The Sun.
London, England, 1824-11-26 00:00:00

FRENCH PAPERS.

( From the Etoik, dated Wednesday, Nov. 24.
MADRID, Nov. 18.—The King and all the Royal Family
are still at the Escurial.'
Yesterday is funeral service fur the repose of the soul of his
Majesty Louit XVIII. was celebrated in the Royal Church of
SL Isidore. .
The King, unwilling that any of the services which were ren-
dered him during the reign of crime should remain unt:ecom-
penned, and impatient to testify his Royal gratitude to such of
his faithful subjects ashave.combated.the perfidious enemiesof
the altar and the throne, orders that every individual who thinks
he has a title to his favours, shall present.within one Month
his claim. A Royal Ordinance orders the Camara to make a
strict search after persons who, enjoying ecclesiastical benefices,
still continue to wear the secular habit. His Majesty decrees
that in this matter the Canons of the Council of Trent be taken
as a rule. .

The Minister of War has transmitted to the Director-General
of the Artillery the orders of his Majesty, that the number of
workmen shall be increased in all the manufactories of arms,
and especially in those at Oviedo and Corunna. General Don
Juan Downie has been mentioned with particular praise in the
Madrid Gazette, for having displayed extraordinary zeal and
activity in the organization of the Royal Volunteers of the pro-
vince of Andalusia. •

BUCHAREST, OCT. 17.—The Court of the Prince, which
is the house that has the least to fear from the plague of any in
Walachia, manifests very serious alarms. The Hospodar
(Mika takes the greatest precautions. lie has notified to the
Boyars, that those among them who may wish to return to the
country with their families, are at liberty to do so.
190.—Only two new cases are spoken of—one of them doubt-
ful. Achmet Aga, commander of the Turks, has placed four
sentinels at the door of the Metropolitan.
20th.—One or two new cases are vaguely spoken of,
21st.—No case.
22d and 23d.—No case.

PARIS, Nov. 23.—The Emperor of Russia arrived at his
palace of Zarakojeselo in the evening of the 4th of Nov. His
Imperial Mljesty is in excellent health. The hereditary Prince
of Saxe-Weimar and the Grand Duchess Maria, his consort,
arrived with their children at Gatschina the same day : the Em-
press Maria went to the third stage to meet her daughter. The
Empress Elizabeth, who has been ill of a cold and fever,,ia bet.
to day, and seems to be recovered.

Fit.:ec it Ft! NI7B.—PA n Nov. 23..-(From the Etoik.l
Five per Cents. opened at 101 f. 50c. ; closed at 60c.—Neapc
tan Bonds in sterling, 911.—Royal Spanish Loan, 54i.
Bank Stock, 1,965.

EDINBURGH, Nov. 23.

CONVENTION OF ROYAL BURGHS.
Yesterday, an extraordinary Meeting of the
Convention of Royal Burghs was held in the• Council Chamber
here, to take under consideration the propriety of the Conven-
tion granting a sum to defray the ex-pence of an action of decla-
rator and reduction raised at the instance of the Officers of
State, for reducing and setting aside all elections, Bc.c. made in
theburghs of Brechin and Dundee since 1820.
On the motion of Mr. BURNESS; delegate from Montrose,
the Lotto PROVOST of Edinburgh was unanimously called-to
the. Chair.
On a commission being read from Pittenweem, the language
of which designated its representative as" one of the managers"
of the burgh, it was objected to as informal.
The Delegate for Montrose, observed, that as the burgh had
become , disfranchised, their political rights were also lost, and
it was the duty of the Convention to stop all appearance of ii.
regularity. •
Wzradat4 IxaLie, Esq. the Commissioner for Dingwall,
thought that as the Court of Session had granted authority to
certain individuals to superintend the patrimonial interests of
the burgesses of Pittenweem, and as this was a case in which
those interests might be materially affected, it would be better
to allow the gentleman to sit and deliberate. Be was not, how.
ever, prepared to say whether or not his vote should-be sus-
tained in the case of a narrow division.
Mr. C. INN ES, the delegate for Queensferry, was against the
receiving of the commission. He held it to be quite irregular.
Mr. IvOllY, delegate for Elgin, seconded Mr. Inglis's sug-
gestion.
Mr. IstsrEs wished to know if a commission so worded had
ever before been presented to the Convention.
The Loan PROVOST of EDINRITROR said, that this he
believed was the first instance of a commission being sent from
a burgh in the situation of Pittenweem.
The Commissioner was allowed to sit and deliberate, leaving
the question of the validity of his vote to be afterwards discussed
if nece4sary.
Mr. ImiEs thought it was sanctioning a bad precedent.
WILLIA3I BELL, Esq.' Commissioner for Jedburgh, sug-
gested the appointment of a Committee on a subject of great
importance, particularly to the eastern burghs. He understood
that something was to be done to facilitate the communication
between London and Edinburgh. It was
proposed to accele-
rate, the course of the mail, so as to make it arrive at six o'clock.
Now, he understood that, with a little arrangement, it might
be made to arrive at twelve. This would be a great advantage
to Edinburgh and the towns to the north. A Committee was
appointed accordingly:
The Clerk then read the reasons contained in the summons
by the Officers of State against Brechin. 'The conclusions in
it were, that all elections, warrants, &c. since the alteration in
the set was made by the Convention Oere null and void. Also,
that the Convention possessed no power to alter or modify the
set of any burgh. .
Mr. BURNESS, the delegate for Montrose, then rose.—He
stated that this appeared to him to be a question of vital im-
portance, not only to the Burghs of Brechin and Dundee, but
to the whole Royal Burghs of Scotland. They were now,
after having exercised certain rights for a period of 300 years,
to have these wrested from them. The power of the Conven-
tion to grant and regulate sets of Burghs, had never before been
challenged.. The present actions were the offspring of a report
of a Committee of the House of Commons, published in 1821.
He did not mean to say that the report had been the cause of
the actions of.reduction ; but they had been the consequence of
the opinions expressed by the Committee of that Honour-
able House. There was no man more attached to the constitu-
tion of his country, or one who would bow more readily
than himself to an decision of that Honourable House,
though be would ever deny its infallibility. The Burghs
were attacked, by this report, in a manner at once severe and
unmerited ; and he fondly hoped, among so many able r
ave
e Member
it was
no
of Convention
learned men, sonic one would have been found to repel calum-
ny.wonde
hadr, therefore,thee courage
r that the
or
the
assertions;
Time, however, had rolled on, and no one had ventured
to
Officers of State should wish to extinguish altogether those
powers, disprove
wers,which no Mb
patriotism to defend. And what was it we were called upon 'to
defend ? was it not one of the most venerable institutions of our
country—the rights and privileges of (10 Royal Burghs—and
50,000 burgesses. The Convention had, in fact, been arraigned,
tried, condemned, and was going to be executed, without being
allowed to call one evidence in its own defence. Nay, what was
more remarkable, it had been tried and condemned without an
accuser. It waiireally singular, that while the whole of the
burgh complaints are classed under 8 heads—.not one of which
goes to Impugn the Convention, nor does a single complaint
appear against it from one out of 50,000 burgesses ; yet, by a
sweepirig condemnation, the Convention was about to be an-
nihilated. He would take a lance of the representatives of
the burghs, and he would ask them individually, if, as far
as they knew, the acts of the Convention had ever been pre-
judicial to the interest of the burghs in general. He need
liardly tell this Convention, that all the sixty-six burghs of
Scotland, with the exception of Edinburgh and Kilrenny, de.
rived their charters from the Convention. Yet, among the'
whole sixty-six, there was no such thing as one general set to
he found. In 1469, the Act of the Scottish Parliament esta-
blishing the Itoyal Burghs, was passed by James the Third.—
That Act was quite in accordance with the spirit of the times
—it being passed for the sole purpose of crushing the power
of the Aristocracy. The Act ordained that the Magis-
trates and Council of each burgh should be chosen annually.
Our ancestors never dreamed of the old electing the new magis-
trates; that discovery was reserved for latter times,—when the
same men, by a right about face movement, appeared in dif-
ferent states, like the phases of the moon. The statute 14871
proved that the magistrates of the burghs should . be cleated
from the worthiest of the indwellers in the burgh. That act
also contained the clause constituting the Convention—so within
a few years after the burghs were emancipated, it was found ne-
cessary to grant them a con troulling power. The first Convention
met at Inverkeithing on St. James's day, and was constituted a
chamber of trade and commerce, as well as a tribunal to which the
burghs could appeal in cases of difficulty in matters regard.
ing their political rights. The words" good rule," &c. could
only apply to political rights—for in civil disputes there were
other tribunals already in existence—and for the general muni-
cipal regulations of the burgh, at large. The very terms of that
statute imply a power to grant, as well as to regulate, setts of
burgs ; also to alter as well as grant. In 1552, it is well known
that the Convention issued a general sett for all the burghs in.
Scotland, with theexception of Edinburgh. That he Would esta-
blish by the dictum of Wight, whom the Report
.of the House
of Commons allowed to be the4best authority extant on burgh
affairs. The author states that some of the burghs are regu.
laced by laws from the Convention, others by usage, which
was equally binding till altered by Convention. Surely if the
Convention had the power to originate setts of burghs, it had
also power to alter and amend them in every case, excepting

Edinburgh, whose set had been framed on a discreet.arbitral
with the consent of all the parties, and arranged by King
James and Lord Islay, afterwards the Duke of Argyll. The
powers of the Convention were ratified 30 years after the gene 4
ral sett had been issued to the burghs, and completely recog-
nised. In the reign of that great stickler for prerogative, James
IV., the Council of Aberdeen were in actual rebellion against
that Monarch until the strong hand of the Convention made all
right again. Even at that time, the Convention thrust upon
that Monarch a constitution for Aberdeen; and not a word wag,
then said as to their want of powers. At the Revolution these
powers were again recognised and acknowledged : nothing war
then done touching their Interests beyond the displacing of the
nominees of King James. The treaty of Union . provides
that nothing in it should alter or impair the privilege of-the
burghs, unless something in their usages were contrary to the
law of the land. After the Union, down to the'year 1768, the
Convention proceeded to alter and regulate the setts of burghs
again and again, unchallenged, without their.. so doing be.
ing in any way considered as illegal. Mr. B. particularly
noticed each case after that period down to 1001, when
an alteration took-place in the sett of the burgh of alai-
gow. In reference to the case of Edinburgh. in 1778, he
said, he believed that it had served as an ignas fatigue to
lead people astray ; but a little attention to the interlocutor
in that case would show that it was not a general quertion, for
it only stated that the Convention had no power to alter the sett
of Me burgh i. e. the burgh of Edinburgh—not that It had no
power to alter the sett of a burgh, that would have been a very
different finding indeed. The report of the House of Coin-
mons was in direct oppositiOn to the law and the usage of the
country. It was also a singular fact that the Committee vlh°
took the evidence came to no decision, while a Committee
who had led no evidence, decided on the evidence of a former
the Con Committee After
oftfershieesdHouingseaoparf
ctonsofmtohiels_evitdheencoeolyledevilfriocrect
which related to the Convention, and which was in 41eirca
opposition to the conclusions in the report---}lr: 13. prom, .1%
to state, that if the action was successful in thu case of Brecht..
rnd Dundee, sway goes Aberdeen, Haddingto, &c. ik.e.-4."
the burghs whose sets have been muenticdby ale 'oa vett tl'n
must be disfranchizml. If the Convention fals, .so aullf
children. The her. and all her brood wield
_Frisitkr,lt'ante f,,.
sweep. He did not mean to blame the °Well ' '
the course they had adopted, they had only to do
Convention
and :as they had done so, it also became the Con
first attacked
theirs manfully. Brechin and Dundee were
where the,.
they had fled to the citadel of the Convention i . '
Ousted to find good men and true, to fight their tutiVs.olotiom,
Mr. Du lINESS concluded by moving a defend° 'he ictieo
which went to pledge the Convention to the
Stott e
which had been raised at the instance of the Officers f Sto'ethe
That 5001. should be levied from the burghs "e"dingrevided
stent.roll of the burghs; and that such other sum belpigsue.
as may be necessary to carry on the progress to a finfiustletu
These resolutions were seconded by the Provost o .
_, it to
be understood, that In case the whole sum
The LORD PROVOST of EDINBURGH said he WiSne"
done their duty :
be required in defending this action,
be deducted from the missive dues.
Mr. Bugle of it being
duced to give up the action, when they. „seeable'
aware
able eresk-
defended ; hut he was too well aware of the disagree a con-
ing of the wheels of law, not to know that it require:.
_ova
Siderable aunt to keep them in grease; and cause them '"
smoothly. . of the re"
The PROVOST of Aberdeen objected to that part ~ iof the
solutions which pledged the Convention to the tlefentnei, burgh
action now raised against Ilrechin. lie thought every.
• Ess hoped that the Of of State might be.
.in:
ought to defend its own actions. for with
was WIIITEFORD 31‘KENZIE, Commigioller ,
men widi
whom he generally acted. It always appeared
was sorry to differ on this occasion from those gen4nr that the
thatofth
to genus
conoetne
5e oboo/. :oh;u1wdolo!
Convention was more for eneouragement of wide" a bombs*
than for other purposes: The power of altering sets_.,,, sod
he held only to be vested in King, Lords, and Comktf„7'esher
if such authority was allowed to be exercised 14
I:7l;equal-
body, God knows where it might eventually end. lie„e coven.
17 hostle.to the powers of the Privy Council AA to Cis
Iron. In that opinion he was borne out by one 0i,,, alsiitted
writers on burgh law-... Mr. Archbald Fletcher. ;Pe
„do, leo-
that in the cue of disfranchised burghs, there miganr:_; Alit
priety, be one i
ronercti allowand then ro.2l.rwood not
return to their fo state ; for in that the Act 3.l;enronediege
be infringed ; but he would set his face against ". '
that appeared to trench on that ACt. resolution
The PROVOST of ABERDEEN was hostile to the
generally, and moved the previous question. of roost
The PROVOST of PEAT!c agreed in the views °'
of
Mr. Aberdeen. ent of Yr'
I VORY, at great length, supported the arb"-,„m a
Burnes& ono follow%
Mr. Gismos; CRAIG, CORIBIiSsiORCT for Culrors, e ,
.„,„,tic ,
in nearly the same train of reasoning. Herodilltain drie;tion in
good would be derived front the discussion of tbe tel
imt.
the courts of law, even though the action was ultin„utett
*The Commissioner for 'Glasgow said he wad
Wainstser"
generally supported grants of money. though in olio was
he would do so, because he, conceived that the gli •
ono which ought to be tried. caid that !I':
Mr. BuRNESs craved the liberty to reply. 11°1 i iicutn'A
Convention was now the last remnants a the,° itotafein-
Parliament, who, when it ceased to exist, ha". __.„.,..1t s'el
hitsimpsoelwf,erss,cointiareltipx:rkdintgO burghs, to the Conventron.c.......-31
now, in fact, the last remnant of Scottish lodgefini'Ved to
that remained to Scotland of olden time' en rttly sfinh
de uo
as a once free and independent state.
Thls' Bof the Cenw
say, was the unkindliest cut of all. The rights
and
paltry sum of 5001. ; 3 No;
about to give up, without dstoruwgngleuralnl thrithw.cisr litn.oft trtii.dbluerh:t,,ell.
tion were to be sacrificed. for the esses. *not ,
with them the rights and. privileges of 50,000 burf would
he would not have the Convention so to shrink-ne *so el
oliddrwoti.lAtlAl 1
wileabhasseartirrdnageacessmeflonlawed,otBnow,
man would yield his rights : he wished to stand heir iihtrlio,
and if we tell, let all fall like men fighting fur ""-
, „pee, ~ ;
, that for sueh4 boldly,
lution, 30; for the previous question, moved by Eliet a veie.
rite Provost of Aberdeen also objected to the 6,obtAvesti°,,rl
solutions, and the sixth, which went to pledge "'el. nciecessat:
to support an appeal to the House of Lods, t
sots
so
was withdrawn it being left to the CoMmittee ° J
steps as they shall see cause. mion bs
.1,,.._ a
.3lr. C. Inness said, he understood that the 'moved to be
not been cited on this action ; that fact he cu
be i'
good preliminary objection. n
Melt is to lord
After the appointment of a Committee, w- 0 the -'O,
open one, the thanks of the Covention was voted i
toijoarn
Provost for his conduct in the chair, and the Meeting
—( Edinburgh Observer.)
. fitirsaipetpylfreo:vgfoosrplforte.ditnnu.o.. ..ridrorvets:::; ,
withoutiento.
:t.whithde?ennbfroamattwchmkoeesreof Scotsmen

CONSECRATION OF ALI; SOULS ell
LANGHAIII.PLACE.

[FURTHER PAR.TICULAOS•J• Ch°r Ch
The first impression on entering beaant tbsej
ea
was that its architecture was more chaste stl r'eelvtber, rtailol,l7
usually seen in such edifices. The ornaments o
a f lace date
and unobtrusive, and the whole has an eff%t
desirable. Directly opposite to the middle door,,Bt
aisle is THE ALTAR, covered with crimson ve,
embroidered ; the chairs are carved in the Gothic:l/0070
in the centre of the backs is a mitre. Above,il the
,su,bojca
and '
impressive ALTAR-PIECE, by VlTY.irev,
CHRIST CROWNED WITH THORNS. erecuteis•
,
appears meek and suffering, surrounded by 10$ for
H_e looks up to Heaven as entreating forgivenelstreed 111,11,
taken oppressors. This fine scriptural picturels ye it,
try
arch, and a crimson curtain is tastefully arrangeulA has
ing in graceful folds on either side. 'The wil°4 in all l't,:;!,
striking effect from the centre aisle, and is wells erl, „topi
of the Church. The circumstance of the desk
,fl_, with 48.
placed
on each side of the aisle, exactly corresir°a"lorea'l,:i..
other? is excellent, and imparts an unusual de re,- aliAo
and elegance.—At about half-past eleven the nishopeptexed
0.4
followed by twelve Clergymen in their rohe!tberside.,,
Church, eight mace-bearers being arrat'el°ll„erioen in,tor,
ten or twelve Gentlemen with wands. *1 ne `_Peoeunll be
struck up and played until the Bishop entered the to obic
and an address was read by one of the ciergroh p, doo
made responses. The Bishop then, walked the CWT
aisle, reading appropriate sentences, followeu geng• the
men and the Mace Bearers, when an anthem ', before to
Bishop again entered the Communion, and standultujoisio
Altar, read a prayer, in which he consecrated ri"! On to,
the service of GOD. The common church servi;ivsosA the
read in an impressive manner by the Rev. livera,klor
and a most appropriate and excellent Nerviest Ist c 070,0
Rev. SpEiou. The text was taken from tn.„ yor
of the Prophecy of Malachi, and the 11th verle'the otaelocc
the rising of the sun, even to the going down °di in eve-
name shall be great among the Gentiles, a!) are o 'l,Ol
incense shall be offered unto my name, and a the
for my name shall be great among the heathen', pishof,
was
of Hosts." At the conclusion of the sermon tue..,002:00
vered a blessing on the congregation, and tile ?ROO .1,
thus concluded.—The necessity of introducing. e 0007
English Churches precludes the possibility of.,lapn'apis,,c4,4ll
lemnity which is the case on entering the Cnnunn-ineerraroir
worship. There is something in the eye gasingldeeodent
on the vaulted roof more suited to the feeling:
the lighter architecture of the &WIWI Char •