The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-23 00:00:00

etivning

LONDI)N, THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 23, 1847.

Several days since we expressed our feelings of
exultation at the enterprise evinced by the Com•
mittees of London and Stratford-upon-Avon in
securing to the nation the birth-place of WILLIAM
SHAKSPERE. Those expressions of satisfaction were,
we are confident, responded to by all who can appre-
ciate genius and sympathise in the enthusiasm of its
worshippers. It becomes our duty now, however, to re-
mind the population of England that there still remains
a deficiency in the funds necessary to pay the purchase-
money upon the property in Warwickshire. Before
a certain period has elapsed the subscriptions must
amount to three thousand pounds, or the tenement in
Henley-street may again arouse the cupidity of some
Yankee speculator. We cannot for a moment
imagine that such a casualty is probable after the
ardour which has been already displayed to preserve
from desecration the home of the most wonderful
mortal who ever trod the ground of Britain. Such a
supposition would be derogatory to the character of
our countrymen, and in defiance of all those tokens
of reverence towards the memory of SHAXSPERE
which have been so recently evoked among the
different classes of the community.
From the peculiar sentiments associated with this
spontaneous demonstration of homage for S EIAXSPEEE,
a project, very similar to that of rendering his birth-
li
place the treasure of the multitude, is irresistibly
brought to our recollection. It is a project quite as
feasible, quite as rational, and one which certainly
has the priority as far as the naked proposition is
concerned. We are alluding to a beautiful scheme
which was projected as far back as the October of
1825—a scheme which demands a most serious atten-
tion, seeing that it concerns the fame of an illustrious
philosopher, and would inevitably tend to the ad-
vancement of the abstract and physical sciences in
the popular estimation. The proposal which we
-would here call to recollection emanated from THOMAS
STEELE, until very recently the Head Pacificator of
Ireland. His idea was embodied in a communication
published at the period already mentioned in the
columns of one of our contemporaries. Mr. STEELE'S
proposition was this, that the dwelling-house
and observatory of SirQn
Isaac NEWTON in Lon-
don should be purchased by public subscription,
and that after they had been thoroughly re-
" a magnificent dome should be reared
b,i,A-4:- i 'Aired,
v ~-, over:_ Them as a monument of national glory."
f '
idea—an jt VW a noble idea eminently worthy of
_ behigpirnaed under the roof of Magdalene College
Ipy a - ber of the Cambridge Senate—Em idea
; ,::.., .
7

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worthy of the man who four years afterwards,
namely, in 1828, induced the people to call the
Clare mountains the O'Connell mountains, as an
eternal memento of admiration and gratitude to the
patriotic achievements of the LIBERATOR of Ireland.
The projected testimonial in commemoration of Sir
ISAAC NEWTON was not, it must be remembered,
engendered in a momentary paroxysm of enthusiasm :
it was conceived in a profound veneration for the
superb intellect of the author of the Prineipia, and
was advocated with a consistent pertinacity
which attested the sincerity of its originator.
In 1834, another communication, enforcing the ad-
visability of such a proceeding, was inserted in the
same metropolitan journal. A letter was addressed
by MY. STEELE to Lord LINCOLN, as Chief Commis-
sioner for the improvement of London—engravings,
illustrative of the intended edifice, were exhibited in
the windows of the various printsellers, and two peti-
tions were successively presented to the House of
Commons, one by JOSEPH Hume, and the other by
Lord MONTEAGLE, then the Right Hon. SPRING RICE.
Now that the population of these islands are evincing
their capacity for recognising the glory of their
matchless dramatist, we conceive ourselves to be in
an especial manner encouraged to revive the proposi-
tion of THOMAS STEELE, and to appeal to all the
loftier prepossessions of our countrymen for the suit-
able conservation of the house and observatory of Sir
ISAAC NEWTON.
What nobler adornment could there be for the
capital of this gigantic empire than a domed structure
such as the one sketched by O'CoNsteeffs Head
Pacificator ? " A magnificent dome reared over the
house and observatory of NEWTON, as a monument
of national glory." In sooth that would be a monu-
ment of national glory, a monument worthy of London,
worthy of England, worthy of NEWTON. Yes ! worthy
even of that wonderful NEWTON, whom Lord BYRON
has apostrophised in his " Don Juan" (Canto vii.
st. 5) as " that proverb of the mind !" Of all
Englishmen after SHAKSPERE (always, after
SnLKSPERE!)—there is not one whose intellect, whose
deeds, and whose virtues, more peculiarly demand
the admiration and excite the astonishment
of posterity as the wise and gentle NEWTON. How
stupendous, indeed, must have been the scope of that
intelligence which enabled him, before the attainment
of his twenty-fourth year, to invent his Binomial
Theorem, to demonstrate the hitherto inscrutable law
of force, which causes the different orbs in the solar
system to gravitate towards its centre, and to esta-
blish upon an indestructable basis the abstruse prin-
ciples of his doctrine of Fluxions 1 The cavillers of
science may persist, it is true, in questioning his title
to exclusive credit in the latter particular, see-
ing that
,the great GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNITZ
had the priority of publication in regard to
his principles of the Differential Calculus ;
but every one who has dispassionately investigated
the merits of that renowned controversy, has long
since discerned that the two doctrines were distinct
but contemporaneous, and that the fame accruing to
NEWTON and LEterterz, in this instance, is still more
equally divided than it is between LEVERIER and
ADAMS in reference to the discovery of the planet
Oceanus. Nevertheless, whatever may be remarked
as to the individual or exclusive honour redounding
to Sir IsAac NEWTON from his exposition of the doc-
trine of Fluxions, it is certain that to him alone be-
longs the glory of having first proclaimed the existence
of the law of Universal Gravitation in his immortal work
the Principia—that great book which, of itself, forms
an epoch in the history of the human mind. Had
some such spirit of reverence as that which is being
testified towards the butcher's stall in Stratford, or
as that which has been 30 lung demanded by THOMAS
STEELE, been evinced at the commencement of this
century, one of the most beautiful relics of genius
would have flourished and possibly have borne fruit
in this very autumn. We mean the apple-tree, which
an exquisite,tradition pointed out as having suggested•
by the dropping of one of its apples, the everlasting
law of universal gravitation. That apple-tree was de-
stroyed by a h urricane four years before Sir DAVID
BREWSTER wrote his Life of Newton, and its fie-1
struction may be found formally recorded in page
344 of that inimitable biography. Those who coin- 1
cide with ourselves in a credulous regard for that
tradition—and we do so wilfully, notwithstanding
the silence of Dr. STUKELEY ana Mr. CONDUIT-will
lament that a relic consecrated by a legend so exqui-
site should have been left unprotected from the sudden
and destructive accidents of the atmosphere. They
will regret, in like manner, that the modest dwelling-
house, in which the eyes of NEWTON first opened to
the light—namely, Woolsthorpe, in the parish of
Colsterworth, Lincolnshire—has not passed long
since into the posssession of the country—for their
hearts will thrill at the significant phrase of " the
opening of Newton's eyes to the light"—to that light
the fundamental properties of which he was the first
to divulge in his system of Optics !
Encouraged by the ardour with which the
community has striven to preserve the birth-place of
WILLIAM SHAKSPER.E, we are sanguine that the
project of THoMAs STEELE, the Fidus Achates of the
dead LIBERATOR, may, after twenty-three years have
elapsed, be carried into effect; and that when
strangers from foreign lands pass among the
public edifices and national monuments of the
metropolis, their attention may be arrested by the
domed roof raised over the house and observatory of
NEWTON—above the grand entrance to which should
be traced in solid marble that sublime couplet of the
poet :

" Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night,
God said, Let Newton be!' and all was light."
They would remember then with a feeling like that
of awe, that from the summit of that observatory the
astronomer had scanned the magnificence of the
midnight in the refracting telescope, which he con-
structed with his own hands, and which is now pre-
served by the Royal Society as one of the most
precious of their many inestimable curiosities. The
stranger would gaze with admiration upon a pile so
singularly indicative of the intelligence of the British
empire and might perchance repeat to himself; as he
passed onwards through the crowded streets of Lon-
don, the glorious epitaph penned by ALEXANDER
POPE

ISAACIIS NEWTONUS:
Quern Immortalem
Testantur Tempos, Terra, Calunt.

Notwithstanding the abundant harvest that has
been gathered in, there is still reason to fear
that there will be much distress and destitution in
many of the more remote parts of Ireland during the
coming winter; in fact, the whole of the western coast
will be exposed to a certain degree of scarcity, no doubt
in a mitigated form, and not to the same formidable
extent that prevailed during the past year, but still
sufficient to warrant and demand that the most
vigorous preparations should be made, and every
possible precaution adopted, to meet the coming dan-
ger. These precautions must, however, emanate from
the resident gentry and landed proprietors of the
several districts themselves in the first instance; and
there is no doubt that wherever a reasonable degree
of activity and energy is manifested the most zealous
and cordial co-operation of the Government may be
fairly calculated and relied on. It will be worse
than useless to suppose that an entire people
can again be fed from the national resources.
A. vast change has taken place in the circumstances
of the country since last year. The poor man has
now the first claim on the produce of the several
estates. his demand is prior to that of the landlord,
the rent-charger, or the mortgagee. Until every dis-
tressed and destitute person in the electoral division
is provided with necessary food and maintenance, not
a single shilling is applicable to the purposes of any of
the other parties. It is true that the landlord may
distrain, but the poor-rate receipt in the hands of the
tenant is a satisfaction of a certain part of his
demand, viz., of one-half of the poundage rate for
every pound of rent that is payable, and he must be
contented to receive the balance. The Commissioners
are resolved that sufficient sums shall be raised to
support the pauper population in the workhouse if pos-
sible, but if that 13 not practicable, then, by making
the order for out-door relief, as they are empowered
to do under the 2d section of the Act of last session.
Every effort to impede or interfere with this power
must be utterly useless and unavailing. It the
board c,f guardians oppose the behests of the com-
missioners, by refusing to carry their order,' into
execution, or omitting to make the necessary rates,
they will be dissolved, and paid officers appointed to

administer and carry out the provisions of the law in "
their place. There is, therefore, no possible mode of
escaping the performance of that great duty. If the
landowner was sufficiently reckless to join in or
sanction a general organization to resist the payment
of the rate—a truly desperate expedient, and one
which could so readily, and would most undoubtedly,
be speedily turned against himself, so that his fate
would be similar to that of the magician of
old, destroyed by the demon he himself had
evoked—is it to be supposed that he could induce the
great body of the people, without whose assistance and
cordial co-operation it would be ridiculous to enter
upon the contest, to act in opposition to their own
interest, to prevent the means of their own support
and maintenance from being levied, and to incur all
the penalties to which they would be subjected for
such violations of the law, in order that the funds
might be retained in the pockets of a class against
whom they have had so many well-grounded causes
of complaint, in place of being laid out for their own
benefit ? It is utterly incredible that they could be so
blind or stupid. A passive resistance, too, if once
generally organized, would speedily be defeated by a
short Act, making the rates for the support of the
poor a charge upon the first estate of inheritance, as
is now the case with respect to the tithe rent-charges,
and giving a summary remedy by the appointment
of a receiver to collect the rents, issues, and profits of
the lands until the whole amount of the arrears and
the entire costs of the proceedings are fully paid and
satisfied ; and it is certain that such an Act would be
passed if there was the slightest necessity therefor.
Indeed, at this moment many are of opinion that,
under any circumstances, the owners of such estates
should be made primarily responsible for the pay-
ment of the poor-rates, and that such a remedy
should be given to enforce the payment.
Nothing, therefore, remains for the owners and
occupiers of the soil but to afford such employment
to the people as would enable them to purchase the
food that may be necessary for the support of their
families out of the wages for their labour, the fair
return for their honest industry. In this re•
spect every facility will he afforded to them.
The sum of one million five hundred thou-
sand pounds sterling has been allocated by
the Government for the improvement of the soil.
It will be advanced to those anxious to effect such
improvements at an easy rate of interest, and its re-
payment will be accepted by instalments spread over
a long term of years; in fact the whole payment,
for principal and interest, is but a fraction over the
rate of interest usually paid in Ireland on loans, and
there can be no doubt that if prudently and judi-
ciously applied it would produce an increase of in-
come to the borrower more than sufficient to satisfy
every liability in respect thereof. The parties, how-
ever, requiring the advance should make early appli-
cation, or the entire fund will be disposed of to those
who have already sent in their claims, and the dis-
tricts where it is most wanting may be left without
any aid therefrom. We doubt not that the authori-
ties, in adjudicating upon the several applications,
will take into their consideration the state and neces-
sities of the localities in which the amount is
to be expended. The most distressed districts
should first be supplied, and the loans
should be so spread throughout the country
as to afford a certain amount of employment in every
part of the kingdom. Prompt and speedy action on
the part of the propriet .irs of the soil is essential.
Every hour's delay will considerably enhance the
difficulties of their position. If they are true to
themselves they will be saved, and their country
materially benefited; but if, on the other
hand, they remain careless and apathetic,
negligent of the means within their power,
demanding that which it is hopeless to expect
and wasting the time that is so valuable,
in uttering querulous complaints, they cannot lo,k
for the sympathies or assistance of the British people,
in the ruin which they will have brought upon them-
selves.

A correspondent writes from Berne, on the 16th :
" The Federal Directory has this day received a
letter from the Government of the Valais, not only
protesting against the expulsion of the Jesuits, but
formally declaring that in case of need it will resist
by force. The return shortly to Berne of the
Austrian, Prussian, and Russian envoys is confidently
expected."

A letter from Rome, dated the 11th, contains the
following :
" A proclamation, signed by the Cardinal Secretary
of State, has been posted up on the walls of the city,
declaring that all persons repeating such exciting
cries as were uttered in the streets on the anniversary
of the amnesty, shall be punished. It at the same
time assures the people that Pius IX. is resolved to
fulfil the promises of reform. This act has given rise
to many comments. The Prince de Canino, the
eldest son of Lucien Bonaparte, was at the head of
the demonstrations alluded to. He did not content
himself with shouting in the streets, but ascended to
the balconies of the Sardinian and Tuscan Ambas-
sadors, and exclaimed—' The independence of Italy
for ever.' It is said for so doing he has been de-
prived by the authorities of his rank in the Civic
Guard?'

" The differences which the occupation of Ferrara
has raised between the Pope and Austria do not appear
likely to be very quickly removed. According to the
last accounts, a courier had arrived at Rome with
dispatches from Vienna, dated the 19th and 22d of
August. After the reception of these dispatches
Count Lutzow addressed, on the 31st, to the Pontifical
Government a note, in which he formally declares
that the Cabinet of Vienna intended to maintain all
the rights conferred on Austria by treaties. He com-
plains that, contrary to diplomatic usage, the protest
of Cardinal Ciacchi had been made known to the
Romans. M. Rossi is also said to have made a similar
reproach to Cardinal Ferretti, who replied with firm-
ness, that the Pontifical Government thought less of
diplomatic etiquette than of truth and justice, which
were due to all the world. The same couriers
brought the copy of a circular addressed by Austria
to all the Powers, explaining the principles upon
which its policy, with regard to Italy, was guided.
In this circular Austria protests that it holds in re-
spect the independence and inviolability of the Italian
states. We must also add, that these communications
from Austria have excited a lively discontent at
Rome. The evacuation of Ferrara in the course of
the present month was demanded there."
The Piedmontese Gazette of the 16th states that the
late disturbances at Milan were caused by the brutal
conduct of the armed force. Against that the autho-
rities of Milan delivered a protest in the morning of
the 10th to the Director• General of the Police. Not-
withstanding this the soldiery, in the same evening,
made use of their arms against the populace, and two
persons were wounded. Count CASALI, the Podesta
or Chief Magistrate, immediately went to the spot,
and made an inquiry into the facts. On the next
day, the 11th, the municipal authorities and several
Milanese of distinction renewed their protestations to
the Governor, who suspended some of the officers of
the police from their functions, and changed the
orders previously given to the troops. This restored
tranquillity.

The great popular demonstration, which took place
at Florence on the 12th, passed off admirably. It
commenced at twelve o'clock in front of the Palace
tti, the customary residence of the Grand Duke of
i"Tuscany. The object of it was to thank that Prince
once again for the institution of the National Guard.
Numerous deputations, sent from the principal
towns and localities of Tuscany, took part in the
proceedings. A summer sun shone on the meeting,
which was composed of at least 50,000 persons, of all
ranks, divided into brigades, and marching in the
most perfect order, preceded by music and bannerq,
on which were inscribed--" Long live LEOPOLD I" L.
" Long live Pius IX !"—" The Customs' Association
for ever !" &c. The Tuscan colours generally speak-
ing' were in the majority; but the Italian tricolours
were borne in preference by the deputations of
Leghorn and Pisa. These colours are, as we
have already explained, those of the ancient
Cisalpine Republic, red, white, and green.
To avoid all discussion, it had been agreed that the
yellow colour, in honour of the POPE, should be added
to all the flags, and serve as a sign of union between
the different banners. On the arrival of the first
flag on the Place of the Palace Pitti, the Grand
Duke, surrounded by all his family, including the
reigning Grand Duchess, who had not appeared in
public since her confinement, advanced on the grand
balcony, wearing the uniform of St. Etienne. The
Princesses were attired in the Tuscan colours. The
assembled multitude then commenced to file off be-
fore the Grand Ducal party, and there passed in
succession the Municipal body of Florence, the