The Sun.
London, England, 1841-04-14 00:00:00

MISSION TO THE BRAZILS

It is considered by parties connected with Brazil as not
singular only, but extremely disrespectful to the young
Government of that rising empire, that at this present mo-
ment there is no British Minister of suitable rank at the
court of Rio to represent with becoming dignity the friendly
alliance and interests of this country, the eldest friend in-
dubitably of Brazil. This failure in the usual mark of
courtesy and attention between Powers united by a
mutually good understanding and the most amicable ties
is the more remarkable too at the present moment, and can
hardly fail to be felt, if not resented, as an unmerited
slight, seeing that the coronation of the young Empei or
stands fixed for next month, an occasion which, of course,
it is customary to honour by special missions of personages
of high rank, independent of the regular accredited lega-
tion, to convey the felicitations and compliments of one
Soveregn to another. It ha; indeed been reported for
some time past that Mr. Hamilton Hamilton was appointed
to proceed to Rio as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary, but nothing more is heard of the matter,
or of any preparations for his departure, although it would
seem that his presence there was urgent. But without
meaning to suggest any objection to that gentleman's fit-
ness for the discharge of the important station for which
he has been named, by report at least, it may be observed
that it might be of great advantage, and would redound
much to the honour of thin country in the conception of the
Brazilians, who are naturally a proud and susceptible people,
if a person•of higher standing than Mr. Hamilton, one of
the principal nobles of the land in fine, were deputed to
assist in the pomp and ceremonial of the corcnation, and on
an event of such transcendant interest in Brazil to conci-
liate too praiseworthy pride as well as the vanity of the
people•, and they have perhaps more than a due share of
both, ea with young nations is not uncommon, by a display
of the vicarial magnificence of a special representative of
the most splendid couit and chivalry of the old world. It
is not forgotten how grateful an influence the special em-
bassy of the Dukc of Northumberland exe:cised on a like
occasion ia France, and how pleasing an impression his
sumptuous hospitalities, so well remembered still in that
country, left behind. It should not be forgotten, taking
the subject in the sense of material interests alone, that
Brazil is the largest foreign consumer of British manufac-
tures and products, in proportion to population, and there-
fore on that ground alone well entitled to every mark of
respect which can be shown her, leaving political conside-
rations out of question. The relations of Brazil with Rus-
sia, whether commercial or political, would seem of small
account, and yet the nstute Cabinet of St. Petciburgh is
not slow with all such courtesies as shall lay the ground-
work of future influence and advantage. M. Lonionosetf,
the Russian Charge d'Affaires at Rio, not long out there,
has, it is understood, recently had his credentials sent rut
to him from the Emperor as Envoy Extraordinary and Mi-
nister Plenipotentiary, not only to assist at the coronation
but permanently to reside thei e in that character, being,
as said, the first time that a Russian diplomatist of such
high rank has ever been accredited to Brazil. And at the
same time the grand cross of the highest Russian order
was forwarded as a compliment to the young Emperor of
Brazil.—Morning Herald.

CHURCH-RATES.—At St. Ives, on Thursday
next, 400 gentlemen, who resisted the Church-rate, will
dine together to celebrate their triumph. In the rural
parish of Headcorn, where a rate was a short time ago re-
fused, citations have been served, calling upon the church-
wardens and all the parishioners to appear in the Consis-
tory Court on Thursday next, to show cause why they
should not meet and make a Church•rate. This is a good
joke. At Ringwood, in Hampshire, the Rev. George
Harris, the Independent minister, was a few days since
summoned before the Magistrates, when he distinctly
stated to their Worships that he did not intend to try
• the validity of the rate in the Ecclesiastical Court. An
order for payment was in consequence made upon him :
yet, notwithstanding this, he has been served with three
citations, the first two having been found to be informal !
This, by the way, from the Consistory Court of Wirichet--
ter ! At Llanelly, a threepenny rate having been pro-
posed, the opponents of Church-rates contented them-
selves with carrying a penny rate. This we regret in,.a
parish which has so often resisted the granting of anyrtte',
and we regret it the more, because it appears to bavo pro
eeeded from a misapprehension of the recent judgment of
Lord Chief Justice Tindal. In that jui'grucet
was decided, but that the churchwardens could not of
themselves make a rate.—Patriot.