The Sun.
London, England, 1825-02-18 00:00:00

through which they agitated their country, and
drew down upon themselves to so large an
extent the notice of the whole kingdom. The
lion. and Learned Gentleman was extremely
anxious to obtain the consent of the House to
postpone the orders of the day for this evening, to
give him an early opportunity of moving that
the prayer of the Petition may be granted. We
understand that Mr. O'Connell and Mr. Stile'
have arrived in town, and that a numerous de-
putation from the Catholic Association are on
the road. For all this we are of course fully
prepared. No measure that can give effect to the
death of this self-constituted body will be
omitted. They have ample funds, and they
kill e7.pend them freely to cover their fall with
an air of becoming dignity. What is of more
importance, however, to Ireland, is, that on
the motion of Mr. Goulburn, the Committee of
last Session, to inquire into the state of Ire-
land, was renewed, with an addition of Mem-
bers from each province, in order that the inquiry
may be rendered as complete and comprehensive
as possible. In this way, by our " old-fashioned
Parliament," the grievances of Ireland will be
ascertained and redressed, and not by the mis-
chievous and impertinent interposition of self-
constituted Associations.

i\l. Serjeant Onslow's Bill for the repeal of the
Usury Laws was last night, on the second read-
ing, lost by a majority of five. The whole num-
ber of Members in the House was at the time
only ninety. The measure is thus, we regret to
find, thrown back for another Session, for there
can be no doubt that it must be passed, sooner or
later.—( Ibid.)

[THE PUBLIC LEDGER.
We are informed that a force of 5,000 men is
to proceed forthwith from this country to Portu-
gal, and that it is to be augmented considerably,
if circumstances require it. As the Militia are
to be called out this year both in England and
Ireland, we may make a great demonstration on
the Continent, if necessary ; and, as one way
to avoid war, is to be prepared for it, it is pro-
bable that the vigorous measure we have just
noticed, will be the means of averting it. It
is possible that Russia may attempt to reta-
liate on us, for having recognized the New
States of America by occupying Portugal ; and
it is, therefore, wise that we should be before
hand with that Power, and give her a good re-
ception, should her ambition lead her to violate
the territory of our Ally. It is generally believed
that.: iance will follow, wherever Russia may
feit4iiiid that the former will, moreover, advance
the istoney, if the crusade take place, by which
name we must designate an enterprize which
weuld be undertaken for the extinction of good
government, as much as for the exclusion of

British influence. In either case, it is our
bounden duty to defeat its objects ; but this
duty assumes a character of stern necessity, when
the danger is considered to which Ireland
would be exposed, were a Russian army to oc-
cupy Portugal for the purpose of putting down
liberty, whilst a large French force held, upon
the same principle, military possession of Spain.
As it is better to stifle this apprehension in the
egg than to combat with it in a state of frightful
maturity, every one must approve of the fore-
, sight of Ministers, particularly as it may pre-
vent, what is now only a speculative danger,
from assuming a character of reality. When
Russia shall hear that an English force, how-
ever small, is stationed on the banks of the Ta-
Ngus, her ardour to draw Portugal into the Holy
Alliance may cool ; for, to acquire this trophy,
she must triumph over British valour, which,
she must know, is not a very easy matter. Her
troops are good, we admit, but they are not
better than those who invaded Portugal with
Marshal iNlassena at their head ; and it is doubt-
ful whether the Russians have as distinguished a
General in their service as the man to whom the
title of enfant cheri de la victoire was given with-
out much exaggeration. Our army has not de-
generated since that period ; some think it has
improved ; but, be this as it may, it would make
the Russians rue the day on which they stood the
brunt of its battle.

[MORNING HERALD.]
Ireland, it will be seen, last night again occu-
pied no small portion of the prominent attention
of the House of Coeninons, though it had been
expected, judging from the notices and orders for
the day, that there would be nothing of public
importance, even if a House were made. There
was indeed stated to be a disposition again to
avoid making a House, in compliment to the
Speaker, whose sister lately died, but crowds of
Members were in their seats and a House was made.
Mr. Brougham presented two very important peti-
tions, the one from the " Catholic Association" it-
self,and numerously signed by Noblemen,Gentle-
men, Archbishops, Bishops, &c. They ex-
pressed their apprehensions, in consequence of
the King's Speech, &c., that the Ministers con-
templated sonic measures to suppress their Asso-
ciation, and they prayed in such case that they
might be heard by themselves or Counsel at the
Bar of the House against any such Bill, and fur-
ther to be allowed to adduce agents, witnesses,
and evidence, in illustration, support, and proof
of the purity of their acts, and the constitu.:
tional and legal character of all their pro-
ceedings. Mr. Brougham afterwards gave
notice, amidst many cheers, that he should,
on account of its urgency, this day, move
" that the prayer of such petition be complied
with ; that the petitioners be heard by them-
selves or Counsel at the Bar, and that they be
allowed, as they prayed, to adduce proof of the
purity of all their proceedings ;" and he added,
he truited, that the House would not increase the
injustice of their proceedings, by refusing " even
to hear" the Association, previously to passing
that Bill, which would stamp their guilt at the
very moment that they proclaimed their innocence.
to the world, proffering in the same breath,proof
of the purity of their acts. " Strike," said a certain
ancient—" but hear me !" The Catholic Aisocia-
tion also said—" Strike—but hear us !" Mr.
Brougham presented a second petition from Ne w ry,
signed by upwards of 900 persons, in favour of the
Association, &c. The House of Lordsxia the course I