The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-06 00:00:00

Dedicated by permission to her Majesty.
NOT I C E.-LIVES OF THE QUEENS
_ OF ENGLAND.

By AGNES STRICKLAND.
VOLUME X. IS 1.. OW READY.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great 3farlborcugh-street.
Orders received by all Booksellers.

RAILWAY SHARES BY PUBLIC SALE.
IWESSRS. LAMOND and Co., RAILWAY
SHARE AUCTIONEERS, beg to thank their Friends
and the Public for their continued support and patronage, and
to announce that their Public Sales or Railway Shares, &c.,
take place every TITYADAY and FRIDAY, at One o'clock, at the
Ball of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, London, to which place,
favours, containing instructions (with a reference), are rosPectftllY
requested to be addressed.
All Scrip and Share Certificates must be deposited, the day
previous to their being offered ; and advices of results will be
Irwarded by the first post after the sale, and the proceeds Acme-
Lately disposed of according to instructions.
Offices. Hall of Commerce. Threadneedle-street. London.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATUE.
THIS EVENING (Tuesday), July 6, will be performed (first
time this season) Verdi's celebrated Opera, entitivd

I LOMBARDI: Alla Prima Cruciata.
The Scenery by Mr. Charles Marshall.

Griselda (Daughter of Arvino), Madame Castellan (her first ap-
pearance in that character); Pagano, Signor Coletti, and Arvino,
Signor Corelli (Sons of a Noble of Rhodes); Vlclinda (Wife of
Arvino), Madame Solari ; Pirro, Signor Bsuche Oronte, Signor
Gardoni (his first appearance in that character).
To conclude with the highly-successful new Ballet Divertissement
by M. Perrot, the music by Signor Bajettl, of the Imperial theatre
La Scala, Milan, entit.ed

LES ELEMENS.
The Earth (personified by) NI dales. Cassan, James, Honore, Thevenot ;
the Fire, Mdlle. Carlotta Grist ; the Water, Mdlle. Rosati ; the Air,
Mdlle. Cerito.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The Nobility, Subscribers to the Opera, and the Public, are re-
specthilly Informed, that there will be a GRAND EXTRA NIGHT
on THURSDAY NEXT, July 8, 1817, when will be presented fey
(cheer's opera

ROBERTO IL DIAVOLO.

Alice, 3/dile. Jenny Lind ; Isabella, Made. Castellitn ; Roberto, Signor
Fraschini ; Rambaldo, ,ignor Gardoni ; Sacerdote, Signor Boucher
and Bertram, Signor Staudigl.

To be followed by various Entertainments in the Ballet Depart.
ment, combining the talents of Mdlle. Cerito, Mdlle. C. Rosati,
Mdme. P. Stephan, 3ldlles. Cassan, Honore, James, Julien, Lanso-
reux. and C. Grisi, M. Perrot, and M. St. Leon.
The Free List is suspended, the Public Press excepted.
Pit rice ets may be obtained, as usual, at the Office of the Theatre,
price 10s. 6d. each.
Applications for boxes, pit stalls, and tickets, to be made at the
Box-office, at the theatre.
Doors open at Seven o'clock ; the Opera to commence at Half-past
Seven.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT.GARDEN.
Mdlle. Steffanoni's second appearance.
THIS EVENLNG, Tuesday, July 6th, will be repeated Verdi's
opera of

)livira, Mdlle. Steffanoni ; Don Carlos, Mdlle. Albonl; Giovanni,
2ddlle. Be.ULni ; Ernani. Signor Salvi ; Ruy Komez, Signor Marini.
To conclude with a new Divertissement, entitled

L' AMOUR ET LA DANSE.

La which Mdiles. Plunkett, Baderna, Bertin, De Mane, Delachanx,
allephan, Duval. M. Mabille. &c • will appear.
Tickets, Stalls, and Boxes, to be had at the Boa-office. Bow-
street; and at Messrs. clramer, Beale, and Co.'s. 201, Regent-street.
The doors will is opened at Eight, and the performance commence
at Half-past Eight o'clock.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN.
For the Benefit of Madame Grist.
The Nobility, Gentry, and the Public, are respectfully informed
that a GRAND EXTRA NIGHT will take plaee on THURSDAY
NEXT, on which occasion will be performed Donizetti's opera of
ANNA BOLENA.
Anaa Bolena, Madame Grist; Lady Seymour, Mdlle. Corbarl;
Smeeton, Mdlle. Alboni ; Percy, Signor Mario ; Lord Rochfort, Sig.
Tagliallco ; Hervey, Signor Piacentini ; Henry the Eighth, Signor
Tamixtrini.
To conclude with the New Divertissement, entitled
L' AMOUR ET LA DANSE.
Composed by Signor Ca! ati.
In which Wiles. Plunkett, Baderna, Benin, De Mousse, Delec-
haux, Stephan, Duval, M. Mabille, &c., will appear.
Tickets, Stalls, and Boxes, at Cramer, Beale, and Co.'s, 201,
Regent-street; and at the Box-office, Bow-street
The Doors will be opened at Half-past Seven, and the perform-
ance commence at Eight o'clock.

It is not often that a document of such interest
appears in our advertising columns as the advertise•
ment of the " General Central Relief Committee for
all Ireland," which we this day publish. It is a
statement of their receipts and disbursements, and
they have, to their honour be it spoken, distributed
a sum of nearly 60,0001. among the distressed popu-
lation of the sister island, at the marvellously small
charge under the head of expences of less than 5001.
All honour and praise to the members of the commit-
tee for their exertions. The members of the com-
mittee have besides contributing from their own pecu-
niary resources for the relief of their starving fellow-
countrymen, contributed that which is more valuable
far, their time and their knowledge, and for six
months they have been indefatigably engaged in fur-
thering the ob7ects of the benevolent donors of the
fund, and the contributors as well as the recipients
owe them a deep debt of gratitude for the able, effi-
cient, satisfactory, and conscientious manner in which
they have performed their " labour of love."

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Under the Management of Mr. B. Webster, sole Lessee.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed the Comedy of THE CLANDESTINE MAR.
RIAGE. Lord Ogleby, Mr. W. Farren Lovewell, Mr. Holl ; Ster-
ling, Mr. Tilbury ; Brush, Mr. Buckstone ; Mrs. Heidelberg, Mrs.
Glover; Fanny Sterling, Miss J. Bennett; Betty, Mrd. Humby.
After which the new comic drama, called THE JACOBITE,
Sir Richard Wronghton, Mr. Stuart ; John Duck, Mr. Backstone ;
Lady Somerford, Miss Fortescue.

TO conclude with an entirely new and original farce called WHO
DO THEY TAKE ME FOR? Colonel Templeton, Mr. Howe
Terence O'Reilly, Mr. Hudson ; Mrs. Dorrington, Mrs. Seymour;
Miss Prudence Pickings, Mrs. Hamby.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Under the direction of Madame Celeste,
THIS EVENING

Will be produced a new and original c medy, in three acts, called
THE TITLE DEEDS. Principal characters by Messrs. Lambert,
Wright, Paul Bedford, 0. Smith, Boyce, lfunyard, C. J. Smith,
Worrell ; Mrs. Yates, :Kiss Woolgar, Miss E. Harding, Miss E.
Chaplin, Mrs. Laws, &c.

After which The ...MAGYAR MULATSAG; or, Hungarian Fetes.
By the celebrated Hungarian Dancers and the Hungarian Instru-
mental Vocalists.

After which an entirely new Petite Comedy, entitled
FLYING COLOURS; or, Crossing the Frontier. Captain Sans-
sougi, Mr. Webster ; Margaret, Miss Woolgar ; Helen de Montereau,
Madame Celeste ; Justine, Miss Ellen Chaplin.
To be followed by the Opera Baffa Sketch, called JENNY LIND.
Principal characters by Messrs. Wright, Paul Bedford, Lambert,
Selby, Cullenford, and Miss Woolgar.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
(Summer Season—Lyceum Company.)
THIS EVENING
Will be presented a new comic drama. in two acts, entitled MAR-
GUERITE'S COLOURS. Principal characters by Messrs. Emery,
Wigan, Vining, and Johnston; Mesdames Dickenson, Villars, Arden,
and Griffiths.
To be followed by the new GRAND BALLET, in which the
Spanish Dancers will appear.

After which a burletta, Pntitled THE WATER WITCHES.
Principal characters by Mesdames Villars, Dickinson, Daly, Arden,
Messrs. Oxberry, Vining, &c.
To conelude with THE BOTTLE IMP.
In the course of the piece the celebrated Spanish Dancers
will appear, in their novel and unrivalled Bouquet Dance.

FRENCH PLAYS. —ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
Lessee, Mr. John Mitchell.
TO-MORROW EVENING
Second Appearance of the eminent Tragedienne Adlle. Rachel.
Will be presented Scribe's comedie of VALERIE ; on. L' Aveugle.
Characters by MM. Rhozevil, Pascal, TonriFon, Males. Vallee, and
Rebut.
After which will be produced Pierre Le Bru'r.s tragedy of MARIE
STUART. George Mortimer, M. Raphael Felix ; Elisabeth, Mdlle.
Rebut; Marie Stuart, 3ldlle.
Reserved seats, Dress Boxes, 7e. 6d. ; Pit, 55.; Amphitheatre, ss. ;
Gallery, 3s.
The performances will commence at Half-past Seven o'clock pre-
cisely.

PRINCESS'S TOEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
J. M. Maddox, sole Lsssee and Manager.
TUN EVENING.
Will be presented the Vaudeville Comedy, in Two Acts, by J: R.
Planche, Esq, entitled THE FOLLIES OF A NIGHT. Pierre
l'aillot, Mr. C. Mathews ; Dr. Druggendraft, Mr. Compton ; Duchess
de Chartres, Madame Vestris.
To be followed by A SPEAKING LIKENESS. Nanette, Mdme.
Vestris.
After which the new farce, entitled A SOVEREIGN REMEDY.
Captain Pendragon, Mr. Ryder ; Mr. Bottleby, Mr Granby ;
Quackit, Mr. C. Mathews; Alfred, Mr. J. Webster; Mrs. Bottleby,
Mrs. Fosbroke ; Mary, Miss Marshill.
To conclude with a comic drama, entitled "LADIES BEWARE !"
Colonel Vavasour, Mr. Granby; Sir Charles Vavasour, Mr. James
Vining; Matilda, Miss Cooper.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE,
Proprietor and Manager 11r. William Ratty.
Under the patronage of the Queen, Prince Albert, and the
Royal Family.
THIS EVENING
Will be presented a gorgeous Peruvian Drama, to illustrate the
historical events of the Spaniards' conquest of Peru, arranged from
the original text of Brinsley Sher)(lan's play of " Pizarro," entitled
fIIE STORMING OF QUITO; or, the Warrior of the Sun. Rolla,
Mr. W. West.

The extraordinary equestrian performarces of La Petite Davidson
and the New , canes of the Circle, with the whole of the Entertain-
ments, having been attended with the moat complete success, will be
repeated every evening.

Stage Manager, Mr. W. D. Broadfoot.

ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Under the Management of Mrs. Frances Davidge, Lessee.
In consequence of the success attending the Eminent English
Vocalists, they have been re-engaged for Twelve Nights more, and
will appear in " Maritana," as played at Drury Lane 100 nights.

The amount of Customs, and Receipts for the year
l ending sth July, 1847, is 18,792,3481. for the quar-
ter 4,519,1191., showing an increase on the year of
1,103,8871., and a decrease on the quarter of 4,2721.
This trifling decrease can be now much more than
accounted for by the repeal of the corn duties. The
Excise shows an increase on the quarter of 186,3411.,
and on the year of 708,8861., the total Excise revenue
for the year being 12,733,9981., and for the quarter
3,291,0521. This increase in the Excise revenue
is very satisfactory, as showing that however
severe may be the pressure of the existing
distress, it is limited in its extent, and has
touched but lightly upon the operatives who are the
great consumers of exciseable articles. The article
of Stamps also exhibits an increase both on the quar-
ter and the year. On the year of 212,8571., and on
the quarter of 138,969/. It is now more than a year
since the railway mania ceased to rage, and the
present increase in the Stamps may be considered
therefore as indicative of an increased activity in the
healthy and legitimate commercial transactions of the
country. The total revenue received for Stamps has
been for the year 7,201,797/., and for the quarter,
1,869,464/. The Assessed Taxes have yielded during
the quarter2,o7s,ool/,, and during the year 4,325,7321.,
being an increase on the year of 9.5,833/., and on the
quarter of 68,574/. The Property-Tax likewise
shows an increase in the quarter of 27,355/., and on
the year of 308,024/., the total revenue received from
this source being—for the year, 5.491,9361., and
for the quarter, 1,036,517/. The Post-office
revenue, we rejoice to say, continues steadily
on the increase. The total Post-office revenue for
the year has been 854,0001. and for the quarter
215,0001., showing an increase of 60,0001. on the
year, and of 34,0001. on the quarter. There has
been no revenue derived for Crown Lands this quar-
ter, neither was there any during the corresponding
quarter of last year. The Miscellaneous revenue exhibits
a decrease 0f10,540/. on the quarter, but an increase of
114,384 on the year, the total of the Miscellaneous
revenue being for the year 307,6211., and for the quarter
7,4611. The total income exclusive of the advances
received en the loan is for the quarter 13,240,190/.,
and for the year 51,060,1091., showing an increase
on the year of 1,004,026/., and on the quarter of
41,457/. The surplus of the Consolidated Fund for
the quarter is 2,120,019/.

A Court pageantry was wont to fascinate the
rabble by its magnificence. The lieges stood a-gape
with admiration at the trumpeters in cloth-of-gold,
the beef-eaters in rose-garlands, and the yeomen
clad in steel and leather by the ingenuity of the
armourer. Little of the homage formerly paid to the
gauds of royalty survives. The prestige of heraldic
emblazonry is almost forgotten. Even Mr. DYMOCK
himself, the hereditary Champion of England, would
excite little more reverence in the multitude than the
brass knight in the Lord Mayor's procession, though
he were mounted on the back of Bucephalus and
cased in the mail of SALADIN. Homelier sentiments
have become diffused among the populace than those
which animated the lieges of a feudatorial
sovereignty. So earnest indeed has been the re-
action, that a species of opprobrium has been attached
to that external grandeur which was rendered un-
palatable from its association with the cruelties and
oppressions of an exploded system. The crimes of our
former rulers have imparted almost as much odium to
the gorgeous ceremonials by which those rulers were
ever accompanied as did the dilemmas of the
melancholy gentleman of La Mancha to the forms
and proprieties of knight-errantry. It would be well,
however, for the multitude to reflect upon all such
occasions as elicit anything like a revival of the pomps
of regality, not so much upon the utility or decorum
of those pomps, as upon the circumstances of which
they are merely the celebration, and of the purposes
which they are intended to commemorate.
Whatever may be said in depreciation of the ap-
proaching ceremonies at Cambridge, it is certain that
the event of which they will only be the accompani-
ment is one of no trivial importance, not merely to
the several divisions of that University, but to the
interests of the general community, and to the pro-
gress of our insular civilisation. Whether much
advantage can possibly result to any one man in the
empire by the pindaric throes and inane strophes of
Mr. WILLIAM WORDSWORTH—written, be it ob-
served, as a sort of compensation for the legendary
butt of malmsey, and as a vindication of his titular
dignity as Poet Laureate—whether, we repeat, much
advantage can possibly result from the feeble song of
jubilation chanted from Rydal Mount, it would
require probably the discernment of a DA-
CIER to determine. But the superficial ob-
server will recognise in the installation of his
Royal Highness the Prince ALBERT, as Chancellor of
the University of Cambridge, a token of that bro-
therhood in knowledge which promises in effect to
regenerate the whole family of man. A spectacle
more suggestive of the meaning and tendencies of
this generation could hardly be conceived than the
one which will have adorned the sedgy banks of the
Cam during the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
of the present week. We cannot regard the nomi-
nation of the Prince Consort—a Prince respected for
his versatile accomplishments and loved for his distin-
gui-hed amenity—as a merely hollow compliment to
his Royal Highness as the husband of VICTORIA. By
that selection more--immeasurably more—has been
effected than the presentation of a formal token of
loyalty ; a new bond has bound together the sympa-
thies of the QUEEN aril the People. As searchers
among the divine mysteries of knowledge, royalty
and democracy henceforth go hand in hand ; as fel-
low-scholars in philosophy they muse together under
the porch ; as brother labourers in the mines of eru-
dition they are intimately associated. A latent good
is indicated in the pageantry of this interesting in-
stallation, not so much by the ardour with which it is
prepared—significant as that is—as by its manifest
influence upon the minds of the apparently un-
interested. While the public attention is so
much engrossed by an accumulation of unusual
embarrassments, and the advent of a dissolu-
tion of Parliament, the installation of the
Chancellor attracts an extraordinary amount of
observation throughout the United Kingdom. This,
moreover, because the ceremony is not only one of
local, but one also of national interest.
The Prince ALBERT is now connected officially
with one of the most venerable of our Universities.
At a period when the cause of Education is engaging
so much of the curiosity of the multitude, of the
scrutiny of Parliament, and of the providence of the
Government, his Royal Highness is brought into im-
mediate communication with one of the most plente-
ous and one of the least exhaustible of the fountains of We have received the Paris papers of Friday and
knowledge. Everything, either directl or inferen-
importance of a more facile
tially, tends to fix upon theg • 'Yr Saturday.
popular mind the supreme The Constitutionnel of Friday contains the follow-
dtihffiusion of the blessings ing on the intelligence recently received from Al-
of secular education. Ever combines to hold swift :
this up to the popular observation
matterh b y
,d.at the ensuing o The Moniteur Algerfie.n
tehr penubelisheAdnanimportant
selection of the candidates. Unless precaeuecssion in the and untowahrdveptiaeckeenc
place between c
the Emir - fore be taken for the due estimation of thissillfaderspi appears
andto the
the possessors of the franchise, they Abd.el-Kader has obtained a great advantahge. The
have
Emperor of Morocco. It is stated that
bewail, perhaps, during seven years the foolishness avwehobheaeil
-K der,
which had induced them to be lukewarm following details—exagge.rat.etd,ALe.rehiaPsa,
staliatausretfharoeuginh Sroirno.eeoW I
was endeavouring to obtain
in the promotion of a cause in which
s
The Emper'or thenn
the ignorance, and consequently the happiness liofo of the Spanish Government, Abderrhamahn.recfeiveed
peace fromgFrance, and had even implored the media-
and sobriety, of the indigent millions are so inextri- against
tattiln tahatt the Emir intendedhimturfnroinmg
thel throornees.
cably concerned. If another spur be administered to
rid himself of so formid-
the memory of the electors by the pomps of this tahbeleauest. He took advantage of the circumstance of
of the contributions of he! Riff by a small
inauguration at Cambridge, the election of his Royal body of collectiontroops
Sent there for that purpose, to order the /
Prince ALSZAT will refigillid Kaid El 4paar, the chief of that expedition, to carry off'
resaovlovuedr to hurl

,onstantinople letters, of the 17th, state that a
treaty of peace between Persia and Turkey has been
definitively concluded. It was reported at Salencia,
on the 9th, that an Albanian had revolted against the
Turkish Government. His force consisted of 800
men. There is every prospect of a plentiful harvest
in Turkey.

Letters from Alessandria, of the 27th ult., announce
that the differences existing between the Austrian
Government and the King of SARDINIA had been
arranged by mutual concessions—the Austrian Go-
vernment having considerably reduced the duty levied
on the wines of Sardinia when entering the Austrian
dominions, and the King of SARDINIA having pro-
mised on his part to discountenance the march of
Liberal opinions in Piedmont. As a first step towards
this course of policy, the newspapers lately established
in Tuscany had been prohibited in Piedmont. The
consequence of this change of system on the part of
the King of SARDINIA was the resignation of his
chief Minister, Senor VILLA MARINA.

Madrid papers of the 27th and 28th ult. have
arrived.

It is said that a decree will shortly be issued sup-
pressing all custom-houses in the interior of the
kingdom.

Aband of Carlists had been defeated by the QUEEN'S
troops at Guerault, in Catalonia, and two of the Carlist
chiefs killed. The province of Burgos, in conse-
quence of the appearance of the Carlist band of EL
ESTUDIENTE, is to be declared in a state of siege.
Don FRANCISCO DE PAULA. has, it is said, fallen
into disgrace with the QUEEN. During her late rides
her MAJESTY has not been accompanied as usual by
her uncle or her cousin.
were
MADRID
BOLSA, JUNE 29.—The Three per Cents.
one at 29i for cash; the Four per Cents, at
17#; the Five per Cents, at 17i; the Debt without Inte-
rest at 51; and the Coupons at 13.

honour of the University authorities, and will fur-
nish the people with an additional reason for regard-
ing the husband of their QUEEN with affection.

The explanation which was given by the Attorney-
General in the House of Commons on Friday night
with respect to the proceedings which took place at
Hertford on the 1 ith ultimo, in relation to the pro-
perty of the late JOHN TAWELL, will be received
with peculiar gratification throughout the country.
The public feeling had been painfully excited
in consequence of the apparent barbarity and
cruelty of the act--the deepest sympathy was
accorded to the unfortunate widow. It was con-
ceived that the wound which had in some respects
closed, by the healing influences of time, had been
most heartlessly torn open ; that she had been prac-
tically punished for a crime of which she was wholly
innocent, by being deprived of the property to which
she would otherwise have been entitled, and her own
production as a witness, in order that the link in the
chain of evidence, to deprive her of her property,
might be supplied by her own testimony, increased
the general indignation. The statement of the At-
torney-General has fully and completely exonerated
the Government from every imputation of harshness
or oppression in the case in question. It has proved
that they acted with the humanity and equity which
England would expect from the Ministers of her
choice, but it has placed in the strongest light the
absurdity and injustice of the code which is still per-
mitted to remain- a stain and a disgrace to our
statutes. The most eloquent denunciation that
could be hurled against the system by its most
strenuous opponent could not exhibit its impropriety
in a stronger light than the uniform practice of the
Crown in relinquishing the rights to which it be-
comes entitled, in waiving the forfeitures that may
from time to time accrue. If its claims were of such
a nature that their enforcement could be justified,
then there would be a culpable abandonment by the
advisers of the Crown of the rights and privileges
they were bound to maintain and preserve; but such
is not the case, they are well aware that a rigid adhe-
rence to such obsolete and iniquitous enactments
would occasion such an agitation throughout the
length and breadth of the land as would lead to a
speedy alteration of the law, and the total abrogation
of the obnoxious provisions. Hence there is a grace-
ful yielding to the force of public opinion, the inva-
riable remission of the penalties in favour of the
immediate relatives and next of kin of the
malefactor. But " the snake is scotched,
not killed," it retains all its vitality, and may at any
time start into life and activity, when its results may
be more than usually oppressive.
The Attorney-General tells us, " that on convic-
tion of any person for felony, the property of the
convict belongs to the Crown ; that the practice,
however, had uniformly been to grant, on petition
from the relatives of the convict, an inquiry, and to
give the property to those relatives ; that in this par-
ticular case a memorial was presented by Mrs.
TAWELL to the Treasury, praying the Crown to
make inquiry, and to order that the property of her
late husband should be bestowed upon her; that the
inquest had taken place, in accordance with that me-
morial, and that the property, instead of being re-
tained by the Crown, would be sold for her benefit."
We accord to this statement of the Honourable and
Learned Gentleman the fullest credence ; but why is
the law retained, if the uniform practice is not to en-
force it? We respect the law officers of the Crown
too much to suppose that they can in any manner be
influenced by the fees and perquisites to which, in
right of their office, they are entitled on every such
inquisition. Except in the case of wealthy cri-
minals, few can benefit by the favourable
consideration of their request by the Executive.
Every expense connected with the investigation, from
the fees to the law officers, for the report on the
original memorial in the first instance, to the bill of
costs of the Solicitor for the Treasury, and the pay-
ments to commissioners, jurors, and witnesses, must
be defrayed out of the property in the first instance,
before any portion of the residue can be distributed
to the claimants. Here, then, is a heavy and a
perfectly needless outlay, which acts as a total pro-
hibition to any of the humbler and less wealthy
classes. It would not be worth the while of the widow
or orphans of a felon, `►hose property amounted to
the value of a few hundreds only, although
its possession might save them from want and misery ;
the whole would be absorbed in the cost of the in-
quiry, and nothing would remain to save them from

poverty and destitution. There are amply sufficient
grounds for urging the repeal of the law under pre-
sent circumstances, but the possible use which may
be made of it vastly increases the necessity. While
the country is blessed with a constitutional Govern-
ment there would be little danger of any abuse of
the power, but there have been corrupt ministers in
bygone days, and possibly such may again arise
on some future occasion. Political disturbances
have occurred, and many who were comparatively
blameless were deprived of their properties, and
driven forth into exile and poverty, while the minions
of the prevailing faction rioted in the possession of
the estates wrested from the rightful owners for too
rigid an adherence to honour and principle. How
many families were reduced from wealth and affluence
to distress and penury for an unceasing devotion to
the rights of CHARLES 11. during the time of the
Commonwealth, who were unable to obtain restitution
after the Restoration ! Scenes similar to these which
have f)rmerly taken place may possibly be re-enacted,
and the only safeguard that can be extended to the
people, the only shield that can guard against the
possibility of their recurrence, is the total abolition
of the law relating to escheats and forfeitures, and the
corruption of the blood of a malefactor.
C,