The Sun.
London, England, 1840-02-18 00:00:00

IRELAND.

(FROM A CORRLSPONDENT.
DUBLIN, FEB. 16.—Very important information with
regard to Ribbonism, of which so much has been said,
was within the last few days obtained by the activity of the
Government, in a manner as novel as it is extraoi dinars.
Same months since a parson suspected of being a lead. r
in the conspiracy was arrested, and on his person three
gruel! pocket books were found, into shish was copied a
vast number of letters, supposed to be a correspondence
between the prisoner and the principal movers of the sys-
tem. After some difficulty, a gentleman in Dublin was
applied to for the purpose of making out what they con-
tained, and after a minute investigation declared his ability
to decipher the letters, but declined being examined as
a witness on the trial. That difficulty has, however,
am glad to say, been entirely got over, and the pri-
soner will be tried for the offence during the pre-
-sent Commission, which was opened yesterday by
Judge Torrens and Baron Foster. The Grand Jury fer
the city having been sworn, the former learned personage
in addressing them used these remarkable words--." Gen-
tlemen, from sworn informations now before the Court. it
doss appear that certain indisidus are charged with be-
longing to Secret Societies—th 7 for a great number of
years those Societies have existed in the country, the rami-
fications of which spread comiderably in the North of
Ireland, and particularly in the district of which you are
the representatives. Certain papers have been discovered,
found either in the possession or on the person of the ind'-
viduals charged, which will be laid before you, and from
which you, no doubt, will be able to collect some infor-
mation with regard to this unlawful confederacy. This
at least you vvill learn, that persons have taken a very
active part in disseminating its principles, obtaining con-
verts, connecting themselves by signs and pass-words, and
corresponding with each other as members of an illegal
combination." The most important results are expected
from the fortunate diFcove7y made by the Government,
which it is expected will enable them to strike at the root
of this conspiracy, by bringing the leaders to punishment.
With the exception of these cases cf combination, the
calendars for both the county and city of Dublin are un-
usually light, and even the cases placed upon them of
trifling importance.

POLITICAL SUMMARY OF THE

MORNING JOURNALS.

The Morning Chronicle of this day, alluding to the
Bishop of Exeter's remarks on Socialism at Leicester, in
the [louse of Lor,!s last night, observes:—" The curiosity
excited by the Right Rev. Prelate's statements may no
doubt have the cif:et for a time of drawing a more nume-
rous attendance at Leicester ; but this is very different
from a permanent increase of numbers. But this spiritual
Drawcansir calls for the laws against blasphemy to be put
in vigorous execution against the Socialists, as if the
policy of the system of rigour had not been ren-
dered more than questionable by former exppi-
'ments."—The Times thus expresses itself on the
subject of Mr. Paget's speech at a recent public
'reefing at Leicester, with reference to the Privilege Que:-
tion :—" Mr. Paget outherods even the petition itself. He
would have had the house remove Lord Denman from his
seat, and imprison (why not hong ?) the othrr Judges who
acted with him. He would have broken up the whole
Court of Queen's Unch at once. Really, proceedings
like these, in an Engli.,l corporation, almost make us
change our minds, and plead for the new corporations in
Ireland. What can happen worse there? We are in-
clined to join O'Connell for once."—The Morning Post
remarks, with reference to Mr. lierries's motion last
Thursday night :—" If the Whigs were capable of doing
the work of Government themselves, they would
have been right to withhold the papers. But they
arc not capable. All that they are fit for, is to
yield obedience, to receive pay, and to distribute
patronage among their p rashes. The Tories must
do the serious work of Government if it is to be dose at
all, and therefore the refusal to them, of any documentary
information, is to the last degree factious and absurd."—
The Morning Herald thus expresses itself on the subj ct
of the Irish Municipal Corporation Bills :—" A great
deal more than enough has been conceded to Popish agita-
tion in Ireland. We are glad to see that the Irish Pro-
testants are resolved to oppose all the constitutional re-
sis:anee they can to any further concession. We tell
them that, notwithstanding the timid and temporizing con-
duct of the Conservative leaders in Parliament, the great
mass of the British people think with them."

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—Barnett's Moun-
tain Sy was produced last night at this theatre as a second
piece, when Mrs. Alban Croft came out as Eolia. She sang
and acted beautifully from first to last, and will much increase
her reputation by her performance. Phillips also acquitted
himself con amore, and when he is in the humour he always
does things well. He was encored in " Farewell to the
Mountain," though somewhat broken in upon by the interrup..
tion of a cat upon the stage, which did not come in quite so
happily as the cat of Dominico Scarlatti—that originated his
famous fugue. The house was crowded.

H AY:4A RIC ET THEATRE. A concert was
given last evening at this theatre by Mr. Alleroft. The vo-
calists comprised the names of Signor anti Madame F.
Lablache. Miss Birch, Miss Woodyatt, Signor Brizzi, Mrs.
Aveling Smith, Ernesta Grisi, Mr. and Mrs. Seguin, Mrs. H.
Chatfield, Mr. J. Parry, Ar. Handel Gear, Mr. Ransford, and
Mr. Alleroft. In the instrumental department were
Madame Dulcken and her brother-in-law, F. Chatterton,
Richardson, and Mr. Winterbottom.

REMARKABLE DEATH OF A CIIARTIST.
Ou Friday last, James Blake went to a house of refreshment
in Soho, where he dined off a beef-steak, which he complained
of for its toughness. After dinner he entered into conversa-
tion with others in the room upon the subject of Chartism,
during the course of which he became excited, and said he
would forfeit his life that instant if he thought it would pro-
mote the interest of Chartism. He became faint and sick,
when he went into the open air. He soon returned into the
room, apparently revived, but shortly afterwards suddenly ex-
pired. Mr. P. Marshall, surgeon, was called in, who was of
opinion that intense mental excitement immediately after a very
hearty and imperfectly masticated meal had produced apoplexy.
A coroner's inquest was held on the body on Saturday, and a
verdict returned of " Died by the visitation of God."

SINGULAR SUICIDE.-Miss Emily Gentle-
man, a maiden lady, ag,d 64, residing in Bayne's-place, Cold-
bath-square. Clerkenwcll, committed suicide on Sunday morn-
ing last, under the following circumstances :—lt appears that
deceased resided with her sister, also a s'ngle lady, and that en
Saturday night they both retired to bed about nine o'clock.
At twelve her sister heard her get up, dress herself, and go
down stairs, but, suspecting nothing, fell asleep, and on awaking
next morning was surprised at finding deceased absent from her
bed.. Search was instantly made all over the house for de-
ceased, but for a long time it proved fruitless. At last some-
body suggested searching the water-butt, end in it deceased
was discovered quite dead, and in the position of a person
praying. The situation of the water-butt leaves no doubt but
that deceased stepped into it with the design of destroying
herself.

A requisition to the mayor to call a public met-
ing on the important subject of the Corn-laws is now in course
of signature, and has already been very numerously and re-
respectably signed. We understand the meeting is proposed to
be held on Monday week, the 24th inst., wben the borough
members are expected to attend.—Leicester Mercury.
We have the gratification to state that the work-
ing men of Wolverhampton have voluntarily decided en calling
a general public meeting of their own class, for the pur-
pose of expressing their opinions on the corn-laws, and passing
petitions to both Houses of the Legislature, praying for
the total repeal of the taxes on food. From our knowledge of
the working men of Wolverhampton, we have ne hesitation in
expressing a firm belief. that while the business of this
meeting will be conducted with all the energy the importance
of the subject demands, the most perfect order and decorum
will also prevail. The meeting is proposed to be held on the
evening of next Tuesday week, the 256 instant, and is expected
to be one of the most numerous assemblages ever held is \Vol-
verhampton.—Staffirdshire Examiner.
TH E PA TH-FI ND ER. - Cooper, the great
American Novelist, is about to publish a new Romance under his high genius. this title, of which the subject is worthy The
scene shifts from the Lakes, those vast inland seas which give
such ineffable grandeur to the immense continent of North
America, to the tangled, vast, and primeval forests, with their
dreary entre% the immemorial haunt of savage beasts and more
savage man. It then changes to the lsnely and far-spreading
prairies, where the trail of the wanderer is unerringly tracked
by the prowling savage. In themes like this Cooper has won
his high renown. On the Lakes, his power will be displayed
in exhibiting, in the battle and the storm, the daring of the
mariner ; while in the wilder portions of the story, we may ex-
pect mon! of his unrivalled sketches of Indians, Backwooditnen,
and Squ tters.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE CHANr:
CELLOII OF THE EXCHEQUER.
St a,—The newspapers have of late repeatedly hinted that
it is in contemplation to reduce the -Duties on Brandy; of
course I cannot be aware wheal( r such report be true or one,
neither have I any wish or desire to throw any impediment
in the way of such an accamplishment, but I think that
when negotiations are ail vat ;Or the purpose of oboslning a
reciprocal reduction of duties oar the part of our ne'gh-
bours, the French, on Britiah commodities imported into
their country, that they should be reminded that, for the last
fcurteen years, the Duties on Brandy have been no re •
duced that it would require an ad,ance of twenty per cant.
on the present duties to place them in the position they
were previous to the sth day of Jinuary, 1626, and that,
for such reduction, L'ngiand oever rec,ived any reci-
procity on the part of France, at least I cannot trace any,
Oa the 17th of June, 1824, the Act 5, Geo. 4, c. 74, for
the uniformity of weights and measures, was passed, which
contemplated the duties of Excise and Customs being
charged on the new cr imperial gallon, in the ratio or
proportion of the increase of the new gallon to the old
wine gallon, by which the &vies were formerly charged,
by the enactment of tt a 20th section, which ordered that
the Commissioners o! the Treasury should cause accurate
tables to be prepared, in order that the duties f Excise
and Cu,toms and other revenue should be adjusted and
made payable according to the quantities of the imperial
gallon measure to the rll wine measure; had this taken
place, the quaathy which coustituted the imperial gallon is
proportion to the of l wine gallon, Brandy would have
had to pay a duty c' 27.. fur every imperial gallon,
that being the sum • which vas aways paid f, r the
quantity which now cansCtu'es the imperial gallon.
This Act was to Laic come into operation on the Ist
of May, 1523, but on the 31st of March, 1825, an Act
(6 Geo. IV , c. 12) was passed, delaying the operation
until the Ist of January, 1826. Oa the 221 of June,
1825, an Act (6 Geo. IV., c. 59, s; 6) was passe.], or-
dering th.it from and after the sth day of January, 1826,
" in all Acts relating to Excise, whm.ever and for what-
ever purpose any gallon is mentioned, it shall be deemed
to be gallon imperial standard gallon measure." And
ant the si.h of July. 1825, an Act (6 Geo. IV. c. 107) for
the management of the Customs received the Royal
Assent—(this Act has been since repealed by 3 and 4
Will. IV. c. 50, but a similar provision is made in 3 and 4
Will. IV. c. 52, a. 121)—which, in section 117, enacted
that f.oin and after the let of January, 1826, all duties,
bounties, and drawbacks, should be paid and received in
Br.tish currency, and according to imperial weights and
measures. And by another Act of the same day (6 Geo.
IV. c. Ill) wh.ca recited that the whole of the Customs'
duties were repealed by 6 Geo. 4, c. 105, am, ngst the
new duties imposed fixed the duty on Brandy at 1/. 2s. 61.
the imperial gallon, which was precisely the same amount
as that formerly charged on the old gallon, one-si;th leas
in siz.. This procced:ng h.d exactly the same effect as if
the Chancellor of the Exchequer had formally proposed to
reduce the duty on Brandy to 18a. 9]., and had allowed
the duty to have ben chargt.d on the old measure. It
was an instantaneous reduction of 16 2-3 per cent. on all
duties both at' Customs and Excise, before charged by the
old wine gallon. The fallowing will fully illustrate the
position :
January 4, 1826, a piece of Brandy was
gauged by the old wine gallon rule, and
found to contain 120 gallons—duty at
11. 2s. 61. per gallon £l3s 0 0
January 5, 1826, new imperial measure came
into operation. This same piece of Brandy
was gauged and found to contain 100 im-
perial gallot,s—duty at 11. 2.% 61. per
gallon
£ll2 10 0
Thus it appears that the alteration of the law allowing
the duty to be charged the same on the imperial gallon
as on the old gallon, c.:tu,:ed the immense reduction of
twenty two paunds ten shillings on every piece of brandy
conti.ininloo imperial gallons !! and yet, strange as it may
appear, 999 persons out of 1000,on bekg asked abruptly, will
insist and maintain that no reduction has been made in the
duties an brandy snce the termieetion of the war! I never
recollect either to have heard or read of any intention being
entertained at such time to reduce the duties, although it
was pos'tively and ni.7:st effectually accomplished.
I never beard of the West India proprietors exprveing
any thankfulness for the boon, per haps they considered it
a rum mode of reducion, nor of the distillers acknow-
ledging it; they most likely were satisfied that they had
got the then Chancellor of the Exchequer into their gin.
it certainly was a curious trap, but the Chancellor happened
only to catch himself.
How happens it that tie Tories, in all their boastings of
their reduetiens, and repeal of duties, have not taken
credit for this one moat cnonalous and vastly extensive re-
duction, which amounted to one-sixth of the duties on all
wines and spirits imported and also distilled at home? Did
they happen to have a Chancellor of the Exchequer who
could nut calculate tile effect of an alteration in the capa-
city of a gallon measure.
However, this is now all gone by, but it may serve as a
good lesson to legislator.; that the reduction of duties sel-
dom tends to lessen the total amount of receipts, and as I
said before, I think it is worthy of being pressed on cur
neighbours, should they hesitate is making a proper reel-
procatory redusllon on th:ir p:rt!;, when they urge us to a
further reduction. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
ROBERT WILLIAM DICKINSON.
Ilfracombe, Feb. 15, 1840.

LLOYD'S SIIIPPING_('rins DAY.)

DeAL, 17-,:E. N.E., strong breeze.—Arrived
the Ursula, Flight, from Africa.
PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 17.—Wind, E.S.E., fine.—Sailed the
'whole of the outward bound.

PLYMOUTH, FEB. 17.—Wind, N.E.—Arrived the A'ba-
tross, —, from St. Ilichaers ; Penance packet, Jockey, do.
COWES, FEB. 17.—Wind, S.E.—Sailed the outward bound.
FALMOUTH, FEB. 16.—Wind, S.W. to W.S. W., mode-
rate.—Off port, the Mountaineer, M'Caskell, Demerara.
LIVERPOOL, FEB. 17.—Wind moderate, easterly breeze.
Arrived the Glasgow, from Calcutta; and Caliste, Honduras.
Sailed the Adventure, Catto, for La Guayra ; Parthenon,
Woodbridge, Mobile; Eliza Kincard, Brown, Rio Janeiro;
Medora, Lurch, Havannah ; Belvidere, M'Kown, Charleston;
Glengarry, Harkness, Savannah ; Kerswell, Gower, Barba-
does ; Plato, Carr, Trini.lad ; Indefatigable, Lister, Apala-
chicola ; Siddons, Palmer, New York ; Venture, Patrick,lllo-
- John Bagshaw, Calcutta; Margaret, Kerr, Savannah ;
Premier. Cuddy, Jamaica ; Parker, Risien, Demerara ; Mait-
land, !Allanby, St. John's, New Brunswick ; Platina, Frede-
rick, Fleming, ditto ; Piatina, Duncan, New Orleans ; Martha,
Trolman, Sierra Leone; Spencer, Birkett, Demerara ; Jersey
Lass, Deane, Vera Cruz ; Jupiter, Carter, Boston ; Superior,
Bailey, Charleston ; Georgiana, Toole, New Orleans ; Ale-
ghany, Nichols, Phila4elphia; Sarah Trotman, Brown, Barba-
does ; Murray, Jamaica ; with many others of the outward-
bound.

TORBAY, FEB. 17.—Sailed the Queen Victoria, Cornier,
for Bombay ; liabella Anna, Thompson, for Valparaiso, with
the rest of the outward bound.

GLOUCESTER, Fan. 16.—Arrived the Retiellff, Calling, from
St. Ander ; Lady of the Lake, Newman, Madras.
Coat, FEB. 15.—Arrired the AEneas, Cushman, from
Newfoundland.

Donnaa, FEB. I4.—Sailed the Volunteer, Clark, for
Charlseton ; Margaret, Thompson, for ditto.
HULL, Fan. 17.—Wind S.E.—Sailed the Tuscany, Deane,
for New York : Eliza, Way, for St. Michael's.

ON DIT.—A Tory M.P. lately held his rent
audit in this county, and on the following morning two cler-
gymen waited upon him to put the following modest query :
" Will you pay all the debts you owe in the borough, and
then place 500/. in our hands towards the expenses of the next
contest ?" Upon which the M. P. said--" Gentlemen, is that
all yota have to say ?" The dignitaries of the Church repliedi
the affirmative. He then wished them " good morning," ana
left them to their musings. We trust this will be a lesson to a
a man who has spent his thousands in the cause of the Tories.
—Hertford Reformer.

WAR WITH CIIINA.—We learn by the ac-
counts received this week from China, that hostilities hare suc-
ceeded to the temporary suspension of trade; and as it now ap-
pears that the Chinese are resolved on war, we trust that Go-
vernment will order 20 er 30,000 men from India, well
equipped, 1. To take possession of Haistan (a large island
S.W. of ALcao) as a depot, &c. 2. Then lay Canton under
contribution for the amount of the opium taken, and expenses
incurred. 3. If necessary' to go in force to the Yellow sea—
land where Lord Macartnev did, and make a dash on Pekin,
which is barely IGO miles from the sea, and has a fine river or
canal .-.11 the way. In six or seven days the army could reach
and lay it under contribution also, for the use of the State. The
death of Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland, the Naval Com-
mander-in-Chief in India, is most deeply to be regretted, for
great confidence was placed in his judgment. In consequence
of this event, and the necessity for the presence of an officer of
rank to conduct the operations against the Chinese, it is genet--
ally supposed, that on hearing of Sir Frederick's death, the
Commander-in-Chief at the Cape bad moved forward, under
instructions to that effect in ease of the contingency arising.
We cannel trace the reports that either Sir F. Warren, Sir P.
Campbell, or Sir J. A. Gordon, has been appointed to the
vacant command ; neither de we believe in the rumour that
Sir William Parker is to be the new Commander-iu-Chief.
Ships have been ordered to the coast of China from the Cape
and the South Seas, and ere this a considerable force is sis
doubt ollected on the scene of operations.—Naval and Mili-
tary Gazette.
EXPECTED RISE IN SALT.--There is a gene.
ral run upon the salt warehouses in Liverpools under the im-
pres,ion that a duty will be imposed upon that necessary
article of domestic consumption, and tl.at an immediate ad-
vance of 4d. per lb. will take place. The scene was truly
amusing in Urper Dawson-street yesterday, where upwards of
fifty individuals were buying and carrying it off in sacksful.—
(Journal of Saturday.) We recollect seeing, some furty 3ears
ago, just after an additional tax had been laid on salt, a carica-
ture, entitled " Billy Pitt in the Salt-box." The scene was a
k4ehen. Pitt was represented popping his head out of the
box, saluting the cook, who stood on the floor, shaking her
rolling-pin at him, with "Ah ! cooky, cooky, how do yonder'
We don't remember what cooky said in reply, but the carica-
ture was very humorous. If Mr. Baring, the present Chin.
cellor of the I.7.xchequer, should have the temerity to pat his
taxing hand into the salt-box, wo be to him and his colleagues!
'I heir tenure of office would be brit f.—Ed. Liverpool
The Salt-tax, which, according to populor apprehension, is
about to be reimposed, produced, when at its maximum,
I ,I.00,0(X)/._ per annum !

THE EARL OF DERBY.—The Noble Lord left
Grosvenor-square, on &turday, for Knowsley Hall, where
his Lordship will remain until the Ist of Aril. His Lordship
came up from Lancashire to consult Sir Benjamin Brodie and
Dr. Holland, and also to take the oaths and his scat in the
House of Lords. He is still enfeebled by his recent indisposi-
tion, and cannot walk without support.
Sir Francis and Lady Chantrey entertained a
select party at dinner, en Monday evening, in Eeeleston-street,
Belgrave-square.