring forth from the centre of the stack. In
order to satisfy himself that the property was on fire, this
person descended what is technically termed the "man-
hole," where he found the heat so intense as to nearly
overpower him. He, however, managed to crawl through
the middle of the burning property, and had just suc-
ceeded in gaining the grand park when immense bodies
of flames shot forth from various portions of the rick,
whence the work of devastation extended to an adjoin-
ing rick containing about 20 loads. The highly inflam-
mable character of the material caused the flames to
travel with surprising rapidity, and before information
could be forwarded to town for the assistance of the
engines the flames were mounting so high into the air as
to be distinctly visible at Norwood, Dulwich, and King-
ston. An express having been sent to London for as-
sistance with all possible expedition, the engines of the
Brigade and the West of England Company attended,
as well as that belonging to the parish of Camberwell.
Plenty of water having been obtained from a pond in the
park, the engines were set to work, but, in spite of the
utmost exertions of the firemen, upwards of eight hours
elapsed ere the flames could be mastered, and not until a
serious destruction of property had taken place. Whether
or not Mr. Blackburn was insured could not be ascer-
tained, in consequence of that gentleman being with his
wife and family out of town.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has appointed
Mr. Martin, actuary of the London Provident Institu-
tion, to investigate the accounts of the Irish savings'
banks, and we believe it is the intention of the Right
Hon. Gentleman to issue a commission in Dublin, during
the recess, for examining the actual claims of the de
sitors, who still suffer from the failure of tbtoesne
institu-
tions. Mr. Martin and his assistants have been
engaged for some days past in exa
operationsCuffee s Coffee-street e
ist sauy
committeeings bttiiliobs,ookof
t'lh"ebeßsocuesnee
ooff
Com-
mons,tlt ei
extent
upwards o f their
of
rtinw u t
uu laboursswme
weight
yhbt be gathered
closely-
writtenat hered
enledfdagtehetertshat and other finance records cEoinqn:cotefdcsso•ritah.
from tha
one establishment alone, have been already laid before
them.— Weehly Chronicle.
We understand that James Millard,
wainers' Hall, has been appointed Under-Sheriff to Mr.
Alderman lAwreuce.

Mr. MALINs stated that the parties in this case had
not been able to come to any ap,,reenlint on the matters
in dispute, and that the question must therefore be lett
to the decision of the Court.

His Hoxourt then, after going through the several
proceedings which had taken place in this motion, from
the first application of the plaintiff for an injunction to
restrain the company from putting an end to the contract
and removing the contractor, to the present motion by
the company for the committal of the plain if for non-
performance of his undertaking to deliver up the rail
way to the company, if ho should fail to complete the
works by 12 o'clock on the night of Friday, the 20th
instant, said that this Court would not, either on mo
Lion or on bill, enforce a forfeiture, as it was now asked
to do. If the works had not been completed until a few
minutes or a few hours after the time named, and no
substantial damage had accrued to the company, the
Court would not consider the time to be so much of the
essence of the contract as to entitle the company to say
they would take possession of the works, and the con-
tractor should be deprived of the 5,0001. expedition
money and of the right which his contract gave him of
keeping the works in repair for two years at the expense
of the company. If the Court should interfere, it would
only be on the terms of the company paying the 5,0001.
unconditionally, and accounting for the profit which the
contractor would have made during the two years to
come. How that amount of profit should be ascertained
was a question of some difficulty. If this were left to
the Court, he would endeavour to determine it.

THE BRIGHTON PAVILION.—As our readers are
aware, a Bill has just passed the two Houses of Parlia-
ment authorising the Commissioners of her Majesty's
Woods and Forests to sell the Pavilion at Brighton.
It is also known that the Commissioners of Woods and
Forests have agreed to give the town of Brighton the
option of purchasing the palace for 53,0001., provided
that they decide on doing so within a month. A
vestry meeting of the inhabitants of Brighton was
accordingly held on Friday, to take the subject
into consideration. The meeting was attended by
nearly 1,000 of the most influential resident (*entry
and tradesmen of the parish, the Rev. H. M. Wagner,
vicar, in the chair. A report, detailing the result of
the negotiations with the Woods and Forests, having
been read to the meeting, Mr. Moses Ricardo moved,
and Mr. Bass seconded, a resolution approving the pur-
chase, after some discussion on the subject, was carried
unanimously. Only one person spoke against the pur-
chase, and ho declined supporting his opinion by a vote.
A committee of eighteen inhabitants, half being com-
missioners under the Local Improvement Act, was ap-
pointed to take the necessary steps for completing the
purchase, and framing a Bill to be introduced into the
next session of Parliament, authorising the levy of a rate
to provide the funds. According to the calculation made
by Mr. L. Slight (clerk to the Bighton Commissioners) a
ad. rate will pay off the principal and interest, if the
money is borrowed, in 24 years.
DANCERS' PROVIDENT SOCIETY..—On Saturday the
annual meeting of the members and friends of this so-
ciety took place in the saloon of the Theatre Royal,
Haymarket, Mr. J. Byrne presiding. The chairman,
after stating the objects of the meeting, gave a short
history of the rise and progress of this society, which,
he said, now consisted of a considerable number of mem-
bers, and had a fund of 5401. invested, 20/. in hand,
420 k owing by subscribers, besides which it had an in-
come of 2001. per annum. The receipts for the past
year, ending July 27, had been 173/. 19s. 6d., and the
expenditure 169/. 2s. 7d., leaving a balance in hand of
41. 16s. I Id. A proposition for establishing a theatrical
dancing school having been discussed at great length,
was put from the chair and lost; as was also a motion:for
reducing the number of the committee, &c. A resolution
was passed to compel subscribers in arrear, that were
able to do so, to pay up their subscriptions within a
given time; and after a committee for the ensuing year
had been chosen, votes of thanks to the committee and
chairman for their past services, closed the proceedings.
DEATH OF MR. JOHN ROBERTSON.—The Railway
Record contains a notice of the death of Mr. John Ro-
bertson, the projector and editor of that journal. Mr.
Robertson died of cholera. He expired within twelve
hours of the time he was first attacked. He was in the
office attending to his editorial duties in the morning,
and expired before the evening. A generous tribute
is
paid to Mr. Robertson's character. lie was a
of
cultivated mind, of varied attainments, of sup: imors and
an le.edingly
versatile talents as a writer,
generous disposition. Mr. Robertson was lee his thirty

_
ninth year.
FATAL ACCIDENT IN CHIC. lIE 3ToUsoHnAwEaDsooDuEt.—inOhins
Thursday, as the Rev.
Stay
ling
gof Chichestsr harbour, a
pleasure yacht, near t e
sudden squall cap
Henry the boat. Ilis assistant, name
downed ; but the accident hayinr,
Henry TaYler, was
been observed by Lieutenant Colley, of her Majesty's
ship Griper, the.liev.Gentletnan was picked up in tt state
of groat exhaustion,
having sustained himself a consider •
bk, time by swimming. The body of Taylor, who , oat
'n ot swim, was found about three hours afterwards; and
an inquest was held at West Itchenor before Mr. J. Lut-
man Ellis, the coroner for West Sussex. The verdict
was, of course, " Accidental death."
A SCENE IN A CONVENT.—The Madrid journals
state that a young lady, a member of an illustrious fa-
mily, having been prevented by her parents from mar-
rying a young man of obscure condition for whom she
had conceived a violent passion, was sent to a convent,
and that there she attempted to commit suicide by hang-
ing and setting fire to her bed. The smoke having
caused an alarm, her cell door was broken off, and she
was discovered in a state of dreadful agony, hanging by
the neck, with the flames playing around her. She was
immediately cut down, and' prompt assistance being ren-
dered, life was preserved.