The Sun.
London, England, 1836-12-29 00:00:00

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LONDON,
THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 29, 1836.

The Glasgow Constitutional contains a long report
of a meeting held in that city on Wednesday evening
last, for the purpose of organizing a Conservative
Association, under the title of the " Peel Club," to
commemorate the election of the Right Hon. Baronet
to the Rectorate. Well may the object of all this ill-
timed flummery cry out, with the individual ist Horace,
" save me from my friends l" Of course, being emi-
nent above all things for his discretion, he would
naturally desire to have the utter defeat of his
party at the Town Council hushed up as soon
as possible ; yet here is a proposition which will
have the effect of keeping it constantly before the
public mind ! Yes, the " Peel Club" will less
commemorate the Right Hon. Baronet's triumph at
the University, than his defeat at the Town-council.
So long as it exists, it will be a standing memorial of
his inability to obtain the freedom of the city of Glas-
gow. It will operate as a " refresher"—to use a legal
phrase—to remind his friends that a majority of
the most influential Glasgow citizens repudiated
with contempt and indignation his claims to the
character of a sagacious statesman. In a word,
it will be a standing jest against him, and his—if,
indeed, it be not so already—for never was more
ludicrous balderdash spoken than by the projectors of
this notable " Peel Club." Not one sound argument
could any speaker adduce in support of the necessity
of such an institution ; all that was alleged was, that
the Constitution was in danger, and that a Glasgow
Peel Club would go far to free it from its perilous con-
dition. So argued the headmaster of Eton some months
since, when he proposed to bring up the boys in strict
Conservative principles, by way of enabling them to
wage battle against the Reformers, and set the ricketty
British Constitution firmly on its legs again. A Mr.
NORMAN MACLEOD was quite enthusiastic on this
point. He felt convinced that a Glasgow Peel Club
would be the salvation of the Empire ; for not a
University Professor but would gladly, when
called on, come down with a long Club Tail, con-
sisting perhaps of seine six score sticking Con-
servatives, and break every Ministerial head, as
successfully as ever Hercules broke those of Hydra.
This vivacious Caledonian then launched into a most
delectable definition of the word " liberty," which he
said was now almost unknown—thanks to the spirit of
Reform, which seemed to take a perverse pleasure in
everywhere substituting " licentiousness" for freedom.
But a " PEEL Club" would soon set all this to rights.
A " PEEL Club" would save the Monarch ; oust the
'Whigs ; and restore Sir ROBERT to his pride of
place. There may—nay, there must be—truth in these
remarks. Mr. NORMAN MACLEOD well knows the
irresistible influence of the Glasgow "boys" when
bent on the regeneration of their country i and that no-
thing can stand against them, when "armed with heavy
dictionaries, and his own speech i:s which weigh heavier
still, they shall commence a.n assault and battery on
the Reformers generally tly:oualtout the kingdom.
But to return to the " r:EEL Club." On second
thoughts, we do iii consider the idea of this institu-
tion to be sa ",much amiss, provided it be made a sing-
ing dal., instead of a spauting one, and that on every
club night the members be compelled to chaunt the
"IVliserera," in appropriate testimony of their regret
for their patron's loss of the freedom of the city of
Glasgow.

:t is gratifying to the friends of religion and of re-
lig,lous liberty, to see the progress which —resistance to
thurch-rates is making throughout the country. The
impulse given to public opinion on this important
question by the great meeting at Exeter Hall, when
the Central Abolition Association was formed, has.
been productive of admirable results. Those who had
long felt the grievance of being compelled to contri-
bute to the support of a worship which they could
not conscientiously approve, but who had hitherto re-
frained from active proceedings to obtain redress, have
at last seen the utter hopelessness of being relieved
from this odious and irreligious tax, without an ener-
getic co-operation in the common cause. Happily,
too, this question is not taken up by Dissenters only.

Liberal Churchmen—those members of the Establish-
ment who, though they prefer the mode of worship
adopted by it, disapprove of all compulsory methods
of supporting it, as contrary to the very nature of re-
ligion, and forbidden by the word of God—are as ear-
nest in their endeavours to remove this crying evil as
those who dissent from the Church. The opponents
of this much desired reform cannot, therefore, stigma-
tize the agitation that now pervades the country for
the abolition of Church-rates as a sectarian agitation.
They are precluded from this favourite mode of raising a
prejudice against public measures of a liberal tendency,
One of the most pleasing displays of true
spirit that ought to animate the abolitionists which
we have observed was exhibited on Thursday last et
Leeds. A public meeting was called, in vnhsequence
of a requisition to the Mayor, nurnotously and respec-
tably signed. About 1,000 persons met in the Court-
house of the Borough, the Chief Magistrate in the
chair, and a series of resolutions, breathing determined
hostility to the principle and pttetice of taxing one des-
cripti'n of religionists for the purpose of supporting the
f..a.ith of another, was passed, if not absolutely without
a dissenting voice, yet with all but a unanimous one.
Petitions to both Houses of Parliament were also pre-
pared, and given in charge, the one to Lord
BROUGHAM, the other to Mr. BA INEs who attended
the meeting and made an excellent speech on behalf of
the object for which it was convened. We were, how-
ever, better pleased with the speech of Mr. GILES, a
Minister of the Baptist persuasion, than with that of
any other gentleman who addressed the assembly.
Our readers will find it in another part of The Sun,
extracted from a well-got up report of the proceedings,
given in the Yorkshireman of Saturday last.

The Liberal electors of the northern division of the
county of Down, have paid a just tribute of respect to
the public character of Mr. SIIARMAN CRAWFORD.
On Thursday last they gave a grand dinner to the
Hon. Gentleman at Newtownards, at which, though
the town is in the centre of Lord LONDONDERRY'S
property, and therefore surrounded with all sorts of un.
propitious influences, no fewer than three hundred and
twenty gentlemen were present. This is a proof of
the strong feeling which exists in that county in favour
of Reform principles ; for it was on the uncompromis-
ing representative and powerful advocate of those prin-
ciples that this distinguished honour was conferred.
Several admirable speeches were delivered on this
animating occasion. Indeed the display of talent, as
well as the tone of sentiment, which characterised the
meeting were altogether of a superior order.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD'S speech was, as might have
been expected, replete with sound principle and co-
(rent reasoning. He dwelt at some length on the
tithe system, the origin and iniquity of which in Ire-
land he traced and exposed with a master's hand.
An assertion made by a poor unfortunate clergyman,
named C tpami NG, who at the late Tory dinner at
Ballym.'ena had rested the claim of the Clergy to
titl7.es on a decree of the Synod of Cashel, afforded
the honourable gentleman an excellent opportunity,
both of exhibiting his powers of sarcasm, and of show-
ing the real ground on which the right to tithes stands,
namely, the sanction of Parliament. The inference
is obvious—that what Parliament has applied to one
purpose, it may, if it see fit, apply to another.
The total abolition of tithes in Ireland is, it is well
known, Mr. CRAWFORD'S great and favourite ob-
ject—an object which he has steadily pursued through
good report and through bad report, and for which he
has not scrupled to endanger much that was dear to
him. He therefore naturally enough alluded to his
exertions in support of that question, and to its unani-
mous recognition by the General Association of Ireland.

That it must, at no distant date, come to this,
there can be not the least doubt. The Association—
that is to say, Ireland—has declared " that it is in-
compatible with the great "principles of religious
liberty, that any man should be compelled to pay for
the ordinances of a Church with which he is
not joined in connexion ;" and when a nation
has once declared its will in relation to its
own offairs, what shall prevent its executing it ?
If the Tory Lords wince at this, let them re-
flect that they have their own stupid obsti-
nacy alone to blame for it. By timely concession they
might have preserved a modified tithe system :some
time longer--now the whole thing must be cut up by
the roots.

In consequence of the continuance of the snow-
storm, we are yet without any arrivals from France and
Spain. By to-morrow it is expected that French
Papers will reach London with advices from Bilboa
and Madrid.

We have received from Athens, together with let-
ters and papers to the 29th ult., a copy of the financial
Budget of Greece for the years 1833, 1834, and
1835, published in obedience to a Royal decree signed
by the Ministers ARMENSPERG, RISoS, SMALTZ,
MANSOLAS, CRIEZIs, and LASSANI. According
to the financial statement of the Greek CHANCELLOR
of the EXCHEQUER) the ordinary receipts for the
Year 1333, exclusive of loans, amounted to 7,721,370
drachms,, while the expenditure was 11,821,234
drachms. In 1834, the ordinary receipts were
10,921,787 drachms, the expellees 14,987,298
drachms ; and in 1835 the ordinary receipts were
13,635,930 drachms, while the current expences did
not exceed 13,338,375 drachms. This shows a
great improvement in the internal revenues of Greece
—an improvement which would render it quite unne-
cessary to advance the third instalment of the loan, were it
not for the extravagance of a horde of hungry Bavarians
who infest the public offices in every corner of Greece.
The Regency under Count ARMANSPERG thought of
nothing but how to glut themselves with the spoils of
the country. In 1829 the whole expenses of the Go-
vernment of Greece under the President CAPO-
DIsTRIAs only amounted to 223,6001. sterling ; while
under the management of ARMANSPERG, in 1833,
the expenses were equal to the sum of 1,053,700/. !
It is extremely gratifying to find that all the Liberal
Greek journals oppose the advancement of the third
instalment of the loan, and undertake to show that
Greece is now in a condition, not only to 'defray the
necessary expenses of her Government, but even to
commence the payment of her debts. It fact, all the
intelliEent Greeks consider that it would be throwing
away money to entrust it to the management of a pack
of hungry adventurers, without patriotism, and who
are intent only on amassing wealth, wherewith to re-
turn to their native country. We are precisely of the
same opinion. If it be found necessary to advance
more money, a Committee of Management ought to
he named, with the consent of the Governments of
England, France, and Russia, to see that the sums
advanced be expended for the benefit of Greece.
The Greeks were impatient for the return of their
KING and his Royal Spouse. It is probable that
before this, his MAJESTY has reached the capital of his
dominions. He is very popular ; and the great fear of
the inhabitants was that he would not return to them.
Russia was not idle during his absence. Her agents
were at work in every direction, exciting the prejudices
of the common people against the influence of Great
Britain and France.

The Commissioners appointed by the Government
to effect a reconciliation between the people and the
local authorities of Malta, had met with an unex-
pected obstacle since their arrival in that Island.
From the Maltese papers received to the Bth instant,
we learn that on the arrival of the Commissioners,

some cvd disposed persons caused it to be rumourcd,
that the real object of the Commissioners was to dis.'
cover the names of all disaffected persons, in order
to effect their ruin. The consequence was, that no
person ventured to prefer a complaint, lest he should
expose himself to the vengeance of the Government. A
proclamation addressed to the people by the Governor,
exposing the gmundlessness of their fears; And °tiering
to protect all witnesses it their persons, properties,
office's, and vepntatibils, was insufficient to dispel the
general tetor. The existence of such a fear tundig
any portion of our Colunifqn leaks a degree of
harshness on OA dart of the former Governors of
Ma 4.3.) few thinking men will consider warrant-
able. A people that can be made to credit a ittinintir
charging the Government with A suret design to ruin
them, must have been pretty familiar with the worst
evils of a tyrannical Administration. In this fact
alone we read the political history of Malta,

THE STORM.-MAILS-(THIS DAY.)

ONE O'CLOCK.
ARRIVAL OF MAILS, 29TH DEC.
Arrived. Due.
Edinburgh
Glasgow 0 2
Boston 0 1
Chester
Dover
Liverpool (Evening Mail ...... ) 1 0
Leeds (Evening Mail) ......... 1 1
Manchester 1 1
Portsmouth 1 0
Exetcr and Falmouth
Hastings . 4 0
Brighton .. 1 1

Poole
Norwich
Holyhead & Dublin 1 1
Worcester
Gloucester
Bristol 1 0
Bath ... .

lowich and Yarmouth ... 1 0
Birmingham
Lincoln and Hu11... 0 3
Stroud • • 1 1
Devonport ..
Lynn
Halifax
THREE O'CLOCK.—The Bath Mail his just passed
The Sun Office.

Part of the bags only arrived by the Edinburgh Mail
this morning.
The Brighton mail, due this morning, arrived at the
Post Office, at a few minutes before 8 o'clock, and
also the Manchester mail, with part of the bags.