The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-14 00:00:00

CORN-LAWS.

CITY, TWELVE o'cLocx.—The plan of the Ministry
for the future regulation of the import of foreign corn
has at length been suffered to transpire; and as it is
supposed to have received the sanction of the leaders
of the agricultural party, we may presume it
will be adopted by them, when the Parliament
assembles. The sliding scale is retained, but
under a modified form, the duty fluctuating only to the
extent of 145., the maximum being 18s. per quarter, and
the minimum 4s. per quarter, rising or falling ls. for every
fall or rise of one shilling in the average price of wheat ;
the pivot being 545. per quarter or under, for the
highest rate of duty and GBs., or over, for the lowest
rate. The plan also embraces some wholesome regu-
lations for taking the weekly averages, with a view to
remedy the trickery which is now practised by inter-
ested parties in making their returns of sales and
prices. We need not say that we think a fixed duty
would have been preferable to a sliding scale ; but
after the violent hostility displayed against this proposal
by the dominant party in Parliament we despair
of seeing it carried at present. Therefore, we
gladly accept this modification of the sliding
scale as an instalment of what we claim.
It is a very great improvement upon the old
system. It will ensure a certain amount of revenue from
corn, the average duty being 11s. per quarter, the mean
between 4s. and 18s. ; it will reduce the temptation for
forestalling, and also for making false returns ; it v ill
ensure a more steady trade fur the article, regular sup-
plies, and less fluctuation in prices.— Globe.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE DR.

BIRKBECK.

Notwithstandirig the unfavourable state of the weather

yesterday morning, as early aSTOWclockFlnsburisqt.i.ate.
and the avenues leading thereto was literally crowded
with respectably dressed persons anxious to obtain a view
of the funeral of the late respected. President of the
London Mechanics' Institution. It was originally arranged
that the members of the Institution should accompany the
funeral on foot, but owing to the wetness of the weather
mourning coaches were provided for them, which took up
their places on the west side of the square. At twenty-fire
minutes past eleven o'clock, the procession, which was
decidedly the most imposing sight we ever remember to
have witnessed, moved towards the deceased's last rest-

ing-place in the following order:—The hearse containing
the body drawn by six horses, the coachman of the de-
ceased driving, was followed by five mourning coaches,
each drawn by four horses, containing the family and
private friends of the deceased, fourteen mourning
coaches, each drawn by two horses, containing members
of the Mechanics' Institution, and fifteen private car-
riages ; amongst them was Lord Brougham's. The pro-
cession proceeded with the greatest order and regularity
along the City-roatl, towards Paddington. Many females
were observed to shed tears at the mournful spectacle.

(ADDITIONAL PA RTICULA RS.)
Besides Lord Brougham's carriage, the presence of
which we mentioned above, we noticed the carriages of
the Turkish Ambassador, Dr. Clutterbuck, Dr. Conquest,
Mr. Aston Key (the surgeon), Mr. Bevan (the surgeon),
Dr. Babington, Mr. L. Murray, Mr. Saner, and Mr. Page.
Besides the members of the London Mechanics' Insti-

tute, deputations in mourning coaches attended from the
Aldersgate and other literary and scientific institutions.
The hearse was driven by the coachman of the de-
ceased Dr. Birkbeck—a faithful servant, who had lived
with him for upwards of eighteen years.
The chief mourners were Mr. William and Mr. George
Birkbeck. (the deceased's sons), Mr. Foster, and Mr.
Lloyd. Amongst the friends of the family who attended
we noticed Dr. Southwood Smith, Dr. Clutterbuck,
Lord Nugent, Mr. Basil Montague, &c., &c. The
hearse, notwithstanding the continuance of most unfa-
vourable weather, was accompanied the long distance to
Kensall-green by a considerable number of persons on
foot, who are, or have been, members of the Mechanics'

Institution. It was there joined by others, and the body
was followed to its last resting place by a very numerous
cortege. The road up to the chapel within the grounds
was lined by people standing in respectful silence, and
amongst them we noticed a considerable number ofPoles.
On reaching the chapel, which was filled with the mourners,
the body was placed on a catafalque in the centre, and the
funeral service, according to the Church of England,
was impressively read by the officiating clergyman. By
a mechanical contrivance, which is terribly hostile to
devotional feelings, from making a harsh grating noise,
the body was lowered into the vaults beneath, and placed
in one of the little cupboards, into which the space is
portioned out, and which, small though they be, are
quite large enough for bins whose fame for goodness
has spread over Europe. The family mourners
went first to see their beloved father and
friend in his last resting-place ; and then the whole of
those who had followed him out of respect and gratitude
also descended, and saw where for ever was laid, in soli-
tary stillness, that tongue which had poured out instruc-
tion for them, and that mild countenance which had, in
the midst of large assemblies,'continually taught amenity
and checked disorder—so having attended their friend
and teacher to his final home in this world, their duties
to him were achieved, and they retired with sorrowful
hearts, yet neither ashamed nor despairing, asking one
another when they should see another Birkbeck, and who
could supply his place at the Mechanics' Institute ?

To the MEMORY of DR. BIRKBECK.
THE GOOD MAN'S GRAVE.
The grave bath closed :--another settingtstu
Ilath pass'd adown the dark horizon's shade.
The star bath gone :—not so the light which made
Its glory : that, still beaming, lives, and far
Above the lordly range where death can mar,
Bright'ning one track of earth, when darkness erst
Did, brooding, spread her dusky wing accurst
Breaking the mind witk her insidious war.
And dear, dear shade, the oppress'd shall linger near
That train of light :—their children by their side,
And mourn thee as their truest friend and guide,
And with their blessings blend the falling tear.
Oh ! could each waning star bequeath such light,
How little might we fear the mind-enthralling night.
H. B.

THE SPITALFIELDS WEAVERS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—On reading your impartial Journal of the 9th
inst. I find you have made some remarks respecting the
subscriptions for the poor Spitalfields weavers, and in it
you have stated, in reference to a munificent subscription
of a Judge of the land, that a clergyman of the establish-
ment liberally subscribed 2001. Judge ye what I mean
when I say, that instead of being of the establishment,
he is of the denomination of Baptist Dissenters.
The insertion of the above remarks, if worthy of your
notice, will oblige yours,

_
A CONSTANT READER.
Norwich, 11th December, 1841.
[We attributed the Munificent subscription to a Cler-
gyman, not to a Judgo.]—D. Sun.