The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-08 00:00:00

this there is apparent on the part of the Administra- 1
tion a very ennobling aspiration—an aspiration to
become corrective, instead r.f continuing, as hereto-
fore, destructive. And, v►hat increases our satis-
faction at the endeavours of tl.O present Government,
these aspirations are proved tc be cap.ble of actual
realisation by the practical and admirably consecutive
explanation of Sir GEORGE GREY. Government is
hereafter to be characterised by that amenity and
gentleness which time out of mind have been its
antitheses. Ultimately the hornbook and the grammar
must, we are satisfied, supersede the manacles and
the tread-mill. Nay, before a very long period has
elapsed we are persuaded that the schoolmaster IA ill
be receiving the salary which was formerly among
the perquisites of the gaoler. Until these vast alter-
ations, however, have been definitively accomplished
we shall be satisfied with the promising indications
of our general moral progression ; such indications as
are daily being afforded by the innovations upon the
criminal system, and the humanizing tendency of each
of those innovations.

Beyond the gratification, therefore, that must be
exp?rienced by the lion. Gentleman the representa-
tive of Finsbury, at the prospective prevention of the
cruelties inflicted upon those unfortunate wretches
whose temporary homes are the hulks, must be the
consolatory reflection that in time those hulks may
be altogether tenantless. Earnestly, then, do we
congratulate 111 r. THOMAS SLINGSBY DUNCOMBE
upon the eulogistic remarks which fell on Thursday
evening from the lips of the Home Secretary. Those
expressions embodied in their very brevity and sim-
plicity a panegyric upon the: Parliamentary career
of the Member for Finsbury; and in such a panegyric
we are certain that the multitude will coincide with
cordiality, for THOMAS SLINGSBY DUNCOMBE is—and
deserves to be—a national favourite.

The Society for Promoting the Amendment of the
Law held their second anniversary meeting on
Saturday, Lord BROUGHAM presiding. As is usual
with all public bodies associated for the reformation
of public abuses, this society has not escaped censure;
but, inasmuch as the charge preferred against it was
wholly groundless, the effect has been, as is generally
the case where public societies are carped at in an
ungenerous spirit, to impart increased vigour to its
constitution, to elevate its character in the public eye,
and to lead to a wise appreciation of the importance
of the objects for which it was embodied. The society
has been accused of encouraging hasty legislation.
This is a bare assertion, without a fragment of proof to
confirm its veracity. Supposing, however, the allegation
could have been partially supported, to what would
it have amounted? The society does not pretend to
the art of divination and of infallible foresight.
Laws framed under the auspices of the most talented
legal advisers of the Crown, and which have subse-
quently passed through the ordeal of legislatorial
inquiry, have been frequently found to be seriously
defective, within a short period of their enactment.
But this society not only stands free from the impu-
tation thrown out, but it has already established its
merits to public approval for the good it has actually
accomplished, as well as for the beneficial course in
which it is progressing. " In consequence of the efforts
of the society," observed Lord BROUGHAM, at the
meeting on Saturday, "some important measures
had been introduced into Parliament for the improve-
ment and amendment of the law ; some of those
measures had been completed, and others were in
progress." A mere glimpse at some of the names of
those who take a prominent interest in the welfare
of the society will suffice to satisfy every dispas-
sionate mind that precipitate legislation is a result the
least likely to flow from its laudable endeavours.
Lord Brougham, Lord Lyndhurst, the Earl of Devon,
Lord Ashburton, Mr. Bethel], Sir Fitzroy Kelly,
Mr. James Stewart, the Duke of Richmond, Lords
Radnor and Ebrington, Mr. Hume, M.P., Mr. Evart,
M.P., Mr. Wyse, M.P., Mr. Roebuck, M.P., &c.,
besides many gentlemen of distinction in the various
branches of the legal profession, take un active part in
furthering the objects of the society. The evils of
the enormous expenses attendant upon the transfer of
land we have frequently alluded to; they were
expatiated on at great length at the meeting
in question, and facts were stated which show
the science of conveyancing in this country
to be both disgraceful and oppressive to a civilized
community. In France and Italy, and other parts
of the continent, land was worth lforty-five years'
purchase, which in our country would not realise
more than thirty years' purchase, by reason of the
vexatious expenses incidental to its transfer. The
expenses, moreover, are not ad valorem. In one case
it cost a party 5501. to come into an estate of 1,5001.
The system tells most severely upon the capitalist of
slender means, for, if he desires to purchase a small
property, he is subjected to as heavy an expenditure
for its acquisition as the man whose purchase money
for an estate amounts to 150,0001. This is a social
evil of a most disheartening character. It is a
leading object of the society we have no-
ticed to emancipate us from this vexatious
thraldom of legal prolixity. Another is, to
suggest the means for having our Acts of Parliament
drawn up in a uniform and intelligible manner. The
loose and confused shape in which many of our laws
are passed is truly reproachful. The judges of the
land are themselves among the first to be constantly
adverting in terms of merited severity to the lax
method in which laws are concocted fur their admi-
nistration. Respecting the criminal law, the atten-
tion of the society has been drawn by the Duke of
RIChMOND to the question, iv hettier "its principal
object should not be the reformation of the criminal,
and not be confined to the deterring from crime."
A more philanthropic inquiry could not be entered
upon, and happily, too, it is one which we rejoice to
think is just now engrossing a great deal of public
attention. We congratulate the country upon the
prosperous manner in which the Society for Promot-
ing the Amendment of the Law is proceeding in
its searching and unbiassed investigations into the
evils and anomalies which have so long and so per-
niciously characterised our legislation.

,The account of the meeting of the Royal Agricul-
tural Improvement Society of Ireland, which will be
found elsewhere in our columns, will be perused with
melancholy interest. It proves that the gloomy fore-
bodings with respect to the potato crop have been but
too well founded. It establishes incontrovertibly the
fact, that the fatal disease—which, by destroying the
article chiefly in use for the national food, subjected
the great majority of our Irish brethren to the horrors
of famine, and subsequently of pestilence, induced by
the previous destitution—has again set in, that we
can indulge no flattering h: pcs of an exemption this
year from a visitation similar to that which has de-
populated the Irish shores, and paralysed British in-
dustry—that has led to distress and monetary embar•
rassments in every class in either kingdom—that has
quadrupled the interest of money, and forced the
State to become a borrower of no less than 8,000,0001,
sterling, after a prolonged period of profound peace
and tranquillity, and of great national prosperity. It
is, however, in one respect satisfactory to know that
we are forewarned in good time, that the disaster is
not altogether remediless. The indications by which
the existence of the taint can be recognised are
clearly pointed out. It appears "that it is
chiefly to be found 'n that part of the stem 1N hich lies
under ground, and that it may exist, although the
leaf appears perfectly healthy; that it is shown some-
times on that portion of the stem near the surface of
the ground,.but more frequently near the seed or set,
and presents the appearance of a bruise or dark mark
upon the surface." It is more than probable that
similar appearances were manifested at an equally
early period last year, but that an equal vigilance was
not exercised, and that consequently tke sad discovery
was not made until it was too late to obtain a sub,ti-
tute for the infested crop. This is, fortunately, not
at present the case ; there is yet tune to sow Swedish
or Aberdeen turnips, mangel wurzel or cabbage plants,
which may be placed in the drills between the potato
stalks without any additional manures and at a small,
expense. Wherever the disease has manifested itself
prompt and vigorous action therefore is essentially
necessary. 'The closet scrutiny should at once be
made by every one who has ventured to plant the
precarious and treacherous root in his lands into the
condition of the tubers. If they should be found marked
with the plague-spot, not an hour should be lost in
having recourse to the must active measures.
By so doing a great portion of the mischief add
matrßifi otberwiii inevitable will be avoided, and