The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-21 00:00:00

rents of their political opinions ; and while the Press
and the Parliament, suppose that the whole society
is as calm and contented as their immediate connec-
tions, they are possibly reposing on a volcano which
a very slight additional pressure may excite into an
overwhelming eruption.

Under that aspect, the second fact stated by Mr.
lIARTwELL, as follows, is of vast importance :
" Ile had recently been in the west of England, and the scenes
which he had witnessed among the agricultural labourers was
most distressing ; they were enough to make one swear that
a system which produced so much misery should at once be
destroyed. The average rate of wages in the districts he
had visited did not exceed 7s. a week—(Groans)—yet ti.e
farmer charged the poor man 9s. 6d. a bushel for his flour. The
consequence was that the labouring man was reduced to live
upon potatoes and salt, and to drink warm water coloured with
the raspings of bread.—( Cries of shame.) At the same time
the labourers were enthusiastic in the support they gave the
Charter. He had a meeting on Charlton Down, and notwith-
standing all the means used to deter the men from attending
—notwithstanding the threats and the actual tyranny exercised
over the poor men, there was a glorious meeting held, at
which the Charter and the Petition were unanimously adopted.
—( Cheers.) In East Suffolk, there was to be a meeting held
on Wednesday, for the same purpose, and he had not the
slightest doubt, with the same result. While he was in the
country, he had several applications from Hampshire,
Gloucestershire, and other places, praying the Association to
send down delegates soon if they could not now.—(Cheers.)"

The Chartists, then, have found footing amongst
the agricultural labourers who have 7s. per week,
and pay 9s. 6d. a bushel for flour—who live on
potatoes and salt, and drink warm water coloured
with the charred raspings of bread. The public
safety, with a population in such a condition, must
arise from all energy being starved out of the
wretched and humbled beings. All which they have
left must grow into inextinguishable hatred of the
persons and institutions whom they regard as
the causes of their sufferings. The perpetual coercion of
the great majority of the population is, however, wholly
impossible ; and a day must come, unless these suffering
men can be actually starved out of existence—
which, on MACHIAVELLI'S well known pin-
ciples, must now be the object of their op-
pressors—when their inextinguishable hatred will
bear all before it, and sweep all opposition
into one common ruin. Possibly that time may be
hastened by their knowledge that the Legislature has
reduced them to that pass, that the contest to obtain
political rights is a contest for life and comfort, or
death through the lingering process of cold and star-
vation.

But supposing Mr. HA RTWELL'S picture and our
copy to be overcharged, it will not be denied that his
representation had a powerful effect, even on the apa-
thetic landowners, and will have a still more power-
ful effect on the suffering classes of the North, when
they read it, and trace in it the resemblance to their
own condition. Supposing even it be not true, such
representations, being uncontradicted, must inflame
the minds of the industrious classes, and bring about
those evils we have adverted to.

The Attorney-General is a very able advocate, and
probably speaks no more than is set down in his
brief. We cannot, therefore, say that be was the au-
thor of the false assertion he yesterday made in the cause
GEARY V. HARVEY., that The Sun gave the Parlia-
mentary debates to a much shorter extent than the
True Sun when it was in existence. The reverse is
the fact, and the gentlemen who so instructed the
Learned Attorney-General must know that they
gave him very erroneous information. We are far
from disputing the great accuracy and the extent of
the True Sun reports, but the success of The Sun in
opposition to it, is a decisive proof that our reports
were not less accurate and less extensive than
those of our Contemporary. If they were so, why
did not the public patronise Mr. KNOX and his corps
of reporters, and neglect us? instead of which the True
Sun's circulation, as we are informed, fell off consider-
ably as compared to the corresponding period of the
year before, notwithstanding its extraordinary corps of
most experienced reporters, while that of The Sun
increased considerably. In fact, it is altogether an
error to assert that The Sun, which first began the
system of reporting the debates in Parliament the
same evening, ever stood behind the True Sun in the
extent of its reports. The truth is, that the True
Sun followed in the path of The Sun, and failing in
its endeavours to surpass that Journal, was at length
incorporated with The Sun.

In the result of the trial we cannot but express our
cordial approbation ; indeed the enthusiastic applause
with which Mr. HARVEY was welcomed on leaving
the Court, showed how deeply the public sympa-
thised in his triumph. The persecution to which he
had been subjected reflects little honour on the cha-
racter of the Press, which has hitherto been remark-
able for the gentlemanly delicacy and mutual good
feeling subsisting between all parties concerned in its
various departments.

An attempt was made on Tuesday last by the Tories
of Birmingham, to get up a diversion in favour of the
party in that quarter. It appears from the statement
of the person who plays the part of Secretary, that
about three or four years ago, it was thought expedient
to establish a Toty Society in Birmingham—as a
counterpoise, no doubt, to the Political Union—and,
as Tuesday was the anniversary of this important
event, it was deemed advisable to have a " blow out,"
on something of a grand scale. This was the more
necessary, as the prospects of the faction are at pre-
sent more dismal than they have been for many years,
and the zeal of many, it is feared, is waxing cold. It
was also found indispensable, that there should be pro-
vided a lion of sufficient attraction to secure a decent
attendance of the members. This was the most diffi-
cult part of the business, and for a long time it seemed
to baffle the efforts of the Association. At last a
happy thought flashed across the brain of one of the
leading members, who hinted, that as they could not
procure a real lion, they might make an ass in a lion's
hide answer their purpose. The Birmingham Tories,
he observed, were not remarkable fordiscrimination, and
he had not the least doubt, that the trick would not be
found out. This proposal was received with acclama-
tion, and the Secretary instructed to look out for a duly
qualified animal—a task which he executed to admir-
ation.

The principal proceedings of the Association were
confined to the dinner table. There the Tories never
fail to act their part well. They contrived, it seems—
how, we know not—to get possession of the Town-
hall for the celebration of their orgies, and assembled
in that place, to the number—if we are to believe their
organs—of several hundred persons. The Tories, how.
ever, have a wonderful faculty for multiplication—on
paper. The Hall was decorated most appropriately.
At one end there was the Crown surmounted by the
Mitre, and at the other a most gigantic Bible sur-
mounted by a Crown, indicating pretty plainly the po-
litico-religious tenets of these worthies. Mr. DUG-
DALE, Member for one of the districts of Warwick-
shire occupied the chair, though he seems to have done
little else, with the exception of a very short opening,
speech, which yet'was long enough to show the hy-
pocrisy of Toryism. On proposing the health of the
QUEEN, this person had the unblushing impudence to
launch out into a strain of supplication for the health
and preservation of her MAJESTY, when all the world
knows that there is nothing which the Tories so ar-
dently pray for in their hearts as the speedy accession
of the next heir to the throne, their trusty and well-be-
loved Grand Master of Orange-lodge notoriety.
Lord SANDON did not seem exactly to know what
to do, or indeed what to say, but very sagely informed

the meeting that in the present state of their affairs his
only anchor of hope was the " increasing attachment
to the National Church ! ! I"

OLD GLORY, who had been specially engaged by
the Secretary for this exhibition, was received, it is
stated, with " great enthusiasm." A more lamentable
specimen of imbecile twaddle than that which fell from
the renegade Baronet on this occasion it has never been
our lot to peruse. As usual, the staple of the commo-
dity was misrepresentation and abuse of Mr. O'CoN-
NELL and the Irish people. There is an unquench-
able enmity rankling in the old man's heart against
O'CONNELL ever since his own star began to sink in
the horizon, and that of his rival to rise in the ascen-
dant. It seems to be the only feeling that has survived
the wreck of his faculties, and that will follow him to
the grave. The part of his speech which was not
directed against O'CoNNELL, was made up almost
entirely of long extracts which he read from a late pam-
phlet addressed to the QUEEN, and which he pretended
to criticise, apparently not much to the satisfaction of
his hearers. This, we think, will be among the last
of this poor driveller's displays. He is to all intents
and purposes " faded." The gloss has even gone off
from his apostacy, so that there is nothing in or about
him, which can in any one way interest the public.
This last failure will lay him for ever on the shelf.

The Madrid Papers of the 12th announce the
appointment of ESPARTERO to the command of the
Royal Guards. Better make this man Regent at
once, since he has now the power of the Kingdom in
his own hands. The New Cabinet cannot so much
as breathe but by his permission. The Chambers sat
on the 11th, but nothing was said or done of any im-
portance.

The Paris Journals of Wednesday have been re-
ceived. M. DuPIN has been re-elected President of
the Chamber of Deputies. The first scrutiny was de-
clared at half-past three on Wednesday, when 371
votes were given. They ran thus :—DurrN 172 ;
PASSY 143 ; DUCIIATEL 50; TESTE 1 ; NOGARET
1 ; SAPEY 2; null 2. None of the candidates having
the requisite number of votes, a second scrutiny took
place at five o'clock, when the final numbers were-
-180
13

DuPIN..
PASSY...

A change of Ministry, or at best a coalition, is
already talked of. TIMERS, GUIZOT, and ODILLON
BARROT are mentioned as candidates for office.
Never were the elements for the formation of a healthy
coalition more discordant.

We are happy to state that the latest accounts of
the health of the Duchess of WUR‘TEMBERG are fa-
vourable.

A petition to the Chambers is prepared in Paris,
praying interposition in favour of Belgium. It has al-
ready received 300 signatures.
The Spanish refugees arc fast returning to their own
country from France.

FRENCH FUNDS.—PARIS, DECEMBRR 19
Five per Cents., 109 f. 35c 80c. f3oc. 55c Latest Prices-109f. 83c.
Four per Cents., 10If. 90c.
I hree per Cents., 78f. 97,c. 7 f. 5c Ditto
rt ente de Naples, 99f. 98f. 95c. 93c 9Sf.
Roman Five per Cents., 1003 i Ditto 100%
Spanish Actives, 16.
Belgian Five per Cents., 99%. • •
Belgian Three per Cents., 69f. 50e.
Belgian Bank, 630 f. 490 f. 550 f. 5601
Hayuan Loan,L4o f. 395 f. 390 f.
EICOANOR ON LONDON.— )ne month, paper„'2sf. 25c.; money, 25f. 25c;
T. months, paper, 251. 10c ; money, 2.5 f. 100.

70f. 30c.

Ditto 99%

Ditto 570 f.

THE MARKETS.--(THIS DAY.)
CORN EXCHANGE.
This week's arrivals consist of a small quantity of English
Wheat and Oats, good of Barley, fair of Irish Oats and Fo-
reign Wheat, and moderate of Flour. There has been little
doing in the Wheat trade to-day, and Monday's prices have
been obtained for the lots that met sale. Barley is unchanged.
Beans and Peas continue as last reported. Oats firm, and
good parcels rather dearer. The trade for Flour was fair this
week at former rates.

ARRIVALS.
Wheat. I Barley. I Oats. I Flour.
3,070 qrs. 6,590 qrs. 1,490 qrs. I 5,950 sacks

English
Foreign

9,88) 1 - I
SI,IITHFIEL D.

- brls.

Owing to the trade having supplied itself last Monday, to-
day it was not brisk, and nearly all desriptions of meat de-
clined 2d. to 4d. per stone on that day's prices. The supply
was much larger than the demand. Beef 3s. 4d. to 4s. 4d. ;
prime 4s. Bd. ; Mutton 3s. 10d. to 4s. 10d. ; prime ss. 4d. ;
Veal ss. to 6s. ; Pork 4s. 6d. to 53. 6d. Beasts 960—Sheep
2,l62—Pigs 4332—Calves 120.

BILLINGSGATE MARKET.
To-day there was a very large supply of Cod in particular.
Turbot, 7s. to 21s. and 2.53. ; Soles, 6d. to 2s. 6d. and 3s.
per pair ; Lobsters, Is. to 4s. each ; Whiting, 3d. to 6d. each;
Haddock, 6d. to ls. each.

THE NAVY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

sin,—A great outcry is made as to the inefficiency of
our Navy—whether any just reasons exist for the same I
am not able to judge. That our naval estimates are large
enough to give it efficiency few will deny who are not
directly interested in the matter, and that the system by
which our seamen have been hitherto obtained in seasons
of
navalemerg
encyis improper, will also not be denied. Now as
our force is extensively kept up for the protection of
our commerce, could not some such plan as the following
be adopted :
The Government to allow to each of our merchant ves-
sels, according to the tonnage, a certain number of regular
sailors, with a responsible officer at their head. A portion
of the expenses to be borne by the owners, and a part by
the State.
Thus should we ever have a powerful force in activeservice,
and a large one ever in our ports ready when necessity re-
quircd,to have a portion drafted off to our ships of war.
This would ultimately have the effect of greatly lessening
the number of commissioned officers, and consequently
would lead to a reducing of our naval estimates. The
greatest difficulty (except that which would be offered on
political grounds) would be the different discipline and other
arrangements of the captains of these vessels, but these
could be easily overcome if set about in a right spirit.
If some such plan as this is thought by you practicable,
give it publicity in your estimable journal—_a journal which
has ever been the advocate of our country's best safeguard—
co 112 merce. Your constant reader,
Lincoln, Dec.lB. N. A. T.

The Viscountess de Mortemart has just died at
Paris, at the early age of twenty-six. She was the daugh-
ter of Prince Francis Aldobrandini Borghese, who married
in 1809 Mademoiselle de la Rochefoucault.
The Ladies St. Maur have postponed their visit to
Brighton through indisposition.
Lady Rendlesham and the Hon. Miss Thellusson
arrived, early in the month, at Florence, from Rome. They
arc now on a visit to Mr. Arthur Thellusson, and intend
to return home the second week in January.
Sir Bethel Codrington will entertain a party at Dod-
dington Castle during the holidays.
We regret that we are unable to report any im-
provement in the health of Mrs. Carr, the lady of our res-
pected Diocesan ; we understand that she lies in the same
hopeless and desponding state, and that great doubts are
entertained as to her recovery.-111ercester Paper.
Mr. Spencer d'Horsay will leave town to-morrow
for the Marquis of Hertford's hunting-lodge, Sudbourne
Hall, in Suffolk, where a party of sporting gentlemen will
meet early in the new year.
We regret to learn that Dr. Birkbeck is danger-
ously ill.

Count d'Alegre is about to be married to Made-
miselle de Boissy. This marriage will unite a part of the
immense fortunes of the Marquis d'Alegre and the Marquis
de Boissy, two of the wealthiest men in France.
The Master of Grant has given the very handsome
sum of twenty pounds, in aid of the church now building
at Fort William.—Edinburgh Courant.
The General Steam Navigation Company's packet
the Giraffe, from Rotterdam, arrived off the Custom
House at three o'clock, P.M., yesterday.
The Antwerp Company's steam-ships Antwerp and
Bruges arrived yesterday morning off the Tower ; the
former from Antwerp, the latter from Ostend.
MUNICH, DEC. 14.—Field-Marshal Prince Wrede
is no more. He died at Ellingen on the night of the lath,
in the 72d year of his age. The news of his death, though
not unexpected, causes great regret here. June and De-
cember have deprived Bavaria of two of its most eminent
men.__Monteglas and Wrede.
BRUSSELS, DEC. B.—The average prices of Wheat
and Rye in the week ending Saturday, 15, were—Wheat,
25f. 14c. ; Rye, 15f. 9c. per hectolitre. Both are exempt
from import duty, and the exportation of Wheat is prohi-
bited. 'lle creditors of the Bank of Belgium had a general
meeting this morning at the Town Hall. It was agreed to
give the Bank a delay of three months to resume its pay-
ments.—lndceendent,