The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-16 00:00:00

destanding of the matter will be of little avail to
the nation.

[MORNING POST.]
We received last night by Express, French
Papers to the 14th inst.—The war between the
Ultras and the Ministers is now carried on in the
most open and active manner. The former have
taken part, as it might be expected, with their
defeated champion, and an idea will he formed
of the moderation with which they proceed, by
the following extract from the Journal des
De-
bats. Our readers will no doubt recollect that
even the day before Chateaubriand's dismissal,
that Paper considered Messrs. de Villele and
Corbiere, and all the Members of the Ad-
ministration, as men of deep wisdom and
superior ability, and thought that the direc-
tion of the affairs of the State could not
be entrusted to better hands. It is really
curious to see how suddenly and completely that
opinion has been changed It is not thus,"
says the Journal des Debals, " that Frenchmen
can be long governed. White people are not to
be treated like Negroes. To take upon them-
selves the responsibility of those Electoral Circu-
lars which afflicted all men of honour and inde-
pendence to suffer that public opinion should be
gagged by the black band which ensnares news-
papers, to waste and to compromise in one mo-
ment, through want of foresight, and out of pride
and auger, the results of the Spanish war : is to
know very little of this country ! We repeat
it, it is not sufficient to be a man of business to
carry on the administration of France : it is also
necessary to be a. Statesman. Of this we per-
ceive no trace in the line of conduct which has
been adopted. We only see in it ignorance both
of times and men." The electoral circulars al-
luded to in the preceding extract as " having af-
flicted all men of honour and independence," are
those Which the very same Paper justified a
month or two ago, as equally just and politic.

[NEW TIMES.]
In the House of Commons, last night, Mr.
Canning took occaslon to state distinctly the
grounds on which, kris.Majesty's Government now
stand with respect -to SOuth America. It has
lona since been avowed that Great Britain was
under no formal obligation to Spain, or any other
csuntry, which could prevent her from recog-
nising the independence of any one of the South
American StateS; but a feeling of delicacy
toward the King of Spain existed, which led the
British Government to wish that he should be
the first to make such recognition. That feel-
ing, from its very nature, could only be tempo-
rary, and Mr. Canning had repeatedly declared
that a very short time must put an end to it. He
now avowed that all further restraint from such
a cause was at an end, and England was free to
take her own course as prudence might dictate,
without in any manner taking into account the
wishes or dispositions of his Catholic Majesty.
Still there are very many and important consi-
derations affecting our own interests, which it will
be necessary to weigh with great deliberation be-
fore we commit the national interests by a formal
recognition, which in the natural course of things
might be expected to lead to an alliance. To
DO judgments can WQ so safely trust for a fair
and liberal view of those considerations, as to the
judgments of his Majesty's present Ministers,
who have ever shewn a disposition to embrace
that policy which rests on true liberality as its
basis. Great and mighty interests are at stake :
the nation has long reposed a confidence in the
present Ministers ; and that confidence has never
been betrayed. With justice, therefore, did Mr.
Canning call upon Parliament for a continuance
of the same trust. Diplomatic Agents have been
sent out for the express purpose of collecting ac-
curate information as to the state of those court-
tries, countries so distant and so little known to us.
It would be inconsistent with the caution which
dictated the missions of those gentlemen to take any
decisive steps before their oflicial reports are re-
ceived and found satisfactory. Meanwhile we lose
nothing ; for we actually enjoy an uninterrupted
trade with those extensive regions ; and it is
very doubtful whether for a long time to come
that trade will be capable of any considerable
improvement. To this, however, among other
points, the vigilant attention of his Majesty's
Ministers will no doubt be directed ; and no op-
portunity will be let pass, which can prudently
.be laid hold of, for opening new resources to the
national industry and enterprise.

[MORNING HERALD.]
No leading article in this Paper to-day.

Hiatt ScnooL.—On Monday last Dr. Brunton
presented to the Rector's class in the High School a gold medal,
with a chain, which is to be worn daily in the class by the
dux. The interesting circumstances which gave occasion to
this handsome donation were concisely but elegantly detailed to
the class by Dr. Brunton. Wm. Bain gained the Murroan medal
in the Rector's class in IBo9,with distinguished applause. After
continuing his career for some years most successfully at College,
he was prematurely cut off in the prime of his youth. His only
remaining relative, the late Mr. Patrick Philp, who was
much attached to him, survived him but a few years ; andia
short period before his death, he directed that his nephew's
medal and premium should be deposited in the library of
the High School, and that a medal should be presented
through Dr. Brunton, to the Rector's class, to be worn as a
daily distinction by the dux. Dr. Brunton observed that, in
the instance of William Bain gaininc, the medal, it had been
awarded to the unknown, the unfriended son of a widow, merely
from his merits as a scholar. This was a most honourable
distinction of this excellent seminary. No one could ever
wear or look upon this ornament without being reminded that
the honours of the High School are distributed with the
strictest impartiality, and without drawing from this considera-
tion the strongest incentives to vigorous exertion. Mr. Carson
made an appropriate reply, in the name of his scholars, who ap-
peared much interested and gratified on the occasion. Dr.
Brunton was accompanied by Bailie Allan, and some friends
of the late Mr. Philp.--( Edinburgh Courant, June 12. )
Mr. II A RRIS'S BALLOON.—The late Mr. liAtt-
Ris's balloon was conveyed on Thursday afternoon to the Bed-
ford Arms, Camden-Town, and was on Friday exhibited in the
long-room of that tavern, for the benefit of the widow and
her family. There was no charge made, but the Committee
left it entirely to the generosity of the visitors. The balloon,
we are assured, is not either burst or any way damaged, with
the exception, of the car, the wicker work of which is crushed by
the-concussion occasioned by its falling against the tree in Bed-
dington Park ; nor is the splendid crimson drapery at all torn.
Sophia Stocks has been removed to London.
JOSEPH WILLIAM HODGSON, surgeon, of Sun-
derland, was last week committed to Durham Jail, until the
next Assizes, on suspicion of having administered corrosive
sublimate, with intent to poison his wife. The account adds,
there is reason to believe the unhappy man's mind is disor-
dered.

LITERARY NOTICE.

A LETTER on the NATURE and EFFECTS of the
TREAD-WHEEL, as an Instrument of Punishment, ad-
dressed to the Right Hon. Robert Peel, i'I.P., his Majesty's
Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department,
&c. &c., with an Appendix of Notes and Cases. By one of

his Constituents, and a Magistrate of the County of Surrey.

There has been a singular revolution of public
opinion since the Tread-Mill, or Wheel, was first
introduced, for it was then considered as an effec-
tual supplement to legal inflictions, in rendering
imprisonment really a punishment, and not a re-
fuge for indolent wickedness,and that by the labour
which it imposed, it excited a dread in the minds
of culprits that might tend to promote reforma-
tion. Several benevolent persons, however, having
directed their attention to this novel mode of
punishment, were induced to think that it was too
severe in its nature, and, far from being likely to
produce a moral effect, tended to harden the
minds of offenders, and, by removing all sense of
shame, rendering them more determined and des-
perate in villany, Among the benevolent cha-
racters who came forward in opposition to this
new instrument of punishment, and to prove that
it could not be considered as a moral engine, the
most conspicuous were Sir JOHN COXEHIPPESLEY,
Dr. MASON GOOD, and JOHN IVATT BRISCOE,
Esq. The very names of these respectable cha-
racters gave weight to their arguments, and excited
strong doubts in the public mind as to the expedi-
ency of continuing the operation of so severe a
mode of punishment. The pamphlet before us is the
work of the last of these Gentlemen, as we find
from the signature to the Letter, which is follow-
ed by Cases, and a Supplement, illustrating the
propriety and force of the reasoning which he ad-
vances on the occasion. The Author could not have
addressed his letter to a more enlightened and
liberal character than Mr. PEEL, independently
of the official situation which Mr. P. holds, and
which renders him the person to whom the Ad-'
dress is most appropriate. The Letter is written
in a very temperate manner, though the Author
feels so strongly on the subject ; and the cases
which he adduces are certainly striking and for-
cible. The work will, no doubt, be read with all
dile attention by Mr. PEEL ; and, if he should be
convinced of the severity of the punishment, and
of the moral inefficacy of its operation, every thing
may be expected from his justice and humanity.
On reading this. Work, we could not but feel
great pleasure •in seeing that the Author is one
among the Magistracy of the country, as he
seems well qualified by learning, ability, and
benevolence to do honour to the office. We have
no room for long citations from the Work, which
we recommend to the attention of all men of en-
lightened minds, who, in their zeal for justice,
do not disregard the dictates of humanity. But,
in justice to the Author, we subjoin the follow-
ing passage, in which he sums up his objec-
tions to the Tread-Wheel, under the following
heads ;
1. It inverts the order of nature in its mode of operation ;
not only by making the feet perform the industrious office of
' the hands, and by its unnatural strain upon those parts which
are not signed for active exercise ; but by throwing the
whole weight of the body upon the fore part of the feet
alone.

2. It allows of no change of position, or of action, in the
muscles and organs, which are thus unnaturally exercised.
3. It is necessarily unequal in its measure in proportion
to the age, health, strength, and previous habits of the pri-
soner.

4. Its morbid action overpowers the frame, and exposes the
constitution to various Maladies; besides a liability to fever,
from the frequent alternation of heat and cold; and the undue
excitement produced by extreme exertion.
5. It puts the prisoner in peril of serious accidents which no
ingenuity seems capable of averting ; from the breaking, and
other irregularities of the machinery, as well as from the dan-
ger of falling off, through a sudden seizure of giddiness, faint-
ness, or cramp.
6. From its intrinsic nature it has a strong tendency to de-
grade the moral character, by debasing and hardening the feel-
ings ; the shame at first excited too generally terminating in
obduracy.
7. It harrasses and overwhelms the mind as much as it dis-
tresses and consumes the body.
8. It teaches no habits of useful industry which may. be ser-
viceable to the prisoner when released from its drudgery ; and
in no respect assists in overcoming that aversion to labour which
frequently occasions the commission of crime.
9. It is incapable of a discriminate application to different
degrees of criminality—to those sentenced to hard labour under
the charge of misdemeanours, and to those undergoing the pu-
nishment of convicted felons. _ _

10. It has a tendency to excite a spirit of discontent and hos-
tility on the part of the Poor, against their natural and legal
guardians, and of falsehood on that of the offender towards those
who superintend the infliction of the punishment.
11. It partakes of the nature of torture, and is alike revolt-
ing to the spirit of English law, humanity, and an enlightened
policy.
12. It directly counteracts the impression of religious in-
struction ; and is incompatible with a system of reformatory

The Election of a Member of Parliament, for
Northallerton, took place on Friday last, when
MARCUS BEaEsFonn, Esq., was unanimously
elected, but being abroad, R. W. C. PE/RSE,
Esq., was chaired for him.
Recent Letters from Saint Petersburgh speak
of the probability of their speedily being opened in that City a
Loan-Bank, chiefly with a view to grant relief to the nobility
who are landed proprietors. It would seem that several of the
Russian Grandees are visiting the Baths at Mount Caucasus.
Amongst others who are trying the efficacy of these waters at
present is the Minister of the Interior (Count Kotchubey,) as
also the Counts Wovonzow and Rostapschin.
Mouse property has increased greatly in value
of late in Paris. The Hotel de la Rochefoucault, in the
Suburb St. Germain, which a few years back was bought for
33,000 fr., lately fetched the enormous sum of 1 million and
40,000 francs.

A Berlin Journal of the 29th ult. mentions an
extraordinary
instance of suicide. A labourer and a servant
girl, both belonging to that City, werc found shot on the high
road to Potsdam, near to Gleinecke, on the 14th of the same
month. Judging from the contents of a letter left by the former,
the inference was, that what is called disappointed love (the
affections of the young woman being otherwise engaged) had
led to the catastrophe,
then himself. 'the man having first shot the girl and

The wife of a very rich tailor in Paris lately
threw herself out of a window five stories high, in that capital.
What was rather remarkable the Lady was in full dress, and
the deed was done in the house of a stranger.

A young Englishman lately drove a gig from
Calais
to
oparis
inth
eshortspace of 151 hours. One horse
was killed on the toad. By this extraordinary feat, it is said,
the young gentleman gains a very considerable wager—no less
than 100,000 francs, (40001. sterling.)
A letter from Zante, dated April 25, states
that after great preparations had been made for
conveying the body of Lord BYRON to England,
Lord SYDNEY OSBORNE, whose opinion on this
subject was to decide the conduct of those who
Wended to show this respect to the remains of
an illustrious man, had expressed in the most po-
sitive manner his objection to the plan, and a
wish, whichin such case became a law, for the
interment of the body at Zante.