The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-25 00:00:00

114 arttinix

LONDON, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 25, 1847.

The Commons met at Twelve o'clock.
After the transaction of private business, the presen-
tation of petitions, and the ordering of various returns,
The Labouring Poor (Ireland) Bill, was, after a short
conversation, read a third time on the motion of Mr.
LAnoucuEnE.
The report on the Landed Property Advances (Ireland)
Bill, was brought up, as was the report of the Committee
on Ways and Means.
Mr. T. DIINCOMDE drew the attention of the House to
the treatment of the convicts at Woolwich, as detailed in
the evidence before the late inquest.
Sir G. GREY had received no official account of the
inquest.

Mr. CHRISTIE postponed his motion relative to the
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge until after Easter.
Mr. WATSON then moved the second reading of the
Roman Catholic Relief Bill, the principle of which was
that no man should be liable to penal laws for the pro-
fe4sion of his religious faitk.

Sir R. INGLIs objected to the Bill on principle, as de-
priving the Established Church of those securities which
had been guaranteed at the passing of Catholic emanci-
pation. He moved that the Bill be read a second time
that day six months.
Colonel SIBTUORPE seconded the amendment.

Mr. B. ESCOTT, believing that these enactments were
only kept upon the statute-book to gratify the pride of
those who delighted in tormenting their fellow-creatures,
would give his hearty support to the measure.
Mr. SHAW opposed the Bill.
_ _

Mr. IlAcsuLY supported the Bill, because some of
the laws sought to be repealed were so utterly repugnant
to good feeling that no p.,Tson would venture to carry
them out. He, however, would not consent to allow the
celebration of processions, because such processions
were contrary to decency and public order.

_ .
Mr. Fr:wiz would tolerate every church in existence
except the Church of Rome.

Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN supported the Bill.
Mr. SPOONER considered this as another inroad on
the constitution of the country.
Mr. J. O'CONNELL considered it a stigma upon the
character of the House that they should consume four or
five hours in debating whether or no these laws, which
were admitted to be inoperative, should be repealed.

Mr. NEWDECATE considered this as a measure which
would remove all the bulwarks of the constitution, and
erect nothing in their place.
Lord G. BENTINCK supported the second reading of
the Bill.

Sir R. PEEL supported the second reading of the Bill,
reserving to himself the right to oppose certain portions
of it at a future stage.
Mr. LAW and Mr. GOULDURN opposed the second
reading, which was supported by Lord ARUNDEL; after
which, Mr. WATSON replied, and the House divided,
when there appeared—

For the second reading
Against it
Majority for the second reading —3
The Bill was then read a second time, and the 111
adjourned.

Although the introduction of an organized system
of National Education is reserved by the Govern-
ment for some subsequent opportunity, we are re-
joiced to behold a determination in both Houses of
Parliament to anticipate that important measure
in as far as juvenile offenders are concerned. The
necessity which exists for some interference with the
germination and development of vice among the more
impoverished portions of the population is not a new-
born necessity springing from some mushroom over-
sight on the part of the Executive. It is a necessity
which has acquired an appalling magnitude and im-
portance from the miserable length of its continuance.
To employ the epithets, not in odious mockery, but
with sentiments of the truest sorrow and humility,
we only perceive in that necessity "an aged vice, a
grey iniquity." We only perceive in it a lamentable
indication of the insufficiency of our criminal
ccde for the suppression of the social maladies
arising from neglect and ignorance. Nor can the
pernicious consequences of this inattention to the
wants of the poorer members of the community be
regarded as but just recognised by the representa-
tives of the more affluent and instructed. They have
for years been acknowledged in Parliament--they
have long occupied the attention of the benevolent
and patriotic—they have originated philanthropic
establishments in the metropolis—they- have found
eloquent and suppliant voices in the reports of the
prison inspectors and in the Legislative Chambers at
Westminster. We would fain believe that those
voices, enforced by the supplications and representa-
tions of the Press, are on the eve of being allayed by
the unanimousdeeisie .on of Parliament. In the Lords
the matter has red theh generous assistance
of Lord BROUGHAM, In
cessions of the
aCore
the inter-
eing emulated by
the lion. Baronet the Member for Droitwich. It

In no other country but our own are such extra-
ordinary and extravagant expenses tolerated; in almost
any other an enactment can be obtained for fewer
shillings than it will cost pounds in England. Why
should this be so ? What benefit to the country is to
be derived from a perseverance in the antiquated
system ? Why must thousands, and hundreds of
thousands, be uselessly wasted in every year ? Is
any necessary precaution against rash or inconside-
rate legislation omitted in other countries, where that
legislation can so much more cheaply be obtained'
We believe that such is not the case; but if any
danger should appear to the Committee during the
progress of their investigation, we have no doubt that
adequate means will be taken to guard against them.l
%Ve are happy to find that the Committee who have I
been appointed to conduct the inquiry consist of able
and practical men of business, well acquainted with
all the details of Parliamentary business; and we
anticipate many useful reforms and beneficial altera-
e 1 Lions from the result of their labours.

We have already noticed, under the head of Foreign
Intelligence, the acquittal of the National on the 20th
instant, accused of having published a libel upon the
KING of the FRENCIE. The gist of the libel consisted
in attributing personally to his DIAJESTY the blame
and the responsibility of the acts of his Government.
The article in question was written in consequence
of the recal of the French Consul from the Mauri-
tius. It contained, incidentally, some severe
reflections upon the policy of the Montpen-
sier marriage, and argued indirectly, but in
an unmistakeable manner, that Lours PHILIPPE had
compromised the honour and dignity of France.
Hence, the nature of the libel, and the peculiar con-

juncture of public affairs, imparted a lively interest
to this trial. It was not only that the liberty of the
press was seriously involved in the issue, but the pro-
secution afforded the first seasonable and solemn
opportunity for ascertaining, to some extent, through
the medium of a French jury, the feelings of the
people with reference to the Spanish alliance. WQ
have of late, more than once, alluded to the absurdity
of regarding the proceedings of the French Legisia.
ture as approaching to anything like an index of the
real sentiments of the nation. Their Chambers, con.
stituted 23 they are at present, are neither more nor
less than pliable instruments in the hands of the
SOVEREIGN. Of course, in this light, we mereiy treat
of them in a collective sense, not doubting that, in
either branch of the Legislature, there are to be
found members of such honour, intelligence, and
patriotism, as would reflect the greatest credit upon
the councils of any state. But these form the excep-

ions, and not the rule. All that is worthy to con-

stitute an essential representative, is completely
swamped by the influence of the system—to use the
guarded language of the National—which affects the
entire Government of France. This system is sum-
med up in a sentence—the power of Parliament is

rendered subservient to the power of the Throne.
Thus, upon every qu?stion where the interests of the
nation come in contact with the personal
wishes of Royalty, the people find that
their influence is reduced by a cypher, whilst
that of the Sovereign obtains an uncontrollable
sway. It is the knowledge of these things that leads
every reflective statesman, desirous of acquainting
himself with the real state of public opinion in France
upon any matter of material importance, to regard
with indifference the acts of packed and hired ma-
jorities in the Chambers. But the statesman will
view quite otherwise the solemn deliberations of a
court of justice, where the people, impersonated by a
jury, really have a voice. Thereefore it is that
every real lover of liberty will derive intense sa-
tisfaction from the finding of the jury, who,
by their verdict, and the promptitude with which
they returned it, administered a marked rebuke to
LOUIS PHILIPPE. Tho verdict is the more precious,
on account not only of the ability, powerful reason-
ings, and moving eloquence of M. MARIE (himself
a Deputy) but also of the bold and uncompromising
nature of the defence which he set up. He adopted
the article of the National in its full length and
breadth. He attempted neither to ex-
tenuate nor explain away any portion of it.
He showed himself to be well versed in
the philosophy of constitutional freedom, and evi-
dently felt that he was vindicating one of the most
sacred principles of liberty. The opinions of eminent
public men, dead and living, were felicitously quoted
in support of his argument; and the counsel for the
Crown were covered with confusion when M. MARIE
proved that some of the present Ministers, especially
N. GUIZOT, had at different times, in the Senate and
elsewhere, used language of precisely the same
import with that of the National; and yet these
very men sanctioned a trial intended to bring
down punishment upon the publisher of consti-
tutional strictures, which they had repeatedly stamped
with their own authority. Moreover, M. MARIE did
not hesitate, and apparently not without effect, to refer
to the staunch resistance which, in different periods of
English history, had been offered by some of our most
distinguished political ancestors to every effort made
by the Crown to crush the liberty and independent
privileges of the subject. M. MARIE reminded N.
GuizoT that the celebrated Earl of CHATHAM refused
to continue Minister, because he would not submit to
hold power without its responsibility, and because he
felt that to permit the irresponsible influence unduly
to predominate would have been to submit to a
system of personal government certain of dt•
generating into baseness and corruption. Lord
CHATHAM, like other great men, sided with the
constitutional privileges of the people, and so held
the authority of the Crown in wholesome check,
whilst, at the same time, he best served the cause of
monarchy itself. This was hard hitting for N.
GUIZOT ; it also served as an admonition to Lours
PHILIPPE that M. MARIE knew far more profoundly
than the Sovereign himself, what best conduces to
the stability of the throne. If the Ministers of France
would only promptly vacate their offices whenever the
Sovereign seeks to violate the undoubted rights of the
people, kings would soon be brought to a sense of their
iniquities. This is the only efficacious mode to be pur
sued for thwarting inordinate ambition and selfish
ends. Monarchs might find servants more obsequious
to their will, but their possession of power would be
very short-lived. One of two things would happen
as the necessary result of good example—either that
the people would insist upon having an improved
Constitution, and infallibly obtain it, or else the So-
vereign would be obliged to abdicate in favour of a
worthier successor.

Madrid papers of the IGth have been received.

The Gaceta contains the official announcement of the
appointments of General ORA♦ to the Ministry of War,
and of Senor OLITAN to the Ministry of Marine. On
the 15th the heroic defender of Saragossa, Don Joel:
PALAFOX, died suddenly at Madrid. It will be in the re-
membrance of our readers, that Senor IsTunTz and his col-
leagues were base enough to deprive this old veteran of
the command of the household troops, lest the sight of this
scourge of the French should excite unpleasant remi-
niscences in the minds of the followers of the Duke DE
MOICEPENSIEE.

The health of General NAnvAt is said to be in a
declining state.
According to El Tiempo, one of the directors of the
Bank of San Fernando left Madrid for Bayonne on the
15th, to procure funds, in order to meet the continued
run on the Bank.

MADRID SOLNA, FRB. 16.—The Three per Cents,
closed at 331 paper; Fire per Cents., 20} cash, 20i paper;
Coupons, 18} cash, 19 paper; Debt without Interest, 6i
plfler.
___

We have received the Paris papers of Monday.
The Constitutionnel, in commenting upon the Nor-
manby-Guinot affair, denies emphatically that the
Marquis of ProemAttar had ever given it any informa-
tion, as had been falsely asserted by the Presse. Speak-
ing of M. Gtrizor, it says that it has been clearly
demonstrated to the whole of Europe that he has not
spoken the truth. The article concludes with the fol-
lowing retort to the taints of the Ministerialists, that
the Opposition journals were the organs of the English
Embassy

" Let the Ministerial journals remember this—that there
are not in France any organs of foreign powers, any minis-
ters of foreign powers, but the journals and the men who in
1840 sang out a shameful recantation—but the apologists of
the massacres of Gallicia, the men of Ghent and their sup-
porters."

The KING of the BELGIANS Was to arrive in Paris on
Monday. His visit is stated to be at the urgent request
of the KING of tile FRENCH.

Count WALsKY, the French Minister to the Brazils,
who, in conjunction with Lord HOWDEN, is to conduct
the negotiations for the pacification of La Plata, is t
sail from Toulon on the 10th March.

It is said that M. HEBERT, the Procureur-General, 6
to succeed 31. MARTIN (du Nord) as Mini:ter of Jus-
-6Bsco.ulogtnhee,
tice.
The Three per Cents.o realict closed on
nlt h, e
63 Parislc
2Bsoc.ur;seAovnigMnoonn-,
Paris and Strasburg,
Orleansday at 781.
11 1 55c.
,1 ;
sthhaereis:i v3e116,p21.ex72r0,51.:;e4n;2tif5)..a,
Rouen, 872 f. 50c.
Havre, 682 f. 50c.;
495 L ; Lyons and Avignon, 4821. 50c.; Bordeaux and
4681.48415 ;7; sBVca.ise; irez;o2nuiros.ls.Ba;snlsdit.eNpapneies, 4681. 75c. ; Paris and Lyon.;,
Cate, 450 f.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT Ting
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, FXBILUART 23.
Boulogne and Amiens, 14%—Central of France (Orleans and
Vlerzon), I3—Dutch Rhenish, 4 —East Indian, —Namur
and
Liege, 31,4—Northern of France, 12 —Paris and Rouen, 33%.

veicieAdr.:l3‘
TRIAL TRIP or A NEW IRON STEAMER.—The
Princess Helena, a new iron steam-boat, built by Mr. Laird,
of Birkenhead, and the engines by Messrs. George Forrester
and Co., of this town made her first trial trip yesterday.
Her time was taken from the Rock Lighthouse to the Bell
Buoy, thence to the North-west Lightship, and back to the
Rock by the Bell Buoy,--a distance of 31 miles, which ahe
performed lu two hours and two minutes. When we con-
sider that this is the first time She vessel has been out of dock
since launched, and the first trial of the engines, the result
may be considered very satisfactory; and there can be no
doubt that eventually a much greater speed will be obtained.
The Princess Helena is a sister vessel to the Princess Clemen-
tine, which we so lately noticed as having left our port for
Folkestone. They are both built for the South-Eastern and
Continental Steam Packet Company.—Liverpool Courier.
Mx. CoRDEN IN ITALT.--Letters from Rome of the
11th inst. mention that a grand banquet was given on the
preceding day to Mr. Cobden, by the Chamber of Commerc€
of that capital. The Marquis Potenziani, the president, and
the Marquis Dragonetti severally addressed Mr. Cobden,
whose reply was received with enthusiastic applause. The
Carnival was very gay, owing to the great influx of foreigners.
According to an ancient usage, the Ambassadors of France
and Austria have alone the privilege, during the hest
of Carnival, and on a certain day, to drive through
the Corso, or principal street of Rome, en grand gala,
after the evening gun, or signal for all carriages to
withdraw. " To-day," says one of these letters, " Count
Rossi, anxious to maintain that old privilege of France,
effected his promenade, followed by a brilliant cortege
of carriages, with the usual ceremony. The moment
the carriage of the representative of France appeared
on the Corso. where the entire population of Rome is
now assembled, a universal burst of applause resounded
through the crowd from one end of the street to the other."
The next day was the turn of the Austrian Ambassador,
and it was doubted if he would venture out. "if he
does," says a correspondent, " he will certainly be hooted.
We are exerting ourselves to calm the resentment of the
people, which is greatly excited by the suppression of
Cracow, and the late disturbances at Ferrara and Cesenatico;
FinEgriu,.ltaAtthTeltheo
and, if we succeed in only securing to the Minister of Austria
a cold reception, we shall have achieved wonders." The
Governor, Cardinal Grasselini, was also to drive in state
through the Corso on that day, and it was apprehended that
his presence would create little sympathy, because of hiisaihgahy
instigation of the Austrian Ambassador, ordered
the seizure in the shop of the bookseller Natali of a work en-
titledl'ilNraoßs stoacnrueu onlysc.re ofeElni.
was T
thear 'Tarnow, obuo- ,0
book
or c
confiscated,
c Austrianted ,
but Policy
NataliU n
yot of
feb
other
ta
hs rhinoceros,
bags i
was fined 100 scudi.
and
rsrlPietvßep udsusfrrii
onAmg. —tthnhee"::::
of Good Hope has brought an exceedingly various cargo -
of bones, 2,39
variet
tigers,ekins ncl ii
andding othersome
animals,o f goats,
besidesbtni buffalos, 0 zebras,
.o f
_ and a
exten-
sive a variety of skins, &c., is not usual, and evinces, •
productions.
e f
importationhoofs o f
in a re-
markable manner, the ca blitioe or resources pi 1 es of the Cape
for euda supplies, o animals,
s o ptece,