The Sun.
London, England, 1822-11-08 00:00:00

[MORNING cilitoNicir.]

We have more than once expressed ourselves•
with respect to the Missionaries in France in
such a way as to leave Jittle, doubt that we are
far from partial td the object which they have in
view. We rest our hopes of the improvement of
wanking on the enlightenment of their Minds,
and not on the blind resignation which these
inrbeciles preach up, and the childish absur-
,dities by which they attempt. to produce it.—
It is but justice, however, to own that these
same Missionaries and their supporters in France
seem to display' much more of real Christian
charity and benevolence than the more knowing
Ministers of Religion in this country. It appears
from a letter in the Quotitlienne that the Mis-
sionaries have
.14ely been preaching to crowded
churches, where they made collections for the ,
,ransfstu ";.of our captive ,brethren retained in the
..chains of the 'ferocious followers of Mahomet."
These-men arellevidently not Christians in pro.
-fessibn merely, they do not understand the com-
mands of the Gospel in a metaphorical sense.
[NEW TIMES.]
We have received letters from Verona to the
30th ult. Some meetings had been held, but the
business transacted at them was merely of a pre-
.r.iminary nature. Our Correspondent alludes to

a rumour prevalent in various parts of Italy,
that the Kingdom of Naples was to pass under
the dominion of an Austrian Prince ; but to
this rumour we are of opinion that little credit
',is to be given. The affairs of Spain are
;likely to protract the duration. of the Congress ;
for as every day may be expected to im-
press more forcibly on the Spaniards of both par-
ties the necessity of coming to some moderate
arrangement, so the Allies would gladly avail
themselves of the first opening to act as mediators
rather than to appear in the obnoxious character
of invaders.—The news from France leads, on
the other hand, to a belief, that if the French
Government should intervene in a meditorial ca-
pacity, it would at least choose to do so with
such a display of military force as might give a
decisive influence to its mediation.

[MORNING HERALD.]
The Irish Papers received yesterday contain
rather a happy specimen of the serio-comic, in
the answers of tha two members for Dublini to
addresses from a worthy Corporation of Glovers
and Skinners. These latter, it appears, have
embarked their wisdom in the very feasible
undertaking of repealing the Union, and called
upon the Representatives to support a motion
to that effect. It is quite amusing to mark
the deep consideration which the, two Members
promise to give the recommendation of their con-
stituents—the gentleness with which it is hinted
that the motion may not be carried, and the
solemn mockery of holding their judgments sus-
pended until the discussion shall take place. If
Mr. Grattan were still alive, and Member for
Dublin, the presentation of.. such an Address
would have drawn from him a cutting, perhaps an
indignant rebuke, of this most silly farce, got up
in wanton folly by a fraction of the Corporation
of Dublin—not that it would have much the
better appearance bp having the sanction of that
whole body. There are some things so absurd,
that it would be foolish, if not impossible, gravely
to show a reason why they are so. Such is the
repeal of the Union.

[BRITISH PRESS.
A report prevaiie-d yrs:cr.-jay of the sudden
dissolution of Congress, and the departure of the
Duke of Wellington from Verona on his return
to England.-=-We do not understand that Go-
vernment have received any intelligence to the
above effect. We therefore consider it as an
antitipatiOn of an event for which the rumours of
several days past had prepared the public mind.
ShoUld it prose founded on fact, it will be a terri-
ble blow to the dignity and importance of this
novel annual exhibition, in which the oprincipal
Potentates of the Continent assemble like so
many strolling players at a summer country
theatre, and act as managers, with their Minis-
ters and petty Sovereigns to perform the parts
assigned to them. The Invasion of Spain was
the new drama with which it was expected the
Theatre would open for the season at Verona;
but it would seem that the sudden death of a
principal and favourite performer, the Marquis
of Londonderry, has deranged the plan of the
theatrical campaign, and the Duke of Welling-
ton, who had kindly undertaken the part at a
short notice, has been found radically deficient
on the very first rehearsal. This deficiency,
it is supposed, does not arise so much, from want
of- vigour and energy, as from the instructions of
Mr: Canning, the new prompter, whose ideas in
this particular instance do not exactly correspond
with the principles of the legitimate drama.

PROVINCIAL JOURNALS.

(Fran; the Leeds Intelligencer, Oct. 28.)

it is a common practice with political molcon-
..
tents to eulogise times that are past, for the purpose of invidi-
ously contrasting them with those which are present. Our
readers need only turn to the file of the Morning Chronicle, or
•that of any other journal equally stupid and malignant, for the
last twelve months, in order to convince themselves of the truth
of our assestion. This cant of a bitter and disappointed faction,
however, is by no means ofrecent origin, but may be traced to
the demagogues of a very remote period. It has not therefore
even novelty to recommend it. Fifty years ago the good old
times of our ancestors and the degenerate character of our own,
were frequently the topics of conversation, among the would-be
reformers of the world : and fifty years before that, persons
were not wanting to deplore with uplifted hands the gradual de-
terioration of .mankind. But not to be deluded in these days of in-
quiry and illum in ationby the quackery of political mountebanks,
let us ask the Gothamite of the Chronicle to furnish us with the
date of this golden age of British glory and independence to
what lie is so perpetually recurring as an excuse for the exercise
of his spleen. Is it to be looked for in the reign of the Charles',
when intestine commotions and continued broils dissipated even
the appearance of tranquillity, and threatened with destruction
not only the property, but even the lives of the people ? Can
it be referred to the reign of .Tames, whose superstition led him
into the commission of innumerable 'acts of cruelty and op-
pression ; and when that judgment seat to which, in Allele days,
every one who considers himself aggrieved has aright to aweal
was filled by the sanguinary Jeffrey. Are we to seek .for it in
the time of the bigoted and ferocious Mary, or during the
struggle between tlie houses of York and Lancaster, when
each party, contending for the ascendancy, deluged the
country with British blood ? To go back to a still more
remote and barbarous era, does our paragon of whig-
gery mean to allude to the period in which this king-
dom was under the despotic controul of the Barons, and when
every man was liable to be employed in fighting the battles
of a neighbouring tyrant ?—Are these the days to which the
politician of the Morning Chronicle' would be understood to
refer when he prates of " the good old times of our ancestors?"
Let us hear no more of this unmeaning verbiage. The Whigs
of the old school were, we will readily admit, a noble race in-
deed contrasted with their successors of the present day,
but what has this to do with the deterioration of society at
large, of which they form so insignificant a portion. The world
is retrograding, forsooth, because the Editor of the Morning
Chronicle has discovered that Mr. Hume is awfully inferior to
Charles Fox, as a "Whig, and that Mr. Hunt does not make
quite so poetical.a reformer as either Sydney or Hampden. A
very pretty argument trnly ! • •

The Right Hon. Lord ROLLE, has we under-
stand, recently made considerable reductions in his rents ; and
we feel pleasure in publishing the fact, that his Lordship,
amongst many other acts of great liberality, gave to one tenant,
who could raise but 4001. out of 7001. a receipt in -full, and
furnished him with a new lease at the price he considered him-
self capable of paying, in conformity with the pressure of the
times.—( lfrat t f England Journal:)
A person in theneigithourhood of Prickwillow,
near Ely, three years ago, hired a farm there for seven years at
1501. per annum, and paid all the outgoings. A short time
before Michaelmas last his landlord entered a distress far a year.
and a half's rent, due the Lady-day preceding; on investigating
the matter, the landlord, much to his credit, cancelled the lease,
reduced his rent for the current year 1001. and granted him a
fresh lease for three years from Lady-day next fir 75/: per an-
num, making an abatement of one half of his rent.—( Ely Te-
, legraph. )

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF CHANCERY, Nov. 7.

THE PORTSMOUTH CAUSE.

The ATTonNEr-GENERAL opened the case of the peti-
tioner, Henry Wallop Fellowes, nephew of the Earl of Ports-
mouth. The prayer of the petition was, that a Commission of
inviry should beissued, to ascertain whether his Lordship was
of sound mind, and capable of managing his own person and
property. The Learned Gentleman detailed at great length.
the affidavits which were filed in support of the prayer of the

petition.
Mr. WETHERELL followed on the same side, until he was
interrupted by his Lordship at half-past two.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that this was a case which so
urgently required the earliestrpossible decision, that he would
proceed with it again to-morrow morning. At the same time
he wished to suggest that in a case of such great delicacy there
ought to be no publication until the case should be fully heard.
Lit was our intention to present our Readers this day, with
an ample Report of this interesting and extraordinary case, but
our respect for the recommendation of the LORD CHANCEL-
Lon, as well as the solid grounds for that recommendation,
induce us to confine ourselves to the above brief notice.]

. .
•
COURT OF KING'S BENCH, Nov. 7.
THE ICING V. MESSITER, GENT.
Mr..SCARLETT moved for a rule to show bause why judg-
ment in this case should not be arrested, or why a new trial.
should not be granted. He would apply himself first to those
grounds of-objection which appeared on the face of the record,
because, though he was confident that he had abundant grounds
for a new trial, he thought the Court would not send so defective
a record to a second inquiry. The indictment against Mr. Geo.
Messiter, an attorney at Frome, was tried at the last assizes for
the county of Somerset, before Mr. JuStice Richardson, when
the defendant was foUnd guilty. It purported to chargehim
with an endeavour at the subornation of four witnesses, on the
trial of an issue pending between Sir T. Swymmer Champneys
and himself, to give false 'evidence that the plaintiffhad attempt-
ed to commit an atrocious crime. The indictment did not
shoW what the matter in issue was, or set forth how such evidence
could affect the case, or even be produced at the trial. Suppose
the action were for goods sold and delivered, it would be absurd
to contend that any witnesses could be called to prove such an
imputation, on such an issue, or that an indictment could be
good, charging a solicitation so to swearfalsely.
Mr. .Tustice BAYLEY observed, that in cases of perjury, it
was always necessary to show the materiality of the matter
charged as false to the question in issue ; but asked if it was so
also in subornation of perjury ?
Mr. SCARLETT submitted that the present indictment dill
not show an" -t-entte-.4-ion between the matter to which the subor-
nation was directed and the question to be tried, so as to point
out any intelligible charge.
Mr. Justice BATLEY.—Suppose a man were charged with
suborning a person to' sWear that John Thomas was pot- to be
believed on his oath, in expectation that John Thomas would
be called on a particular trial ; if John Thomas is not called,
the matter to which the subornation was directed does not•
arise ; but would not the party be guilty of a misdemeanour ?
Mr. Seanr.ETT assented to this ; but observed, that in each
ease it should appear that the party had sonic reason to expect
that-John- Thomas would be called, and that his evidence would
be material.

The Loan CHIEF. JUSTICE.—If he suborns a witness,
does not that show that he at least believes the testimony he can
thus procure would be material ?
Mr. SCARLETT said,he felt how naturally indignation must
be excited at the idea of the crime charged on the defendant;
but he was sure the Court would not suffer their feelings to in-
fluence the decision.
The LORD CHIEF JESTitE.—Certainly we shall not per-
mit them to influence our judgment : we must decide accord-
ing to law.
Mr. SCAELETT proceeded. In point of fact, had the indict-
ment stated the nature of the issue, it would have been seen at
once that the evidence which Mr. Messiter Was charged with
endeavouring. to procure could not have been produced at the
trial. It was an action for words, to which Mr. Messiter
pleaded, not a justification, but the general issue. He could
not, therefore, give the truth of these words in evidence; and
yet the indictment charges him with attempting to suborn these
persons to prove that the imputajon was true. He might sup-
pose frbm some decisions, to which more particular allusion
was needless, that for the purpose of mitigating the da-
mages, he might show that reports against the plaintiff were
current previous to the time when lie used the expressions ;
and on an examination of the evidence, it would appear
clearly that, even if believed, it applied not to the truth of
facts, but, the existence of rumours. To that evidencehe
would now advert, with a view to show, ph the second part
of his motion, that the defendant wa entitled to a new
trial. There were charges of attempting to suborn four per-
son.; and the Jury found a general verdict of glinty, but only
one-of theSe proved any thing at all important to the case, and
this was a witness named Knighton. This man deposed, that
Mr. Messiter had discounted a bill of 151, for him, and that
he came afterwards. to speak to him. The witnes.'s said—l sup-
pose you are come about the 151. bill that you discounted for
me ;" Mr. Messiter replied, " Yes; but not altogether about that,
but respecting a dirty report, and a dirty action abOut Champ-
' neys ; and added, in the course of conversation, " if 1 would
come forward and swear against Champnevs, he would forgive
me, and make a gentleman ohne all the 'days of my life." In
a subsequent part of his examination; the witness being asked
• if he knew what Mr. Messiter alluded to by " a dirty report or
action," said, " Yes; because I had hearth reports. Now if
this story was believed, to what did it amount ? The witness had
heard reports, and the existence of those reports was the only
fact he would have been admitted to prove. There was no-
thing, then which implied a desire to persuade the witness to
swear falsely; but merely an endeavour to induce a reluctant
witness to come forward and state the truth.
Mr. .Justice BAYLEY—It may be 'so ; but it is not a very:
proper way for an attorney to collect evidence.
Mr.ScartLETT—Certainly not, my Lord, if it were true:
and this feeling might induce the Jury, and probably did in-.
duce them, to find their verdict without sufficiently adverting
to the precise nature of the charge. Even this 'case rested mere-
ly on the evidence of Knighton, who was asked, on cross-ex-
amination, may questions, for the purpose of 'contradiction, but
was not contradicted, because the Learned Counsel for the de-
fendant, Mr. Gaselee, did not think; after the utter failure of
all the rest of the case, and the entire want of all proof fairly
applicable to the.charge, that he should be justified in occupy-
ing the time of the Court by calling witnesses. Under these
circumstances, the defendant confided in the justice of the Court
to grant a second trial, in case the judgment should not be
arrested.

The Lord cniEr-JUSTICE—Take a rule to show cause on
both points.
Mr. C. F. WILI.T.a.ms said, that he had been instructed to
move that the defendant should stand coMmitted, but he would
not, after what had passed in Court.„Make the motion.
The LORD CHIEF jUSTICE said, that Mr. Williams acted
very correctly; Mr. Messiter should enter into his own recog-
nizance to appear and receive judgment when called on.
Mr. Messiter's recognizance was then taken by the proper
Officer.