The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-26 00:00:00

curring such imminent dangerti‘ 'Washington acted wisely,
and he has given us an admirable example to follow.
Washington had to defend himself a strong popular clamour
which urged him on to engage in the struggle. I foresaw,
and I foresee still, that a similar movement may manifest
itself in France, and I thought that it was both prudent and
frank to intimate thus early what should be our conduct
hereafter. Such was the meaning of our demonstration in
the little question of Texas. We had no desire to manifest
any hostile intentions towards the United States—we
merely wished to announce what France would do—?namely,
to adopt a policy of strict neutrality. It is by liberty of
action that France will weigh most in the• bilance, and
oblige the powers to think the more of her. Such was the
object of our. eonduct with respect to Texas, and we shall
persevere in the line of conduct that we have traced out to
ourselves.—(Loud cheers,)
M. Billault, who rose to reply, began by contesting the
commercial advantages accruing to France from the inde-
pendence of Texas. The commercial relations between' the
two countries in 1845 had been, he said, confined- to the ex-
change of two vessels ; the quantity of cotton imported from
Texas had only amounted to 53,000 kilogrammes, whilst
France annually drew from the United States 57,000,000
kilogrammes of that article. The proceeds of the trade with
Texas had been under 200,000 francs, whilst the conimerce
of France with the world exceeded 2,000,000,000 francs:
M. Billault having asked M. Guizot what he should have
done had Texas given herself to England ?
Guizot replied that he should have held the same lan-
guage, followed the same conduct, giVen the same advice,
and stopped at the same point.
Billault then proceeded to 'describe the gigantic power
of England, enumerating the military positions occupied by
her in every sea and quarter of the world, and asked if the
maritime balance of power was not actually destroyed by
Great Britain. Ministers, however, were too desirous to
preserve her alliance to venture a remonstrance on the sub-
ject. Al. Billault next showed the interests of England and
France everywhere at variance. The power of England de-
pended, he said, on the development of her manufacturing,
commercial, and maritime interests, and the day she found
no markets for the production of her industry, there would
be an end to her power. He next reverted to the conduct
of the Cabinet in American affairs, and contended ttat it
bad not exerted itself to reconcile the two parties, but had
sided with England, to the great detriment of the interests
of France.
When M. Billault had concluded, the general discussion
was closed.

PROTECTION MEETINGS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,-On looking over the Mark-lane Express of this
week I noticed the report of the Farehtim -protection meeting,
held on the 12th instant, in which it is stated, that the place
of meeting, the Institution Hall, which is capable ottolding
600 to 700 people, was literally crammed. Now, Sir'-1 hap-
pened to be a spectator at the above meeting, and I con-
fidently assert (and I appeal to the reporters of the public
press, three or four of whom were present,) that at ne time
during the meeting were there more than 200 to 250 persons
present, including several boys. It is a pity these protection
gentry will not confine themselves to the truth, this not
being a solitary case, as at other meetings held in-the coun-
try the numbers who have attended have been greatly ez-
aggeratedA.—SlPTC,TSAirT, yooßurAobNeD dieut
CONSTANTservant' READER.
Portsmouth, Jan. 22, 1846.

THE LATE EARL SPENCER.
Lord Althorp, who now became Chancellor of the
Exchequer, and leader of the House of Commons, was
eighteen years younger than Lord Grey. His father,
Lord Spencer, had joined Mr. Pitt in the first revolu-
tionary war, and held office under him, In returning to
his old connexions, he had retained several of those
opinions of Mr. Burke which first led to the schism.
Accordingly, Lord Althorp, when he first sat in the
House of Commons, was not friendly to Parliamen-
tary reform. He worked out his free principles by con-
stant observation and reflection, in the practical school
of Parliamentary life. His diligence was indefatigable,
his sagacity quick, his judgment seldom at fault. Or,
if ever he fell into a mistake, it was from too unsuspi-
cious a confidence in the virtue of mankind—the error
of a trusting, believing, hoping nature. He had im-
proved his understanding by extensive reading, and was
accustomed to work out by reflection all the great pro-
blems of moral and political philosophy; -"so that his
mind was easily brought to act upon any subject which
events placed before it. His views were large and com-
prehensive, embracing the whole compass of improve-
ment in our laws, our commerce, and our constitution.
But, above all, his opinions upon questions both specu-
lative and practical, were guided by a humble reliance
or, the goodness of God; and a conviction that he was
bound in whatever he might think or do,—whether in
following or resisting his own inclination,—to follow the
law of Christ. The state of public affairs led him
to take an active part in the House of Com-
mons; and although no one was ever so free from
the pharaisaical profession of purity, yet the sim-
plicity of his character soon made him under-
stood, beloved, and trusted beyond any man in' that
assembly. This was the more remarkable, as his tongue
was far from eloquent; and, although his arguments
were sound and comprehensive, he was so often wanting
in words as to be obscure, and unable to convey. ade-
quately his meaning. But the confidence of his friends,
his party, and the country, supplied all deficiencies, and
gave to his few and simple expressions as much influence
over his audience as had ever been obtained' by the
most admired eloquence of our greatest orators. He
was plain in manner and in dress; but a short inter-
course disclosed the scholar, the, gentleman, and the
statesman. For he possessed, with the entire absence of
all artificial politeness, the most genuine courtesy of be-
havi )ur to all who approached him, His kindness of
heart shone in the most casual, as in the most-cordial in-
tercourse ; and while the intimacy of his friendship was
a treasure reserved for few, the equanimity of his temper
and the charity of his judgments extended to all who ap-
proached him in the conduct of affairs, or were opposed
to bim in political enmity. He had no jealous", no 'envy,
and perhaps too little ambition. He often said, that he
had hoped the many votes hj had given ire:fstepur of mo-
tions which were supported by small minorities,- would
have prevented any proposal to him to accept office. But
when he was told by Lord Grey, that the formation of
the Ministry depended upon his decision, he felt' that ho
could no longer hesitate.—Edinburgh Review.

Mr. Robert John Bagshaw,
.who seconded one of the
resolutions at the Marylebone Anti-Corn-law meeting on
Tuesday last, and who made a most excellent speech on the
occasion, is the son of Mr. Bagshaw, so well known as a
staunch reformer, and great supporter of the Liberal party in
Blarylebone. The son bids fair to do honour to the name,
and is a valuable acquisition to the cause.
DEATH FROM MALARIA.—On Friday Mr: Wakley,
M.P., held an inquest ar the Sun, Gate-streetZLincoln's Inn-
fields, on the body of Frederick Kirkham, aged three months,
whose parents reside in Baker's-court, Whetstone-park. It
was proved that deceased, with its parents, and four other
young children, occupied a small room in the above court.
The room was ccnfined and ill ventilated; and the coroner
and jury wondered how human life could be sustained in it.
The Coroner said that Whetstone-park was a dreadful place.
Its air was so bad as to be enough to kill anybody, yet the
commissioners of sewers had reported on its drainage, and
from their report it would appear quite a delightful place.
Verdict—" That there was no evidence to show whether the
child's death resulted from natural causes, or from having
been accidentallysmothered."
SERIOUS ACCIDENTS DURING THE HIGH WIND.--
During the night of Wednesday several very serious acci-
dente-oecurred in various parts of the metropolis during the
storm, which raged with great violence for several hours.
Shortly after nine o'clock, in Ewer-street, Gravel-lane, ftouth-
wark, a stack of chimneys fell on the roof of a small cottage'
occupied by a family of poor Irish persons, and a large por-
tion of brickwork fell upon the head of the eldest child, caul- •
ing a fracture of the skull and lacerating the scalp, whereby
his life is placed in imminent danger. A second accident
took place the same night to a female named Jane Tomlin- '
son, of New-street, Walworth-common. While 'passing
through Panyer-street, Eastiane, a large piece of boardingt
fell from the roof of a pigeon-house, and struckorrwpoill,l
great violence across the shoulders and .head. t
way, was thrown down, but fortunatelyonooteo. w
Lion of a house, situated in White's-place, NenweiAnglsoninirtedse-..
The wind, at
Several large trees were torn up by the r
one period of the night, became so exceedingly high that
several large vestels below London-bridge were torn from
their moorings, and some considerable time elapsed before
they could be made fast.
SHNERNEss, FRIDAY, JAN. 23.—The Ferret, 10, will
be undocked to-morrow, and is expected to be commissioned
in the course of next week. Eight of the advanced ships
of-the line at this port have had their topmasts and jib-
booms, which were only recently
epuottho ne
sb o
preservation:aarred ,}ba
lyso,oAu
rdt
omhi rheaaalvyt
heavy
tohrdeierrs, returned
sent. on sohnorsehofroer, abnedt t
efhr
frigates, it is reported, are to be put in an advanced state
of commission at this port, and the Worcester and Chi-
chester, new 50-gun frigates, and the Cornwall, 50, and the
Conquestador, 50, are mentioned as having been selected..
The whole of the guns for the old fortifications have now • "
arrived They are 63 in number, and are of the following •
description—viz., 4 are eight-inch guns, 98 cwt. each, and
11 feet long; 29 are eight-inch guns, 66 cwt. each, and 9
feet long ;26 have a 6i-inch bore, are 56 cwt. each, .and 9
feet 6 inches long ; and four are long 32-pounders. -The
workmen now await the arrival of the carriages and plat-
forms from Woolwich, the beds for which are concreted, and
the masonry on which they are to rest being all ready to bs-
laid down. The guns are to be placed as follows, viz.-20
on the Half-moon battery at the point ; 18 on the Admiral's
platform ; overlooking the said battery ; and the remaining
30 along the works protecting the barracks. The new
works continue to progress most rapidly ; the battery form-
ing opposite the docks and gate is now up to the height of
the platform, its further progress has, however, been deferred
till the formation of the deep ditch by which it is to be pro-
tected, and on which all the workmen are now concentrated.
Wooden profiles are up for another battery, with whiph this
is to be connected by a musketry wall, while to the-. east-
ward it will be continued into the bastions extending from
the Thames to the Medway.
ALTERATIONS IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. -- The
change of deans, four having held the appointment within a
period of about two years, has tended to interrupt the anxious
wishes of the chapter to devise means of accommodation for
the very large increase of persons who throng this venerable
church, especially on Sundays, when the rush to get in (until
Dean Wilberforce caused the doors to be opened half an hour
before the service began) was frightfully alarming. The
choir will be enlarged by placing the beautiful oak screens
back, so as to include the pillars within the choir;
tam
els
light will be obtained by filling the upper parts of
tha
with plate glass, like Canterbury Cathedral; :the
prebendal for the
stall will be close to the screen, and two rows e
seats in
laity in front of them on
the centre will be made to accotiironod,
CO avoid con.-
either side.
ions, four on either side of div
will be continued to
fusion in passing each other ; these e.-ateTneight per-
he steps to the commu-
a convenient distance
, ffromcoutrse, be removed ; the or..
neon ,• the pews
formed into
which will then.
side of the loft,
the edifice,
gun al so will probably
N%aci irlyvh eenonir eubzobse, edr
ft
persons, the
aa rgwoahi
Itleheszotr. tacal eithertpe aribnlge
of a"m"m°da"ng a large
of.
the appearance or c
be seen from east to west in one uninterrupted view, show-
ing the beautiful west window to very great advantage:,
The Budder.
The Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe anil
Susan Innes Ker have arrived at Thomas's Hotel, from Lady
Floors.
Castle, Kelso,t
telt, NB.
Lord Lar yUnder Secretary of State for th •
n e
Colonies, has left town for Brighton.
TLe newly appointed Clerk of the Ordnance, Sir
Thomas Hastings, has tab= a mansion it South Audley -
street.