The Sun.
London, England, 1823-05-06 00:00:00

PARIS PAPERS.

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.
Yesterday having been the day appointed for
laying the first stone of the new building about to be erected by
this institution at Clapton, a vast concourse of respectable per-
sons, who were provided with admission tickets, -proceeded to
the ground at an early hour, for the purpose of witnessing
the ceremony. A considerable space of ground having been
enclosed in an aambitheatrical form, seven or eight rows of
benches were erected nearly tall round it,which were appropriated
to the exclusive convenience of ladies ; and, although apparently
calenlated to hold upwards of two thousand, it did not afford ac-
commodation for above two-thirds of the number that attended.
Within these benches was railed in a further space to allow
standing room to the male spectators ; and within this, again,
was funned the arena on which the ceremony was to be per-
funned. This consisted partly of solid ground, and partly of
a temporary flaoring, or platform, composed of planks laid
across that part of it which had been excavated for the basement
apartments of the intended building. The planks rested on a
bean;, which was supported by props of thick timber under-
neath. in the centre of the arena was slung the stone. At
about three o'clock the Duke of York, accompanied by
Prince Leopold, arrived-at the Mermaid Tavern, Hackney ;
where, after partaking of a collation, their Royal High-
nesses joined the procession, which then proceeded in the
peescribed order to the ground. As soon as it enter-
ed the arena, the Lord Mayor pronounced a short address,
which was succeeded by an apnropriate prayer by the Lord
Bishop of London. The members of the procession then
formed a wide circle round the stone, and the stewards placed
the children in front of them, arranging the boys on the right,
and the girls on the left. The band struck up, the. children
Commenced singing some verses composed for the occasion.
and the process of lowering the stone was begun. Before, howr
ever, it had descended many inches, or the children had sung
through their first stanza, the platform on the left of the stone on
which the Duke and the Prince, together with the Bishop,several
clergymen,the Lord Mayor, &c., and thegreaterpart of the female
children were standin, gave way with a loud crash, which was
echoed by a universal scream of horror from the benches, and
folloaed by a scene of the greatest confusien for some minutes.
The principal prop, it appeared, having been overturned, in con-
sequence of the rope which the persons held who were lowering
the stone being tw tsted round it, the beam which it had sup-
ported yielded to the pressure of the weight overhead, the planks
resting on the beam of course sunk, with it, and the individuals
who stood upon the planks shared in the fall ; except such of
them as had the address and opportunity to spring otithe boards
when they felt them giving way. Amongst these was
the Duke of York, who, at the first alarm, leaned forward
with considerable agility, and reached the solid ground in safety.
Prince Letiliold also, and several other individuals near hini,
escaped falling, they having fortunately been standing on that
part of the scaffolding most remote from the centre, where .it
first gave way. A number of the girls, however, and other
individual+, fell in, but all these were happily. extricated
from their alarming; situation without any serious injury. In
one instance alone the accident was fatal. Ose of the labouring
men, who was underneath the scaffolding, and holding the
rope above mentioned, happened unfortunately to be at that
moment immediately under the beam. It crushed him to death.
The wretched victim was borne away in a dreadfully mangled.
state. The ceremony *as then hastily concluded; and the
parties returned to town. At six o'clock, the institution cele-
brated their anniversary festival, by a dinner at the City of
London Tavern, at which the Lord Mayor (in the room of the
Duke of York, who was prevented by order of his physicians
front attending) presided, supported by Prince Leopold and
the Bishop of London. The meeting was crowded, and the
collection considerable.

( From the Etoile of Sunday. )
PARIS, MAY 4.—On the 27th ult. letters from
St Petersburgh were received at Frankfort, announcing that
M. de Tatiacheff had just been nominated Russian Ambassa-
dor at Constantinople.

NEWS FROM SPAIN.
MADRID APRIL 15.—Every thing indicates the ensuing
departure of those who, amongst us, were the most ardent
propagators of the new order of things. The Municipality and
Constitutional Administrations are preparing to leave this
capital, which the inhabitants observe with joy ; they only re-
gret the absence of the King, and ardently anticipate the arrival
of the French troops who will restore him.
APRIL 16.—1 t was to-day said, that the advance guard of
the French army, was at Sorno-Sierra.
The Political Chief of Burgos has arrived to-day with some
of his colleagues ; the Political Chief of Vittoria, who ought
also to have arrived, has not me his peance. It is
thought that he has fallen into thead power aopf the French ad-
vanced guard. f/
[Front the Journal des Mats.]
" PARIS, NAY 2.
TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCII ARRIVED MOM
BAYONNE ON THE FIRST OF MAY.
The Major-General to his Excellency the Minister of War.
" VITTORIA, APRIL 28.—The citadel .of Jaca is in the
possession of the Army of the King of Spain.
" The Commander of the new garrison, on his arrival, had
the Revolutionary Chief arrested, who immediately sent his
submission, with that of the troops under his command. The
garriion of the place is to be reinforced.
Vittoria, April 30, 7 o'clock.—Oeneral Molitor with his
whole corps arrived at Saragossa on the 26th. The population
testified the most lively joy. Forty-eight cannon, and a great
number of bombs were found in Saragossa.
" The blockade of blequinenza is raised in consequence of
the movements of General Molitor, who is going to march to-
wards Lerida.
" head Quarters, Vittoria, Aril 30.—Ballasteros has re-
treated towards Valencia."
[From the Journal de Paris.]
PARIS, MAY 2.—While the Journal des 'Mats confirms
that Ulmann one of the Chiefs of the Faith, has entered Va-
lencia, which does not at all appear from the official dispatches,
we read, on the contrary, • in a letter from Perpignan, on the
24th, that the Constitutional General Manso has come to join
Mina with his division, the affairs of Valencia no longer caus-
ing any uneasiness.
It seems that there is nothing new on this side of Catalonia,
in the movements of our army.
It appears that his Excellency will not send any more cou-.
riers to Spain by way of Bayonne. The English Ambassador
at Seville sends his dispatches, and the public their letters, to
Vigo, whence they, are conveyed to England by packets ap-
pointed for the purpose.
Letters from Seville of the 17th April, received by sea, give
sitisfactory accounts of the healths of their Majesties, and of
all the Royal Family. The enthusiasm which the inhabitants
of that city spew towards their Majesties is beyond description.
Whenever the King. appears in public, he is welcomed with
the liveliest acclamations. Many persons have come to Seville
from the neighbouring country to have the pleasure of seeing
their Majesties.
The necessary preparations were making that the Cortes
might open their Sittings as soon jis possible. News had been
received there that Conte du Chnst tAinarant9, after his de-
feat by the troops of General Rego, had fled into the Spanish
territory in hopes of joining the -French army. The news of
the entrance of this army, into Spain had caused a great sensa-
tion at Seville.
[From the Quotidienne.]
In consequence of the movements of the army, Mina is
between General Molitor and Marshal Moncey, so that he
must either retreat into the mountains, or go towards Bar-
celona.
We can announce as certain the taking of Valencia by Ul.
mann ; that city having proposed terms of capitulation,
Ul-
mann accepted them. At the moment that his troops were
taking possession of the city, the revolutionary party, who had
a great share in the condemnation and execution of Elio, bad
posted some wretches who fired 'at once out of several windows
at Ulmann. That General was not struck; but his first care
was to arrest the .ludges of Rho, who had concealed themselves
in the city, as well as the Chiefs of the Patriotic Society, and
he had them shot.
,From 11w Etoile of .Ssaturday.]
BURGOS, Aram 22.—1 t is asserted that General Morino
has retreated" in haste froM Valladolid in consequence of the
movement of the Royal Portuguese Army, which has advanced
towards Alorga to the number of 11,000 infantry, 1,500 cavalry,
and four pieces of cannon.
It isimpossible to form an idea of the harmony between the
Spaniards and the French troops, who are received with cries
of " Long live the King! Death to the Constitution ?"
The Pilate of to-day republishes the celebrated Declaration
issued at St. Ouen by his Majesty this day nine years, viz.
May 2, 1814, on his return to France, after the overthrow of
Napoleon.
I ears, MAY 3.—A Deputation of the National Guard of
Versailles had she honour to be presented to the King on occa-
sion of the anniversary of the 2d of May.
His Majesty went out at three o'clock and took a promenade
to Choisy le Roi.
At eight in the evening M. Villele transacted business with
his Majesty.

M. DE CIIATEAUBRIAND'S SPEECH.
The Moniteur of Wednesday last has given, at great lento..
the speech made by this Minister in the Chamber of Peers.
Speaking in reply to. Count 'Vold and Baron Barante, he was
drawn into explanations on the great question respecting Spain.
He began as follows :
" I am called upon, Gentlemen, to reply to questions which
it has been thought fit to address to me. lam accused of si-
lence. lam about to state my reasons, and perhaps they may
appear to you of some value. A Noble Count has expressed a
wish that we should, in imitation of Eng Lani, have deposited
on the table the official document* relative to the affairs of
Spain. We have no need to appeal to that example. Publicity
belongs to the nature of constitutional Government ; but a just
medium must be observed, and above all, times, places, and
nations, ought never to be confounded. If the British Govern.
nient be not in some respects as circumspect as ours must be,,
that difference arises from the difference of political situation.
In England the Royal prerogative has na cause to fear
making the inost.ample concessions, because it is defended by
institutions which time has consecrated. Have you a rich
clerg), the holders of extensive .estates ? Have you a House
of Peers which possesses the 'greater part of the lands of the
kingdom, and of which the Elective Chamber is but a sort of
branch or offset ? Do the rights of primogeniture, entails, the
Norman feudal laws, perpetuate fortunes which may be called
immortal in your families ? In England the aristocratic spirit
pervades every thing—all is privilege, association, and corpora-
tion. The ancient usages, like the ancient laws and ancient nm-
numents, are preserved with a sort of religious veneration. The
democratic spirit is nothing ; a few tumultuous meetings
which assemble from tithe to time in virtue of certain rights of
counties, constitute the whole of what is grunted to demo-
cracy. The people, as in ancient Rome, are clients of the high
aristocracy, and the support and not the rivals of the nobility.
It may easily be conceived, gentlemen, that in sucli.a state of
things, Engliuid has nothing to fear from the democratic spirit.
We can conceive, also, how Peers of the three kingdoms, how
men who would have ever thing to lose by a revolution, . pub-
licly profess doctrines why ich would seem calculated to destroy
their social existence. It is because they in reality run no risk.
The members of the English Opposition safely preach demo.
cracy in the aristocracy; nothing. is so agreeable as to receive
the honours of popularity, preserving all the whole titles, pri-
vileges, and several millions of income. Are we in melt a
condition, gentlemen ? Do we present such guarantees to the
Crown ? Where is the aristocracy in a country where you can-
not find 12,000 proprietors who pay 1,000 francs of taxes ?
Where is the aristocracy in a state, in which the equality of
succession annihilates large properties, in which the spirit of
equality had allowed no social distinction to subsist, and
hardly suffers this day the natural superiorities. Let us not
deceive ourselves. In France there is no monarchy but in the
Clown; it is the Crown, which fromits antiquity, and the force
of custom,
m,
serves us as a barrier against the waves of democracy.
What a difference of position ! In France it is the Crown
which shelters, the aristocracy ; in England it is the aristocracy
which serves as a rampart to the Crown. This single fact in-
terdicts all comparison between the two countries. If, then, we
do not defend the royal prerogative ; it' the Government, yield-
ing to all the claims which may he made upon it, should pro-
duce all the documents which the Opposition think fit to call
for, your rising institutions would be speedily overturned, and
the revolution would re-appear among their ruins."
In alluding to the speeches in the British Parliament, M. de
Chateaubriand said—
" Gentlemen, let us not iiiiltate such examples ; the exist-
ence of Representative Governments would be impossible if
their tribunes were to retort ; imprudent recritnitiauons would
soon convert Europe into a field of battle., It is for us to set
an example of Parliamentary moderation. 'Wishes have been
expressed against us; let us wish the prosperity of every
Power with which we preserve amicable relations. Some have
dared to raise a voice against the wisest of Kings and his august
family. What have we to say of the King of England ?
Nothing, except that there is no Prince whose policy is more
upright, and whose character is inure generous ; no Prince who,