The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-05 00:00:00

TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—As you haveadtnitieirthespeechof one more
counsel on the opposite side, I hope you will favour
me with a last reply. To a " Latitudinarian" (a not
uncourteous opponent) I would observe that I still,
under correction, believe, that the operations and scope
of lingual criticism, and the experiments, and phenomena
of natural science, present a difference of character pre-
cluding any analogy.

...
As being honoured with an adjunct from Cambridge,
I must know the names of Bentley and Porson with
some subsequent ones from this and the sister Univer-

sity—

" Much renowned in Greek,"
of course they have introduced considerable improve-
ments. But, I would risk much on the answer to the
following question. Would a person who had to de-
rive his ethics from the direct observations of Plato, or
the interjectional, though noble ones of iEschylus, be led
into fatal errors by versions and translations prior to these
two great men ? Assuredly not. There was na such
Cimmerian darkness. I have tested translations, ancient
and modern, from four or five languages, living and
lead, according to my bumble knowledge. In some
cases I have thought the old translations better ;
more in the spirit of the original. In cases where they
were less perspicuous and elegant than the modern,
they conveyed no unsafe idea of the author's meaning.
My acquaintance amongst the clergy has been with
men of sound learning, of more worth than wealth.
They have admitted some errors in the translation,
but, considering it to be generally very faithful, have
thought that the disquiet attending a new translation
would be the greater evil. [lad they thought other.
wise, I am sure they would rather have died than have
sold themselves to an unworthy purpose. Let me re-
mind any correspondent (whose aim 1 will rather think
correctional than destructive) that one of the first " new
translations" of " separate books" was by Lowth, Bishop
of London ; which beautiful work, whilst it gives a poetic
dress, makes no material difference in the sense ; let the
35th chapter be examined as a specimen. And, of mo-
dern criticisms and suggestions, I think a very fair por-
tion have come from the clergy themselves, which does
not look as if they thought, or primarily cared, that
their own " craft" would be endangered by lotting in
additional light.

I made a brief allusion to the Jews. Have the most
learned Jew Rabbis ever asserted that the Christian
translations of their Books were materially incorrect ?
Believe me, Sir, that I conscientiously dare not be au
enemy to the improvement in translation. This should,
however, be the work of united counsel, not of one
mind, however eager ; he may do his part. Any really
necessary corrections might, I think, be soon made by a
" Committee" fairly chosen. These might be inserted
in their places in future editions, and an appendix (an
extremely small number of pages) added to the present.
For an entirely new t ranslacion the public mind ought to
be considerably prepared. This brings me, Sir, to mention
the reason of my writing to you at all. I would protect
the unlearned, attached Christian from groundless un-
easiness. Let him believe the word of one who honestly
believes himself able to speak on the subject, and who,
for his own sake, would not deceive him, that he may
place as much confidence in his Bible and Testament, as
to all objects of information and satisfaction, as he did
before persons of more reading than him.eit wrote on
the subject in public journals, and that the f•w altera-
tions heF would find would only tend to increase hit
ideas of the goodness and mercy of God.
I am, Sir, your's, respectfully aid obliged,
A CONSTANT READER, M,A.
London, Jan. 1, 1841,

MORNING EDITION.

WALSALL ELECTION.

TO' TIIE EDI TOR OF THE' SUIV.
Dragon, Walsall, :Jan. 8, 1641

Ste-1 must express my surprise at the gross igno-
rance or misrepresentation of the facts at isFue on
this special agitation. Error—if it he nothing worse
seems to have bitten the Whig candidate, the Whig and
Tory reporters, and the Whig denunciator of the
League in the columns of our deceived friend of the
Morning Chronicle.
The Hon. Spencer Lyttelton says, in his far,twell
address, " I had to encounter the avowed hostility of
the agents of the Anti-Corn-law League deputed to oe-
pos me." The Hon. Gentleman should have k iown
better ; for, on Monday evening list, when in the pre-
sence of some fifty of the electors, I desired to know his
sentiments on the question of the abolition of the Cora-
law, he asked me how we intended to act as regarded
Mr. Gladstone, and to which inquiry I replied that we
should forthwith apply the test to his opponent, assuring
him at the same time that our mission had no factious
origin, and that our sole object was to mike Corn law
repeal the electoral pivot here and every where else,
without reference to the professed ‘Vhiggistn or Turyion
of individuals.

The reporters seem to agree that I went to Manches-
ter to procure a candidate, on the retirement of Mr.
Lyttelton from the field ; whilst the fact is, that I have
not left Walsall since I arrived on Monday night. But
this, and the other half hundred mis-statements of fact,
are trifles as compared with the extraordinary flounder-
ings of the Chronicle, in its laboured efforts to prove us
wrong, because the Whig candidate was a bread-taxer.
We are informed that Mr. Lyttelton was for a fixed
duty. He was only for an inquiry, and stated that
redly he had not considered the subject, and was there-
fore unable to say more. How very wrong of flat;
League, when hundreds of thousands of men, wonaeo.
and children are on short allowance of food, and all the
great commercial interests of our country jeopardised.
to be dissatisfied with the ignorance of a cornet of
dragoons, who is ambitious to go to Parliament as the
representative of a manufacturing town, that be mar
begin to inquire about the propriety of an inhuman and
anti•commercial bread tax !
But we oppose the Government. Is not that to as-

siert that the -Ministers are bread-taxers ? For, Sir,
we only oppose those who are the opponents of pleat/
for the people, and prosperity for the country.
If the Government like not the electoral interference:
of the League, let them provide Repeal candidata-
lf, on the other hand, they attempt to foist bread-taxers
upon unfed constituents, let them not complain of the
opposition to which they will necessarily subject them-
selves in the persons of their friends.
Last Session of Parliament we were told that t 226
people were indifferent—that the pressure from witlaut
was insufficient ; and Mr. Villiers was yelled at and,
hooted down, and tricked out of a fair discussion by the

enlightened Legislators of this bread-taxed uaLioto
Well, Sir, the pressure is about to be increased, ;lea
at the very first turn of tho screw the League are de'
nounced as illiberals, because they are not Whigs, and
because Whigs will be bread-taxers. _ _

N'importe-; the President of the League will sit for
Walsall, and we can afford to wait events for the eon',
version of those who are now groping in the mist 01
misrepresentation.

Believe me, dear Sir, yours, faithfully,
JAMES ACLAND.

ANTI-CORN-LAW AGITATION.

SUFFRAGE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN..

Stß,—Your well-timed and sensible article, on Toe'
day last, on the necessity of union amongst Reforinere'
will find a response from most of its readers. You tilers
struck the right chord ; and it only wants a few rveti"
lions, as ably touched, before its vibrations will be
powerfully felt. You have rightly said, that in the /1'
riety of abuses which are sought to be redressed 13/,
different sections of Reformers lie their weakness, and
that in centralization of object will be their power'
The evidence of the past justifies your assertion. fro
people have heels signally defeated on the two great
questions—Corn-laws and Extension of Suffrage--fe!
want of sympathy and union. The contempt shown bi
the Members of the House of Commons to the of°
important delegations, and other petitions, prole,
this. Would Mr. Villiers, last session, have addresso
for a considerable time only 40 Members of that House'
if the League whom he represented had been backed lair
those who were seeking the extension of the Suffrage
Or would the advocates of the people's petition 00 a
former occasion have received that cold heartless, ba
yet assumed sympathy, if those who had so ably agit9;
ted for the abolition of the Corn-laws had been :Anduee
to give their co-operation and support to the latter? ,"
would not have been displayed if the two beldies btst
been wise enough to concentrate their power. It wi,i
be said, and with some truth, that at these periods tt
was impossible to have brought these two powers 1,
have acted in concert. Too much doubt and jealoulZ
then existed, one party felt that the influence whit
'
was sought by the people would not (if obtained) be
wisely exercised, whilst the other believed the agitatiea,
of the middle classes was not so much directed to se;
national evil, as to their own particular interests. Thee;
feelings were cherished by their common enemy, att";
however truo or false were the assumptions of either
party, sure it is the result was defeat.
Now, one of these agitations scents for the present
to have passed away ; at least so its sincerest trif.qvgt
Messrs. Lovett and Collins, in their useful publicati°l3l
intimate. But will they and others, who have agitate'
and been defeated, feel justified, and be content to re'
main quiet, and render no assistance to those who are,a:
now making demands, though not so extensive
their own? I think we have no right to say eitl
will, before some attempt be fairly made to win their
co-operation. For it is idle to expect that any tue‘;
sure of importance will now be carried, unless bacie"
by the working classes. To what, then, amongst the
various objects which divide the attention of Reforniero,
ought their energies to be directed. What is most
to obtain general support P Undoubtedly the most pro'
minent and moat important agitations will be the AhT
lition of the Corn-laws, and the Extension of the ST
ferage, Ballot, &c. Which of these will best unite the
energies of the people? To solve this question shoal'
the attention of the true friends of practical reform ba
directed. The Leeds meeting, which is shortly to tisk°
place, and which will be so numerously attended, seen's
to present an admirable opportunity of fully discussle!,
the propriety of some united movement. It is to ,
hoped there is sufficient right feeling on the part of tbs
people's leaders, to induce them to suspend for a per°,
the questions they have had most at heart, and 00c"
more to unite for some given object.
What is to prevent such gentlemen as Mr. Sturge'
Mr. Smith, and Mr. Cobden, whose exertions for e,
cheap loaf cannot be too highly valued by tile;
public, meeting Mr. Marshall and his I,ll°'l/1
labourers for the Suffrage, &c., aided by O'CoP4e
and other Liberal members, and to their number unit°
the co-operation of such right-minded leadera of Oa
people es Mr. Lovett, and let their deliberations bO,
turned to that measure which would ensure the greatcP
amount of energy and union. Let them weigh well tbe
position they have separately taken, and their chance of
success. It' whilst divided they believe their success to
be distant, unite for the one which is most likely to ob'
tain the greatest amount -of union, and then, as you have
justly observed, let that measure which will unite most r
first tried. You believe the Corn-laws ought to take we
lead—but have the Corn-law League reason to expect a
greater measure of support from the people and their re'
presentatives than they experienced last Session ? art
there any symptoms of relaxation on the part of the lanle
lords ? Has the agitation made any impression on tr
value of their estates ? Do they display anything Ili
insecurity ? Do the people generally feel sanguine of
any change at present ? The enormous prices whie,
are obtained for land when thrown on the market 1.13'
sale, and the increased rentals which are so read 4
given, is a proof that a firm belief exists in the or''
cultural districts that they will remain nearly as ',al
are, if ever altered at all. The landed propriety rs
secure in their present position ; they see (and t'de truth
is to be regretted) that the agitation will be -confined to
the manufacturing districts.

The lectures and discussions emanating from the
League have done much in agricultural cities and b°,
roughs to prove the evils of the Bread-tax ; they love
made its operations better understood by the sh°9;
keepers and labourers ; but at present they dare n°
make any decided stand against the interest
which they are surrounded. Any attempts whi°
have been made by those who have had honest)?
and daring to make it, have had little influence, for ch°
mass of the people have been prevented from joining,,.
them by the threats and intimidation which have be"
used, and this it is to be feared will continue to be `,lte
case so long as corn retains even its present enornina
price. The measure can never be carried without
co-operation of the traders and labourers of the atop; .enlj
tural district, unless some such powerful allies as, 0, b°
harvest and bad trade should come to their asxi stance,'
What are the chances of support to House it Ad So'
(rage, Ballot, &c. Nothing is more popular and mare d,;
sired with town constituencies, aed Rani, ,uhaly t°.
smaller ones, than the Ballot, and it has alr
,ady polo;
ful support in the House of Commons. There i 4
agency that would so undermine the
icratic 411
ence, even with the present eenstite
'enejell, as the Baliand it would be still more felt as, the fr,,. „hi„ is ise
tended, and most Reformers ri;,.e fully coax' ,need that f
present suffrage needs extension,, and the; best banse,
that extension at prose,nt they believe to be h°lll-i
'
hold--it is a middle course now Teeocuised
even moderate Reformers. For this- —the itallot go,
the shortening of Parliaments both electors and no
electors may be induced to make a itruggle. "°ullto
hold Suffrage will give the franchise to a fart porti°,,
..f those who have tried, but leave failed to obtion'e,
greater extension, and those ex.eluded may f. tidy roe
sumo that if it could be obtained, the tune
vi Tau bj
brought much nearer when their full demand °via
recognised and paid.
If the people will rveolvV tg secure these, tl jey gill

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