The Sun.
London, England, 1840-02-17 00:00:00

ECCLESIASTICAL COURT.

Nottwicii.—On Monday Mr. Charles Childs of
Bungay, appeared in the " Episcopal Consistorial
Court, in the Cathedral of the Holy and Undivided
Trinity," at the instance of the Churchwardens of
Bungay St. Mary, for subtraction of Church-rate.
About two months ago the same defendant was sum-
moned for the same rate by the same Churchwardens,
before two Justices at Bungay, when he complained of
the indecency of levying a rate on him, which was by ad-
mission so unequally assessed, that James Gower, one
of the Churchwardens, and Bobert Butcher, one of the
Sitting Justices, profited to the amount of 601. or 701.
between them, on their assessment of tithe.
This remark was held to oust the Justices of their
jurisdiction, and he is banded over to the tender mercies
of the Ecclesiastical Court.

The citation was for Monday, the day on which the
people were called on to rejoice in a public national
event, when every shop in the city was dosed except
the Episcopal law-shop, and its hour of sitting was just
that at which the Bishop of Norwich, its president,
was rngage,l in the ceremonies of the Sovereign's mar-
riage. Better day, better deed.
The case being called on, Mr. C. Childs appeared in
person, and desired his appearance to be recorded, pro-
testing, at the same time, against the civil jurisdiction
exercised by any religious sect, and especiany by the
Episcopal sect over him, who dissented from its
doctrines.

The Biel was then delivered to him, enl xt
Court fixed for Monday, March 2.

MIDDLESEX COURT OF

REQUESTS.

LAW AND EQUITY.—Some persors there are—and
they always take care to satisfy their own consciences in
such little matters—who are extremely careful to have
" the law on their sides." These are persons who never,
not even by accident, travel out of their favourite pro-
vince into humanity : like Shylock, all the) care about is
" catching you upon the hip," not that they have " any
grudge to feed fat upon." It is their " humouf" to be
sharp and legal, and if you were to talk to them with
more movine, eloquence than ever yet flowed from mortal
lips, the only response you would get would be, " I shall
abide by the law." They are the pikes and sharks of h urr. an
_ nature, with this difference—not in their favour—they

prey upon their own kind, whether they be " a hungered"
or not ; " it is their vocation Hal 1"
One of this " exact" class, a linendraper, was sum-
moned before Mr. Commissioner Dubois, by "an assist-
ant," who, however, very honestly called himself the de-
fendant's servant, for 11. 19s. 11d., under the following
circuwstances

The plaintiff stated that he entered into the defend-
ant's service as shopman on Monday, the 6th January,
and the agreement was that he should have 301. per
annum. On the Wednesday following (the Bth) the
defendant called him into the counting-house, and said
it was necessary that he (plaintiff) should conform to
the rules of the" house," the said rules requiring neither
more nor less than that he should sign an agreement
that he should neither give nor have warning. This
agreement he signed, and, in half an hour after, the
defendant told hlm he could dispense with his services
—that 11:! might go.
A Juror—And, of course, he gave you a month's
wages ?
Plaintiff—Oh, no. Sir, ; he offered me only two days
and a half.

Mr. Commissioner Dußois—This was sharp prac-
tice, indeed ; but, doubt (addressing the defendant),
you felt yourself fully justified in the course you took ?
Defendant (confidently)-oh, of course. I had a
legal right to turn him away at a minute, at a mo-
ment's notice. He had (tossing up his head) signed
an agreement to that effect.
Plaintiff—Certainly I did, but it was in the hope
that I should keep my situation.

Defendant (raising his hands)--It was your own
act ; you're old enough to judge for yourself; I should
think.

Mr. Commissioner Dußois—But not. old enough for
you, it would appear.
Defendant (looking about him rayther pompously)—
Oh, I've nothing to say to any such remarks—nay cha-
racter's well known, and I dare say as good as other

Mr. Commissioner Duaors—No doubt, and this legal
ingenuity of your's cannot fail to give fresh lustre to
your notoriety. But I'm afraid it will hardly add to
your professional character.

The defendant stared impudently at the good-tem-
pered Commissioner, and exclaimed " Indeed ! How
will the plaintiff get over this ?" exhibiting the agree-
ment, signed by the plaintiff. " This would carry the
case against him in any Court of Law in the country I
should think."

Perhaps you are right," said Mr. Commissioner D
BOIS, smiling.

" And I've not only law in my favour," proceeded the
defendant, " but I've custom too."

" That may also be true," said Mr. Commissioner
DUBOIS ; "hut there is something else necessary here."
" Indeed !" said the defendant, " Pray what may that
be, Sir ?
" Equity, Sir," answered the Commissioner.
Defendant—l know nothing about equity. I come
here to get law.

Dlr. Commissioner Dußois—But we'll give you what
you did not come here to get.
A Juror said the conduct of the defendant was an
evident juggle.
Defendant (insolently)—As to juggling, I don't
know whit you mean. He might have refused to sign
the agreement.

Mr. Commissioner Dußois—And you would have
instantly turned him away. Why did you not propose
such an agreement the first day he came to you?
Defendant—Oh ! I forgot it.
Mr. Commissioner Dußois—And you thought of it
just as you wished to turn him away
Defendant—No, I didn't. I hadn't the least idea of
;icing him warning when he signed the agreement.
Mr. COMMISsIONER—No ; you thought of it only
about half an hour after.

Dcfendant—But it's my custom neither to give nor
take notice.

Mr. COMNIISSTONER—Then we'd depart from such a
custom for once. 'We'll make a new custom for you.
The Jury, after strongly animadverting upon the
defendant's conduct, found a verdict for the plaintiff, to
the amount claimed.

Defendant (passionately)—You've decided against all
law ! Depend upon it, Sir (addressing the Commis-
sioner), I'll appeal.

Mr. Commissioner Dunois—No, that you will not.
Defendant (in a greater passion)—l'il appeal, if I
spend 501.!

Mr, Commissioner Dußois—l tell you that you will
not.

Defendant—l will ;if I don't Illbe -- !
Mr. Commissioner Dußois—l tell you, once more
that ----

Defendant (who had now got in a rage)—Why, Sir ?
Why, Sir ? Why, Sir, won't I appeal ?
Mr. Commissioner DUBOIS —Because you cannot ;
there is no appeal from this Court.
Defendant—Then I'll go to prison.
A Juror—Upon my word I wish you may keep your
word.

The defendant then left the Court in a towering rage,
declaring by all that was good that the worthy Commis-
sioner bad decided contrary to law, and that he would
take Counsel's opinion.

REPEAL OF THE CORN-LAWS.—On Monday
last one of the largest and most influential public meetings ever
held in the town of Drogheda, took place in the Linen Hall,
pursuant to notice by placard, for the purpose of petitioning
the Legislature for the total and unqualified repeal of the
Corn-laws, and all other Acts of Parliament which either pt o-
hibited or imposed taxes on the importation of any description
of provisions into the United Kingdom. The Linen Hall,
which is a large and spacious building, was crowded to excess
long before one o'clock, the hour fixed for holding the meet-
ing ; and the trades emulated each other on the occasion
in their display of zeal and unanimity in the cause. At
half.past one o'clock Robert Morton, Esq., merchant, was call-
ed to the chair, amidst loud and repeated cheers. Resolutions were
unanimously passed to carry into effect the object for which the
petitions are to be presented to the Legislature for the total
and unqualified repeal of the Corn-laws. ,After which the
meeting separated in the most orderly manner, giving three
hearty cheers for the " total repeal of the Corn-laws ;" three
cheers for the Queen and Prince Albert ; three cheers for Mr.
Morton ; three cheers for Mr. lirodigan ; and though last, not
least, three cheers for the illustrious Anti-Corn.law advocate,
Daniel O'Connell.—Pilot.

THE PRIVILEGE QUESTION.--A writ of
summons (the commencement of an action) was issued on
Saturday morning from the Court of Queen's Bench against
Ralph Allen Gosset, son of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Charles
Stein, W. Bellamy, and John Leach, messengers of the House
of Commons, at the suit of Burton Howard, gentleman (Mr.
Stockdale's attorney), for entering the plaintiff's house, on the
4th instant, under the authority of a search warrant, signed by
the Speaker, and remaining there from half-past six until one
o'clock. The writ of inquiry in the new action of Stockdale
against Hansard was issued on the same day, and Thursday
next is said to be the day fixed for the execution of the writ.
Stockdalc has laid his damage,. at 50,000/.
CHINA.._We beher6 there is not the least
foundation for the report noticed on Friday in the Chronicle,
that it is the intention of the Government to send out to China
a diplomatist, for the purpose of arranging the basis of our com-
mercial relations with that country, after the Chinese authori-
ties shall have been brought to their senses by our naval and
military operations. There are occasions when the best diplo-
matist is a British Admiral and a line-of-battle ship, and or e
other will be employed on this occasion.— Observer.

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IRELAND.

DUBLIN, FEB. 13.
" GRE " ORANGE MEETING.—In pursuance of
a resolution of their " sigh away—die away" honours
of the Corporation of Dublin for a great meeting of
Protestants to assemble on this auspicious day, and, in
the words of their advertisement, " for ten thousand
Protestant voices to go forth against the threatened in-
vasion of the ancient and loyal Corporations of Ire-
land," a meeting was held to-day. Alas ! it was not
great ; but, as a little bald-pated Corporator observed,
it was a meeting of " great Protestaats," and surely,
according to Cocker, that was all the same. The chair
was to have been taken at twelve precisely ; but at that
hour there was not a coach-load of persons present.
Shortly afterwards, however, a number of boys entered
the room, and, as the day was miserably cold, they
amused themselves with the Conservative fire. On the
platform we observed Ex-Sheriff Quinton, Rev. Thrash
Gregg, Beau Nash, Mr. Vance, wine-merchant ; Mr.
Carson, bookseller ; Mr. Pasley, coroner ; and several
others, wbese names we could not learn, simply because
nobody appeared to know them.
The Dublin Evening Post, from which the above
notice is taken, gives a sketch of the proceedings which
the editor terms a grand demonstration of Sir Robert
Peel's vagabonds; adding that " nothing that our own lively
fancy could suggest could possibly be more ludicrous--
certainly, nothing could be more thoroughly contemp-
tible ant absurd, than the entire proceedings. For the
credit of the national character, we wish that the fellows
could have managed to meet their death more decently.
Jack Sheppard was a hero compared with the petty
larceny malefactors of the Corporation."
THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE.—God bless the Queen !
God bless her Royal Consort! This is the aspiration
of Universal Ireland,—this is the feeling of all the
people, with the exception of those disloyal and malig-
nant wretches whose hearts have been mortified, and
whose corrupt hopes have been blasted by the royal
spirit, and single-mindedness of the youthful Sovereign.
Dublin, on Monday night, was a scene of gaiety and
good humour, which we really never witnessed before
on any public manifestation. People gave themselves
up, with the characteristic dispositions of Irishmen, and
of Irishwoman, too, to the joyousness of the occasion.
We arc afraid that Father Methew's spirit was not the
predominant one ir, Dublin, or even in Ireland, on
Monday night—but we are sure that the very reverend
gentleman would forgive a leetle departure from the
rigid rules of his order. Be this as it may, we Irishmen
did enjoy ourselves with becoming spirit, and many a
cordial and enthusiastic bumper was quaffed to the
health and happicess of the young couple.—Dublin
Evening Post.
DEFEAT OF THE FACTION IN DeneY.—lt appears
that a meeting composed of all parties, was held in the
Corporation Hall, on Saturday, to make arrangements
for a public dinner in honour of the nuptials of the
Queen. A difference arose as to whether " her Majes-
ty's Ministers" should be included in the list of toasts.
Mr. Haslett moved that the toast should be retained---
Sir R. Bateson, M.P., proposed as an amendment that
the toast should be omitted. The original motion was
carried by a majority of 20 to 2, whereupon the Mayor
and Sir Robert seceded. The Liberals then called upon
the Lord Bishop to preside ; his Lordship promptly
complied, and on Monday the friends of the Queen, in-
cluding Protestants, Presbyterians, and Catholics, as-
sembled for the purpose of celebrating the event of the
Royal nuptials.—lbid.