The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDONi :WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13. 1841._

the importations in the month of Septem-
ber just passed took place at the low
duty of Is. and 2s. Bd. We are induced,
therefore, to agree with our Tory Con-
temporaries, and acknowledge that the duty
paid on foreign corn in the quarter just passed
did not equal the amount of duty paid on foreign
corn in the corresponding quarter last year. We
are willing, also, to recognize, in the increase
of the Customs for the quarterjust ended, a slight
improvement in our trade; and willing to hope
that the diabolical Corn-laws have not yet
wholly crushed the natural energies of the
people. We derive from this circumstance the
consolatory belief that it is not to• late, much
and grievously as the subject has been ne-
glected, to restore prosperity to the nation, by
doing justice to the people.
The Times of yesterday properly observes,
that the constant growth of population will na-
turally occasion a continual advance in the pro-
duce of fixed imposts. That Journal recognises
in that passage a natural source, independent of
all legislation, for the continual increase of na-
tional wealth. In fact„ that is the main, if not
the sole, source of increased wealth, and the
character of almost every enactment may be
determined by ascertaining its influence ou the
growth of population. If we could possibly sup-
pose that the Corn-laws promoted health and
prevented mortality, as is now said—if we could
believe that to lay restrictions on trade was the
way to promote national wealth, the Corn-laws
would find no warmer advocates than we should
be. We are disposed to test every enactment
by its influence on the growth of population ;
and that the Corn-law curtails the supply of
food, makes it much smaller than it otherwise
would be, and so limits the increase of popula-
tion—causing all the deplorable evils, all the
vice and crime, which are the known and invari-
able consequences of arresting the progress of
population—is undeniable. Now that the Times
is sensible that the source of national greatness is
the natural spring of population, we may expect
that it should unite with us in endeavouring to
procure the abolition of an enactment which im-
pedes the supply of food, and exposes our popu-
lation to dearth and pestilence.
The statement of the Times is of importance,
as acknowledging a natural, as contradistin-
guished from a legislative, source of national
prosperity, which ought never, for one moment,
to be lost sight of in forming our opinions of
any system of Government. If the population
increases at the rate of two per cent. every year,
which is not equal to its actual increase in the
period immediately prior to 1837, the revenue
should increase at least in an equal ratio. Sup-
pose it was 50,000,0001. in 1820, and no taxes had
been abolished, it ought, in 1840, to have been
70,000,0001. In fact, it ought to have been
greater, because ingenuity and skill increase
with population, and wealth naturally augments
in a compound ratio.
There can be no manner of doubt, with our
improved machinery, that the 24,000,000 people
who now inhabit our empire produce consider-
ably beyond a third more than the 16,000,000
produced in 1820. Thus the wealth of the na-
tion and the produce of the revenue should in-
crease even faster than the increase of popula-
tion, were no causes at work to deteriorate the
condition of the people, and force them to a
worse and worse kind of subsistence as they in-
crease in numbers.

They acquire thereby a habit of deference to 1
others, and of respect for their wishes, that becomes
the habit of their society, and is the essence of
civilization. The desire to serve implies depend-
ence of some kind or other, and the principle of
universal benevolence in trade is synonymous
with the mutual and universal dependence of
all the traders. The savage is an isolated and
self-dependent man, and the acme of civilisation
is to reduce all, without exception, within the
circle of mutual and universal dependence.

Such a description of the desires, exertions,
and principles of traders, is calculated to excite
our wonder, that they have not been more
successful in promoting civilization; but our
wonder ceases when we trace in all the countries
of Europe the hand of Government dili-
gently at work to counteract and impede the
operation of the benevolent desires of traders.
Trade is considered in many States as ignoble.
That national tariffs, by interrupting national
intercourse, impede the extension of commerce,
and prevent the mutual dependence and mutual
interests of nations from extinguishing fierce
political rivalry and political enmity, is well
known; and it must now be equally apparent
that laws interfering with the home trade, to
enrich one class at the expense of others, put
rivalry and enmity between those whom
trade makes mutually dependent and mutually
friendly. Naturally, for example, no classes
are more mutually dependent one on the other
than manufacturers and agriculturists, but
the Corn-law has put strife between
them, and almost made them regard each
other as the worst of enemies. The Legis-
lature which impedes trade and builds palaces,
as the Tories recommend—which narrows in-
terchange and communication, and pays artists
and buys pictures—which our landlords prac-
tise, in order to promote civilization—acts as un-
wisely as the parent who should instruct his
children how to adorn their persons, set them an
immoral example, and forbid them to learn any
honest business. The true way to promote civi-
lization is to give full swing to that desire to
benefit others—to minister to their ease and
comfort, which is common to all trades, and
which is plainly set forth in Mr. PENDRELL'S
advertisement, as the motives for his ingenious
exertions.

A few days ago Mr. ARNOLD, the 'Revising-
Barrister for Westminster, decided, on good con-
stitutional grounds, that Peers had not a right
to vote for Members of the House of Commons,
and he struck Lord DINORBEN, and other Peers,
off the register for Westminster. The day be-
fore yesterday Mr. COVENTRY, the Revising-
Barrister for Marylebone, took an opposite view,
and as there is, he said, no law to prevent
Peers voting at elections, but only a resolution
of the House of Commons, he decided that Lord
BRIDPORT, and fourteen other Peers, who live
in Marylebone, should be placed on the register.
Such is the certainty and precision of that rule
by which we are required to guide our conduct,
and which Barristers and Judges, while they
call it law, make out of their own heads.
Practically we apprehend Mr. COVENTRY'S
decision will be set aside in case of a disputed
election. The Commons, in virtue of their own
resolution, that Peers shall not interfere with
elections, would strike off every vote given by a
Peer, and as they alone are the judges in all
election matters, they would, in fact, give their
resolution the paramount authority of law. The
Learned Barrister is technically correct in saying
that a resolution of the House of Commons is
not the law of the land ; but, practically he is in-
correct, for the resolution will have the authority
of law, and whenever the votes of the Peers shall
come in question before a Committee of the
House they will be expunged.

In testing any legislative enactment, therefore,
like the Corn-laws, it is not enough that its ad-
vocates can show no positive decrease in the na-
tional prosperity; they ought to be able to de-
monstrate that it has not checked the natural in-
crease of people, that it has not deteriorated their
condition, and that the wealth of the country and
the revenue of the State have augmented in a
compound ratio. The natural and healthy condi-
tion of society is rapid increase or great prospe-
rity; and where we find it replete with want, po-
verty, misery, and crime, those are impious as
well as Ignorant, who, to exonerate the rash and
rapacious lawgiver, ascribe the national suffer-
ings to causes which he cannot control. He as-
sutnes the power to regulate society, and be
thereby makes himself fearfully responsible for
all the sufferings of the people.

We are indebted to the Morning Post for the
subjoined late and interesting news from China.
Our Contemporary supposes that it was omitted
in the parcel sent from Marseilles. This is not
improbable, seeing that the intelligence it brings
only reached Bombay on the Ist of September,
after the Mails describing the capitulation of Can-
ton, and its evacuation by the British troops, were
made up. We may further observe, that as
this news is not of an exciting character,

The advertisement department of a newspaper it is reasonable to suppose that very little regard
is not usually consulted to supply matter for a was paid to it at Bombay, in the midst of the
leading article. On casting our eye, however, excitement occasioned by the transmission of
over our first page yesterday, we found an ad- more stirring accounts from China. It represents
vertisement headed, " PENDRELL'S Patent exactly such a state of thingsas Captain ELLIOT'S
Flexible Pen-holder," which immediately inter- imbecility had fully prepared us for. This misera-
ested us, because we have felt occasionally in- ble Plenipotentary, by his petty manceuvres, is
convenienced from holding the inflexible stick on teaching the Chinese the art of British warfare,
which steel pens are fixed. The advertisement so that by the time the next expedition arrives
goes on, "to ensure ease and comfort in the use of before Canton it will have to encounter, in addi-
steel pens, now in such general use, W. P. has, tion to Chinese numbers, the rudiments of Bri-
at great trouble and expense, constructed a pen- tisli science. For the authenticity of the sub-
holder possessing four great requisites—cheap- joined intelligence the Post is responsible. We
ness, durability, neat and elegant appearance, may, however, add, that we entertain no doubts
and flexibility." We need not, however, repeat upon the subject :
the advertisement, giving Mr. PENDRELL double Bomnar, SEPT. 2.—The non-arrival of the Calcutta
publicity for his single payment, for our purpose mail, and consequent detention of the steamer for another
is answered when we have placed Mr. PENDRELL fdracin-, ecnhaibnlea,s
bmr
oeu tooh t a pbp,eitihde
Cteanstldeayisi'ulliatlteer iili%tehlilcifie nacre-
before the public as the representative of a class, rived here yesterday afternoon, from Mac!), the 29th of
which is very numerous, and most skilful, and of June. Matters remain in precisely the same state as at
which the unceasing business is, to devise means
the date of the previous despatches. Everything con-
tinued quiet ; and, although Captain Elliot had declared
to promote the "ease and comfort" of their fel- it unsafe for British ships to remain at Whampoa, several
low-creatures. A greater part of the advertise- vessels were there discharging their cargoes, in defiance
of this warning, and several British subjects were in Can-
ments which are published every day, like Mr. ton, the Chinese granting chops to English ships as
PENDRELL'S, are intended to inform the public readily as to others.
where they may obtain ease and comfort, food The following is an extract from a letter dated Dlacao,
and clothing, and luxuries. June 28:—
The ships of war are very sickly, and the general
In that circumstance we trace a principle of opinion is that the expedition will not go to Pekin this
kindness or benevolence actively at work. It is year, but that they will content themselves with Amoy
man contributing to supply the wants of and Ningpo. Captain Elliot has sold allotments of land
man, and even anxious to make himself salt;
iHro
to
6g g
oliong, there. arrnd he has
he
re
are
ones recommended
ort\v
t,
god o
vv. allns finish
British
ed
particularly useful in supplying them. When a and some cotton has been stored there, but the Chinese
certain class of gentlemen write about destroy- say that no men of capital among them will go there,
otddq7(ileies
epptrhoevi-nes
and
ing our marts of trade, it is right to observe island, because
and the Emperorl‘ thed
th
icession i i
ioets. thethoe
that this principle of kindness or benevolence verely ;so that I imagine the place, fur the present, will
is the principle of trade, and is common nearly be only a smuggling station, a good place to store opium.
‘"Tile Commodore, Sir Gordon Bremer, is said to be
to all dealers in almost every commodity. They
chief
or joint Plenipotentiary, but that does not mend
all strive to provide for us useful things. It is matters, as he will be led in all things by Elliot. Dien
not confined to dealers; it extends to manufac- of ability must surely be scarce in England that they
turers. Mr. PENDRELL is a manufacturer; and cannot spare us one to affect a speedy settlement of the
good question. I really begin to despair."
the great mass of the manufacturers, whether The news of the appointment of Sir Henry Pottinger
they make gossamer-like veils for the fair sex, as Plenipotentiary had not reached China by the latest
which merely add to their charms without giv- accounts. Commodore Bremer and Sir Hugh Gough
had both left Macao for hung Kong.
ing them shade or shelter, or whether they ma- (From the Canton Press, June 26.)
nufacture dreadnought cloth to protect the By the latest accounts from Canton everything there
rougher sex from the storms they must brave, continued quiet, but although some British as well as
the great mass of manufacturers consider, day American a
amountmerchants
h e carritoedreosnide
Thethere,
Hong n c,
after day, and night after night, how they can merchantsnyrefused to purchase imports, and also
make their various productions more useful, to secure the British ship, Simon Taylor, arrived at
more attractive, and more agreeable to their Whampoa, after the attack on the city. Her con-
fellow-creatures. Neither is this desire confined isiiigen euesop have,p) wewith are
whatr e i informed, fo
successrni ed,
~.e addressedhave an
opte tlietaironnetdo
tiosa s thoseconspicuous
who manufacture for the body; it per- Only a very few shipments had been made to the ships at
vades the whole of the productive classes, and Whampoa, and these were chiefly of green teas for the
in authors who stud how to American market. Should the Chinese continue to refuse
y
to secure British ships, and by this means force the trade
write
agreeable or useful books, in artists , into the hands of neutrals, we fancy that a blockade of the
helr
who rack t • brains to illustrate and adorn river will become a necessary measure. A great scarcity of
them, andin
newspaper proprietors, who spare
no expense nor trouble to et information money prevails at Canton and Fashan,": and great distress
.• among the labouring classes. It is said, however, that the
Government is active in repairin the defences of the
from all parts of the world, as in the humblest river, and that the fortresses the 'Chinese recovered by
maker of serge or camlet. Of all the labours of
the
effi-
all the classes engaged in
manufacturesten
ce ti ere
faorri de , trade,i
sto oienolya.te treaty\\,ang taurne
g, being
which again
y‘.aspuntotintdoesatros)t.aedte of
the
the living principle of existence English, English, on returning that fortress to the Chinese, has,
by the latter again been garrisoned, and we hear that
devise or produce something useful or ae-reeable several Macao lighters have lately been fired at from
to their fellow-creatures. The principle of uni- that fort on going up the .
versal benevolence, therefore, would seem to be
"The health of both soldiers and sailors, which had
involved in the system of manufcture and trade, stounft,erbe)d• lsiaoradevdeurteyl yandinl duringo
stuh
reei rt
og aal l as
cnot
rac thtiancgk
sounn
and
d-
if it lie not at the foundation of them.
Whether this principle also lie at the bottom heavy rains alternately, and to the poisonous exhalations
from the swampy paddy-fields, was very fast improv-
of all civilization, or not, it cannot be denied jag. That of the soldiers as being more accustomed
that the progress of trade and manufactures, and . ft tis ti
c restored s tore service,
was,
with a d
; but on board t few exceptions, h
l.ships
a b 0,. ood
manyper
of civilization, have gone hand in hand. When sailorsY' and marines, though convalescent. had not yet quite
the historian of navigation traces it from Egypt ; recovered. In addition to the deaths of Sir P. Senhouse,
wf•ehregret to have to record the deaths of Captain Brodie,
to Greece, from Greece to Carthage and Rome,
Lieutenant from Carthage and Rome to Venice and Genoa,
Fitzgerald, of her Majesty's ship Modeste,
of Drr. Majesty's Wallace,
h"etrt I Pl'lnaaj 12; set' v 'osr ap
shipopleCxL ;
from the Italian Republics to Portugal, Holland, ; way ; Adjutant Wilson, of the 18th Royal Irish ; and
i.
and England, he also traces the progress
of
who died on board of that ship on the .::?.d of June, of
civilization. The two are inseparable, and it !, tahne,dr‘h,,t•heound he received in the leg, off Canton, on the
is not from national prejudice that we say 124thse.
TofhDerFayo.r"
eCaGstle Huntley spoke the ScalesbyCastle at Anjer,
that the civilization of England is as much supe-
Tev,A,
William
mtrillit andAn .
iS:ra
fur
eEr shooni sa
England
tohne
tShoet )51 ot
ho
rior to that of France as her trade and manufac-
The passengers byi this vessel are Capt,Ro-
gees,
,oaf the Atalanta steamer, Mr. Drysdale, of the firm of
tures are more extensive. The same principle of August.
Ro-
of universal kindness or benevolence which we
Mac vicar andandCCoo"
the present I;teamer
trace in Mr. PENDRELL'S advertisement is con- iandthe
last Mr. Gilbert. Smtitho s,asoef
his
firm of
.)f
islet iltai
spicuous in the behaviour of every retail dealer, , by
ttena'errivals in Cishtlasamagree
and every youth behind a counter, who are assi- the Tweed and St. Nlungo, from Singapore, Thome
duotis to please aud gratify their customers. ' King, from Sydney ; and the Penang and Beulah, from

Liverpool. The departures are the Huntress, fur New
York, and the George Armstrong, for London.
A letter from Macao says—" We are teaching the
Chinese the art of war ; their improvement in gunnery
was matter of astonishment to all."

Of the insurrection in Spain there is but little
additional information in the Paris Journals of
Sunday. There was a report that the Govern-
ment had received a telegraphic despatch, stat-
ing that General O'DONNELL had bombarded
tha town of Pampeluna from the citadel, and so
compelled it to surrender. Had the French
Government received such a despatch we do
not think that it would keep it a secret.
There were also reports that the garrison
of Santona, and the cavalry at San Sebastian,
had declared for Queen CHRISTINA, but other
accounts represent them as unfounded. As we
have given elsewhere all the accounts which
have been received of %the insurrection in Spain,
we have only here to refer the readers of The
Sun to them. Of .their importance we can yet
form no decided opinion.
The following news has been received from the fron-
tiers of Spain :—" Yesterday (Wednesday)," says the
Sentinele des Pyrennees "at two o'clock in the afternoon,
the Spanish mail, which usually arrives at Bayonne at
six o'clock in the morning, had not yet appeared, whence
it may be supposed that it has been stopped by the in-
surgents.
"A report is this moment circulated that Espartero has
been stabbed. We are the more inclined to believe this
report to be false, because we have just received by an
extraordinary conveyance a letter from Madrid, dated
October 3, which brings us no news, and even states
that the Capital of Spain was perfectly tranquil
" On the 3d Bilbao declared for the Christina move-
ment. Don Jose Ruete has brought this news to
Bayonne, whence he proceeds to Paris."—La Gazette de
France.

Corn-law, we repudiate it as the merest cant. Those
majorities are self-interested ones. They support mono-
poly only because monopoly supports them, and deserve
no more " deference" than is manifested in speaking the
strict truth of them. _ _

The Moniteur Parisien affirms that the conference
on the subject of a Commercial Treaty between France
and Belgium will be resumed as soon as the Belgian
Commissioners have received from the Government the
new instructions for which they have applied. The King
of the Belgians is expected at Paris at the end of this
month, at the latest in the beginning of November.

DEATH OF SIR JOIIN BAYLEY.—We announce
with regret the death of this venerable, upright,
and able lawyer. We have not learned the
particulars or time of his death ; but
unfortunately. there can be no doubt of the
melancholy event, as the City Registration
Court, where his son presides, was adjourned
on Monday on this account till Tuesday. He
was born in 1763, was made one of the
Judges of the Court of King's Bench in 1808,
and subsequently removed to the Court of Ex-
chequer. He is succeeded in the title by his son,
John Edward George, one of the Revising Bar-
risters.—[Since the preceding account was pub-
lished we have ascertained that this respected
Judge died at an early hour on Sunday morning,
at his residence,Vine House, Seven Oaks, Kent.)

SUMMARY OF NEWS

AND
Public Opinton.

" Who runs may read."

The Chronicle says, in reference to the present agita-
tion on the Corn-laws—" The great question of commer-
cial reform, and especially that important portion of it
which relates to the Corn-laws, has taken a deep and
permanent hold of the public mind. To fancy that the
agitation will subside is the supposition of a fond or
foolish brain. It cannot subside. The causes which
produced it are in full operation, and no temporary re-
vival of trade can abate their influence, though it may
slightly modify their effects. No statesman can afford
to despise that agitation. If he did, it would only prove
that he was utterly undeserving the character
which he assumed, though, at the same time, it
must be admitted that the character of a states-
man is one more frequently assumed than sustained."—
If, as our Contemporary asserts, it be a proof of indif-
ferent statesmanship to treat popular agitation with con-
tempt, then the present Ministers must be the veriest
noodles imaginable. Not only do they treat the clamours
of the starving thousands with contempt, but they act
just as if there were no clamour at all among the people !
To all but their own pleasures they resolutely turn a
deaf ear. Backed by an unscrupulous majority, they
are determined to let things take their own course.
Next February will be quite time enough to consider the
distresses of the country ; till then, people must wait.
Such is the language of Ministers, which, we suspect,
they will not alter, till enlightened by blazing hay-stacks,
and the fierce and ominous desperation of the half=
frenzied thousands in the manufacturing districts.
We quote the following from the Herald :—" The
capture and sale of Canton must have confirmed
the Chinese in their estimate of the British
character—that we are nothing better than pirates
and banditti, needy and greedy barbarians, mak-
ing war and slaughtering for the sake of ransom
and booty ; and regardless of every interest but that of
our treasury chest. To Europe these occurrences exhi-
bit a renewal of the warlike customs of the middle ages,
and revive a practice which was thought to have been
banished from civilisation when the buccaneers were
driven from the Spanish Main. The attack on Canton,
ending in this sale, has evidently been altogether thrown
away on the Chinese and it is clear that a true account
of the occurrence will never reach Pekin. The local
authorities at Canton had indeed scarcely got rid of the
expedition when they began to repair their forts and
prepare for another struggle : and they had at once
wholly misrepresented the nature of the attack to the
Emperor. The report sent to Pekin by the Emperor's
nephew, Yih Shan, is in this respect an important do-
cument."

FOREIGN.
The Paris Journals of Sunday continue to accuse the
French Government of having fomented the insurrection
in the north of Spain. " The part acted by the French
Cabinet," says the Commerce of Sunday, "is one of the
grossest falsehood and immorality. As long as the con-
spiracy was beinG, carried on in the dark, and uncertain
of success, the French Ministry protested its innocence ;
but now it throws off the mask, seeing that the insur-
rection has strength and hope. Thus does it loosen
every principle of order and of justice. For ten years
the Government has been declaiming against conspira-
cies, and it takes a part in a conspiracy. For ten years
it proclaimed the legitimacy of Governments de facto,
sanctioned by the will of the nation, and now it brands
them with the name of usurpation. It talks of a general
disarmament, and now is forced by its line of policy to
assemble an army on our southern frontier. The Budget
presents a deficit ; the Government increases our
charges ; our commerce is in want of markets ; our in-
tercourse with the Peninsula is on the eve of being
stopped. And for what end, in what view, is our Ministry
guilty of such glaring contradictions, such gross errors ?
To place a temporary power into hands that knew not
how to wield it when they were once in possession, and
who can only hope to regain it by foreign influence."
The Quotidienne, a Carlist paper, says—" The Bourse
has been in agitation for the last few days, caused by the
news from Spain. It was affirmed that the Ministry had
received from the Spanish Regency notes of no pacific
nature. It was added that, in consequence of these notes,
orders had been forwarded for the assembling of troops
on the frontiers of the Pyrenees, after the holding of
an extraordinary. Council of Ministers. This news
caused a fall in our Funds of about 20 cents. The
Spanish Funds fell considerably, and closed much lower
than on Friday."
The Temps affirms that recruits are enlisting at Chail-
lot and at Passy, near Paris, for Queen Christina, who
is expected to leave the capital in a few days for the
Spanish frontier.
The Constitutionnei has the following curious para-
graph ;—lmmediately on the receipt of the intelligence
of the rising at Pampeluna, M. Olozaga, the Spanish Mi-
nister, waited on M. Guizot, to ascertain from him what
course the French Government intended to pursue. M.
Guizot is said to have assured him that France was
totally foreign to the revolt, and recognized no other
Government than that existing in Madrid. "As a Mi-
nister," replied M. Olozaga, "I must regard this declara-
tion as sincere ; but, as a man, I disbelieve it." M.
Olozaga immediately sent off despatches to London, for
the purpose, we suppose, of informing the British Go-
vernment of what had taken place.
The news of the occupation of the citadel of Pampe-
lune by General O'Donnell reached Madrid on the 3d
inst. The Regent at once appointed General Chacon to
supersede General Ribeiro in the command of the troops
in Pampeluna. This is rather ungracious, considering
that Ribeiro remained firm in his allegiance to the es-
tablished Government.

From all the accounts yet received from Spain the in-
surrectionary movement appears to be in a great mea-
sure a military one. There have been no manifestations
of enthusiasm on the part of the populace, and a great
deal of wavering was observable on the part of the
troops which have already joined O'Donnell. The
Carlist officers who signed the Convention of Bergara,
and so for ever separated themselves from 1)on Carlos
without obtaining the confidence of the Liberal party
and the Cortes, are the chief malcontents.
Senor Sancho, Deputy for Valencia, has been appointed
by Espartero Ambassador to the Court of London.
The Christinos had planned a rising at Madrid simul-
taneously with the revolt at Pampeluna. The conspiracy
was timely discovered by the Regent, who took the pro-
per steps to crush it, in which he effectually succeeded.
The garrisons and citizens of Saragossa and Logrono
have declared in favour of Espartero and the existing
Government.

There is a bad feeling growing up between France
and the United States. The tariff adopted by the Pre-
sident. which imposes an additional duty of 20 per cant.
on foreign goods, is regarded by France as an attempt
to ruin her trade. "The President of the United,
States," threateningly writes the Ministerial Messa ger
of Sunday, " has sanctioned the new tariff, which im-
poses a duty of 20 per cent. upon articles of luxury
hitherto exempt from duty, or subject to a very low rate.
Under these circumstances the Government has to take
some measures which are now the subject of its
most serious attention. The question is to find some
means calculated to make the American Government
repent of its harsh commercial measures, without adding
to the injury which those measures may do to French
manufacturers. It is affirmed that, as a preliminary step,
a declaration will be made to the American Government
that the Treaty of 1831 is to cease. After this France
will consult her dignity and her honour." This is a
very pugnacious- way of settling commercial questions
between Christian States. Does Monsieur Frog intend
to treat brother Jonathan as John Bull does Juhn China-
man ??

Alluding to the present quarter's financial return, the
Times says:—" It is the first under a Conservative Go-
vernment.; and it is a favourable one. It affords
ground for hope that the tide of disquietude and dis-
trust has ceased to flow, and that confidence is about
to return. That is the chief thing wanting. Nothing
can be so injurious to the commercial and manu-
facturing interests as perpetual alarms and constant ru-
mours of change and contention. The first desideratum,
so far as they are concerned, is tranquillity ; the
second, a sufficient, and not fluctuating, currency."—
The absurdity of the quarter's revenue being favour-
able because "it is the first under a Conservative Go-
vernment " is too obvious to escape notice. Equally
absurd is our Contemporary's recommendation to the
people to keep quiet, as if they would ever be otherwise
than quiet, when they had no serious grievances to com-
plain of ! But to keep quiet, seems to be the Times'
panacea for all sorts of distresses. " That is the chief
thing wanted,* he says. Doubtless it is so by a Tory
Government ; but will keeping quiet fill the bellies of
the starving operatives ? Will it procure the repeal of
the Corn-laws, and shake off the chains that bind the
limbs of commerce ? Not a bit of it. To keep quiet
under distresses, is to show indifference to those dis-
tresses ; and thereby to furnish the Legislature with the
strongest of all possible reasons for doing nothing.

PUBLIC OPINION.
The Morning Post has the following remarks on the
Corn-law question, and the way in which it should be
discussed ;—" The real quality of the Corn-law is mat-
ter of controversy. Large majorities in both Houses
of Parliament deem it to be a most salutary law, bene-
ficial to the landowners certainly, but absolutely essen-
tial to the well-being of the labouring classes. At all
events it is the law,
and while it continues to be so
it ought to be spoken of in respectful language. They
who are doubtful of the policy of the law are, of course,
quite right to state the grounds of their doubt as em-
phatically as they can ; but they have no right to say
that those who think differently are criminals, and worse
than robbers and murderers. They who have made up
their minds that the law is bad, should, at least, have
some deference to the majorities of both Houses of Par-
liament who thick that the law is good. No one objects
to their attempt to show that the law is bad, provided
those attempts be made with decency and temperance ;
but it is very gross effrontery to assume that their oppo-
nents are utterly wrong, having, as they certainly have,
the law on their side—This is sheer twaddle. Many
measures have been wrong—" utterly wrong," notwith-
standing that they had " law on their side." The Test
and Corporation Acts were wrong—wrung in spirit
us in policy-737a. for years they had " law on their
side." The sunie may be said of the Catholic Penal
Code, which fur many
long years was the law of the
land. The boroughmongering system. too, was wrong
—rand to a still more grievous extent—yet from the days
of Sir Robert Walpole, and lung before, down to 1832,
it had " law on its side." Law, also, was ranged on the
side of the Gagging Bile of Castlereagh ; yet the good
sense and justice of the community decided that all
these various measures were wrong, and the Legislature
was, in consequence, compelled to repeal them ! If the
people generally had a share in making the laws, the
hypothesis would be correct that they were just ones ;
but when we know that for ages they have been made by
a party, and that the people have seldom or never been
consulted on the subject, the odds are that they are nar-
row in spirit and erroneous in policy. As for our Con-
temporary's remark that " deference should be paid to
the majorities of both Rouses" on the subject of the