The Sun.
London, England, 1840-10-05 00:00:00

CAPTAIN REYNOLDS.

We have seldom read a more triumphant defence
than that of Captain Reynolds, for, however we may
disapprove of his second letter (which, for his own sake,
wa regret), we admire the singular propriety of the fi st,
written under circumstances the most calculated to ir-
ritate a high spirited man, yet combining in a remark-
able degree, all that was essential to his own character
to say, with infinite forbearance, and a scrupulously re-
spectful tone. It was only when Lord Cardigan chose
to put a construction upon this letter utterly at vari-
ance with its contents, and with the intentions of the
writer, precluding, at the same time, all possibility
of explanation, by orders given on parade, under
circumstances that admitted of no reply —that Captain
Reynolds, stung to madness by what appears to us
to be the ne plus ultra of injustice and tyranny com-
bined, addressed to his commanding officer that se-
cond letter for which he is now arraigned. We beg
our readers to mark every link in this chain. First, the
Lieutenant-Colonel of a regiment uses words highly
prejudicial to the character of a distinguished officer
serving under him—the senior captain of his regiment—
a man, who has been engaged in active service for
fifteen years, and has maintained an unblemished repu-
tation as an cfficer and a gentleman during the whole
of that time. Secondly, the report reaches the party
aggrieved. Thirdly, he respectfully requests Lord
Cardigan " to have the goodness to authorise him to
contradict it." And, fourthly, Lord Cardigan neither
avows nor disavows the offensive words, but affects
to regard the explanation sought as intended to force
upon him a hostile collision, or as tie groundwork
of a charge against him at the Horse Guards. How
true is Ca:nein Reynolds's reply :—" If he (Lord
Cardigan) denied the truth of the report, neither
charge, nor collision, nor correspondence could pos-
sibly have ensued. My case is this : I, the senior cap-
tain of the regiment, respectfully solicited a denial
from Lord Cardigan of a report affecting my character.
He now says the report was untrue ; he could, but
would not, deny it. In eff...et he says, I can,
but I will not, do an act of the commonest justice
to an officer of unimpeachable character tinder
my' command. This is Lord Cardigan's own case. I
know of no principle or rule of the service which pre-
vented my writing, or Lord Cardigan answering, this
letter. Such a rule would be repugnant to every
feeling of justice, and would be destructive of the
honour and independence of the officers of the
army." In every one of these conclusions we
concur : and if the feelings of gallant and honour-
able men are to be outraged by any titled puppy
who happens to be placed over them, while just
complaints are stifled by the dread of being brought
to a court-martial, and dismiased the service, for dis-
respectful and insolent conduct, unbecoming the chsvac-
ter of an officer and a gentleman" (which is the charge
preferrCd against Captain Reynoldsby Lord Cardigan),
we confess that we shall expect soon to see the British
army brought back to what it was during part of the
last century, when well-born Colonels in swaddling
clothes were placed at the head of a regiment without
scruple or shame, and lad captains pimped, bullied, and
cheated for every nobleman who would give them a
dinner in return. The only inconvenience of this state
of things was, that the army was fit neither for home
nor for foreign use. The Duke of Wellington did
something to restore its efficiency, We have yet to see
the result of the system more recently applied to it by
Lord Cardigan and Lord Hill.—Weekly Chronicle.

IRELAND.

GREAT MEETING OF THE ULSTER CONSTITUTIONAL
ASSOCIATION AT BELFAST.
On Thursday there was a great meeting held in
the theatre at Belfast, the Earl of Charlemont pre-
sided as Chairman. The boxes, pit, and galleries, were
filled to suffocation, and the stage, which served as a
platform, was crowded with Noblemen and Gentlemen
of the highest respectability and influence. The lower
boxes in particular were filled with elegantly dressed
ladies, who seemed to participate largely in the interest
which the proceedings were naturally calculated to ex-
cite, and altogether the arrangements were of the
most orderly description, reflecting the utmost credit
upon the parties under whose inspection they had been
superintended.
The business of the meeting was not brought to a
close till between six and seven o'clock, the dinner party
followed almost immediately afterwards. We regret that
our limits will not allow us to give either a sketch of the
eloquent speeches that were delivered, or a complete
list of the distinguished personages who attended on this
occasion. Amongst them were the Earls of Charlemont
and Gosford, Lord Cremorne, Hon. H. Caalfeild, Hon.
Captain Southwell, brother to Lord Southwell, Sir Ru.
bent S. Adair, Bart. ; Leonard Dobbin, Esq., J. P. ;
Robert J. Tennent, Esq., J. P.; Alex. S. Adair, Esq.,
W. S. Crawford, Esq., J. S. Crawford, Esq., J. Dun-
ville, Esq., &c.
The speeches were characterised by a style of high,
impassioned, and truly classic eloquence. The principal '
speakers were, the Right Hon. Chairman ; W. S.
Crawford, Esq., one of the Secretaries ; D. R. Ross ;
Lord Gosford ; Lord Cremorne ; Col. Rawdon, M.P.
for Armagh ; Counsellor Andrews ; N. Nelly, Esq ,
J. P. of Carrickmacross ; T. M'Donnell, Esq., Q.C. ;
Alex. S. Adair, Esq. ; D. C. Brady, Esq. ; Major
Edwards (county Tyrone) ; R. J. Tennent, J.P. ;
George Mathews, Esq. (Springvale) ; Arthur Craw-
fo►d, Esq. (younger son of Mr. Sharman Crawford),
who delivered a short, but highly appropriate address,
indicative of no very ordinary talent, and which was
accordingly universally cheered ; Hon. Captain South-
well ; Rev. Dr. Montgomery, &c. &c.
A short time previously to the close of the meeting
the Earl of Charlemont was ob:iged to retire, in con-
sequence of indisposition ; the Earl of Gosford was called
to the chair, and the remaining business was transacted.
On the motion of Adam M'Lean. Esq., the Earl of
Gosford vacated the chair to which Sir R. Adair was
called ; and thanks having been returned to Lord
Charlemont for his excellent conduct on the occasion,
the meeting adjourned.
At the dinner, in addition to the usual loyal and con-
stitutional toasts, the following were given and suitably
responded to :—" Lord Ebrington, our excellent and
respected Viceroy, and Prosperity to Ireland"—Air,
" Patrick's Day." Lord Cremorne acknowledged the
toast in appropriate terms. " Lord Charlemont"—
Air, " The Volunteers' Ma-ch." The cheering with
which this toast was received was enthusiastic.
The Dublin Evening Post, whose columns contain a
report of the proceedings, occupying almost the whole
of the paper, has, amongst others, the following remarks
in relation to this meeting :—" In every respect this
assemblage of the Reformers of Ulster was a demonstra-
tion of the most gratifying character, affording, as it
does, full ground for hope that the Northern Province
will not much longer be degraded by the domination of
Orange Peers and Squires, who render its represents•
tion subservient to their family arrangements as well as
their factious objects.
Lord Charlemont was in his natural position, at the
bead of the Reformers of the North, arid the patriotic
Lord Gosford, Lord Cremorne, the veteran Reformer,
Leonard Dobbin, Colonel Rawdon, Mr. Sharman Craw.
lord, Mr. Ross, of Ros'revor, and a• bust of other
" good men and true," gave their zealous co-operation
in the common cause. The list of iesolutions, as wed
as the proceedings, indicate that the Association Is is
confined itself to practical onj..cts, for the attainment of
which all sections of Liberals may cordially co-operate.
The Disfranchisement Bill of Lord Stanley led to the
formation of the Ulster Association, whose rallying cry
is, resistance to that atrocious attempt to extinguish the
electoral privileges of the Irish people."

Last week a man fell over the new bridge at
Barskimming, a height of ninety feet, into the water bo-
low. Fortunately he fell towards the deep part of the
river, and strange to say, with the exception of being
,stunned by his alarming descent, got out uninjured. •