The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-02 00:00:00

strong description of vessel, and thus make deep sea-
fishing- what it is not, and ought to be. a great sous4.lB
of national profit and employment. The next point
consider most essential is, to infuse a more healthy-
tone irto the rural population of the country, by stimu-
lating industry and self-reliance, by the gradual aboli-
tion of small holdings, and by a better and more com-
pact allotment of tillage land to farmers, all rearly of
which may be accomplished through a wise system or
encouraeement to emigration, and which Might be thus
cried into effect:—Let a man, desirous to go to our
North American Colonies, obtain a certificate from his
landlord, clergyman, and nearest local magistrate, stating
his desire to emigrate, with a wife and so many chil-
dren, and that he has only part, or no part, of the
money requisite for that purpose, the Government agent
at the nearest port of embarkation should, on such st•
voucher being handed to him, be empowered to provide
them wi h a passage, enclosing it again with a state-
ment of the expense incurred, to the secretary of the
grand jury, to be by that body assessed on the county at
large, or, as I should much prefer, to the chairman of
the elcctorial division to which the emigrant belongs, to
be recovered by an additional rate, because
it is better for the rate-payer thus to get
rid of a whole family of paupers by at
once paying a certain sum, than for them
for ever to be a burthen on the union, while the
evil of small holdings is pointed out in a most intelligible
manper—through their pockets—to the rate-payers and
public, doing more to undermine and make unpopular
the system, than all the speeches, writings and enact-
ments of the last half-century ; the landlord, of course,
in the first instance, having bound himself in his certifi-
:ate that the holding will not again be let to a separate
tenant, hut will be added to the farm of the nearest and
most improving tenant. The late Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer does not think that any Government ought to be
intrusted with power to draw for an indefinite amount on
the Consolidated Fund, but that the Minister should
come to tho House of Commons from time to time for the
sum, however large, he may require. There is a cold
propriety in this which will gain some little popularity
in the day-book and ledger portion of a community ; but
in it we can all perceive a holding back, a paralysing of
the hand of succour to be held out to Ireland, and a
clogging of the machinery for her relief. No Minister
will come down to the House of Commons, day after
day, or year after year, with demands upon his liberality,
knowing the long and vexatious debates, and, perhaps,
divisions, to which he will be subject, and with which
money Bills are indeed so sure to be assailed
in that House, and especially in certain quarters
of it. The time I may hope is past when
Ireland can be legislated for in such a spirit,
which seemingly confers what it in reality withholds;
better far to fix at once a largo and liberal sum as the
nnximum to which the Minister may proceed, when all
that the most pinching economist can require is a full
statement, from time to time, to be laid before the House
of the monies expended to benefit the country ; I would
reiterate the necessity of a revision of the Grand Jury
Laws, especially as regards the great power of assess-
ment, and of those relating to salmon fisheries, as I can-
not help thinking that almost all recent enactments in
regard thereto have much tended to oppress and embar-
rass the proprietors, while no one else is in any intelli-
gible degree benefited, unless, indeed, such people as
would grasp and poach a property they well know they
have no other right to than what is conferred by an
unfair and unwise law. If some early enactments do not
throw these people further from the entrance of salmon
streams, this description of property will, in a few years
more, be little worth legislating for. Lastly, Sir, I
would draw the attention of Irish M:mbers lo a force
which this country has to support—the reVentic police—
the existence of which I cannot help thinking an indig-
nity to Ireland, which, happily, she 'does not at this
moment afford a satisfactory pretext for having in-
flicted on her. Reduce the duty 2s. -a gallon on
whiskey, and then to assert, as some grhvely will,
that such a force is more required here than
in England or Scotland, is in my mind exceeding
a formal imbecility? Thanks to Father Mathew, and
the great aid given to that good man by the clergy and
gentry of all creeds and classes, it is indeed not so ; but
it affords large patronage, and will consequently find
many friends and arguments to uphold it ; but I shall
still hope that the day is not far distant when justice
and sound policy will assail the existence of a most ex-
pensive and unnecessary force ; far be it from me to say
one word which can pain or disparage a body of men
which in zeal, efficiency, and good conduct are hardly
to be surpassed by any in the service of her Majesty.
I should simply rejoice to see them absorhed by the
Irish constabulary or the army, where I am certain
their services would be of some greater value to the
state, and somewhat less irksome to themselves. It is
a fallacy to assert that the greater portion of spirits ma-
nufactured in this country is consumed by the lower
orders ; it is not so, and its consumption, therefore, is
not attended with a demoralizing effect. Consequently
there will bo no materially increased demand, and no
ill effect to be apprehended in doing away with the re-
venue police, if the duty on whiskey is wisely reduced.
I would at the same time reduce the duty on West India
rum, in such a degree, as while it did not interfere
with the Irish distiller, would at the same time operate
to prevent any attempt at an exaggerated profit, and a
consequent revival or extension of an illegal competition.
Should, however, old prejudice still hang around the
minds of some, or a real apprehension that as " the
pledge" wears away with time, and Providence sheds a
greater abundance on the land, illicit distillation may
once mare gain ground. I would say, reduce still more
your duty; I would still implore you to abolish the
principle of inculcating sobriety by the bayonet, or of
upholding morality by hunting the people like wild
beats upon the mountains. Depend upon it such a
course is unwise, as it is degrading to the country—as
uncalled for as it is detestable. Let me beg of some
Honourable Member in his place in Parliament, to move
for returns of all stills, whiskey and malt, taken or de-
stroyed by the revenue police within the last five years;
also, for returns of the sums expended in the maintenance
of the establishment; and I would then ask
he Government and the country if the amount

of the one is at all an equivalent for the ex-
penditure of the other, furnishing as it does one of
those many channels which divert the Irish revenue
from the Imperial Treasury, and resulting only in those
cruel taunts against our country, that in our union with
England we are her degradation and her bane. Do
away, I beseech you, with such a force, and spend the
money it costs this country in a well-digested system of
agricultural, religious, and moral training of the rising
generation, and you will reap a rich reward in the sti-
mulated industry, happiness, and wealth of a grateful
and a regenerated people. If I have, in thus trespassing
upon your valuable space, overcome a painful reluctance
and owe to you, Sir, and the public, some apology, I feel
assured my only motive will be permitted to plead one
for me, better than any words I can offer.
I am, Sir, your very faithful and obedient servant,
JAMES HENRY TODD.
Buncrana Castle, County Donegal}
22d Feb. 1847.

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
FRENCH PLAYS.
A new contedai vaudeville, entitled Le Mari qui se
derange, was produced here last night. It is either a
revival of an old French vaudeville, or a new play written to
an old plot, for we remember that some twenty years since
a comedy (confessedly an adaptation from the French)
by Poole, was produced at the Haymarket, in which
Farren acted the part of Mr. Dorrington, the plot of
which was precisely similar. That plot may be told in
a very few words, Maurice Durosel (M. Lafont), the
Mari qui se derange, is married to a delightful woman,
but still he has his bachelor propensities, and he deter-
mines to go with his friend Berthollin (Cartigny) to a
masquerade, and make a " night of it," leaving his
wife at home. The wives of this precious pair
also determine to go to this entertainment, and each
husband unwittingly makes love to kis own wife. After
a certain series of regular misadventures, the plot is dis-
covered by Maurice, who has engaged in a flirtation
with a fair masque, refusing to carry the affair any far-
ther, on the plea that he has " a wife whom he adores."
She unmasks, and he discovers that he has been making
love to his own wife. The admirable acting of Lafont,
as Maurice, made this trifle go off very agreeably. clie
was excellently supported by Mdlle. Vallee, as the wife,
and by Cartigny, as Berthollin. The vaudeville was
preceded by Le Demon de la Nuit. The house was well
and fashionably attended.

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen and Prince Albert honoured the performance
of the French Plays with their presence yesterday evening.
The royal suite consisted of the Marchioness of Douro, the
Hon. Miss Paget, the Earl of Listowel, Colonel the Hon.
Charles Grey, and Colonel Bouverie. Her Royal Highness
the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Fanny Howard and
Sir George Couper, also honoured the French Plays with her
presence last evening.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horseback_
yesterday, attended by his Equerry in Waiting, Colonel
Bouverie.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of. Wales and th.e
Princess Alice took their usual walks and rides yesterday in
the royal gardens.
Viscount Clifden less succeeded Lord George Lennox as the
Lord in Waiting to his Royal Highness Prince Albert ; and
Colonel Bouverie ha relieved Cin the Hon. Alexander
H. Gordon in the dutsies of Equerr Captain
ian Waiting to his Royal
Highness.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge and his
Serene Highness Prince Frederick of Hesse arrived at Ca-
shiobury-park, Herts, the residence of her Majesty the Queen
Dowage , r yesterday morning, having travelled from town
by the London and i'orth Western Railway. Lady Augusta
Cadogan and Mr. Edmond Mildmay were in waiting on her
Royal Highness.
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Frederick of Hesse
partook of a dejeune with the Queen Dowager. In the after-
noon the Royal Duchess and his Serene Highness took their
departure on their return to town.
Lord John Russell and the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
accompanied by the Lords of the Treasury and the Secre-
taries of the Treasury, received yesterday morning the gen-
tlemen from the city of London, on the subject of the new
loan of eight millions. Mr. J. B. Heath, the Governor of the
Bank of England, and the Deputy-Governor, attended the
meetng.
Lord Macdonald and Mr. H. J. Bailie, M.P. had an inter-
view with Sir George Grey yesterday at the d ome-office.
A deputation from the South Lancashire coal proprietors,
consisting of the Hon. Colonel Lindsay, M.P., Mr. Fletcher,
Mr. Darlington, and Mr. Watkins (solicitor), had an inter-
view with the Right Hon. Edward Strutt yesterday at the
office of the Commissioners of Railways, in Great George-
street.
Mr. Colquhoun, Diplomatic Agent for the 'Tense Towns,
had an interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson
yesterday, at the Office of the Board of Trade.
A deputation of the Directors of the Waterford and Kil-
kenny Railway Company, consisting of Mr. P. S. Butler,
M.P., Mr. George Anderson, Mr. George Emery, Mr. Charles
Hulse, and Mr. M. J. Currie, had an interview with Lord
John Russell, yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-
street.
' His Excellency Prince Callimaki, Ottoman Minister, was
among the company who visited ber Majesty's Theatre on
Thursday last.