The Sun.
London, England, 1824-02-07 00:00:00

MERCANTILE giIIPPING.

DEAL, FEB. N.W.—The West India packet,
1;lunro, for Jamaica, came out of Ramsgate Harbour this
morning, and has sailed with the ,Henry Davison, Salacia,
London Packet, and several others: Came down from the
River the Wellington, Allen, for Jamaica ; Segar, Hoare, for
Berbice; Nicolas, Carlisle, for St. Thomas's: Arrived and
remain the Highlander, from the westward, and Lady Corn-
bermere, from ditto ; Cape Packet, from the MauritiuS ; Henry
Wellesly, Luke, from the South Seas. The Alfred, Domi-
nica, Clarkson, Pyreuns, Topaz, and Segar remain.
PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 6.—Wind S.W.--Sailed his Ma-
jesty's ship Caliope on a cruize.
PLYMOUTH, FEB. 8.--Wind W.—Arrived the Maria,
Greenslade; and Antelope, Ferret, from London; and Phyl-
leria, Hill, from Newcastle, for Cadiz.
FALMOUTH, FEB. 5.=-Wind S.W.—Arrived the Princess
Elizabeth paeket from the Mediterranean : sailed from Cort'u
-the 24th of December, Malta the 30th, Gibraltar the 25:1-. of
January, and from Cadiz the 26th of January. •
LIVERPOOL, FEB. b.—Wind S.W.—Arrived the General
Brown, Sharp, froth Charlestone : sailed the 15th of January ;
Manning,. Short, Colonia ; Petrell, Cans, Paraiba ; Lady
Douglas, M‘Kenzie, St. John's, N. B. ; Stanley, —,
Malta ; and 'Gleaner Kerr, Oporto.
COWES, FEB. 6.—Wind
S.W.—Arritred the Rhoda, Bulley,
from Buenos Ayres, in 85 days, for orders.

The Jane, Coiling, was *wrecked in Table Bay, Cape of Good
Hope, during a gale the 22d of November.
The Brailsford, Spring., from Bombay, had arrived at the
Cape of Good Hope leaky, and it was suppoSed would be ob-
liged to discharge part of her targo.

We are hippy to find that the report of a for..
gery at the Bank of England is untrue. Some
demur took place respecting the stock belonging
.to a capitalist of some eminence, and it was Mi.
mediately reported the stock bad been fraudu-
lently transferred.

THE LONDON JOURNALS.

DAILY
i•:ttraets from the Morning Papers, Feb. 7.

[NEW TIMES.] •
We rejoice to Lind any of our cotemporaries,
ptad more especially those from whom in other
.r,spects we are compelled to differ, adopting
sound and rational principles of political eco-
-lolly. The Morning Chronicle says, "if large
properties are injurious to improvement, small
2.-operties are more so ;" and it illustrates this
pDsition very forcibly by the example of France.
NrVe have often urged this fact to the considera-
tion of those who regard the Revolution as a
Messing. Whatever else has been its result, the
of •property has been carried by it to a
pernicious extent, and laws have been in-
troduced for the express purpose of continuing
divisibility for ever. By a comparative statement
of the number of proprietors in France and Great
Britain, in the year 1818, it appeared that one-
half of the population of France was composed of
proprietors, great or small, and one-sixth of agri- •
cultural labourers, and that altogether two-thirds
were employed in agriculture ; while in Great
Britain and Ireland not more than one-third of
the population was employed in agriculture, and
less than three-seventeenths were of the class of
proprietors and farmers united. But it is in Eng-
land that the power of capital is chiefly seen ;
and we regard it as one of the excellences of our
Constitution, that it promotes the accumulation
of masses, by which alone the means of general
improvement are afforded.

[MORNING CHRONICLE.]
The Church of Ireland was as busy as a Church
could be, during the recess, in provoking all
classes of the people—but the handful of people,
scattered over the face of the country who
call themselves its members, and who bear
about the same proportion to the rest of the po-
pulation that the Jews do to the Christians in
this country—when we say Jews, we mean real
professing Israelites only, not including a pretty
numerous body, who, without a valid claim by
proper preparation, are classified with them
by Mr. Cobbett, and among whom he is oc-
casionally pleased to rank ourselves. The
Catholics in the South and the Presbyterians
in the North, comprehending, between them,
nearly all the middle and lower classes of Ireland,
have been insulted by two Bishops even in their
graves, whence a flame has been excited., which
may not be very (-fully extinguished. This ex-
cessive zeal and industry in the good work of
persecution on the part of the Church, has had
the effect of calling forth a corresponding degree
of activity in the house. Motions upon Motions
were last night announced, having for object an
inquiry into a subject which enters no doubt
deeply into the cause of the zeal to which we
have alluded, namely, the state of the Tempora-
liteg, the only subject respecting which Churches
dispute now-a-days with much heat. Lord Al-
thorpe hegan.by giving notice of a motion for an
Account of the number or Parishes, and of the
Incumbents who reside in their Parishes; and•
an Account of the number of acres of Church
Land, distinguishing glebe from other lands.—
This is -a secret which has hitherto been care-
fully kept from the knowledge of the Laity.—
Mr. Hume gave notice of a motion for Inquiry
into the Church Establishment of Ireland with a
view to a reduction. Mr. Hume probably thinks
that the Clerks in this Establishment may suffer
a reduction both in number and amount of emo-
lument. Sir John Nowport moved for an ac-
count of the Money levied on Parishes for build-
ing and repairing Churches, &c, by way of chew-
ing how enormously the Church-rates had been
increased on the people of Ireland. So much for
the warfare against the Church this Session.

[BRITISH PRESS.]
The Chancellor of the Exchequer last night
moved that the House resolve itself into a Com-
mitte of Supply, "pro forma," on Monday next.
Sir John Wrottesley asked what taxes the Right
Hon. Gentleman intended to reduce ? The Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer replied, he would detail
them fully on Monday, the 23d of this month,
in the Committee of Ways and Means. It is
but justice to Mr. Robinson to state, that since
his accession to office he has shewn an unvary-
ing disposition to consult the feelings-and wants
of the people generally, and to afford every pos-
sible relief. We believe his intentions to be
most upright, honourable, and pure. We do not
remember, during his present tenure of high
effice, a single ungracious or unpopular act.
It must be, and we are sure is, most gratifying
to him to release as much of the yet heavy
burthens that press on the industry and resources
of the country as possible. The compromise of
the Austrian Loan, and the continuance of peace,
will give him the efficient power of reduction.—
Peace and economy are the two great measures
redeem this country. We
which will completely
look with much anxiety for the important state-
ment of the Right Hon. Gentleman on the 23d.
Domestic measures of this gratifying description,
and a liberal and enlightened foreign policy ac-
companying them, may make the present Mi-
nistry as popular as any that ever yet held the
reins of power, and secure them the universal
confidence and support of the country at large.

[THE TIMES.]
The Fifth Report of the Committee of the
Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline
has been published ;—(see another column of
THE Sort)—and we hope that the extracts which
we make from thence to-day will serve to excite
rather than satisfy curiosity, and introduce the
work to all the friends of humanity. We first
looked to it with some anxiety, in order to learn
whether, as in the case of another society, there
were any officers or managers professing to act
gratuitously for the charity in one character, and
receiving sums of money for services rendered,
or said to be rendered, in another ; but there
are none such. The part which we have
extracted to-day relates to a contested sub-
ject—that of tread-mills; and we really and cou

'scientiously think with the report, that, under
proper restrictions, the introduction of them,
when confined to men chiefly, if not exclusively,
must be useful. If every man had learned a
trade which he could and would exercise in pri-
son, it wore best that each should work at his
own trade. But many not having learned any
trade, and comparatively few trades being prac-
ticable in a prison, either general idleness must
ensue, or some system of machinery like that of
the tread-mill, which needs no learning, and can
include all, must be introduced. Indeed, we should
think a healthy prisoner, though he may not fret
grievously and think himself ill-used, would be
unconsciously more happy under the labour of the
tread-mill, than in a state of stagnation and idle-
ness : as some men in common life complain heavi-
ly of the pressure of business, but are yet more
miserable out of it. The case of women is diffe-
rent: all women, speaking generally, have a
trade, even w hen they enter the prison—that of
the needle—which may also be universally prac-
tised in a prison. We think, therefore, that
whenever work of this kind can be procured
for them, or they can find it for themselves,
they should not be subjected to the tread-
wheel. Incorrigibly idle or refractory women
may ho shut into it for a time ; but in its appli-
cation to the female sex, it should rather be used
as a prison punishment, than a prison employ-
ment. The Magistrate also, upon conviction,
may have the power, if he see fit, of directly
condemning to it.

[MORNING POST.]
We received last night by express French
Papers to the 6th instant. They contain some
intelligence from Spain, which though given in
one of the Ultra Journals (the Quolidienne) pre-
sents as unfavourable a view of the state of that
country as the most Liberal Papers have been in
the habit of doing ; from which it may be in-
ferred that the force of truth is too great to he
repressed ; or that in the expectation of its shortly
displaying itself by open acts, it is no longer
thought useful to conceal it. The following
Royalist statement will show whether the asser-
tions of the Constitutionalists were exaggerated.
" All is still in a state of disorganization, the
more deplorable because it awakens criminal
hopes amongst the Revolutionists, and leaves in
utter helplessness immense numbers of faithful
subjects who expected a less unhappy existence
from the triumph of good principles, and some
compensation for the sacrifices which they had
made for the just cause. The Revolutionary
party, so prompt at recovering itself, so skilful iii
profiting by the negligences or the faults of its
adversaries, will speedily avail itself, if due pre-
cautions be not taken, of the incipient discontents
which have already manifested themselves. on se.
veral points, and a great conflagration might be
kindled, more terrrible than the first, for if the
revolutionists regained the power which they have
lost, they would not rest satisfied
s,fie
is undouL ted ly
d as they did be-
fore, with half measures." 1
true ; but whilst it proves the conviction of the
Royalists themselves that the present system of
misgovernment must lead to fresh and not very
distant convulsions, it pays an unintentional ho-
mage to the moderation of the Constitutionalists
when in possession of the suprenu, power, which
is the more valuable as it comes from the very
men by whom it had been hitherto denied and
calumniated. The article then states that the
disbanding of the army which was a proper mea-
sure in itself, had been executed in such a manner
as to do immense evil, no difference having been
made between the corps well affected towards
the King and those attached to the Constitu-
tion. Hence the former finding themselves dis-
carded when they expected rewards, changed
their political creed and swelled the ranks of the
latter, who formed bands which are branded
with the name of robbers, but are in reality Gue-
rillas. One of 300 men is mentioned as having
appeared in the vicinity of Valencia. and Cartha-
gena under the orders of the brave and active
General Torrijos, who certainly would not have
accepted its command had it been composed of
banditti assembled for no other purpose than
plunder and devastation. Of the state of feeling
and of the alarm and sanguinary disposition of
the Government in Madrid, an idea may be
formed from the fact, that a man who had cried
in the street " Live the Constitution ! may the
King die !" was instantly taken up, tried, and
hanged. That such a state can last long would
be a contradiction to history and to nature. The
Dale of Thursday states that the health of the
Pope was sufficiently recovered to enable him to
pay some attention to public affairs, and to grant
audiences to the prelates of his household.

[MORNING HERALD.]
Mr. Onslow again intends to bring forward his
Bill for the repeal of the Usury Laws ; we wish
him success. In our opinion those laws are
absurd in the extreme. That they have been
evaded every body knows, and that in the eva-
sion of them, the rate of interest paid by the
borrower has been much greater than if money
had been an unshackled commodity there can be
no question. The only people these laws have
benefitted have been lawyers. Innumerable
actions have been entertained in our Courts
since the enactment of these laws, and innu-
merable have been the cases laid before
Counsel for their opinion on these laws. The
Law Courts, the Counsel, and Solicitors have been
wonderfully benefitted by them, arid therefore
we should suppose that Lawyers in general will
be averse to the repeal. Money, like every thing
else, should be left open for people to do as they
please with. Were this the case it would cause
many an elderly person to relinquish a trade or
profession, touthe management of which l►e was no
longer competent, to the benefit of those whu might
be more fit for the task. In such case, instead
of remaining a partner, and incurring the risk of a
partnership merely because he wanted to make a
little more interest for his money than lie could in
land or other things, he would retire, and leave the
greater part of his capital to his son or to his
partners, or others wh2,,ehight succeed him, at
such a rate of interest as the parties might agree
on; and the rate of interest would depend on the
character of the parties to whom he might lend

'ln fact, the repeal of these laws would operate as
a premium for honour and integrity. At the same
time that these laWs were done away with, the
Anti-Christian law of arrest should be abolished,
for as the removing the impediment to borrowing
would increase the number of borrowers, and
consequently the number of people liable to
be arrested, we would counteract this by doing
away with the Law of Arrest altogether ; trade
and commerce would then be carried on either
on the principle of ready money, or' credit could
only be obtained in consequence of a man's re-
putation for integrity. It is scandalous in a
country professing to believe in the doctrines of
Jesus Christ, that the law of arrest should remain
in force. It is a law totally at variance with the
doctrines of the New Testament, and therefore
may be called " part and parcel of Anti-
Christ." The chief opposers of the Usary
Laws will be those who contemplate leaving
large possessions to their descendants ; they
have always asserted, that if borrowing were
easy, every one coming into the possession of an
estate would borrow, and thus get rid of his
estate easily. There is sortie truth in this. But
do not most people so circumstanced now borrow ;
and do they not pay more interest for money
in raising it by means of annuity, than if
they could raise it at once on the principle
of a simple contract debt ? There may be
individual evil in borrowing. It may enable a
man to rid himself of his estate ; but, to the
country generally, the passing of an estate
from one man to another—from the spendthrift to
the careful man, is not detrimental but bene-
ficial. It is the proper natural punishment in-
flicted on the prodigal, and the proper reward
of the prudent man—it is what Nature design-
ed, but lawmakers would never let Nature have
her own way. As to the power of the Aristocra-
cy, it would be increased ; for it would be so much
the more substantial for lands to be principally
in the possession of the thrifty than to be in the
possession of the squanderer. But then, probably,
it may he said, that the law of entail should also
be done away with. We should say yes to such
a proposition, and the sooner such an absurd law
as that were repealed, the better it would be for
the state generally.