The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-30 00:00:00

nature can bear no more ; and then comes sedi-
tion, rebellion, and revolution.

been its most active and efficient servants. We

quite agree with the Times, that the subject re-
quires to be looked into ; and it would be more
worthy of our Contemporary's talents, were he fully
to investigate it on the rational, though anti-Tory
principle, which has already guided his pen, than
to indulge, ns he too often does, in very silly ac-
cusations of the Ministers, to whom, on this oc-
casion, he has unwittingly rendered a service.

The Tintcs of Friday contained an excellent ar-
ticle on a 13rcret promotion, a greater part of
which we transferred to our pages. The chief ob•
ject of it was to ridicule the idea of waling such

an important and expensive 1-.:easure contingent on
the birth of a Royal infant, and to demonstrate
that it ought only to take place when the wants of
the service made it necessary. Our Contemporary
was led to his just and enlightened conclusion by
looking steadily at the purpose for which an
army is organised, and the rational means of ob-
taining that end.
A beet et (it said) is not a toy to be trifled with. It
is not an empty ceremonial, or, like a silver trumpet
or kettle-drum, a noisy appendage to Court festivities and
parades.
A brevet is a grave measure of military policy ; it
ought never to be resorted to but en occasions of politi-
cal necessity. But then, on the known exister ce ul
such necesity, nothing should int^tlere with, or retard,
its adoption for a single hour.
I'ne neces-ity for a brevet arises from the undue yet-
portion of old and worn-out officers in the upper ranks
of either service—teen incapacitated by age for the en-
durance of hardship, or for the exercise of lenig-rontiouvil
activity ; and from the consequent want of a sufficient
number of younger and more efficient officers.
Although the result of a brevet may be, in some mea-
sure, to remove dissatisfaction and despondency from
the minds of gentlemen thereby promoted, and of others
ho thus perceive themselves to be separated from fu-
ture promotion by a diminished interval, such is not the
principal aim or object of a brevet.
The rcapm for a brevet is the exigency of the public
ervice—the absolute want of an accession of energy,
•etivity, and vigour to those classes of officers amongst
whom cemniandrrs by sea and hind must be sought for,
lad the practicalnity afforded by this promotion of ju-
nior cheers to higher ranks of passing by men disquali-
fied through mental :Ind bodily decline for trusts of high
trupgrtance, and for severe and trying labours.
It is manifest, therefore, that if the State requires an
efficient army, and on the score of economy, aboi c all
things, no other ought to be maintained, sho must em-
ploy officers of strength ard vigour, and consequently,
at a time of life which would qualify them for the dis-
charge of their fatiguing duties. This benefit eon be
no otherwise attained than by such an infusion of energy
and capabil.ty from the junior into the upper ranks of
the service as would leave the Government a wirier field
of choice in the appintment of those aho arc to carry
on the active services required of them by the ecuntiy.
But is it not ludicrous tied contemptible beyond coffin--
anee to make the adoption or rejection of this public
turn upon such a heterogeneous and far-tetched
as the birth of a Prince or Princess ?

We were glad to see the Times of Saturday rc-
turn to its former good sense, and do justice to the
navy. Far from finding fault with the weak and
inefficient crews of our men of war, it then admit-
ted that the exploit of Sir ROBERT STOPFORD
was of a higher order than that of the conqueror
of Algiers. It di ;covered that tire precision of
our gunnery was terrible, and its cffects resistless.
This (it said) has been a grand and triumphant
exploit." It has revived the 'ancient prestige of
the British navy. It must prove a salutary lesson
here inw t wanting; and, we suspect, will not even
upon madmen be throw n away. Nowhere was
that ksson more wanted than in Printing-house-
square, though we doubt, whatever may be
the conviction of the Times, win:dm it will
publicly do justice to the AI NTO Boards
which it has incessantly persecuted, and ac-
ctu.;(l of allowing our navy to go to ruin. The
results in which it glories could scarcely be ob-
tained by an int. fficient A dministra:ion. In
fact, we believe that the gunnery practice, which
was, says the Times, " first taught by Capt. 1-1 A P-
INGS," orvcs very much to the judicious encourage-
ment of Lord Mt N TO, and the fostering care of Sir
SAMUEL PECII EL, one of the' MINT° Board."'
That nickname, which the Times meant as an ex-
pressiun of contempt will henceloith become, from
its praise of Saturday, one of honOur'; arid the.
MINT° Board will be retnembered,in after ages, as
that B•Jard of Adthiralty under whose auspices one
of the most glorious naval exploits on record was
achieved. Those who investigate its merits by
facts, disregarding the tales which the Times has
published day after day, viii probably come to the
conclusion that no Board of Admiralty ever did
more to ensure the efficiency of our fleet.

measure
accident

The enntinuAtion of the debate in the French
Chamber of Deputies on the Address, in answer to
the Speech from the Throne, during the sittings of
Thursday, Friday, and up to the departure of the
mails for London on Saturday afternoo, will be
found in another part of The Sun. Of the length
of the speeches delivered some idea will he formed
when we state that the speeches of MM. PASSY
and GuizoT occupied the whole of Thursday's
sitting ; those of MM. THlEtts and VILLEMAIN
the whole of Friday ; and it was expected on Sa-
turday that the Chamber would rise immediately
after the conclusion of M. ODILLON BARROT'S
speech—thus occupying, with five speeches and
M. GUIZOT'S explanation of Saturday morning,
three sittings of the Chamber. The speeches of
MM. IJUIZOT and TIMERS will repay the trouble
of an attentive perusal. While severally protesting
against the idea of justifying themselves, or of recri-
minating upon others, these statesmen mado-disclo-
sures,and•gave utterance to mutual complaints which
must lower them in the eyes of France. M. TIII ERS
complained that while he was endeavouring to
hoodwink the Four Powers, he was himself de-
ceived by. M. GuizoT, who concealed his opinions,
and ditl not inform hint with sufficient accuracy of
what was taking place in London. M. GuizoT
contended that it was no part of his duty, as an
Ambassad6r, to indicate to the President of the
Council the line of policy whiCh he ought to pur-
sue, and that to the strict discharge of his diplo-
matic duties he carefully.. confined himself. Per-
sonalities, wretched at all times, but especially so on
so great an occasion, formed the staple
of orations
i‘
ionsoi.f
which all Europe is an attentive
TIMERS, however, contrived to startle. the Cham7
her at last. Driven to it by exclamations
on all sides, he .proclaimed that the object of his
policy was either to obtain a modificatiOn of the
Treaty of-July, or to make war on Europe. En-
couraged by the cheers from the Left which fol-
lowed this announcement, the Ex-President of the
Council repeated that his object was to convulse
Europe. M. VILLEMAIN, the Minister of Public
Instruction, disposed of this clap-trap by stating it
as his conviction that M. Tin ERS never really in-
tended to make war—a conviction in which we en-
tirely participate. M. THIERs can now play the
Bobadil with safety, and as his re:urn to office is
rendered impossible by the disclosures which have
‘.aken place, he has no resource left but to throw
'lnstil into the arms of the malcontents.

We have good reason to believe, and to assert,
whatever may have been the Tory practices in bye-
gone ages, that it never was the intention of Mi-
nisters to make a bievet promotion at the birth of
a Royal heir, whether male or female. Such a
preposterous scheme, however currently re-
ported by those who desire promotion, and
promulgated by discontented officers through
the pages of Military Gazettes and Naval Jour-
nals, was never contemplated by the present
Ministers, and they must feel extremely grateful
to the Times for having, though it had no such in-

ention, defended them from the keen and bitter re-

preaches of " gentlemen dissatisfied and despond-
ing," because they do not, when their services are
comparatively little in demand, obtain such rapid
promotion as they expect. Already sundry news-
papers in the warrior, if not in the war interest, had
begun to sound the trumpet of defiance to the
Whigs for not making a large brevet, because the
sex of the Royal infant was female, when the Tinws
boldly steps forth and meets the defiance with its
own brazen throat, and loudly proclaims that no
such brevet ought to take place, and that certain
discontented officers must wait till the country needs

tea Set %ACTS.

The article did more than defend the Whigs—it
gave, by the principle of the discussion, a severe
slap to the Turks. " Look at the origin and in-
tention of an institution, and act conformably
thereto ; consult reason, not custom, and yon will
do right," was the principle which pervaded our
Contemporary's remarks. But when did the Tories
act on that principle To go no further than the
two services mentioned, did they not, throughout
the whole of their career, job the navy and job the
al my, making both mere instruments to serve Par-
mentary rurposes, forgetting the use to which they
were destined, till they overwhelmed both services
with an immense number of the sons and depen-
dents of the aristocracy, beating the name of offi-
urs. Before the close of the war both services
had more officers than could ever be employed,
and in the navy there were three or four times as
many as could ever go to sea. Many persons
were then, in defiance of decency, and to the per-
venion of a noble service, pensioned on the coun-

Jy. By the Tory practices, unhappily more easily

followed than avoided, the country is now burdened
with an immense dead-weight, while, if our infor--
illation be correct, there is in reality a scarcity of
active and youthful officers ; and, were a war to
break out, a very extensive promotion must

We refer our readers, with sorrow, to the decision of the
Judges in the Court of Queen's Bench on Saturday, in the
case of Mr. BAINES. He is ordered back to prison, where he
must remain till relieved by some unknown band, or by an
Act of Parliament. The Judges have done their duty—
they have decided according to the la .v of the land—that
law which the Duke of WELLINGTON, with the support and
cordial approbation of the Bishops, passed last Session,
against conscientious Dissenters. We trust yet to make
even the heads of the Church ashamed of it.

take place to procure commanders for I
our fleets not actually in their dotage.
Here and there a veteran like Admiral STOPFORD
may be found verging on, or perhaps above, 70
years of age, with vigour sufficient to fulfil his ar-
duous duties, but it is scarcely safe to rely on such
duties being properly fulfilled by men after they
have passed their 50th year. Captains and Ad-
mirals should be comparatively young, and the Tory
practice, during the war, of multiplying officers, is
now found to be most injurious.

those who:plufillphyiet
of
the
i dinnersrsiocr:r
liritlaolitt.oltioeror,_
itsu.ltie,c
ensos poorr
of
a
SABBATH LABOOR.---Tile State priesthood ere
UC
urgent with Government not to desecrate the Sabbath.
Other priests join in their demand, because on thbapteriTdseia:hyotest
men arc obliged to listen to them.. To serve their
purpose the Post-office must -be---shut up, and railway
carriages cease to run. Even the kindly and peaceful
labours to cessary to provide hoity
come under the anathema of the priesthood. sst Ittiaohteeedd.,
priesthood
Le.
sesttirscht
itio‘:vc.ocieldldil
read in the late account of the capture of St. Jean
D'Acre, that on the morning of SUNDAY, November
I, the steam division arrived off Acre, and commenced
(Inz throwinguseine n i shot
continuedand
tl I i
oitnetrov theals d
od,reii:oos_get
follow,re th the
honour, Sabbathanodecuopbaetyirs‘ovfill
of the empire,
theyrem o remonstrate ae
ratheragainst
offer this p rtehmanokrlsirgible
intoour armsruins,Onhitilr
aSraabibhavotr
eaArritalestootactlintsot
poor man's dinner be cooked, nor must he be
with a pint of beer. The priests denounce this
professions rthou
desecratiOn of the Sabbath from every
empire. Unless the priests of all denominations •
eluding the State priesthood and the MethediA clergy
unite to denounce this terrible desecration of the ss.j):
ws.'
ae
bsbbaat shalt k
sanctity.ut) w ui ta t
It
fo
bath and denounce it front every pulpit
independent to
be so rigidly ob.
served,and laws must be made to enforce its observance
on
the
people,
we
shall demand that it be consistently
observed by those who that tl'i"
kd
day theirtrlli t
make and enforce the laws. The
too
connive at that in the Government which they repro-
bate in its subjects.
THE CATHOLICS AND THE REPEAL OF THE UNION.
—The Tab/ct, a Catholic weekly P,.,_er,
clergy ought to show themselves
P published in
against the
the metropolis, declares aßepeal of the Union
because that would divide and weaken the Catholics of
the empire. It ascribes to. the Act the power of the
Catholics, for that
the
~them..,rian imperial character. 1
The view taken b y the iri'h lests is, we believe, dif-
ferent, and the difference between. the English and
Irish Catholics may make b attainment of repeal far
less easy than Mr. O'Connell professes to believe.
We have received numerous letters giving accounts
of the meetings of Magistrate!, and other public func-
tionaries, to celebrate the birth of a Princess Royal,
and to congratulate her Majesty on her safe delivery.
But the joy is universal, and
It would be superfluous.
the account of one meet-
ing describes the whole.
tiee th •
therefore, to do more than no c fact.

This brevet promotion needs, however, some fur-
ther consideration. We never heard before of a
navy brevet, and apprehend that the term is inap-
plicable. At any rate there is a wide distinction
between the army and navy. The army officer

purchases his commission, and can buy his
promotion. * The naval officer receives every
step gratuitously, and it is supposed to be,
and ought to be, the reward of services and

met it. All the officers of the navy, till they attain
the rank of post- captain, arc so promoted, and
when they have attained that .rank they rise by
seniority, and no one is promoted over the head of
another, though one may be employed and favoured,
and another neglected and laid aside. Having no
other means of getting forward but the patronage
of the Admiralty, ail the officers of the navy look
exclusively to it and the Throne for their advance-
!

went, and a general pro►notion on various occa

sions, such as the accession of a new Sovercig

or the return of his birth-day, was a common occur,
mice under the Tories, however little, on the pull
ciple of the Times, to be justified.
In the army, the officers, up to a certain grade,
rise, or may, by the help of money ; and the Com-
mander-in-Chief has only a limited number of com-
missions at his disposal. Having interest at the Horse
Guards, or being
down in the black-book, may
facilitate or retard promotion ; but, except in a very
limited number of cases, if a man have not money
to purchase commissions, he remains a subordinate
officer. Now, bad as a general promotion in the
navy may be, when not strictly required for the good
of the service, a brevet promotion in the army is
much worse, because it must include a great num-
ber of persons who have obtained their commissions
m service, but by purchase. They may be
not
b
skilLl, inefficient ; but a brevet, which includes
all, must promote these, as well as worthy valuable
officers. If there be such in the navy, the fault
lies with the Admiralty ; but when a man can pur-
chase his promotion, there may be such in the
army without the Horse-Guards being to blame.
The result of the system is to promote to the high.
est ranks a number of men who purchase the lower
steps, who are totally useless, but who are as great
1 a burden to the country as are those who have

but the Minister of
Francerder
New FRENCH LOAN.—The French Govern-
ment has determined on raising a loan of twenty'. five mil-
lions francs, Three per Cents-1,000,0001. sterling. The
o
it forvvard till after the address be
voted by the Deputies.—Morning Paper.
Rev. Hugh Stowell,
ROBBERY OF THE CHURCH
!—Oti Wednes- '
some thief car •
in d
elaysCouncil
bringing
day night, in Waleot Church, Bath, during the service, on
the preaching of the
riedotf a great coat belonging to the Reeler, a mackintosh
belonging to the Rev. Mr. Gillrnor, and a Master of Arts'
gown, wit
• h which he made off without detection.
1 The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland and family
do not le..ve Stafford House for Trentham Hall until the
week after next.

ri TIE SUN, LONDO,N, MONTDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1840.