The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-26 00:00:00

LEEDS, JUNE 24.

STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Ambergate, Notting-
ham, and Boston, 245. 6d. dis.-East Lancashire, New, 13s.
6d. c. dis.-Ditto, New (scrip), par s.-East and West York-
shire, 114 dis.-Huddersfield and Manchester, Thirds, 4 c.
p.-Leeds and Dewsbury, 255. p.-Leeds and Think, 6 dis.-
Ditto, New, 47a dis-bitto, Preference, 14s. dis.-Malton
and Driffield Junction, 15s. c. dis.-Midland, Preference, 31.
6s. 3d. p.-Newcastle and Berwick, New, 2% p.-North
British, Thirds, 1% p.-North Staffordshire, 21. 13s. 9d.-
North-Western, 29.:. dis.-York and North Midland (East
and West Riding Extension), 12 p.
SHEFFIELD, Juxit 24.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Ambergate, Notting-
ham, and Boston, 14 dia.-Manchester and Lincoln Union,
dis.-Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland,
dis.-Manchester and Leeds (West Riding Union), par-
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (Grimsby and Shef-
feld), 201. Shares, 2 dis.-Ditto, Docks, 41/s dis.-Ditto
(Sheffield and Lincoln), 31. dis.-North Staffordshire, 2% p.
HULL, JUNE 24.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Hull and Selby,
Halves, 524-Leeds and Dewsbury, Halves, 3/4 p.-man.
chester and Leeds (West Riding Union), Is. 6d. cash p.-
North Staffordshire, 2% p.-South Staffordshire, 1/2, dis._
South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and Goole, ISs. die.
EDINBURGH, JUNE 23.
STOCK EXCHANGE. -The sales are-Caledonian, New,
s.
-Dundee and Perth, 321/2-Ditto, QuoaLrrettheitrehsi,6a
18%-Ditto,
33nEitto-at
nos
LQoutahritaenrsSe2nst.ra9ld,
d6idnzErgdhinabnudrglaN,
Newport, 71. 95.-Ditto, ditto, V
Perth, 205.-Great Northern 87s.-
Quar-
ters, 905.-Ditto, Thirds, 51's. ea:-4NBtrrhEßdriintitr,g-hand
Fs
.1 y d9eds.d_alDe
undee Junctions
and , 41,2
GLASGOW, Jtrwit 23.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Caledonian, New,
435.-Clydesdale
Indian, 2s. 6d.-Edinburgh and Perth, 21L-Ditto, Haives,
Quarters, 665. 9d.-East
4s. 9d.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 1201.-Ditto Halves,
42%-Direct Bombay and Ma-
No. 2,61 A-Glasgow,A-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 54-Madras,
Nellore, and Arcot, Is.-Manchester and Southampton, 10:=.
3d..-North British, Thirds, 535.-York and Newcastle, Pre-
ference, 11%.

" I deeply regret that you will be called upon to ex-
ercise the elective franchise at a time of great manufac-
turing depression. It is no consolation to generous
mind to know that their sufferings are shared by others ;
but, unhappily, almost the whole of Europe is mourning
over deficient harvests, amidst privations, which for se-
verity and extent have no parallel in the present cen-
tury. It is possible, that to some of my friends, who re-
joiced in the brighter prospects afforded by our recent
commercial reforms, the existing distress may have
brought feelings of doubt and discouragement. Free
trade cannot avert a sudden and calamitous visitation of
Providence ; it can only alleviate its pressure. But the
present crisis has at least this consolation, that it has
brought from all quarters prop's of the soundness and
beneficence of our principles ; for we have seen the Go-
vernments of the continent with har.:iy an exception
abolish their multiform regulations of the corn trade at
the moment when, if their int -rference he ever efficacious,
it was the most needed ; and we see them now relying
upon the energies of emancipated commerce alone for
saving their people from the horrors of famine.

"It must, however, be acknowledged that we enter
upon the new comtnere:ial era under unturtunate circum-
stances. Ido not alluje merely to the present scarcity
of food, which in all human probability will be of short
duration, but also to the possibility of a sudden reaction
in the opposite direction, which may protract for a time
the transition from the restrictive system to the more
equable state of freedmi. The exorbitant prices will
cause. as in former times in England, a greatly increased
production of corn. At the same time the agriculture
of the whole civilised world is under the stimulus of
famine prices, and should we be blessed with a succes-
sion of good harvests, we may anticipate a glut of corn,
not as the result of free trade, but of the present scar-
city. A similar process, to be foil. awed possibly with
like results, is going on with another important interest.
The present enormous cost of freights, by which not a
few of .the shipowners of the Mediterranean will clear
the value of their vessels in this year, is everywhere
causing large investments of capital in ship-building.
Judging from former experience, it is not therefore im-
probable that these two interests, which have been the
least favourable to free trade, may be ere long simulta-
neously exposed to the effects of a reaction trom their
present excitement. If there be any force in these
views, they furnish the strongest motives to the friends
offree trade for sending to the next Parliament, during the
existence of which the process I have described will in all
probability be passed through, representatives of tried
convictions, who will guard with firmness the great mea-
sures of last year from the dangers to which they may
be exposed in their transition state. Should you honour
me with your confidence, I shall hope to be found with
renewed health at my post, prepared to show that the
present state of trade is no fair experiment of our prin-
ciples, and that the consequent reaction will be only an
exception to the ordinary operation of free trade, which,
when fairly tested by time, will, I fervently believe, pro-
mote the prosperity and harmony of the whole com-
munity; and I shall return to England, confirmed in my
opinion, by the sympathy expressed for our principles by
the best and wisest men in other countries, that if we
continue with firmness to offer to the world a good
example, it will be eventually followed by all other
civilised nations.

" Gentlemen' if at this distance I do not attempt to
enter upon the discussion of other matters, it is not be-
cause I am insensible of the importance of the questions
which must, at the earliest possible moment, engage the
attention of the Legislature, foremost amongst which is
the state of Ireland. I will only add that in every ques-
tion brought before Parliament, I shall, to the best of
my humble ability, act upon the principle of doing equal
justice to my fellow-countrymen in every part of the
United Kingdom.
" I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen,

. .
" With sentiments of respect and gratitude,
" Your faithful servant,
"RICHARD COBDEN.
" Venice, 15th June, 1847."

THE NEW FOREST.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—May I hope that you will raise your potent
voice to deprecate the act of Vandalism proposed by
correspondent in this day's paper with regard to the
New Forest? Should such utilitarian principles gain
ground amongst this money-loving generation, wo to
all the loveliest spots in England! The trees of Ken-
sington and Kew Gardens must be cut down for fire-
wood, and Blenheim and Strathfieldsaye—those monu-
ments of a nation's gratitude—will be found to occupy
an undue portion of land, which might be turned to a
more profitable account, just as the demagogues of the
French revolution were for turning the Tuileries into a
kitchen-garden. It is strange that in an age where
there exists so proper a spirit for preserving the relics
of bygone times, provided such relics be architectural,
that the sublimer works of God should be so little cared
for that men look with apathy on their deseeration.
Where i 3 this thirst fir destruction to end, and what
will be the consequence? Why, that all those who
can afford it will be driven to seek for rural scenery
on the continent, and to spend their money away
from England. People rail at Lord Brougham for
taking up his summer quarters in France. but in a few
years many classes below Lord Brougham will do the
same, simply from the impossibility of finding green
lanes and trees unenclosed. What would the Chamber
of Deputies think of a project to destroy the torests of
Fontainebleau or Cornll gne ? And should England,
who can boast but of one forest of the size and beauty of
those of her neighbour, not only timely submit to, but
aid and .bet its destruction ? Depend upon it, Sir, he
who could propose such a measure has neither an eye
for the picturesque nor a heart to respect the historical
traditions and associations of his country, and, worse
still, no fellow• feeling for the pent-up citizens of London,
who can run down and enjoy a few days in Hampshire,
though neither time nor fortune might allow them to
luxuriate in the shades of St. Germain or Ville d'Avray.
Fortunately, the New Forest belongs to the Crown,
and we may hope that her Majesty's good taste will put
down all attempts at carrying your correspondent's
scheme into effect, but we could wish to enlist your aid
and sympathy in a cause that must interest not only all
Englishmen, but all who inhabit this country.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
A RESIDENT FOREIGNER.

June 23.

TAXATION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
am sorry to see that the electors are troubling
themselves about Popery, instead of taxation. If we de
not attend to the latter, we need not look for prosperity.
Nothing can be more vicious than our system of taxa-
tion. That the improvement of the industrious part of
the community can only be effected by increasing the
direct and lessening the indirect taxation, cannot be
disputed. Much might be done by a clear headed and
honest Chancellor of the Exchequer. For instance, if
Ireland paid the income-tax—and why she does not no
decent reason can be given— England might be released
from the window-tax, and that most heavy burden on
working men's houses and impediment to drainage in
towns, the Excise duty on bricks. Then, if we did not
encourage distillation from grain, of which we have an
insufficiency for food, the Exchequer would benefit
between nine and ten millions per annum, which would
admit of a considerable reduction in the taxes on tea,
sugar, &c. Many more absurdities might be adduced in
our fiscal regulations, but I don't wish to trespass too
much on the space in your valuable paper.—l am, Sir,
your obedient servant, AN ELECTOR.

On Tuesday last the directors of the Shropshire
Union Canal and Railway Company gave an elegant
dinner at the Clarendon, to the Right Hon. the Earl of
Powis, K.G., the chairman of the company, and at the
same time preferred a unanimous request that his Lord-
ship would sit for his portrait, with a view to its being
placed in the board-room of the company, a request to
which the Noble Earl kindly assented. Mr. J. P. West-
head, of Lea Castle, presided. Mr. George Holyoake
occupied the vice chair; and Lord Clive, M.P., the Hon.
Colonel Anson, M.P., Sir F. H. Goodricke, W. H. Gre-
gory, Esq., M.P., George Stephenson, Esq., Robert
Stephenson. Esq., &c., were of the party.
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT OF THE SADDLERS' COM..
PANT, AT THEIR HALL, IN CHEAPSIDE, To MAJOR-
GENERAL SIR HARRY SMITH, BART., THE HERO OP
ALIWAL.—The above company gave an elegant dinner
on Thursday to this gallant officer. The Master, B. B.
Williams, Esq., was supported by the Right Hon. Lord
Rossmore, Sir William Verner, Bart., Captains Dalzell
and Morris, R.N., Colonel Elrington, of the Scots Fusi-
her Guards, Captains Ponsonby, Williams, and Smith.
David Salomons, Esq., and the Aides-de Camp of Sir H.
Smith. The usual loyal toasts in appropriate speeches
were givee, and the Master then proposed, in a very
happy and interesting manner, the health of their dis-
tinguished guest, Sir Harry Smith, and alluded in strong
terms to his eminent career, and more particularly to
his recent brilliant achievements on the banks 41
the Sutlej, which had been so conducive to the safety of
our Indian empire, and which merited, in an especial de-
gree, the gratitude and consideration of every one, and
more particularly those connected with that part of the
British empire. The health of the gallant officer was
longgratificationaftersoat his
cordialwelcomecountry, receiving,an absence,
on
everywhere, and especially from the citizens of London.
In allusion to the company, he had the honour of dining
with, " the Saddlers," he referred humorously to the
obligation he felt under to that craft, inasmuch as in his
early career in life he had been frequently employed in
conveying important dispatches in the l'eninsulad from
one part of the army to the other, and
patch had been materially aided y the safety
He trusted
saddle
Oan
that had carried him safe over. b
that
the rights of the city of
London would be held.
inviolate, and that
while the company of Saddlers
adhered to their ancient and beautiful motto, " our
trust is in o,
God, and and upheld, as they had always done,
their integrity and high position, they would, as in the
words of one of the Masters' toasts, " continue and
flourish for ever." The festivities of the evening were
enlivened by some excellent singing, and after Sir Harry
Smith had proposed the health of the Worshipful
Master, in a highly complimentary speech, and whieb.
was received with acclamation, concluded with great
éclat at a late hour.

REPRESENTATION OF THE ClTT.—Thursday Mr.
Lyall, the Conservative Member for the city of Loudon.
announced to the constituency his intended retirement
from the representation at the close of the present Par
limo:IL Mr. Lyall has stood four contested elections
for the City, in two of which he was victorious