The Sun.
London, England, 1840-02-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 20, 1840.

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

AND 612. J INIES MACDONELL.

mom THE EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.
(From the Globs.)
The time which is occupied by the discuss7oe of the
privilege question becomes at length an import int
element of that discussion. It could hardly have been
anticipated that the vindication of a privilege, acknow-
ledged essential, from the effects of a decision, me-
nowledged wrong—for on those two points really there
is no difference amongst those whose opinion the pub-
lic consider as worth any attention—would have
been drawn out so much into length, and attended with
such " untoward" incidents. With the experience of
what has occurred, and with the avowal of Sir R.
Peel that the powers of the House are imperfect, it
may he, we think, regretted that recourse to a declara-
tory act was not taken at the outset. This is however
the lesson of experience ; and the eminent leaders of
both parties have declared their aversion to compro-
mising the privileges of the House by referring them to
the extraneous, possibly hostile, jurisdiction of another
assembly.

(From the United Service Gazette.)
A friend has related to tie an anecdote illustrative not
Dilly of the high opinion entertained by his grace of
this distinguished general, but of the delicate genero-
sity displayed by Sir James to a non-commissioned
efiter of his regiment. Some three years ego, the
Duke of Wellington was waited upon at Apsley House
by two gentlemen, who announced to him that,
as executors of the will of a deceased friend of ec-
centric habits, who had left .500/. to the bravest man
in the British army, they called for the purpose of
h nailing to his Grace a check for that amount ; being
fully satisfi,d, that in so doing they should religiously
fulfil the duty imposed upon them by the tes-
tator. The Duke thanked them for the compliment
they had paid him, but resolutely declined to receive
the money ; alleging that the British army contained
many as brave men as himself. After several pressing
remonstrances, his Grace's visitors earnestly requested
that he would consent to become arbitrator in the mat-
ter, and indicate the individual on whom the bequest
should be conferred. To this appeal he acceded, pro-
mising, in the course of two or three days, to give the
matter his consideration, and report to them the result.
At the appointed time they again made their appearance
at Apsley House. The Duke received them with great
courtesy, but assured them that he had found the task a
great deal more difficult than he had anticipated. After
enumerating. to them the various battles in which he had
been engaged, and some of the most striking feats of
heroism he had witnessed, he suggested, that if they
had no objection, he would make his selection from
the battle of Waterloo ; that being the last, the
greatest, and most important, action of the war.
This point being adjusted, his Grace proceeded to
state, that Huguemont having been the key to his en-
tire position, and that post having been defended not
only with the most complete success, but with the
most chivalrous bravery, by Major-General Sir James
Macdonell, who commanded there, he could point
out no one so fully entitled to the legacy as that
officer. The executors repaired accordingly to Sir James
Macdonell, and having acquainted him with the deci-
sion of the Duke of Wellington, tendered him the
money. Sir James expressed himself highly flattered
by so distinguished a mark of his Grace's approval, and
observed, that although he should not attempt to
dispute altogether the propriety of his decision, yet,
as he knew a clan who had conducted himself with at
least equal gallantry in the same battle, he must insist
on sharing the prize with him. He then went on
to say, that at one period of the day the French troops
rushed upon Huguemont with such irresistible force,
that the gates of the farm were burst open, and, for a
moment, the fate of the position appeared doubtful ;
when a powerful Serjeant-Major of the Coldstream
Guards, of the name of Fraser, assisted him in closing
the gates, which they did, by dint of sheer physical
strength, upon the enemy. Shortly afterwards the
French were driven back with great slaughter, and the
fate of Huguemont was decided. Sir James added, that
the Duke of Wellington had evidently selected him be-
cause he was able to make good a post which was a key
to his position ; and he could not, on the same principle,
withhold from the gallant soldier who assisted him at
so critical a moment in forcing out the enemy, his pro-
per share of the reward. He would, therefore, accept
the 5001., and divide it with Sergeant-Major Fraser, to
wheat he accordingly paid 2501. of the money.

(From the Standard )
We are never so much gratified as when we have to
publish good news ; and the pleasure is proportionably
enhanced when our good news respects any matter
upon which alarm has been excited. The Mornino.'
Chronicle a few weeks ago complained that the
Corr.-laws were undermining the constitutions of the
people—not our pOlitical constitution, but the phy-
sical constitution of each of her Majesty's subjects.
The bad Irish wheat brought into the market must,
our Contemporary assured the public, most seriously
impair the public health. We ventured to hint that
the bread of this year is exceedingly good bread ;
but we were met by a very ill-directed allu-
sion to the supposed affluence of the Editor of
the Standard, and a much better founded compliment
to the merits of his baker. Still we were obsti-
nate in the opinion that the bread of the year
generally is good bread ; and we bethought us
lately of referring to the best test of its effect upon
the public health, namely, the comparative mortality of
the metropolis. Now, looking to this test, what do we
find according to the official registry ? Why, that the
present is a season of remarkable, we might say
of unexampled, healthiness, notwithstanding a state of
weather which seems to promise anything but sa-
lubrity : take the last weekly return that has been pub-
lished, that for the week ending February 8. The deaths
for that week are but 818, whereas the weekly average
for 183 S was 1,013, or according to the proper sugges-
tion of the General Registrar, adding, a 27th for the
difference of population 371--1,054 Here, then, we
have a diminution of considerably more than 20 per
cent. upon the mortality of the metropolis in two years.
If this be the effect of bad Irish wheat, in ten years
more, if the same commodity be supplied in equal abun-
dance as at present, there can be no mortality at all.
(From the Courier.)
Tne .Elliots again. It has been determined, we
learn, to promote Admiral Elliot, the brother of
Lord Minto, to the Command-in-Chief of the Indian
station, including of course the Chinese Seas. Thus one
Elliot is to be sent to repair the blunders and vacilla-
tion of another Elliot, upon the principle, we sup-
pose, of the Telephean theory, that the wound is best
cured by the weapon which made it—that the bane itself
is the very best of antidotes. Of the achievements of
the Gallant Admiral in his professional career we are
almost as unconscious as of those of Admiral Fleming ;

..... „ ,
but if he be a brave as fierce and fire-cating in naval
conflict, as he was furious even to ferocity in elec-
tioneerin-, warfare, the great Commissioner Lin and the
Chinese 'Admiral Kwan, lineally descended from the
Chinese Mars, as he says, with three hundred war junks
and tens of thousands of petticoated seamen, may well
quail at his approach.

ROBBERY BY A GRANDSON.—A robbery was
cemmitted ors Tuesday on an old man nearly eighty, of the
name of Wakeling, a coal carter, who was returning from
Grays to Brentwood with a load of coal. He was coming
up the hill near the wood at Combe-g•een, when his
grandson, a youth about seventeen years of age, jumped
over the hedge, and struck him across the face with a
bludgeon, and beat him in a savage manlier, after which
he robbed him of his purse, which contained a considerable
sum of money ; he then decamped, but he was pursued and
overtaken at Little Warley. The old man's house was broken
into about a fortnight since; his grandson then went to him and
told him that a person some distance off wanted some coal, and
on his return he found all his drawers ransacked, and the con-
tents about the room; there is strong suspicion this was the
act of the same party. Nothing was then taken, as Wakeling
generally carried his money about with him.—Essex Times.
PRINCE ALBERT.—The Frankfort Journal of
the 13th states, that the law faculty of the University of Bonn,
in Rhenish Prussia, had sent a diploma of Doctor to Prints
Albert of Saxe Coburg, who was for several years a student of
that University.
A Mail Cart is now employed between South-
ampton and Romsey, to convey the London and other bags,
-leaving SoLthanapton at half-past five in the morning, and
Romsey at half-past nine at night.
The arrangement proposed by a Baronet in a
neighbouring county for the liquidation of his engagements
has met the entire concurrence of his creditors, who have
expressed their readiness to acquiesce in any measures which
will prevent a forced sale of any part of his estates. At the
meetings held last week at Pembroke and Haverfordwest,
the trustees declared their intention of effecting considerable
sales at a very early period ; but the feeling of the creditors was
unanimous, that the sales should not be precipitate, and they
cheerfully consented to allow live years to accomplish such as
might be rendered necessary.— Carmarthen Journal.
THE FLOODS.-- The continuance of the wet
weather has caused all the cellars situated in the central part
of Winchester to be inundated with water, in many instances
to the depth of three or four feet.
Two troops of the Queen's 9th Royal Lancers
marched from the Barracks, in Ipswich, on Tuesday, en route
for Norwich, where part of the regiment is quartered. They
have been succeeded by two troops from the latter place. The
exchange took place agreeably to the usual order from the
Horse Guards.
ELECTION OF CIII1?F CONSTABLE. On
Tuesday last, at a Special Meeting of the Magistracy of the
W•
county, Captain M'Hardy was elected by a large majority.
There wereie other candidates. Mr. G. Day, Mr. Fordo, Cap-
Pbut ir
tsheYihad. withdrawn.onius, Esq., and Lieutenant May-
-Esse.r Herald.
ELOPEMENT OF A BRIDEGROOM.—Mr. Fox,
nt aai
rnd, I
chemist, of St. Neots, was to have been married on Wednesday
week to a young lady of Eaton Socon. A bridal feast was ac-
cordingly prepared at Eaton, and a couple of chaises sent to
fetch the bridegroom and his friends, but upon their arriving at
his residence he was ne where to be found, and has not since
been heard of.
The Registrar-General has appointed Mr.
Knight, Borough Treasurer and Receiver of Police at Bir-
mingham, to the office of Superintendent-Registrar for the dis-
trict of Birmingham, vacant by the resignation of Mr. Pare.
LORD ELDON ON HIS DEATH-BE).—.When
re
replied
l of his great political consistency,
Say no more to me, Sir, of consistency. I have
either been &cidedl7 right or decidedly wrong." And, in
truth, I believe be began to suspect that he had been " de-
cidedly wrong."
hea few dace vs b
:_bYe some
his one,
decease, (with the kindest intentions, no doubt,)
D R OIVNING.—On Monday last, an inquest was
held at Thoydon Mount, on the body of Bridget Neal, wife of
a labourer of that parish, who was found drowned in the river,
by the side of the road from Epping. It appeared that she and
her mother were addicted to drinking, and were returning home
in a state of intoxication, when the deceased by some means
fell into the river and was drowned. Verdict "Accidental
Death."

MR. NORRIS-A LDERSGITE-

WARD.

(From the Morning Advertiser.)
Such is the violent state of party desperation to
which some of the most obdurate of the old Tory
faction are now driven by continued disappointments,
that neither public services nor private worth are con-
sidered, if the disregard of the one or sacrifice of the
other can in any way serve the purposes or inspire the
hopes of their disappointed malignity. We make alit
observation from the circumstance that the consistent
advocacy of sound Reform policy and Corn-law repeal
in the Court of Common Council has been deemed
a heinous crime in one of its most influential and
respectable members, and has given rise to pro-
ceedings equally extraordinary and disgraceful. We
allude to the petition against the return of Mr. Norris
to the Court of Common Council for the ward of Al.
dersgate ; and when we tell our readers that the dis-
cussion of its merits was conducted by the Court of
Aldermen with closed doors, we hardly need add that
the well-known political predilections of that Court
preclude an influential and sterling Reformer like
Mr. Norris from the least chance before such a tribunal.
The proceedings now going on in the ward of Al-
dersgate to prevent Mr. Norris's rs-election would dis-
grace the worst times of the most dishonoured party
England was ever disgraced w;th—intimidation, in
every shape, threats, bullying, cajolings of every kind,
all law of honour and gentlemanly decorum is abandoned,
and every tie of social affection is polluted by the
infusion of party bitterness or personal slanders, to
keep out of the council of the City. of of the best men
in it, and whose power, talent, and influence the Tories
have so often felt. If tb.e Reformers of Alderszate
do not stand by their own cause, and re-elect Mr. Nor.
ris, the Corn.law repealera will lose a most zealous
and able advocate ; and the Tories will, by foul and
corrupt means, obtain a triumph in getting rid for a
season ofone whom all men of sound judgment in the
Corporation acknowledge to be the best man in it. We
call on the friends of reform and of cheap bread to
persevere.

RECEIPT FROM SUNDAY TRAVELLING ON
THE GRAND JUNCTION R A ILWAT.—Accorcling to the report
of the Directors, presenled to the half-yearly meeting on Friday
last, the receipt from Sunday travelling on the Grand Junction
Railway is equal to 9s. 10d. per share and 3s. per half-share.
VAN AMBURGII.—We regret to learn from a
Paris letter that this intrepid man, after recovering from a
long and severe illness from a wound in his leg caused by a
tiger, has been again bitten in the arm by a lion, and will be
unable for some time to perform 'at Rouen, where he was to
have exhibited his beasts. Van Amburgh's courage in hitting
the lion on the nose to make it loose its hold is much spoken of.
There is at this time in the possession of a res-
pectable farmer at Fenny Stratford, Bucks, a very fine sow, of
the Berkshire breed, which has produced within fourteen
months two litters of pigs, which pigs have been sold and fetched
the extraordinary stun of 891. Is. 21/2(1. ; and, what is more
surprising, the same sow has now a litter of nine Pigs by her
side, worth at least three pounds.—Northampton Herald.
THE STOCKPORT VIADUCT.—This wonderful
undertaking of the Manchester and Birmingham Railway Corn.
pany, in this borough, is proceeding sufficiently fast to realize
the perfection of it within the term of the contract, not-
withstanding the difficulties which have twice attended the
progress of the river arch. All the arches, except one, on
the Lancashire side are turned, so that ten of the 63-feet
arches may be said to be almost completed ; whilst the
stone piers for two others, on the Cheshire side, are ready to
receive the superstructure; and the brick-work for the two
small arches at the extremity of the viaduct, like those at
the Lancashire end, is rapidly proceeding to a termination.
Twelve of the twenty-six arches may therefore be said to be
pretty well out of the hands of the workmen, and another six
months will see the perfection of one of the most gigantic pro-
ductions of art of a similar character in this kingdom.—Stoch-
port Advertiser.
STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF FIVE BOYS
aiintntoarsh.
the
FROM READING. —On Friday morning, the 7th instant, a boy
m antghleeyd. went lie
as thenfar as fellj3
named Lunner, whose parents are labouring people, residing at
No. 3, Eldon-place, in this town, was sent by his mother with
some clothes
icioenalph, company
of
where they were seen playing ; and between five and
four u r whichth sheother
rb olyt,
as,d and
six o'clock the boy Lunner was seen near the Marquis of
Granby,
whatever has been heard of his fate. He
etas a very pale child, about eight years of age,—liis
hair
of very red colour; his dress consisted of a
rneiodshalt a quarter of a mile from his home, since which
°thing
cap, a
dirty brown frock, and green striped trowsers.
any informati
on respecting
him will be thankfully received by
his parents, who are, as may be well imagined, in the most dis-
tressed state of mend at their loss. We do not know the names
of the four other boys' parents, but we understand one of them
is s shopkeeper in the King's-road. They, were missed about
the same time, or within a day or two. We have since learned
that one of the boys sold water-tresses in the streets ; the
others are from eight to twelve years of age; and the very sin-
gular
disappearance of several at the same time has given rise
to horrible suspicions and reports that they have been "bucked,"
Sic. At present the case is involved in great mystery, but the
police are endeavouring to discover some traces of the lot
children,—,Berkshire Chronicle,